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.
Sun Won't Come Out
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming to box, and flooded with rocks
We'll get down for mine, the kind that makes cement feel us
Standing in the company of killers
Follow my trail as I walk through the valley of death
Left, to fear no evil, cause what I grip is legal
I'm hot like yard, the point guard of this group, on the loop
Never your right, raising all your game type tonight
You'd think it took a Bob Marley spliff to get here
Front to rear God of the drugs that you're hearing
While my neighbors say we need to be jailed for rackateering
Now appearing, Pete Rock and CL Smooth to the jugular
Now you got Mecca and the Soul Brother
Slightly, you might raise a hair of doubt
But if we don't rock the spot, The Sun Won't Come Out
Check it out, without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Without Anger in the Nation
Yo, without Mecca and the Soul Brother
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
You know we can't Reminisce
If we don't Straighten It Out
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Un-chained heat, I hustle on the street or beat
To keep you on the edge of your seat, you consumer
A QB-like Boomer, the ultimate team
But if I wake up in another woman's bed, I'mma scream
I'm settin up shop pop to overthrow Castro
Chokin over Noriega's Garcia Vegas
Guess who supplies the pies and dope triples
Now she leaks ass cheeks, pearly whites and titty nipples
Would CL ever trick loot on PC?
Even if I never had sonny boy I disagree
Cut the small talk, I give more marks than a school of sharks
On attack, so keep your ass back
When it's wack you get a thumbs down, another record deal wasted
Listen man, find another occupation man
Here's the persuasion, blazin one amazin route that's all about
The Sun Won't Come Out
Yo, so check it out, with Pete Rock and CL Smooth
You gotta Act Like You Know
If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right kid
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
You can't Reminisce to T.R.O.Y
If we don't Straighten It Out
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
I rule chicks off acoustics, watchin the Knicks
We up ten, but need to stop shootin bricks
Put the jailhouse funk in under stars
Til the lines on my looseleaf, look like some metal bars
My forecast hits a megablast, and what I invent
A pack of bloodhounds could never get the scent
Payin off the beast now my bills increase
If there's a five dollar rock sold in the park I want a piece
The Sun Won't Come Out, unless the crowd start this
Cause if it was my choice, you all dance in darkness
Cause any verse rips a total eclipse for sun rays
Anyways was the phrase back in my younger days (so check it out)
Now the God displays the attribute, dealin with heat
From the bassment, enterin the streets you meet
Pete Rock and CL Smooth and when you see what it's about
You know The Sun Came Out, now pass my shades
Yo, without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Without Anger in the Nation
Yo, without Mecca and the Soul Brother
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
You gotta Act Like You Know
If It Ain't Rough It Ain't Right kid
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
We can't Reminisce
Yo, if we don't Straighten It Out
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Without Ghettoes of the Mind
If you know what I'm talking about
You know The Sun Won't Come Out, so check it
One two, Pete Rock and CL Smooth for ninety-four
Breakin you off somethin proper
Check it, peace y'all
The song "Sun Won't Come Out" by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is a hip-hop track that talks about how the sun won't come out if the duo is not there to perform. The first verse talks about their skill as artists and how they can make cement feel their music. They are unafraid of walking through the valley of death and what they grip is legal. They are hot like a yard and the point guard of their group. The chorus talks about how the sun won't come out without Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. The second verse talks about how they rule the streets and how they need to stop shooting bricks. They pay off the beast and if there's a five dollar rock sold in the park they want a piece. Any verse rips a total eclipse for sun rays. The song ends with a call to peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Open Sesame, stepping through the mist, it's the specialist
I'm highly skilled, like a thief in the night, moving through unnoticed.
Coming to box, and flooded with rocks
I'm bringing my A-game and I've got plenty of firepower.
We'll get down for mine, the kind that makes cement feel us
We'll do whatever it takes to get what's ours and make sure everyone knows it.
Standing in the company of killers
I'm here with some of the best and most dangerous in the game.
Follow my trail as I walk through the valley of death
Come along with me and see what it's like to take risks in life-threatening situations.
Left, to fear no evil, cause what I grip is legal
I have nothing to worry about because what I have is legitimate and fully sanctioned.
I'm hot like yard, the point guard of this group, on the loop
I'm on fire like an athlete in his prime leading our team with precision and skill.
Never your right, raising all your game type tonight
I'm not here to make things easy for you, I'm pushing you to be your best.
Entering the level of high gear
Things are about to pick up and get intense.
You'd think it took a Bob Marley spliff to get here
It may seem like I'm on some mind-altering substance to be this good, but it's just natural talent.
Front to rear God of the drugs that you're hearing
I'm like a god in the drug game, with control from front to back.
While my neighbors say we need to be jailed for rackateering
Even though my success may not be appreciated by all, I can't be stopped by the haters.
Now appearing, Pete Rock and CL Smooth to the jugular
We're here now and we're hitting you with our best shot.
