When a pair of quick-witted emcees joins forces with a battle-hardened, groove-fusing rhythm section, a classically trained violist and trumpet player, the result is a sound that explores and expands the frontiers of live hip-hop. Progressive in both style and message, the band's ability to drop from symphonic rock-infused crescendos into stripped-down string-laden breakbeats has earned Flobots a reputation for both originality and authenticity.
After originally forming as a side project in 2005, Flobots brought together Emcee’s Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit with violist Mackenzie Roberts, guitarist Andy Guerrero, bassist Jesse Walker, trumpet player Joe Ferrone, and drummer Kenny Ortiz. By the end of the year, it was clear that the band's refreshingly positive message and nontraditional instrumentation gave it both a universal appeal and a marketable buzz factor. Whether sharing the stage with jam bands, indie rock acts, or hip-hop groups, Flobots won the crowds and quickly reached a tippping point to became one of Denver's most influential bands.
The band's first EP, Platypus, was recorded quickly in response to the clamor of eager fans. Platypus' CD sales in the first week put Flobots at #1 on Twist & Shout's bestseller list. In just a year and half, Platypus has sold over 3000 copies in Colorado and the surrounding region. The strength of this small record and a relentless performing schedule has enabled the band to open for acts like The Coup, Lyrics Born, Immortal Technique, and 2mex. Even Multi-platinum recording artist The Fray took notice, inviting the band to open the last night of their North American Tour at Red Rocks amphitheatre.
Now, just two and a half years from the birth of their first song, the band regularly sells out Denver venues and is developing sizeable followings in California, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming.
The upward trajectory continues as the band prepares to release its first full-length record, Fight With Tools (October 2007). Representing a year's worth of writing and recording, the record is a fire-breathing rallying cry for all free-thinking individuals fed-up with the violence and apathy that have thus far defined the new millenium.
In February and March 2009 Flobots are going to join Rise Against, Anti-Flag, and Propaghandi for their United Kingdom tour.
Armed with musicianship, intelligence, and a passionate loyalty to the power of creation, Flobots are looking to engage a new musical culture, one mind at a time.
Acclaimed Universal Republic alternative/hip hop collective Flobots released their sophomore album Survival Story on March 16th. The first single from their new offering is a call-to-unarm, “White Flag Warrior,” featuring a guest appearance by Tim McIIrath, founder of influential Chicago band Rise Against. Survival Story is the follow-up to their 2008 game-changing, 300,000-plus selling Universal Republic debut album, ‘Fight With Tools’. The new album was helmed by noted producer Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys, Beck, Jack Johnson, Moby), and finds the group at yet another turning point of inspiring transformation.
Flobots garnered across-the-board critical, cultural and commercial acclaim in 2008 with their grassroots-waged kickoff single, the rousing Top 5, platinum-plus smash “Handlebars.” The song became the mind-bending clarion call of both the rap and rock worlds, with the spirited anthem soaring to #1 on the alternative radio chart as the format’s most requested song of the year. “Handlebars” became a digital, video, and MySpace phenomenon, (along with ‘Fight With Tools’ follow-up hit “Rise”) soaring to #10 on the iTunes hip hop chart, with the digital version of the band’s CD climbing to #2 on the iTunes hip hop countdown.
The six-member band was also recognized as innovative agents of massive cultural change during their mainstream rise, with media outlets such as USA Today praising their “stinging social commentary,” and the Boston Herald calling them “rap’s most singular breakthrough act in years.” Flobots became a symbol of a new generation shifting priorities at the decade’s close, thanks to the hands-on and highly charged social-activism embedded in their music and their vigorous community networking. Their uplifting calls to action mirrored the communal reawakening taking place throughout the entire country. The band’s galvanizing live presence rocked late night TV (The Tonight Show
, Conan O’Brien, and others,) and saw them ‘own’ the stage at the Democratic National Convention in their hometown of Denver, as well as on election night. The group also logged several sold-out tours across the U.S. and inspired audiences throughout the world with their incredible live show.
Survival Story finds the band invigorated by the range of life-experiences that flowed through the Flobots’ global collective the past two years (their extremely effective non-profit organization, flobots.org, has mobilized fans to become change-agents in their own communities throughout the world). But, the sophomore album also arrives in 2010 as a vision of hope for a world pondering its limits: Flobots’ unique birds-eye view of a world changed and rearranged – both inside and out.
The new effort features songs such as the counter-intuitive “White Flag Warrior,” the signature “Whips And Chains,” and the funk-infested “Infatuation,” among others. “We understand change can be complicated,” says co-founder Jonny 5. “We’re six different people ourselves trying to make a difference. We’ve always been about valuing everyone’s voice, whether in or outside of the band. We believe Survival Story is a true record of our growth as we all process this great new world that’s emerging.”
Created in Blasting Room studios in Ft. Collins CO, Survival Story was produced by Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys).
