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.
Rubber Tires
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen I will eat a rubber tire
To the music of the Flight of the Bumblebee"
Rebels of revel unity, yeah
Waves forming (repeat)
They call me Akil
My name is Marc 7
This is Akil, man
I don't know what to say
I'm a rocket, and I can take you to outer space
Listen
That's okay
When do we sing it?
Right now
Waves forming (repeat)
Down with Nu-Mark and my man Cut Chemist
You know, I think we could become bigshots on this planet
A rifle shot
They talk about their kicks
They talk about their kicks
Ah, ha ha ha
Passion and passion and passion with potion because of
The notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me
Waves forming (repeat)
Down with Nu-Mark and my man Cut Chemist
Waves forming (repeat)
Passion and passion and passion with potion because of
The notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me
Waves forming (repeat)
Passion and passion and passion with potion because of
The notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me
Waves forming (repeat)
Passion and passion and passion with potion because of
The notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me
Waves forming (repeat)
The lyrics to Jurassic 5's "Rubber Tires" are a stream of consciousness style, with different members of the group chiming in at various points with seemingly disconnected phrases. However, there is an underlying theme of rebellion and breaking free from the norm, as evidenced by the repeated phrase "waves forming" and the proclamation that they could become "bigshots on this planet." The lyrics also contain references to passion and possibly finding a new way of living, as shown by the line "passion with potion because of the notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me."
The opening lines of the song, "Thank you, thank you very much / Tonight, ladies and gentlemen I will eat a rubber tire / To the music of the Flight of the Bumblebee," are a playful and absurd introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the track. It also serves as a nod to the vaudevillian and burlesque traditions of music and comedy.
Overall, the lyrics to "Rubber Tires" are intentionally disjointed and fragmented, inviting the listener to interpret them in their own way. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of call and response also give the song a hypnotic quality that emphasizes the theme of breaking free and embracing change.
Line by Line Meaning
Rebels of revel unity, yeah
We are a group of rebels who are unified in our passion for music and celebration.
Waves forming (repeat)
Our music is building and cresting like waves in the ocean.
They call me Akil
My name is Akil.
My name is Marc 7
My name is Marc 7.
My man Chali 2na
I am referring to our friend and bandmate Chali 2na.
This is Akil, man
I am introducing myself again - my name is Akil!
I don't know what to say
I am at a loss for words.
I'm a rocket, and I can take you to outer space
My energy and excitement can propel us beyond what we thought was possible.
Listen
Pay attention to me.
That's okay
It's fine, I understand.
When do we sing it?
When should we start performing this song?
Down with Nu-Mark and my man Cut Chemist
We support our friends and bandmates Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist.
You know, I think we could become bigshots on this planet
I believe our music has the potential for mainstream success.
A rifle shot
A loud and explosive sound, like a gunshot.
They talk about their kicks
They are bragging about their shoes.
Ah, ha ha ha
I am laughing joyfully.
Passion and passion and passion with potion because of / The notion that potion of passion had never been passed to me
I am full of passion because I have never received a gift of passion from someone else.
Writer(s): Jurassic 5
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.