A cornerstone of Hip-Hop's late 90's indie-uprise, DJ Spinna made much of his first impression on listeners as the musical background of his group The Jigmastas (having released an impressive slew of 12" singles on his then self-run label Beyond Real during this time) as well as providing the canvas for an array of that era's lyrical giants. As an emcee in New York City, if you didn't have a Spinna production under your belt, well, you just hadn't accomplished all there was to accomplish. Everyone from Mos Def, Talib Kweli to Pharaohe Monch boasted Spinna beats to prove their worth to the scene. At the height of indie-kingpin Rawkus Records heyday, Spinna was in demand, also churning out timeless classics of the era from the likes of J-Live, Mr. Complex and The Polyrhythm Addicts (his all-too-brief collabo-group with Apani B., Shaabam Sadeeq and Complex).
As collaborative production work flooded his studio, from hip-hop legends like Sadat X & Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), Masta Ace and Guru (Gangstarr) to even The Jungle Brothers. Yet, while his stock as a the go-to producer rose so did his value as a key, if not crucial, remixer. At the time reworking hits for the major-label likes of De La Soul ("Stakes is High") Das EFX and MC Eiht.
Turning heads throughout the industry, Spinna's sonics soon infiltrated numerous genres. Tapped by everyone from George Michael to Mary J. Blige to Motown Records (for his brilliant Michael Jackson homage to "We're Almost There"). It's here his production presence would flourish greatly, as Spinna would go on to revive and revise Soulful marvels like Donald Byrd, Eddie Kendricks, Betty Carter, Roy Ayers and Al Jarreau. Always relevant to the current, Spinna has taken to new mixes for the J Dilla-bred Platinum Pied Pipers and Bay Area songstress Goapele as with the well respected Les Nubian. Though it goes without saying that one of the more memorable mixes goes to his monumental version of Shawn Escoffery's "Days Like This". In turn, catapulting Spinna into his now stately, touted presence in the dance music scene. Which made the transition to BBE Records smooth as ever, for his landmark solo production album "Here To There". It also spawned another record label, Spinna's own, Wonderwax. A home for his soulful dance classics, the imprint came to fruition in 2003, and has seen memorable releases from contemporaries such as Rich Medina, Lady Alma, Blaze, The Free Radikalz and Selan.
With so much studio work, it's a marvel Spinna travels as much as he does. The constant, globe-trotting performances he's become equally famed for have brought the DJ as far as Iceland, Australia, and South Africa as well as countless jaunts through England, Europe and the U.S. Not to forget, his hugely successful tours of Japan, where Spinna is held in the highest regard throughout the country for his craft in music. Not always the lone crowd-controller, Spinna's collaborated on stage alongside contemporary luminaries like Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Joe Claussell, Bugz In The Attic, Osunlade, Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Keb Darge, DJ Scratch (EPMD), DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist. He's a true showman and versatile as ever.
Yet nothing compares to his celebrated Stevie Wonder inspired WONDER-Full DJ-performances (aside friend and contributor Bobbito Garcia). Garnering overwhelming fanfare each occasion done - whether NYC, LA, San Francisco, Japan or beyond and if a WONDER-Full event is booked at a club you can put money on a line around the block and thousands of Stevie Wonder admirers rocking the house. And while he's gained so much attention and accolade for his tributes to Stevie, Spinna is not incapable of doing the same for any other pivotal forefather. Visit New York City any given month and find a number of Spinna themed throw-downs in the city's esteemed venues - each as memorable as the last.
Its true that there are other likeminded DJ/Producers in the world comparable to DJ Spinna, but for the most part, they choose a genre and master it. Ask them to flip another variety with the same intense knowledge and sleek-savvy and you'll be hard pressed to find someone that'll do it to Spinna's extent.
With a brand new album "InterGalactic Soul" at its completion (set for release in May, 06), Spinna's venturing to new reaches in his quest to musical harmony. Tapping into his perfected take on a truly cosmic boom-bap to a sexy, stylishly accessible brand of House and dance music that is unique only to him.
