“Once I hit that stage, there was no going back,” Reed says. “I knew it was what I wanted to do."
He’s been honing his skills ever since, first in North Carolina and now in Los Angeles, where he put together his debut album, “Forget About the Cameras,” a hip-hop/pop fusion of organically grown, energetic beats and smooth, smart rhymes that marks the arrival of a distinctive, versatile voice.
Though he hasn’t been in L.A. long, Reed’s already opened for Dilated Peoples and Little Brother, landed a publishing deal and had song placements in the lauded series “Friday Night Lights,” the Oscar-nominated film “The Messenger” and several MTV shows. He’s hung out at Sundance with revered music-video and film director Mark Pellington, who’s worked with Pearl Jam, U2 and the Foo Fighters and uses one of Reed’s songs in his latest film, “I Melt With You.” Pellington protégé Matt Roe is helming videos for three tracks from Reed’s disc, starting with the dynamic “After The War (featuring superbeautiful).” And lately, Reed’s been hitting the mic as a budding voiceover artist, carving yet another avenue for his prodigious talents.
Reed’s strong work ethic and the confidence he built as a young athlete (his father was a Big 10 college football coach; Reed has worked as a tennis pro since high school) spills over to his lyrics. They have an edge, and he says what he thinks, but without offensive verbal assaults or references to guns, violence and abusive sex. He admits a humorous song like “Grading on a Curve,” might raise some eyebrows, but his humor resonates with guys and girls alike and his lyrics make it clear it’s all in good fun. Unless, of course, the subject is the nemesis of every Tarheels fan: Duke. A couple of years ago Reed, a University of North Carolina graduate and diehard Tarheels booster, spoofed Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” with a hilarious Duke basketball smackdown video that went viral on YouTube, earning half a million hits. That got him an all-expenses-paid visit back home, courtesy of a Chapel Hill club owner who hired him to perform a couple of shows.
“I got to see the Tarheels win the national championship in Chapel Hill with all my buddies, all because of this song,” he says.
Not bad for a parody. But he hopes the rep he’s gaining for his serious work will take him even farther.
Influenced early on by the Beastie Boys, he also fell in love with Doors, the Beatles, Led Zep, the Stones and other Mt. Rushmore rockers. In college he began building an audience, and with his former band, Plan B, ignited Raleigh-Durham crowds as large as 5,000. But when their momentum seemed to stall, Reed says, “I had an epiphany. I was like, ‘I gotta make a move.’”
He packed up and headed to Los Angeles in 2007, six-song EP in hand, and started making connections.
Just to hedge his bets and stay afloat while building his music career, he kept his day job as a tennis pro and picked up a real estate license. His real estate and coaching work put him in contact with many of L.A.’s biggest power-brokers, some of whom became serious fans and began opening doors.
“At first it was somewhat intimidating,” he admits of the competitive L.A. scene. “But then I rocked a couple of shows and it gave me a lot of confidence.”
For Reed, that’s a nice perk. But as he declares in “Believe,” the first track on his album, Grounded by the only thing that I can call my own/The music of my life is right here in this song.
In the end, you gotta believe in yourself. The rest falls into place. For Jensen Reed, the stars are aligning right now.
Do Your Thing
Jensen Reed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm talking big big bucks, let me buy out the bar
Brought another couple dancers in that big-ass car
So the busters know they love us, got ‘em crossing their hears
Speak the truth if you need to cause you in love with the feeling
How bout you catch up with me later for some sexual healing?
Put your hands to ceiling, cause you riding and dealing
While inside they be wildin' out, I'm right there with ‘em
I ain't afraid to take my time, I know you don't care neither
This is a testament to everything I left them with
I gotta do my thing baby cause I'm heaven sent
Do your thing
You know you got nothing to hide
Why won't you stop being shy?
Come along for the ride
And the world is a crazy place
Everybody saving face
Forget about the cameras and ball
So you tell ‘em I'm a boss and they're thinking I'm a player
Jensen Reed all your needs I'm a fly rhyme-sayer
At times I've been contemplating never mistaken
On point like Uni-Ball pens watch me rock it ‘til the end
Baby girl how you doing? Hope you living it right
Am I being to forward to ask your plans for the night?
See the way you dancing on the floor it's got me uptight
I'd like to put you and your friends in my cameras spotlight
Snapshot, click, flash, now rotate your positions
Cook me up some breakfast in a thong in the kitchen
It's a long intermission, we got all night
You do your thing little ladies
Keep doing it right
Jensen Reed's song "Do Your Thing" is a celebration of living life without any inhibitions, doing what you love and being confident while doing it. The first verse establishes the shiny, glitzy and often superficial world of fame, wealth and success. Reed seems to be comfortable in this world and is surrounded by people who love him for what he is - a boss and a fly rhyme-sayer. The chorus urges listeners to be themselves, forget about saving face and to join Reed in enjoying life to the fullest.
The second verse is more personal and sees Reed trying to connect with someone in the crowd. He is smooth, charming and confident, knowing that he can get anything he wants. The lyrics are filled with sexual overtones and innuendos as Reed describes his ideal scenario, which involves taking photographs of women in their thongs and later enjoying breakfast with them. However, Reed's charm never feels sleazy or forced - he is simply a man who knows what he wants and is not afraid to ask for it.
Overall, "Do Your Thing" is an upbeat and energetic track that celebrates individuality, confidence and living life to the fullest. It is a song that encourages listeners to forget about their inhibitions and to enjoy everything that life has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all a game we want fame, we want money and cars
We are all after materialistic things and recognition to make our mark in the game of life.
I'm talking big big bucks, let me buy out the bar
I have enough money to buy a round of drinks for everyone.
Brought another couple dancers in that big-ass car
I arrived with other dancers in my flashy car, turning heads.
So the busters know they love us, got ‘em crossing their hears
People who try to bring me down are secretly admiring me, as evidenced by their crossed fingers.
Speak the truth if you need to cause you in love with the feeling
Being honest about your feelings is important because it gives you a sense of freedom and fulfilment.
How bout you catch up with me later for some sexual healing?
If you want some intimacy, meet me later and we can explore each other's desires.
Put your hands to ceiling, cause you riding and dealing
Raise your hands up in the air if you're enjoying the party and feeling empowered.
While inside they be wildin' out, I'm right there with ‘em
Although others may be indulging in reckless behaviour, I am not afraid to let loose and join in on the fun.
Dirty dirty get it good girl, all the way from Pasadena
This girl is from Pasadena, which has a reputation for being a city that knows how to have a good time and let loose.
I ain't afraid to take my time, I know you don't care neither
I am not in a rush to get anywhere, and I know that you feel the same way.
This is a testament to everything I left them with
This song is a reflection of everything that I have achieved in my career and my life, and I want to share it with my fans.
I gotta do my thing baby cause I'm heaven sent
I have a unique talent that I want to share with the world, and it's because I was gifted with it from up above.
Do your thing
Follow your dreams and do what makes you happy.
You know you got nothing to hide
Be truthful to yourself and don't be afraid to show your true colours to the world.
Why won't you stop being shy?
Stop being reserved and open up to new experiences and opportunities.
Come along for the ride
Join me on this journey and experience all that life has to offer.
And the world is a crazy place
Despite its chaos, the world has so much to offer and it's worth exploring.
Everybody saving face
People often put on a facade to appear a certain way to others.
Forget about the cameras and ball
Don't worry about appearances and just enjoy the moment.
So you tell ‘em I'm a boss and they're thinking I'm a player
People may mistake my confidence for cockiness, but I know my true worth.
Jensen Reed all your needs I'm a fly rhyme-sayer
I am a talented rapper who can meet all your musical needs.
At times I've been contemplating never mistaken
I have considered the possibility of never making a mistake, but I know that's not realistic.
On point like Uni-Ball pens watch me rock it ‘til the end
I am always on my game and I will continue to succeed.
Baby girl how you doing? Hope you living it right
Hey there, how are you doing? I hope you're living life to the fullest.
Am I being to forward to ask your plans for the night?
Is it too much for me to ask what you're doing later tonight?
See the way you dancing on the floor it's got me uptight
The way you're dancing has made me excited and anxious.
I'd like to put you and your friends in my cameras spotlight
I want to take a picture of you and your friends and showcase it to the world.
Snapshot, click, flash, now rotate your positions
I'll take a quick photo of you all and then you can switch up your poses.
Cook me up some breakfast in a thong in the kitchen
Make me breakfast while wearing a thong in the kitchen, if you're so inclined.
It's a long intermission, we got all night
We have plenty of time to take a break and enjoy each other's company.
You do your thing little ladies, Keep doing it right
Girls, keep following your dreams and stay true to yourselves.
Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Great song, Jensen. Keep doing your thing !
Jensen Reed
Thanks for the feedback and support!
174Madison
Absolutely looooove it
MrCream CreamTV
Loved it! :D
tuddor69
Brilliant Song!! :)
Jensen Reed
Thanks for the feedback and support!
Bebe London
Get it Kida!!!!
Heroscape Warrior
Song needs to be longer. Beat is to good for a mere 2 minute track
174Madison
Great job Kida....he's so handsome !
Jack and God Is Gracious
Awesome
God Bless #skills