In the mid 90´s he discovered a new type of music that would change his life forever. The music he heard was called deep house, and struck Jonathan's heart immediately. Since then he started to produce music in a more serious matter and in 1997 he got in touch with Johan Bacto, which later formed the label PlackTown Sounds. Jonathan was now known as Ronin, and made a lot of releases on the PlackTown Sounds imprint. With a lot of great feedback from radiostations, magazines, DJ´s and even television, Ronin continued on the path of sensual, moody deep house.
His music was reaching out to the world, and in the year of 2001 he released a mini LP on Chris Grays label, Deep4Life in Chicago. Chris gave Jonathan his second artist name J. Axel, and he was now focusing on vocal deep house, and he started working with the talented vocalist Astrid Suryanto. He still produced instrumental deep house as Ronin, and in 2002 he made a release on Timewriter´s label Driftwood. In late 2004 Jonathan completed his album, J. Axel - Deepness Is Served, which was released 31:st of July 2006 on the German record label Bohéme. This album was later digitally re-released by Plastic City.
Jonathan has released on various labels, contributed with music to many compilations, as well as DJ:ing in alot of clubs over the years. His releases and DJ-sets have always been criticaly acclaimd, and its a fact that he will keep on delivering music with precence and luxury, which touches mind, body and soul.
Nothing To Lose
J. Axel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Mud in the cup n' it's mud on my shoes
We ain't got nothing to lose
Hammers and ratchets we tucking the tools
Niggas been ducking the blues
Snakes in the hood ended up on the news
Gave little shawty to one of my dudes
She say she fuck with the crew baby
Heads up
Uh
Ooh baby
Promise I know what to do baby
Watch out watch out watch out
Like Ooh baby
We ain't got nothing to lose baby
We ain't got nothing to lose nigga
You don't believe me then bet on it
Find you some money to bring to the table
And watch when I put niggas head on it
We came up off of bologna and mayo
That sandwich ain't never have bread on it
It be the niggas that always get hype on that street shit
Ending up dead on it
Still delivered like ya IMessage
You know my shit don't put read on it
Glory my vision is set on it (Uh)
Knife in my back neva bled on it
They been sleeping on the flow man
Kill the lights go to bed on it
Bury my feelings right next to this money
And then put a shed on it nigga you see it's
Mud in the cup n' it's mud on my shoes
We ain't got nothing to lose
Hammers and ratchets we tucking the tools
Niggas been ducking the blues
Snakes in the hood ended up on the news
You shoulda stuck to the rules
Gave little shawty to one of my dudes
She say she fuck with the crew baby
Heads up
Uh
Ooh baby
Promise I know what to do baby
Watch out watch out watch out
Like Ooh baby
We ain't got nothing to lose baby
No I can't let up
Neck brace nigga holding my head up
Fell behind I ain't know til' I sped up
RPM needle fucking the red up
I know nigga shut up I got it
They still tryna touch me I'm not it
Shit look like the movie we plotted
I star in that shit and I shot it
I recorded myself and I mix it
Nigga paid for the promo I bought the equipment
Put gas in that beater and whipped it
The Devil came knocking The Lord is my witness
Hate when it rain in them trenches
We came out the mud and made it a business brodie
If 12 come looking don't say if you know me
Just make sure you pay if you owe me
Mud in the cup n' it's mud on my shoes
We ain't got nothing to lose
Hammers and ratchets we tucking the tools
Niggas been ducking the blues
Snakes in the hood ended up on the news
You shoulda stuck to the rules
Gave little shawty to one of my dudes
She say she fuck with the crew baby
Heads up
Uh
Ooh baby
Promise I know what to do baby
Watch out watch out watch out
Like Ooh baby
We ain't got nothing to lose baby
The lyrics of J. Axel feat. Zemya Hamilton's song Nothing To Lose talk about the lack of fear or concern for consequences the artists feel in their rather tumultuous lives. The song starts with "Mud in the cup n' it's mud on my shoes. We ain't got nothing to lose" exemplifying that the artists have grown accustomed to the hardships of their lives, and mud, a symbol of the dirt of the streets, is a natural part of their lives. They tuck their tools and weapons because they have learned that they cannot trust anyone, even those who are closest to them. The lyrics "You shoulda stuck to the rules" imply that those who do not follow a set of unspoken rules suffer dire consequences, resulting in a mention of snakes in the hood ending up on the news. Nevertheless, the couplet, "Gave little shawty to one of my dudes, She says she f*ck with the crew, baby." then hints at the importance of relationships to persevere through tough times.
The chorus repeats itself, suggesting that the couple may not have much in terms of material possessions or social status, but they have each other, and that is all that matters. The second verse talks about working hard despite the odds and succeeding despite the naysayers. The line "Fell behind I ain't know til' I sped up/RPM needle f*cking the red up" talks about picking up their pace to catch up to their dreams, regardless of how far behind they may have fallen. The verse also talks about their struggles to get where they are and how they refuse to let any adversity get the best of them, and money will never change them.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah yeah
A simple affirmation of agreement or acknowledgement
Yeah
A continuation of the affirmation, likely in agreement with a prior statement
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
A repetition of the affirmation to emphasize its importance
Mud in the cup n' it's mud on my shoes
Acknowledging a difficult situation or environment
We ain't got nothing to lose
Embracing the difficult situation and acknowledging that there is little to lose
Hammers and ratchets we tucking the tools
Preparing for any potential conflicts or difficulties ahead
Niggas been ducking the blues
Acknowledging the difficult environment and how some have attempted to avoid conflict
Snakes in the hood ended up on the news
Recognizing the dangerous environment and the consequences that have resulted
You shoulda stuck to the rules
Reflecting on how some have failed to adhere to the laws or standards put in place
Gave little shawty to one of my dudes
Passing off responsibility for something to someone else
She say she fuck with the crew baby
Acknowledging loyalty to a group or community
Heads up
A warning or call to attention
Uh
A pause or break before continuing
Ooh baby
An expression of enthusiasm or excitement
Promise I know what to do baby
Confidently assuring someone that a situation is under control
Watch out watch out watch out
A repeated warning or call to attention
We ain't got nothing to lose baby
Reiterating the acceptance of a difficult situation and the lack of negative consequences
You don't believe me then bet on it
Challenging someone to trust in the singer's abilities
Find you some money to bring to the table
A suggestion that one should contribute something to the situation to show their commitment or belief
And watch when I put niggas head on it
Asserting that the artist can and will dominate or succeed in a certain situation
We came up off of bologna and mayo
Reflecting on the humble beginnings of the artist
That sandwich ain't never have bread on it
Further emphasizing the difficult circumstances that the artist overcame
It be the niggas that always get hype on that street shit
Recognizing the bravado and posturing that can exist in certain environments
Ending up dead on it
Highlighting the dangerous consequences that can result from that bravado and posturing
Still delivered like ya IMessage
Paying homage to the ease and efficiency of modern communication
You know my shit don't put read on it
Asserting that the singer's messages do not elicit doubt or uncertainty
Glory my vision is set on it (Uh)
Expressing a focused determination and goal
Knife in my back neva bled on it
Asserting strength in the face of betrayal
They been sleeping on the flow man
Critiquing those who have overlooked the artist's abilities or talents
Kill the lights go to bed on it
Preparing to work hard and stay committed to success
Bury my feelings right next to this money
Acknowledging the need to prioritize finances over emotions
And then put a shed on it nigga you see it's
Further emphasizing the importance of wealth and the artist's determination to acquire it
No I can't let up
Asserting an unyielding determination and work ethic
Neck brace nigga holding my head up
Acknowledging the difficulties and injuries that the artist has overcome
Fell behind I ain't know til' I sped up
Reflecting on the past and the singer's realization that they needed to work harder
RPM needle fucking the red up
Visualizing the intensity and determination of the artist, represented by a car's RPM meter
I know nigga shut up I got it
Asserting confidence in one's own abilities and criticizing those who doubt them
They still tryna touch me I'm not it
Refusing to be pulled down by negativity or conflict
Shit look like the movie we plotted
Acknowledging the dramatic and intense nature of the singer's life or environment
I star in that shit and I shot it
Asserting control over the artist's life or situation
I recorded myself and I mix it
Acknowledging the artist's own skills and abilities in music production
Nigga paid for the promo I bought the equipment
Further emphasizing the singer's self-sufficiency and independence
Put gas in that beater and whipped it
Emphasizing the hard work and determination required to succeed
The Devil came knocking The Lord is my witness
Reflecting on the challenges and temptations faced in life
Hate when it rain in them trenches
Acknowledging the difficult and uncomfortable situations that the artist has faced
We came out the mud and made it a business brodie
Reflecting on the artist's humble beginnings and how they have achieved success
If 12 come looking don't say if you know me
Warning against associating with or acknowledging the singer if approached by police
Just make sure you pay if you owe me
Emphasizing the importance of financial responsibility and honesty
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Allen Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind