Back on the Block
Quincy Jones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back, on the block, so we can rock
With the soul, rhythm, blues, be bop and hip hop

Back on the block
Back on the block

[ VERSE 1: Ice-T ]
Ice-T, let me kick my credentials
A young player, bred in South Central
L.A., home of the bodybag
You wanna die, wear the wrong color rag
I used to walk in stores and yell: "Lay down!"
You flinch an inch - AK spray down
But I was lucky cause I never caught the hard time
I was blessed with the skill to bust a dope rhyme
All my homies died or caught the penzo
Lost their diamonds, cops towed their Benzos
Livin that life that we thought was it
Fast lanin, but the car flipped
I'm not gonna lie to ya, cause I don't lie
I just kick thick game, some people say: why?
Cause I'm back on the block, I got my life back
So I school the fools about the fast track
I get static from the style of my technique
Profanity, the blatant way in which I speak
But the Dude knows the streets ain't no kiddie game
You don't know the Dude? Quincy's his first name
He told me: "Ice, keep doin what you're doin, man
Don't give a damn if the squares don't understand
You let em tell you what to say and what to write
Your whole career'll be over by tomorrow night
Rap from your heart, and your heart's with the street
Rap on my record, man, Kimiko, send Ice the beat"
The Dude is def no doubt, what can I say?
The man can roll with Ice-T or Michael J

[ all ]
Back
Back on the block
Back
Back on the block

Back, on the block, so we can rock
With the soul, rhythm, blues, be bop and hip hop

Back on the block
Back on the block

[ VERSE 2: Melle Mel ]
I'm back, on the block, on the screen
I'm on the wax, I'm on the stage, I'm on the scene
I'm on the case, just like an attorney
The Dude took me on a magic journey
To dance in France, alone in Rome
On the farmlands of Nebraska, the cold of Alaska
The heat of the motherland
To be with my brotherman
On top of a snowcapped mountain I'm scoutin
What another man saw in a race of people
To see him give his life for the price of equal
The highest wisdoms, the richest kingdoms
The Song of Songs we heard David sing them
He showed me me when I was young and hung out
He showed me makin love, even showed me strung out
He showed me poppin nines, standin on a rock
But tears came to my eyes when he showed me my block

[ Tevin Campbell (& Andrae Crouch Singers) ]
Stokie's just Stokie, mama
(Stokie's Stokie)
And one by one each woman he kiss
(He kiss her and she gon' fall in love)
Stokie's just Stokie, you know?
(Stokie's Stokie)
Till someone shows that they care enough
(Ain't nothin gonna bother Stokie much)
Some say they can't take it no more
(Comin here, comin here startin stuff)
But Dude is back on duty fo' sho'
(Back on the block to stay)
They say he ain't gonna be with it
(Comin back, comin back to the street)
But Dude he know you'll never forget it
(Back on the block to stay)

[ VERSE 3: Big Daddy Kane ]
Back up and give the brother room
To let poetry bloom to whom
It may concern or consume
As I reminisce before this
The bliss that exist
But now we brought about a twist
Cause I remember of my people bleedin
Put through slavery and killed for bravery
We shoulda got our freedom much sooner
You never seen a blackman on _The Honeymooners_
But now somehow we've learned to earn, to grow, to show
The elevation of a people built is so
Jesse Jackson, Miss America a black one
No more livin for just a small fraction
I was once told by the Dude that knowledge is a food
To nourish, so to conclude
This from an Asiatic descendant, Big Daddy is shocked
Yo Q, we back on the block

[ all ]
Back
Back on the block
Back
Back on the block

Back, on the block, so we can rock
With the soul, rhythm, blues, be bop and hip hop

Back on the block
Back on the block

[ VERSE 4: cool Moe Dee ]
An everlasting omnipresence is my present
State of being, seeing the unpleasant
Sight of righteous souls live like peasants
The mind stunts growth in adolescence
My insight enables me to enlight
The weakest of minds, and I put em in flight
As I transcend, a-scend or de-scend
Re-create, re-incarnate and re-send
The powerful spirits of our ancestors
For those that don't know how God blessed us
Because man messed up, the media dressed up
Lies perpetrated as truth, and it left us
Confused, but I've seen it all before
>From Babylon to the Third World War
I'm more than a man, I'm more like an entity
Back on the block, and this time my identity
Is the Dude

Ba-ba-ba-back on the
Ba-back on
Ba-ba-back on the block
Ba-ba-back on
Ba-ba-back on the block