Now you got Mecca and the Soul Brother
Our presence can inspire unity and change the game.
Slightly, you might raise a hair of doubt
You may have some reservations about us, but hear us out.
But if we don't rock the spot, The Sun Won't Come Out
We're not just good, we're necessary for the scene to thrive.
Yo, without Pete Rock and CL Smooth
If we're not around,
Without Anger in the Nation
Without the people's passion for change,
Yo, without Mecca and the Soul Brother
Without that force for unity,
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
The scene won't be complete and won't thrive.
You know we can't Reminisce
We can't look back on the good times without each other.
If we don't Straighten It Out
We can't fix our issues and move forward.
Un-chained heat, I hustle on the street or beat
I'm working hard and doing whatever it takes to succeed.
To keep you on the edge of your seat, you consumer
I'm entertaining you and keeping you interested as a product of capitalism.
A QB-like Boomer, the ultimate team
I'm like a great quarterback leading a well-oiled team.
But if I wake up in another woman's bed, I'mma scream
I'm committed to one person and will not tolerate infidelity.
I'm settin up shop pop to overthrow Castro
I'm determined to take on the ultimate challenge and come out on top.
Chokin over Noriega's Garcia Vegas
I'm reveling in my victories over the powerful.
Guess who supplies the pies and dope triples
I'm the one providing the goods and making sure the market is stocked with quality product.
Now she leaks ass cheeks, pearly whites and titty nipples
Women are throwing themselves at me and I'm enjoying the attention.
Would CL ever trick loot on PC?
I would never resort to illegal means or compromise my morality for money.
Even if I never had sonny boy, I disagree
Even if I wasn't a father, I would still hold true to my principles.
Cut the small talk, I give more marks than a school of sharks
I'm not here to chat, I'm about to show you how it's really done.
On attack, so keep your ass back
I'm on the offensive, so watch out and stay in your lane.
When it's wack you get a thumbs down, another record deal wasted
I'm not afraid to be honest and critical, even if it means losing deals.
Listen man, find another occupation man
If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Here's the persuasion, blazin one amazin route that's all about
Let us convince you that we have an excellent approach and plan of action that's worth following.
Yo, so check it out, with Pete Rock and CL Smooth
We're back and better than ever.
You gotta Act Like You Know
You have to be confident and show that you're in the know.
If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right kid
If it's not a challenge, it's not worth doing.
You know The Sun Won't Come Out
Our absence would be detrimental to the scene.
We can't Reminisce to T.R.O.Y
We can't look back on the good times without each other.
If we don't Straighten It Out
We can't fix our issues and move forward.
I rule chicks off acoustics, watchin the Knicks
I'm charming without trying and enjoy watching basketball.
We up ten, but need to stop shootin bricks
We're doing well, but need to work on our technique.
Put the jailhouse funk in under stars
We're playing music and dancing outside under the night sky.
Til the lines on my looseleaf, look like some metal bars
I'm writing and creating so much it's taking a physical toll on my writing equipment.
My forecast hits a megablast, and what I invent
My predictions and ideas are powerful and groundbreaking.
A pack of bloodhounds could never get the scent
No one can copy or match my unique style and ability.
Payin off the beast now my bills increase
I'm paying off debts and obligations and my bills are going up as a result.
If there's a five dollar rock sold in the park I want a piece
I want to be part of the action and profit from it.
The Sun Won't Come Out, unless the crowd start this
It's up to the people to bring energy and passion or the event will be a flop.
Cause if it was my choice, you all dance in darkness
Without me, you'd all be bored and without direction.
Cause any verse rips a total eclipse for sun rays
My rhymes are so powerful they can block out the sun.
Anyways was the phrase back in my younger days (so check it out)
Back in the day, my generation used to say 'anyways' a lot (so listen up).
Now the God displays the attribute, dealin with heat
Now I'm at the top, showing off my skills and handling the pressure.
From the bassment, enterin the streets you meet
I started from the bottom and now I'm out in the public eye.
Pete Rock and CL Smooth and when you see what it's about
Together, we're a force to be reckoned with and our actions speak for themselves.
You know The Sun Came Out, now pass my shades
Thanks to us, the scene is thriving and we're the reason for the success.
Without Ghettoes of the Mind
Without the wise perspective and vision of the underprivileged.
If you know what I'm talking about
If you understand what I'm saying.
You know The Sun Won't Come Out, so check it
Without all pieces of the puzzle, the scene won't be complete and won't thrive.
One two, Pete Rock and CL Smooth for ninety-four
We're leading the charge for this new year and season.
Breakin you off somethin proper
We're going to deliver something exciting and worthwhile.
Check it, peace y'all
Take a look at what we've got and enjoy the music, everyone.
Lyrics © LYNNE GREEN-MELINCOFF D/B/A HOFFMAN HOUSE MUSIC, Royalty Network
Written by: C. PENN, H. SCALES, P. PHILLIPS, COREY PENN, Pete Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind