Hailing from … Read Full Bio ↴Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is a rap group from the 1990s.
Hailing from "Money Earnin'" Mount Vernon, New York, this DJ-MC duo first made noise in the rap world on the 1991 EP, All Souled Out. It sold moderately well enough to justify Elektra Records clearing the way for 1992's Mecca & the Soul Brother LP.
As a producer, DJ Pete Rock (Peter Phillips) tended to prefer obscure soul and jazz sides for sample sources, frequently making use of horn-driven hooks. Lead vocalist C.L. Smooth (Corey Penn) tended to be philosophical in his raps, and he mostly avoided profanity. Their signature hit was βThey Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)β, a dirge for fallen friends, specifically, Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon, a dancer for fellow Mount Vernon, New York rapper and cousin of Pete Rock, Heavy D. (Dwight Myers).
1994's The Main Ingredient was the follow up, and they appeared on a string of guest appearances for remixes, soundtracks, and other works. Public Enemy, EPMD, Heavy D and Johnny Gill were among the artists they collaborated with, and they can also claim credit for producing (and performing on) Run-DMCβs 1993 comeback single 'Down with the King'. Despite all this, the duo failed to go gold on any of their own releases.
Separating in 1995 (shortly after a well-received Sprite TV commercial), they eventually reunited on a handful of cuts from Pete Rockβs solo recordings: Soul Survivor (1998), PeteStrumentals (2001) and Soul Survivor II (2004). They also went on a brief reunion tour as a warm up for their then-anticipated new album, which ended with a show at London's famous Jazz Cafe. Despite these intermittent collaborations, the pair has exchanged dismissive comments toward each other in separate interviews, disavowing plans for a full-fledged reunion.
Their compilation, The Best of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth: Good Life, was released on Elektra in 2003.
It's On You
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On you ("mad and stuff because they don't have cash")
On you ("when I roll and stroll, cool always pack a tool")
On you ("just in case a brother acts a fool")
It's death before dishonor
Strap the vest down tight when you bring the drama
Now raise up off mine, and taste it in the raw
Nightmares of thirsty crooks, niggas all acting fishy working off the books
Painting pictures of poverty, causing armed robbery
And if provoke every last one gets smoked
No doubt for real it's like wildlife
Where thugs forever pull caps and always keep a knife
Cause on the strip warefare's inevitable, hot steel's incredible
And it's a pride the revolution won't be televised
As I supply and demand, as I build my currency to expand, call it progress
When I bless my territory all respect due
But can niggas keep it real? it's on you
On you ("smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash")
On you ("mad and stuff because they don't have cash")
On you ("when I roll and stroll, cool always pack a tool")
On you ("just in case a brother acts a fool")
Step into the dragon's lair, where cl's the don and pete's the creator
Now praise the most high and represent the best
Cause the number one killer of black men is stress
The armed and dangerous, the bulletproof
Couldn't stop the homicide of another youth
Penetrating your body parts with hollow point shells, you fraud
Cause vengence is mine said the lord, indeed
My own click now turns greedy
Out of twelve of my soldiers, one will decieve me
With salt in the game, shame the family and push
My black ass straight into a terrifying ambush
The whole empire's at stake
Mastering the streets, devil the mental won't break and turn snake
For pete's sake you gotta be true to the crew
So if niggas want to set it, it's on you
On you ("smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash")
On you ("mad and stuff because they don't have cash")
On you ("when I roll and stroll, cool always pack a tool")
On you ("just in case a brother acts a fool")
Capture the beast within me, beware when it's moving deep in new york city
The diabolical gangster chronicle mob scenes in all directions
The type of connections to get your wig split
Submit the wanted signs posted, chickens spots for major knots you get
Toasted
To the head piece, I release firepower, only I'm controlling
We put in work and got the right brothers rolling
When hell kicks off we lick off
Keeping mine hard like stone from the red zone, to each his own
Smile in my face behind my back you talk trash
But my pockets hit empty and my lexus crashed
But not in your wildest dreams
Hear my name in all the scandals and all the schemes, I rest in queens
The veronville's my capital, so memorize the cuts
Then give you two more seconds to get off these nuts, it's on you
On you ("smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash")
On you ("mad and stuff because they don't have cash")
On you ("when I roll and stroll, cool always pack a tool")
On you ("just in case a brother acts a fool")
Check it, grap luva, if you're in the house
Just get on the mic and show 'em what it's all about
It's all about the wicked check one two
Cause I rips a microphone and pass it to my crew
I don't drink no brew, I smoke nuff spliffs, I don't have no riffs
So check me as I shoot the gift
Rip rhymes, freestyle rhymes
Off top of the dome every time
I'm glad this shit is going on tape
So I can escape into the beat and make nuff papes
Word to god, kicking nuff freestyle rhymes
The song "It's on You" by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is a powerful track that addresses themes of betrayal, violence, and power struggles. The lyrics delve into the harsh realities of life in inner-city America, where one has to constantly look out for themselves and their crew. The chorus, "On you," references how people smile in your face but talk behind your back or get mad when they don't have money. The verses talk about the necessity to protect oneself and how death before dishonor is a way of life. The rappers reflect on how they have to keep a cool and collected demeanor and be armed just in case anyone acts foolishly. They also touch on the stresses faced by African American men in particular, being the number one victims of stress-related homicides.
The track paints a vivid picture of the kind of chaos that one has to deal with on the street. The verses reference armed robberies, sneaky informants, and the constant threat of gun violence. They also speak on the importance of loyalty and how betrayal could be a deadly mistake. The final verse ends with a freestyle section by Grap Luva, highlighting the importance of creativity and expression in the face of adversity.
Overall, "It's on You" is a powerful and well-crafted song that sheds light on the challenges faced by people living in challenging environments, urging them to stay strong and keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
On you ("smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash")
People talk behind your back while pretending to be your friends
On you ("mad and stuff because they don't have cash")
People get upset because they don't have money
On you ("when I roll and stroll, cool always pack a tool")
Always carry a weapon for protection
On you ("just in case a brother acts a fool")
Be prepared to defend yourself if someone acts foolishly
It's death before dishonor
It's better to die than to bring shame or disgrace upon oneself or one's crew
Strap the vest down tight when you bring the drama
Be prepared for danger and wear protective gear
Now raise up off mine, and taste it in the raw
Back off and experience the truth without any added embellishments
Before snipers on the floor galore, in my hardware store
Before there are countless bodies on the floor, like items for sale in a store
Nightmares of thirsty crooks, niggas all acting fishy working off the books
Fears of desperate criminals and shady people working off the grid
Painting pictures of poverty, causing armed robbery
Depicting images of poverty leads to crimes like robbery
And if provoke every last one gets smoked
If pushed too far, everyone will be taken out
No doubt for real it's like wildlife
It's extremely dangerous, like the wilderness
Where thugs forever pull caps and always keep a knife
Where violent criminals shoot and stab to maintain power
Cause on the strip warefare's inevitable, hot steel's incredible
Violence is expected on the street and weapons are impressive
And it's a pride the revolution won't be televised
The struggle for change won't be shown on TV, but it's still important
As I supply and demand, as I build my currency to expand, call it progress
Growing financially is seen as progress
When I bless my territory all respect due
When I claim my area, others show respect
But can niggas keep it real? it's on you
But can people stay honest? It's up to them
Step into the dragon's lair, where cl's the don and pete's the creator
Enter a dangerous place, where CL is the leader and Pete is the creator
Now praise the most high and represent the best
Honor God and do your best
Cause the number one killer of black men is stress
Stress is the biggest problem facing black men
The armed and dangerous, the bulletproof
The people who are armed and have protection
Couldn't stop the homicide of another youth
Couldn't prevent the killing of a young person
Penetrating your body parts with hollow point shells, you fraud
Shooting with deadly bullets aimed at vital body parts makes you a liar
Cause vengence is mine said the lord, indeed
God is the one who will carry out revenge, not humans
My own click now turns greedy
Even my own group is becoming selfish
Out of twelve of my soldiers, one will decieve me
Out of my trusted followers, one will betray me
With salt in the game, shame the family and push
Adding complications and shame to the situation
My black ass straight into a terrifying ambush
Leading me straight into a deadly trap
The whole empire's at stake
The entire group's future is in danger
Mastering the streets, devil the mental won't break and turn snake
Controlling the environment without becoming corrupt
For pete's sake you gotta be true to the crew
For the sake of solidarity, stay loyal to the group
So if niggas want to set it, it's on you
If people want to start trouble, it's up to you to handle it
Capture the beast within me, beware when it's moving deep in new york city
Control the violent side of myself when in dangerous areas of NYC
The diabolical gangster chronicle mob scenes in all directions
The dangerous criminal world is active in many areas
The type of connections to get your wig split
Associations with the wrong people can get you killed
Submit the wanted signs posted, chickens spots for major knots you get
Surrender yourself if there's a reward for your capture or you'll be killed
Toasted to the head piece, I release firepower, only I'm controlling
Shooting to kill is serious, it's done methodically
We put in work and got the right brothers rolling
We've worked hard and assembled the right people
When hell kicks off we lick off
When violence starts, we start shooting
Keeping mine hard like stone from the red zone, to each his own
We keep our minds tough in dangerous areas, everyone is different
But my pockets hit empty and my lexus crashed
But when I'm broke and my car breaks down
But not in your wildest dreams
But it's hard to believe
Hear my name in all the scandals and all the schemes, I rest in queens
Hearing my name associated with all kinds of criminal activity, but I'm still in Queens
The veronville's my capital, so memorize the cuts
Veronville is where I control, know where to avoid
Then give you two more seconds to get off these nuts, it's on you
Then I'll give you a couple more seconds before taking action, the choice is yours
Check it, grap luva, if you're in the house
Listen up, Grap Luva, if you're here
Just get on the mic and show 'em what it's all about
Just start rapping and demonstrate your skills
It's all about the wicked check one two
It's all about having an impressive flow
Cause I rips a microphone and pass it to my crew
Because I'm great on the mic and share the opportunity with my group
I don't drink no brew, I smoke nuff spliffs, I don't have no riffs
I don't drink alcohol, I smoke a lot of marijuana, and I don't cause problems
So check me as I shoot the gift
Watch me as I showcase my talent
Rip rhymes, freestyle rhymes
Spit hot rhymes and come up with them on the spot
Off top of the dome every time
Completely improvised every time
I'm glad this shit is going on tape
I'm glad this is being recorded
So I can escape into the beat and make nuff papes
So I can lose myself in the rhythm and make a lot of money
Word to god, kicking nuff freestyle rhymes
I swear to God, rapping with impressive freestyle rhymes
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COREY PENN, PETE PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Arealist815
CL Smooth doesn't get the credit he deserves. His smooth delivery and clever rhymes makes him one of best emcees the game has ever seen.
@ituryshomo7440
YES THIS IS BROTHER SMOOTH BUT ROUGH C.L. ALWAYS BEEN TIGHT AND YOUR RIGHT HE'S NOT RECOGNIZED AND HE SHOULD BE, STRAIGHTEN IT OUT WAS MY INTRODUCTION TO THE DUO AND BEEN BUMPING THEM EVER SINCE!!!!!!
@SonOfaBerg
Without the shadow of a doubt
@user-ie3gx6tj8j
@@ituryshomo7440 pl
@petercarpio389
One of Pete Rocks lesser known gems. This beat is pure hip hop ecstasy. A dope drum break, those crisp but dirty sounding hi hats, and a great piano sample from an Ahmad Jamal record. Just amazing music here. Props to CL Smooth for doing the beat justice.
@23dgoudeau
You know your music
@cassidyerickson7408
Just a perfect explanation brotha.
@cheesedon1
Do you know which Ahmad Jamal record it is or which songs have the same sample? Sounds familiar
@petercarpio389
OmniSaint Ahmad Jamal - The Awakening, around the 1 minute mark.
@cheesedon1
Thank you very much!