[ Tevin Campbell (& Andrae Crouch Singers) ]
Stoki, ke Stoki, mai-bo
(Stoki, Stoki)
Wam babma, wam bamb'you mandisa
(Wahm bamba wahm bamboo mandisa)
(Stoki ke Stoki, mai-bo)
(Stoki, Stoki)
Wam babma, wam bamb'you mandisa
(Wahm bamba wahm bamboo mandisa)
M'yeke, yeke, yeke, wena
(Kha'mye, kha'myeke wena)
Yo khala, khala, khala, you mama
(Yo khal'you mama khe)
M'yeke, yeke, yeke, wena
(Kha'mye, kha'myeke, wena)
Yo khala, kha, 'yok 'shaya you baba
(Yok shaya you baba khe)

[ Rev. Jesse Jackson ]




(Now I would - I would contend that ah -
The rappers - rap is here to stay

Overall Meaning

The song "Back on the Block" by Quincy Jones is a tribute to the African-American music and culture that emerged from the streets and blocks of America. The lyrics are a collaboration of various artists like Ice-T, Melle Mel, Big Daddy Kane, and Cool Moe Dee. The song opens with Ice-T rapping about his credentials, his time growing up in South Central L.A., a place where wearing the wrong rag could cost someone their life. But he considers himself lucky because he wasn't caught up in the lifestyle that claimed many of his friends. Melle Mel adds that he has traveled the world but still has a soft spot for his block. Big Daddy Kane raps about the history of black people in America, from slavery to the present, and Cool Moe Dee gives his philosophy on life and truth.


The song pays homage to African American musical traditions such as soul, rhythm, blues, be-bop, and hip-hop. The melodies and backbeats are a mixture of these styles with a modern flavor. The lyrics talk about the influence that African Americans have had on the music landscape of America. The song is a testimony to the struggles and contributions of African Americans in music that paved the way for future generations.


Line by Line Meaning

Back, on the block, so we can rock
Returning to our roots in the neighborhood, where we can make great music and have a good time


With the soul, rhythm, blues, be bop and hip hop
Blending various genres of music, including soul, rhythm and blues, be bop, and hip hop


Ice-T, let me kick my credentials
Ice-T is introducing himself and his qualifications


A young player, bred in South Central
Ice-T grew up in South Central, Los Angeles


L.A., home of the bodybag
Referring to the violence and danger in Los Angeles


You wanna die, wear the wrong color rag
Wearing the wrong color bandana can lead to confrontation and potential death


I used to walk in stores and yell: 'Lay down!'
Ice-T used to rob stores and demand compliance


You flinch an inch - AK spray down
If someone shows any resistance, Ice-T would shoot them with an AK-47


But I was lucky cause I never caught the hard time
Ice-T considers himself fortunate for avoiding imprisonment


I was blessed with the skill to bust a dope rhyme
Ice-T believes he has a talent for rapping


All my homies died or caught the penzo
Ice-T's friends either died or ended up in prison


Lost their diamonds, cops towed their Benzos
Ice-T's friends lost their expensive possessions and luxury cars due to legal trouble


Livin that life that we thought was it
Ice-T and his friends believed that their dangerous lifestyle was the epitome of existence


Fast lanin, but the car flipped
Despite living in the fast lane, their fortunes took a turn for the worse


I'm not gonna lie to ya, cause I don't lie
Ice-T prides himself on being honest and straightforward


I just kick thick game, some people say: why?
He shares his wisdom through his music, although some people question his motives


Cause I'm back on the block, I got my life back
Returning to the neighborhood has allowed Ice-T to regain control of his life


So I school the fools about the fast track
Ice-T educates ignorant individuals about the pitfalls of a reckless lifestyle


I get static from the style of my technique
Some criticize Ice-T for his explicit and confrontational style of rapping


Profanity, the blatant way in which I speak
His use of curse words and direct language is seen as offensive by some


But the Dude knows the streets ain't no kiddie game
Quincy Jones, referred to as 'the Dude,' understands that life in the streets is not a game


You don't know the Dude? Quincy's his first name
Introducing Quincy Jones as 'the Dude' and confirming it is his first name


He told me: 'Ice, keep doin what you're doin, man
Quincy Jones encouraged Ice-T to continue with his music career


Don't give a damn if the squares don't understand
Quincy Jones doesn't care if mainstream society doesn't appreciate Ice-T's music


You let em tell you what to say and what to write
Quincy Jones advises Ice-T not to let others dictate his artistic expression


Your whole career'll be over by tomorrow night
If Ice-T succumbs to external pressure, his career will quickly come to an end


Rap from your heart, and your heart's with the street
Ice-T should rap with authenticity and relay the experiences of the streets


Rap on my record, man, Kimiko, send Ice the beat
Quincy Jones wants Ice-T to rap on his record and instructs his collaborator, Kimiko, to send Ice-T the instrumental track


The Dude is def no doubt, what can I say?
Quincy Jones is undoubtedly cool and talented, which Ice-T acknowledges


The man can roll with Ice-T or Michael J
Quincy Jones can associate with famous individuals like Ice-T or Michael Jackson


I'm back, on the block, on the screen
Melle Mel has returned to the neighborhood and is making appearances on television


I'm on the wax, I'm on the stage, I'm on the scene
Melle Mel is recording music, performing on stage, and in the entertainment industry


I'm on the case, just like an attorney
Melle Mel is focused and dedicated, like a lawyer working on a case


The Dude took me on a magic journey
Quincy Jones guided Melle Mel on a transformative and enchanting experience


To dance in France, alone in Rome
Melle Mel traveled to France to perform and had solitary moments in Rome


On the farmlands of Nebraska, the cold of Alaska
Melle Mel experienced diverse environmentsโ€”from Nebraska's farmlands to Alaska's freezing temperatures


The heat of the motherland
He also felt the warmth and connection to his ancestral homeland


To be with my brotherman
Melle Mel enjoyed the company of other black men and formed bonds with them


On top of a snowcapped mountain I'm scoutin
Melle Mel had a moment of reflection and appreciation while standing atop a snowy mountain


What another man saw in a race of people
He observed how others perceive and view a particular race or ethnicity


To see him give his life for the price of equal
He witnessed individuals sacrificing their lives in the pursuit of equality


The highest wisdoms, the richest kingdoms
Melle Mel encountered great wisdom and witnessed prosperous kingdoms


The Song of Songs we heard David sing them
He listened to David sing the most beautiful songs, likely referencing biblical references and the Psalms


He showed me me when I was young and hung out
Quincy Jones guided Melle Mel to reflect on his younger self and his experiences


He showed me makin love, even showed me strung out
Quincy Jones exposed Melle Mel to the highs and lows of romantic relationships and drug addiction


He showed me poppin nines, standin on a rock
Quincy Jones witnessed Melle Mel engaging in violence and standing on the edge of danger


But tears came to my eyes when he showed me my block
Melle Mel became emotional when Quincy Jones reminded him of his roots and where he came from


Stokie's just Stokie, mama
Stokie is simply being himself, mom


(Stokie's Stokie)
Repeating the idea that Stokie is authentically Stokie


And one by one each woman he kiss
Stokie has a way with women, captivating them with his charm


(He kiss her and she gon' fall in love)
When Stokie kisses a woman, she tends to develop strong feelings for him


Stokie's just Stokie, you know?
Emphasizing that Stokie will always be true to himself


(Stokie's Stokie)
Reiterating that Stokie is unapologetically himself


Till someone shows that they care enough
Stokie will continue to be himself until someone demonstrates genuine care and affection towards him


(Ain't nothin gonna bother Stokie much)
Stokie is not easily bothered or affected by external factors


Some say they can't take it no more
Some people claim that they can no longer tolerate Stokie's behavior or attitude


(Comin here, comin here startin stuff)
These individuals are causing trouble and conflict by confronting Stokie


But Dude is back on duty fo' sho'
Despite the negativity, Quincy Jones is back and focused on his responsibilities


(Back on the block to stay)
Quincy Jones has returned to the neighborhood and plans to remain there


They say he ain't gonna be with it
Some people doubt that Quincy Jones will continue to be involved in the neighborhood


(Comin back, comin back to the street)
Confirming that he is indeed returning to the street and neighborhood


But Dude he know you'll never forget it
Quincy Jones is aware that the community will never forget his impact and contributions


(Back on the block to stay)
Reiterating that Quincy Jones intends to remain in the neighborhood


Back up and give the brother room
Respecting personal space and allowing the brother to express himself


To let poetry bloom to whom
Creating an environment for poetic expression to flourish and reach its intended audience


It may concern or consume
Poetry can impact and resonate with both specific individuals and a wider audience


As I reminisce before this
Reflecting on past experiences and moments before this moment


The bliss that exist
Acknowledging the happiness and contentment that exists


But now we brought about a twist
However, a twist or change of direction has occurred


Cause I remember of my people bleedin
Recalling the pain and suffering of his people


Put through slavery and killed for bravery
Highlighting the history of slavery and the bravery of individuals who were killed


We shoulda got our freedom much sooner
Expressing the belief that freedom should have been obtained earlier


You never seen a blackman on _The Honeymooners_
Pointing out the lack of representation for black individuals in mainstream television shows like _The Honeymooners_


But now somehow we've learned to earn, to grow, to show
In the present, black individuals have learned to earn, grow, and showcase their talents


The elevation of a people built is so
The progress and upliftment of a marginalized community is remarkable


Jesse Jackson, Miss America a black one
Noting the achievements of Jesse Jackson and the crowning of a black Miss America


No more livin for just a small fraction
No longer confined to a limited portion or role in society


I was once told by the Dude that knowledge is a food
Quincy Jones emphasized the importance of knowledge, comparing it to nourishment


To nourish, so to conclude
To provide sustenance and wrap up the conversation


This from an Asiatic descendant, Big Daddy is shocked
Big Daddy Kane, an Asian descendant, expresses his surprise and amazement


Yo Q, we back on the block
Addressing Quincy Jones and affirming their return to the neighborhood


An everlasting omnipresence is my present
cool Moe Dee believes he possesses an eternal and all-encompassing presence


State of being, seeing the unpleasant
He observes and acknowledges the unpleasant aspects of life


Sight of righteous souls live like peasants
Witnessing morally upright individuals living in poverty and hardship


The mind stunts growth in adolescence
cool Moe Dee believes that a narrow mindset hinders personal development during adolescence


My insight enables me to enlight
His understanding and perspective allow him to provide enlightenment


The weakest of minds, and I put em in flight
cool Moe Dee can influence and inspire individuals with weak mentalities and help them change


As I transcend, a-scend or de-scend
cool Moe Dee can move beyond or rise to higher levels of consciousness


Re-create, re-incarnate and re-send
He can recreate, reincarnate, and relay important messages


The powerful spirits of our ancestors
cool Moe Dee believes he can tap into the spirits and wisdom of his ancestors


For those that don't know how God blessed us
Sharing the blessings and gifts bestowed upon them by God


Because man messed up, the media dressed up
The media distorts and manipulates the truth due to flaws in humanity


Lies perpetrated as truth, and it left us
The dissemination of lies masked as truth has left them disillusioned


Confused, but I've seen it all before
cool Moe Dee has witnessed these manipulations and deceptions in the past


>From Babylon to the Third World War
Referencing historical instances of deceit and manipulation, from Babylon to the potential Third World War


I'm more than a man, I'm more like an entity
cool Moe Dee sees himself as transcending mere human existence, becoming more like a divine being


Back on the block, and this time my identity
Returning to the neighborhood solidifies and reaffirms cool Moe Dee's true identity


Is the Dude
His identity is linked to the persona of Quincy Jones, 'the Dude'


Stoki, ke Stoki, mai-bo
These lines seem to be nonsensical and may not have a clear meaning or translation


(Stoki, Stoki)
Continuing the repeated phrase, which may be unrelated to the overall meaning


Wam babma, wam bamb'you mandisa
Another nonsensical line that lacks a clear meaning or translation


(Wahm bamba wahm bamboo mandisa)
Repeated nonsensical phrase, potentially adding a rhythmic or melodic element


M'yeke, yeke, yeke, wena
Another line with unclear meaning or translation


(Kha'mye, kha'myeke wena)
Continued repetition of nonsensical sounds


Yo khala, khala, khala, you mama
More unclear phrases that lack a clear interpretation or meaning


(Yo khal'you mama khe)
Continued repetition of unclear phrases


An everlasting omnipresence is my present
cool Moe Dee believes he possesses an eternal and all-encompassing presence


State of being, seeing the unpleasant
He observes and acknowledges the unpleasant aspects of life


Sight of righteous souls live like peasants
Witnessing morally upright individuals living in poverty and hardship


The mind stunts growth in adolescence
cool Moe Dee believes that a narrow mindset hinders personal development during adolescence


My insight enables me to enlight
His understanding and perspective allow him to provide enlightenment


The weakest of minds, and I put em in flight
cool Moe Dee can influence and inspire individuals with weak mentalities and help them change


As I transcend, a-scend or de-scend
cool Moe Dee can move beyond or rise to higher levels of consciousness


Re-create, re-incarnate and re-send
He can recreate, reincarnate, and relay important messages


The powerful spirits of our ancestors
cool Moe Dee believes he can tap into the spirits and wisdom of his ancestors


