Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is a rap group from the 1990s.

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 “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”, 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-DMC’s 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 Rock’s 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.

Soul Brother #1
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"He's a SWEET soul brother"

Soul Brother #1, here I come on the new tip
Nestle coated right, cause I'm rich thick and chocolate
Plug up any mic I'll bet you Pete Rock'll spark it
Hons always ask what's the bulge in my pocket
I tell em, "Papes," I rock them top to bottom
Never hesitate to say ("Mmm I got them")

Oppressed on the Hillside, over on the chill-side
Of town, so let's get down
Funky is the word describe this Brother on a Soul mission
Hookin rugged joints, more Soul than the Soul Kitchen
CL doesn't scratch, so I won't leave you itchin
White people even say, "Pete Rock is bitchin"
Harder than the hardest, odder than the oddest
I guess that's just because I'm smarter than the smartest
So back up, clear the path hon cause here I come
Soul Brother #1

I hit harder than a kick, quick to scoop a chick
When it comes to skinz, Pete Rock got it thick
I'm not your average, everyday, one-two to the beat
And don't stop, bust the shit I drop
New style for the 90's Pete Rock's a trendsetter
I'd just be lyin if I said there's someone better
You can ask Greta, Greta with the red Jetta
Honey did me lovely and I'm glad that I met her
I come style after style, sucker MC's try to swallow
But them seem to say my style's too hard to follow
So just raise your hand and give praise to the #1
Soul Brother, who keeps the crowd in a daze
Pete Rock, and CL Smooth and if it ain't our groove
Then you might not move
Remember, cause there's no need to worry none
Yo, Soul Brother #1

Soul Brother #1

Nuff respect to my man Grand Puba
Nuff respect to my man BizMarkie
Nuff respect to my man CL Smooth
Nuff respect to EPMD
I'm like high octane, with everything to gain
Those who try to step to this can catch pain
I keep a mag in the trunk of my Jag, in case some punk fag
Wants to catch one bad
Soul Brother #1, and I didn't come to riff
The finesse I posess will make the hardest unstiff
I'm full of motivation handle any situation
Hon said I'm so smooth they should call me lubrication
Mr. Splendor, a good back bender
Honies always say, Pete love me tender

Call on Pete Rock, CL Smooth if you want the job done
Soul Brother #1

Overall Meaning

In the song "Soul Brother #1" by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, the lyrics "He's a sweet soul brother" suggests the talented and confident personality of the lead singer, Pete Rock. The song focuses on Pete Rock's skills as a rapper and his innovation in the industry. He describes himself as unique in his craft, filled with motivation and positivity, and he can conquer any challenge thrown his way. Pete Rock turns his competition into imitators since they can't match his rhythm and style; he creates a new trend for the '90s, making himself and CL Smooth a trendsetter.

Pete Rock’s relevance in the rap industry is apparent in the song. He has proved his worth by collaborating with big names such as Grand Puba, BizMarkie, and EPMD. The song highlights Pete Rock's essential art form within the hip-hop culture, the art of freestyling as he raps with ease, showing a spontaneous and innovative talent. Poetry in motion and with each new line, Pete Rock shows why he is the king of the Soul Brothers. In general, this song is an ode to his achievements, from beats to seamless freestyles, making him a respected figure in the hip-hop industry.

Line by Line Meaning

Soul Brother #1, here I come on the new tip
I am here to proclaim myself as Soul Brother #1 with an exceptional new skillset

Nestle coated right, cause I'm rich thick and chocolate
My style is smooth and creamy, just like a Nestle bar

Plug up any mic I'll bet you Pete Rock'll spark it
I am confident in my ability to light up any microphone

Hons always ask what's the bulge in my pocket
Women are curious about what's in my pocket

I tell em, "Papes," I rock them top to bottom
I tell them I have money and I flaunt it

Never hesitate to say ("Mmm I got them")
I never hesitate to boast about my riches

Oppressed on the Hillside, over on the chill-side
I am a victim of oppression in a place where people are calm

Of town, so let's get down
Let's start the music and get grooving

Funky is the word describe this Brother on a Soul mission
I have a funky style and I am dedicated to soul music

Hookin rugged joints, more Soul than the Soul Kitchen
I am able to create soulful music that is both rough and authentic

CL doesn't scratch, so I won't leave you itchin
CL doesn't scratch records, so I will not cause any irritation

White people even say, "Pete Rock is bitchin"
Even white people agree that I am cool

Harder than the hardest, odder than the oddest
My style is extremely hard and distinct

I guess that's just because I'm smarter than the smartest
My intelligence is the reason why my style is unique

So back up, clear the path hon cause here I come
Give me some space, because I will assert myself with confidence

Soul Brother #1
I am the top soul brother

I hit harder than a kick, quick to scoop a chick
I am aggressive in picking up women

When it comes to skinz, Pete Rock got it thick
I have a lot of options when it comes to women

I'm not your average, everyday, one-two to the beat
My style is unique and not like the average hip-hop beat

And don't stop, bust the shit I drop
I am determined to keep delivering my music with no breaks

New style for the 90's Pete Rock's a trendsetter
I am introducing a new style of music in the 90s and setting trends

I'd just be lyin if I said there's someone better
I am confident in my abilities and know that no one is better than me

You can ask Greta, Greta with the red Jetta
Ask anyone, such as Greta, who owns a red Jetta, and they will agree

Honey did me lovely and I'm glad that I met her
I met a lovely lady and I am glad I did

I come style after style, sucker MC's try to swallow
I am versatile in my style and other rappers try to imitate me

But them seem to say my style's too hard to follow
Others realize that my unique style is difficult to copy

So just raise your hand and give praise to the #1
Show some love if you agree that I am the best

Soul Brother, who keeps the crowd in a daze
I am Soul Brother #1 who has the power to mesmerize a crowd

Pete Rock, and CL Smooth and if it ain't our groove
We are Pete Rock and CL Smooth and if you don't like our music

Then you might not move
Then you might not feel like dancing

Remember, cause there's no need to worry none
Don't worry, everything will be alright

Yo, Soul Brother #1
Another shoutout to myself as Soul Brother #1

Nuff respect to my man Grand Puba
Respect to Grand Puba

Nuff respect to my man BizMarkie
Respect to BizMarkie

Nuff respect to my man CL Smooth
Respect to my partner CL Smooth

Nuff respect to EPMD
Respect to EPMD

I'm like high octane, with everything to gain
I am full of energy and eager to succeed

Those who try to step to this can catch pain
I warn those who try to challenge me that they will face the consequences

I keep a mag in the trunk of my Jag, in case some punk fag
I carry a gun in my car in case someone tries to attack me

Wants to catch one bad
Wants to harm me

Soul Brother #1, and I didn't come to riff
I am Soul Brother #1, and I am not here to argue

The finesse I posess will make the hardest unstiff
I am so smooth that I can make even the most stubborn person comply

I'm full of motivation handle any situation
I am highly motivated and can handle any situation that comes my way

Hon said I'm so smooth they should call me lubrication
A woman said I am so smooth that I should be called lubrication

Mr. Splendor, a good back bender
I am Mr. Splendor, and I am good at pleasing women

Honies always say, Pete love me tender
Women always say that I am tender and loving

Call on Pete Rock, CL Smooth if you want the job done
Call on us if you want the job to be done right

Soul Brother #1
I am still Soul Brother #1

Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COREY PENN, PETE PHILLIPS, MAXWELL DIXON, Peter Phillips

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Jake

3y↑28

This beat so damn creative… mad props to Pete Rock

Daniel Watts

4y↑42

Pete made daaaamn' sure he got his moneys worth out that SP-1200 . . . definitely pushed that beat box to it's limits

CEEPMDEE

2y↑5

MAN! I ALWAYS LOVED this song since the first time i listened to this album back in 1992. Even when I saw Pete Rock in Mount Vernon a few years ago, I shouted out "SOUL BROTHER! What's up?" as I drove by. Cool brother in person, once played against him on X-Men VS Streetfighter in the old PLAYLAND arcade in Time Square back in like 1996.