Lo-Key was a group founded by Lance Alexander and Tony "Prof T" Tolbert, st… Read Full Bio ↴Lo-Key was a group founded by Lance Alexander and Tony "Prof T" Tolbert, staff writers signed to Flyte Time Productions, respectively. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Lance and Prof T were in a band called 'Grand Jury' before moving to Minneapolis. During a seminar that was attended by Jimmy 'Jam' Harris, the duo was able to get their demo to the producer, which led to a songwriting deal.

Affectionately known as the "B-team," Lance & Tony went on to pen songs for Alexander O'Neal, New Edition, and other artists that came to Flyte Tyme looking for songs. After solidifying their place in the studio as up & coming producers and songwriters, the ambitious pair put together the Lo-Key project. The first album "Where Dey At?" was named after a dig at a Jamaican studio owner who signed Lance to a 'slave' contract before his Flyte Tyme deal and owed him money and kept his Masters. Although amongst music circles the group was lauded, Lo-Key never reached Platinum or Gold status, due to corporate restructuring and political maneuvering at A&M records. Performances were kept at a minimum, due to the grooming of Lance & Tony as producers. After the sale of the Perspective imprint, Tony became A&R for a while at the new Flyte Tyme Records, and Lance went on to form his own label, "Baby Honey Records", with music promoter B-Rich, which is based out of Atlanta, as well as the Baby Honey Recording studio. The only group signed to Baby Honey Records was V.I.P., a trio vocal group from Minneapolis. The rest of Lo-Key disbanded.

Lance Alexander discovered the R&B group 'Next' while working as a staff writer at Flyte Tyme Productions. Initially, the pair brought the group, who was known at the time as 'Straight 4ward,' into the Flyte Tyme studios to cut demos and after pitching the group to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the Producers passed on the project. After performing at an annual black music seminar in Minneapolis, Naughty by Nature's DJ Kay Gee discovered the group and signed them to a recording contract. Lance wrote the B-side "Butta Love" to the million selling single "Too Close". The group was renamed Next. Lo-Key was influenced heavily by Con Funk shun, and also by old school R&B acts.

Work
Lo-Key Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

遠處有戰場
硝煙的飄散
轉角有少年
畫面的轉播
Ha-ah
軟弱
Ha-ah
眼淚

到處有世人
遮掩的真相
哪裏有眾神
蒼生的苦況
Ha-ah
軟弱
Ha-ah
眼淚
卻也冷酷
難道看著他
有血有肉
無力介入
Ha-ah
撐著
Ha-ah
結聚
(即使頃刻或救藥無方)
請叫雙眼仍舊盼望

(即管張開萬暗內微光)
不要相信改變不多

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from Lo-Key's song "Work" and are sung in Mandarin Chinese. The song touches upon the theme of war and the human condition amidst this turmoil. The first verse describes a battlefield in the distance with the dispersing smoke of gunpowder. At a turn, there is a young person, and their situation is being broadcasted as a scene. The artist uses "Ha-ah" as an interjection twice, possibly to emphasize the emotions and vulnerability in this context.

The following verses express the presence of people everywhere, hiding the truth. The lyrics suggest that there are no gods to alleviate the suffering of humanity. The repetition of "Ha-ah" and "眼淚" (meaning tears) portrays the vulnerability and sadness prevalent in this world. The final lines of the song highlight the human tendency for indifference and the difficulty of making a difference in such circumstances. Even in the face of the blood and flesh of others, the inability to intervene is depicted. However, despite this overwhelming reality, the lyrics encourage the listener to hold on and gather strength.

Line by Line Meaning

遠處有戰場
In the distance, there is a battlefield

硝煙的飄散
The dispersal of gunpowder smoke

轉角有少年
Around the corner, there is a young person

畫面的轉播
The broadcasting of the scene

Ha-ah
A sigh of frustration

軟弱
Weakness

Ha-ah
A sigh of frustration

眼淚
Tears

到處有世人
Everywhere there are people

遮掩的真相
The hidden truth

哪裏有眾神
Where are the gods