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.
Sputnik
Homeboy Sandman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behold A Pale Horse galloping on a honkey′s lawn
Behold a pale corpse jacking off to zombie porn
Beneath a air force trained on playing Donkey Kong
Somebody's granddaughter ain′t like her own tetas
Saved up ten grand, now she like the Grand Tetons
Her and her parents worse rivals than the Yankees/Sox
Really love Johnson, even was a fan of Keyshawn
But R. Kelly got room keys, I mean key cards
Pimps that rock bright colored gear are called peacocks
Hooker's johns are nothing like Jean Luc Picard
Going someplace mad people have been before
Dingbats even wind up in the bing because
Promised not sing the if it pleased the court
You could tell it was a croc(k) cause he rocked Lacoste, uh
Knicksed down, listening to ODB
But for the mix down, this is what an OD be
I'm like the dude in commercials for Dos Equis
Or Duran Duran
Or Durant from OKC
When I meet some girlies they will not say peace
Cause they seen me earlier on OKP
I might give in if she got some okay cheeks
Even more so if she got some okay chi
Lotta cats get married when they both gon′ cheat
I am not sure what they think they gon′ achieve
It's like two potheads thinking that they both gon′ chief
Once they got there, ain't nobody brought no trees
Or a sad dog who′s owner ain't brought no treat
I′m the big dog, I ain't gotta show no teeth
I see hard rocks so afraid to play low key
All their art screams pussy like Georgia O'Keefe′s
Stop it
Pocket fulla copper
Copper helicopters
Cat divine in concert
Can′t divide and conquer
On it, fly on caca
Sung la cucaracha
I dance the gun kata
I done a bit of bikram
I'm big on vinyasa
I′m big in Kinshasa
Posers move over
My pops was Mufasa
To check on que pasa
Connect at Queens Plaza
Mi casa, su casa
Or get here by the Goethals
But watch out for the potholes
Hear the cono carajos
Let out by the apostles
The world's oldest profession
Transpired inside the brothels
The proof is in the fossils
The troops is in the foxholes eyeing the gestapo
I step up to the plate like Placido Polanco
Ace is Ali Baba
Racist Johnny Bravo
Wrists might be rocky
Heart could still be Drago
Ughh
The first verse of Homeboy Sandman's "Sputnik" is an exploration of the disparities and strange occurrences in modern society. The honking horns and Pale Horse on a honkey's lawn create a jarring juxtaposition that calls to question the reality of what is happening around us. The reference to a Pale corpse jacking off to zombie porn is a commentary on the desensitization of modern society - how even the most grotesque things can become normalized. The mention of air force training on playing Donkey Kong emphasizes the absurdity of technology's role in our lives. The line about somebody's granddaughter saving up to see the Grand Tetons reflects the power of personal desires, but also the contradictions in how we view beauty.
The second verse of the song is more personal, with Homeboy Sandman discussing his own life experiences and observations. The reference to ODB and Duran Duran shows his diverse music tastes, while the line about OKP (OkayPlayer) reflects his involvement in the music industry. The discussion of cheating in relationships highlights the illogical nature of some people's decisions, comparing it to two potheads who both want to smoke but don't have any weed. The line "All their art screams pussy like Georgia O'Keefe's" is a reference to feminist painter Georgia O'Keefe's famous flower paintings, emphasizing the power and beauty in traditionally feminine aesthetics.
Line by Line Meaning
All I hear is honking horns
I'm surrounded by noise and chaos
Behold A Pale Horse galloping on a honkey′s lawn
I see death and destruction happening right in front of me
Behold a pale corpse jacking off to zombie porn
I see somebody indulging in disturbing and perverse behavior
Beneath a air force trained on playing Donkey Kong
I'm living under constant surveillance and scrutiny
Somebody's granddaughter ain′t like her own tetas
A young woman is dissatisfied with her own physical appearance
Saved up ten grand, now she like the Grand Tetons
She has achieved her financial goals and is now experiencing joy and fulfillment
Her and her parents worse rivals than the Yankees/Sox
She has a tumultuous relationship with her family
Really love Johnson, even was a fan of Keyshawn
I have an appreciation for a wide variety of people and things
Winston Churchill said, "Carry on, keep calm."
Even in difficult times, it's important to stay composed and persevere
But R. Kelly got room keys, I mean key cards
Even famous people have their own problems and scandals
Pimps that rock bright colored gear are called peacocks
Pimps who dress flamboyantly are nicknamed after the colorful birds
Hooker's johns are nothing like Jean Luc Picard
Prostitutes have to deal with all kinds of clients, not just the distinguished ones
Going someplace mad people have been before
I'm venturing into a place with a troubled history
Dingbats even wind up in the bing because
Even the most foolish and ignorant people can end up in prison
Promised not sing the if it pleased the court
I made a promise to the court not to say or do certain things
You could tell it was a croc(k) cause he rocked Lacoste, uh
A person wearing expensive clothing doesn't necessarily have good taste or morals
Knicksed down, listening to ODB
I'm relaxing and enjoying some music by Ol' Dirty Bastard
But for the mix down, this is what an OD be
This is what someone sounds like when they're overdosing
I'm like the dude in commercials for Dos Equis
I see myself as a suave and interesting person, like the character in the beer commercials
Or Duran Duran
I'm a fan of the popular 80s band
Or Durant from OKC
I admire the basketball player Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder
When I meet some girlies they will not say peace
Women don't always respond positively to my advances
Cause they seen me earlier on OKP
They recognize me from a popular hip-hop forum called Okayplayer
I might give in if she got some okay cheeks
I might be tempted to pursue a woman if I find her physically attractive
Even more so if she got some okay chi
I might be even more attracted to her if she has positive and peaceful energy
Lotta cats get married when they both gon′ cheat
Many couples get married even though they plan to be unfaithful to each other
I am not sure what they think they gon′ achieve
I don't understand the reasoning behind their actions
It's like two potheads thinking that they both gon′ chief
It's like two people who smoke weed thinking that they'll both be leaders
Once they got there, ain't nobody brought no trees
Once they reached their destination, they realized they didn't have any weed
Or a sad dog who′s owner ain't brought no treat
It's like a dog who's disappointed that its owner didn't bring it a treat
I'm the big dog, I ain't gotta show no teeth
I'm confident in my position and don't need to use intimidation or aggression
I see hard rocks so afraid to play low key
I see tough people who are afraid of appearing vulnerable or weak
All their art screams pussy like Georgia O'Keefe′s
Their tough exterior is contradicted by their artistic expression, which is delicate and sensual
Pocket fulla copper
I have loose change in my pocket
Copper helicopters
Police helicopters are patrolling the area
Cat divine in concert
A talented musician is performing
Can′t divide and conquer
People are coming together to resist oppression and injustice
On it, fly on caca
I'm moving quickly and without care
Sung la cucaracha
I'm singing a popular Spanish song
I dance the gun kata
I'm engaging in a martial arts form that involves using guns
I done a bit of bikram
I've tried the intense yoga practice called Bikram
I'm big on vinyasa
I prefer the flowing and dynamic style of yoga called vinyasa
I′m big in Kinshasa
I have a lot of influence and popularity in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Posers move over
I'm warning people who are pretending to be something they're not to step aside
My pops was Mufasa
My father was like the wise and powerful lion from The Lion King
To check on que pasa
I'm going to see what's happening or what's the matter
Connect at Queens Plaza
I'm meeting someone at a busy transportation hub in Queens, New York
Mi casa, su casa
Make yourself at home, my home is your home
Or get here by the Goethals
Travel to my location via the Goethals Bridge, which spans the Arthur Kill between New Jersey and Staten Island
But watch out for the potholes
Be aware of the obstacles and dangers that may be present on the way here
Hear the cono carajos
Hear the angry and vulgar words being shouted
Let out by the apostles
People are expressing their frustrations and disappointments
The world's oldest profession
Prostitution, which has existed for thousands of years
Transpired inside the brothels
The act of prostitution happens inside brothels or similar establishments
The proof is in the fossils
There is evidence of prostitution and other sexual practices in the past
The troops is in the foxholes eyeing the gestapo
The soldiers are in a dangerous and vulnerable position, watching carefully for any enemy activity
I step up to the plate like Placido Polanco
I'm stepping up to take on a challenge or responsibility, like the baseball player Placido Polanco
Ace is Ali Baba
I'm the best, like the legendary figure Ali Baba
Racist Johnny Bravo
I encounter people who are racist or prejudiced, like the cartoon character Johnny Bravo
Wrists might be rocky
My wrists might be adorned with flashy and expensive jewelry
Heart could still be Drago
Despite my outward appearance, I could still have a lot of emotional pain or struggle inside
Writer(s): Homeboy Sandman
Contributed by Arianna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
allstar2bein2023
I always look forward to Homeboy Sandman's music videos. You can always count on seeing dope and original visuals in the music videos.
Lavos Dream
homeboy is the only artist where i like 99% of their work. He is one of my idols mainly because his views have changed and evolved much like mine and many other's. I'm not what i would consider a true artist, i drew alot in my early years but i mostly moved people's furniture and knew how to get your grandma's antique china hutch to her new home safe. Sandman is and always will be the true vision of evolution and love for the art.
Mider-Span Man
I wholeheartedly concur!
Jay E. Williams
Track is DOPE... dude's delivery is mad unique.
Instantly Distant
Homeboy Sandman is my favourite rapper of recent years. Such a dope, unique style
STEPHEN HOARD JR
My Favorite homeboy sandman track 🔥
venom2k2
Those are some real good visuals for one of the better tracks off his album. Nice one!
Esteban Est
Love how he's been blowing up who still remembers actual factual ptredactyl
highlyblessed87
Incredible album
Aaron Keen
That Georgia O'Keeffe line gets me every time.