1. The first alia… Read Full Bio ↴N.R.G. was the name of two different music groups:
1. The first alias of Neil Rumney, working within the sounds of early breakbeat hardcore, techno and acid. His first releases were on Chill Records in 1991, during the ever growing rave scene at the time, before releasing such classics as "I Need Your Lovin" and "He Never Lost His Hardcore". Another alias he went under at the time was Liquid Crystal, in which in 1993, he released "The Chromatic EP" and "The Chromatic EP II". These 12"'s are some of the most highly sought after hardcore EPs today. Later on in the mid 1990s, Neil began to produce under such names as "Trotters Independent Traders" and "Summer Junkies" resulting from his love of wanting to experiment with the different styles of house music. The Trotters’ later sound was to influence many to produce similar styles, and help to fuel the Bassline scene, that after a few years has now enjoyed great chart success in the UK.
2. Hard Rock band from the 80's, most well known for their contribution to the 1986 movie: Transformers: The Movie's original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Transformers The Movie. Released one full length album in 2001 NRG2 Transformed that consists of a remastered version of the song "Instruments of Destruction" (from the '86 Transformers film) and previously unreleased material recorded in the mid-80's; limited to 1000 copies. Can be purchased (if available) here:
http://www.daville.com/transmain.html
Promised Land
N.R.G. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
Then they gave us some crack
And they gave us the time too
They promised land to our people well we was lied to
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
And they gave us the time too
When a slave gets freedom what does it really mean
The playing field ain't level equality don't mean anything
Equity what we fighting for
Recklessly we been driving directions that's looking cyclical
The message that it's time to grow
It's time to show us who we are and where we come from
Our lineage is unsung, watch history get undone
With truth spilled that they concealed they tried to make us run from
The truth is that you mirror the God of which we come from
It's so egregious they stole our leaders we left for dead
The children needed they fathers threw em in special ed
Then gave them ritalin fiddling with they special edge
We don't consider the trauma that's messing with they head
Our whole history in this country we lied to
Hard to believe in the government when u tried to
They made promises the fruit of which has yet gleaned
And never followed thru on Special Order number 15
They promised land to our people well we was lied to
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
Then they gave us some crack
And they gave us the time too
They promised land to our people well we was lied to
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
Then they gave us some crack
And they gave us the time too
That's times 2 if ya skin brown nigga I knew
That black boys an endangered species and that wasn't no haiku
My momma told me but I believed it cuz I observed
My skin color define me sometimes more than my words
That never sat well but I have tales
As a black man it's a coin toss
Get pulled over get ya cap peeled
It might sound sick but that's real
It's a sad truth that we gotta face
If you know you know and you have to feel
It's so unfortunate my soul scorching how could it be
Our fall from greatness relates to us marching in the streets
It's all connected we disrespected because we great
Fathers get put in a box mothers on section 8
I see a plan you might see a conspiracy
Reverse engineer it's apparent they biggest fear is me
They'll probably try to convince you that this is heresy
The truth ain't black and white my finding is that it's clear to see
They promised land to our people but we was lied to
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
Then they gave us some crack
and they gave us the time too
In "Promised Land" by N.R.G., the lyrics speak to the broken promises and systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities, particularly Black people in the United States. The song highlights how the system is not truly broken, but rather working as it was designed to oppress and marginalize certain groups.
The lyrics begin by emphasizing the broken promises made to their community, symbolized by the idea of being promised land but ultimately being lied to. This suggests that the authorities and systems in place have consistently failed to deliver on their commitments and have instead perpetuated discrimination and oppression.
The mention of labeling Black people as criminals and introducing crack cocaine reflects the systemic targeting and criminalization that has disproportionately affected Black communities. By giving them crack and imposing harsh sentences, the system further perpetuated the cycle of inequality and incarceration.
The lyrics then delve into the topic of freedom for slaves, suggesting that even after gaining freedom, the playing field remains heavily tilted against them. Equality is seen as insufficient, as true progress requires equity, or the distribution of resources and opportunities in a fair and just manner.
The song also touches on the erasure of African American history and the attempts to hide or manipulate the truth. The lyrics imply that by acknowledging and embracing their lineage and shared history, marginalized communities can challenge the distortions and falsehoods that have been imposed upon them.
The next paragraph reflects on the systematic undermining of Black leadership and the neglect of African American children's educational needs. By mentioning the placement of fathers in special education and the prescription of medication (ritalin), the lyrics highlight the dismissive and damaging approaches taken within the education system.
The last section of the song continues to emphasize the lies and manipulation faced by marginalized communities. The lyrics touch on the reality of racial profiling and the constant threat and danger faced by Black men, encapsulated by the line "Get pulled over get ya cap peeled." The song ultimately calls for recognition of the larger plan at play and urges listeners to question and challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality and attempt to suppress their greatness.
Overall, "Promised Land" by N.R.G. is a powerful critique of systemic injustice, exposing the broken promises, racial profiling, educational neglect, and the overall manipulation faced by marginalized communities, particularly Black people, in the United States. The lyrics urge listeners to confront these truths, challenge the status quo, and seek meaningful change.
Line by Line Meaning
They promised land to our people we got lied to
Our community was promised a better future, but those promises turned out to be false.
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
The system is not malfunctioning; it is functioning exactly as it was intended to.
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
They deliberately identified us as black and then criminalized our existence.
Then they gave us some crack and they gave us the time too
To further oppress us, they introduced drugs into our communities and handed out severe prison sentences.
When a slave gets freedom what does it really mean
The concept of freedom becomes ambiguous for a former slave, as the playing field remains uneven.
The playing field ain't level equality don't mean anything
Equality is meaningless when the circumstances and opportunities are not the same for everyone.
Equity what we fighting for
We are fighting for fairness and justice, not just equality.
Recklessly we been driving directions that's looking cyclical
We have been blindly following a path that leads us back to the same oppressive cycles.
The message that it's time to grow
There is a call for us to evolve and progress as a community.
It's time to show us who we are and where we come from
We need to embrace and celebrate our heritage and understand our true identity.
Our lineage is unsung, watch history get undone
Our ancestral legacy has been overlooked and ignored, but it is time for it to be acknowledged and reclaimed.
With truth spilled that they concealed they tried to make us run from
They have hidden and suppressed the truth, attempting to make us turn away from our history.
The truth is that you mirror the God of which we come from
We possess the divine essence of our ancestors, and it is important to recognize that.
It's so egregious they stole our leaders we left for dead
They have maliciously taken away our influential figures and left our community in a state of despair.
The children needed they fathers threw em in special ed
Instead of providing proper support, they placed our children with their fathers in special education, neglecting their potential.
Then gave them ritalin fiddling with they special edge
To further manipulate and control them, they administered medications like Ritalin that affected their unique abilities.
We don't consider the trauma that's messing with they head
We fail to acknowledge the psychological damage caused by the traumatic experiences they endure.
Our whole history in this country we lied to
Throughout our entire history in this country, we have been consistently deceived.
Hard to believe in the government when u tried to
It is difficult to trust the government when they have continuously failed us.
They made promises the fruit of which has yet gleaned
They made promises, but we have yet to see any positive outcomes or benefits from them.
And never followed thru on Special Order number 15
They failed to uphold Special Order number 15, which promised land and reparations to freed slaves.
That's times 2 if ya skin brown nigga I knew
If your skin is brown, the disadvantages and discrimination multiply, and I am well aware of this truth.
That black boys an endangered species and that wasn't no haiku
Black boys are facing a serious threat, comparable to an endangered species, and this is not a poetic exaggeration.
My momma told me but I believed it cuz I observed
Although my mother warned me, I only truly understood and accepted it when I witnessed it firsthand.
My skin color define me sometimes more than my words
Often, society judges and defines me solely based on my skin color, overshadowing the power of my words.
That never sat well but I have tales
I have always felt unease about this reality, and I have personal stories that illustrate it.
As a black man it's a coin toss
As a black man, my fate and safety are left to chance, like a flip of a coin.
Get pulled over get ya cap peeled
When stopped by the police, there is a constant fear of violence and harm.
It might sound sick but that's real
It may be unsettling to hear, but it is the harsh reality we face.
It's a sad truth that we gotta face
We must confront the unfortunate reality that surrounds us.
If you know you know and you have to feel
If you are familiar with our experiences, you understand the gravity of it and cannot escape the emotions it evokes.
It's so unfortunate my soul scorching how could it be
The deep sadness and anguish I feel is overwhelming, and I question how such injustice could exist.
Our fall from greatness relates to us marching in the streets
Our decline in societal standing is directly linked to our protest and activism on the streets.
It's all connected we disrespected because we great
The oppression and disrespect we face stem from the fear of our greatness and potential.
Fathers get put in a box mothers on section 8
Fathers are unjustly imprisoned, while mothers are confined to low-income housing through the Section 8 program.
I see a plan you might see a conspiracy
I perceive an intentional scheme, while you may view it as a mere conspiracy.
Reverse engineer it's apparent they biggest fear is me
Analyzing the situation from a different perspective reveals that their greatest fear is my empowerment and success.
They'll probably try to convince you that this is heresy
They will likely attempt to discredit this viewpoint by labeling it as heretical or blasphemous.
The truth ain't black and white my finding is that it's clear to see
The truth is complex and nuanced, but upon careful examination, it becomes evident and undeniable.
They promised land to our people but we was lied to
We were deceived with promises of a better future for our community.
The system ain't broke it's working how it's designed to
The system is not malfunctioning; it is functioning exactly as it was intended to.
So they labeled us black then they made it a crime too
They deliberately identified us as black and proceeded to criminalize our very existence.
Then they gave us some crack and they gave us the time too
To further oppress us, they introduced drugs into our communities and handed out severe prison sentences.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Diante Brooks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@malworld.5535
The breaks are intense, and love that pad at 4:41.
@chrisconteh6418
this tune is mental.love it.
@monsieurwoild1855
love it - thanks Robbie Long for introducing this to me in 92
@AnonymousWaz
monsieur woild Welcome to Fantazia!
@ARCEYE78
this is one crazy ass tune....LOVE IT MATE!!!!!
@heavysystemsinc.
My fave NRG track.
@paulsmith8693
Stu Allen used to bang this out.. for all the Northerners out there!!
@squidslice8384
LOL
@matthewstubbs5786
Large
@randyj420
Neil Rumney keeping ish real with wacky use of sample and playful jamz. What early rave was all about - and should still be about. Big ups. The 8 thumbs down should have their thumbs cut off.