Danny has released many free projects over the web, the most popular being 2011’s XXX. Brown released the album "Hawaiian Snow” with G-Unit’s Tony Yayo and several mixtapes (Detroit State of Mind 1-4, Browntown, It’s A Art (with producer Mainframe) and Hot Soup). Brown has found much success on the internet through the support of the music blogs and social media and the decision to release “The Hybrid” online as a free download.
Danny has worked with many artists in the Detroit hip-hop community such as the late J Dilla, Black Milk, Elzhi, Guilty Simpson, Trick Trick, and T3. Also known for championing up-and-coming artists, Danny has worked with lesser known acts such as Oakland, California's Main Attrakionz and is know for promoting these types of underground acts via his twitter.
Brown spent most of the summer of 2010 touring with G-Unit, and a few months later released “Hawaiian Snow” with Tony Yayo. Due to lack of promotion the sales were disappointing, however through the G-Unit connection Brown was able to experience firsthand the rigors of touring and the workings of the music industry as a whole. The experience served to jade Danny to the concepts of being on a major label and committing himself to appealing to an urban audience who he felt rejected him because of his look and style of dress which consisted of skinny jeans and vintage tees as 50 Cent refused to sign Danny Brown to G-Unit because he didn’t approve of his distaste for baggy denim. No longer concentrating on appealing to any particular audience, With this new found freedom, Danny delved into making more experimental music based on influences like UK Grime and Progressive Rock.
His experimental sound melded with traditional street narrative has brought about attention from progressive press such as Pitchfork.com, Fader Magazine, Spin Magazine and the like but no press more satisfying than making the cover of the Detroit Metro Times, his hometown’s alternative art’s and culture magazine.
Danny’s music later found a home on Fool’s Gold Records, the independent label helmed by internationally heralded DJ A-Trak and his partner Nick Catchdubs. The label and the artist having the same mindset, the two parties are now focused on releasing his upcoming projects, a free album that released Summer 2011 entitled “XXX” and his untitled Fool’s Gold records debut coming subsequently after.
His albums that followed also received positive feedback (Old, Atrocity Exhibition, U Know What I'm Sayin?).
He then sadly dunked on anyone else who had the misfortune to drop in the calendar year 2023 by dropping album of the decade Scaring the Hoes Vol. 1 with JPEGMAFIA on March 24th. It tragically received praise from disgraced music reviewer the BallDrop, but contrarily to this otherwise mark of disgrace from the worst person we all have the displeasure to be aware of, the album actually fye asl.
You know he had to go two for two on the DLC of Scaring the Hoes on the sacred national holiday of 7/11. No skips all Ws and is not mixed like shit for the "aesthetic" anymore, and JPEGMAFIA dodges the corny allegations by making Danny audible. Great news all around.
On October 17th, he began the rollout for his highly anticapted sixth studio album with the single Tantor (fire as fuck).
Clean Up
Danny Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the marijuana sky, but it started raining molly
It got me feeling sorry while I'm feeling on myself
Cause I don't know this bitch name but I'm feeling on her breast
I know it ain't right, but in this state I don't care
A whole week done went past, I don't go nowhere
Hotel rooms crushing pills and menus
Daughter sending me messages saying "Daddy, I miss you"
Ain't slept in four days, and I'm smelling like seaweed
Problems in my past haunt my future and the present
Escaping from reality got me missing my blessings
Sent a couple G's but that make it no better
And now I got habits that ain't getting no better
And it ain't that easy trying to get all together
Been stressing so long think depression done settled
It's time for me to clean it up
I came too far to fuck it up like
It's time for me to clean it up
I came too far to fuck it up like
Pops left mom when I was only 18
So rightfully that meant I had to be the man of things
And by 28, mom was damn near homeless
And now I'm 31 she 'bout to fucking cop her own shit
Triple beam dreams brought me nothing but nightmares
Thought that I was helping but the system don't fight fair
Cases had me locked up, mama always wrote me
Pops my only visit, they the only ones that loved me
That's why I feel bad, popping Givenchy tags
Knowing that this tee could feed my nephew for a week
For material I'm weak, acting like I don't care
I spend it all on clothes, then something is wrong there
I sent my mom some G's, but that makes it no better
Cause now I got habits that ain't getting no better
And it ain't that easy trying to get all together
Been stressing so long think depression done settled
It's time for me to clean it up
I came too far to fuck it up like
It's time for me to clean it up
I came too far to fuck it up like
In Danny Brown's song Clean Up, he talks about the inner turmoil that plagues him as a result of his drug use and the pain he's experienced growing up. He begins by describing the impact of the drugs he's taken, saying his thoughts are cloudy, and that he's feeling sorry for himself. He goes on to confess to sexually touching a woman whose name he does not know while high. He acknowledges his behaviour is wrong, but explains that he is so out of it that he doesn't care.
The song then takes a poignant turn as Brown reflects on his mother's struggle with homelessness and his own involvement with the criminal justice system. He describes feeling like he's failed because he cannot financially support his family in the way he wishes. He also admits to his weakness for material things, but ultimately comes to the conclusion that he needs to "clean it up." He acknowledges that he cannot let his past traumas and poor choices define him and that he has a responsibility to take control of his life.
The song can be interpreted as a raw and honest reflection on the hardships of life and the struggle to overcome addiction and trauma. Brown's lyrics reveal the difficult realities that many people face and the internal battles that come with trying to make a better life. Despite the bleakness of his message, Brown ends the song on a hopeful note, emphasizing that it's not too late to start over and that he has come too far to give up now.
Line by Line Meaning
The thoughts all cloudy
Danny Brown's mind is clouded due to marijuana use.
In the marijuana sky, but it started raining molly
In his drug-induced state, he is now experiencing the effects of another drug (molly).
It got me feeling sorry while I'm feeling on myself
He feels remorseful for his actions, but is still engaging in inappropriate behavior.
Cause I don't know this bitch name but I'm feeling on her breast
He is engaging in sexual activity with a stranger, without even knowing her name.
I know it ain't right, but in this state I don't care
He is aware of his wrong actions, but due to his drug use, he doesn't feel the weight of the consequences.
A whole week done went past, I don't go nowhere
He has been stuck in the cycle of drug use and has not left his hotel room for a week.
Hotel rooms crushing pills and menus
He spends his days in hotel rooms, crushing and using prescription pills and ignoring the world around him.
Daughter sending me messages saying "Daddy, I miss you"
His daughter is reaching out to him, but he is too consumed by his drug use and inner turmoil to respond.
But in this condition I don't think she need to see me
He acknowledges that his current state is not suitable for his daughter to witness.
Ain't slept in four days, and I'm smelling like seaweed
He is sleep-deprived and physically unwell, possibly due to his drug use.
Problems in my past haunt my future and the present
Danny's past problems continue to affect him in his present and will likely impact his future negatively.
Escaping from reality got me missing my blessings
His addiction is causing him to miss out on the good things in his life and to ignore the consequences of his actions.
Sent a couple G's but that make it no better
He may have helped his family financially, but it cannot erase the damage his addiction has caused.
And now I got habits that ain't getting no better
Danny is aware that his addiction is not improving and is only getting worse.
And it ain't that easy trying to get all together
Overcoming his addiction and its consequences will not be an easy task.
Been stressing so long think depression done settled
Danny's addiction and its consequences have caused him to become depressed and overwhelmed.
Pops left mom when I was only 18
Danny's father abandoned their family when Danny was only 18 years old.
So rightfully that meant I had to be the man of things
Danny had to take on the responsibilities of being the man of the house due to his father's absence.
And by 28, mom was damn near homeless
By the age of 28, Danny's mother was on the brink of being homeless.
And now I'm 31 she 'bout to fucking cop her own shit
Danny's mother is now independent and has improved her situation without his help.
Triple beam dreams brought me nothing but nightmares
Danny's materialistic desires have caused him more harm than good, leading to dangerous and negative consequences.
Thought that I was helping but the system don't fight fair
Danny believed he was making progress, but the system and his addiction made it challenging to succeed.
Cases had me locked up, mama always wrote me
Danny has been in legal trouble that caused him to be confined, but his mother was always there to support him through letters.
Pops my only visit, they the only ones that loved me
Danny's father was the only visitor during his confinement, showing that his parents are the only ones who have truly loved him unconditionally.
That's why I feel bad, popping Givenchy tags
Danny regrets his materialistic habits and how they are overshadowing his true blessings.
Knowing that this tee could feed my nephew for a week
Danny understands that his excessive spending can be better used to help his family with their basic needs.
For material I'm weak, acting like I don't care
Despite knowing the consequences of his addiction and excessive spending, Danny is unable to resist his materialistic desires.
I spend it all on clothes, then something is wrong there
Danny realizes that his financial priorities are flawed and misguided when he is spending all of his money on clothes.
It's time for me to clean it up
Danny has decided to make a change in his life and start taking responsibility for his actions and addiction.
I came too far to fuck it up like
Danny recognizes the progress he has made in his life and does not want to lose it by continuing down the path of addiction and materialism.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: DANIEL SEWELL, PAUL WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@macacoartico42
Los pensamientos todos nublados
The thoughts all cloudy
En el cielo de marihuana, pero empezó a llover molly
In the marijuana sky, but it started raining molly
Me hizo sentir pena mientras me siento en mí mismo
It got me feeling sorry while I'm feeling on myself
Porque no conozco el nombre de esta perra, pero lo siento en su pecho
Cause I don't know this bitch name but I'm feeling on her breast
Sé que no está bien, pero en este estado no me importa
I know it ain't right, but in this state I don't care
Pasó toda una semana, no voy a ninguna parte
A whole week done went past, I don't go nowhere
Habitaciones de hotel trituradoras de pastillas y menús.
Hotel rooms crushing pills and menus
Hija me envía mensajes diciendo "Papi, te extraño"
Daughter sending me messages saying "Daddy, I miss you"
Pero en esta condición no creo que necesite verme
But in this condition I don't think she need to see me
No he dormido en cuatro días y huelo a algas
Ain't slept in four days, and I'm smelling like seaweed
Los problemas de mi pasado acechan mi futuro y mi presente
Problems in my past haunt my future and the present
Escapar de la realidad me hizo perder mis bendiciones
Escaping from reality got me missing my blessings
Envié un par de G, pero eso no lo hace mejor
Sent a couple G's but that make it no better
Y ahora tengo hábitos que no mejoran
And now I got habits that ain't getting no better
Y no es tan fácil tratar de juntarnos todos
And it ain't that easy trying to get all together
Estuve estresado tanto tiempo creo que la depresión se resolvió
Been stressing so long think depression done settled
Es hora de que lo limpie
It's time for me to clean it up
Vine demasiado lejos para joderlo como
I came too far to fuck it up like
Es hora de que lo limpie
It's time for me to clean it up
Vine demasiado lejos para joderlo como
I came too far to fuck it up like
Pops dejó a mamá cuando solo tenía 18 años
Pops left mom when I was only 18
Así que, con razón, eso significaba que tenía que ser el hombre de las cosas.
So rightfully that meant I had to be the man of things
Y a los 28, mamá estaba casi sin hogar
And by 28, mom was damn near homeless
Y ahora tengo 31 años, ella está a punto de hacerse cargo de su propia mierda
And now I'm 31 she 'bout to fucking cop her own shit
Los sueños de triple rayo me trajeron nada más que pesadillas
Triple beam dreams brought me nothing but nightmares
Pensé que estaba ayudando pero el sistema no pelea limpio
Thought that I was helping but the system don't fight fair
Los casos me tenían encerrado, mamá siempre me escribía
Cases had me locked up, mama always wrote me
Pops mi única visita, ellos los únicos que me amaron
Pops my only visit, they the only ones that loved me
Por eso me siento mal, haciendo estallar las etiquetas de Givenchy
That's why I feel bad, popping Givenchy tags
Sabiendo que esta camiseta podría alimentar a mi sobrino durante una semana
Knowing that this tee could feed my nephew for a week
Por el material soy débil, actuando como si no me importara
For material I'm weak, acting like I don't care
Lo gasto todo en ropa, entonces algo anda mal ahí
I spend it all on clothes, then something is wrong there
Le envié a mi mamá algunas G, pero eso no lo hace mejor
I sent my mom some G's, but that makes it no better
Porque ahora tengo hábitos que no mejoran
Cause now I got habits that ain't getting no better
Y no es tan fácil tratar de juntarnos todos
And it ain't that easy trying to get all together
Estuve estresado tanto tiempo creo que la depresión se resolvió
Been stressing so long think depression done settled
Es hora de que lo limpie
It's time for me to clean it up
Vine demasiado lejos para joderlo como
I came too far to fuck it up like
Es hora de que lo limpie
It's time for me to clean it up
Vine demasiado lejos para joderlo como
I came too far to fuck it up like
@treecuttingherring
Between the awesome production and straightforward sincerity of Danny's tone and lyrics, this has quickly become one of my favorite hip-hop tracks of all time.
@chriscole2550
I don't even really listen to this genre but I love Danny Brown. Love his music.
@acjayc
Experimental hip-hop is actually pretty good.
@mikedub376
I've always said the Alan Parsons project is a goldmine for samples
@330thcube
Honestly, agreed... Imagine hearing "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" or "Step By Step" combined with hip-hop beats and epic rap vocals :P
@vansanityy
I think I shed a tear on this one
@acjayc
This song is so many things at once. Eerie, beautiful & sad.
@TzoHill
Almost 10 years later.... still hits.... throwback to them college days....
@NoNewfriendss
Not many rappers can actually take a beat like this and compliment it with vocals rather than just spitting on it #dannybrown No Newfriends
@dashawnmitchell832
Old was great. It was worth that lil wait