For those that don't know how God blessed us
Sharing the blessings and gifts bestowed upon them by God


Because man messed up, the media dressed up
The media distorts and manipulates the truth due to flaws in humanity


Lies perpetrated as truth, and it left us
The dissemination of lies masked as truth has left them disillusioned


Confused, but I've seen it all before
cool Moe Dee has witnessed these manipulations and deceptions in the past


>From Babylon to the Third World War
Referencing historical instances of deceit and manipulation, from Babylon to the potential Third World War


I'm more than a man, I'm more like an entity
cool Moe Dee sees himself as transcending mere human existence, becoming more like a divine being


Back on the block, and this time my identity
Returning to the neighborhood solidifies and reaffirms cool Moe Dee's true identity


Is the Dude
His identity is linked to the persona of Quincy Jones, 'the Dude'




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRACY LAUREN MARROW, MOHANDAS DEWESE, SIEDAH GARRETT, M HARDY ANTONIO, QUINCY JONES, MELLE MEL, KATSE SEMENYA CAIPHUS, ROD TEMPERTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

GBODYJEDI

"An everlasting omnipresence is my present
State of being, seeing the unpleasant
Sight of righteous souls live like peasants
The mind stunts growth in adolescence
My insight enables me to enlight
The weakest of minds, and I put em in flight
As I transcend, a-scend or de-scend
Re-create, re-incarnate and re-send
The powerful spirits of our ancestors
For those that don't know how God blessed us
Because man messed up, the media dressed up
Lies perpetrated as truths, and it left us
Confused, but I've seen it all before
>From Babylon to the Third World War
I'm more than a man, I'm more like an entity
Back on the block, and this time my identity
Is the Dude"
Kool Moe Dee verse is pure jewels



Joylan Netter

First on the mic is my man iced tea

Ice-T, let me kick my credentials
A young player, bred in South Central
L.A., home of the body bag
You wanna die, wear the wrong color rag
I used to walk in stores and yell, "Lay down"
You flinch an inch AK spray down
But I was lucky 'cause I never caught the hard time
I was blessed with the skill to bust a dope rhyme
๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ

When Tevin Campbell does his 2nd verse some rappers later in this ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ Jizzie ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ

๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŽค๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿพ๐ŸŽค๐Ÿ”ฅ
Stoki, ke Stoki, mai-bo
(Stoki, Stoki)
Wam bamba, wam bamb'u mandisa
(Wahm bamba wahm bamboo mandisa)
Stoki, ke Stoki, mai-bo
(Stoki, Stoki)
Wam bamba, wam bamb'u mandisa
(Wahm bamba wahm bamboo mandisa)
M'yeke, yeke, yeke, wena
(Kha'mye, kha'myeke wena)
Yo khala, khala, khala, u mama
(Yo khal'u mama khe)
M'yeke, yeke, yeke, wena
(Kha'mye, kha'myeke, wena)
Yo khala, kha, 'yok 'shaya u baba
(Yok shaya u baba khe)



Mikaili Kamau

"An everlasting omnipresence is my present
State of being, seeing the unpleasant
Sight of righteous souls live like peasants
The mind stunts growth in adolescence
My insight enables me to enlight
The weakest of minds, and I put em in flight
As I transcend, a-scend or de-scend
Re-create, re-incarnate and re-send
The powerful spirits of our ancestors
For those that don't know how God blessed us
Because man messed up, the media dressed up
Lies perpetrated as truth, and it left us
Confused, but I've seen it all before
>From Babylon to the Third World War
I'm more than a man, I'm more like an entity
Back on the block, and this time my identity
Is the Dude"



All comments from YouTube:

itzkomplykatid

This....this is one of the strongest roots of real hip hop. Most don't remember, they were trying to shut rap down when this came out; Q made SURE that didn't happen, dropping this. His statement? Use the voice, send the message, pull no punches, unveil the truths in the black community, and he stands behind it. Him standing behind it? Linked rap to Motown, MJ and pop, and really gave it the traction and push it needed.

Ten4

hands down

Dwight Love

@Ten4 He said that Rap is here to stay but unfortunately the style of rap I heard is being destroyed by the record company executives all you hear is music design to put black ppl in jail or the graveyard.

Christian Dal

โคโคโค

DoubleDeuce90

This album was all that!!! Priceless!!!

Butterfly Love NJ

๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿพ

Christian Dal

6 star in Denmark. Top.

slmeucalesa1

a Masterpiece

kcoolmuziq

Tevinโ€™s voice was simply amazing!

Kimberly Dill

He sound so mature

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