heating up the streets of Southern California with his "Hood Affiliated Mix Tape Vol. 1," the Los Angeles rapper (government name: Charles Tony Williamson) brings us Guerilla City, one of the most talked-about debut albums to surface in the hip-hop universe.
Producers on Guerilla City include such street music luminaries as Jazze Pha (Big Tymers, Nappy Roots, T.I.), Carlos Broady (The Notorious B.I.G., Lil' Kim, Nas), Red Spyda (50 Cent & G-Unit), Fred Wreck (Dr. Dre, Snoop, Westside Connection) and Mario Winans (R. Kelly, P. Diddy, 3LW). Among the guest appearances on the album are King of the Dancehall Beenie Man (on the blazin' hot street anthem "Compton"), Nate Dogg ("What We Gonna Do"), Jazze Pha ("Girlfriend") and Mario Winans ("You're The One").
One track that had already garnered G. Black plenty of attention is "Guerilla Nasty" (featuring rising ingénue Brooke Valentine), a driving Jazze Pha-produced cut that showcases his verbal gymnastics. The street creeper "Hearts of Fire" (produced by Broady) was already getting attention at the mixtape level. Now that the sizzling "Compton," has surfaced, G. Black is poised to explode. The cut, a head-nodding ode to the streets where he grew up, features Beenie Man, and has put the artist on the map. [The Gil Green-directed video takes the whole experience one step further.] The success of these tracks have set the stage for Guerilla City – landing in record stores September 28 – which arrives as the L.A.-based artist (who was discovered by original gangsta Ice-T) continues to solidify a strong base in the underground mix tape world.
The fact that the artist has spent quality time in several markets – Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Miami & Atlanta among them – on his grind, meeting deejays, clubgoers and consumers, speaks to his passion for getting his message out there. The press has come to the table early to explore the story of Guerilla Black. Early features on this exciting new artist include The Source, XXL and Smooth. On the television side, he has appeared on Playboy TV, and MTV showed early interest with a 'You Hear It First' profile.
"The industry just isn't the same," 27-year-old G. Black explains. "A lot of cats, they'll throw an album out there... My thing is to give people 50 mix tape joints so that when I do come with my album the fans will feel me on a much bigger level. It'll be like I've done one album, but I've got three albums worth of material out there."
Fortunately for G. Black and his fans, he has a wealth of material to draw from. Born in the Chicago area (Jolliet, IL), his family moved to Mississippi before he hit puberty. After one of his uncles boasted of the economic promise waiting in the West, G. Black's mother moved the family out to California. That move ended up being a bit premature, and the family was homeless for a spell. They bounced between shelters in Long Beach for a minute before finally making a home in Compton, when G. Black was about eight years old.
At age 11 or 12, G. Black was clearly influenced by the rampant gang activity in his Compton neighborhood. By that time, he was already hustling, "stealing cars and things of that nature," he says. He never forgot about living in homeless shelters, however, often falling asleep listening to NWA, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Rakim and the like. "Even though I was young, when NWA came out, they made me feel like that ultimate nigga. I was also feelin' Fat Joe, Kool G Rap, and my old school R&B joints."
His younger brother, Hot, who had already been writing rhymes, urged his older sibling to do the same. It lit a creative spark. "I just started rhyming here and there, kickin' a bar here, two bars there," G. Black says. "Before I knew it, I had raps and just kept rhymin.' I just started logging them in my brain on a daily basis."
To this day, G. Black never writes down his rhymes, preferring to keep them in his head. "Back in the day when me and my girl would argue, she used to throw away some of my notepads that had my rhymes in them," he explains. "I learned to keep it all up top, that way no one could ever take them away from me."
G. Black got a record deal early on, but ended up being so distraught with the way the industry drama unfolded that he temporarily gave up his hip-hop dreams. "It was a hard thing for me to do, turn my back on something that I really, really love," he says. "I love rap. I love to hear someone spit verses, especially when they got skills and can spit fire."
G. Black returned to the daily activities of the streets (both legal and otherwise) and lost his young bride – who was all of 21 when she died of meningitis – all in the same stretch. Despite these devastating events, G. Black's brother was again about to change his life. His brother had kept rhyming and encouraged him to do the same, urging him to return to a creative outlet. On his birthday, Hot invited G. Black to the studio. The results were surprising. "They pulled up a track and I ran through it," the artist says. "There was only three of us in there, but the other guy must have run out and told everybody what I was doing. Then, it seemed like there was 30 cats up in the spot by the time I hit the second song."
