Their often politically-charged, culturally-introspective, and motivational lyrics find influence rooted in the early works of Nas, Public Enemy, Outkast and Common Sense. The production could be described as warm, soulful and organic -- born out of the school of producers that cite the likes of RZA, Pete Rock, Jay Dee, and DJ Premier. Cyne's "sound" is impacted by everything from Bad Brains to Krautrock, from Camp Lo to Kate Bush – it's a hybrid of emotional, historical, and challenging influences.
The group's debut release was a 12" entitled "African Elephants," released in 2001. Cyne has since released a number of EPs, singles, and two critically well-received albums. They have also collaborated on projects with internationally acclaimed artists Daedelus, Four Tet and Nujabes.
With previously released albums on Botanica Del Jibaro, P-Vine and City Centre Offices, Cyne has created a reputation as artists that stay true to the lyrical power and gritty cut-and-paste aesthetic of classic hip hop while managing to explore new sonic territory.
Just Say No
Cyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We make Planet Rock, neo-Zulu
Nation at loss oh gosh who boss who knew
We’re all Tony Danza’s dancing for Angela
Angela, Pamela, Renee
I love you, and from around the way I stay
In your project, hood, or tenement
The rubberband man stand count benjamin
They rap comatose nigga we got remedy
Wake the fuck up wake the fuck up
That Nelly shit sucks little girls don’t buy it
Wake the fuck up wake the fuck up
They underground stagnant too scared to move
So I’ma rock back and lean with it
That music like crack kill black self esteem get it
We’ve been dancing for too long
My back ain’t too strong
If it ain’t young, it’s young sleazy
Money don kill the game y’all believe me cause
Everybody up in the club I don’t dance
Bitches wanna fuck for cost I won’t pay
Got money in the bank
This time we getting paid right
Sometimes I rhyme slow sometimes I rhyme quick
Turn on the radio then damn I get sick
Every 10 minutes be the same playlist
With these doo doo ass rappers and their speak-and-spell hits
Fuck that shit my stereo’s gonna quit
Playing tired ass rhymes out your painted white lips
Money now but you still act a fool
Doing Dr. Seuss rhymes and your label Playskool
Fuck that shit I’m a grown ass man
Doing grown ass things as I god damn can
While you cop chains I’ma buy me some land
While you sit on 24s I’ma build with my fans
Giving you the real shit
Shit you can deal with
Listen on the corner as the plane hit the building
CYNE mixtapes for the women and the children
One per person, play it in your churches
The lyrics to Cyne's song Just Say No are layered with social commentary and criticism of the current state of rap music. The first few lines reference prominent figures including Don Bishop Tutu and the group Planet Rock, suggesting the importance of these cultural icons. The use of "neo-Zulu" emphasizes the sense of tribal unity amongst black people in America. The following lines express confusion and loss in the current power structure and question who is really in charge. The line "We’re all Tony Danza’s dancing for Angela" suggests that people are blindly following a leader, likening it to the popular character from the TV show "Who's the Boss?" and the women in the song's title.
The following lines "Hail Washington bullet hole Kennedy/They rap comatose nigga we got remedy/Wake the fuck up wake the fuck up" address the ongoing issues faced by black people in America, referencing the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. and the need for social awakening and action. The chorus "Wake the fuck up wake the fuck up/That Nelly shit sucks little girls don’t buy it" is a critique of the mainstream rap scene, suggesting that it is lacking substance and merely pandering to a young female audience.
The verses continue to address the lack of creativity and authenticity in mainstream rap music and the negative impact it has on black self-esteem. The use of "doo doo ass rappers and their speak-and-spell hits" suggests that these artists are lacking substance and merely repeating the same tired themes over and over again. The final lines suggest that Cyne's music is for everyone, particularly those who may not have access to other forms of art such as women and children.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot in the name of no don but Bishop Tutu
We are aware of the ongoing issues in society and aim to bring about change, even if it means going against powerful individuals.
We make Planet Rock, neo-Zulu
Our music is a fusion of different styles and cultures, including elements of Afrofuturism.
Nation at loss oh gosh who boss who knew
We recognize the struggles of society and question who has the power and responsibility to fix them.
We’re all Tony Danza’s dancing for Angela
We are all just trying to navigate our way through life and impress those we care about.
Angela, Pamela, Renee
These are common names that represent everyday people we encounter in our lives.
I love you, and from around the way I stay
We express affection for those close to us and our sense of community.
In your project, hood, or tenement
We acknowledge the different backgrounds and living situations of our listeners.
The rubberband man stand count benjamin
We understand the lure of money and material possessions, but recognize the negative consequences it can bring.
Hail washington bullet hole Kennedy
We acknowledge the history of political corruption and assassination in America.
They rap comatose nigga we got remedy
We believe that our music can wake people up and bring about positive change.
Wake the fuck up wake the fuck up
We urge our listeners to take action and not be complacent in the face of societal issues.
That Nelly shit sucks little girls don’t buy it
We criticize the shallow, commercialized nature of mainstream music and its negative effect on young people.
They underground stagnant too scared to move
We recognize that even underground music can become stagnant and that some artists are afraid to push the boundaries.
So I’ma rock back and lean with it
We don't feel the need to conform to a certain image or style, and instead, do what feels natural to us.
That music like crack kill black self-esteem get it
We see the negative impact of negative music on black communities and aim to provide something more positive and empowering.
We’ve been dancing for too long
We acknowledge that people have been distracted by entertainment and complacent with the status quo for too long.
My back ain’t too strong
We admit that we may not have all the answers or solutions to the problems we see.
If it ain’t young, it’s young sleazy
We recognize the superficial nature of mainstream music that caters to a young audience.
Money don kill the game y’all believe me cause
We acknowledge that money and greed have corrupted the music industry.
Everybody up in the club I don’t dance
We don't conform to the typical 'club' lifestyle and instead choose to focus on more meaningful endeavors.
Bitches wanna fuck for cost I won’t pay
We refuse to participate in degrading or transactional relationships.
Got money in the bank
We have been able to achieve some level of financial success despite not conforming to typical industry standards.
This time we getting paid right
We aim to make a living from our music while staying true to our values and message.
Sometimes I rhyme slow sometimes I rhyme quick
We don't feel the need to stay within a specific style or tempo and instead adapt to the needs of the song.
Turn on the radio then damn I get sick
We are tired of hearing the same unoriginal, commercialized music on the radio.
Every 10 minutes be the same playlist
We criticize the lack of variety and creativity in mainstream radio programming.
With these doo doo ass rappers and their speak-and-spell hits
We express our distaste for mainstream rappers who rely on gimmicks and catchphrases rather than genuine talent.
Fuck that shit my stereo’s gonna quit
We refuse to subject ourselves to the monotony of mainstream radio and will instead create our own music.
Playing tired ass rhymes out your painted white lips
We criticize the lack of authenticity and originality in mainstream music.
Money now but you still act a fool
We recognize that gaining money and fame can cause people to lose sight of their true values and act recklessly.
Doing Dr. Seuss rhymes and your label Playskool
We criticize the lack of depth and complexity in mainstream rap lyrics.
Fuck that shit I’m a grown ass man
We refuse to conform to the expectations of the music industry and will instead create mature, meaningful music.
Doing grown ass things as I god damn can
We choose to focus on our own personal growth and development rather than conforming to industry standards.
While you cop chains I’ma buy me some land
We prioritize long-term investments and financial stability over material possessions.
While you sit on 24s I’ma build with my fans
We prioritize building meaningful relationships with our fans over superficial displays of wealth.
Giving you the real shit
We are committed to creating music that is authentic and meaningful.
Shit you can deal with
We aim to create music that people can relate to and find solace in.
Listen on the corner as the plane hit the building
We acknowledge the tragic events of 9/11 and the impact it had on American society.
CYNE mixtapes for the women and the children
We aim to make music that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or gender.
One per person, play it in your churches
We encourage widespread distribution and sharing of our music as a way to spread our message and bring about positive change.
Contributed by Jake L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.