LMNO was introduced to the music industry in late 80's early 90's witnessing at first hand the N.W.A. legacy, (see the LMNO's cameo appearance in the D.O.C.'s "Formula" video with Dr. Dre). LMNO was recruited by Rhyme Syndicate to be in his first group with fellow Visionaries member Key-Kool. After the group disbanded, LMNO worked on various demo projects until his debut on the Circle of Power (of Blak Forest) album. LMNO then contributed works on the Blak Forest crew album "You are Now Entering."
With the West Coast Underground and it's rising star Ras Kass grabbing the attention of the hip-hop world, heads on the West and East tuned into Key-Kool & Rhettmatic's "E=MC5," a posse cut featuring Ras Kass and his crew Western Hemisfear; ironically, the "white kid" from Long Beach named LMNO shocked audiences with the infamous "Don't f--- with LMNO, or I'll send your demo tape to Jerry Heller" From that point, LMNO began gaining attention, and could very well have fallen into the "shock-line rapper" category, yet, this spiritually maturing artist chose quite a different path, and left the "tongue & cheek" style for others to exploit.
Charging forward as a spiritual soldier, with faith and JAH as motivation, LMNO began evolving as an artist and a person. After shaping and voicing his views on the Visionaries albums "Galleries" and "Sophomore Jinx," LMNO was ready for his debut solo effort. His debut 12 inch sleeper cult-classic "Hit the Fence," as well as the popular 12" inch releases "Radiant" and "Grin & Bear It" had heads waiting for a full length album.
LMNO's "Leave My Name Out" (Up Above Records) includes his popular singles, along with brilliant LMNO/MadLib team-up "Head Lock," yet it is the spiritually truthful, life-driven songs that seemed most appropriately reflective of the times in which the album was released: just after the tragic events of 9/11.
LMNO has been putting in much work with Visionaries doing numerous shows, recordings and touring. LMNO is currently promoting his third album " P's & Q's " IN STORES NOW on UP ABOVE RECORDS/CAROLINE DISTRIBUTION.
LMNO is still putting in much work with Visionaries doing numerous shows, recordings and touring. He is currently promoting his fifth album "WORKETHIC" IN STORES Jan. 23rd on Technicali Sound / Super D Distribution... Give Thanks & GOD BLESS
Elbow Room
LMNO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all this ambition I need elbow room
You know what time it is
But you won't look at the clock
You want to keep going when you know you should stop
There's groups, a lot
With demos to shopLike they're the ?Bedos?
But they're not
Wake up from the dream
Go back to school
Get an education
An occupation
Can't chase a dead cat
Can't get too far on a bike if the tires are flat
You have a homie who has a cousin
Who used to cut the hair of an intern at a label
Who says he's able to pass a word to his boss
Yeah, it's a lead but his boss doesn't know his first name
Perpetration is the game
It's that
I'm ahead of you kid, Big Busy, Mad Child
God showed me I don't fit in the scheme of things
At the most I rock a chain and my wedding ring
We're all different from one another
Beyond color, the mystery has been uncovered
[Chorus 2X]
Elbow room, I need some elbow room
With all this (opposition / ambition) I need elbow room
You know what time it is
But you won't look at the clock
You want to keep going when you know you should stop
Prevent the mistake is how I think
You better fix the leak before the boat sinks
Labels put money in to get money back
Turn around and blame the public when the group is wack
Point blank, I'm stating the fact
I'm cutting down the rubbish with my _battle axe_
I see why people think rap is trash
A song is garbage if it's all about cash
I understand survival is key
But where will you be when there's no more money?
Blank and empty, unfulfilled
For me, it's allmighty God; not the dollar bill
I wasn't born with the crew; I won't die with the crew
I can't be frustrated, I can just pray for you
If your flesh wants to rap but your spirit says no
I suggest you listen to the spirit, grow, and grow
[Chorus 2X]
If rap is your calling it must have been a crank call
Get some caller ID
So you know where it's coming from
Before you pick it up and waste a bunch of time on the phone
Speaking on my behalf, every waking second
Is self-examination, constantly facing
Where can I improve according to spiritual law
As a man of flesh, as a man of flaw?
Can't do it without you, Lord
I'm a co-dependent
You know my heart and whether I meant it
Man's more concerned with pleasing man before pleasing You
We can say what you want but we know it's true
Yes, this is message music
Speaking to those who abuse it
Mess around and lose it
Everything we do is recorded
Hell is the price of sin; I can't afford it, No!
[Chorus 2X]
You want to keep rapping when you know you should stop
You want to keep graphing when you know you should stop
You want to keep scratching when you know you should stop
You want to keep dancing when you know you should stop
You want to keep bashing when you know you should stop
You want to keep amping when you know you should stop
Stop, stop, stop (fades out)
LMNO's Elbow Room is a song about ambition and the consequences that come with it. The song warns that while ambition is necessary, we should not be blinded by it and ignore the signs that we need to slow down. The chorus emphasizes that we need elbow room, both physically and metaphorically, to avoid feeling suffocated and overwhelmed. The lyrics also criticize the music industry and the pressure to succeed at any cost, even if it means compromising artistic integrity. The song encourages listeners to focus on personal growth and spirituality, rather than materialistic pursuits.
LMNO's Elbow Room is a thought-provoking and introspective song that resonates with those who feel the pressure to succeed in a fast-paced world. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and staying true to oneself, even in the face of external pressures. The song's lyrics are open to interpretation and can be applied to a variety of situations beyond the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Elbow room, I need some elbow room
I need more space to operate
With all this ambition I need elbow room
My ambitions require more physical and mental space
You know what time it is
You know what is appropriate at the moment
But you won't look at the clock
You are ignoring the signals or appropriate timing
You want to keep going when you know you should stop
You are pushing beyond the appropriate length of time
There's groups, a lot
Many groups exist
With demos to shop
They have demos to promote
Like they're the ?Bedos?
They are acting like famous people
But they're not
They are not famous
Wake up from the dream
Come back to reality
Go back to school
Acquire more education and knowledge
Get an education
Increase your knowledge and skills
An occupation
A job or career
Can't chase a dead cat
You can't achieve anything that is impossible to achieve
Can't get too far on a bike if the tires are flat
You need appropriate resources to achieve your goals
You have a homie who has a cousin
You know someone who knows someone else
Who used to cut the hair of an intern at a label
The person has connections to the music industry
Who says he's able to pass a word to his boss
The person claims to be able to help with getting a record deal
Yeah, it's a lead but his boss doesn't know his first name
The connection is not strong or reliable
Perpetration is the game
Preparation and planning are essential
It's that
That's how it is
I'm ahead of you kid, Big Busy, Mad Child
I have more experience and knowledge than you
God showed me I don't fit in the scheme of things
I realized that my purpose is not what I thought it was
At the most I rock a chain and my wedding ring
I own limited material possessions
We're all different from one another
Each person is unique
Beyond color, the mystery has been uncovered
We should look for similarities among people beyond superficial differences
[Chorus 2X]
Repetition of the chorus
Prevent the mistake is how I think
I believe in avoiding errors
You better fix the leak before the boat sinks
You should solve problems before they escalate
Labels put money in to get money back
Record companies invest with the expectation of earning a profit
Turn around and blame the public when the group is wack
Music companies blame consumers for failures
Point blank, I'm stating the fact
I am being honest and direct
I'm cutting down the rubbish with my _battle axe_
I am eliminating things that aren't good or helpful
I see why people think rap is trash
I understand why people have negative opinions about the genre
A song is garbage if it's all about cash
Music that prioritizes money over quality is not good
I understand survival is key
I realize that basic needs are essential
But where will you be when there's no more money?
Money is not an eternal solution
Blank and empty, unfulfilled
Life without purpose or meaning is not satisfying
For me, it's allmighty God; not the dollar bill
My beliefs prioritize spirituality over materialism
I wasn't born with the crew; I won't die with the crew
I am not bound to any particular group
I can't be frustrated, I can just pray for you
I am choosing to show compassion instead of getting angry
If your flesh wants to rap but your spirit says no
If your conscience is telling you not to do something
I suggest you listen to the spirit, grow, and grow
You should focus on spiritual growth and improvement
If rap is your calling it must have been a crank call
Not everyone is meant to pursue music as their career
Get some caller ID
Be aware of your true calling
So you know where it's coming from
Understand the source of your interests and desires
Before you pick it up and waste a bunch of time on the phone
Before you commit to something and invest time and energy
Speaking on my behalf, every waking second
At all times
Is self-examination, constantly facing
Always reflecting on personal growth
Where can I improve according to spiritual law
How can I better align with my beliefs and values?
As a man of flesh, as a man of flaw?
As an imperfect human being?
Can't do it without you, Lord
I need divine assistance
I'm a co-dependent
I am reliant on God
You know my heart and whether I meant it
God understands my intentions
Man's more concerned with pleasing man before pleasing You
People prioritize approval from others over their faith
We can say what you want but we know it's true
We may act differently, but we know the reality
Yes, this is message music
This music has a message beyond just entertainment
Speaking to those who abuse it
Directing a message to those who misuse music
Mess around and lose it
Be careful not to lose sight of your priorities
Everything we do is recorded
Our actions have consequences and will be remembered
Hell is the price of sin; I can't afford it, No!
The negative consequences of immoral behavior are not worth it
You want to keep rapping when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to let go of unproductive behavior
You want to keep graphing when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to stop an unproductive art or project
You want to keep scratching when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to stop using a particular technique or habit
You want to keep dancing when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to stop a particular form of expression or entertainment
You want to keep bashing when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to stop being critical or judgmental
You want to keep amping when you know you should stop
You are hesitant to stop trying to hype or promote something
Stop, stop, stop (fades out)
Repetition emphasizing the importance of ending unproductive behavior
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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