Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with d… Read Full Bio ↴Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with dizzying elocution that would tongue-tie even the fiercest auctioneer, Busdriver is eclectic and eccentric enough to cite vocalese jazz singer Jon Hendricks as a primary influence. Born Regan Farquhar, the Los Angeles MC was introduced to hip-hop culture early – his father wrote the screenplay to one of the earliest films focusing on hip-hop, Krush Groove. He began rapping at age nine, releasing his first record at age 13 with his group, 4/29, named after the 1992 L.A. riots. By the mid-'90s, Busdriver was a regular at the Project Blowed open mic, where he would meet future collaborators and underground luminaries like Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, and Freestyle Fellowship. And shortly after, the vinyl did flow.

Busdriver guested on upward of 20 singles, and by 2001 he could no longer be contained by guest spots, releasing his first full-length, Memoirs of the Elephant Man (1999). There were just as many detractors as supporters for his singular style, which was so densely packed it made his chosen name seem a reference for multiple-personality disorder, and the lo-fi production also left more listeners scratching heads than nodding them.

His next album, This Machine Kills Fashion Tips (2002), continued in a similar manner before being trumped by better production and more focused rhymes on Temporary Forever the same year. Joined by another West Coast avant-garde MC, Radioinactive, and the breezy, fractured pop of electronic producer Daedelus, Busdriver released yet another odd puzzle piece in 2003, The Weather. Fear of a Black Tangent followed on Mush in 2005. After moving to Anti-/Epitaph, the rapper issued RoadKillOvercoat, which featured production from Nobody and Boom Bip. His second Anti- release, Jhelli Beam, appeared in 2009. In 2010 he put out a full-length mixtape of unreleased gems and illegal remixes called Computer Cooties. It was released as a free album. 2010 saw Bus toiling over a new album that will shock fans and confuse the unconverted into unwilling servitude. It is called Beaus$Eros and was released on February 21, 2012 on Fake Four. Beaus$Eros forgoes the lightening-speed rhyming that defined his style in favor of a diverse, off-kilter brand of pop and post-hip-hop.

I've Always Known
Busdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is this on? (x2)

No shit!

I've been waiting for you to produce the black experience; a Super Series of fly-by-night catch phrasing
And for every hiccup that I might sight for me to be labeled wide-eyed and trite
As a forest nymph in stretch plating
'Exclamation point apostrophe slash' is what you get when your Modus operandi comes off like a comedy gag

Its like being spoon fed from a colostomy bag of an old androgyny hag
That got all of us hard-numb-palmed and deep fried

You know that!

(x2)
I know you, you know me
I'm from the project blowed family
With a pitch match nasty scratch give a song a home
If a known band is holding its own

Sorry, underground hip-hop happened ten years ago
Imagine having to say this at the Pan-African theater group bake sale
Its been painted over like a glazed crayon pedicure
And the mantra's been scrambled into this crazed non-sequitur
Sorry, underground hip-hop happened ten years ago
These words stay parenthesized between two reticent moon halves
So go tell them douche bags their white tees look like night gowns
While I loaf under the awning of my moral high ground

Yeah!

No shit!

Y'all got salt water colonics
While my alma mater's polish was hallmark worthy

No shit!

And though my small squad is modest
I'm a cross-journal lobbyist
Here to install thoughts with moral conflicts

Oh!

Still girls do not sing mucho gusto papi
Nor to I get kudos for being a pseudo-commie
Cause I let niggas down like Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Being overboard like a cruise boat volley
fools suck my glucose ?

(x2)
I know you, you know me
I'm from the project blowed family

With a pitch match nasty scratch give a song a home
If a known band is holding its own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Busdriver's song "I've Always Known" are complex, tackling themes such as the black experience in entertainment, the state of underground hip-hop, and personal struggles with identity and activism. The opening lines function as a sort of soundcheck, indicating that the artist is ready to speak truthfully and boldly. The first verse criticizes shallow attempts at authenticity in music and media, where exaggerated attempts at 'realness' come off as contrived and insensitive. The use of 'exclamation point apostrophe slash' as a rhetorical device and comparison to a 'colostomy bag' highlights the absurdity and discomfort of these attempts. The second verse acknowledges the fading relevance of underground hip-hop, which once held a powerful position in challenging norms and amplifying marginalized voices. However, the artist maintains pride in their roots and their ability to empower other artists with their work. The references to Boutros Boutros-Ghali and glucose add a layer of unexpected humor, but also hint at the artist's frustration with their own limitations and lack of control. Ultimately, the song is a call for accountability and honesty in creative pursuits, even in the face of cynicism and neglect.

Line by Line Meaning

Is this on? (x2)
Checking if the microphone is on and ready to perform.

No shit!
Confirming that something is true or obvious.

I've been waiting for you to produce the black experience; a Super Series of fly-by-night catch phrasing
Anticipating someone to create art that explores and expresses the black experience in a unique and captivating manner.

And for every hiccup that I might sight for me to be labeled wide-eyed and trite As a forest nymph in stretch plating 'Exclamation point apostrophe slash' is what you get when your Modus operandi comes off like a comedy gag Its like being spoon fed from a colostomy bag of an old androgyny hag That got all of us hard-numb-palmed and deep fried
Expecting criticism and disapproval for pointing out flaws and being seen as naive and unoriginal. Comparing the style of the art to uncomfortable situations, like being spoon-fed from a colostomy bag, and questioning the intention behind it.

You know that!
Affirming that the listener can understand or relate to the message being conveyed.

I know you, you know me I'm from the project blowed family With a pitch match nasty scratch give a song a home If a known band is holding its own
Introducing oneself as part of the Project Blowed community of artists who are skilled in freestyling and creating music with a unique sound. Willing to collaborate with other successful artists.

Sorry, underground hip-hop happened ten years ago Imagine having to say this at the Pan-African theater group bake sale Its been painted over like a glazed crayon pedicure And the mantra's been scrambled into this crazed non-sequitur Sorry, underground hip-hop happened ten years ago These words stay parenthesized between two reticent moon halves So go tell them douche bags their white tees look like night gowns While I loaf under the awning of my moral high ground
Acknowledging that underground hip-hop was a trend that has already passed and that the message can seem repetitive or incoherent. Expressing frustration with the marketability of the genre and the commercialization of its message, while taking pride in being a defender of moral values.

Y'all got salt water colonics While my alma mater's polish was hallmark worthy
Noticing that others are pursuing trendy and superficial experiences while maintaining pride in one's own meaningful education.

And though my small squad is modest I'm a cross-journal lobbyist Here to install thoughts with moral conflicts Oh!
Remaining humble in one's small circle while actively advocating for ideas that challenge the norm and question ethics.

Still girls do not sing mucho gusto papi Nor to I get kudos for being a pseudo-commie Cause I let niggas down like Boutros Boutros-Ghali Being overboard like a cruise boat volley fools suck my glucose ?
Noticing that women don't sing songs in appreciation of the artist and that pretending to be a communist doesn't earn admiration. Calling out mistakes and shortcomings and acknowledging the difficulty of being criticized. Questioning the motives of those who show admiration or appreciation too easily.

Contributed by Anthony S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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