Remaining a musician for the ages, Spinna's true successes happily await in the future. Won't you come along for the ride?
It's a Shame
DJ Spinna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a shame the way you hurt me
It's a shame, the way you mess around with your man
I'm sitting all alone, by the telephone
Waiting for your call, when you don't call at all
It's a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
It's a shame (shame) the way you play with my emotions
You're like a child at play, on a sunny day
'Cause you play with love, and then you throw it away
Why do you use me, try to confuse me
How can you stand, to be so cruel
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Where I serve my time as your fool
It's a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
It's a shame (shame) the way you hurt me
It's a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
I try to stay with you, show you love so true
But you won't appreciate, the love we try to make
Oh, it's got to be a shame
Why do you use me, try to confuse me
How can you stand, to be so cruel
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Where I serve my time as your fool
Got to be a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
Ohhh, it's a shame (shame) the way you hurt me
It's a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
You've got my heart in chains, and I must complain
I just can't be confined, oh look at look at the time
Ohhh, oh, oh!
It's a shame, it's a shame the way you hurt me, yeah
Awww!
Got to, got to, got to, got to be a shame, oh yeah
In DJ Spinna's song "It's a Shame", the lyrics express the sorrow and pain that the singer is feeling because of the way the woman he loves is treating him. He states that it's a shame how she messes around with her man while also hurting him in the process. The singer is feeling lonely and waiting by the phone for her call. He is confused as to why she uses him and is so cruel to him. He feels trapped in his love for her and can't understand why she won't appreciate the love they try to make.
The singer is telling the woman that she treats him like a child at play on a sunny day, playing with love and then throwing it away. He questions why she won't free him from this prison of being her fool. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's a shame" while also emphasizing the way she plays with his emotions. The singer is desperately trying to stay with her and show her love but she won't appreciate it. The song ends with the singer saying "oh look at the time" which could mean that he has had enough and is moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a shame, the way you mess around with your man
Expressing disappointment and disapproval at the way the person is behaving unfaithfully towards their partner
It's a shame the way you hurt me
Expressing sadness and pain at being mistreated by the person
It's a shame, the way you mess around with your man
Repeating the first line to emphasize disapproval of the person's unfaithful behavior
I'm sitting all alone, by the telephone
Waiting for your call, when you don't call at all
Feeling neglected and ignored by the person who is not reciprocating attention and efforts to communicate
It's a shame (shame) the way you play with my emotions
Highlighting the negative impact of the person's actions played out towards the artist's emotions
You're like a child at play, on a sunny day
'Cause you play with love, and then you throw it away
Comparing the person's behavior to that of a child who carelessly and thoughtlessly plays with toys and discards them, emphasizing a lack of maturity
Why do you use me, try to confuse me
How can you stand, to be so cruel
Why don't you free me, from this prison
Where I serve my time as your fool
Questioning the motive behind the person's actions towards the singer and expressing a desire to be released from the torment of being used as a pawn
I try to stay with you, show you love so true
But you won't appreciate, the love we try to make
Attempting to show affection and dedication towards the person but experiencing rejection and a lack of recognition in return
Got to be a shame (shame) the way you mess around with your man
Reiterating judgement towards the person for their unfaithful behavior
You've got my heart in chains, and I must complain
I just can't be confined, oh look at look at the time
Expressing feeling trapped and unhappy in the situation, no longer desiring to be held captive by the person and their actions
It's a shame, it's a shame the way you hurt me, yeah
Summing up the song's overall theme of being wounded by someone's unfaithful and hurtful actions
Got to, got to, got to, got to be a shame, oh yeah
Reiterating that the person's actions are truly shameful and hurtful
Writer(s): Wonder Stevie, Garrett Lee, Wright Syreeta
Contributed by Sophie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michelle Coote
Loving it