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 βALL THAT! Hip Hop, Poetry and Jazzβ at the Nuyorican Poets CafΓ©, New York City's longest running open mic session (originally hosted by Hip Hop icon Bobbito GarcΓa). 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, βDusty,β 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 βDustyβ with his 2020 album βDonβt Feed The Monsterβ produced by Quelle Chris. βDonβt Feed The Monsterβ 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 βMonumentβ (directed by Pavel Buryak) in 2021 and later won Best Foreign Documentary at Rome Film Awards 2022 for Donβt Look Down Video (directed by Robert Mayer aka Photo Rob).
At the beginning of 2021, Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman released their single βAsk Anyone,β 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 βGo Hardβ from Anjelitu. At the end of 2021, Homeboy Sandman garnered unexpected attention after Doja Cat saluted the emcee as βOne of my favorite rappersβ 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 βStill Championβ was released on November 11, 2022, following the pair's 19-stop co-headlining tour. βStill Championβ 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 βRoyalty Summit,β released on December 23, 2022. Royalty Summit is the debut release from Oakstop Allianceβs 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 β12 Days of Christmas & Dia De Los Reyes.β Homeboy Sandman rolled out one song from the project each day until the full albumβs release on January 6, 2023.
In August 2023, Homeboy Sandman connected with New York beatmaker Mono En Stereoβwhom the emcee collaborated with on past albums Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent and Dustyβfor his studio album βRichβ 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.
Always
Homeboy Sandman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found a high where I don't come down
Carved my name wit a pocket knife
Stroll my lane
Comb my mane when it's dark at night
I and I's in the cosmos
Most
Beautiful I's that I ever did see
Like a moth to a flame for the market rate
Wade in the tide
Times, not, willing to wait
But I just don't care
Good afternoon
After yous
I deal in the absolutes
Exact as a science
One synapse at a time's how I spend my whole life
It's a spirit thing
It's in here
It keeps me from hearing things
There's not any match
There aren't any maps
So I go my own way
Always
The lyrics from Homeboy Sandman's song "Always" express a sense of self-discovery and empowerment. The first line, "I found a place that you can't touch," suggests that the singer has discovered a part of themselves that remains untouched by external influences. This could symbolize a personal sanctuary or a mental space where they feel safe and authentic.
The following line, "I found a high where I don't come down," implies that the singer has discovered a state of euphoria or fulfillment that doesn't fade away easily. This could represent a sense of inner peace or contentment that transcends temporary pleasures or material pursuits.
The line "Carved my name with a pocket knife" speaks to a personal act of claiming one's identity or leaving a lasting mark. It signifies a sense of self-expression and individuality. The use of a pocket knife suggests resourcefulness and a do-it-yourself attitude, further emphasizing the singer's self-reliance.
The next few lines, "Stroll my lane, comb my mane when it's dark at night," describe engaging in personal introspection and self-care during moments of solitude. This may imply that the singer finds solace in self-reflection and takes the time to nurture their own well-being. It could also convey a sense of independence and personal responsibility.
The phrase "I and I's in the cosmos" suggests a connection to something larger than oneself, perhaps hinting at a spiritual or metaphysical awareness. The singer acknowledges their existence and significance within the vastness of the universe. This line may also imply a sense of divine connection or a higher understanding of their place in the world.
The juxtaposition of "most beautiful I's that I ever did see" with the idea of the singer's "mark" being erased suggests that their inner beauty and uniqueness remain even when external circumstances change. The image of a "moth to a flame for the market rate" implies that the singer is not easily swayed by societal or commercial influences. They remain true to themselves, not compromising their values or integrity for the sake of popularity or profit.
The line "wade in the tide, times not willing to wait" conveys a sense of urgency and a refusal to be passive. The singer is willing to engage with life and take risks, even if it means navigating uncertain waters. This highlights their willingness to embrace their personal journey, regardless of external expectations or societal norms.
The phrase "good afternoon, after yous" suggests a polite acknowledgement of others, but also implies a sense of autonomy and self-assuredness. The singer is comfortable in their own skin and confident in their own path. This statement speaks to the singer's ability to navigate social interactions with grace while maintaining their personal convictions.
The lines "I deal in the absolutes, exact as a science, one synapse at a time's how I spend my whole life" reflect a meticulous and deliberate approach to life. The singer values precision and attention to detail, making deliberate choices and connections. This may imply a methodical nature, where decisions are carefully considered and actions are purposefully taken.
"It's a spirit thing, it's in here, it keeps me from hearing things" suggests that the singer's inner spirit or intuition guides and protects them. They trust their internal compass and remain true to themselves, despite external influences or distractions. This might imply a strong sense of self-awareness and the ability to filter out external noise to maintain authenticity.
The lines "There's not any match, there aren't any maps, so I go my own way, always" encapsulate the song's overall message of self-determination and independence. The singer acknowledges that their path may not follow conventional routes or be easily understood by others. However, they remain committed to staying true to themselves and forging their own unique journey. This line emphasizes the singer's unwavering sense of personal agency and their determination to stay true to their own path, regardless of societal expectations or norms.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a place that you can't touch
I discovered a personal sanctuary that remains untouchable by external forces
I found a high where I don't come down
I have discovered a state of euphoria where I am free from any negative emotions or experiences
Carved my name wit a pocket knife
I made my mark in this world through small and simple acts of self-expression
Stroll my lane
I confidently navigate my own path without interference
Comb my mane when it's dark at night
I take care of myself and maintain my personal style even in challenging or obscure times
I and I's in the cosmos
I exist alongside the universe and all its wonders
Most beautiful I's that I ever did see
I acknowledge and appreciate the beauty within myself
That remains when my mark erased
My inner beauty persists even when my external achievements or influences are no longer present
Like a moth to a flame for the market rate
I am irresistibly drawn to opportunities or actions that have commercial value or societal significance
Wade in the tide
I immerse myself in the ever-changing flow and rhythm of life
Times, not, willing to wait
I do not have the patience to wait for favorable circumstances or outcomes
But I just don't care
I remain indifferent to the opinions or expectations of others
Good afternoon
Greetings and pleasant wishes for the afternoon
After yous
I defer to you and give respect or precedence to your presence
I deal in the absolutes
I operate and make decisions based on definite and unquestionable principles
Exact as a science
My approach to life is precise and calculated, like a scientific method
One synapse at a time's how I spend my whole life
I dedicate my entire life to processing and analyzing one synaptic connection at a time
It's a spirit thing
My actions and choices are guided by a deeper spiritual essence or energy
It's in here
This spiritual force resides within me
It keeps me from hearing things
It protects me from being influenced or affected by external noise or distractions
There's not any match
There is no equal or comparable entity
There aren't any maps
There are no predefined paths or guidelines to follow
So I go my own way
I forge my own unique path and do not conform to societal expectations
Always
This is a constant and unwavering aspect of my being
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Angel Del Villar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind