Two albums were released, Buckshot LeFonque (1994) (which featured mostly DJ Premier produced tracks) and the follow up Music Evolution (1997) (which featured mostly Frank McComb on the vocals). Other frequent collaborators were Branford Marsalis' brother, Delfeayo Marsalis and rapper Uptown (of Dope On Plastic fame) aka 50 The Unknown Soldier. Both albums displayed a very broad musical picture, which is probably the reason why they failed to be commercially successful.
The name Buckshot LeFonque was a pseudonym of the jazz saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.
Live band members include:
* Branford Marsalis - MC as well as tenor, alto & soprano sax
* Frank McComb - keyboards & vocals
* 50 Styles:The Unknown Soldier, Ricky Dacosta - rapper
* Joey Calderazzo - keyboards / first tour
* Kermith Campbell - keyboards / until Frank was available
* Russell Gunn - trumpet
* John Touchy - Trombone - first tour
* Carl Burnett - acoustic & electric guitar
* Reggie Washington - upright & electric bass / first half of first tour
* Reginald Veal - upright & electric bass / second half of first tour
* Eric Revis - upright & electric bass / second tour
* DJ Apollo - turntables "Wheels O Steel"
* Rocky Bryant - drums & percussion & beat accurate sample triggering
* Mino Cinelu - percussion / first tour
* Black Heart the group - reggae rappers / first tour
No Pain No Gain
Buckshot LeFonque Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ate mo naku samayoi tsudzuketa
Nijinda new world
The game has only just begun
Ima hajimari no EYES
This is what tomorrow brings a new game
Kako no shitsubō nuritsubusu tame ni
Gisei ni shite kita mirai
Boku no Life ga tsukiru made
Sono sadame uchikowashite iku no sa
Aa
Break out and start a revolution
Hitotsu no kotae o sagashite
Genkai no race ni idonde
Ichido kiri no chansu to shitte
Seotta unmei koete iku nda yo
Saihate no story idaite
Ate mo naku samayoi tsudzuketa
Nijinda new world
The game has only just begun
Ima hajimari no EYES
When you feel you've reached the last dead end
What will you do to save yourself from fate?
Would you take a knife into your heart
Or would you rather break the falling and take defeat?
Aa
Step out and find your evolution
Hitori no sekai o utsushite
Eien no CHASE ni idonde
Ichido kiri no sutāto o kitte
Kurutta tenmei koete iku nda yo
Kare hateta imēji daite
Wakemonaku tatakai tsudzuketa
Kasunda true world
The game has only just begun
Ima hajimari no DAYS
Genjitsu to FAKE no hazama de
Ichidodake risetto yurushite
Sukui wa kitto kokoronouchi ni
Saihate no STORY idaite
Ate mo naku samayoi tsudzuketa
Nijinda new world
The game has only just begun
Ima hajimari no EYES
The lyrics to Buckshot LeFonque's song, No Pain No Gain, reflect a message of perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles. The first stanza sets the stage for a new world of possibilities that is waiting to be explored. However, the journey towards this new world does not come without its challenges. The second stanza acknowledges that the game has only just begun and that the characters in it will have to learn that pain is gain if they want to succeed. The third stanza suggests that in order to overcome past failures and disappointments, one must sacrifice their old way of life so that they can move forward towards their destiny.
The chorus reinforces the message that the game has only just begun and that the players must continue to move forward despite the odds. The fourth stanza offers two possible paths that individuals can take when they feel like they are at a dead end. The first is to surrender and accept defeat, while the second is to embrace change and become their own evolution. The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope that redemption is possible, even in a world that may seem dark and murky. It suggests that only through perseverance and determination can one achieve their goals and reach their ultimate destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Saihate no STORY idaite
Embrace the story at the very edge of the world
Ate mo naku samayoi tsudzuketa
Continuing to wander aimlessly without direction
Nijinda new world
A blurred, new world
The game has only just begun
The journey has only started
Ima hajimari no EYES
New eyes set on the beginning
Kako no shitsubō nuritsubusu tame ni
To cover up the disappointments of the past
Gisei ni shite kita mirai
Sacrificing oneself for a future that was chosen
Boku no Life ga tsukiru made
Until my life runs out
Sono sadame uchikowashite iku no sa
Breaking away from that fate
Break out and start a revolution
Break free and start making a change
Hitotsu no kotae o sagashite
Search for one answer
Genkai no race ni idonde
Breaking through the limits of the race
Ichido kiri no chansu to shitte
Knowing that there's only one chance
Seotta unmei koete iku nda yo
To overcome the burden of fate
When you feel you've reached the last dead end
During difficult times when there seems to be no way out
What will you do to save yourself from fate?
What choices will you make to change your future?
Would you take a knife into your heart
Would you give up and hurt yourself?
Or would you rather break the falling and take defeat?
Or would you choose to stand up and face defeat?
Step out and find your evolution
Step out and look for your personal growth
Hitori no sekai o utsushite
Reflecting your individuality to the world
Eien no CHASE ni idonde
Racing into an eternal chase
Ichido kiri no sutāto o kitte
Making a start just once
Kurutta tenmei koete iku nda yo
To overcome a crazy fate
Kare hateta imēji daite
Embracing an image that's faded away
Wakemonaku tatakai tsudzuketa
Continuing to fight endlessly
Kasunda true world
A hazy, bitter world
Genjitsu to FAKE no hazama de
Between reality and fake
Ichidodake risetto yurushite
Forgiving only one reset
Sukui wa kitto kokoronouchi ni
Saving is definitely in your heart
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.