Homeboy Sandman recorded and released his first EP, Nourishment, in March 2007. His debut album, entitled Nourishment (Second Helpings), was released in August 2007. In early 2008, Homeboy Sandman's work began to be featured on underground radio programs the Squeeze Radio Show on WKCR 89.9 FM and the Halftime Radio Program on WNYU 89.1 FM in New York. In June 2008, he was featured in Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype" column.
His second album, Actual Factual Pterodactyl was acclaimed upon its release in August 2008. The album received an entry in XXL's Chairman's Choice column, which praised Homeboy Sandman's "sharp lyrics and irresistibly melodic flow, which, together, form an elastic instrument few MCs can match." Actual Factual Pterodactyl received critical acclaim in a multitude of other print and online publications, including Blender Magazine, Beyond Race Magazine, Okayplayer.com and MSN.com. At the end of 2008, Homeboy Sandman was named "Best Hip Hop Act in NYC 2008" by New York Press. Recently his music has received rotation on NYC's Power 105.1 FM and Hot 97.1 FM, the city's #1 Hip Hop and R&B radio station, as well as airplay on Spitkicker Radio (Channel 65 on XM Satellite Radio), DJ Premier's "Live From HeadQCourterz" (Sirius Satellite Radio's #1 ranked Hip Hop show) and BBC 1Xtra's Hip Hop M1X (Hosted by DJ Sarah Love).
In addition to his studio releases, Homeboy Sandman has garnered attention for his live performances. From January 2008 to August 2009, Homeboy Sandman served as the host of “ALL THAT! Hip Hop, Poetry and Jazz” at the Nuyorican Poets Café, New York City's longest running open mic session (originally hosted by Hip Hop icon Bobbito García). He has performed at the biggest hip hop shows around the country, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas, the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival in Brooklyn, New York, the Rock the Bells hip hop festival in Long Island, New York, the A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta, Georgia and New York City's CMJ Music Marathon. Homeboy Sandman has recorded video interviews with other performers at his live shows, which are captured in his YouTube video series "Homeboy Sandman presents Live From...".
In addition to his own releases, Homeboy Sandman has appeared on records by other artists, frequently with members of the AOK Collective, with whom he is affiliated. He recently appeared on Fresh Daily's 2009 album The Gorgeous Killer: In Crimes of Passion and the 2008 album For Your Consideration released by P.SO (formerly P. Casso). Homeboy Sandman collaborated with both Fresh Daily and P.SO for the song "Get On Down," which is featured on Sonic Smash, the album released in 2009 by music producer DJ Spinna.[8] Homeboy Sandman has also laid down tracks for a series of features with RIDES Magazine. The track that Homeboy Sandman created for the Loud.com challenge, "Gun Control," was cited as one of the Top 25 Songs of 2009 by Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg.
On June 1, 2010, Homeboy Sandman released his third album, The Good Sun, which features production from 2 Hungry Bros, Ski Beats, Thievin' Stephen, DJ Spinna, Psycho Les (The Beatnuts) and Core Rhythm, among others. The first single from The Good Sun was "Angels with Dirty Faces," produced by J57. In September 2010, Homeboy Sandman released his first official video for The Good Sun for the track, "The Essence".
In late 2010, Homeboy Sandman was featured as the coach in an episode of MTV's Made, which premiered in October 2010.
In August 2011, Homeboy Sandman signed with Stones Throw Records and released his debut project, Subject: Matter EP, with the California-based record label on January 24, 2012. Homeboy Sandman released his second EP with Stones Throw Records, titled Chimera in April 2012 and on September 18, 2012, released his debut full-length LP with Stones Throw entitled First of a Living Breed. The album featured production from Oddisee, J57, 6th Sense, RTNC and long-time production partners 2 Hungry Bros., along with label mates Jonwayne and Oh No, amongst others.
In 2014, Homeboy Sandman released the EP, White Sands, which was produced by Paul White. Nate Patrin of Pitchfork commented that the producer and rapper had "a mutually beneficial set of styles" in a positive review. In that year, Homeboy Sandman released the album, Hallways.
In the wake of the Donald Sterling scandal, Homeboy Sandman wrote for Gawker an op-ed called "Black People are Cowards," which attracted more than 1.3 million views in the first seven days of its publication.
In 2015, Homeboy Sandman released a collaborative EP with Aesop Rock, titled Lice. In 2016, he released the album, Kindness for Weakness, which included Edan-produced "Talking (Bleep)". In that year, he released a collaborative EP with Aesop Rock, titled Lice Two: Still Buggin'.
In 2019, Homeboy Sandman announced he had signed a new deal with Mello Music Group and released the new single "West Coast" produced by Aesop Rock to celebrate the new label signing.
Homeboy Sandman's first album on Mello Music Group, “Dusty,” was released on October 18, 2019. Production was handled entirely by Mono En Stereo. Dusty garnered positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic writer Paul Simpson praised Mono En Stereo's soundscape of "laid-back, ambling jazz and funk grooves" for complimenting Sandman's "conversational, matter-of-fact rhymes" throughout the album, concluding that "Dusty is another winning set of pointed observations from Sandman, who effortlessly unloads his thoughts without seeming like a burden on the listener."
Homeboy Sandman followed up “Dusty” with his 2020 album “Don’t Feed The Monster” produced by Quelle Chris. “Don’t Feed The Monster” was listed in NPR's top 50 albums of 2020. Homeboy Sandman would later receive a pair of awards for music videos that accompanied the album. He received a UK Music Video award for “Monument” (directed by Pavel Buryak) in 2021 and later won Best Foreign Documentary at Rome Film Awards 2022 for Don’t Look Down Video (directed by Robert Mayer aka Photo Rob).
At the beginning of 2021, Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman released their single “Ask Anyone,” which was featured on FIFA 21 soundtrack. Following the release Homeboy Sandman announced his EP Anjelitu which was produced entirely by Aesop Rock. Released in August 2021, Anjelitu marked Homeboy Sandman's third studio project on Mello Music Group. Okayplayer highlighted Anjelitu as one of the best Hip-Hop projects of 2021. Pete Rock would later give praise to “Go Hard” from Anjelitu. At the end of 2021, Homeboy Sandman garnered unexpected attention after Doja Cat saluted the emcee as “One of my favorite rappers” on Instagram live.
Homeboy Sandman's tenth studio album, There in Spirit, was released on February 25, 2022. That same year, he released the mixtape I Can't Sell These for free on Bandcamp, due in part to an inability to clear the various samples used in the music. Music critic Robert Christgau soon hailed it as "the finest album of one of hip-hop's most prolific careers", giving it an "A" grade.
Homeboy Sandman revitalized his acclaimed Anjelitu EP, by releasing the Anjelitu Deluxe which included two new tracks as well as Aesop Rock's instrumentals from the project. In 2022, Rhymesayers released all three of Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock's Lice albums on digital streaming platforms. Homeboy Sandman's Deca-produced eleventh studio album “Still Champion” was released on November 11, 2022, following the pair's 19-stop co-headlining tour. “Still Champion” reached #24 on the iTunes Hip-Hop charts and Riff Magazine included the project in their top 20 Hip-Hop albums of 2022.
Homeboy Sandman collaborated with Oakland-based nonprofit organization Oakstop Alliance on the album “Royalty Summit,” released on December 23, 2022. Royalty Summit is the debut release from Oakstop Alliance’s Oakland Resident music initiative. Homeboy Sandman was planning the west coast run for his There In Spirit Tour when longtime friend and Oakstop Alliance Executive Director Damon Johnson pitched him with the concept. The 12-track album was recorded over 3 days in Oakland as a residency collaboration between Homeboy Sandman, and over 20 Oakland musical artists and professionals. On Christmas Day in 2022, Homeboy Sandman announced the debut full-length release for his label Dirty Looks, titled “12 Days of Christmas & Dia De Los Reyes.” Homeboy Sandman rolled out one song from the project each day until the full album’s release on January 6, 2023.
In August 2023, Homeboy Sandman connected with New York beatmaker Mono En Stereo–whom the emcee collaborated with on past albums Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent and Dusty–for his studio album “Rich” released via Dirty Looks. The album garnered critical attention from Pitchfork, Vibe Magazine, HipHopDX, and more. Homeboy Sandman later released "I Can't Sell These Either" in November 2023, continuing the "I Can't Sell These" mixtape series started in 2022.
1 2 3
Homeboy Sandman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
And then they say
Hallways
As easy as 1, 2, 3
Boy sand comin around with no heat
Your girl head turning around like who he
The deep don′t want him around he too street
I act unruly and ruin the routine
I'll lace you up really and truly its my treat
When i get back there′s no one that's sitting in my seat
I laugh so hard i swear i'll start splitting in my seams
For frontin i get followed by women of my dreams
You won′t find even zeus or apollo to find me
I′ll point this on point like the top of a palm tree
I end up be the operate when i be in the panty
Hopping out I leave crater I came in to compete
Back when spinner the creator my sunday is complete
Double trouble i'mma pummel like yo homie you can′t see
Even while as i be bombing my timing is on beat
Publications with negations is never upon me
It is more than entertainment when saying that god speaks
So regardless of conditions I'm wishing you godspeed
Nevertheless I put the awol for people who got beef
This is not about the payroll my people i got peace
I be running with the label for people who got dreams
But i bringing to the table rediculous irie
I′m a legend not a fable thats putting it mildly
And they pinging but they never stop calling me big cheese
And i'm hunked up but you won′t come accross any big cheese
I ain't worried about no problems i solve them like mysteries
Everything that ya'll debating is made up like history
I come out before my set i don′t ruin my mystique
I was never squeaky clean ever since i was a pip squeak
Writing has always been for me, been spitting since 16
I been known for getting ones on 176th street
Damn i said street before!
The lyrics of Homeboy Sandman's song "1 2 3" are a celebration of the rapper's unique style and success in the music industry. He opens the song by repeating "1 2 3," a phrase that repeats throughout the song like a mantra. Sandman then asserts that his talent is effortless, like counting to three. He brags of his ability to make music without effort in a stream of conscious style - a style that some may dub unstructured, but to Sandman represents the precision of his craft that only he needs to understand.
There is a recurring theme of being misunderstood or rejected by mainstream culture because of his unconventional style. He acknowledges that people might dismiss him as unmarketable or too different from what the music industry currently wants. However, he doesn't care about the opinion of those people, and believes that his music speaks to those in the community who are looking for something real and far from the mainstream.
Sandman remarks that he is often followed by women, that he is a unique talent, and that his lyrics are inspired by God's words, bringing power to the words he raps. There is a thread of being the underdog in this song, as he alludes to the fact that he has had to fight harder to make it to where he is today. All the while, he never compromises the quality of his work or the values that make him unique.
Overall, "1 2 3" is a deeply personal track that highlights Sandman's unconventional lyrical style in a confident, yet subtle way. His signature storytelling and the cadence of his flow create a unique experience for the listener, that is both lively and enlightening.
Line by Line Meaning
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3
Things are as easy as 1, 2, 3
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Just acknowledging the listener
And then they say
Other people have something to say
Hallways
Possibly a reference to walking through hallways or life's journey
As easy as 1, 2, 3
Things are still easy, repeating the message
Boy sand comin around with no heat
Homeboy Sandman is coming through with no trouble or problems
Your girl head turning around like who he
Women are turning to look at Homeboy Sandman with admiration and interest
Street don't want him around he too deep
The streets don't want Homeboy Sandman around because he's too skilled and talented
The deep don't want him around he too street
Even people in the underground music scene might not want Homeboy Sandman around because he's too real and raw
I act unruly and ruin the routine
Homeboy Sandman doesn't follow anyone's rules and does things his own way
I'll lace you up really and truly its my treat
Homeboy Sandman will share his knowledge and skills with others out of generosity
When i get back there's no one that's sitting in my seat
Homeboy Sandman will always be on top of his game and no one can replace him
I laugh so hard i swear i'll start splitting in my seams
Homeboy Sandman finds his own jokes and accomplishments so amusing that he feels like bursting with joy
For frontin i get followed by women of my dreams
Women who were previously ignoring Homeboy Sandman will now find him attractive and follow him
You won't find even zeus or apollo to find me
Even the most powerful gods won't be able to locate Homeboy Sandman because he stays low profile
I'll point this on point like the top of a palm tree
Homeboy Sandman will make sure his work is perfectly executed like the tip of a palm tree
I end up be the operate when i be in the panty
When Homeboy Sandman is in control, he'll make sure to work efficiently and effectively
Hopping out I leave crater I came in to compete
Homeboy Sandman enters competitions strong and leaves with an impressive impact on others
Back when spinner the creator my sunday is complete
Homeboy Sandman feels satisfied on Sundays when he used to listen to DJ Spinner's mixtapes
Double trouble i'mma pummel like yo homie you can′t see
Homeboy Sandman will beat down any kind of opposition, even the kind that others can't see
Even while as i be bombing my timing is on beat
Homeboy Sandman's timing and rhythm is always perfectly on beat even while he's freestyling or battling
Publications with negations is never upon me
Negative news or criticism doesn't affect Homeboy Sandman's confidence or success
It is more than entertainment when saying that god speaks
Homeboy Sandman's music goes beyond just providing entertainment, it has a spiritual message
So regardless of conditions I'm wishing you godspeed
Homeboy Sandman hopes that the listener will be successful and have divine protection no matter what their circumstances are
Nevertheless I put the awol for people who got beef
Homeboy Sandman still has a message for people who have problems with him
This is not about the payroll my people i got peace
Homeboy Sandman is not just doing music for money, he's doing it for peace and to make a difference
I be running with the label for people who got dreams
Homeboy Sandman is connected with a record label that supports people's dreams and aspirations
But i bringing to the table rediculous irie
Homeboy Sandman is bringing a fun and relaxed energy to the music industry
I'm a legend not a fable thats putting it mildly
Homeboy Sandman is being humble when referring to himself as a legend
And they pinging but they never stop calling me big cheese
People are still reaching out to Homeboy Sandman for his fame and success
And i'm hunked up but you won't come accross any big cheese
Despite his success, Homeboy Sandman won't become arrogant or egotistical like others who are famous
I ain't worried about no problems i solve them like mysteries
Homeboy Sandman doesn't stress about any problems because he's confident about his ability to solve them
Everything that ya'll debating is made up like history
The things that people argue about in the music industry are not that important and will not matter in the long run
I come out before my set i don't ruin my mystique
Homeboy Sandman doesn't want to ruin his reputation by performing badly for a live audience
I was never squeaky clean ever since i was a pip squeak
Homeboy Sandman has never been a complete angel or innocent person, even since he was younger
Writing has always been for me, been spitting since 16
Homeboy Sandman has always had a passion for writing music and has been doing it since he was sixteen years old
I been known for getting ones on 176th street
Homeboy Sandman has been recognized and appreciated for his music since he was on 176th street
Damn i said street before!
Homeboy Sandman realizes he repeated a word and is acknowledging it with humor
Writer(s): Vincent Williams, Angel Del Villar
Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.