Mashonda Tifrere-Dean, professionally known just as Mashonda, is an R&B sin… Read Full Bio ↴Mashonda Tifrere-Dean, professionally known just as Mashonda, is an R&B singer signed to Full Surface/J Records, which her husband of 4 years, Swizz Beatz, has a partnership with. She was born in Massachusetts and raised in Harlem, New York. She is a labelmate of Cassidy (her husband runs the label; Full Surface Records) and is featured in his song "Get No Better" from his 2004 album Split Personality. She is also featured on Fat Joe's song "Listen Baby" from his 2005 album All Or Nothing.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but raised in Harlem, N.Y., Mashonda's vocal coaching began at the tender age of 7, in church, where most legendary voices are honed. Urged by her godmother, who saw in her a precocious love for music, Mashonda dedicated a substantial amount of her time as a teen to piano lessons and poetry writing. She gained some exposure in high school from joining a few different singing groups, but it wasn't until a meeting with renowned hip hop/R&B writing team Full Force (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears) that her music career truly took off. Under Full Force's tutelage, Mashonda co-wrote songs for artists Yvette Michelle and Monifah, which, in turn, led to a publishing deal. Soon after, the budding singer/songwriter partnered with rapper Lady May to form Desert Rose, and signed a short-lived deal with Deric "D Dot" Angeletti's Crazy Cat/Columbia Records. The duo split from the label before releasing an album, and Mashonda soon realized her destiny was to go her own way, much like her idols Mary J. Blige, Sade, Faith Evans, and Toni Braxton.
In 1998, one of hip-hop's most influential beatmakers, Swizz Beatz, recognized Mashonda's talent and took her under his wing, giving her the opportunity to write some of the catchiest hooks in recent urban music history (Eve's "Gotta Man;" Jay-Z's "Girl's Best Friend"). He also featured her on chart-topping hits like Mya's "Best Of Me" and Cassidy's "Get No Better." The key to their relationship? The most fundamental of elements: chemistry-both personal and professional. "We were able to create a very distinct sound," says Mashonda. "He made gritty tracks and I would get on them and make them pretty, bringing out the melodies. Once we did that, everybody wanted one of those. So that's where it all started." Ever since, the two have been conceptualizing January Joy, her long-awaited debut on Swizz Beatz's Full Surface/J Records imprint.
January Joy is a perfectionist's work of art mélange of up-tempos, mid-tempos, and ballads that marry hip-hop's street tendencies with R&B's softer sensibilities. "I didn't have a timeline or deadline, so I was really able to get into it and be extra picky with every track and every lyric that I wrote," says Mashonda.
The lead single, "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg, is a bouncy, dance floor-rattling track in pure Swizz Beatz tradition (hard drums, bass, whistles). And that's just a sneak preview of January Joy's star power. Expect additional cameos by hip hop heavyweights like Kanye West ("Hold Me") and Jadakiss ("Leave The Block Alone"). Rounding the album out on the R&B production tip are Mike City and Raphael Saadiq, among others.
"January to me is the genesis of music for myself and for all my listeners," says Mashonda of the album's title. "It's the first month of the year and it's when everyone makes their resolutions. It's a fresh start, a new feeling, and that's what my music is. I'm also a January baby," she adds with a smile. Here's to new beginnings, and re-introductions.
Her debut album, January Joy, was released in Japan only. Scheduled for a U.S. release in early 2005, the project was postponed, due to a lack of strong radio response to her first two singles, "Back of The Club" and "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg. Mashonda is currently in the studio, working with A-List producers. Confirmed producers on the project are Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and Rich Harrison.
She is married to famed hip hop and R&B producer Swizz Beatz. On a statement released to SOHH http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9964 on October 11,2006 Swizz Beatz and his wife Mashonda are have their first child together.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashonda
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but raised in Harlem, N.Y., Mashonda's vocal coaching began at the tender age of 7, in church, where most legendary voices are honed. Urged by her godmother, who saw in her a precocious love for music, Mashonda dedicated a substantial amount of her time as a teen to piano lessons and poetry writing. She gained some exposure in high school from joining a few different singing groups, but it wasn't until a meeting with renowned hip hop/R&B writing team Full Force (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears) that her music career truly took off. Under Full Force's tutelage, Mashonda co-wrote songs for artists Yvette Michelle and Monifah, which, in turn, led to a publishing deal. Soon after, the budding singer/songwriter partnered with rapper Lady May to form Desert Rose, and signed a short-lived deal with Deric "D Dot" Angeletti's Crazy Cat/Columbia Records. The duo split from the label before releasing an album, and Mashonda soon realized her destiny was to go her own way, much like her idols Mary J. Blige, Sade, Faith Evans, and Toni Braxton.
In 1998, one of hip-hop's most influential beatmakers, Swizz Beatz, recognized Mashonda's talent and took her under his wing, giving her the opportunity to write some of the catchiest hooks in recent urban music history (Eve's "Gotta Man;" Jay-Z's "Girl's Best Friend"). He also featured her on chart-topping hits like Mya's "Best Of Me" and Cassidy's "Get No Better." The key to their relationship? The most fundamental of elements: chemistry-both personal and professional. "We were able to create a very distinct sound," says Mashonda. "He made gritty tracks and I would get on them and make them pretty, bringing out the melodies. Once we did that, everybody wanted one of those. So that's where it all started." Ever since, the two have been conceptualizing January Joy, her long-awaited debut on Swizz Beatz's Full Surface/J Records imprint.
January Joy is a perfectionist's work of art mélange of up-tempos, mid-tempos, and ballads that marry hip-hop's street tendencies with R&B's softer sensibilities. "I didn't have a timeline or deadline, so I was really able to get into it and be extra picky with every track and every lyric that I wrote," says Mashonda.
The lead single, "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg, is a bouncy, dance floor-rattling track in pure Swizz Beatz tradition (hard drums, bass, whistles). And that's just a sneak preview of January Joy's star power. Expect additional cameos by hip hop heavyweights like Kanye West ("Hold Me") and Jadakiss ("Leave The Block Alone"). Rounding the album out on the R&B production tip are Mike City and Raphael Saadiq, among others.
"January to me is the genesis of music for myself and for all my listeners," says Mashonda of the album's title. "It's the first month of the year and it's when everyone makes their resolutions. It's a fresh start, a new feeling, and that's what my music is. I'm also a January baby," she adds with a smile. Here's to new beginnings, and re-introductions.
Her debut album, January Joy, was released in Japan only. Scheduled for a U.S. release in early 2005, the project was postponed, due to a lack of strong radio response to her first two singles, "Back of The Club" and "Blackout" featuring Snoop Dogg. Mashonda is currently in the studio, working with A-List producers. Confirmed producers on the project are Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and Rich Harrison.
She is married to famed hip hop and R&B producer Swizz Beatz. On a statement released to SOHH http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9964 on October 11,2006 Swizz Beatz and his wife Mashonda are have their first child together.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashonda
Leave the Block Alone
Mashonda Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Mashonda:
Ask Of You Just give me all your lovin' Girl, I'll do all the…
Back of da Clib [Chorus:] I love the way we dance in the back…
Back Of The Club feat. The Game I love the way we dance in the back of…
Black Out "Blackout" Shonda!!! she's a problem [Snoop dog:] …
Blackout "Blackout" Shonda!!! she's a problem [Snoop dog:] Yes! Ye…
Crazy Girl [LL Cool J (Mashonda) Swizz] Crazy baby Crazy, crazy baby Yo…
Ghetto Love [LL Cool J] Damn I Miss You It's still gone ride, it's…
hold me (feat. Kanye West) Every time you were around me baby Bo…
HONEY I SEE YOU Honey, I see you looking at me I′m ready to go…
Party In The Rain (Um hum) woo oh, Swizz Beatz, E-V-E, Mashonda, Ryde Out Yo,…
Shyne Swiss, Po Respect our gangsta nigga Lay down What you know …
Take A Trip [Swizz Beatz] Beautiful day [Cassidy] It's a beautiful day […
Used To [Intro:] I gave you all of me, I didn't hesitate. But…
Wanna Be Like Him N. -is for that nigga, who keeps banging... banging O. -is…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Just living in the matrix !
Boy, if you only knew just how much I worry about you when you're out of my sight.
I be scared to death cause I know what you do.
I don't wanna get that call in the middle of the night.
[Hook:]
(It would break my heart. I'd be torn apart)
I don't ever wanna lose you to the streets.
(But the streets define who you really are)
Holding down the block is where you're gonna be cause you can't leave it alone.
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn
You're there more than you are home. (Home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
You can't leave the block alone.
Hustling till the break of dawn. (You're)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
[Verse:]
Boy, everytime I hear sirens going off my heart starts beating hella fast.
Cause one of my very biggest fears is that one day your luck will run out and they'll send you away.
[Hook:]
(It would break my heart. I'd be torn apart)
I really wish that I could keep you out the streets.
(But it's in your blood and no matter what)
Holding down the block is where you wanna be cause you can't leave it alone.
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Break of dawn)
You're there more than you are home. (Home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Baby come home)
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Hustling)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
[Rap: Jadakiss]
Huh, I know that I'm hard ma.
But you gotta have faith in the god, ma.
You'll always have a space in my heart, ma.
Long as the love never outwears the trust.
And you understand that I'm out there for us.
I'm in what I call a zone.
Starting to break me down mentally now though cause I'm there more than I'm home.
Twenty-four sev, pumping and strapping.
While you dolo in the crib thinking something could happen.
I try but I can't hide the fact, huh.
Now I need a dutch and a shot of "yak".
Try to bring it back.
Yeah, sweating like I got a fever.
Can't leave the block alone.
Can't leave you alone neither.
[Bridge:]
You've never ever punched a clock.
(You've never, ever)
Had any kind of 9 to 5.
(Never worked a 9 to 5)
So everyday I pray to GOD.
(I pray to GOD)
That one day you'll get off the block.
(Gotta get you off that block)
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (Block alone)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Break of dawn)
You're there more than you are home. (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
You can't leave the block alone. (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Ooh, woah)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Can't leave it alone)
You can't leave the block alone. (Can't leave it alone)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Ooh, woah)
You're there more than you are home. (Baby come home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (I said baby come home)
You can't leave the block alone.
Hustling till the break of dawn.
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
tfcollect 26
I had this on a mixtape years ago. Use to play it crazy, because it reminded of my girlfriend in the late 90s. How she would look so relieved when I came over her house late night after playing the streets. This put me in her head for the first time. Then I understood her in ways I never thought about. I never knew the name of the song or artist. I've searched for it, and I finally found it. It still takes me back to the 90s in Newark Nj.
Darius Thomas
This is kind of interesting,you never know just how music can translate messages
Aborigine Turtle Island G
I found it!!! Finally!!! NYS
James Cruickshank
Absolutely a banger. I remember I thought I was so cool blasting this song out my car thinking how exclusive this was and how no one new what song it was, all they new was they wanted it 😂
TheBoiwonda
What an amazing tune. Brings back memories
Just living in the matrix !
Boy, if you only knew just how much I worry about you when you're out of my sight.
I be scared to death cause I know what you do.
I don't wanna get that call in the middle of the night.
[Hook:]
(It would break my heart. I'd be torn apart)
I don't ever wanna lose you to the streets.
(But the streets define who you really are)
Holding down the block is where you're gonna be cause you can't leave it alone.
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn
You're there more than you are home. (Home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
You can't leave the block alone.
Hustling till the break of dawn. (You're)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
[Verse:]
Boy, everytime I hear sirens going off my heart starts beating hella fast.
Cause one of my very biggest fears is that one day your luck will run out and they'll send you away.
[Hook:]
(It would break my heart. I'd be torn apart)
I really wish that I could keep you out the streets.
(But it's in your blood and no matter what)
Holding down the block is where you wanna be cause you can't leave it alone.
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Break of dawn)
You're there more than you are home. (Home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Baby come home)
You can't leave the block alone. (No)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Hustling)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
[Rap: Jadakiss]
Huh, I know that I'm hard ma.
But you gotta have faith in the god, ma.
You'll always have a space in my heart, ma.
Long as the love never outwears the trust.
And you understand that I'm out there for us.
I'm in what I call a zone.
Starting to break me down mentally now though cause I'm there more than I'm home.
Twenty-four sev, pumping and strapping.
While you dolo in the crib thinking something could happen.
I try but I can't hide the fact, huh.
Now I need a dutch and a shot of "yak".
Try to bring it back.
Yeah, sweating like I got a fever.
Can't leave the block alone.
Can't leave you alone neither.
[Bridge:]
You've never ever punched a clock.
(You've never, ever)
Had any kind of 9 to 5.
(Never worked a 9 to 5)
So everyday I pray to GOD.
(I pray to GOD)
That one day you'll get off the block.
(Gotta get you off that block)
[Chorus:]
You can't leave the block alone. (Block alone)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Break of dawn)
You're there more than you are home. (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
You can't leave the block alone. (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Ooh, woah)
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (Can't leave it alone)
You can't leave the block alone. (Can't leave it alone)
Hustling till the break of dawn. (Ooh, woah)
You're there more than you are home. (Baby come home)
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone. (I said baby come home)
You can't leave the block alone.
Hustling till the break of dawn.
You're there more than you are home.
Can't leave it alone.
Can't leave it alone.
His_Princess
Daaaamn she's underated ! Omg this track tough & heartfelt 🙌🏽
Orgcoldblooded
I like Jada on this, he's a real one and I can respect that.I like the song the way it is.
Larry Alston
They should re-release this song
Nicquestishia Weaver
I love this song thanks for posting...