Braintax originally performed as a duo, but former member DJ T.E.S.T. left in the mid-1990s. T.E.S.T. only appeared on one official Braintax release - the 1992 debut EP, Fat Head. Christie retained the recording name and it has since become synonymous with him as a solo artist.
Though Christie had been involved in the underground breakdancing and rapping scenes for a number of years, his career effectively started with the release of the Fat Head EP. Perhaps most noted was track 5, "Talk About The Future," sampling Quincy Jones's "Summer In The City." The sample was used in response to American hip hop act The Pharcyde's use of it in its track "Passin Me By," from album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. Braintax's lyrics reflected a maturity beyond his years and this track in particular was a sign of what was to come.
Throughout his career, Braintax's lyrics have been thoughful, hard hitting and reflective, ranging from politics to spirituality and the state of hip hop music to the war in Iraq. Decrying the fake posturing and the laziness of UK hip hop acts, Braintax, along with a slew of cohorts such as Blade, Harry Love and Lewis Parker, triggered a renaissance in the UK hip hop scene, both setting the pace and paving the way for new artists and labels. As well as the variation in production styles, the depth and complexity of Braintax's lyrics are a clue to his success. Though he may not like it, philosophical musings, such as those on "Oceans" (Biro Funk, 2001), on the essence of contentment and the struggle to find peace in the modern world, appeal to a wide audience and, significantly, a middle class audience. In any case, Braintax has been a pioneer of the renaissance in UK hip hop and remains heavily involved, constantly pushing the music forward: "If there is a point it should be that we benefit more from music we relate to than from that we just listen to."
Joe Christie has also recorded or appeared under the pseudonyms Brando Flux and Joey Brains.
Peace
Braintax Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm moving on a positive course
In the future plan to have a 100 acres of sorts
On my ranch in France, barbecues in the summer
Cash Money's on the decks cuttin' up Funky Drummer
My kids run around freestylin' with their friends
Me and my girl plus my friends and their wives get the bends
Smoking prime marijuana picked straight off the stem
Everybody to the lake at the top of the estate
Life's great! Me and my Brazilian mate Joselito
bought a crate of the finest live bait
So we push out the boats, just an hour to wait
Fresh skate on the barbi everybody congregate
Fresh fish that's my favourite dish, pass your plate
Cos tonight we watch the sunset contented
Everybody saying 'Peace' and I know that they meant it...
I'll leave my spirit in the garden like Marlon
And bury me up in the orchard but leave at least a yard on
I'll be growing still, absorbing knowledge at a crazy rate
Analyse the soil contemplating on my lazy state
Yeah I'm chillin' down here with the worms
Now I'm gone though, I don't have to worry about germs
I'm spreading out my carbon giving back to life
Spreading heat through the ground to my kids and wife
It's not the afterlife, it's just the way we still affect
Piece of pie, peace of mind plus a helping of respect
Focus on the wide sky, white wine
Rising early with the sun and watch the stars all night
Yeah the future's bright
The future's Resting On Your Godly Breath - Inner Vision
(Rainbow) that's if you get my drift
I feel my sense like I'm sitting with my son on a cliff
Watch the sunset and face the wind smoking a spliff
Peace like the time you wake up and you can lie there
And feel well-balanced irrespective of the nightmare
Today's another day kinda like the other 6
Weetabix... check my emails...
J Christie soundscapes, you fill in the details
My thoughts spark pre-sales
I'm trying to get off this rock before the sea swells
My peace gels better everyday if I save
But if I spend it all at once heading for an early grave give me...
Peace
The song Peace by Braintax is a reflection of his future plans and aspirations for a peaceful life. He envisions himself living on a ranch in France with a hundred acres of land and enjoying barbecues in the summer with his family and friends. Braintax describes the scene of everyone enjoying the lake at the top of his estate and smoking prime marijuana picked straight off the stem. He also mentions how his son scores a perfect ten, and they all watch the sunset together feeling content and at peace.
Braintax further delves into his afterlife plans, indicating that he wants to be buried in the orchard, leaving at least a yard of space. He wants to continue growing still and absorbing knowledge at a crazy rate, analyzing the soil and contemplating on his lazy state. He wants to give back to life by spreading out his carbon and heat through the ground to his kids and wife, leaving a positive impact even after he's gone. Braintax concludes by emphasizing the importance of peace and how it makes life better every day.
One interesting fact about Braintax is that he was one of the pioneers of British hip-hop music in the late 1990s. He was the founder and owner of the record label Low Life Records, where he released his debut album 'Biro Funk' in 2000. Braintax collaborated with several prominent rappers and producers, including Roots Manuva, DJ Vadim, and Skinnyman. He announced his retirement from music in 2008 and moved to Australia to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry.
Another interesting fact about 'Peace' is that it features a sample from the classic funk song 'Funky Drummer' by James Brown. The song has been sampled in numerous hip-hop and R&B records over the years and is considered one of the most sampled songs in music history. Braintax's use of the sample adds to the song's nostalgic and laid-back vibe.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I'm moving on a positive course
I'm making progress and staying optimistic
In the future plan to have a 100 acres of sorts
I have grand plans and goals for the future
On my ranch in France, barbecues in the summer
In the future, I imagine enjoying summer barbecues on my French ranch
Cash Money's on the decks cuttin' up Funky Drummer
We're listening to good music and enjoying ourselves
My kids run around freestylin' with their friends
My children are carefree and creative, having fun with their friends
Me and my girl plus my friends and their wives get the bends
We're having a good time and feeling relaxed
Smoking prime marijuana picked straight off the stem
We're enjoying high-quality cannabis
Breaking competition and my son scores a 10
My son is successful and excelling in his pursuits
Everybody to the lake at the top of the estate
We're all gathering at the lake on my property
Life's great! Me and my Brazilian mate Joselito
Life is wonderful, and I have good friends
bought a crate of the finest live bait
We have quality supplies for fishing
So we push out the boats, just an hour to wait
We're going fishing and anticipating the catch
Fresh skate on the barbi everybody congregate
We're cooking fresh skate and enjoying each other's company
Fresh fish that's my favourite dish, pass your plate
I particularly enjoy fresh fish and want to share it with others
Cos tonight we watch the sunset contented
We're feeling satisfied and enjoying the moment
Everybody saying 'Peace' and I know that they meant it...
We're all feeling peaceful and content, and genuinely expressing that sentiment
I'll leave my spirit in the garden like Marlon
When I die, I want to be remembered and have a presence in the garden
And bury me up in the orchard but leave at least a yard on
I want to be buried in the orchard, with some space around my grave
I'll be growing still, absorbing knowledge at a crazy rate
Even after I die, I'll continue to learn and grow
Analyse the soil contemplating on my lazy state
I'm reflecting on my current relaxed state and the nature around me
Yeah I'm chillin' down here with the worms
Even in death, I'm comfortable and at peace
Now I'm gone though, I don't have to worry about germs
I'm not concerned with mundane things like bacteria anymore
I'm spreading out my carbon giving back to life
My decomposing body is nourishing the earth and contributing to new life
Spreading heat through the ground to my kids and wife
My energy is still affecting and benefiting my loved ones
It's not the afterlife, it's just the way we still affect
Our impact can continue after we're gone, without invoking religious connotations of an afterlife
Piece of pie, peace of mind plus a helping of respect
When we have comfort, serenity, and respect, life is easy
Focus on the wide sky, white wine
We're paying attention to the vastness and beauty of the sky and enjoying white wine
Rising early with the sun and watch the stars all night
We're making the most of the daytime and nighttime
Yeah the future's bright
There's potential and optimism for what's to come
The future's Resting On Your Godly Breath - Inner Vision
Our future depends on our spiritual and visionary selves
(Rainbow) that's if you get my drift
There's a deeper meaning here, if you understand and connect with it
I feel my sense like I'm sitting with my son on a cliff
I'm experiencing a special moment and connection with my child
Watch the sunset and face the wind smoking a spliff
We're enjoying the beauty of nature and smoking marijuana
Peace like the time you wake up and you can lie there
Peace is feeling comfortable and relaxed in the morning
And feel well-balanced irrespective of the nightmare
Even in difficult times, we can maintain mental equilibrium
Today's another day kinda like the other 6
Life is routine and predictable, but that can be comforting
Weetabix... check my emails...
My day starts with breakfast and checking technology
J Christie soundscapes, you fill in the details
I create music and invite others to interpret and personalize my work
My thoughts spark pre-sales
Before I take action, I carefully think and plan ahead
I'm trying to get off this rock before the sea swells
I want to leave this Earth before it becomes too uncomfortable or dangerous
My peace gels better everyday if I save
I can achieve greater peace and security if I save and plan financially
But if I spend it all at once heading for an early grave give me...
If I waste my money and die young, I won't have peace
Peace
Contentment, serenity, and lack of conflict or distress
Contributed by Sadie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
djpheeze
One of the most beautiful hip-hop tunes ever.
Everybody said PEACE and I knew that they meant it... :'-)
glacial19
I remember being 15 years old listening to this while smoking a joint on a nice summers day, 2006 world cup was in full swing and i had not a care in the world
maskell165
this is one of tax's best!
ldk 303
peace 2020