When his band dissolved in the early nineties, Rob swapped traditional instrumentation for new technology, getting a studio together with his brother and exploring the dance sounds that were emerging. After checking out 40,000 people events like Vision, Rob took things a step further by opening up a record shop (Essential Selections) and label (Rude Boy Records).
While at college, he enlisted the help of a graphic designer who was also interested in production. That person was Rupert Parkes - better known in d & b circles as the formidable Photek. The pair bonded and began to knock together back to back twelves for the nascent imprint, like The Five Tracker, a five track EP that came off on a twisted jazz tip.
After a while, both profiles grew and the pair eventually went their separate ways, Rob going on to produce tracks for respected imprints like Creative Source, Certificate 18, Moving Shadow and Good Looking. With labels like this behind him, it was obvious Lexis had something to offer. Rather than continue to record for a variety of imprints however, Rob felt that he was spreading himself a little thinly and - closing down his Rude Boy operation - focused on Paul Arnold's Certificate 18.
Over the last five years or so this has led to a selection of phenomenal cuts like the atmospheric 'Criminal Elements' with it's recurring strings and deep grooves, the shuffling beats and introspective take of 'Endurance' and the powerful bubbling bass and futuristic funk of 'Diva'.
In order to consolidate his identity further, Rob has released 'Branch Of Knowledge' through Certificate 18, an album that collects together the classic Lexis rollers mentioned above as well as the stunning Photek mix of his Good Looking release 'Groove Therapy' and floor-wreckers like 'Frantic', 'Illusion', 'Hypnotise', 'Intermitant' and 'Visions'.
By bringing most of his works to date under one roof, 'Branch Of Knowledge' shows Lexis to be a highly idiosynchratic and varied producer, turning in a variety of clean, neck snapping beats, jazz-funk basslines, insouciant atmospherics, soulful melodies and hard hitting funk.
"I thought I'd bring a few tracks together because I was going to London and had bits and pieces dotted everywhere" explains Rob. "People would say to me 'Oh, you did that tune as well!' kind of thing and I reasoned that if I bring it all together, it might work a bit better for me and people would know my name a bit more."
Having given headz a reality check with 'Branch Of Knowledge', Rob is already eager to begin a new venture, namely re-exploring his live soul and jazz-funk roots and incorporating them into a drum & bass format (as well as rocking some down tempo flavours of course). "The thing I'm working on now is getting two or three singers in the studio with myself and my brother and trying to get a live set together" he reveals. "It'll take a while to sort out, but I intend to try and work it out over the next few months or so. We're not sure if it's going to work so we'll have to experiment and see what happens but it's worth a try."
As well, we may even get to hear his famed DJ sets a bit more as he plans to get down to the smoke more often: "I'm now coming back to the DJ'ing and getting sets together" he states. "We used to do it years ago but I never really got onto the London circuit as I've been in the studio all the time. I'm gonna step that up now though, I'll do my sort of thing, a mixture starting off mid-tempo and then the album style and maybe some vocal stuff."
Watch this space…
Biog. by Paul SULLIVAN
Are You Ready
Lexis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, you're all the same
They say a lot can change in a year
Oh dear, oh dear
Did you, forget and pack up all of your fears
Oh dear, oh dear
And all you ever talk about, is what we could have been
But all your friends are telling me you haven't changed a bit
Are you still the same?
Or did you have to change?
To fit the picture frame
Or are you still the same?
Are you still the same?
Or did you change your ways
Look back on glory days?
Or are you still the same?
Or did you have to change?
Or are you still the same?
Did you change your ways?
I swear you're all the same
Do you, still play the martyr?
Bet it's getting harder
To pick apart your world, and put it back together
But that's always what you did best
Even though you know I hated it
And you made your bed, now lie in it
Yeah, and I told you before, babe karmas a bitch
When money gets tight, and you can't pay rent
And you're going through hell like you know I did
Just remember you could've had it all
It's too late now you made your call
No more chances after all
Are you still the same?
Or did you have to change?
To fit the picture frame
Or are you still the same?
Are you still the same?
Or did you change your ways
Look back on glory days?
Or are you still the same?
Be honest, how ironic
You held off for the longest
Unbothered, but you could have tried a little harder
Are you still the same?
Or did you have to change?
To fit the picture frame
Or are you still the same?
Are you still the same?
Or did you change your ways
Look back on glory days?
Or are you still the same?
Or did you have to change?
Or are you still the same?
Did you change your ways?
I swear you're all the same
The song "Are You Ready" by Lexis appears to be about questioning someone's growth or lack thereof. The lyrics suggest that the person in question may have remained the same despite the passing of time. The opening lines "Are you still the same? Oh, you're all the same" imply a sense of disappointment or frustration towards this person. The repetition of the phrase "Oh dear, oh dear" further emphasizes the singer's concern.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of fear and the idea of leaving behind one's fears. The line "Did you, forget and pack up all of your fears" suggests that the person may have moved on from their fears, perhaps in order to fit into a certain image or societal expectations. However, the singer questions whether this change was necessary or genuine.
Throughout the song, the singer wonders if the person in question had to change their ways or if they are merely pretending to be different. The line "Or did you have to change? To fit the picture frame" implies that the person might have altered themselves to conform to a certain ideal. The phrase "Look back on glory days" suggests that the person might be longing for past moments of success or happiness.
The lyrics also mention the concept of karma, hinting at the idea that the person's actions might come back to haunt them. The line "Yeah, and I told you before, babe karma's a bitch" suggests that the singer believes the person will face consequences for their choices.
Overall, the song "Are You Ready" by Lexis explores themes of growth, change, and authenticity. It questions whether people truly evolve or if they simply put on a facade to fit societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you still the same?
Are you unchanged from who you used to be?
Oh, you're all the same
Oh, everyone is identical in their behavior
They say a lot can change in a year
It is said that a significant transformation can occur within a year
Oh dear, oh dear
Expressing concern or worry
Did you, forget and pack up all of your fears
Did you unintentionally leave behind and suppress all your fears?
And all you ever talk about, is what we could have been
You constantly discuss the potential we had in the past
But all your friends are telling me you haven't changed a bit
However, your friends inform me that you remain exactly the same
So I wonder
So I am curious
Or did you have to change?
Or did you undergo a forced transformation?
To fit the picture frame
To conform to a specific image or expectation
Or are you still the same?
Or are you still the unchanged person you were before?
Do you still play the martyr?
Do you still act as if you are constantly suffering for a cause?
Bet it's getting harder
I bet it is becoming more challenging
To pick apart your world, and put it back together
To disassemble and reconstruct your own reality
But that's always what you did best
But that has always been your greatest skill
Even though you know I hated it
Despite knowing that I despised it
And you made your bed, now lie in it
You deliberately created your own circumstances, now face the consequences
Yeah, and I told you before, babe karmas a bitch
Yes, and I previously warned you, dear, that karma is unforgiving
When money gets tight, and you can't pay rent
When finances become scarce and you are unable to afford rent
And you're going through hell like you know I did
And you experience struggles similar to the ones I endured
Just remember you could've had it all
Just remember that you had the opportunity to have everything
It's too late now you made your call
It is now too late since you made your decision
No more chances after all
There are no more opportunities left
Be honest, how ironic
Be truthful, how unexpected or contradictory
You held off for the longest
You delayed for the longest time
Unbothered, but you could have tried a little harder
Unconcerned, but you could have put in a bit more effort
Did you change your ways?
Did you modify your behavior?
I swear you're all the same
I swear that everyone is identical in their traits
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Lexi Hartley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PhoenixFaze
He is killing it with the vignettes. WWE has done more for his career in 3 weeks than AEW did in his whole time there.
Andy Q
At this point, I enjoy watching AEW more than WWE, but this is a 100% fact. I always enjoyed Brian Pillman Jr, and I'm looking forward to see what he does as Lexis King.
uwubsbsisnsns
Being fair, the stuff with MJF was good, then they did nothing with him
STONEY JR
Big facts
Andy Q
@uwubsbsisnsns That was good. They were in a tough position because they couldn't have MJF lose to BPJ, but Brian really needed a big win coming out of that feud. I'm happy for him though. I think he's going to get every opportunity to succeed in WWE. I hope he capitalizes on it.
Chris Cannon
@Andy Q me too!
Veego B
WELL DONE WWE!!! This is exactly what he needed, a gripe, anger, drive, meaning.
Jay Golden
Gives me Edge vibes, they should make him heel
Dennis Valverde
@Jay Golden He will be a heel.
JuanTron
To bad it was boring