From 1998 to 1999, he saw success blossom as DJ/producer for the Columbus-based group the Megahertz, with two twelve-inch singles on Bobbito Garcia's legendary NY label, Fondle 'Em Records. This explosive entrance to the underground hip-hop scene gave way to shows from Europe to Japan, not to mention garnering mention in Vibe magazine's "History of Hip-Hop" historical volume. Opening doors outside of the east coast, the MHz went on to appear on the Bay Area's ABB records compilation, Always Bigger and Better, Volume 1. Their contribution (entitled "This Year") was voted best track on the ABB website, while competing against major label heavyweights such as Dilated Peoples and Defari.
In 2000, the praise only continued for RJD2, producing Copywrite's debut single "Holier Than Thou" on Rawkus Records. The work certainly didn't stop there; spring of 2001 was RJD2's formal introduction to hip-hop as a solo artist on Def Jux Presents, a compilation showcasing the roster of his record label, Definitive Jux Records. Having to hold his own next to NYC underground legends such as Company Flow, Cannibal Ox, and Aesop Rock, RJD2 did no less. That summer he followed up this string of releases with his own twelve inch entitled June, which featured fellow MHz member Copywrite laying down two incredible book-end verses. Melding the hip-hop tradition of raw, gritty samples with a more classical approach to song structure, he has concocted a style of production that pleases the most discerning hip-hop scholar without compromising that old dance floor aesthetic.
2002 saw RJD2 release the critically acclaimed debut Dead Ringer, which not only solidified his spot as one of the underground's top producers, but also caught the ears of Grammy-man ?uestlove of The Roots who called the album one of his favorites of the year. Not to mention even landing the track Ghost Writer in a Saturn ad, with juggling solo ventures, producing rappers, and DeeJaying, the man is certainly in the hot seat at the moment. It has been said by many legendary producers that the ultimate goal is to move a crowd-not just to dance, but sometimes also to feel and think. In this vein, RJD2 is only continuing a time-honored tradition.
In 2003, RJD2 released The Horror, and the landmark Since We Last Spoke in 2004. A track from his 2006 release Magnificent City Instrumentals, "A Beautiful Mine," is the theme song of the AMC television drama Mad Men.
In 2007, RJD2 released The Third Hand which, if nothing else, showcased his ability to evolve beyond the hip-hop genre. Around this same time RJ created a compilation album with fellow underground DJ's Mick Boogie and DJ Flash for their A.B.B. compadres Little Brother entitled AND JUSTUS FOR ALL.
In 2010, RJD2 released The Colossus on his own label, RJ's Electrical Connections. The album could be described as RJD2's meshing of Since We Last Spoke's grittier tracks with The Third Hand's Moby-esque pop. The album contains a variety of recording methods, with most songs featuring an amalgam of sampled, programmed, and recorded sounds.
RJD2 has participated in numerous collaborations with artists such as Aceyalone, Ric Ocasek, and Goapele. RJD2 is also part of the group Soul Position with Blueprint. They have released two full length studio albums, 8 Million Stories and Things Go Better with RJ and Al.
07.To All of You
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And to all of you sad!
To all of you ladies,
And you call yourself playing.
Ain't nobody knows the game you wanna play,
Believe me when I say.
To all you kind!
And to all of you sad!
To all of you ladies,
And you caught yourself playing.
And especially to all of your living! Living! Living!
And you call yourselves pimping.
To all you kind!
And to all of you sad
And especially to all of your living! Living! Living!
And you call yourselves pimping.
(Play that beat)
(Hard day)
The lyrics of RJD2's song To All Of You speak to a multitude of people with different struggles and experiences. The first line, "To all you kind," acknowledges the kind-hearted and compassionate individuals in the world. The following line, "And to all of you sad," recognizes those who are struggling with sadness and depression. The next line, "To all of you ladies," may be interpreted as an expression of respect and admiration for women. The final line, "And you call yourself playing," may be interpreted in different ways, but likely refers to those who are pretending or playing a role rather than being genuine.
The chorus repeats and adds the statement, "Ain't nobody knows the game you wanna play, believe me when I say." This line speaks to the idea that everyone has their own unique experiences and struggles that others may not fully understand. The final lines of the chorus, "Let's keep some good," may be interpreted as a call to focus on the positive and work towards creating a better world for everyone.
Overall, the lyrics of the song To All Of You are uplifting and inclusive. They recognize and acknowledge people from all walks of life and call for kindness and understanding towards others.
Line by Line Meaning
To all you kind!
To all of you who show compassion and generosity.
And to all of you sad!
To all of you who feel grief or sorrow.
To all of you ladies,
To all of you women out there.
And you call yourself playing.
And you pretend to know what you're doing.
Ain't nobody knows the game you wanna play,
No one truly understands what you're trying to accomplish.
Believe me when I say.
Trust me.
Let's keep some good!
Let's focus on positivity and doing the right thing.
And especially to all of your living! Living! Living!
And a special message to everyone who is alive and thriving.
And you call yourselves pimping.
And you boast about your supposed successes or accomplishments.
Play that beat
Begin the music.
Hard day
It has been a challenging day.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind