Dutton grew up in Capitol Hill and moved to the North End of Seattle when he was 15. He started making music on a Casio keyboard in 1992. He attended the University of Washington and gave a tape of his music to a friend who worked in a local record store. One of the store's other employees, the DJ Mr. Supreme heard the tape, and when he set up his Conception Records label, he used Dutton to create backing tracks. The first record he produced was Eclipse's World Premier. His early influences included Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and Marley Marl. Dutton has worked with local artists as well as major names from further afield. He has produced tracks by artists such as De La Soul, Strange Fruit Project, MF DOOM, E-40, Planet Asia, Nas, and 50 Cent. He was a part of the G-Unit production team, The Money Management Group.
His first album credited to Jake One, White Van Music, was released in October 2008 on Rhymesayers Entertainment, and featured contributions from Brother Ali, Young Buck, De La Soul, M.O.P., Freeway, MF DOOM, and E-40.
He has had tracks included on the soundtracks to films such as Get Rich or Die Tryin' (50 Cent's I Don't Know Officer), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift ("Jake Alert"), and Gone Baby Gone.
He also produced Freeway's 2010 album The Stimulus Package as well as Brother Ali's 2012 album Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color.
The Truth
Jake One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all ain't fuckin with the R-O-C nigga
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all don't want it with the F-R-E nigga
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats nigga
("'Cause, 'cause we spittin the truth and nothin else")
All my real fans did you miss him? (miss him)
These youngins might not know 'em but they feel him (feel him)
Freezer starvin, I ain't stoppin 'til the meal ends (meal ends)
I'm as raw as pickin cotton with your bare hands (bare hands)
This is State Prop game, Roc-A-Fella fam (fam)
I'm your favorite flow-er's flow-er you can call him, and ask him (yeah!)
He'll tell you that he spit it like I spit it before
Listen fella, this Roc-A-Fella we invented the flow (that's right)
Was baggin dimes in my cellar (uh),
when Nas had his tech in the dresser (uh)
Now I pass checks to bank tellers nigga (that's right)
Philly Freezer had a black Smith and Wesson (woo!)
When black Smif N Wesson started wreckin they shows (come on)
They was enterin the stage (yeah), I was enterin the stage too
You just start doin it, I did it before
Who you? Free original (original),
I'm in the building with a hardcore vintage flow
I get the dough, I'm the truth
(The truth is so plain to see)
You ain't fuckin with the R-S-E neither
(The truth is so plain to see)
And you ain't fuckin with that Brother Ali, believe it
(The truth is so plain to see)
And you ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats
("Now everybody wants to know the truth about a brother
named, A-A-Ali, Ali")
Ah, Jake roll that beat out like a red carpet
I put that blood red target to your head, spark it
Directly out the ghetto marchin like I'm Rev. Sharpton
Bet I'm starvin like it's free breathe,
his heads startin, look like I'm share croppin
Cooped up squattin in a studio apartment
Food stamps up in the pocket, mixin tuna with the vomit
Boosted a few bottles of baby food out the market
You ain't grew in this environment, so who are you to comment?
Hungry pacin in a bus station with my nuts hangin
But I never sold base, motherfuck Reagan (motherfuck Reagan)
Shit just wasn't in my upbringin (upbringin)
None of us is above scrappin my brother, so I don't judge nathan
Some of my buddies slanged it
Then one got taken out, toe tagged, fuck that, rather be butt naked
I say it real, I'm afraid of bein killed
Seein my kids raised in hell, me away in jail
In them homes, I been sketchin since I'm seven
Got collected by my brethren, now it's my profession
Big music industry and seldom gettin mention
But the few that do zoom in respect me as a legend
Fuck that, I'm a Reverend
The Philly Freezer with the Street Preacher settin
up shop teachin the lessons
These are not just words, we tell you in the booth
That feeling you just got inside your stomach is our
proof, that we the truth
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all ain't fuckin with the R-O-C nigga
(The truth is so plain to see)
{You ain't fuckin with the R-S-E neither}
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats nigga
("'Cause, 'cause, cause, cause,
cause, cause, cause we spittin the truth and nothin else")
(The truth is so plain to see)
{And you ain't fuckin with that Brother Ali, believe it}
(The truth is so plain to see)
Y'all don't want it with the F-R-E nigga
(The truth is so plain to see)
{And you ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats}
{Because they, ba, ba, ba, bap, bap, bap, RARRR! }
The song "The Truth" by Jake One aims to showcase the individuality and authenticity of the artists featured. The opening lines emphasize the superiority of the Roc-A-Fella and State Property families, and Jake One's production skills. Freeway then starts his verse, boasting about his originality and skill as an MC. He talks about his humble beginnings, growing up in poverty and hustling to make a living. Brother Ali's verse is a stark contrast, as he talks about his experience as a white rapper in a predominantly black genre, and the struggles he faced while growing up poor in his hometown. He also speaks about his commitment to honesty in his music, even if it means being vulnerable and potentially facing criticism. The song ultimately highlights the importance of being true to oneself and representing individuality in the music industry.
Overall, "The Truth" is a song that showcases the individuality of each artist through their unique approach to hip hop. They share their experiences and struggles, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of adversity. The song is also a celebration of the production and beats of Jake One.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all ain't fuckin with the R-O-C nigga
The truth is that nobody can compete with Roc-A-Fella, me included.
Y'all don't want it with the F-R-E nigga
The truth is that nobody wants to go head to head with Philly Freezer, I'm too good.
Y'all ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats nigga
The truth is that my beats are untouchable, nobody can match my skills.
'Cause, 'cause we spittin the truth and nothin else
The truth is the only thing we're spitting, we don't bother with lies or fakeness.
All my real fans did you miss him? (miss him)
The truth is that all my true fans have been waiting for me, did you miss me?
These youngins might not know 'em but they feel him (feel him)
The truth is that the younger generation may not know me, but they can feel my presence and impact.
Freezer starvin, I ain't stoppin 'til the meal ends (meal ends)
The truth is that I'm hungry for success and won't stop until I reach the top.
I'm as raw as pickin cotton with your bare hands (bare hands)
The truth is that my flow is so real and raw, like picking cotton with your bare hands.
This is State Prop game, Roc-A-Fella fam (fam)
The truth is that I'm a part of the State Property crew and the Roc-A-Fella family.
He'll tell you that he spit it like I spit it before
The truth is that other rappers try to copy my style, but nobody can do it quite like me.
Listen fella, this Roc-A-Fella we invented the flow (that's right)
The truth is that Roc-A-Fella invented the flow, and nobody can deny that fact.
Was baggin dimes in my cellar (uh), when Nas had his tech in the dresser (uh)
The truth is that I was selling drugs before Nas even made it big.
Now I pass checks to bank tellers nigga (that's right)
The truth is that I've come a long way from selling drugs and now I'm making legitimate money.
Philly Freezer had a black Smith and Wesson (woo!)
The truth is that I used to carry a gun for protection.
When black Smif N Wesson started wreckin they shows (come on)
The truth is that I was already performing shows by the time Black Smif N Wesson started making a name for themselves.
These are not just words, we tell you in the booth
The truth is that we're not just saying things for the sake of it, we really mean everything we say.
That feeling you just got inside your stomach is our proof, that we the truth
The truth is that we're so real and authentic that it can be felt in your gut, that's our proof that we're the truth.
And you ain't fuckin with that Brother Ali, believe it
The truth is that nobody can compare to Brother Ali, he's too good.
And you ain't fuckin with the R-S-E neither
The truth is that Rhymesayers Entertainment is also untouchable, nobody can compete.
Y'all don't want it with the F-R-E nigga
The truth is that people don't dare challenge Philly Freezer, because he's too good.
And you ain't fuckin with them Jake One beats
The truth is that Jake One's beats are unbeatable, nobody can compare.
Contributed by Grayson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hmlone
Brother Ali got that crazy sing-rap flow. And his lyrics are on point too.
@stillsettinit
Ali's flow is nuts..its melodic how he flips the cadence
@Uchawibeatz
That's the perfect track: dope beat, dope producer, dope lyrics, dope rappers. Catchy chorus. KEEP SUPPORTING REAL HIP HOP
@joey_handsome3683
My God!! This a Banga!!! Jake One is an absolute monster on the beats. Ali straight fucking murders this track. Free being Free.
@LexOfNP
This is a hot track... The both killed it... Hip Hop at its finest
@cliffberliniv8998
Couped up squatting in a studio apartment, food stamps up in my pocket mixin tuna with the ramen....
That has to be one of the realest verses ever spoken.
@pauliehustle
i wasn't an ali fan until i heard this, he's got my respect now. like usual jake one comes with heat and freeway always got good puns and one liners like the smith and wesson line ha!
@hooddigital1473
Brotha ali snapped on this one..and this jake one beat is insane!!!
@politicalbrownkid
This shit is too raw! Next R.O.C./RSE colabo is Hov and Slug, get ready for that one yall!
@calumf25
How can you not like that dope beat