After his stellar college basketball career was over, Bruce started recording music with Classified. His first release Tell Me What U Like (2000) sold 400 copies hand to hand and his next release The Fax (2001) sold 700. With growing popularity throughout the east coast of Canada, Bru came back with the critically acclaimed album in 2003 called Underground MC. With national distribution and a very busy schedule, Bru managed to sell over 1000 copies. His next release Identity Crisis was released on March 27th, 2007.
With four hit singles, ‘Makin People Say’, ‘It’s Rainin’ featuring Jordan Croucher, ‘What R We Doin’ and ‘Help! I Been Robbed’ on rotation at MuchMusic and Much Vibe, J-Bru is steadily becoming a household name.
Next up for Bru, The Jason EP, which is scheduled for a summer 2010 release on Bru-Print/Half-Life. The LP promises to be like nothing you have heard from the veteran MC. No glitter, no gold, no holding back!
The purpose of this project, The Jason LP, is to continue J-Bru’s growing popularity on a national level. After four full length albums, seven cross-Canada tours, two U.S. tours, two international tours, two hit singles, three ECMA nominations, four videofact grants and many more accolades, the Halifax MC is ready to advance to the next level.
Listed as one of MuchMusic’s “one’s to watch” in the hip hop genre for 2008, J-Bru plans to pick up right where he left off with 2007’s release, Identity Crisis.
In Canada, video and radio play are very important to its artists. With the limited number of urban radio stations in Canada, J-Bru relies heavily on video spins, and the nation’s youth are responding to and requesting his videos more than ever.
J-Bru plans to keep his momentum going by releasing The Jason LP in the summer under his label, Bru-Print Music. After being toted as ‘The Underground MC’, a moniker he was proud to hold, J-Bru has recently been more radio friendly. The MC hopes to show more of this side on The Jason LP via collaborations with some folk and rock acts, as well as his long-time friend, Classified.
The purpose in naming the album The Jason LP is that after so many years of displaying the bravado that hip hop so desperately tries to keep, J-Bru no longer wants to be a part of it. He just wants to make good music.
This new album is not about beats, flows, or generic hip hop cockiness. Instead, the project will introduce the world to Jason Bruce, a well-liked “guy next door”, a man who won poetry awards as a youth, and a former college and semi-professional basketball player. Always willing to give back to the community, J-Bru has become a role model over the years, traveling the Maritimes speaking to school children on various topics like black history, self-esteem and hip hop music.
There are many sides to J-Bru; and while he did show this to the world with a few tracks on Identity Crisis, it hails in comparison to what he plans to release on The Jason LP.
With a number of songs covering topics such as religion, politics, sexual abuse and racism, The Jason LP is sure to be one of Canada’s best hip hop albums for 2010.
Bru has had the pleasure of opening for talents such as Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, RZA, GZA, Cappadonna, The Game, Good Charlotte, Kardinal Offishall, Swollen Members, The Rascalz, Choclair, Jeleestone, Alexisonfire, Snow, Jully Black, DL Incognito, Maestro and Classified.
LOST SOUL
J-Bru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J wisdom on the beat
Ride
Or die
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
Revenge
On my mind
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
I no longer see foes as enemies
All I see is lost souls on these streets
Blood in the concrete
Mamas crying screaming out why lord bring my baby back please
His brother with revenge on his eyes
Now he on the run and can’t no longer live his life free
Always looking over his shoulder for that first degree
This is the life of a soldier you sign up for this Gee now you family
Be the first words of his big homie
Now he is feeling like the big man on the block
Til he hits the state penitentiary
Knowing all he has left is lost memories
So I guess they weren’t really victories
Life flashes before your eyes youngsta
I just want you to really see
Ride
Or die
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
Revenge
On my mind
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
What you know about me what you know about this life
You’re just a hypocrite doesn’t your bible say an a eye for an a eye
Gun is already loaded so for the block and the dead homies now I must ride
I was raised in the streets so this is all I know
It’s just not for the trill of the gun blow
Or them stupid hoes,
Selling drugs to the kids
Like how else I’m I so post to make some dough
I’m on every other hood hit list, so is why I stay on my toes
And what this shit you saying about us loving our foes huh
It was either him or me
I was just the one that didn’t froze
And if I don’t make it pass 18 we’ll that’s how life goes
Tell my mother I’m sorry cuz I couldn’t say adios
Don’t let her see me like this keep the casket close
I know she hurting as she drop her last rose
Ride
Or die
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
Revenge
On my mind
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
The lyrics of "Lost Soul" by J-Bru describe the harsh reality of living in the streets and the consequences of the gang lifestyle. The song talks about the loss of innocence and how people become desensitized to violence and death. The chorus repeats the line "Guess we all lost souls on these streets," implying that everyone is a victim of this lifestyle, whether they choose it or are forced into it.
The verses describe two different characters. One is a young man who lost his brother and seeks revenge, but ends up in jail with only memories left. The other is justifying his actions by saying that he was raised in the streets and had no other choice but to sell drugs and protect himself. Both characters have a fatalistic view of life and know that they might not make it past a certain age.
The use of the word "lost" is significant because it suggests a lack of direction and purpose. These characters are not living, but surviving, and have no meaningful relationships or goals. The song also criticizes the cycle of violence and revenge and questions the morality of taking a life.
Overall, "Lost Soul" is a powerful commentary on the toll of gang violence and the loss of humanity in urban communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Urban urban urban urban urban stylez
The song is made in the style of urban music.
J wisdom on the beat
The music for the song was made by J Wisdom.
Ride
You have to be ready to fight and not give up.
Or die
The consequence of not fighting is death.
Guess we all lost souls on these streets
Everyone that lives on these streets, including the rapper, feels disconnected from the society and morally lost.
Revenge
The desire to retaliate against people that have wronged the rapper or their community.
On my mind
The rapper constantly thinks about how to get revenge.
Ever since I meet G O D
The rapper found religion and spirituality at some point in their life.
I no longer see foes as enemies
The rapper now sees everyone as a lost soul and no longer considers them as enemies.
All I see is lost souls on these streets
The rapper only sees people that are disconnected from society and feel lost on the streets.
Blood in the concrete
There has been violence and death on the streets.
Mamas crying screaming out why lord bring my baby back please
Mothers are grieving and praying for their children who died.
His brother with revenge on his eyes
The rapper's brother wants to get revenge too.
Now he on the run and can’t no longer live his life free
The brother is now a fugitive and can't live a normal life.
Always looking over his shoulder for that first degree
The brother is constantly watching out for danger since he is wanted for a major crime.
This is the life of a soldier you sign up for this Gee now you family
This is the lifestyle of someone who is involved with gangs, and once you join, you are considered part of a family or a community.
Be the first words of his big homie
The big brother or leader of the gang told him this when they first joined.
Now he is feeling like the big man on the block
The brother feels powerful and in control on the street.
Til he hits the state penitentiary
The brother eventually ends up in prison.
Knowing all he has left is lost memories
The brother knows that once he is released from prison, he will not be able to return to his old life and will only have memories.
So I guess they weren’t really victories
The victories that the brother and rapper thought they had on the streets were not worth it in the end.
Life flashes before your eyes youngsta
Your life can pass before your eyes in a moment of danger.
I just want you to really see
The rapper wants the listener to understand the reality of living on the streets.
What you know about me what you know about this life
The rapper is questioning if the listener truly understands what it's like living on the streets and being part of a gang.
You’re just a hypocrite doesn’t your bible say an a eye for an a eye
The rapper is questioning the listener's beliefs since they claim to be religious but still believe in revenge.
Gun is already loaded so for the block and the dead homies now I must ride
The rapper feels like they have to fight for their community and their fallen friends regardless of the consequences.
I was raised in the streets so this is all I know
The streets and gang lifestyle have been the only thing the rapper has known and grown up with.
It’s just not for the trill of the gun blow
The rapper doesn't do it for the love of violence.
Or them stupid hoes,
The rapper is not interested in women that are involved in drugs or any other dangerous activities.
Selling drugs to the kids
The rapper is disgusted by those who sell drugs to minors.
Like how else I’m I so post to make some dough
The rapper has limited options for making money and feels like this is the only option available.
I’m on every other hood hit list, so is why I stay on my toes
The rapper knows they are a target of other gangs and must always be vigilant.
And what this shit you saying about us loving our foes huh
The rapper is questioning the listener's belief that they should love their enemies when they must protect themselves from their foes.
It was either him or me
The rapper had no other choice but to defend themselves.
I was just the one that didn’t froze
The rapper was brave enough to face their enemy even if it meant taking someone's life.
And if I don’t make it pass 18 we’ll that’s how life goes
The rapper is aware of the high mortality rate for young people involved in gang activity.
Tell my mother I’m sorry cuz I couldn’t say adios
The rapper apologizes to their mother for any harm they caused and may not have the chance to say goodbye.
Don’t let her see me like this keep the casket close
The rapper doesn't want their mother to see them dead and wants the casket to be kept closed.
I know she hurting as she drop her last rose
The rapper understands the pain their mother will feel during their funeral.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Josue Serpas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind