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.
West Coast
Homeboy Sandman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Featured in the sneak attack
Go to hell and back 'fore I repeat myself
Precision to double knot a junkie vein
From tying up hostages
My diet is lozenges and monkey brains
Agent of Hades wading through the red waters
Disillusioned and rueful and
Another classic down the massive drain
Gene Kelly dancing in the acid rain
Beneath the moon, i penned the music for
The village getting raided
Play while lickin' shots
I’m still in shock from Ewing getting traded
While the Natives toast to better days
Sippin' lemonade made from the
Water where I waded
Meanwhile, I'll be looking down 'til all
The mushroom clouds have dissipated
After that, i'm looking 'round frowning at
The nightmare I've created
Seemingly random as a fallen leaf
Convincing vics to cut the shit and play
Some chicken is like pullin' teeth
Beneath the willow tree
My back against the trunk
I quench my thirst for blood and
Think up everything I ever thunk
I lace my trainers where they run
Amok and never runner up
Sawed off shotgun, hand on the pump word up
Sharpie for taggin' up my new forcefield
Inside my beard, I got a three-course meal
Inside my pad, i got a tube that gets two
Thousand different channels on demand
Beside the shelf I keep the pebble that
I snatched from out your hand
I keep a Bounty paper towel to soak
The blood from out my eye
Spit a watermelon seed and knock a
Drone from out the sky
So when some nitwit tryna dim your light
I'll be the stimuli
La da da da da da da, okay
I moved ahead from being on another level
'Bout to brush up on the steps I
Use for dancing with the devil
'Bout to go and cop some
Alka-Seltzer tablets for the seagulls
'Bout to sneak into a thousand
Different movies at the Regal all the while
I win entire tournaments without no cornermen
As soon as that gets boring
Then I'm born again
I'm speaking for the people that just wanna
Light a match and watch it burn
Who always peek at hide and seek and hardly
Speak except for speaking out of turn
I'm tryna break a curse
'stead I only make it worse
So don't get flustered, fuck it
I'ma make it work
I'm dealing with bruises and
Concussions from celebrity discussion
And seen Atreyu get KO'ed by the nothin'
Tomorrow I'm drowning rubber duckies
And smashing pumpkins
And kickin' puppies in public and
Then hopefully gettin' lucky
I'm folks with Moses, Jesus
And Moe, and Larry, and Curly
The freshest pair of kicks will
One day be dirty
And currently recording the cure
For the common courtesy
Each and every sentence is from
Serving a different sentence concurrently
Time that never softened
Another nail in the coffin
Imposters is accosted often and early
Thoroughly i was at it early on in the AM
Catching some rain or catching some rays
Came up with the cavemen
I's already rocking Ray-Bans in the playpen
Incognito ego, id, superego
With the amen all day credo
With the bald head, no chemo
Trapped where everybody dress the same like
The end of ¡Three Amigos!
But everybody know your name and that's neato
Uh
The lyrics to Homeboy Sandman's song "West Coast" are rich with imagery and wordplay, reflecting the artist's introspective and thought-provoking style. The song delves into themes of disillusionment, self-reflection, and the complexities of life.
The opening lines, "Shelter and heat and doesn't seek much else / Featured in the sneak attack / Go to hell and back 'fore I repeat myself," suggest that the singer is content with basic necessities but is also aware of the challenges they have faced in life. They have a precise and calculated approach to navigating difficult situations, as indicated by the reference to tying up junkie veins and hostages.
The lyrics continue to paint a vivid picture of the singer's mindset. References to Gene Kelly dancing in acid rain and raiding villages add to the sense of chaos and confusion. The mention of Patrick Ewing getting traded and sipping lemonade made from the water where the singer waded suggest a personal connection to the changing tides of life and the nostalgia for better days.
The song also touches on the singer's darker thoughts and actions. They mention looking down until mushroom clouds have dissipated, indicating a fascination with destruction. The reference to lacing trainers and a sawed-off shotgun suggests a preparedness for defense or aggression.
Throughout the lyrics, there is also a thread of defiance and a desire to challenge societal norms. The singer mentions convincing others to stop playing games and be authentic, as well as their amusement in knocking a drone from the sky.
Overall, "West Coast" presents a complex portrait of the singer's mindset and experiences, combining introspection, rebellion, and a sense of being caught between different worlds.
Line by Line Meaning
Shelter and heat and doesn't seek much else
Content with basic necessities and not desiring much else
Featured in the sneak attack
Highlighted in a surprise attack or ambush
Go to hell and back 'fore I repeat myself
Willing to face extreme hardships rather than repeating the same thing
Precision to double knot a junkie vein
Skillfully tying a knot on a drug addict's vein with great accuracy
From tying up hostages
Referring to restraining or controlling people who may not be willing participants
My diet is lozenges and monkey brains
Consuming cough drops and metaphorically indulging in unconventional and strange experiences
Agent of Hades, wading through the red waters
Metaphorically embodying a messenger of the underworld, navigating through dangerous and chaotic situations
Disillusioned and rueful and
Feeling disappointed and regretful
Quadruple edged sword, another clash
Describing a situation where multiple conflicting interests or factors lead to a confrontation
Another classic down the massive drain
Referring to a significant loss or failure
Gene Kelly dancing in the acid rain
Euphemism for enduring difficult circumstances with grace and style
Beneath the moon, I penned the music for the village getting raided
Creating a composition while witnessing chaos and destruction in a community
Play while lickin' shots
Engaging in violent actions while simultaneously participating in entertainment or creative endeavors
I'm still in shock from Ewing getting traded
Expressing surprise or disbelief over a significant event, using the example of a basketball player being traded
While the Natives toast to better days
Amidst challenging times, indigenous people celebrate hopes for a brighter future
Sippin' lemonade made from the water where I waded
Enjoying a refreshing beverage crafted from the same environment that was once endured
Meanwhile, I'll be looking down 'til all the mushroom clouds have dissipated
Observing from a position of caution and awareness until all signs of danger or destruction have subsided
After that, I'm looking 'round frowning at the nightmare I've created
Reflecting upon the negative consequences of one's own actions and feeling regretful
Seemingly random as a fallen leaf
Appearing unplanned or without purpose, similar to a leaf falling by chance
Convincing vics to cut the shit and play some chicken is like pullin' teeth
Encouraging victims or targets to engage in a risky challenge is extremely difficult and resistance is strong
Beneath the willow tree, my back against the trunk
Finding solace and support near a willow tree, symbolizing stability and comfort
I quench my thirst for blood and think up everything I ever thunk
Satisfying a desire for excitement or aggression, while simultaneously pondering all past thoughts and ideas
I lace my trainers where they run amok and never runner up
Strategically tying shoelaces to ensure they don't cause clumsiness or come undone, emphasizing the importance of always being the best
Sawed off shotgun, hand on the pump word up
Highlighting a powerful and intimidating weapon, emphasizing readiness and control
Sharpie for taggin' up my new forcefield
Using a marker to creatively mark or claim a personal space or protection
Inside my beard, I got a three-course meal
Humorously suggesting that there is an abundance of food or crumbs hidden within the beard
Inside my pad, I got a tube that gets two thousand different channels on demand
Having access to a wide variety of entertainment options through a television or streaming device
Beside the shelf I keep the pebble that I snatched from out your hand
Retaining a small memento or token as a reminder of a past encounter or victory
I keep a Bounty paper towel to soak the blood from out my eye
Having a practical solution to address injuries or wounds, demonstrating preparedness
Spit a watermelon seed and knock a drone from out the sky
Using a skillful and precise action, such as spitting a watermelon seed, to disrupt or destroy a technological device
So when some nitwit tryna dim your light, I'll be the stimuli
When someone foolish tries to diminish your brightness or potential, you can count on the singer to provide the motivation or encouragement
La da da da da da da, okay
An interjection indicating agreement or acceptance
I moved ahead from being on another level
Progressing and evolving beyond previous accomplishments or personal growth
'Bout to brush up on the steps I use for dancing with the devil
Preparing to refine or review the actions and strategies employed when engaging in risky or dangerous activities
'Bout to go and cop some Alka-Seltzer tablets for the seagulls
Intending to obtain a product that has a soothing or calming effect, even for unexpected recipients like seagulls
'Bout to sneak into a thousand different movies at the Regal all the while
Planning to secretly attend numerous film screenings at a specific theater chain, emphasizing enjoyment and adventure
I win entire tournaments without no cornermen
Achieving victory and success independently, without the need for assistance or support from others
As soon as that gets boring, then I'm born again
Once a situation becomes uninteresting or predictable, the singer seeks novelty or reinvention
I'm speaking for the people that just wanna light a match and watch it burn
Representing those who derive satisfaction or intrigue from simple acts of destruction or chaos
Who always peek at hide and seek and hardly speak except for speaking out of turn
Describing individuals who prefer to observe rather than actively participate, only vocalizing their thoughts when it's inappropriate or untimely
I'm tryna break a curse, 'stead I only make it worse
Attempting to break a negative cycle or pattern but unintentionally exacerbating the situation
So don't get flustered, fuck it, I'ma make it work
Urging others not to become overwhelmed or discouraged, expressing determination to find a solution
I'm dealing with bruises and concussions from celebrity discussion
Experiencing metaphorical injuries and exhaustion from engaging in conversations or debates about famous individuals
And seen Atreyu get KO'ed by the nothin'
Witnessing a formerly powerful or influential figure being defeated or destroyed by insignificant forces
Tomorrow I'm drowning rubber duckies and smashing pumpkins
Symbolically engaging in destructive or unconventional activities in the near future, possibly as a form of catharsis or rebellion
And kickin' puppies in public and then hopefully gettin' lucky
Expressing a sarcastic or exaggerated desire to behave cruelly or harmlessly, followed by seeking positive outcomes or good fortune
I'm folks with Moses, Jesus and Moe, and Larry, and Curly
Claiming familiarity or connection with significant historical, religious, and comedic figures
The freshest pair of kicks will one day be dirty
Acknowledging the inevitable wear and tear or deterioration of brand new and fashionable footwear
And currently recording the cure for the common courtesy
In the process of creating a solution or remedy for the lack of polite or respectful behavior in society
Each and every sentence is from serving a different sentence concurrently
Stating that every line or statement comes from experiencing different punishments or periods of confinement simultaneously
Time that never softened, another nail in the coffin
Time that remains harsh or unyielding, symbolizing the passage of life and adding to the burden or demise
Imposters is accosted often and early
False or deceptive individuals regularly face confrontation or scrutiny, starting at an early stage
Thoroughly I was at it early on in the AM
Expressing an active involvement or dedication to a particular activity, even during early morning hours
Catching some rain or catching some rays
Taking advantage of both rainy and sunny weather, embracing different experiences
Came up with the cavemen, I's already rocking Ray-Bans in the playpen
Claiming to possess avant-garde fashion or style preferences since infancy, using the example of wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses
Incognito ego, id, superego
Maintaining a hidden or concealed identity while still possessing the psychological components of ego, id, and superego
With the amen all day credo
Emphasizing a personal belief system or philosophy, consistently adhering to principles emphasizing agreement or approval
With the bald head, no chemo
Having a shaved head without needing medical treatment such as chemotherapy
Trapped where everybody dress the same like the end of ¡Three Amigos!
Feeling confined in an environment where everyone conforms and dresses similarly, likening it to a scene in the film '¡Three Amigos!'
But everybody know your name and that's neato
Indicating that despite the homogeneous appearance, people still recognize and acknowledge one's individuality and identity
Uh
An interjection denoting hesitation or uncertainty in speech
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind