"Standard Flow" became the bands first single to be released, this featured the dancehall legend Elephant Man and was released to pirate radio stations on the Weighty Plates label. Xplosive Records and EastWest/Warner Music followed this with their first commercial release "Crossroads" which debuted at number one in the UK Charts.
Breakthrough and debut album
TNT Xplosive and EastWest/Warner Music both agreed to work on the single "Crossroads", which was originally recorded by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as "Tha Crossroads" in 1996. Using their own version of the chorus the band wrote their own MC verses. The track was released as their first single once they left school at the ages of 16, where they also had a history of academic success.[citation needed] "Crossroads" went straight into the UK Singles Chart at number 1 in August 2002. During their short time of 2 years together, the group achieved 6 consecutive UK Top 10 hits, however they faced a lot of criticism. Their rap skills were not taken seriously by the British media, sidelining them to a younger audience. Despite this, their debut album In The Beginning achieved gold satus in the UK and spawned two further UK Top 10 hits, "Love On The Line" which reached number six and a double a-side single "Reminisce/Where The Story Ends" which reached number eight in February 2003.
The group were popular with commercial radio gigs and roadshows as well as pre-teen pop-music magazines such as Top of the Pops and Smash Hits[citation needed].
[Further success and Now or Never
The group achieved further chart success in 2003, with two UK top five chart hits. "We Just Be Dreamin'" reached number three in July 2003, whilst "Flip Reverse" reached number two in November. "Flip Reverse" was used to re-launch the BBC's Top Of The Pops. A special performance was recorded outside Television Centre with 100 or so hooded back-up dancers.
Despite the chart success with their singles, they failed to match it with their second album Now or Never, which failed to reach the UK Top 40 album chart. A live recording of a concert in Liverpool was released for Christmas 2003. However, it failed to re-ignite the flagging sales of their second album, nor did a follow-up single "Here 4 One", which peaked at number six in the UK, during early 2004. The group also completed a sold-out UK 21-date tour in 2003. The tour was managed by successful[citation needed] rap touring promoter mogul Aaron Hill. He has a hand in promotional internet videos with dizzie rascal currently.
Decline in popularity
2004 was quiet for the group, until January 2005 saw Kenzie appear on Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, finishing in second place. The original Blazin' Squad split shortly after. Kenzie went on to form Friday Hill with 2 other Blazin' Squad members. Friday Hill's music was more pop-based and different in vein to the music of Blazin' Squad. They released two singles in the UK, "Baby Goodbye" which peaked at number five on the Official UK Singles chart in November 2005, as well as "One More Night Alone" which reached number 13 in February 2006. They also released an album Times Like These, which failed to chart.
Blazin' Squad did make a brief return to the UK charts in October 2006, but as a four-piece. The single released was a summer-sounding "All Night Long", which reached number 54 in the UK Singles Chart. The group expressed their disappointment via their official myspace.
After this disappointment, the group split and Blazin' Squad was left to rest for the time being. There have been petitions and Myspace pages set up to re-unite Blazin' Squad again[citation needed], it is known that certain Blazin' Squad members are in talks to do a reunion tour in 2008[citation needed], adding further to this speculation a newly set up Official MySpace was set up with five of the original members and a new track "Lets Start Again", which is listed to be released April 13th 2009. [1]
Criticism
The band were notoriously criticised, even after the release of their second album, as they were seen to be pioneers of the chav culture, and some said that they were to So Solid Crew what S Club Juniors were to their senior counterparts, S Club. They were also seen to only appeal to the young population of the UK.
Split
The split occurred in 2005, shortly after Kenzie's appearance on Big Brother. MC Kenzie, MC Flava and MC Strider started their own band (preferring to be called Kenzie, James and Mus respectively), known as Friday Hill. The trio released their debut single, "Baby Goodbye" in October 2005. Blazin' Squad did consist of Marcel (MC Plat’num), Stuart (MC Reepa), Sam (MC Spike-E) & Chris (MC Melo-D). They decided to call it a day in 2006. Lee (Krazy) has gone solo and is currently working on his solo album in the US called the 'Lee Bailey project'.
Comeback
Blazin Squad are set to be making a comeback with the song "Let's Start Again" , a snippet is available on the MySpace. The song is expected to be released on 13th April 2009.
Only 5 of the original members will be returning though. They are Kenzie, Krazy, Strider, Flava and Plat'num B. However it is believed they will go by their first names due to the group's music sounding more different and personal.
Crossroads
Blazin' Squad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So tell me what you're gonna do
When there ain't nowhere 2 run
When judgment comes 4 you
(when judgment comes 4 u)
So tell me what your gonna do
When there ain't no place 2 hide
When judgment comes 4 you
[Chorus]
See you at the crossroads crossroads crossroads
[3 times after that]
[Flava:] so why you gotta go and pray your gonna make it some day
You got a job so why do you want a raise
Why you want to act tough why can't you
Play this whole fame
Thing just comes one of these days
When it comes you'll be one of a kind
But before this keep all this in your mind
'cause I will hold you till the end of the line want all this you'll be mad to decline
[Reepa:] so what you gonna do when everydays the same
Try and do this
Shush just 4 a glimpse of fame
Didn't mean 2 do it
Just put yourself 2 shame
Didn't want 2 kill her just tryin 2 play the game
Wen you reach the crossroads where you gonna go
Go with your coinsience
Just let your feelings flow
Lifes up lifes down
But things can turn around
Innocent or guilty you will soon be found
[KRAZY]
So what ya gonna do when people hate you
Chat you
Beat you
They don't like you
Can't run away coz they will find you
Prayin for answers wot ya gonna do
Make decisions where ya gonna go
Take the crossroads go with the flow
You gotta come easy and then you gotta go
Your livin in a hateful world
Keep low
[Breakdown]
Mmmm and we pray and we pray and we pray and we pray
Everyday everyday everyday everyday
And we pray and we pray and we pray and we pray
Still we lay still we lay
[KENZIE]
There's things in life you have to make
Which path you take is like deja-vou
Stand by your side
Stand next to you
Be there in the middle when your passin through
In the middle meet you at the crossroads
Between love and hate
Between good and evil
We can see right through you
When you tell the truth
All single lie
We brake sumthin
Your gonna make a man cry
Don't want to talk about the day your gonna die
Sooner or later that day will come
When you have to make a right or wrong decision
Its hard to take and make
Curlin by they just separate you
Want to do that sht
Prime resists at the end of the day
Its up to you
Ill be there in the middle when your passin through.
[chorus x2]
(so you won't be lonely)
[Rockyb:] see you at the crossroads see you
See you at the crossroads see you
[x2]
[Spike-e:] who's THAT GET OFF THE TRAIN
AVIREX JACKET WITH THE POOR WITH THE RAIN
WHY TAKE THAT MANS CHAIN
NO MORE TROUBLE MADE
[Melo-d:] living on the streets everyday so lame
People walking past looking at you in shame
But they don't really care who's the one 2 blame
You're gonna take the wrong turn your gonna lose the game
You no its not you're fault that life turned this way
But ppl don't care don't hear what you say
The way it is now is the ways it gonna stay
There's no choice left but to hope and pray
[BREAKDOWN]
[Chorus x2]
(so you won't b lonley)
The Blazin' Squad's song Crossroads is a contemplative tune about the hard choices that people must make when they find themselves at the crossroads of life. The song's central theme is the inevitability of judgment that awaits everyone, whether guilty or innocent. The opening lines, 'Bone bone bone bone bone bone bone bone. So tell me what you're gonna do when there ain't nowhere 2 run When judgment comes 4 you,' set the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics urge us to reflect on our decisions and consider the consequences of our actions, for we will ultimately face the judgment of others and ourselves.
The chorus, 'See you at the crossroads crossroads crossroads,' repeats the song's title several times, driving home the point that when we reach the crossroads, we must make a choice. Some of the verses offer different scenarios in which people might find themselves standing at the crossroads. For instance, one of the verses talks about fame and how it can corrupt people, while another verse deals with hate, prejudice, and the need to make tough decisions. The song's overall message is that we should always strive to make the right choices and avoid regrets that may follow us for the rest of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Bone bone bone bone bone bone bone bone
Repetitive chanting to create a chilling, haunting effect
So tell me what you're gonna do
Asks the listener about their plan for the future
When there ain't nowhere 2 run
Describes a scenario where it's impossible to escape
When judgment comes 4 you
Refers to facing consequences for actions
(when judgment comes 4 u)
Reiteration of previous line
So tell me what your gonna do
Asks the listener about their plan for the future
When there ain't no place 2 hide
Describes a scenario where it's impossible to hide from consequences
'cause its gonna come 4 you
Emphasizes that consequences are inevitable
See you at the crossroads crossroads crossroads
Refers to a crucial decision point in one's life
[3 times after that]
Repetition for emphasis
[Flava:] so why you gotta go and pray your gonna make it some day
Questioning the effectiveness of relying on hope and prayer
You got a job so why do you want a raise
Asks why someone would reach for more when they're already comfortable
Why you want to act tough why can't you
Questioning someone's desire to project toughness
Play this whole fame
Asks why someone would want to play the game of fame
Thing just comes one of these days
Suggests that fame is not something that can be controlled
When it comes you'll be one of a kind
Describes the uniqueness of fame
But before this keep all this in your mind
Advising to keep a level head before reaching fame
'cause I will hold you till the end of the line want all this you'll be mad to decline
Offering support and encouragement for someone's pursuit of fame
[Reepa:] so what you gonna do when everydays the same
Asking how someone will handle monotony in life
Try and do this
Encourages someone to try something new
Shush just 4 a glimpse of fame
Suggests that people will do anything for a chance at fame
Didn't mean 2 do it
Denial of responsibility for actions
Just put yourself 2 shame
Feeling embarrassed or guilty
Didn't want 2 kill her just tryin 2 play the game
Describing an unintended consequence of one's actions
Wen you reach the crossroads where you gonna go
Asking where someone will go when faced with a big decision
Go with your coinsience
Encourages someone to follow their conscience
Just let your feelings flow
Encourages someone to follow their emotions
Lifes up lifes down
Describing the ups and downs of life
But things can turn around
Suggests that things can improve at any moment
Innocent or guilty you will soon be found
Suggests that the truth will eventually come out
[KRAZY] So what ya gonna do when people hate you
Asking how someone will handle being disliked
Chat you
Describes criticism or negative talk
Beat you
Describes physical violence
They don't like you
Refers to being disliked
Can't run away coz they will find you
Suggests that problems will catch up to you eventually
Prayin for answers wot ya gonna do
Describing the search for answers
Make decisions where ya gonna go
Encourages someone to make a choice
Take the crossroads go with the flow
Suggests to go with the most natural option
You gotta come easy and then you gotta go
Describing the fleeting nature of life
Your livin in a hateful world
Describing the harshness of the world
Keep low
Suggesting to keep a low profile
[Rockyb:] see you at the crossroads see you
Refers to a crucial decision point in one's life
See you at the crossroads see you
Repetition for emphasis
[x2]
Reiteration of previous line
[Spike-e:] who's THAT GET OFF THE TRAIN
Intruding on someone's personal space
AVIREX JACKET WITH THE POOR WITH THE RAIN
Describing a person's clothing
WHY TAKE THAT MANS CHAIN
Questioning someone for stealing
NO MORE TROUBLE MADE
Describing an end to trouble
[Melo-d:] living on the streets everyday so lame
Describing a difficult living situation
People walking past looking at you in shame
Feeling judged by others
But they don't really care who's the one 2 blame
Suggesting that people don't care about others' problems
You're gonna take the wrong turn your gonna lose the game
Warning about making the wrong decision
You no its not you're fault that life turned this way
Acknowledging that life can be unpredictable
But ppl don't care don't hear what you say
Feeling unheard by others
The way it is now is the ways it gonna stay
Feeling like current circumstances won't change
There's no choice left but to hope and pray
Suggesting that hope and prayer are the only options left
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L.
Written by: Anthony Henderson, Bryon Mccane, Steven Howse, Charles Scruggs, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Christopher Jasper, Bryon Mc Cane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ArtofZenDigital
I’m late here, but I thankfully never heard this before until tonight. While getting song packs from different eras to fill out my DJing music library, the Crossroads title stuck out and I played it. It was soul crushingly cringe worthy at levels that are nearly impossible to explain. I felt contact embarrassment for everyone that was involved in its creation.
I grew up in the 90s and thankfully only knew the incredibly beautiful Bone Thugs N Harmony version. From my understanding, and from asking around my DJ pool, there are possibly two factors related to how this travesty occurred.
1. Bone Thugs N Harmony unfortunately don’t own the rights to their own master recordings.
2. Interscope Records also owned the Eazy E founded label that Bone Thugs N Harmony were signed to. After Eazy E passed away, Interscope had a final say in their music.
Because the terrible rappers that decided to butcher this meaningful hip hop classic are from the UK, Interscope felt that they could get further residuals from the nostalgic nature of the melody and the hook, without many US Hip Hop fans ever hearing that rendition.
Bone Thugs N Harmony were still upset, and to appease them, Interscope allowed this group to keep the melody and the chorus in tact, right down to the ‘Bone, Bone, Bone’ intro melody, but out of some small bit of respect to Bone Thugs N Harmony, the actual lyrics to the song had to be changed, as they were a tribute to the late Eazy E.
So it appears that they’re mourning a friend, but then they sing meaningless, horribly deliver lines about girls they want to date while posturing horribly. 😭
@carolinemalone5818
Don't know if you know, but Marcel was in Blazin Squad
@TheLoucho
yeah just dont tell too many people
@SadieMayB
Caroline Malone shush!! he doesn't like people to know!!
@kaitlinlouise482
Caroline Malone shhh it's a secret
@nadinemcgonogall4151
Guys let's stop talking about it, Marcel is trying to keep it s secret
@theturkishkid3606
Me
@dantaylor6878
Marcel seems like he really hates telling people he's from blazing squad..
@nadine8524
And we all get to hear
@smartwhip.
Dan Taylor wait what? He never said that
@smartwhip.
deedee 1 I was being sarcastic