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.
The Game
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said shut up!
Now are you ready to play the game?
No!
Are you ready to play the game?
Yeah!
The Game
Aiming to win anyway they can
Yo, yo
Pass the ball, final casting call
First of all, verbal basketball
Off the glass, smash your jaw
Too fast for y'all
You might take a nasty fall
Trying to stick with the prehistoric passenger
(Foul Ball)
All breath, no physical contact
Bounce back, demonstrate invincible bomb raps
Not no hustler no player or speakin no crime crap
I'm vocally trying to score before my time lapse
Uh! Full court press, hands in your chest
Runnin' cause I'm a rebel with the ghetto
No fouls just checks, make a brother sweat
Word for y'all to earn my reject
Get it out of here, attack from the rear
Y'all niggas ain't nothing but some bitch ass queers
I'll be in your ear, increase the fear
Ripping with the shears as the crowd just cheers
Bring on the opposition
Cause my position is to shut you down
As the basketball pounds on the concrete floor
Envisioning moves to freak brothers every which way
Dominating like Doc J.
Pass me the rock, I know just what to do with it
It's real vivid, I pivot, through the lane
Three hundred and sixty behind my back
I take your monkey ass to the rack like Jerry Stack
I'm saw by most recruiters and heavily recommended
Sticking your best shooters they lower verbal percentage
It's taking its toll, 24-second clock control
Stopping this obstacle, impossible
I was the number one ? project in the city
Prospect, now that's something that you can believe
So be it, whether pro or collegiate, the hit but don't miss
Prime time the offense, switch
Y'all can't ball, y'all can't ball
Yo ref, where's the tech? Man, make the call
The game is getting tight verbal victories in sight
What counts is what you write not concerned about the hype
My rhymes go baseline so why you trying to take mine?
Last man tried just died inside the paint line
I bank rhymes, got a call so I flex
I'm on the foul line with a few verses left
When my flow hits the net, the next brother flex
I put my foot in the pavement
With the brothers I'm raised with
Play with and break dance back in the days with
And still in the game with 12 points, 4 assists
Get up in the game, in your face like swish
Crash the boards with metaphors
In the air like a concord
Hey yo what you out for?
Yo I'm out for the whole score
22 flat seconds for me to win
I can't win for losing with this cheating ass ref
My squad's supreme
So I don't need Clyde or the dream
Next time you play the game boy pick a better team
Your choice is short when you on a concrete court
But my mental cohorts is bout to change the whole sport
Give me the pill boy, crossover with the skills
Wrap around pass, fly right past your grill
Take off from half court, in some J5 shorts
The rap band with the man when my words play sports
Comin' through your lane, with pure skills so stand clear
Vocal charge is a mirage, I still stand here
Damn near, make your shit look soft like Pam Grier
Fans cheer for the paragraph Bill Lambier
Show me the rock, so I can show these fool what I got
(He's heating up) Fuck that, I'm flaming hot
Verbally take you to the blacktop, and wreck shop
Turn my game up a notch, pass me the rock
1 on 1, 3 on 3, 5 on 5, horse, 21
It really don't matter cause son you'll still get done
Yo you should know better than try to barter with this globetrotter
Militious, vicious dunks, I'm Vince Carter
And it's the high draft pick, flashing it
Still can penetrate and slightly overweight
But whatever it takes my shot can elevate
No pain, no gain for the brothers with no game
The song "The Game" by Jurassic 5 is about the game of basketball, using it as a metaphor for the struggles and competitive nature of life. The lyrics describe the intense nature of the game, with players aiming to win at all costs, using their skills and quick reflexes to score points and outmaneuver their opponents. The repeated refrain of "Are you ready to play the game?" emphasizes the intensity and seriousness with which the players approach both the song and life.
The verses of the song describe the specific skills of the players, using basketball terminology like "full court press," "pass me the rock," and "crossover with the skills." The lyrics talk about the importance of teamwork, with the "mental cohorts" changing the "whole sport." There is also a sense of bravado and confidence conveyed in lines like "I'm Vince Carter" and "no pain, no gain for the brothers with no game."
