The Freestylers formed in 1996 when DJs and dance music p… Read Full Bio ↴United Kingdom
The Freestylers formed in 1996 when DJs and dance music producers Matt Cantor, Aston Harvey and (initially) Andrew Galea joined forces. All three of them had been involved in the British dance music scene since the 1980s. Cantor had recorded as Cut n' Paste and Strike with Andy Gardner (Plump DJs). Aston Harvey recorded as Blapps! Posse best known for the 1990 breakbeat dance hit "Don't Hold Back" before working with Definition of Sound, Rebel MC and DJ Rap (as DJ Rap and Aston). Harvey joined with Galea under the name Sol Brothers before Cantor was recruited to form the Freestylers. The group took their name from their first sample "Don't Stop The Rock" by Freestyle.
The trio's first single "Drop The Boom (AK-48)" on their own Scratch City Records in 1996 becoming a dancefloor hit in the UK and Miami. The band released the Freestyle EP in 1996 on Freskanova (Freskanova's parent label, Fresh, had released Cantor, Galea and Harvey's previous work). Andrew Galea left the Freestylers shortly after the release of the Freestyle EP.
After the departure of Andrew Galea, Matt and Aston formed an 11-piece band (initially an idea of their record label, Freskanova). This consisted of the 2 producers (Cantor and Harvey), a scratch DJ (Mad Doctor X), a guitarist (Tony Ayiotou), drummer (Clive Jenner), bass guitarist (Joe Henson), 2 MCs (MC Navigator and Tenor Fly) and 3 breakdancers (Coza, Marat, Tim).
The band's first album We Rock Hard was released in 1998. The single "B-Boy Stance" became a singles hit in the UK in 1998 featuring the contributions of rapper Tenor Fly. In 1999, the Freestylers enjoyed success in the U.S. with track "Don't Stop" reached the top 10 of the Billboard dance charts and "Here We Go" becoming a MTV Buzzworthy clip. We Rock Hard sold well in the US selling over 150,000 and reaching the top 30 of the Billboard Heatseeker chart.
Following the success of B-Boy Stance, the band were asked to remix tracks by Audioweb, Afrika Bambaataa and the Jungle Brothers as well as a big beat compilation album FSUK 2 and a Radio 1 Essential Mix featuring Beenie Man, Public Enemy, Whodini and The Fall.
The Freestylers released a mix album Electro Science in 2000. Their second album Pressure Point was released in 2001 with the track Get Down Massive featuring Navigator reaching top 20 on the Billboard dance charts in 2002.
During 2002 and 2003 the group began releasing singles under the artist name Raw As F**k which then became the title of their third album. Released in 2004, it featured the single "Push Up", which reached the top 30 in the UK and top 3 in Australia. Another single, which was previously released before "Push Up", called "Get A Life", was re-released and reached the top 20 in Australia.
Punks
Freestylers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spent my cash on every high I could find
Wasted time in every school in LA
Gettin' loose, I didn't care what the kids say
We're white punks on dope
Mom and dad moved to Hollywood
Hang myself when I get enough rope
Can't clean up though I know I should
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
Other dudes are livin' in the ghetto
Born in Pacific Heights, don't seem much betto
We're white punks on dope
Mom and dad live in Hollywood
Hang myself when I get enough rope
Can't clean up though I know I should
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks dope, white punks on dope
I go crazy 'cause my folks are so fuckin' rich
Have to score when I get that rich white punk itch
Sounds real classy, livin' in a chateau
So lonely, all the other kids will never know
We're white punks on dope
Mom and dad live in Hollywood
Hang myself when I get enough rope
Can't clean up though I know I should
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
White punks on dope, white punks on dope
The lyrics to Freestylers' song "Punks" paint a picture of teenage rebellion and disillusionment with the lifestyle of wealthy Hollywood families. The singer describes a life of excess and "wasted time" spent indulging in drugs and partying. The repeated phrase "white punks on dope" creates a sense of irony, as these privileged youths are essentially playing at being outsiders or rebels. The chorus features the line "hang myself when I get enough rope," which could be interpreted as either a dramatic statement about suicidal thoughts or a metaphor for the self-destructive tendencies of youth.
The song's lyrics are rich with social commentary about class and privilege, as well as the pitfalls of teenage rebellion. The characters in the song are depicted as living in a bubble of wealth and luxury, with little empathy for the struggles of those outside their social circle. The repeated phrase "white punks on dope" is a nod to the punk subculture, which historically embraced outsiders and rebelled against mainstream norms, but also underscores the irony of youthful rebellion as the ultimate form of privilege.
The overall mood of the song is one of disillusionment and frustration, with the singer feeling trapped in their privileged lifestyle and unable to escape their own destructive tendencies. The lyrics are an indictment of the culture of excess and indulgence that often accompanies wealth and privilege, as well as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked rebellion and self-destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Teenage had a race for the nighttime
When I was young, I would get into trouble after dark.
Spent my cash on every high I could find
I wasted my money on drugs and alcohol.
Wasted time in every school in LA
I didn't take my education seriously and went to many different schools in Los Angeles.
Gettin' loose, I didn't care what the kids say
I didn't worry about what others thought of me and just did what I wanted.
We're white punks on dope
We are young, rebellious teens who are addicted to drugs.
Mom and dad moved to Hollywood
My parents relocated to Hollywood, a wealthy area in Los Angeles.
Hang myself when I get enough rope
I feel so overwhelmed and helpless that I just want to end my life.
Can't clean up though I know I should
I know I should quit using drugs, but I can't seem to stop.
Other dudes are livin' in the ghetto
Some people are born and raised in poor neighborhoods.
Born in Pacific Heights, don't seem much betto
Even though I come from an affluent neighborhood, my life doesn't seem any better than those who grew up in the ghetto.
I go crazy 'cause my folks are so fuckin' rich
I feel like my wealthy parents have driven me insane.
Have to score when I get that rich white punk itch
I feel like I need to use drugs to fit in with the white punk crowd that I associate with.
Sounds real classy, livin' in a chateau
Living in a fancy castle-like home seems glamorous on the surface.
So lonely, all the other kids will never know
Despite my seemingly luxurious lifestyle, I feel incredibly isolated and other young people can't relate to my struggles.
Writer(s): Aston Harvey Copyright: Imagem Songs Ltd.
Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Věrka Soukupová
:::S
@FrilledNeckDragonUK
Yeh this right here was just one of those badass tracks that would make everybody put on their bass face. Raise fingers and search around for those fellow eyes in the crowd that knew what was coming.... Such a great time :)
@BADALICE
Pandora radio plays another version of this song that is so kick ass. I've been singing punks this and that all day. Actually Iv'e intentionally been driving my Son crazy, singing punks on the left yeah, punks on the right uh; and once in awhile throw in a let your feet strong. I have no idea what the actual words are just having fun with it. I wish I could find the heavy version here.
@harisdiz.5817
Wild for the night... let your feet stomp... it's from one of wu tang clan tracks.
@user-gv8sz3sp2h
Трек-зачётный. 🤟
@pointblankrecords
Крутой трек!
@user-fl2fn9zr4e
вообще у группы есть годнота.
@VazgenPapikyants
Wu-Tang samples 🤘🏼
@Liquidgrin
Still in my crate.
@snakeheadseth1932
I want to fist-fight someone to this