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).
From The Ground
Danny Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I deserve the finer things
Told myself back then
When I used to ride a Schwinn
Now I'm on a tour bus
Going places I ain't never been
Wrote my rhymes down on a paper bag
That was way back
Dog, I had to bounce back
Locked a nigga up
Why they do me like that?
Now I'm on the Jack in the county
Asking mommy for some money
Swear to God she'd do anything for me
Now we out the hood and the nightmare is us going back
So I won't go to sleep 'til I finish that
Cousin of death anyway
Now I see better day
And I ain't tryna miss a minute, second hour
Living on borrowed time
Can't think about tomorrow
'Cause it's about today
And you know you wanna take my place
Let's get it
You turn around, and now I'm winning
I built it up, from the ground
You stay asleep, I'm gonna get it
I built it up, from the ground
Now tell me, would you sacrifice your dreams?
What it takes if you want anything
Got me missing sleep 'cause my mind on the beat
So while I'm counting bars y'all be counting sheep
No cheat sheet, get it out the mud
Get it how you live, why I'm out here in the field
My nigga wake up, wipe the cold out your eyes
It's a cold, cold world but even hotter when you die
So no try to do, what about you?
Work off, well met, do the same thing too
A lot locked up wishing they was like you
Got a letter from my nigga saying he be out in June
Been down for a minute and every since sentence
Things ain't been the same so I'm missing my nigga
Staring at the ceiling thinking how far I came
Was trapped in the storm but I made it out the rain
You turn around, and now I'm winning
I built it up, from the ground
You stay asleep, I'm gonna get it
I built it up, from the ground
These lyrics from Danny Brown's song, "From the Ground," reflect on his past struggles and his journey towards achieving success in the music industry. He begins by referencing his earlier days, where he was still dreaming of the "finer things," even though he was riding a Schwinn bike. He then talks about the progress he has made since those days, now traveling on a tour bus and going to new places he'd never been before. He reflects on how he wrote his early rhymes on a paper bag and dreamed of owning a Cadillac. Still, he had to face setbacks, like being locked up and asking his mom for money.
As the song progresses, Brown's lyrics speak to the idea of living in the present moment and not worrying about tomorrow. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and getting ahead by yourself, without any shortcuts or cheating. He talks about his friend who is locked up and how he misses him, but also how he has come a long way since his early struggles.
Overall, "From the Ground" is an inspiring song that highlights the challenges and triumphs of one's personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
8 balls wit a safety pin
I started from the bottom and had to use makeshift tools to get by.
I deserve the finer things
I've worked hard and now I believe I deserve the good life.
Told myself back then
When I used to ride a Schwinn
I always envisioned a better future for myself, even when I was riding a bike instead of driving a car.
Now I'm on a tour bus
Going places I ain't never been
All my hard work has paid off and I'm now traveling the world on a tour bus.
Wrote my rhymes down on a paper bag
That was way back
Having dreams of a Cadillac
I started off with humble beginnings and had to write my lyrics on whatever I could find. However, I always dreamed of owning a Cadillac.
Dog, I had to bounce back
Locked a nigga up
Why they do me like that?
I faced obstacles and setbacks, including being locked up, but I was determined to overcome them.
Now we out the hood and the nightmare is us going back
So I won't go to sleep 'til I finish that
I made it out of my rough neighborhood and I'm determined to never go back. I'm so committed to staying successful that I won't even sleep until I've achieved my goals.
Cousin of death anyway
Now I see better day
I always knew that life is fragile and unpredictable, but now I'm grateful to have achieved more positivity in my life.
And I ain't tryna miss a minute, second hour
Living on borrowed time
Can't think about tomorrow
'Cause it's about today
I'm fully focused on enjoying every moment of my life, even though I know I'm not guaranteed any more time. I'm not worried about the future, I'm just living in the present.
And you know you wanna take my place
Let's get it
Others envy my success, but I'm ready to inspire and motivate them to achieve their own dreams.
You turn around, and now I'm winning
I built it up, from the ground
You stay asleep, I'm gonna get it
I built it up, from the ground
I started from nothing and had to work my way up to success. While others were sleeping or not taking action, I was putting in the necessary effort and now I'm reaping the benefits.
Now tell me, would you sacrifice your dreams?
What it takes if you want anything
To achieve your dreams, you need to be willing to make sacrifices and do whatever it takes to succeed.
Got me missing sleep 'cause my mind on the beat
So while I'm counting bars y'all be counting sheep
I'm so dedicated to my music that I'm sacrificing sleep to continue working on it. While others are relaxing and sleeping, I'm writing lyrics and counting bars.
No cheat sheet, get it out the mud
Get it how you live, why I'm out here in the field
I've worked hard to achieve success without any shortcuts. You have to earn your success by working hard, just like I did.
My nigga wake up, wipe the cold out your eyes
It's a cold, cold world but even hotter when you die
I'm trying to motivate my friends to wake up and take action, because life can be tough and unpredictable, and we need to make the most of it while we can.
So no try to do, what about you?
Work off, well met, do the same thing too
I'm asking my friends to join me in working hard and achieving success, because we can all succeed if we put in the effort.
A lot locked up wishing they was like you
Got a letter from my nigga saying he be out in June
Many people are locked up and unable to pursue their dreams, but I'm still trying to inspire them. I received a letter from a friend who will be released soon, and I'm excited for him to pursue his own success.
Been down for a minute and every since sentence
Things ain't been the same so I'm missing my nigga
My friend has been locked up for a while, and I miss him and our previous life before he was sentenced.
Staring at the ceiling thinking how far I came
Was trapped in the storm but I made it out the rain
I'm reflecting on my journey and how I was able to overcome difficult times to achieve success, just like how I made it out of the storm alive.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Daniel Sewell, Paul White, Kelela Mizanekristos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind