Finesse returned as a solo artist in late 1991 with his sophomore effort, Return Of The Funky Man. The album featured guest appearances from Percee P and AG. The albums title track peaked at #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. In 1992, Finesse discovered a young rapper freestyling in the back of a local record store, the young kid went by the name of Big L. He enlisted the young rapper to make an appearance on the remix to his song "Yes You May". In 1994, Finesse make a production appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.'s classic debut Ready to Die, on the track "Suicidal Thoughts". In 1995, he produced a portion of Big L's debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, including the hit single "M.V.P.". He finally returned as an artist in 1996 with the acclaimed album The Awakening. Finesse produced the entire album himself, and enlisted a large number of guests, including O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, and Kid Capri. The underground hit "Actual Facts", featuring Sadat X, Grand Puba and Large Professor, was included as a hidden track on the album.
Finesse hasn't released a studio album since this effort, but has continued his production work. In 1997, he produced the title track to O.C.'s acclaimed effort Jewelz. Finesse released a mixtape called Diggin' On Blue in 1999. Later in the year, he produced the track "The Message" on Dr. Dre's seminal 2001. Finesse is currently working on a Funky Technician remix project, as well as a new D.I.T.C. album. And, with the help of DJ Premier, is working on a posthumous Big L album.
You Know What I'm About
Lord Finesse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya wonder why I always play low key
I know I got people and fans that like me
But all the noise and attention don't excite me
So I just lounge and play the D.L
In the crib with just me and a female
I'm still slick besides the others
Yo, I'm smoother than the Isley Brothers
When I'm on the scene I get feedback
Brothers runnin' up, wassup, where you be at?
I be by myself just coolin'
'Cause I don't have time to sweat what someone else is doin'
'Cause their not equal to me
I got places to go, money to make, people to see
What'cha gonna do
The man is comin' through
(You got it goin' on)
Hey yo, that ain't nothin' new
But my fame is stressin' others
So you always got some that always want to test a brother
But I'm wildin' at home kid
I'm straight makin' papes, so tell me what ya problem is
Ya talk about unity, but when I turn my back
You talkin' about what ya want to do to me
Yeah, you could keep riffin'
I ain't the one, I sent ya home with ya teeth missin'
So stop runnin' at the mouth
Straight up and down
You, you know what I'm about
Knockin' brothers off
Knockin' brohters out (3X)
Yo, you know what I'm about(repeat all 2X)
[Lord Finesse]
I'm out to get dough
Makin brothers petro
Some suckas don't like me
But I could care less though
Cause I'm a command why'all
I'm smackin' brothers up like Puerto Ricans play handball
But I ain't the funny type that joke around, huh
I gotta get my money right
And I got the right game
I'm definetely the wrong man to invite to a dice game
Cause I got strategy
I'm rollin head cracks, trips
And makin all the brothers mad at me
They might as well give up
The way I'm takin all the dough, this might as well be a stick up
Cause it's a mans thing
The way I got things sold
Yo, they can't do a damn thing
Tryin to gain props
I ain't the one to see
Ya clowns mess around and get played like a drum machine
You gotta find a better way
I'm pullin everything from your car to your resume
Cause I don't play clown
I'm tryin to get mine
That's why my face stay frown
I don't smile or try to play my foul
I light your boys like ?tile?
Hey yo, you know my style
So just slow down, cause why'all can't throw down
And why'all can't accept that a brothers makin dough now
And I'm livin better, true
I makin more noise than the loudest heavy metal group
It's the cool man, brother with the smooth plan
That's why I'm seeing more papers than a newstand
So peep it, don't try to run and speak it
Point blank that keep my way about secret
While brothers is packin still, actin ill
I'm on the D.L, with a female
And I'm stackin bills
How ya livin? Yeah I'm livin swell
Cause a brother like me
Yo I'm ringin bells
No doubt, I got clout
Ain't no future in frontin
Yo, you know what I'm about
Knockin brothers off
Knockin brothers out (3X)
Yo, you know what I'm about(repeat all 2X)
Lord Finesse's "You Know What I'm About" is a powerful statement of his confidence, talent, and disinclination to engage in pettiness. He appreciates his fans and supporters but doesn't enjoy the noise and attention that comes with it. He adores lounging in the crib with just himself and a lady friend, and he is slicker than the Isley Brothers when he's out and about. He doesn't have time to worry about what others are doing because he has places to be, money to earn, and people to see.
Lord Finesse goes on to address the jealousy, envy, and constant need to validate oneself that can come with fame. He's not concerned with the opinions of others and instead focuses on making money and being a successful musician. Even when faced with adversity, he remains confident, dismissive of anyone who attempts to challenge him, and ultimately successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Check it out, for those that know me
I'm a low-key person and don't crave attention
Ya wonder why I always play low key
I don't want fame and attention, I prefer to stay out of the spotlight
I know I got people and fans that like me
I am aware that I have supporters and fans
But all the noise and attention don't excite me
Publicity and attention don't interest me
So I just lounge and play the D.L
I relax and stay under the radar
In the crib with just me and a female
I enjoy spending time with a lady companion
I'm still slick besides the others
I stand out from the rest with my unique charm and style
'Cause a player like me
I am a smooth and confident person
Yo, I'm smoother than the Isley Brothers
I am smoother than any other musician or performer
When I'm on the scene I get feedback
I receive positive reactions when I make appearances
Brothers runnin' up, wassup, where you be at?
People often approach me and ask about my whereabouts
I be by myself just coolin'
I prefer to spend time alone and relax
'Cause I don't have time to sweat what someone else is doin'
I don't worry about what other people are doing because I am busy with my own goals
'Cause they're not equal to me
Other people are not on my level of success or talent
I got places to go, money to make, people to see
I am ambitious and have important things to accomplish
What'cha gonna do
What are you going to do?
The man is comin' through
I am a successful and respected individual
(You got it goin' on)
You are impressive and respected
Hey yo, that ain't nothin' new
This is not a surprising or new situation
But my fame is stressin' others
My success is causing problems for other people
So you always got some that always want to test a brother
Some people are always trying to challenge me or cause problems
But I'm wildin' at home kid
I am enjoying life and making money in private
I'm straight makin' papes, so tell me what ya problem is
I am making a lot of money, so why should anyone have a problem with me?
Ya talk about unity, but when I turn my back
People claim to want unity, but talk bad about me when I'm not around
You talkin' about what ya want to do to me
People are making threats against me
Yeah, you could keep riffin'
You can keep talking or making threats
I ain't the one, I sent ya home with ya teeth missin'
I am a tough person and am capable of defending myself
So stop runnin' at the mouth
Stop talking and making threats
Straight up and down
Honestly and directly
You, you know what I'm about
You know who I am and what I stand for
Knockin' brothers off
Beating or defeating other people
Knockin' brohters out (3X)
Beating or defeating other people
I'm out to get dough
I am working hard to earn money
Makin brothers petro
I am making other people angry or upset
Some suckas don't like me
Some people dislike me for no reason
But I could care less though
I do not care about their opinions or feelings
'Cause I'm a command why'all
I am respected and influential
I'm smackin' brothers up like Puerto Ricans play handball
I am beating people up with ease
But I ain't the funny type that joke around, huh
I am not someone who jokes or messes around
I gotta get my money right
I am focused on earning more money
And I got the right game
I am skilled and successful
I'm definetely the wrong man to invite to a dice game
I am so good at gambling that people should not even try to invite me to play
'Cause I got strategy
I am strategic and intelligent
I'm rollin head cracks, trips
I am winning bets and taking money from others
And makin all the brothers mad at me
I am making other people angry and jealous with how much money I am winning
They might as well give up
They should just stop trying because they cannot beat me
The way I'm takin all the dough, this might as well be a stick up
I am winning so much money that it might as well be a robbery
'Cause it's a mans thing
Being successful and making money is a masculine pursuit
The way I got things sold
I am so successful that I am selling everything I touch
Yo, they can't do a damn thing
Nobody can stop me or bring me down
Tryin to gain props
People are trying to gain respect or recognition
I ain't the one to see
I am not someone to be messed with or disrespected
Ya clowns mess around and get played like a drum machine
People who try to mess with me will get beaten easily
You gotta find a better way
Stop trying to fight me and find a better approach to life
I'm pullin everything from your car to your resume
I am taking everything from their car to job skills
Cause I don't play clown
I don't mess around or play games
I'm tryin to get mine
I am focused on achieving my goals and earning money
That's why my face stay frown
I don't smile because I am focused and serious
I don't smile or try to play my foul
I don't try to deceive or cheat others
I light your boys like ?tile?
I beat up other people with ease
Hey yo, you know my style
You are familiar with my approach to life
So just slow down, cause why'all can't throw down
People should not try to fight me or compete with me
And why'all can't accept that a brothers makin dough now
They should accept that I am successful and making money now
And I'm livin better, true
I am living a very good life
I makin more noise than the loudest heavy metal group
I am more successful and well-known than even the most popular heavy metal bands
It's the cool man, brother with the smooth plan
I am a smooth and confident person with a well-thought-out plan
That's why I'm seeing more papers than a newstand
I am making so much money that it is like I own a newspaper
So peep it, don't try to run and speak it
Don't try to challenge or disrespect me
Point blank that keep my way about secret
I keep my strategy and approach to life a secret
While brothers is packin still, actin ill
Other people are trying to appear tough or intimidating
I'm on the D.L, with a female
I am spending time with a lady companion in private
And I'm stackin bills
I am making a lot of money
How ya livin?
How are you doing?
Yeah I'm livin swell
I am living very well
Cause a brother like me
Someone like me
Yo I'm ringin bells
I am very popular and well-known
No doubt, I got clout
I am influential and have power
Ain't no future in frontin
There is no point in pretending or trying to fake success
Yo, you know what I'm about
You know who I am and what I stand for
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROBERT HALL AKA LORD FINESSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AJ SHIRAZI
I’m 17 I texted FINESSE asking him about his interlude he was kind enough to answer to someone who he doesn’t know and I live in Thailand so it shows how far his music career has come and how he still humble since day 1
Krambone
Lord Finesse went off every damn bar on this 😤💪
Danielle Stolk
Finnese at his best! The vibe s incredible
Just4Fun
Danielle Stolk the master of all masters -)
Just4Fun
Danielle Stolk totally ! The master of all masters 🤣
GTSTWINCAM16
That’s what’s up, You already know!!!
jumbo jett
@Just4Fun pi
jumbo jett
@Just4Fun ppoppppopooopop
Aye Nice
Lord Finesse is underrated on the production like Evidence, Apollo Brown and DJ Babu
Andreas Skerlec
My favorite track from this soundtrack