Handsome Boy Modeling School were Prince Paul (best-known for his work with… Read Full Bio ↴Handsome Boy Modeling School were Prince Paul (best-known for his work with De la Soul and Stetsasonic) and Dan Nakamura (a.k.a. Dan the Automator), hugely successful hip-hop producers in their own right. They released two CDs in total: So...How's Your Girl? in 1999 and White People in 2004, collaborating with a mix of diverse artists, ranging from hip-hop heavyweights Del tha Funkee Homosapien and RZA through to The Mars Volta and indie-darling Cat Power. Unfortunately it looks as though they won't be producing any more now that Prince Paul has left the group in 2006 over disputes with Dan.

Calling the Biz
Handsome Boy Modeling School Lyrics

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1: Yo, di'I- did I tell you about this new project my
Man Automator's doin'? It's called Handsome Boy
Modelling School?

Biz: What the fuck is that?

1: Yo, I didn't tell you about that?

Biz: No.

1: Yo, yo, it's ill. It's ill. So what you gonna
Contribute to it, Biz Markie?

Biz: What you want me to do?

1: I want you to um... I want you to sing like um...
Like, like, like um... like the Bee Gees.

Biz: Oh yeah, like that?

1: I want you to sing like [mac] diva?

Biz: [singing in a high pitch]

1: Yo, you'll do that?

Biz: I can do that.

1: You gonna flip that?

Biz: Flipped it

Overall Meaning

The opening conversation in Handsome Boy Modeling School's song "Calling the Biz" is between two individuals, referred to only as "1" and "Biz." "1" proceeds to introduce his friend to a new music project called Handsome Boy Modeling School, which is the brainchild of a musician and producer known as Automator. The project is a collaboration between various artists, and "1" is seeking Biz's contribution to it. When asked what he wants Biz to do, "1" suggests that Biz sing in a high-pitched falsetto similar to that of the Bee Gees or a diva. Biz agrees to the request and "flips it," indicating a willingness to take on the challenge.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, di'I- did I tell you about this new project my Man Automator's doin'? It's called Handsome Boy Modelling School?
The singer introduces a new music project by Automator called Handsome Boy Modelling School and wants to share the information with the listener.

What the fuck is that?
The listener responds with confusion and asks for clarification on the nature of the project.

Yo, I didn't tell you about that?
The singer reveals that they have not yet shared information about the project with the listener.

Yo, yo, it's ill. It's ill. So what you gonna Contribute to it, Biz Markie?
The artist expresses excitement about the project and asks the listener, Biz Markie, about his potential contribution to it.

What you want me to do?
Biz Markie responds by asking what specific tasks he should perform for the project.

I want you to um... I want you to sing like um... Like, like, like um... like the Bee Gees.
The singer requests that Biz Markie sings in a style similar to the Bee Gees for the project.

Oh yeah, like that?
Biz Markie confirms his understanding of the singing style requested by the singer.

I want you to sing like [mac] diva?
The artist references a specific singing style by [mac] diva as an example for Biz Markie to emulate.

Yo, you'll do that?
The artist confirms with Biz Markie that he can achieve the requested singing style.

I can do that.
Biz Markie affirms his ability to sing in the requested style.

You gonna flip that?
The singer asks if Biz Markie can enhance the singing style requested by adding his own creative touch to it.

Flipped it
Biz Markie confirms that he can creatively enhance the requested singing style.

Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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