The name OPM, according to the band's frontman John E. Necro, is an abbreviation of the phrase "Open People's Minds". This was stated during an interview with MarijuanaRadio.com.
Their debut single "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" charted world wide. Both their debut single and album, Menace to Sobriety were released on Atlantic Records in September 2000. In 2002, they signed to Suburban Noize Records who released three album and two EPs.
Their second album, ForThemAsses, was released in June 2004. The album was produced by OPM and Steve Gallagher. Their third album was California Poppy, released in July 2006. OPM released their fourth album, Golden State Of Mind in September 2008.
Reality Check
OPM Lyrics
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With brothas smokin' on there
Damn we rollin
Hadnin' the mic
Till we decide about the safe life
California where I raised till this very day
Everyday a hundred miles an hour
Cause my soul's been devoured
Never looked up above
And push came to shove
As it usually does
Keepin' with these thugs
Doin' all of these drugs with no means of direction
Infection
But here's my objection
Rejection
By your whole congregation
With no empathy for my situation
No place in society that's my reality
Angry don't know who's the enemy
I'm in deep
Underneath the streets
It's hard to creep from city to city
With all these hitters and the heat
Killin' me stealin from me
Makes no sense to me
So I keep it tight with the homies in the family
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
We're all smokin
Tryin' broken homes
Chokin' locos
For pesos
Slingin' dope by the case os
Smokin' cocos
Laced with dope and opium
Cities for niggaz causin' fuckin' pandemonium
Cottonmouth
Bustin' tracks from kid kreation
Me and the artists who performed the hardest collaberations
Born and raised in the golden state
Servin' up some dinner
For southern county serial
Imperial
Superial lyrical
Opium den
Evolution of man
For your political pollution
There's no solution for these county criminal minds
Just subliminal rhymes
Hypnotizing mankind
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
Here's a reality check from the streets of califonia
See california the major growth industry
Are private security and penitentiary
Risin from the
Post war economies
That's why the pigs got my homies down on their knees
Lined up against the walls
So the community can see
That the po po won't go away
So please now
Open up your eyes and realize
The land of sunny skies
Disguised as paradise
Is a lie
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
Here's a reality check from the streets of california
Keep your eyes wide open to what's really goin' on yo
Things ain't always what they seem
Things ain't always what they seem
The song "Reality Check" by OPM talks about the reality of life in Southern California, particularly the struggles of young people caught up in the drug scene. The lyrics touch on themes of desperation, hopelessness, and disillusionment with society. The opening lines describe a scene of young men smoking and rolling dice, giving us a glimpse into their daily lives. The singer of the song, who grew up in California, talks about how the fast-paced, destructive lifestyle has taken a toll on his soul. He describes feeling lost and directionless, caught up in drugs and violence with no escape in sight. He talks about the rejection he has faced from society and the difficulty of finding a place for himself. The chorus of the song is an admonition to keep one's eyes open and to remember that things are not always as they seem. The harsh reality of life in California is a recurring theme throughout the song.
The song offers a commentary on the social issues that plague Southern California, such as drug addiction, crime, and the machinations of the prison-industrial complex. It presents a stark picture of life in Southern California, where many young people are caught in a cycle of poverty and crime that seems impossible to escape from. The song is a call to action, urging listeners to face the harsh reality of life in California and to work towards creating a better future for themselves and their communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Reality check from southern california
A reminder of the harsh truths that exist in Southern California
With brothas smokin' on there damn we rollin
Enjoying the company of others who are smoking
Hadnin' the mic till we decide about the safe life
Holding onto the microphone until a safe life is possible
California where I raised till this very day
The place where the artist was raised and still resides
Hell to pay for the ways of the blaze
Negative consequences for the use of drugs
Everyday a hundred miles an hour
Living life at a hectic pace
Cause my soul's been devoured
Feeling like something has taken away the singer's spirit
Never looked up above
Ignoring the world around them
And push came to shove as it usually does
When a difficult situation became unavoidable
Keepin' with these thugs
Staying with a group of people who may not have the best influence
Doin' all of these drugs with no means of direction
Using drugs without a clear purpose or goal in mind
Infection
The negative impact of drug use on the artist
But here's my objection
A complaint about the circumstances in which they find themselves
Rejection by your whole congregation
Feeling alienated from others who don't understand your situation
With no empathy for my situation
Feeling like others can't relate to what the singer is going through
No place in society that's my reality
Feeling like they don't fit in with society's norms
Angry don't know who's the enemy
Feeling frustrated and uncertain about who to blame for their problems
I'm in deep underneath the streets
Feeling trapped in a difficult situation with no clear way out
It's hard to creep from city to city
Finding it difficult to navigate different areas
With all these hitters and the heat killin' me stealin from me
Dealing with violence and theft from others
Makes no sense to me
Feeling confused about why things are happening
So I keep it tight with the homies in the family
Staying close to those who offer support and solidarity
We're all smokin tryin' broken homes chokin' locos for pesos
Using drugs as a way to deal with difficult circumstances
Slingin' dope by the case os smokin' cocos
Participating in drug dealing and use
Laced with dope and opium
Drugs being mixed with other substances
Cities for niggaz causin' fuckin' pandemonium
Chaos and disorder caused by the actions of certain individuals
Cottonmouth
Experiencing the physical effects of drug use
Bustin' tracks from kid kreation
Creating music with the intention of expressing oneself and one's experiences
Me and the artists who performed the hardest collaberations
Collaborating with other artists who understand the struggle
Born and raised in the golden state
A reminder of where the singer comes from
Servin' up some dinner for southern county serial imperial superial lyrical opium den
Painting a picture of the kind of place where drug use and dealing is common
Evolution of man for your political pollution
A critique of the political system and its impact on society
There's no solution for these county criminal minds just subliminal rhymes
Feeling like there is no clear solution to the crime and drug culture in the area
Hypnotizing mankind
A warning about the dangerous effects of manipulation and propaganda
See california the major growth industry are private security and penitentiary
Commenting on the ways in which the criminal justice system has become a major industry in California
Risin from the post war economies
Connects the growth of this industry to larger societal trends
That's why the pigs got my homies down on their knees
The singer's friends are being oppressed by the police because of the criminal justice industry and the war on drugs
Lined up against the walls so the community can see
Highlighting the public nature of this oppression
That the po po won't go away
Feeling like the police presence will never change
So please now open up your eyes and realize
A call to action for everyone to pay attention to the realities of life in Southern California
The land of sunny skies disguised as paradise is a lie
The negative aspects of life in the area are being overlooked in favor of a false image of paradise
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SCOTT DEMOTT, JOHN CHARLES EDNEY, MATTHEW THOMAS MESCHERY, GEOFFREY H TURNEY, BRADY WILMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind