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.
What
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I work the pen to make the ink transform
On any particular surface the pen lands on
The camera stands on, what's the beef?
The Cooley High cold chief high post techniques
I drape off poetic landscapes and shapes
Illustrate the paper space off the pens that paint
Then design what have a National Geographic a magic
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We holding onto what's golden
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We holding onto what's golden
Melancholy mundane so I tame the hot flame
Big rings, fat chains, and y'all quest for the same
No name, use fame, strictly new to the thang
We stay true to the game and never bring it to shame
We tight like dreadlocks or red fox and ripple
We pass participles, and smash the artist in you
The saga continues, this I won't get into
'Cause there ain't enough bars to hold the drama that we been through
Yo
We still the same with a little fame
A little change in the household name but ain't too much changed
We in the game but, yo not to be vain
I refrain from salt grains to season up my name
We entertain for a mutual game from close range
Steady aim, drum at your head to hit the brain
I'm labor ready, Rhode Scholar for the dollar
Work for mines pay me by the hour
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We holding onto what's golden
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We holding onto what's golden
Hip Hop
Music
Yo
Well, it's the verbal Herman Munster
The word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin' the dance floor
I been in dark places, catch you when you stark naked
Your heart races as we pump you for your chart spaces
The taut traces be bringing these hot styles through
Some of you bum a few chairs from shock value
Word power can plow through acres of cornfields
Paragraphs cut like warm steel, preform ill
We're not balling
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We holding onto what's golden
In Jurassic 5's song "What," the lyrics describe the pen as a tool that transforms ink into something poetic and beautiful, no matter what surface it lands upon. The artist illustrates paper with shapes and landscapes and designs them to look like magic. They compare themselves to traditional rappers, claiming that they hold onto a more authentic style that is reminiscent of the "yes y'all-in'," days of hip-hop. They express their desire to stay true to the game and never bring it to shame.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "we're not balling, we take it back to the days of yes y'all-in', we're holding onto what's golden," which highlights their intention to stay grounded and remember where they came from. J5 was heavily influenced by the old-school hip-hop sound, and this song was one of their many attempts to keep that style alive. They aimed to steer the genre back in the direction of "real" hip-hop, away from the commercialized and flashy style that had become popular in the late nineties.
Line by Line Meaning
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Listen up, pay attention to what's about to be said
I work the pen to make the ink transform
I use my pen to create powerful lyrics
On any particular surface the pen lands on
My creativity knows no bounds, I can write anywhere
The camera stands on, what's the beef?
Why are we competing and causing conflict, let's focus on creating great music
The Cooley High cold chief high post techniques
I have mastered my craft and employ advanced techniques in my writing
I drape off poetic landscapes and shapes
My words create vivid imagery and unique patterns
Illustrate the paper space off the pens that paint
My pen creates masterpieces on blank paper
Then design what have a National Geographic a magic
My work is captivating and awe-inspiring just like National Geographic
With Taylor made status and plus favored is automatic
My talent comes naturally and I have gained recognition for my unique style
We're not balling
We are not focused on superficial wealth and material possessions
We take it back to the days of yes y'all-in'
We pay homage to the early days of Hip Hop where lyrics and flow were the focus
We holding onto what's golden
We cherish and value what is truly important in the world of Hip Hop
Melancholy mundane so I tame the hot flame
I use my creativity to overcome sadness and boredom
Big rings, fat chains, and y'all quest for the same
Some artists focus solely on materialistic possessions and try to emulate each other
No name, use fame, strictly new to the thang
Some new artists try to use their newfound fame to gain recognition
We stay true to the game and never bring it to shame
We remain authentic and honor the art of Hip Hop
We tight like dreadlocks or red fox and ripple
We are unified and work well together like tightly-knit dreadlocks or a group of foxes
We pass participles, and smash the artist in you
We use advanced grammar techniques and dominate the competition
The saga continues, this I won't get into
Our story is ongoing and cannot be fully explained
Cause there ain't enough bars to hold the drama that we been through
We have experienced so much that it cannot be contained within the limits of a song
Yo
Hey, listen up
We still the same with a little fame
Despite our moderate success, we remain true to ourselves
A little change in the household name but ain't too much changed
We have gained some recognition but our core values and style remain the same
We in the game but, yo not to be vain
We are part of the Hip Hop community but we don't let it go to our heads
I refrain from salt grains to season up my name
I don't try to artificially enhance my reputation
We entertain for a mutual game from close range
We perform for the love of the music, for ourselves and our fans
Steady aim, drum at your head to hit the brain
Our lyrics are sharp and impactful, intended to make you think
I'm labor ready, Rhode Scholar for the dollar
I work hard and am dedicated, but not just for monetary gain
Work for mines pay me by the hour
I work for my own creative fulfillment, not for someone else's profit
Well, it's the verbal Herman Munster
I am a monster at crafting words and expressing myself
The word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin' the dance floor
I am tired of fake artists who prioritize image over substance dominating the Hip Hop scene
I been in dark places, catch you when you stark naked
I have faced challenges and difficult times and will expose the truth about others
Your heart races as we pump you for your chart spaces
Our music captivates you and sets the standard for ultimate success in the industry
The taut traces be bringing these hot styles through
Our distinct style and tight-knit group delivers powerful and innovative lyrics
Some of you bum a few chairs from shock value
Some artists rely on shock value instead of true talent to gain attention
Word power can plow through acres of cornfields
Our lyrical ability is unmatched and can cut through anything
Paragraphs cut like warm steel, preform ill
Our writing is sharp and impactful, delivering powerful messages to our listeners
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC T. SADLER, JAMES HENRY BOXLEY III, CARLTON RIDENHOUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@datboi1971
The year is 2004 and you just hoped off the bus from school. You walk in the house, quickly do your homework, and fire up the trusty PS2 and start playing ATV Off-road Fury 2 and the first track that plays is this 😌
@kaynexo9111
Was born in 04 and still have this exact memory
@Reel95
Was born in '97, thank you for this comment, the memories are golden.
@christiannuzzolo6162
And now they put it on forza horizon 3
@hunterkiara1819
This comment is just beautiful
@ChrisPBacon-xn9up
I hate nostalgia.
@thekidk13
Bring this back. Hip Hop that makes you want to move even if you can’t dance, vibes that can solve any disagreements, beats that make you love your neighbors.
@jalopysocks
All the music seems so evil these days I swear
@kattywhampus
Blasting this for this comment dude, so tru
@kattywhampus
GOLDEN VIBES BABY