DJ Babu (from the DJ crew Beat Junkies), Evidence, and Rakaa joined together in 1992 in Los Angeles, CA and released Third Degree and Work the Angles, which were quickly established as favorites in the underground scene and among rap critics. They eventually signed to Capitol and in 2000 released The Platform, to more critical acclaim. Their sophomore set Expansion Team was released in 2001, led by the Alchemist-produced single Worst Comes To Worst, which sampled from Mobb Deep's Survival Of The Fittest. Their third album, Neighborhood Watch, was released in 2004 and debuted at #55 on USA's Billboard 200 Albums Chart. In addition to the Kanye West-produced single, This Way, it also featured the single Who's Who?, which was also included as a track on the Need for Speed: Underground and SSX 3 soundtracks, and peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 2006, they returned with the single Back Again, produced by The Alchemist. The trio's fourth album, 20/20, debuted on February 21, 2006.
In 2007 they released The Release Party. This package included a feature-length documentary on DVD as well as EP featuring new songs and remixes. The film, released through Decon, is a celebration of the release from their contract with Capital.
Directors of Photography is the fifth studio album by the American hip hop group. The album was released on August 12, 2014, by Rhymesayers Entertainment.
The Shape of Things to Come
Dilated Peoples Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only thing constant is change
With that, it's the shape of things to come, yeah
Yo, I'm the open-est emotions, I'm a river in straight
A crystal clean lake, yo, the essence of skin
The form of a luminescent bright light fluorescent
(You got light?)
I been sparkin' in sections and blessing mics with my presence
Since many were pre-pubescent puberty adolescent
Perhaps you need a lesson in, addressin' with respect an'
Too many feel inadequate without their little weapon
It's like I got the whole world against me, need to get intensely
A head full of headache he's and a hand full of sissies
Them so flimsy so why there one MC
There wasn't one before hasn't been one since me
A gangster of love, I come from up above
I give the mic a tug, I give the world a hug
I give the skies a kiss, I give suckers a kiss
Some people like my old styles better than this but
Yo, I'm Spacey like Kevin and some do knowledge of seven
Praise Jesus and Jah, Buddha, Allah or just Heaven
Yeah, and some like it moderate and some like a lot of it
Whichever way I go we got somethin' to get you move up out of it
Some will be statistics and some will be reverends
Dimes become pennies like dimes become eleven
To some we kind of thought of it, as teaching the dumb
Ace-One and dilated, the shape of things to come
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
Triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
And triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
I wax 'em I tax 'em, here's Iriscience, ask him
From Arkansas to Aspen, the futuristic jazzmen
I'm telepathic, movin' through hella traffic
I know my demographics, see how this was crafted and drafted
There's precision in the incision
I'm not Christian or Catholic or any other religion
I'm just man with a steel in his hand
I shoot the gift from blessed to spark where it land
And it landed in the sand where the pyramids blaze
And this is how the dictionary defines such a place
A polyhedron with a polygonal base
Median and common vertex, triangular face
Who came in the home and ripped the cats stole
Stripped the limestone to line they fine home
I cram to understand, their dirty deeds in song
While we bringing you the shape of things to come
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
And triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
And triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
Aiyyo, I center punch punchlines, shine when it's crunch time
I back to beat box, rap battles at lunchtime
I sketch a piece and fill it in with design
Ooh no, Aceyalone, raw bright like sunshine
Platform squad, standin' on the brink
Yo I touch the world, got three but two blink
Rakaa aka Iriscience lenscrafters
And blend with hash the self defense master
Yeah, it's too bad we control fire, wind
I know that you bad you batted a thousands I remember
Who's the baddest with the apparatus tell me again
Take ahold of your heart without penetratin' the skin
See I didn't invent it, I just perfected it
I never intended to really connect with it
But once I got in it, I redirected it
Now I change the world and get respect with it and a check with it
It ain't nothin' new under the sun
Fool, I ain't afraid of the size of your gun
The flesh is weak plus they speak foul tongue
Take the breath from their lungs as they swung
And they hung and they sunk
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
And triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
And triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
This is the shape of things to come
This is the shape of things to come
Yes y'all
Yes y'all
Yes y'all
Yes y'all
The lyrics of Dilated Peoples feat. Aceyalone's song "The Shape Of Things To Come" express the idea that change is the only constant in life, and we should be open to it. The lyrics delve into various themes, such as spirituality, creativity, individuality, and battling against negativity. The rap verses display an intricate wordplay and rhyming scheme, reflecting the artists' skills in the hip-hop genre.
The first verse is performed by Aceyalone, who speaks of himself as the embodiment of light, purity, and creativity. He also emphasizes the importance of respect in social interactions and challenges the notion that one needs a weapon to feel powerful. The second verse is delivered by Iriscience, who talks about his telepathic abilities and the precision in his craft. He highlights that he does not conform to any religion but believes in himself as a man with creative power. Another verse is from Rakaa, who showcases his ability to punch lines and sketch designs. He also touches on the negative aspects of society and the importance of self-defense.
Overall, the song's message seems to be about embracing change, developing one's creative potential, and fighting against negativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, yes y'all
Let's get ready to listen to this song
The only thing constant is change
Change is an unavoidable constant in life
With that, it's the shape of things to come, yeah
The future is constantly changing and we must adapt
Yo, I'm the open-est emotions, I'm a river in straight
I am transparent and honest with my emotions, flowing smoothly like a river
A crystal clean lake, yo, the essence of skin
I am pure and clear like a lake, representing the essence of humanity
The form of a luminescent bright light fluorescent
I radiate a bright and captivating energy
(You got light?)
Do you have the same illuminating energy as me?
Don't wait till it's dark to ask questions
Don't wait until a problem becomes severe to address it
I been sparkin' in sections and blessing mics with my presence
I have been performing and spreading positivity with my music
Since many were pre-pubescent puberty adolescent
I have been performing and spreading positivity since before many people hit puberty
Perhaps you need a lesson in, addressin' with respect an'
You may need to be taught how to speak to others respectfully
Too many feel inadequate without their little weapon
Some people feel powerless without their weapon, but true strength comes from within
It's like I got the whole world against me, need to get intensely
Sometimes it feels like everyone is against me, and I need to focus and become passionate to overcome it
A head full of headache he's and a hand full of sissies
I have a lot of problems and weak people surrounding me
Them so flimsy so why there one MC
Those people are weak and insubstantial, so why do they even try to be rappers?
There wasn't one before hasn't been one since me
I am a unique and groundbreaking rapper that paved the way for others
A gangster of love, I come from up above
I am a lover, not a fighter, and come from a higher place
I give the mic a tug, I give the world a hug
I put my heart and soul into my music and spread positivity to the world
I give the skies a kiss, I give suckers a kiss
I show love and respect to the heavens and even those that may hate me
Some people like my old styles better than this but
Some people may prefer my earlier music, but I have evolved and grown as an artist
Yo, I'm Spacey like Kevin and some do knowledge of seven
I have a unique and unconventional style, like Kevin Spacey, and some understand my deep connection to the number seven
Praise Jesus and Jah, Buddha, Allah or just Heaven
I acknowledge and respect different religions and belief systems
Yeah, and some like it moderate and some like a lot of it
Some people like a little bit of my music, others like a lot
Whichever way I go we got somethin' to get you move up out of it
No matter what my style is, my music has the power to inspire and motivate
Some will be statistics and some will be reverends
Some people will be forgotten statistics, while others will be remembered as influential figures
Dimes become pennies like dimes become eleven
Value can increase or decrease, just like how ten cents can become one cent or eleven cents
To some we kind of thought of it, as teaching the dumb
Some people may view our music as a way to educate those who are ignorant
Ace-One and dilated, the shape of things to come
Myself and Dilated Peoples represent the future of hip-hop
I catch rec and tangle in circles with squares
I confront challenges and obstacles head-on
Triangles to test if indeed you're prepared
I use difficult situations to test my strength and readiness
This is the shape of things to come
This is a representation of what is to come in the future
I wax 'em I tax 'em, here's Iriscience, ask him
I defeat and dominate other rappers, you can ask Iriscience for proof
From Arkansas to Aspen, the futuristic jazzmen
We come from different places, but as forward-thinking musicians we have a lot in common
I'm telepathic, movin' through hella traffic
I have a deep understanding and intuition that guides me through life's obstacles
I know my demographics, see how this was crafted and drafted
I know my audience and have carefully constructed my music to appeal to them
There's precision in the incision
I am precise and calculated in my approach to making music
I'm not Christian or Catholic or any other religion
I do not identify with any specific religion
I'm just man with a steel in his hand
I am a strong and resilient person
I shoot the gift from blessed to spark where it land
I spread blessings and positivity wherever I go
And it landed in the sand where the pyramids blaze
My energy and message has spread to significant and ancient landmarks
And this is how the dictionary defines such a place
This place is defined and recognized by its cultural and historical significance
A polyhedron with a polygonal base
This place is a three-dimensional shape with a flat base made up of multiple sides
Median and common vertex, triangular face
This shape has a center point between its sides and a shared vertex, forming a triangle shape
Who came in the home and ripped the cats stole
Whoever came to this place before us took its treasures
Stripped the limestone to line they fine home
They used the natural resources of this place to build and decorate their homes
I cram to understand, their dirty deeds in song
I try my best to comprehend their actions through my music
While we bringing you the shape of things to come
While we are creating and sharing our music that represents the future
Yes y'all
Again, let's listen to this song
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: E. HAYES, J. CHAVEZ, M. PERRETTA, R. TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
poker bruh
I remember getting this when it came out. Making me feel old! Haha but lucky to come up during a great time for hip hop. Good Luck!
DJ Dufurst
this sh*t is the hardest track you never heard!
Rafael Santos
Respect from Brazil 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Tiago Andrey
100% Underground !!!
moses caballero
Beautiful
MAX PIRAÑA
damn fire
Ivan Espinosa
🔥🔥🔥😱😱
degiefull
69 peace from Polana
Bobby Digital
ft. Aceyalone
sinicalypse
time made one exception, btw. lol