2. MC from Portland, Oregon.
3. Hardcore band, probably active in the 90's.
4. A hardcore punk band from Philadelphia, PA that has been active since 2012. http://braillephiladelphia.bandcamp.com/
1) As the house-oriented solo project of Praveen Sharma (see Sepalcure, Praveen, and Praveen & Benoit), Braille combines classic chicago house vocals with deep, dubby melodic elements, all under the pulse of post-dubstep-influenced, sub-dominating bass. His debut EP, The Year 3000, is slated for a May, 2011 release on Rush Hour.
2) Always on a musical mission, BRAILLE has become one of rap’s best-kept secrets. He has released three solo albums, performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan with artists like the late James Brown, De La Soul and others, been named one of the “Next 100” by URB magazine and collaborated with rap heavyweights such as 9th Wonder, CunninLyguists, and Pigeon John. All of these accomplishments set the stage for Braille’s fourth album, the splendid The IV Edition (Syntax Records).
In addition to being his fourth album, the title represents three other things. Braille wants the album to serve as an IV to distribute musical medicine for social illnesses directly into the veins of the society. IV also stands for “International Vision” (becoming more aware of what's going on in the world around us) and “International Version” (the album is made for an international audience and features German, French, Finish and Australian producers like M-Phazes, Aetoms, Staffro, etc).
The album’s title song serves as an ode to Braille’s rap roots. Produced by Marco Polo and featuring scratches from Rob Swift, the energetic, drum-driven tune is a lyrical showcase that caters to rap’s tremendous subterranean following. “The underground hip-hop base is a lot bigger than people think it is,” Braille reveals. “Sometimes when people think of the word underground, they think of basement albums that just get dubbed on tape. So I’m sticking to my roots. I believe that the audience for lyricism and good hip-hop is much larger than most people assume. I wanted to start with the hip-hop base and take it from there.”
Elsewhere, Braille acknowledges his personal and artistic history on “Remember Your Path” and channels the energy of music icon James Brown on “Main Squeeze,” with whom Braille toured as an opening act during 2005 and 2006. Then on “Calculated Risk” Braille gets personal by examining his decision to pursue and create lyric and beat-drive rap music with spiritual overtones. It’s been a full time mission since 1999. “This could really end up being really detrimental to my career. I understand the risk of doing what I’ve done thus far. I understand the risk that I might not make it, that people might not buy my records. I understand those risks, but it’s still worth it to me to put everything into a making a record the way I want it to sound and not worry about what’s going on in the industry and on the radio.”
Braille was attracted to hip-hop at a young age. Hearing the variety of different styles and artists that existed during the early- to mid-‘90s, Braille was inspired by the idea that he could write songs based on his own personal experiences and that he didn't have to fit into any specific stereotypes. One group that was fundamental in Braille's development at the time was A Tribe Called Quest, who changed his outlook on music with its landmark 1993 album Midnight Marauders. Rap was in the midst of a gangster rap renaissance at the time and the album’s uplifting, positive vibe gave the then teen-aged Braille a boost. “Hearing people talk from different perspectives, I started to realize, ‘Hey, I could make music and still be myself,’” the Portland-raised rapper recalls today. “It was fine that I grew up where I grew up. My size, stature and my personality are all attributes. They’re not negatives. That’s just who I am, so I felt that if I embraced those things, then I could do whatever I wanted with it.”
Growing up, Braille had more to worry about than music. Born in Portland, he and his family relocated to New Jersey when he was in high school. During his stay on the east coast, his family went bankrupt and returned to Portland to live with Braille’s grandmother. However, Braille enjoyed being close to Philadelphia and New York and decided to stay by himself on the East Coast. In 1999, when he was 17, independent startup ESWP music released his first album, Lifefirst: Half The Battle.
The battle to survive proved too tough, so Braille moved back to Portland only to find out there was no room in the house for him. He took a bus to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in music. After a year in LA, he went back to Oregon and met the woman that would eventually become his wife. With music dreams, no high school diploma and newfound responsibility, Braille and his future wife started a business cleaning out repossessed homes.
That wasn’t the work Braille wanted to do, so he and his wife moved out of their place, put their stuff in storage and lived out of their van while they toured around the United States doing concerts. They didn’t ask for payment at shows. With no bills, they sold merchandise to pay for gas and food. “I didn't have many career options because I spent most of my teenage years working on music,” Braille says. “That’s where I invested all of my time, so I was willing to make some sacrifices in order to continue pursuing it.”
Fortunately, the more Braille pursued his dream of making a living making music, the more real that dream became. He buckled down and in 2004 released his second album, Shades of Grey. The collection featured collaborations with 9th Wonder (Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child) and Rob Swift and laid the foundation for a successful career. Thanks to such powerful, politically minded songs as “Keep On,” it was easy for URB magazine to tap Braille one of their “Next 100.”
The following year, Braille’s newly formed label Hiphop IS Music released his third album, Box of Rhymes. Following the album’s release he would experience the joy of becoming a father as well as the pain of loosing one. The IV Edition deals with these issues and provides an outlook compromising of social change, spiritual beliefs, confidence and the ability to carry on.
Though he did not grow up in a spiritual household, Braille found the spiritual references he encountered in rap encouraging and decided to act upon them. “I believed there was something out there,” Braille says, “and I started out trying to be a positive person. I felt a gut on my heart and I eventually ended up meeting this other artist, Trust One, and when we got together, I thought we were going to talk about hip-hop. He told me more about God and I started on my path as a follower of Christ. That had a big impact on the direction I took in life and as an artist"
3) No info about them, released a demo tape.
4) Four Adult Males from Philadelphia. 90s-influenced hardcore punk with its own unique twist. Sean, Dustin, Andrew, and John.
Life Cipher
Braille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a rhyme recital written for your safety and survival
It's vital information for a dying generation
My text respiration for the earths restoration
And edification, soul crusade, I tour the states
Eight years rhyming, still improving with age
Making musical wages, moving crowds in all locations
On stages and radio stations, got love for all creation
The David vs. Goliath scenario, blasted through your stereo
From every angle and topic, deposit knowledge
Wisdom and logic cautiously, kicking it constantly
A clear conscience and a strategy for the process
Put thoughts in action with active ingredients, actively feeding this
Vision all that it needs, raising havoc
Even when I wreck it here's a method to my madness
Braille Brizzy I'm back, I connect with the
Track, attack and react with raw rap
Cipher in the center of wherever I'm at
When the beat drops it's on, I let loose and blast
Braille Brizzy I'm back, I connect with the
Track, attack and react with raw rap
Cipher in the center of wherever I'm at
When the beat drops, it's on, I let loose and blast
In Braille's song Life Cipher, the artist speaks about his passion for rhyming and how he uses it to impart vital information for the current and future generations. He positions himself as a soul crusader on a mission to restore the earth and educate people on the importance of wisdom and logic. Braille speaks about his eight years of experience, how he's been improving with age and making a living from music. He doesn't limit his music to a particular location, as he's performed on different stages and radio stations, expressing love for all creation.
Braille's lyrics reflect his humility, patience, and motivation even when he faces challenges. He compares himself to David facing Goliath, and the scenario reflects how he's battled through stereotypical expectations on his music while still maintaining his unique style of educating, depositing knowledge, and disseminating wisdom. Braille's approach to his music is strategic, putting his thoughts into active ingredients, catalysing his vision, and raising havoc with a message even when he wrecks his audience. He connects with his audience with raw rap and lets loose his passion whenever the beat drops.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay yo, I cipher in the center of this life cycle
I am constantly analyzing and decoding the patterns and cycles of life
It's a rhyme recital written for your safety and survival
My music and lyrics are a message of guidance and protection for listeners
It's vital information for a dying generation
My words contain crucial knowledge and wisdom for a generation facing challenges and struggles
My text respiration for the earths restoration
My writing is a source of rejuvenation and healing for this planet
And edification, soul crusade, I tour the states
I travel around the country spreading education, enlightenment, and spiritual purpose
Eight years rhyming, still improving with age
After years of experience, I am still growing and progressing as an artist and a person
Making musical wages, moving crowds in all locations
Through my music, I make a living and connect with audiences everywhere
On stages and radio stations, got love for all creation
Whether performing live or on the airwaves, I have a deep affection for all living beings
Rocking the nation I'm patient, motivated to make it
I am committed to succeeding in my career and influencing the masses, even if it takes time
The David vs. Goliath scenario, blasted through your stereo
Like David facing Goliath, I overcome obstacles and opposition by broadcasting my music widely
From every angle and topic, deposit knowledge
Through my songs, I share insights and lessons on all kinds of subjects
Wisdom and logic cautiously, kicking it constantly
I am always vigilant in my pursuit of knowledge and understanding, and express it through my rhymes
A clear conscience and a strategy for the process
I am dedicated to honesty and integrity, and have a plan for achieving my goals
Put thoughts in action with active ingredients, actively feeding this
I turn my ideas into action, using my skills and resources to further my creative and personal development
Vision all that it needs, raising havoc
I have a clear vision of my objectives, and will do whatever it takes to make them a reality
Even when I wreck it here's a method to my madness
Even when I make mistakes or take risks, I have a plan and a purpose behind my actions
Braille Brizzy I'm back, I connect with the
This is a refrain expressing the artist's return to the music scene and his ability to communicate with others
Track, attack and react with raw rap
He is confident and assertive in his delivery of raw, authentic hip-hop
Cipher in the center of wherever I'm at
The artist is always analyzing and interpreting his surroundings, both physically and metaphorically
When the beat drops it's on, I let loose and blast
The music inspires him to release his energy and emotion, bringing the audience along for the ride
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.