CHOP… Read Full Bio ↴CHOPS (1): US hip hop solo artist and producer from Philly (???? -)
CHOPS (2): UK avant-wonk-pop group from Leeds (2007 -)
(1) CHOPS, from the Philly-based group the Mountain Brothers, has become a successful solo artist and producer. His album Virtuosity featured Kanye West, Raekwon, Ras Kass, Talib Kweli, and others. The soundtrack to the movie Dark was entirely by CHOPS. CHOPS's music has been featured on commercials and TV shows. His remixes have been very popular. CHOPS's work on mixtapes is noted, appearing on mixtapes by the Game, Fabolous, and ODB.
*CHOPS started out as a young hip hop fan growing up in Texas. As a kid, he spent countless hours in front of the family stereo, making "pause tapes" of songs and radio shows. When a classmate brought an old, pocket-sized drum machine to school one day, it was love at first button-press. He borrowed the machine and managed to not return it for the next several months. In school he signed up for music classes, learning various instruments, history, and how to read and write music. Over time, he learned drum patterns and notes from his favorite rap and soul records, and began to get equipment of his own. "While other kids were saving up for video games and sneakers, I'd be saving for recording tape and speakers." CHOPS remembers.
His family moved around a lot leading to him eventually settling in Philly. There he connected with local fellow aspiring artists, among them two other Asian kids with a knack for rhyming, who encouraged him to join them on the mic as well as behind the boards. They formed a group called Mountain Brothers - named after a Robin Hood-like squad of bandits from Chinese legend - and earned a reputation in the underground locally and worldwide thru a number of independent records. They began to receive even more global attention after earning the status of being the first Asian rap artists signed to a major label. After struggling with a label that "didn't know what to do with another White group" (actual quote), they released their work independently, to critical acclaim. Much of this acclaim came from CHOPS' unique, original production style, which led to his working with a growing number of artists around the country, as well as overseas. Those names include Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Paul Wall, and Bun B. Former Swishahouse member Magno and his CHOPS produced "Magnificent Bout His Cash" single are currently getting heavy spins on Hot 97 in NYC and is up to #2 on Funk Master Flex's countdown. Also look for CHOPS' production on upcoming projects for Paul Wall, Slim Thug, DJ Clue, Funk Master Flex and many more to be announced. CHOPS' music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and ads from companies such as Warner Brothers, Fox, Nike, Coca Cola, and more.
Current projects include the successful "It's Going Down" remix mixtape series (MTV.com "Notable Mentions 2 weeks running), a full length underground CD with Houston newcomer Kiotti and Freeway's upcoming single featuring Lil Jon. CHOPS has over 500 mixtape appearances in the last year alone making him the producer to go to if you want that street yet musical sound. CHOPS creates all of his music. He plays all of his beats without sampling. Yet other major producers find CHOPS an inspiration. The famed Just Blaze told CHOPS," I used one of your records to make P.S.A." (the hit record off of Jay-Z's Black Album)
*Bio information from www.chopsmusic.com
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(2) CHOPS was formed by Dominic Clare, Richard "Moz Morris and Leon Carey in January 2007, utilising drums, vintage and digital synths, alto sax, guitar, home made electronics (such as tone generators), shifted vocals and hoardes of effects pedals. In 2007 they distributed somewhere around 700 CDR copies of home-recordings of their first jams and live performances, all containted in a minimalist no-fi package of regular white and brown postal envelopes. CHOPS have a split 12" with Helheston due to be released on Upset The Rhythm records in early 2008, and have contributed to compilations for Chinchilla-Tone, Room237 and a forthcoming Stench Of Muscle compliation. CHOPS were described by a Guardian Unlimited blog article (about a percieved dominance of US underground music in the UK) as one of the UK's "new sonic pioneers" providing "light at the end of the tunnel" for the UK underground. CHOPS music is often improvised, veering between techno, broken RnB pop, chaotic noise rock and minimalist lounge jazz. That noted, CHOPS does not believe in labelling music as a productive measure. They have played gigs with bands such as Clark (Warp Records), Death Sentence: Panda! (Upset The Rhythm Records), Marnie Stern (Kill Rock Stars), Gay Against You (Adaadat Records), a.P.A.t.T. (Pickled Egg Records), etc.
CHOPS are a self-sufficient unit, powered by their own excessive amplification, and not requiring a stage, PA or sound engineer to play, and enjoying the chance to perform in and amongst the audience for a "friendlier, more immediate experience". CHOPS relish witnessing the slow collapse of corporate entertainments, and taking part in activities destined to undermine their financial systems. Although not forthright with their political stance, their views are clearly evident amongst their actions in their Do It Yourself approach. For example, CHOPS' avoidance of institutions such as major labels and chain-operated venues that place making money above musical progression, and taking a stance against using music to advertise unethical corporations.
The members of CHOPS are also involved with The Chinchilla Collective (a UK DIY record label, gig promoter and occassional comic publisher), as well as playing in bands such as Quack Quack, Two Minute Noodles, EYE HAI, Inecto School, Sense Or This?, etc. Moz has been a sound-engineer in Leeds for well over 5 years. Dominic is well known across Europe for his busy touring schedule (over 30 tours in the last two years), with bands such as Lightning Bolt, T.I.T.S., Errase Errata, Coughs, HEALTH, The Mae Shi, Chrome Hoof, Kling Klang, etc.
* Bio composed from texts available at http://www.chinchillaweb.co.uk, http://www.chinchillaweb.co.uk/chops and http://www.myspace.com/mightychops
Keep On
Chops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't tell me how you feel 'cause I don't wanna know
I just popped another pill, double dose
Imma user not a dealer and that's for the judge
Y'all lil niggas bitches and that's on my soul
Down to shoot a pistol but won't throw the Bo's
I can't take defeat if we go toe to toe
I can't let you leave because you know the most
I got a bitch that give me brain and think I rap like Wayne
I been the shit since Alize, I show you passionate pain
These niggas bitches like bachelorettes throw him a cabaret
I catch a dub without breaking a sweat like we ain't even have a game
I showed you love, now I regret the shit its sad to say
Yea, I'm staying afloat but I'm a castaway
Yea I did some bogus shit, but back in the day
You can catch these hands like pattycake, that's in collaboration
Cut some people off like amputation, no exaggeration
Chop 100 or Young Laceration, Imma bandage baby
Born back in the Ninety's, act like it was the Eighty's, OG's raised me
Niggas cap off top like graduation, that's that fabrication
Take the roof off ain't no Santa slay that bitch decapitated
Saiyan super shit like anime, Kameha Meha Meha
Laying with my bitch, playing with her like lets have a baby
Get writers block when I read passed the pages
I might've stopped by, check the navigation
Like me or not, love me or hate me, Imma be me until I can't be
Imma be me until I can't be, Imma be me until I can't be
I rest in peace, but still I can't sleep
Fuck the police, bitch I can't breathe
Yea, foot on they neck won't let up
Took on the best and left them, feeling like I'm better Yea uh
What would you do for that cheddar? These niggas master splinter
I had to get back to business, now you can't stab me in it
Let it breathe my asthma kicked in
I believe y'all sacrilegious, Imma need y'all to actually listen
Yea, I be feeling so sacrificial, how you good with bad intentions
Good grades with bad attendance
I just call it like I see it, They wish I ain't have the vision
In the basement smashing crickets, In the shower like rags to riches
Every hour got sixty minutes, If I said that shit I minute
If she spread her legs I minute, Every day I ain't dead I'm living
You done made your bed now get in it, go to sleep
Break your leg with the drake, wheelchair jimmy, roll with me
Taking LSD with my babe, It feel different, roll in peace yea
Jumping on a plane, when we land I'm still lifted
Throwing up a K Imma Kreature, how can you ball from the bleachers
I had to learn from the streets sir, I couldn't learn from the teachers
I had to show them and teach them
I had to know what it was to show what it was, my nigga believe me
Y'all lil niggas bitches and that's on my soul
Down to shoot a pistol but won't throw the Bo's
Talking One on One's
In Chops's song Keep On, the rapper presents himself as a user of drugs and unapologetic about it. The lyrics seem to talk about the rapper's life experiences ranging from drug use, relationship complications, and street life. Through the lyrics, Chop praises himself for staying relevant and sticking true to himself despite the challenges he's faced. He talks about how others may view him negatively, but he doesn't care about anyone's opinion. In the words "Y'all lil niggas bitches and that's on my soul, Down to shoot a pistol but won't throw the Bo's," Chop insinuates that people may talk up a big game but are not ready to act on it physically. He also addresses the complicated nature of relationships, expresses regret for past actions, and muses about life's unpredictability.
Overall, Chops's lyrics explore themes of identity, authenticity, and recklessness, which reflect many of the experiences that people living in his generation might have faced. In the end, the song seems to be an anthem of perseverance and staying true to oneself, no matter what life may throw at you.
Line by Line Meaning
Imma keep it real, One double O
I'm being honest, I'm a man of my word, a hundred percent real
Don't tell me how you feel 'cause I don't wanna know
I'm not interested in your emotions or opinions, keep them to yourself
I just popped another pill, double dose
I took too much of a drug, I'm not a dealer but a user, which I may have to face the judge for
Imma user not a dealer and that's for the judge
I'm not a drug dealer, I'm someone who takes drugs, and I may have to justify this in court
Y'all lil niggas bitches and that's on my soul
You young kids are weak and cowardly, I swear on my soul
Down to shoot a pistol but won't throw the Bo's
You're ready to shoot someone, but not to fight one-on-one like men
I can't take defeat if we go toe to toe
I can't handle losing in a physical fight, it's a blow to my ego
I can't let you leave because you know the most
I can't let you go because you know too much about me and my secrets
You can't be out here acting like you're really off the chain
You can't act like you're wild and crazy, it's not genuine or impressive
I got a bitch that give me brain and think I rap like Wayne
I have a woman who performs oral sex on me and thinks I rap like Lil Wayne
I been the shit since Alize, I show you passionate pain
I've been the best since the 90s drink Alize, I display intense emotional pain
These niggas bitches like bachelorettes throw him a cabaret
These guys are weak like women at a bachelorette party, throwing a cabaret
I catch a dub without breaking a sweat like we ain't even have a game
I achieve victory without difficulty, as if there was no competition
I showed you love, now I regret the shit its sad to say
I expressed affection to you in the past, but now I regret it and it's unfortunate
Yea, I'm staying afloat but I'm a castaway
I'm surviving but abandoned, isolated and forgotten
Yea I did some bogus shit, but back in the day
I did some dishonest things, but it was a long time ago
You can catch these hands like pattycake, that's in collaboration
I'll fight you with my fists easily, it's like playing pattycake but a team effort
Cut some people off like amputation, no exaggeration
I've ended relationships with some people suddenly, as if cutting off a limb, it's not an exaggeration
Chop 100 or Young Laceration, Imma bandage baby
Either you're getting hurt by me or I'm getting hurt by my own actions, I'm gonna try to fix things
Born back in the Ninety's, act like it was the Eighty's, OG's raised me
I was born in the 90s but act like I grew up in the 80s, being raised by older and wiser gangsters
Niggas cap off top like graduation, that's that fabrication
People lie all the time like they throw their caps at graduation, it's a falsehood
Take the roof off ain't no Santa slay that bitch decapitated
Removing the roof of a car is like decapitating Santa's sleigh, it's destructive but necessary
Saiyan super shit like anime, Kameha Meha Meha
I exhibit powerful energy similar to anime character Saiyans, Kamehameha wave
Laying with my bitch, playing with her like lets have a baby
I'm intimate with my girlfriend, playing around with the idea of starting a family
Get writers block when I read passed the pages
I'm struggling to write, and I get stuck or bored when reading for inspiration
I might've stopped by, check the navigation
I might have to make a detour, check my GPS for directions
Like me or not, love me or hate me, Imma be me until I can't be
I don't care if you approve or dislike me, I'll always be myself until it's impossible
Imma be me until I can't be, Imma be me until I can't be
I'll stay true to myself always, repeating that until you understand
I rest in peace, but still I can't sleep
Even though I'm dead, I'm still troubled and unable to sleep
Fuck the police, bitch I can't breathe
I hate the cops, I feel suffocated and oppressed
Yea, foot on they neck won't let up
I'm putting pressure on them and refusing to back down
Took on the best and left them, feeling like I'm better Yea uh
I fought and defeated the best, making myself feel superior
What would you do for that cheddar? These niggas master splinter
What are you willing to do for money? These guys are like the ninja master Splinter, cunning and ruthless
I had to get back to business, now you can't stab me in it
I had to return to my gangster ways to prevent backstabbing or betrayal
Let it breathe my asthma kicked in
Let it take a break, I got asthma and need to catch my breath
I believe y'all sacrilegious, Imma need y'all to actually listen
I think you're acting disrespectful toward sacred things, I need you to pay attention to me
Yea, I be feeling so sacrificial, how you good with bad intentions
I feel like making sacrifices, while you're skilled at being evil and manipulative
Good grades with bad attendance
I have good grades, but I'm not always present or punctual
I just call it like I see it, They wish I ain't have the vision
I speak the truth as I see it, even if people don't want me to have insight
In the basement smashing crickets, In the shower like rags to riches
I'm killing bugs in the basement, and then singing about going from rags to riches in the shower
Every hour got sixty minutes, If I said that shit I minute
Every hour has 60 minutes, and if I said that expression, it only takes a minute to convey
If she spread her legs I minute, Every day I ain't dead I'm living
If a woman becomes sexually available, I won't miss an opportunity, and as long as I'm alive, I'm going to live fully
You done made your bed now get in it, go to sleep
You've made your choices, now live with the consequences and go to bed
Break your leg with the drake, wheelchair jimmy, roll with me
I threaten to injure you with a handgun, reminiscent of a scene from a TV show, and challenge you to join me
Taking LSD with my babe, It feel different, roll in peace yea
I'm using LSD with my girlfriend, it feels different, let's ride in peacefulness
Jumping on a plane, when we land I'm still lifted
We're getting on a plane, but I'm still high on drugs when we arrive
Throwing up a K Imma Kreature, how can you ball from the bleachers
I'm signaling a gang sign, I'm a dangerous creature, how can you compete with me from a far and safe place
I had to learn from the streets sir, I couldn't learn from the teachers
I had to learn from the harsh realities of the streets, not from traditional educational institutions
I had to show them and teach them
I had to demonstrate and educate others
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Robert Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealHero1
Mountain Brothers deserve all the respect. They are pioneers in the history of Asian American Hip-Hop.
@dustygroovebeervachanonda6430
Not just Asian American Hip-Hop.............it is hip hop my brother man! :)
@captainlinsano7739
Yeah they really needed a better A&R and marketing team. Had all the elements there
@d3wu11
MB's are the most underrated act in hip hop PERIOD
@lew0
Song still slaps most underrated group in the game
@cudencuden
the only MC with a MD in the game
@Lakeone_
Not gonna lie though, Chops' producing skills are pretty beast
@RAWSKILLZ1223
WHOOOOOA!!! The Mountain Brothers are back!!! Purchased both their albums back in the day fair and square! Actually i purchased Self Volume 1 twice because some punk stole it! LONG LIVE THE MOUNTAIN BROTHERS!!!
@ikawalongmensahero9787
I am asian as welll FILIPINO but MB is DOPE!!! Nuff respect since I first heard em way back 99
@NtrMssion
Some of the original pioneers for Asian-American music right here!