Overall, "The Game" is a song that uses basketball as a metaphor for life's struggles, describing the intense competition and need for quick reflexes and teamwork. The lyrics emphasize the competitive and serious nature of the game, with players aiming to win at all costs and using their skills to outmaneuver their opponents.
Line by Line Meaning
All right, everybody shut up
Everyone, please be quiet and pay attention
I said shut up!
I am emphasizing the need for silence
Now are you ready to play the game?
Are you prepared to participate in the competitive activity?
No!
No, I am not ready
Are you ready to play the game?
Are you prepared to engage in the competition?
Yeah!
Yes, I am ready
The Game
The competitive activity we are about to partake in
Playing to survive
Participating in order to continue existing
Aiming to win anyway they can
Striving to achieve victory using any means necessary
Yo, yo
Attention-grabbing vocal expression
Pass the ball, final casting call
Distribute the ball, this is the crucial moment
First of all, verbal basketball
Firstly, this is a metaphorical game of words
Off the glass, smash your jaw
Rebound the ball off the backboard, striking your face
Too fast for y'all
Moving too quickly for all of you
You might take a nasty fall
There's a chance you will experience a severe tumble
Trying to stick with the prehistoric passenger
Attempting to keep up with the seasoned player
(Foul Ball)
A violation of the rules has occurred
All breath, no physical contact
No actual touch, only verbal communication
Bounce back, demonstrate invincible bomb raps
Recover quickly and showcase unstoppable rap skills
Not no hustler no player or speakin no crime crap
Not engaging in illegal activities or pretending to be someone I'm not
I'm vocally trying to score before my time lapse
I am attempting to earn points through my verbal performance before time runs out
Uh! Full court press, hands in your chest
Intense defensive strategy, pressing against you with force
Runnin' cause I'm a rebel with the ghetto
Moving swiftly due to my rebellious nature with a connection to urban environments
No fouls just checks, make a brother sweat
No rule violations, just constant assessment. Causing stress to opponents
Word for y'all to earn my reject
A statement for all of you to understand my dismissal of your attempts
Get it out of here, attack from the rear
Eliminate your efforts, surprise you from behind
Y'all niggas ain't nothing but some bitch ass queers
You individuals are nothing more than weak and cowardly
I'll be in your ear, increase the fear
I will be present in your thoughts, intensifying your apprehension
Ripping with the shears as the crowd just cheers
Delivering powerful and impressive verbal performance while receiving support from the audience
Bring on the opposition
I am ready to face the opposing team
Cause my position is to shut you down
My role is to stop you from succeeding
As the basketball pounds on the concrete floor
The sound of the ball hitting the hard ground
Envisioning moves to freak brothers every which way
Imagining creative strategies to confuse and surprise opponents
Dominating like Doc J.
Exerting control and dominance similar to Dr. J (Julius Erving)
Pass me the rock, I know just what to do with it
Give me the ball, I have a clear plan for how to use it effectively
It's real vivid, I pivot, through the lane
It's extremely clear and distinct, I change direction while moving towards the basket
Three hundred and sixty behind my back
Performing a full circle dribble behind me
I take your monkey ass to the rack like Jerry Stack
I confidently drive to the basketball hoop, just like Jerry Stackhouse
I'm saw by most recruiters and heavily recommended
Recruiters have noticed me and highly endorse my skills
Sticking your best shooters they lower verbal percentage
Guarding your top scorers, causing them to have a reduced success rate
It's taking its toll, 24-second clock control
Having a negative impact, using strategic control of the shot clock
Stopping this obstacle, impossible
Preventing this challenge from being overcome is extremely difficult
I was the number one ? project in the city
I was regarded as the most promising talent in the city
Prospect, now that's something that you can believe
Having potential, surely something you can have faith in
So be it, whether pro or collegiate, the hit but don't miss
Regardless of whether at the professional or college level, I am the one to watch and cannot be ignored
Prime time the offense, switch
The best and most crucial moments of the game, switch to attack mode
Y'all can't ball, y'all can't ball
You are incapable of playing basketball effectively
Yo ref, where's the tech? Man, make the call
Hey referee, why hasn't there been a technical foul called? Come on, make the decision
The game is getting tight verbal victories in sight
The competition is becoming intense, aiming for verbal triumphs
What counts is what you write not concerned about the hype
The quality of your lyrics is what matters, not paying attention to the excessive promotion
My rhymes go baseline so why you trying to take mine?
My lyrics go deep and strong, so why are you attempting to steal them?
Last man tried just died inside the paint line
The previous opponent who tried failed miserably within the restricted area
I bank rhymes, got a call so I flex
I creatively use my lyrics for personal gain, and now I show off
I'm on the foul line with a few verses left
I am in a critical position with a limited number of lyrics remaining
When my flow hits the net, the next brother flex
When my rap delivery is successful, the next artist can showcase their skills
I put my foot in the pavement
I firmly establish myself in the field
With the brothers I'm raised with
Alongside the individuals I grew up with
Play with and break dance back in the days with
Engage in activities and breakdancing during our early years
And still in the game with 12 points, 4 assists
And yet, I am still actively participating in the game, contributing 12 points and 4 assists
Get up in the game, in your face like swish
Enter the competition aggressively, right in your presence
Crash the boards with metaphors
Aggressively attack with clever comparisons
In the air like a concord
Elevating like the Concorde airplane
Hey yo what you out for?
Hey, what are you trying to achieve?
Yo I'm out for the whole score
I am aiming for complete success
22 flat seconds for me to win
A limited amount of time to secure a victory
I can't win for losing with this cheating ass ref
I am unable to achieve victory due to the unfair actions of the referee
My squad's supreme
My team is superior and unbeatable
So I don't need Clyde or the dream
I don't require the assistance of Clyde Drexler or the dream team
Next time you play the game boy pick a better team
Choose a more competent team for the next game
Your choice is short when you on a concrete court
Your options are limited when playing on a hard court
But my mental cohorts is bout to change the whole sport
But my mental companions are prepared to revolutionize the entire sport
Give me the pill boy, crossover with the skills
Pass me the ball, I will skillfully maneuver with a crossover
Wrap around pass, fly right past your grill
Performing a wrap-around pass, effortlessly surpassing your defense
Take off from half court, in some J5 shorts
Start running from the center of the court, wearing Jurassic 5 shorts
The rap band with the man when my words play sports
The rap group with the leading figure, as my lyrics become a form of athletics
Comin' through your lane, with pure skills so stand clear
Advancing towards you with unmatched abilities, so you better move aside
Vocal charge is a mirage, I still stand here
My powerful vocal delivery may seem illusory, but I remain present and strong
Damn near, make your shit look soft like Pam Grier
Almost making your skills appear weak, similar to the softness of Pam Grier
Fans cheer for the paragraph Bill Lambier
Supporters celebrate the powerful lyrics like they do for Bill Laimbeer
Show me the rock, so I can show these fool what I got
Pass me the ball, so I can demonstrate my abilities to these fools
(He's heating up) Fuck that, I'm flaming hot
(He's becoming more skilled) Disregard that, I am extremely skilled
Verbally take you to the blacktop, and wreck shop
Through my words, I will transport you to the basketball court and dominate
Turn my game up a notch, pass me the rock
Elevate my performance, give me the ball
1 on 1, 3 on 3, 5 on 5, horse, 21
Engaging in different game formats and variying number of players
It really don't matter cause son you'll still get done
It doesn't truly matter, because you will still lose
Yo you should know better than try to barter with this globetrotter
Hey, you should be aware that it's unwise to negotiate with this skilled individual
Militious, vicious dunks, I'm Vince Carter
Aggressively energetic, executing powerful dunks like Vince Carter
And it's the high draft pick, flashing it
Being a highly touted player, showing off my skills
Still can penetrate and slightly overweight
Still able to effectively infiltrate despite being somewhat overweight
But whatever it takes my shot can elevate
Regardless of the circumstances, my shooting abilities can rise above
No pain, no gain for the brothers with no game
Without experiencing difficulties, one cannot improve their skills in basketball
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ISAAC HAYES, DAVID PORTER, CHARLES STUART, MARC STUART, DANTE GIVENS, LUCAS MCFADDEN, MARC POTSIC, COURTNEY HENDERSON, AFRIKA SWEENEY, MARVIN FOWLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind