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.
If You Only Knew
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do we spit syllable riddles for bits and kibbles
So chicks can wiggle and shake
'Cause this image is fake
I'm trying hard to relate in a place filled with so much hate
Some brothers debate some love and some hate
That's the reason you balloon or deflate
But do relate we trying to rap back to its primitive state
Wait
No overnight success or running the bets
Just pure unadulterated work progress
I'm willing to bet the farm you'll give you right arm
For a piece of the pie ask yourself why
[Chorus]
If you only knew, the trials and tribulations we've been through
But if you only knew, we real people homey just like you
We humble but don't mistake us for some corny ass crew
What we do is try to give you whatcha ain't used to
SOUL MUSIC SOMETHING WE CAN ALL RELATE TO
I ams what I am and that's all I can be,
No more no less what you seeing is me
Akil the MC W-I-S-E
Wise intelligent God did bless me
Yes we rock up off all the SP freshly especially
Dangerous rough and deadly
The pen positioner
Tip the Richter scale
Alone we sink together we sail and prevail
The rum brazen, coming through Guns blazin'
Some of you duns running through ones with none savin'
Complainin', me and my clan are unscathin'
From the soul comes something amazing
[Chorus]
How many times I gotta hear some fanatic in my ear
Tellin me to keep it real when they ain't payin my bills
Or feeding my kids, judging me on how I live
If my crib in the hood or if its up in the hills
Have you forgotten who you are?
O you think you're a star
Why you frontin' (you ain't nothing)
You went from nothing to something
But something means nothing
If your people still wanting
And you got money ain't givin' them nothing
Flossin and frontin
Your game of charades
The way you behave
The image you save
Your brother that's one big parade
I'm sick of your ways
I'm sitting here spitting the praise
The next time they smile and they wave
Will probably be with a gauge
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Jurassic 5's song, "If You Only Knew," speak to the struggle that many artists face: trying to make authentic music in a world that often prioritizes image over substance. The opening lines caution against creating music just for the sake of recognition, emphasizing the importance of artistic integrity over commercial gain. The second verse recognizes that success is not solely about talent, but also about the choices that one makes. The chorus then acknowledges that life is difficult for everyone, and that the band members are no different. They aim to connect with listeners through their music, particularly through the soul music that they create.
Akil, one of the MCs of the group, takes the third verse to address critics who judge the band for not being "real" enough. He challenges the assumption that artists owe their audience an explanation for their lifestyle, reminding listeners that their primary goal is to support themselves and their families. The final verse takes a more aggressive tone, calling out those who are more concerned with maintaining a false image than creating meaningful art.
Overall, "If You Only Knew" is a message from Jurassic 5 to their listeners and fellow artists: stay true to yourself, remember where you come from, and prioritize the creation of authentic art over the pursuit of superficial success.
Line by Line Meaning
Never, think just for shits and giggles
We are serious about our craft and don't just do it for laughs or attention.
Do we spit syllable riddles for bits and kibbles
We don't compromise our art for money or fame.
So chicks can wiggle and shake
We don't objectify women or use them for our own gain.
'Cause this image is fake
The facade we present in our music isn't the real us.
I'm trying hard to relate in a place filled with so much hate
The world can be a difficult and hostile place, but we strive to connect through our music.
Some brothers debate some love and some hate
People have different opinions and ideas, some supportive and some not.
Whatever the case its all about the choices you make
Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make.
That's the reason you balloon or deflate
The outcomes of our lives can either be positive or negative depending on our choices.
But do relate we trying to rap back to its primitive state
We aim to preserve and celebrate the roots of rap music.
No overnight success or running the bets
We didn't become successful overnight or by taking shortcuts.
Just pure unadulterated work progress
Our success is a result of hard work and dedication to our craft.
I'm willing to bet the farm you'll give you right arm
Our music is of high quality and worth the effort to listen and support.
For a piece of the pie ask yourself why
It's worth considering why you're drawn to our music.
[Chorus]
We want to share our experiences and give listeners a taste of something different.
If you only knew, the trials and tribulations we've been through
We've faced many challenges and difficulties to get to where we are now.
But if you only knew, we real people homey just like you
We are human beings with flaws and struggles, just like anyone else.
We humble but don't mistake us for some corny ass crew
We are modest, but our talent is genuine and not to be underestimated.
What we do is try to give you whatcha ain't used to
We strive to create something unique and fresh for our listeners.
SOUL MUSIC SOMETHING WE CAN ALL RELATE TO
Our music comes from the heart and speaks to universal emotions and experiences.
I ams what I am and that's all I can be
We are true to ourselves and don't try to be anyone else.
No more no less what you seeing is me
We are genuine and don't put up a facade for the sake of an image or persona.
Akil the MC W-I-S-E
My name is Akil, and I bring intelligence and wisdom to my music.
Wise intelligent God did bless me
I feel that my talent and success are blessings from a higher power.
Yes we rock up off all the SP freshly especially
Our music is fresh and creative, and we take pride in that originality.
Dangerous rough and deadly
Our music can be intense and powerful, like a force to be reckoned with.
The pen positioner
We use our words and lyrics to create art and express ourselves.
Tip the Richter scale
Our music can make a big impact and powerful impression.
Alone we sink together we sail and prevail
We support and lift each other up, and in doing so, we succeed together.
The rum brazen, coming through Guns blazin'
Our music can be bold and aggressive, making a strong statement.
Some of you duns running through ones with none savin'
Some people are irresponsible with their money, spending it frivolously and not saving for the future.
Complainin', me and my clan are unscathin'
We don't complain about our struggles, we persevere and continue to create music.
From the soul comes something amazing
Our music comes from a deep place and can create something truly beautiful and moving.
[Chorus]
We want to connect with listeners and share our unique experiences and viewpoints.
How many times I gotta hear some fanatic in my ear
We're tired of being told what to do or how to be by outside opinions.
Tellin me to keep it real when they ain't payin my bills
People judge and criticize us for not being 'real' enough, but they don't understand what it takes to make a living as an artist.
Or feeding my kids, judging me on how I live
We have to support ourselves and our families, and that can mean making certain choices or sacrifices that others don't understand.
If my crib in the hood or if its up in the hills
Our circumstances don't define our music, and where we come from doesn't dictate our talent or credibility.
Have you forgotten who you are?
People often lose sight of their true selves and get lost in the trappings of fame or success.
O you think you're a star
The illusion of fame or celebrity can create a false sense of importance or power.
Why you frontin' (you ain't nothing)
People who act tough or important are often hiding insecurities or pretending to be something they're not.
You went from nothing to something
People often rise from humble beginnings to success, but that success should be grounded in humility and authenticity.
But something means nothing
Money and fame aren't everything and can't replace true happiness or fulfillment.
If your people still wanting
We should never forget where we came from, and the people who supported us along the way.
And you got money ain't givin' them nothing
Success shouldn't be used as an excuse to neglect or abandon our roots or relationships.
Flossin and frontin
Pretending to be something we're not or flaunting material possessions for show is disingenuous.
Your game of charades
People who put on a facade or act fake are engaging in a performance, like a game of charades.
The way you behave
Our actions and behavior should reflect who we truly are, not who we want people to think we are.
The image you save
The facade or persona we present to the world can be like an 'image' that we craft and protect.
Your brother that's one big parade
The culture of fame or success can create a spectacle or 'parade' of people competing for attention and status.
I'm sick of your ways
We're tired of the culture of fake or superficial behavior.
I'm sitting here spitting the praise
We try to create music that celebrates authenticity and integrity.
The next time they smile and they wave
People who act friendly or supportive may not have our best interests at heart.
Will probably be with a gauge
The danger or risk of this culture can't be ignored, and sometimes it can escalate to violence or harm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE STEWART, EDWARD DOUGLAS, CINDY GOMEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind