Gift of Gab made his name as the technically adept MC in the vaunted underg… Read Full Bio ↴Gift of Gab made his name as the technically adept MC in the vaunted underground rap duo Blackalicious, in partnership with producer/DJ Chief Xcel. Born Tim Parker, he grew up mostly in Pacoima, part of L.A.'s San Fernando Valley region, but attended high school in Sacramento. There he first met Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley) in 1987. Parker, then calling himself Tiny T or Gabby T, was already developing keen skills as a battle MC, and he and Mosley teamed up the following year. After graduating, Parker returned to Los Angeles, but he and Mosley kept up their partnership by phone. While attending UC-Davis, Mosley fell in with a group of hip-hop eccentrics who became the SoleSides collective, and Parker moved up to the Bay Area to join him in 1991, now having settled on Gift of Gab as his hip-hop alter ego. Blackalicious issued their debut single, "Swan Lake," on SoleSides in 1994, and several more followed, establishing their underground reputation and leading to a tour of Europe. They began work on a full-length album, during which time SoleSides shut down and reconfigured itself as Quannum; however, the process was long and laborious, as Gift of Gab struggled with an alcohol problem that took several years to overcome. Finally, in 1999, Blackalicious re-emerged with the A2G EP, whose "Alphabet Aerobics" electrified the underground and marked Gift of Gab as a prodigious new talent. That talent was confirmed by Blackalicious' first two full-lengths, 2000's NIA and 2002's Blazing Arrow, which elevated him to the status of perhaps the most underappreciated elite MC in hip-hop.

In the wake of Blazing Arrow's critical hosannas, Gift of Gab branched out with a number of guest appearances, recording with the likes of DJ Vadim, British hip-hoppers New Flesh, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. In early 2003, he underwent emergency eye surgery necessitated by complications from diabetes, but fortunately made a full recovery. Seeking outside collaborators to keep himself fresh for the third Blackalicious album, Gift of Gab embarked on a solo project for Quannum with two Seattle-based producers, Vitamin D and Jake One. Advance single "The Writz" appeared in late 2003, and the album itself, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, arrived in the spring of 2004. Reviews of the production work varied widely, but overall the record -- a smooth, mellow affair -- solidified Gift of Gab's position as one of the top MCs of his time, underground or otherwise. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Evolution
Gift Of Gab Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's Evolution Get up on
And come into the future of a reality living deep inside the mind, let's come on
It's Evolution Get up on
And come into to the future of a reality living deep inside the mind, and beyond
It's Evolution Get up on
And come into the future of a reality living deep inside the mind, and beyond
It's Evolution Get up on
The floor into the future of a reality living deep inside the mind Let's come on!

The verbal acrobatic comin' at you to make your body and spirit and mental status infatuated No saturated active created
A true and living verbal master related
To take it where a lot of rappers ain't able to take it
Painted the vision of what we painted on rhythms
Imagery fakin' inauthentic for dividends
THIS IS SACRED!
Breakneck speed of thought, adrenaline rushin', expanding
Sending vibrations into the hollowness of canyons
Open and Shower the blind and deaf as identity
Man, the planet needs healing, you focused on your credibility streetwise
"okay, we believe you know what?"
Where do we go from here? 4th Dimensional Rocket Ships Going Up Clever, sever the head of a rapper ready to predator, editor
Let it all get in your head and erupt, travelin' up, unraveling talents
And bust barriers Carriers of a power dreams are made of

Its Evolution, Get Up
Come back into a future of a reality living inside the mind, come on
Its Evolution, Get Up
Come back into a future of a reality living deep inside the mind, and beyond
Its Evolution, Get Up
We make the future come true, of reality living deep inside the mind, come on

The pen and the paper is the path that I'm makin'
imprints upon,the road of rhythm I'm travelin' deep within
The further in I begin to ascend upon the zone of infinite energy given to me, so channel, now the creator that's living in within is risen and living through me again
I'm pennin' this venomous sin in this, definitive inner vision of lyricism, Of when it's the beginning of the ending dissention
Now get the picture and send that shit into the millions, that came to witness exquisite visitors of a distant mystical discipline, inflicted, I'm so addicted to fishin' in wisdom of bliss; I'm a bliss fishermen
Riveting swift, grinning with wit, I did it again and again and again, In a minimum of ten trillion, illian, venibrillium, sentences inter-thrillin' em, Hittin' em legitimate bigger and wittier, intimate killin' it
Syllable senator, healin' your sinning and feeling the shift

Rock Rock Ya'll, Rock Rock Ya'll, Rock Rock Ya'll
Its Evolution, Get Up
Come back into a future of a reality living inside the mind, come on
Its Evolution, Get Up
Come back into a future of a reality living inside the mind, and beyond
Its Evolution, Get Up
We make the future come true, of reality living deep inside the mind, come on

Its Evolution
Come on

Overall Meaning

"Evolution" by Gift of Gab is a song that encourages the listener to embrace the future of a reality that exists within their mind and beyond. The lyrics suggest that this evolution can be achieved through verbal acrobatics, mental and spiritual infatuation and the creation of a reality through lyrical skill. Gift of Gab's lyrics challenge other rappers to push their creativity to new heights by painting visions on rhythm, focusing on the sacredness of the lyrics and using their talent to break through barriers. The song also suggests that people need to focus on healing the planet, rather than focusing only on themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

It's Evolution Get up on
Get ready to embrace change and progress

And come into the future of a reality living deep inside the mind, let's come on
Explore the depths of your imagination and experience an alternate reality

The verbal acrobatic comin' at you to make your body and spirit and mental status infatuated No saturated active created
My words will captivate your entire being without ever becoming stale or repetitive

A true and living verbal master related To take it where a lot of rappers ain't able to take it
I am a skilled and authentic rapper who can surpass the limitations of the genre

THIS IS SACRED!
This is a profound and holy experience worth cherishing

Breakneck speed of thought, adrenaline rushin', expanding Sending vibrations into the hollowness of canyons
My rapid-fire rhymes and energy resonate deeply in even the emptiest of spaces

Open and Shower the blind and deaf as identity Man, the planet needs healing, you focused on your credibility streetwise
I aim to enlighten those who are closed-minded and insensitive to the issues our world faces, rather than just chasing after fame

Where do we go from here? 4th Dimensional Rocket Ships Going Up Clever, sever the head of a rapper ready to predator, editor Let it all get in your head and erupt, travelin' up, unraveling talents And bust barriers Carriers of a power dreams are made of
Let's transcend our current limitations and go on a journey towards uncharted territories. We'll break down barriers and unlock new talents that can make dreams a reality.

The pen and the paper is the path that I'm makin' imprints upon, the road of rhythm I'm travelin' deep within
My creativity and expression come from within and are fueled by the rhythms I create with words

The further in I begin to ascend upon the zone of infinite energy given to me, so channel, now the creator that's living in within is risen and living through me again
As I delve deeper within myself, I tap into an endless source of energy that allows me to channel the divine and create new works of art

I'm pennin' this venomous sin in this, definitive inner vision of lyricism, Of when it's the beginning of the ending dissention
I am writing about my innermost struggles and conflicts, using my unique style of poetry and lyrical vision

Now get the picture and send that shit into the millions, that came to witness exquisite visitors of a distant mystical discipline, inflicted, I'm so addicted to fishin' in wisdom of bliss; I'm a bliss fishermen
Let's share this message with the masses and draw in more fans who appreciate our unique talent and perspective on life. I am obsessed with seeking out new knowledge and enlightenment, like the way an angler seeks out fish

Riveting swift, grinning with wit, I did it again and again and again, In a minimum of ten trillion, illian, venibrillium, sentences inter-thrillin' em, Hittin' em legitimate bigger and wittier, intimate killin' it
My rhymes are sharp, witty, and full of energy. I can keep going for ages, delivering ten trillion lines that are both thrilling and intimate

Syllable senator, healin' your sinning and feeling the shift
I am a master of language, and my words can help you heal and change for the better

Rock Rock Ya'll, Rock Rock Ya'll, Rock Rock Ya'll
Let's jam and have a good time!

We make the future come true, of reality living deep inside the mind, come on
Together, we can create a better future by tapping into the power of our minds and imaginations

Its Evolution
Change is inevitable, and we must embrace it and evolve

Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACOB DUTTON, TIM PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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