Word quickly spread to L.A.-based A&R executive Pete 'Volcano' Farmer, who signed G. Black to Virgin Records. But rather than just rhyme about trendy topics, G. Black chose to explore the range of his life experiences. This forced him to really examine his very being – revisiting both the most fulfilling and the most heartbreaking parts of his life in his rhymes – particularly after watching his wife die in UCLA's Harbor Hospital.
"After that, everything I started writing and rhyming was about my life," he remembers. "I had watched all these people die since I had gotten to Cali and you can love all those cats in the streets, but it's nothing like your wife or someone you cherish and who loves you unconditionally. When I lost her, that messed me up for real." The album track "My First, My Last & My Only" is dedicated to her.
After this tragedy, G. Black channeled all of his energy into his lyrics, which are among the sharpest, most thought-provoking rap music has ever experienced. That journey has come full circle on Guerilla City. Through listening to the album, you begin to understand the man that is Guerilla Black.
SUNRISE
Guerilla Black Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can make the sunrise, and the moon fall
When my plane land, you better take it off
Stop playing girl, yeah I'm trying to fuck something
Stop playing girl, yeah I'm trying to fuck something
Check it
You lookin' dope in your Dolce Gabbana boots
The motion's in the oceans
My dick game is potent, ma what would give you those notions
Cause I'm fat, I hit it like I'm skinny
Choke up that dro from the IHOP to Denny's
It's your choice, real pretty skin tone
Real pretty voice, that make grown men moan
I like your style, your grace, your face
You tasting better than the icing on the cake
And if I say I'll drink your bath water, huh
You know I'm drinking up your bath water
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
You wanna talk to a balla, don't let them sims stall ya
Slide in ya man's X5, when I call ya
And let ya hair blow
I'm in the Embassy Suite room 304 and don't wear nuthin' under your trench coat
You remind of Lisa Raye
Cut the lights low so we can play and grind till the day
I got chicks in every city
Some classy, some saddity
And two or three bomber than purple chronic in Phillies
From the G4, to the limo, to the penthouse on South Beach
Since I fucking keep my name out your mouth piece
Skin tone alone drive me crazy
I can't imagine being without ya
Everyday is about ya
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
We pushin' six's, they pushin' Grand Cherokees
Forget them dude's ma, hell I'm the man to see
Fulfill fantasies, slap the ass cheek
Like I did my victims in my last robberies, hell
You know the game, the name, 'be-L-A-see-K'
Pop the champagne then blaze the mary j
From the Bay, back to LA now
I'm old school 'Pelle Pelle' with the chain out
Fade to the right a little like Barbershop
I hit it hard enough that half the neighbors call the cops
Sexy chocolate, I got more power than, 'Stunnin Steve Austin'
Yes please take caution
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Repeat x4]
Don't bring your girl around
Or her panties coming down
The lyrics of Guerilla Black's "Sunrise" represent a quintessential example of the rapper's unapologetic style, a nod to his rap roots, and a celebration of the hedonistic lifestyle. The song's opening line "I can make the sunrise, and the moon fall" sets the tone for the track's overarching exaltation of power, not just in the success he's acquired but the material possessions he owns and the sway he exercises over women. The lyrics take a sexually explicit tone with Guerilla Black's boasting prowess in the bedroom, his reference to himself as "fat," notwithstanding. He claims to have women in different cities and always puts himself first, as well as demanding complete subservience from his women, even asking his subject to cut off all contact with other men.
Moving on, the song's melody is bouncy with a unique beat that adds to the song's energy. The chorus is repetitive, catchy, and sets the mood for the rap that follows. Furthermore, the use of Lisa Raye's name in the song shows the artist using a well-known personality to heighten the song's appeal. Similarly, the use of pop culture references like the "Grand Cherokee" adds to the sensation of high living the artist tries to portray.
Overall, Guerilla Black's "Sunrise" is a single that glorifies a particular lifestyle, accentuates the pleasure that comes with power, and possesses a bouncy melody that stays lodged in the mind of listeners even after the song ends.
Line by Line Meaning
I can make the sunrise, and the moon fall
I am powerful enough to control anything, even the celestial bodies in the sky.
When my plane land, you better take it off
Once I arrive, you better be ready to get intimate with me.
Stop playing girl, yeah I'm trying to fuck something
I am not interested in playing games. I want to engage in sexual activities with someone.
Check it
Pay attention and listen to what I have to say.
You lookin' dope in your Dolce Gabbana boots
You look fashionable and attractive in your designer boots.
Ma there ain't nuthin' I can't do, huh
I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to.
The motion's in the oceans
I have great sexual stamina and can satisfy any partner.
My dick game is potent, ma what would give you those notions
I am confident in my sexual abilities, and I wonder what led you to think that way.
Cause I'm fat, I hit it like I'm skinny
Despite my weight, I am agile and can perform sexually like a slim person.
Choke up that dro from the IHOP to Denny's
Partake in smoking marijuana from the International House of Pancakes to Denny's restaurant.
It's your choice, real pretty skin tone
You have a beautiful complexion, and it's up to you to decide if you want to engage sexually with me.
Real pretty voice, that make grown men moan
Your voice is so attractive that it arouses men sexually.
I like your style, your grace, your face
I appreciate your mannerisms, beauty, and facial features.
You tasting better than the icing on the cake
You taste even sweeter than the frosting on a cake.
And if I say I'll drink your bath water, huh
I am willing to do anything to be with you, even drink the water you bathe in.
You know I'm drinking up your bath water
I am that infatuated with you that I will do anything to please you.
You wanna talk to a balla, don't let them sims stall ya
If you want to talk to a successful, wealthy person, do not let others distract you.
Slide in ya man's X5, when I call ya
Get into your man's luxurious BMW X5 and come see me.
And let ya hair blow
Drive with the top down and let your hair flow in the breeze.
I'm in the Embassy Suite room 304 and don't wear nuthin' under your trench coat
I am staying in hotel room 304 at the Embassy Suites and want you to come over without wearing anything under your trench coat.
You remind of Lisa Raye
You resemble the American actress Lisa Raye McCoy.
Cut the lights low so we can play and grind till the day
Turn off the lights and have sexual relations with me until daylight.
I got chicks in every city
I have many women in different cities that are interested in me.
Some classy, some saddity
Some of these women are elegant, while others are stuck-up.
And two or three bomber than purple chronic in Phillies
I have a couple of women that are more attractive than smoking premium marijuana in cigarillos.
From the G4, to the limo, to the penthouse on South Beach
I travel from place to place in luxurious vehicles and have a glamorous lifestyle.
Since I fucking keep my name out your mouth piece
Since you are respectful of me, I will show you the same courtesy.
Skin tone alone drive me crazy
Your skin color alone excites me sexually.
I can't imagine being without ya
I cannot fathom not being with you.
Everyday is about ya
Every day is centered around you.
We pushin' six's, they pushin' Grand Cherokees
I am driving a luxury BMW 6-series while others drive less extravagant Jeep Grand Cherokees.
Forget them dude's ma, hell I'm the man to see
Do not pay attention to other men, as I am the one you should be with.
Fulfill fantasies, slap the ass cheek
Let's fulfill each other's sexual fantasies by engaging in some light spanking.
Like I did my victims in my last robberies, hell
I am boasting about my past criminal activity and how I treated my victims.
You know the game, the name, 'be-L-A-see-K'
You are familiar with my background and reputation as a baller.
Pop the champagne then blaze the mary j
Let's celebrate by drinking champagne and smoking marijuana.
From the Bay, back to LA now
I travel frequently between the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
I'm old school 'Pelle Pelle' with the chain out
I am dressed in fashionable, classic clothing and am wearing a noticeable chain necklace.
Fade to the right a little like Barbershop
I am driving and making a slight turn in the same way that a barber would taper a customer's hair to the right.
I hit it hard enough that half the neighbors call the cops
I am so loud and intense during sex that my neighbors have to call the police due to the disturbance.
Sexy chocolate, I got more power than, 'Stunnin Steve Austin'
You are an attractive black woman, and I am asserting my dominance by comparing myself to a powerful professional wrestler.
Yes please take caution
You should be careful and cautious when engaging with me sexually.
Don't bring your girl around
Do not introduce me to your girlfriend, as I am not interested in a monogamous relationship.
Or her panties coming down
If your girlfriend is around me, I will try to seduce her and possibly have sex with her.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES N WILLIAMSON, ROY HAMILTON, ROGER KARSHNER, CHUCK F. MANGIONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind