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.
Ruffneck
Freestylers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freestylers, 'longside the navigator and see
90Th through poor fe posse, in a liberating style is, broke wil'
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
We are Ruffneck, with the light in check
A ruffneck, make me rex head, a ruffneck, we got intellect
All in check, we got dem all in check, we navigator
We as the consciousness
Freestylers you give 'nuff respect, borke wil' massin' all the artist
A we dem 'avin' run gone check
Left side here, a mastahblastah
It's a num we have a goes a one he martyr
Know me I'ma never go down, push it for a da
Riddim's up on the
Everybody have a long
Rude boy massive become follow me
Got this time in, oh you got energy, ah your time to get lively here
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Jump up, so jump
We are Ruffneck, with the light in check
A ruffneck, make me rex head, a ruffneck, we got intellect
All in check, we got dem all in check, we navigator
We as the consciousness
Freestylers you give 'nuff respect, borke wil' massin' all the artist
A we dem 'avin' run gone check
Come now
Ruffneck, freestlyers man, Ruffneck, I'm a Ruffneck
Left side here, a mastahblastah
It's a num we have a goes a one he martyr
Know me I'ma never go down, push it for a da
Riddim's up on the
Everybody have a long
Rude boy massive become follow me
Got this time in, oh you got energy, ah your time to get lively here
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Jump up, so jump
I'm a Ruffneck, yes, Ruffneck, I'm a Ruffneck, yes
Be quiet, see dem up on the theh, see dem up on theh
See dem up on theh, see dem up on theh, midnight run
See dem up on theh, see dem up on theh, see dem up on theh
See dem up on theh, di freestylers
I'm a Ruffneck
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Jump up, so jump
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Jump up, so jump
You got di right time to wind up your ways
New style becau' we dep on dem case
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Jump up, so jump
I'm a Ruffneck, yes, Ruffneck, I'm a Ruffneck, yes
The song "Ruffneck" by Freestylers featuring Navigator is a high-energy dance track that is typical of its genre. The song has a fast-paced beat and repetitive lyrics that are easy to sing along to. The chorus, "We are Ruffneck, with the light in check, a Ruffneck, make me wreck head, a Ruffneck, we got intellect," is particularly catchy and is repeated throughout the song.
The lyrics seem to be celebrating the Ruffneck lifestyle, which is characterized by a rebellious, carefree attitude. The Ruffneck is someone who can't be tamed or controlled, and who lives life on their own terms. The song invites the listener to join in this wild, hedonistic lifestyle, and to let their hair down and have a good time.
Overall, "Ruffneck" is a fun, upbeat song that is perfect for dancing and letting loose. It is not particularly deep or profound, but it doesn't need to be. Its simple message of freedom and revelry is enough to get people moving on the dance floor.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the attack begin
We are about to start something big and powerful.
Freestylers, 'longside the navigator and see
The Freestylers are joined by Navigator and they're about to show us something.
90Th through poor fe posse, in a liberating style is, broke wil'
The 90th group has a unique and expressive style which they are proud of.
You got di right time to wind up your ways
This is the perfect time to let loose.
New style becau' we dep on dem case
We have a new style because we depend on it.
Oh gosh we style has smash up the place, we make you crawl
Our style is strong and powerful, and it makes people move.
Jump up, so jump
Get up and move, now!
We are Ruffneck, with the light in check
We identify as Ruffneck and we're confident in ourselves.
A ruffneck, make me rex head, a ruffneck, we got intellect
We have brains and brawn as a Ruffneck.
All in check, we got dem all in check, we navigator
We have everything under control, including Navigator.
We as the consciousness
We are aware of what's going on around us.
Freestylers you give 'nuff respect, borke wil' massin' all the artist
Everyone's talent is appreciated and recognized by the Freestylers.
A we dem 'avin' run gone check
We are checking in as we run through.
Left side here, a mastahblastah
The left side has a powerful and explosive presence.
It's a num we have a goes a one he martyr
Our music is unique and powerful, and it makes a statement.
Know me I'ma never go down, push it for a da
We will never give up or back down, we keep pushing.
Riddim's up on the
The rhythm is powerful and present.
Everybody have a long
Everyone is here to stay, for the long run.
Rude boy massive become follow me
Everyone who identifies as a Rude Boy will follow and unite with us.
Got this time in, oh you got energy, ah your time to get lively here
This is the perfect time to dance and show off your energy.
Come now
It's time to get started.
Be quiet, see dem up on the theh, see dem up on theh
Be quiet and pay attention, we have something to show you.
Midnight run, di freestylers
The Freestylers are here to make a powerful impact, even at midnight.
I'm a Ruffneck, yes, Ruffneck, I'm a Ruffneck, yes
I am a proud Ruffneck and nothing can stop me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ASTON HARVEY, MATTHEW DAVID CANTOR, RAYMOND STEPHEN CRAWFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hardcore13athens
OLD SCHOOL WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!AMAZING!
Aniria Flores Marrero
In Tenerife this music is Old School
Omar Sheriff
It's not old school at all ^^
Pablo12
Love this tune!!!...every version every remix..just absolutely brilliant..have told freestylers and navigator mc as well..they needed to know
Jean De Leeuw
Still great after several years. Swings the hell out on mother earth.
Adam H
Take me back to 1998
My favorite song back then
Still sounds fresh in 2021
F99
When the frestylers did their thing I cried in pain.
For ages no one came half that good.
And I felt that before.
i-Shon Kumar
We need more songs like this
Eyelohim
I bought the single in 1998 and killed the disc in 2 months by constant play. Such a great hit it was.
Restless Mind
Me too hahaha! Now when I play people becomes on Xtasis! Haha