How did it all start, you ask? Well after years of demos and performing throughout California, Damon Dash & Jay-Z, Co-CEO’s of the newly formed Roc-A-Fella Records received a demo of Christion’s music from a mutual friend, Shelly Fontana. After hearing “Full of Smoke” & “The Ghetto,” Damon and Jay-Z knew they had struck gold, and wasted no time signing the group to Roc-A-Fella. “Full of Smoke” was the first single Roc-A-Fella released on the unsuspecting ears of the public, and it took off like a missile. The song, a chilling tale of a street hustler coming to grips with his lifestyle, struck a chord with millions of R&B and Hip Hop fans in the inner cities and throughout the world. The amazing production, soulful vocals, and heartfelt lyrics were a breath of fresh air in a time of musical mediocrity. It was obvious to anyone who heard the song that there was a major new talent emerging in the R&B music scene. “Full of Smoke” helped to establish a unique sound that would soon be dubbed, “Neo-Soul.” The song was followed by the Prince-esque “Bring Back Your Love” and the group’s spot-on remake of the Rose Royce classic, “I Wanna Get Next To You”.
Their critically acclaimed and self produced Roc-A-Fella/Def Soul debut album, "Ghetto Cyrano (’97 Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)," became a Soul & Hip-Hop classic and set the bar as well as influenced the entire Neo-Soul movement while garnering 4 to 5 star reviews in VIBE, Rolling Stone, Billboard, SPIN, XXL, Radio & Records, Black Radio Exclusive, People, Source, GAVIN and Urban Network. "The cats are genius B, crazy hot, you can't touch 'em...,” a statement made by multi-platinum rapper/CEO and Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z. "Real talent, them dudes write real shit," comments super producer/rapper/CEO and Hip-Hop icon Dr. Dre.
After the success of their first CD, "Ghetto Cyrano," Christion’s sophomore album was delayed. They did however contribute tracks to Roc-A-Fella Soundtracks and Compilations “Streets Is Watching (1999)”, “DJ Clue presents… Backstage (2000)”, and “The Roc Files (2003). While “Ghetto Cyrano” oozed of Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield & Smokey Robinson, “Project Plato” embraces all the spectrums of “True Soul” with hints of James Brown, Sly Stone, Prince, and Cameo while still incorporating their signature smoothness and storytelling. As with “Ghetto Cyrano”, Christion pens all the songs on “Project Plato” with additional writing by Bikram Singh and Ezra. Kenni Ski takes the rein as Producer, with additional Production by Rodney Z., B-Square, Trae James, T. Smith and Shea Walsh.
While working on Christion’s current LP "Project Plato," T. Ross was asked his opinion on the current state of the Hip Hop/R&B market. T. Ross comments, "Shit has got to change; it's appalling the amount of brain poisoning crap they have on TV and radio, compared to the lack of anything symbolizing real life and real issues. I'm not trying to put anyone down, but what happened to the soul? We need fantasy and reality in today's music, the kids got a right to know."
Reality is definitely explored, questioned, and discussed in Christion’s songs. Ski says he writes from first hand experience and youthful wisdom. Christion takes you on a journey of street consciousness with the song "No Place," gives you fond memories of wearing out your Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson albums with the song "Do Ya Dance," and the two young men give you an insightful look into their world with the beautiful ghetto anthem, "Broken Streets."
"Everyone says they're tired of the same old stuff on the radio, but no one wants to take a chance on the real music,” says T. Ross. Ski adds, “Believe me, there is a market for real talk, Christion proved it before and we intend to do it again".
Whatever you choose to call Christion’s music, you won't forget the experience anytime soon. . .
Full Of Smoke
Christion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't nobody tell me nothing
Got a hold on life
Taking each day by day
Being strong
Know just where I'm going to
As I get higher and higher
Dreams grow
This is as good as it gets
As I take another hit sugar
I can't stopI won't stop
Cause I'm too cool
And what they say is true
Ooh, I'm full of smoke
Watching my life go down
Down
Watching my life go down
Watching my life go down
Watching my life go down
Another day
Time just passes by me slowly
But I'm all right
You'll see
Faces in places catchin' different cases
Surroundings is glorified
Same situation nothing ever changes
Just being a bonafide hustler
Hustler baby
From day to night
Business is as good as it gets
As I take another hit
SugarI won't stop
I can't stop
The lyrics of Christion's song "Full of Smoke" depict a man who is confident and in control of his life, but is also struggling with addiction. He declares that he is the man today and nobody can tell him anything, indicating a sense of power and authority. He acknowledges that he has a hold on life, but also suggests that he is taking life one day at a time. He asserts that he knows where he is going and his dreams and visions are growing as he climbs higher.
However, the haunting chorus "Ooh, I'm full of smoke, watching my life go down" tells a different story. The repetition of the phrase "watching my life go down" emphasizes the feeling of helplessness that the man is experiencing. The smoke in the song is a metaphor for the addiction that has engulfed his life, slowly taking him down with each hit.
In the second verse, the man admits that time passes by slowly, but he feels alright. He describes how he is surrounded by people who have gotten caught up in different situations, yet they glorify their surroundings, despite the fact that nothing ever changes. He sees himself as a bonafide hustler, someone who is always working hard, day and night, but acknowledges that business is only as good as it gets when he takes another hit.
Overall, the lyrics of "Full of Smoke" paint a vivid picture of a man who struggles with addiction and is stuck in a cycle of self-destruction. Although he may feel confident and strong at times, his addiction ultimately consumes him in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the man today
I am feeling self-assured and confident in myself today
Can't nobody tell me nothing
I am not receptive to advice, criticism, or instruction
Got a hold on life
I feel like I have control over my own life
Taking each day by day
I am living in the present, and not worrying too much about the future
Being strong
I am mentally resilient and able to cope with hardship
Know just where I'm going to
I have a clear sense of direction or purpose in my life
As I get higher and higher
As I feel increasingly euphoric or satisfied
Dreams grow
I am becoming more ambitious or optimistic about the future
Visions flow by
I am experiencing a sense of creativity or inspiration
This is as good as it gets
I feel like my current circumstances are as good as they will ever be
As I take another hit sugar
As I consume more of a substance - likely drugs or alcohol
I can't stopI won't stop
I have no intention of quitting my current behaviors or lifestyle
Cause I'm too cool
I believe that I am effortlessly stylish, confident, and desirable
And what they say is true
I believe that the rumors, stereotypes, or labels about me are correct
Ooh, I'm full of smoke
I am under the influence of drugs or alcohol and feeling inebriated
Watching my life go down
I feel like my life is spiraling out of control and not progressing as I would like
Another day
I am acknowledging that time is passing and nothing has changed
Time just passes by me slowly
I feel like I am stuck in a rut or dealing with boredom
But I'm all right
Despite my challenges, I am feeling optimistic or resilient
You'll see
I am confident that others will eventually recognize my greatness or achievements
Faces in places catchin' different cases
I am interacting with a variety of people who are dealing with different struggles or problems
Surroundings is glorified
I am focused on superficial or materialistic aspects of my environment
Same situation nothing ever changes
I feel like I am stuck in a pattern or cycle that never improves
Just being a bonafide hustler
I am proud of my ability to work hard, make money, or achieve success through dubious means
Hustler baby
I am proud to be a savvy, street-smart, and resourceful person
From day to night
I am constantly working or hustling without taking a break
Business is as good as it gets
I am making as much money or success as I realistically can
As I take another hit
As I indulge in my vices and addictions
SugarI won't stop
I feel compelled to continue my current behaviors, even if they are harmful or dangerous
I can't stop
I am unable or unwilling to break away from my vices and addictions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Missing Link Music
Written by: ALLEN ANTHONY, KENNI SKI, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrRonaldlee5467
I'm the man today
Can't nobody tell me nothing
Got a hold on life
Taking each day by day
Being strong
Know just where I'm going to
As I get higher and higher
Dreams grow
Visions flow by
This is as good as it gets
As I take another hit sugar
I can't stopI won't stop
Cause I'm too cool
And what they say is true
Ooh, I'm full of smoke
Watching my life go down
Down
Watching my life go down
Watching my life go down
Watching my life go down
Another day
Time just passes by me slowly
But I'm all right
You'll see
Faces in places catchin' different cases
Surroundings is glorified
Same situation nothing ever changes
Just being a bonafide hustler
Hustler baby
From day to night
Business is as good as it gets
As I take another hit
SugarI won't stop
I can't stop
@luisl691
2024 anyone?
@ONEANDONLYSWIZZ
yesssss
@scooTaTM
Still
@Don-oi5ui
I am still here
@Fingaz_midddle
Damn! am right here
@moniquelaw5012
❤ Love this song still in 2024 and I play the hell out of it
@eternalyfeful
They never got the props they deserved.
@sherondahi11
+eternalyfeful... Aint that the truth!... You can add R&B singer Rell to that list!
@eternalyfeful
+Khloe Lynn McClain, I forgot about him! But yep!
@Jayofobp
being on the Roc is what dwarfed such talented artists. Great label but the overexposure of others put these guy on the backburner.