In the summer of 2011, Andy Guerro left Flobots in order to concentrate in his older band, Bop Skizzum.
Super Hero
Flobots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wanted to give birth
I wanted adoption
After days and days of conversation
We decided to go with fertilization
Then came baby showers and Lamaze classes
2AM phonecalls 1 Minute contractions
But then they whisked me away like Brigadoon
But if I was a superhero I would break free
Wouldn't need anyone to come and save me
And you couldn't make me feel like I'm crazy
I would see my baby
If I was a superhero I would break free
And I wouldn't be imprisoned where ever you take me
I would change everyone who's trying to change me
I would see my baby
Life in an occupied land is hard
We pushed harder
Soon to be a mom
Him to be a father
Boys with guns at the checkpoint in Rafah
Wouldn't let me pass
When I said 'I need a doctor!'
I don't know the source of the passport errors
Or how four hours produced a miscarriage
But when it come to populations to disparage
Gaza is on the list right below gay marriage
There's something on my heart
There's someone on my mind
I never would have thought
That I could be so angry
But please give me the patience
Please give me the patience
In this section of Flobots' song Super Hero, the singer reflects on their journey to becoming a parent with their partner. The opening lyrics express a belief in love even when it seemed impossible, as the couple navigates difficult decisions about how to have a child. The singer wanted to adopt, but their partner preferred fertilization, and after much conversation, they decided on the latter. The subsequent lines detail some of the experiences that come with this process, such as baby showers and Lamaze classes.
However, the song takes a darker turn as the singer explains how they were separated from their partner during the birth. Due to the lack of recognition for domestic partners, the singer was unable to be present in the delivery room. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that they are living in an occupied land where they face additional hardships, such as being prevented from accessing a doctor when necessary. The singer expresses frustration and anger, but also asks for patience as they try to navigate these difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
We believed in love when love wasn't an option
We chose love even when it didn't seem like a viable option
She wanted to give birth
She desired to have a natural birth
I wanted adoption
I preferred to adopt a child
After days and days of conversation
We discussed the options for a long time
We decided to go with fertilization
We chose to undergo fertilization treatment
Then came baby showers and Lamaze classes
We had traditional pre-baby celebrations and attended Lamaze classes
2AM phonecalls 1 Minute contractions
We experienced late-night phone calls due to contractions that were brief but intense
But then they whisked me away like Brigadoon
Medical staff took me away suddenly and unexpectedly like in the story Brigadoon
No domestic partners in the delivery room
My partner was not allowed in the delivery room due to our domestic partnership status
But if I was a superhero I would break free
If I had superpowers, I would escape my current situation
Wouldn't need anyone to come and save me
I wouldn't rely on anyone else to rescue me
And you couldn't make me feel like I'm crazy
I wouldn't be gaslighted into doubting my sanity
I would see my baby
I would be reunited with my child
If I was a superhero I would break free
I would use my powers to escape captivity
And I wouldn't be imprisoned where ever you take me
I wouldn't be confined against my will, no matter where I am taken
I would change everyone who's trying to change me
I would resist and defy those who seek to alter or control me
I would see my baby
I would be reunited with my child
Life in an occupied land is hard
Living in a territory that is under someone else's control is difficult
We pushed harder
We persevered despite the challenges we faced
Soon to be a mom
I was on the verge of becoming a mother
Him to be a father
My partner was set to become a father
Boys with guns at the checkpoint in Rafah
Armed individuals at a checkpoint in Rafah prevented us from entering
Wouldn't let me pass
They acted as a barrier to our progress
When I said 'I need a doctor!'
I requested medical assistance
I don't know the source of the passport errors
I'm uncertain about how the problems with our passports arose
Or how four hours produced a miscarriage
It's unclear how four hours of waiting contributed to my miscarriage
But when it come to populations to disparage
When it comes to groups of people to criticize and devalue
Gaza is on the list right below gay marriage
Gaza is on the list of targets for discrimination, just below the LGBTQ+ community
There's something on my heart
I have an emotional burden
There's someone on my mind
I am thinking about someone specific
I never would have thought
I never expected
That I could be so angry
That I could feel such intense anger
But please give me the patience
Please grant me the ability to remain calm and composed
Please give me the patience
Please grant me the ability to remain calm and composed
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hoomn Beanz
My favorite song off their latest album it definitely gave me chills the first time I heard it.
Colton Markley
The Flobots are some amazing musicians who incoorperate radicalism and the cold dark truth into their music while also still making a good beat. I also love how they use the violin in their group.
deathislife
Love this song. Didn't like their third album as much, but I really like this one.
HEyZEus0093
Anyone else get chills at that gaza line? pure emotional linguistic genius
RedWood_Spooks
There's something on my heart
There's someone on my mind
I never would have thought
That I could be so angry
But please give me the patience
Please give me the patience
Best Part of the song
Poet Kos
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Nini Akane
Thank you Flobots for being the only rappers I respect.