An eclectic band from Brooklyn, NY most often categorized as "funk", though… Read Full Bio ↴An eclectic band from Brooklyn, NY most often categorized as "funk", though their influences range from rock, blues, jazz, and African and Latin music as well. Their early albums (Mandrill, Mandrill Is, Composite Truth, Just Outside Of Town, and Mandrilland) are sometimes wild and experimental and sometimes danceable and fun, often times both at once. Their approach is somewhat comparable to early Funkadelic. Like Funkadelic, by their 1975 album called Solid they had settled into a smoother, more traditional funk sound, losing much but not all of their progressive edge. The band was seven members: Carlos Wilson (trombone, vocals), Lou Wilson (trumpet, vocals) and Ric Wilson (sax, vocals). The brothers were born in Panama and grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Claude 'Coffee' Cave II (keyboards, percussion, vocals, Bundy Cenac on bass for one album "Mandrill" replaced by Fudgie Kae Solomon in 1972 (bass, vocals), Charles Padro (drums, percussion, vocals) for two albums, replaced by Neftali Santiago in 1972 (drums, percussion, vocals), Omar Mesa (guitar, vocals) replaced by Doug Rodriguez in 1974 (lead guitar, vocals). This completed the Mandrill line-up from the Polydor years 1970–1975 which make up the Mandrill sound. Other members of the band in later years included Juaquin Jessup (lead guitar, percussion, vocals) and Tommy Trujillo on guitar.

Their songs have been sampled by many hip-hop acts such as Johnny D, Public Enemy, DJ Shadow, Shawty Lo, Big L, Kanye West, Jin, Eminem, and 9th Wonder. They combined funk with many other styles like Latin, salsa, rock, blues and soul.
Some of their songs have been used in the soundtracks of films: The Greatest (1977) directed by Tom Gries and Monte Hellman; and The Warriors (1979) directed by Walter Hill. The band continues to perform live; their signature song is arguably "Fencewalk."
Composite Truth (1973) was the band's most commercially successful album.

2. Croatian band "ManDrill" started their version of alternative-funk in 1997. In 1998. they won an unsigned band contest "Ri Rock", and started gigging frequently. ManDrill music changed through the years and document of that is debut album "Embryo" (2002).
After a few lineup changes, the band finally released their second album, "P" in 2006, havig a very succesful hit, "Ljubio, valjao". With the popularity came the lawsuit for the name - that's when ManDrill had to change the name to Mandrili. Under that name they released their third and most succesful album (ranked top five Croatian albums for 2008) "Tibet". They're still very active with the following lineup: Kristian Ćoza - Vocals, Tomislav Radinović - Guitars, Robert Jovanović - Bass, Dalibor Peršić - Drums

Livin' It Up
Mandrill Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Get back
Against the wall nigga
Because you'll go to jail

Jail, we know we know
But you're doin' time
God damn say

Yeah
I heard you had a (ounce heady)
They say you was a

(Jesus)
But you're (---)

No use in crying
Got to fight, with all your might
For what you believe
Never give up

(I used ---)
Haven't seen no light
From the real side
Do what you know is right

Life

Got to be a (---)
All the time he was

Living in a glass world, lookin' out, tryna find meaning on the inside
Can you dig it?

Get up!
Let your mind be the best of you

Watch the snake in the grass
Slip aside and let him pass
Before he'll bite your ass

Life gon' be like

You know you know

You were, livin' it up, glass world, lookin' on the upside

Get back say

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song Livin' It Up by Mandrill are a warning to a person who is living dangerously and may end up in jail eventually. The person is advised to be careful and watchful because the risk of arrest and imprisonment is high. The song then proceeds to discuss the plight of someone who is in jail or on the wrong side of the law, possibly with a drug charge. We hear the story of someone who was known to possess marijuana, and was possibly associated with Jesus (the reference to Christ is inferred by the line "They say you was a (Jesus)"). However, the person is now incarcerated, experiencing a life of hardship, which calls for resilience and strength.

The song's chorus reminds listeners to keep fighting for what they believe in despite the difficulties they might face. The next verse calls for a person to stay strong and be resolute in the fight against adversity. The singer admits that they may not have experienced the "light" from the good side of life, but they still urge listeners to do what is right and remain steadfast. The ensuing verse encourages people to be aware of the dangers posed by others who may want to deceive them, often using the metaphor of a snake in the grass. The song ends with a call for people to stay positive despite the challenges of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Get back
Retreat and put a distance between yourself and an imminent danger or threat

Against the wall nigga
Facing a difficult situation where there are limited options

Because you'll go to jail
Warns against taking actions that could lead to imprisonment

Jail, we know we know
Acknowledge the danger and consequences of getting caught by the law

But you're doin' time
Admitting to the consequences of actions and taking responsibility for them

God damn say
Expressing frustration and disappointment with a situation

Yeah
An indication of agreement or acknowledgement

I heard you had a (ounce heady)
Referring to someone having a quantity of illegal drugs

They say you was a
Rumors or hearsay about someone's reputation

(Jesus)
Expression of surprise or shock

But you're (---)
Despite the rumors, someone is not defined by their past actions or reputation

No use in crying
There is no benefit in being upset or regretful

Got to fight, with all your might
Encouragement to persevere and overcome challenges through effort and determination

For what you believe
Pursue what you value and stand up for your principles

Never give up
Reminding someone to persist and not succumb to discouragement or resignation

(I used ---)
Possibly incomplete or fragmented statement

Haven't seen no light
Unable to find direction or guidance

From the real side
An indication of searching for truth and authenticity

Do what you know is right
Advice to act based on one's conscience and values

Life
A general reference to existence and experience

Got to be a (---)
Possibly incomplete or fragmented statement

All the time he was
Emphasizing persistence or consistency in an action or attitude

Living in a glass world, lookin' out, tryna find meaning on the inside
Feeling trapped or isolated and searching for purpose and connection

Can you dig it?
Asking if someone understands or relates to a situation

Get up!
Urging someone to rise and take action

Let your mind be the best of you
Encouragement to cultivate a positive and constructive mindset

Watch the snake in the grass
Be wary of people or situations that hide their true intentions or motives

Slip aside and let him pass
Avoid confrontations with people who are deceitful or hostile

Before he'll bite your ass
Prevent harm or injury by avoiding dangerous or malicious people

Life gon' be like
An expectation that life will be challenging and difficult

You know you know
Acknowledgment of understanding or agreement

You were, livin' it up, glass world, lookin' on the upside
Remembering a time when there was hope and optimism, despite challenges and limitations

Get back say
Repeating the earlier statement to reinforce its importance and urgency

Writer(s): CALVIN BROADUS, JEFFREY ATKINS, ROBIN MAYS, FREDERICK KNIGHT, IRVING LORENZO, LEON HAYWOOD, STEVIE WONDER

Contributed by Oliver T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS