Raashan, who'd moved from Pasadena at the time to pursue his dreams of emceeing ran into the Berklee contingent at various open-mic and freestyle sessions aroung the city (Kat hails originally from Wichita, Kansas, Headnodic from Wisconsin, and Max is from Massachusetts). Everyone clicked, sharing an interest in organic hip-hop and live instrumentation, bonding musically as well as personally.
"We did some shows in Boston trying to get our name out," recounts Raashan. "And then we decided to move out to Cali to record an album."
And so, the group, then known as Mission: which at that time included Moe Pope (check Project Move), set out West. The trip to Cali proved to be an adventure in itself. An 18-wheeler totaled all of the group's instruments and the car they were driving. Once the group finally made it out west, they used the insurance money from the accident to put out a self-titled EP to get their name out.
Soon after came their first full-length, called One. The album quickly established the group as subterranean scene stalwarts in the Bay Area hip hop community, where they were now located. After that, the group, who in 2003 changed their name to Crown City Rockers after Mission UK, (a British goth dance rock band) asked them to switch monikers, hit the studio hard recording countless songs, eventually placing 19 on their 2004 debut, Earthtones.
The group are currently (mid-2008) working on their third album.
Balancê
Crown City Rockers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aqua acrobatics like dolphins hittin' backwards tuckin' in
And then returning or plungin' in
Swimming deep in the sky
Diving got a eagles eye to keep a close watch on you watchin' me
Watch it now
We futuristic
You could miss it if you blink
If we were in the same crew yo I'd have a fatter link
Just sit and think about it while we push it to the brink and route it
Through your city through your town come on now we rip it down
Dynamic duo shining like a jewel
Deep within your pool of thought come on just rock with me
I float with the elation of sunshine and rain
Similar gain frame the aim on point we rock
Citizens I'm hittin' them and gaining momentum
When spittin' truth and venom all these suckas is sickenin'
A yo Scarub (it's like a body blow)
Crown city fa show interlock with the four-four
Makin' it grow rockin' the show hittin' the floor dance fever
People let me see ya started on the kick but then I ended on the
I know you love it so I do it one more time
The flow and vibe feelin' blend rollin' up the skin I'm in
H20 and cinnamon flavor and some vitamins
[Chorus]
We came to give you what you want
Counterbalance it with what you need
What you want
What you need
What you want
What you need
What you want
What you need
It's the end of the world as we know it
Yeah it's the changing of times
For better or worse or which way you're hopping the line
Will you find yourself victorious or on the side of the dying
And when it's all said and done was it fun or wasted on crying
We got them hot compositions for them cold city nights
When ain't nothing going right and you searching for the light
See as the planet jumps through orbits like elephants through hoops
Peep the circus of affairs best be aware of this troop
We combine to give you what you want
Counterbalance it with what you need
The outcomes alternative medicine open up let us in
Soothing with music so why'all take heed
Plant the seed water and weed
Marinate with some spice we ready to feed
I be backpackin' all alone lost in the zone
Lost in my dome getting grown movin' along
Pondering the universe while I'm hitting up dag
Poetics I've had to slave to the system I tag
It ain't all bad
Balance got this dude so rad
Words inspire so I love vocab
Just a baby on this earth but through hunger and thirst
I got girth and on a steady quest for worth come on
First we all in together now come on
Move with the rhythm we can work it out
[Chorus]
Firewater and grape soda
I said a haircut and sunshine
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Los Angeles
Oakland and Frisco
Scarub and Crown City
Long time comin'
But it's what you need
The lyrics to Crown City Rockers' "Balance" are a poetic and introspective exploration of the fluid and ever-changing nature of the world. The metaphor-laden opening lines describe the feeling of flying underwater with aqua acrobatics and switching between diving deep in the sky and keeping an eagle's eye on the world. This sense of duality and balance is echoed throughout the song, as the lyrics delve into the balance between what we want and what we need, the changing times, and alternative medicine. The chorus reinforces this theme, stating that they came to give the listeners both what they want and what they need.
The song's verses touch on a range of topics, from gaining momentum and spitting truth and venom, to the end of the world and searching for the light in cold city nights. The lyrics are rife with imagery, painting pictures of elephants jumping through hoops in a circus of affairs and describing the taste of H20 and cinnamon. At the core of the song is a call to action, urging listeners to plant the seed, water and weed, and move together with the rhythm to work out life's imbalances.
Overall, "Balance" is a thought-provoking and uplifting song that encourages listeners to reflect on the ebb and flow of life and take action to find their own sense of balance.
Line by Line Meaning
I float with the sensation of flying underwater
I feel weightless and moving with ease, much like how I would volitionally control my movements if I were underwater.
Aqua acrobatics like dolphins hittin' backwards tuckin' in
I am agile underwater like a dolphin completing tricks such as flips or rolls backwards to tuck in their fins.
And then returning or plungin' in
After completing previous aerial movements, I return back to a position of balance and control, or even plunge deeper into the water.
Swimming deep in the sky
I am not just flying underwater, but it feels like I am soaring through the sky with freedom.
Diving got a eagles eye to keep a close watch on you watchin' me
I have great vision and a keen sense of awareness to observe and react to any external or internal forces in my environment.
Watch it now
Be aware and pay attention to this, as it is important.
We futuristic
We are ahead of our time, and our ideas or actions may be different or revolutionary compared to the norm.
You could miss it if you blink
Our actions or visions are so quick and creative that you might miss something crucial if you aren't fully focused.
Some shootin' stars will fall with this pad of ink
Our words or ideas are potent and influential, and they may cause people to take notice or be affected by them.
If we were in the same crew yo I'd have a fatter link
If we were working together, our combined success would be even greater due to the synergy of our efforts.
Just sit and think about it while we push it to the brink and route it
Take time to consider our actions or goals, but know that we will work hard to push ourselves to the edge and succeed.
Through your city through your town come on now we rip it down
We are making our presence known as we travel through different locations, and we will perform to the best of our abilities to entertain and leave our mark.
Dynamic duo shining like a jewel
We are a powerful team, and our combined creativity and talent make us stand out like a sparkling gem.
Deep within your pool of thought come on just rock with me
Let's dive into your innermost thoughts and emotions, and enjoy the musical experience together.
I float with the elation of sunshine and rain
I am ecstatic while experiencing both the warm light of the sun and the refreshing droplets of rain.
Similar gain frame the aim on point we rock
We are in sync, and our common goals propel us towards success.
Citizens I'm hittin' them and gaining momentum
I am connecting with my audience and building momentum for something bigger.
When spittin' truth and venom all these suckas is sickenin'
When I am speaking honestly and passionately, it is frustrating to see others who do not share the same values or give the same energy.
A yo Scarub (it's like a body blow)
Hey Scarub, this feeling is incredibly powerful and intense, much like a forceful punch to the body.
Crown city fa show interlock with the four-four
The Crown City Rockers are working together, and we are in sync with each other and the rhythmic beat of the music.
Makin' it grow rockin' the show hittin' the floor dance fever
We are causing the crowd to become energized and dance feverously while we perform on stage.
People let me see ya started on the kick but then I ended on the
Everyone, show me your initial moves but then follow my lead and end with my final moves.
I know you love it so I do it one more time
I know this performance is amazing, so I will do it again for your enjoyment.
The flow and vibe feelin' blend rollin' up the skin I'm in
The musical flow and atmosphere is seeping into my skin, creating a uniform and harmonious experience.
H20 and cinnamon flavor and some vitamins
The taste of water and cinnamon is refreshing and provides a healthy boost of vitamins.
We came to give you what you want
We are here to give the people what they want, whether it be music or something else.
Counterbalance it with what you need
We understand that what people want may not necessarily be what they need, so we try to balance entertaining them with providing what they truly need.
It's the end of the world as we know it
The world is going through a major shift, and things are changing rapidly and drastically.
Yeah it's the changing of times
We are now living in a new era where things will be vastly different and evolving.
For better or worse or which way you're hopping the line
The outcome of the change may be positive or negative, and it's up to individual perspectives and decisions on how to handle it.
Will you find yourself victorious or on the side of the dying
Everyone will be affected by the changes, and it's up to them to rise up and succeed or fall and perish.
And when it's all said and done was it fun or wasted on crying
Once the dust settles and everything is over, will it have been a fun, worthwhile experience, or a sad and wasted opportunity?
We got them hot compositions for them cold city nights
We have amazing pieces of music to warm up anyone's cold, lonely nights.
When ain't nothing going right and you searching for the light
When nothing seems to be going well in life, people search for hope and inspiration to guide them through.
See as the planet jumps through orbits like elephants through hoops
The earth is spinning and moving through space like an elephant would go through a hoop in a circus.
Peep the circus of affairs best be aware of this troop
Observe the chaotic nature of life and be aware of the Crown City Rockers, who are ready to take on everything and anything.
We combine to give you what you want
Our collective efforts culminate in giving the people what they want, whether it be music or something else.
The outcomes alternative medicine open up let us in
The results may be different than expected and alternative, so we should be open to them and willing to participate.
Soothing with music so why'all take heed
We are creating a relaxing environment with our music, so people should listen and pay attention.
Plant the seed water and weed
Nurture and care for an idea, let it grow and blossom with time and attention.
Marinate with some spice we ready to feed
Let the concept sit and develop with some new, creative additions, and we are ready to provide an amazing finished product.
I be backpackin' all alone lost in the zone
I am traveling alone, isolated in my thoughts.
Lost in my dome getting grown movin' along
I am lost in my own mind, maturing and advancing while moving on from past experiences.
Pondering the universe while I'm hitting up dag
I am contemplating the vast, infinite universe while participating in my everyday activities.
Poetics I've had to slave to the system I tag
I have had to work hard and dedicate myself to writing and performing poetry, and have experienced struggles and hardships along the way.
It ain't all bad
Although there have been difficulties, there have also been many positives and it's not all negative.
Balance got this dude so rad
Having a balanced, well-rounded life has improved my overall well-being and made me great.
Words inspire so I love vocab
Words hold power and inspire others, so I enjoy learning new vocabulary to better express myself.
Just a baby on this earth but through hunger and thirst
Although I am young and inexperienced in the world, I have a desire and drive to learn and excel.
I got girth and on a steady quest for worth come on
I have strength, both physical and emotional, and am always on a consistent journey to better myself and find my purpose.
First we all in together now come on
We are all together in this journey, and we should support each other and move forward as one.
Move with the rhythm we can work it out
Let's move together with the flow and rhythm of life, and we can overcome any challenge.
Firewater and grape soda
We are combining two different things, one hot or intense and one sweet or refreshing, to create something unique or surprising.
I said a haircut and sunshine
I am expressing two things that can make someone feel refreshed and energized, one physical and one natural.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
A general expression of agreement and excitement towards the conversation or topic at hand.
Los Angeles
Referencing the city of Los Angeles, which is where the Crown City Rockers originate from.
Oakland and Frisco
Referencing the cities of Oakland and San Francisco, which are also important to the group due to their location and influence on the West Coast music scene.
Scarub and Crown City
Acknowledging both the individual Scarub and the overall collective group of Crown City Rockers.
Long time comin'
This has been in the works for a significant amount of time, and has been eagerly anticipated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRETT MORRIS CUROTTA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind