The group debuted for TVT Records in 1995 with the single for Unified Rebelution. Their acclaimed position in the 1990s alternative hip-hop movement, alongside artists including Company Flow, Black Star and Kool Keith, was confirmed when the Jurassic 5 EP was released in December 1997.
The EP was later repackaged with additional tracks and released in December 1998 as the band's full-length debut album, entitled Jurassic 5 LP.
The tracks harked back to the old school attitude of New York's Native Tongues Posse, the seminal late 1980s coalition of artists who reaffirmed rap's social agenda, which included De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest. This was evident on the song Concrete Schoolyard ("Let's take it back to the concrete streets/Original beats from real live MCs"), and the album even provided the troupe with a surprise UK Top 40 single when it reached number 35 in November 1998. The other stand-out track, Jayou, was built around a hypnotic flute loop from Pleasure Web's Music Man Part 1 (Music Man Part 1).
In 1999, Jurassic 5 signed to Interscope Records, who re-released the Jurassic 5 EP. This was followed by their second album (their first on a major label), Quality Control.
In 2002, they released their third album, Power In Numbers, which was followed by touring with the newly-revived Lollapalooza festival in the summer of 2003.
Their latest album, Feedback, was released on July 25, 2006.
After School Special
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Great!
You want to hear a new album?
I want to be on the album
I don't know about that
Check it out yo,
The open-toed sandals here
I finesse any way I dress
Capital F-are-E-S-H so fresh
Yo, the mass men who suppress pain like aspirin
Jurass men are the best trained assassin
Your class pins get thrown in the trash bins
You leaches and has-beens get your teeth smashed in
Hot as you'd keep a furnace
We kept it earnest
Poems puncture your epidermis
And swell up enormous
Smoother than candles or flannel pajamas
We raid the city on camels
And dismantle informers
The omen
We blowin' never knowing where we goin'
When we flowin' with the fresh word spoken
Your chokin' 'cause my mikes smokin'
Hopin' that you get a chance to get into the open for some fresh air
But you already there
Ay yo I'm in the clear
West of the hemisphere J5 musketeers
Zorro with the oral editorial
The moral of the story I'm professional
[Chorus: x2]
J5 MC's
Then it's on!
Yo, I'm never cautious on MC's that make me nauseous
I feel that it's important
So Let's write and go record this
No need for applause
If you're kickin' the raw shit
We rotate tracks double back, just like swordfish
Word gifts is given when precision is I
Dominator, illustrator of this lyrical pie
Why you livin' a lie
Just unloosen your tie
So you can check the way we do this
In conclusion we fly
With the view from the bird's eye
With words I flown
I symbolize the skull and the cross bones
S to the O-you, P to the izzay
Sharp like the blade that stabbed the back of the OJ's
[Chorus]
Akil
Chali 2na
Marc 7
Cut Chemist
Nu-Mark
Zaakir
Jurassic 5 ya'll
I'll rock the dock about to block back
To the underground until the next ground
Yo yo yo,I need a beat, a beat!
In Jurassic 5's song "After School Special," the crew boasts about their remarkable lyrical abilities as they navigate through a plethora of rhymes and punchlines. They begin by addressing an individual who expresses interest in their upcoming album, to which they respond with a relentless stream of bars. Chali 2na, one of the members of the group, begins by flaunting his fashion sense and personality, calling himself "fresh." The group then takes shots at other rappers, describing themselves as the "best trained assassins" and their competition as "has-beens" with "thrown "class pins." The rappers use metaphors to demonstrate their superiority over other rappers and how they are carving a path towards success, as they ride camels and dismantle informers.
The chorus, featuring an intriguing vocal sample, is a call to arms of sorts, as it marks the transition from one verse to another, creating a bridge as they all chant in unison "J5 MC's/ Then it's on!" In the subsequent verse, the group continues their show of lyrical prowess, declaring their ability to write and record tracks without needing applause. They then describe their style as "sharp," making references to the infamous O.J. Simpson trial. The song ends with a request for a beat, demonstrating their deep passion for hip-hop and their love for freestyle rapping.
Line by Line Meaning
You guys workin' on a new album?
Asks if the group is making progress on a new album.
Yeah
Affirms that they are working on a new album.
Great!
Expresses enthusiasm for the new album being created.
You want to hear a new album?
Asks if the listener wants to hear the new album when it is released.
I want to be on the album
Expresses desire to be included on the new album.
I don't know about that
Responds with doubt or uncertainty about including the listener on the album.
Check it out yo,
Introduces the following verse.
It's clear I'm burnin' out the candles here
Indicates energy and drive to succeed in the music industry.
The open-toed sandals here
Suggests a carefree, laid-back attitude while staying true to oneself.
I finesse any way I dress
Boasts about the ability to confidently wear any style of clothing.
Capital F-are-E-S-H so fresh
Playfully spells out 'fresh' and emphasizes the group's hip-hop style and sound.
Yo, the mass men who suppress pain like aspirin
Calls out those who try to suppress emotions with drugs or other means.
Jurass men are the best trained assassin
Uses wordplay to assert the group's talent and skill as MCs.
Your class pins get thrown in the trash bins
Suggests that those who aspire to be like the group have not yet reached their level of success or skill.
You leaches and has-beens get your teeth smashed in
Asserts that those who try to piggyback off the group's success will not be tolerated.
Hot as you'd keep a furnace
Compares the group's energy and intensity to that of a furnace.
We kept it earnest
Asserts that the group maintains authenticity and sincerity in their music.
Poems puncture your epidermis
Uses metaphor to suggest that the group's lyrics can break through a listener's outer layer to reach deeper emotions or thoughts.
And swell up enormous
Implies that the impact of the lyrics can be powerful and meaningful.
Smoother than candles or flannel pajamas
Compares the smoothness of their sound and style to that of candles or comfortable clothing.
We raid the city on camels
Uses hyperbole to emphasize the group's reach and influence across the music scene.
And dismantle informers
Asserts the group's ability to overthrow dishonest or disloyal people who might be in their midst.
The omen
Suggests that the group is a symbol of what is to come in the future of hip-hop music and culture.
We blowin' never knowing where we goin'
Indicates that the group continues to explore and evolve their sound and style.
When we flowin' with the fresh word spoken
Describes the group's skills in creating impactful lyrics over fresh beats.
Your chokin' 'cause my mikes smokin'
A boastful line implying that the energy and power of the group's music is overwhelming.
Hopin' that you get a chance to get into the open for some fresh air
Encourages listeners to open themselves to new experiences, including the group's music.
But you already there
Suggests that the listeners are already attuned to the group's vibe and style.
Ay yo I'm in the clear
Asserts the artist's confidence and clear sense of direction.
West of the hemisphere J5 musketeers
A line that rhymes and emphasizes the group's sense of camaraderie and loyalty.
Zorro with the oral editorial
A playful reference to the masked hero Zorro, suggesting that the group uses lyrics and music to tell their stories and convey their values.
The moral of the story I'm professional
Asserts the group's level of skill and mastery in the hip-hop music scene.
[Chorus: x2]
Indicates the start of the repeated chorus section of the song.
J5 MC's
A line introducing the chorus section and emphasizing the group's collective identity as Jurassic 5.
Then it's on!
A line emphasized in the chorus, indicating that the group is ready to bring their unique sound and style to the music scene.
Yo, I'm never cautious on MC's that make me nauseous
Suggests that the artist is bold and unafraid to criticize other MCs who do not meet their standards.
I feel that it's important
Indicates that the singer values honesty and authenticity in music.
So Let's write and go record this
Expresses a desire to create new music and record it in the studio.
No need for applause
Suggests humility and desire to make music for the love of the art rather than for external validation.
If you're kickin' the raw shit
Acknowledges the skill of other MCs who are creating authentic and meaningful music.
We rotate tracks double back, just like swordfish
Draws a playful metaphorical comparison between the process of creating music and the movements of a swordfish.
Word gifts is given when precision is I
Suggests that the group's lyrics are masterfully crafted and carry deep meaning and value.
Dominator, illustrator of this lyrical pie
Uses wordplay and metaphor to suggest that the singer is highly skilled and creative in crafting lyrics and music.
Why you livin' a lie
A rhetorical question that challenges listeners to examine their own choices and motives in life.
Just unloosen your tie
Suggests that listeners should relax and free themselves from societal expectations and norms in order to fully enjoy life and music.
So you can check the way we do this
Invites listeners to engage with the group's music and learn more about the hip-hop culture they represent.
In conclusion we fly
A final line that sums up the group's sense of energy, creativity, and freedom in their music.
With the view from the bird's eye
Uses metaphor to suggest that the group has a keen and unique perspective on the world and society around them.
With words I flown
A playful line that rhymes and emphasizes the group's mastery of songwriting and lyricism.
I symbolize the skull and the cross bones
Uses the image of the skull and crossbones to suggest that the group's music is edgy, bold, and fearless.
S to the O-you, P to the izzay
A playful line that rhymes and emphasizes the unique style and sound of the group's music.
Sharp like the blade that stabbed the back of the OJ's
Uses metaphor and cultural reference to suggest that the group's music is powerful and impactful like a sharp blade.
[Chorus]
Final repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the group's identity and confidence in their music.
Akil
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Chali 2na
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Marc 7
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Cut Chemist
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Nu-Mark
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Zaakir
A shoutout to one of the group's members.
Jurassic 5 ya'll
A final affirmation of the group's collective identity as Jurassic 5.
I'll rock the dock about to block back
A line that rhymes and emphasizes the singer's confidence and skill as an MC.
To the underground until the next ground
Suggests the group's connection to the underground hip-hop scene and their desire to continue evolving and creating.
Yo yo yo,I need a beat, a beat!
A playful final line that emphasizes the singer's love and passion for hip-hop music.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charles L. Stewart, Courtenay D. Henderson, Dante Lamar Givens, Lucas Christian MacFadden, Marc F. Stuart, Mark Ali Potsic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind