Freestyle Fellowship is a rap group from Los Angeles consisting of rappers … Read Full Bio ↴Freestyle Fellowship is a rap group from Los Angeles consisting of rappers Aceyalone, Myka 9, P.E.A.C.E., Self Jupiter and producer J Sumbi. Their vocal techniques focusing on the method of the freestyle, as well as a successful infusion of hip hop and jazz established the group as forerunners in the sub-genre of jazz rap, also placing them amongst prominent West coast underground rap acts of the early 1990s like Hieroglyphics, Abstract Rude & Tribe Unique, and The Pharcyde.

Freestyle Fellowship was formed at the Good Life Café in LA during the early to mid 90s. Originally they were just a group of friends that met up at the Good Life's open mic sessions. The original Freestyle Fellowship consisted of over 50 members. The Emcees known as Freestyle Fellowship were the members that consistently came to the most open mic sessions.

Officially forming in 1991 and releasing the underground track To Whom It May Concern, the Fellowship became known in tape-trading circles, identified by their range in rhyming, at times bordering on scat, and Afrocentric messages over jazz inspired beat production. Their 1993 release, Innercity Griots is acknowledged by many to be among the most influential albums in the history of real hip hop.[citation needed]Aceyalone, the most prolific artist of the group in terms of solo album releases, is known for such works as All Balls Don't Bounce and Love and Hate, a cooperative album with producer RJD2. Mikah 9, P.E.A.C.E. and Self Jupiter also had solo releases, affirming the group's position as showcase for the varied and individual talents of the individual MC. Each member continues a part time commitment to the original group, most recently making a 2005 appearance on a compilation for Los Angeles based label Project Blowed, with the track "Outro".

promise
Freestyle Fellowship Lyrics

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Declaration
We are the light
People, light up your light tonight
I wanna see you shine

Fight despair
Don't let it get you down
Don't let it tie you down

There's a man with a wife and three children
Who's been told he can't work
There's a boy who's been told there's no future
He's been led by the blind

And I can hear them crying
As they try to sleep through the night
I can hear them cry
I can hear them cry

We are the light
We are the light
We are the light of our lives

Hold on to what you believe is right
Don't let anyone turn your eyes
Look ahead, don't stop to look behind
The past ain't no friend of mine

There's a failure who is standing on the corner
For he cannot see hope
There's a blind man who is standing at the crossroads
For he cannot see light

And as we fire the candles
We must make sure they burn through the night
For if they should die
There'd be no light

We are the light
We are the light
We are the light of our lives
We are the light
We are the light of our lives

Shine your light
Shine your light
Shine your light
Shine

Shine your light
Shine your light
Shine your light
Shine

We are the light

Shine on, shine on, shine
We are the light

Overall Meaning

The song "Promise" by Freestyle Fellowship delivers a powerful message of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity. The lyrics call for people to overcome despair and shine their own light to bring positivity and change into the world. The song begins with the declaration that "we are the light" and encourages listeners to light up their own light. This sense of collective empowerment is further emphasized when the lyrics state "we are the light of our lives" - indicating that individuals have the power to change their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Throughout the song, the lyrics give examples of people facing various forms of adversity and hardship - a man with a family who can't work, a boy with no future, a failure who can't see hope, and a blind man who can't see light. Despite these struggles, the song urges listeners to hold on to what they believe is right and to look ahead instead of dwelling on the past. The final verse emphasizes the importance of persevering and keeping the light alive, both literally (as in the candles that must be kept burning) and metaphorically (as in the light of hope and positivity in the world).

Overall, "Promise" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to take action and make a difference in the world, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.

Line by Line Meaning

We are the light
We are the hope and inspiration for ourselves and others.

People, light up your light tonight
Everyone should embrace their inner light and share positivity today.

I wanna see you shine
I want to witness your personal growth and achievement.

Fight despair
Do not let negative emotions take control of your life.

Don't let it get you down
Do not let sadness or discouragement affect you in a negative way.

Don't let it tie you down
Do not let negativity hold you back from your goals.

There's a man with a wife and three children Who's been told he can't work
There are people denied employment despite dependents relying on them for sustenance.

There's a boy who's been told there's no future He's been led by the blind
There are youths with no sense of direction, following leaders without vision.

And I can hear them crying As they try to sleep through the night I can hear them cry I can hear them cry
I can sense the pain and helplessness in those facing difficult circumstances.

Hold on to what you believe is right
Do not waver in your values and principles.

Don't let anyone turn your eyes
Do not allow yourself to be influenced against your beliefs.

Look ahead, don't stop to look behind The past ain't no friend of mine
Do not dwell on past mistakes, let them propel you towards success.

There's a failure who is standing on the corner For he cannot see hope
There are people trapped in cycles of failure and despair, unable to envision a way out.

There's a blind man who is standing at the crossroads For he cannot see light
There are those who are lost and seeking guidance, but lacking the knowledge to find it.

And as we fire the candles We must make sure they burn through the night For if they should die There'd be no light
We must nurture hope and positivity in ourselves and others, for without it, there is only darkness.

Shine your light Shine your light Shine your light Shine Shine your light Shine your light Shine your light Shine
We must radiate hope and positivity, illuminating the path towards success and wellbeing.

We are the light Shine on, shine on, shine We are the light
We are a beacon of hope and positivity, shining our light on the world.

Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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