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.
F.H.H. Ft. Jakki
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep tryin' to keep it real by keepin' it raw
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
And all the real heads scream 'Fuck hip hop!'
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
It's Mota mouth. who? it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
Whenever I write, I put myself out of place from other cats
So it don't sound like another brother's rap
I smother tracks with raw shit, niggas aren't able to bite
What I bring to the table is height
Then I easily superceed, niggas need what I got
Reason I'm hot, there's no other raw season of pot
While most motherfuckers follow the guidelines and hit by 101
Jakki the Mota mouth decides to have fun
Not following rules, swallowing crews
Son I toss cats off the stage, often I slay their soft raps
To all you fake dictionary MCs, get off that
Half of y'all don't understand your own rhymes and soft batch
They straight at open mics, we put them out on the street
Take away their dope beat, let 'em rhyme and they weak
And the mic can be a decieving device
Muffle your rhymes so they ain't clear and concise
Have niggas thinking you nice
With battle I'll crack all your gear and all your wack raps
You can't be saved by your babbling or your backpack
Doing it for the love is great but you fake
And putting your shit out is a mistake nobody wants to make
{chorus}
Keep tryin' to keep it real by keepin' it raw
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
And all the real heads scream 'Fuck hip hop!'
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
It's Mota mouth. who? it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
Hate when I go to open mics and I see everybody clapping
For some clown they don't understand
Yet everybody acting like he dope because they believe he's hip hop
y'all convincing me that most of y'all are brainwashed
Dug in old hip-hop history
Some cats are crap without their tracks 'cause they weak
I wish a nigga would say he listen to me for the beats
Some got the nerve to say they dope when they spit
When even they family got a tape and they won't open the shit
I got a big mouth and I ain't scared to use it
One person's key style allows everyone to abuse it
So what the fuckk is your definition of underground?
Depressing beats and bleak cats who love the sound
Well I ain't part of that, I'm tired of rapper's garbage
I'm the part of the underground who only feels the raw shit
And I can take a nigga out regardless
You can bring your hardest artists and I'll make 'em heartless
Some say they lyrically this, or lyrically that
Throwing lyrical in every rap and they lyrically wack
And many cats rhyme over tracks nobody fiends for
Don't fuck around with me, if you can only fuck with keyboards
Just 'cause lazy niggas use recognisable material
Don't mean the dope samples are not original
'Cause a producer with skill can lace tracks
Keyboard beats aren't that original, lets face facts
That shit was overused in the G-funk era
Don't give me that excuse, real MCs want better
You rhyme over enough shit, most get away with murder
Like kids who think they words rhyme 'cause they the suffix
Must bitch niggas be fragile with facts
You bragging 'bout who you battled, but who you battled was crap
What you angry for, and acting all tense
If you innocent be cool, only the guilty's catching offense
{chorus}
Keep tryin' to keep it real by keepin' it raw
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
And all the real heads scream 'Fuck hip hop!'
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
It's Mota mouth. who? it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
The chorus of the song "F.H.H." by RJD2 is critical of the state of hip-hop music in the early 2000s. The rapper is emphasizing that he wants to keep it real and raw without flaw. He accuses half of the rap artists of keeping it flaw and also acknowledges that the real heads are not happy with the mediocre music that is being produced. He goes on to rap about how he puts himself in a unique position of writing and creates tracks that one can not easily bite. In the second verse, he criticizes the current state of underground hip-hop, calling it trash and saying that everyone's hyping a clown they don't understand. He says most artists are weak without their beats, tries to express his frustration and tackles the theme of originality. He aims to create something that the listeners thirst for.
The rapper believes that underground rap needs to shift its focus to more original beats that are not dependent on the same keyboard beats used in the G-funk era. He highlights the issue of overused lyrics while praising originality. In the last part, he rejects the notion of battling, and says one doesn't have to prove anything to anyone. The overall message of the song is to create something original, to keep it real, and to stand out from the crowd, emphasizing originality over following guidelines.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep tryin' to keep it real by keepin' it raw
Strive to maintain authenticity by remaining true to oneself
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
But many others fall short by producing subpar content
And all the real heads scream 'Fuck hip hop!'
True fans of the genre express frustration with the current state of hip hop
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Until the influx of mediocre content ceases
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Drug users, follow my lead
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
Who is still holding onto drugs in their residence?
It's Mota mouth. who? it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
It's me, Jakki the Mota mouth, who else would it be?
Whenever I write, I put myself out of place from other cats
I make sure my music stands out from the rest
So it don't sound like another brother's rap
To avoid sounding like every other rapper out there
I smother tracks with raw shit, niggas aren't able to bite
I bring a unique, raw style that others cannot imitate
What I bring to the table is height
I elevate the genre with my originality
Then I easily superceed, niggas need what I got
I surpass others with ease, they crave what I have
Reason I'm hot, there's no other raw season of pot
My originality and talent are unparalleled
While most motherfuckers follow the guidelines and hit by 101
Most rappers conform to the standard formula for success
Jakki the Mota mouth decides to have fun
Jakki the Mota mouth chooses to break the mold and have fun with his music
Not following rules, swallowing crews
Going against the rules and dominating competition
Son I toss cats off the stage, often I slay their soft raps
I confidently defeat other performers and their weak verses
To all you fake dictionary MCs, get off that
Calling out rappers who use big words just to sound intelligent
Half of y'all don't understand your own rhymes and soft batch
Many rappers don't even comprehend their own lyrics and produce uninspired content
They straight at open mics, we put them out on the street
They perform at local shows, but we reject them
Take away their dope beat, let 'em rhyme and they weak
Without a good beat, their rhymes are exposed as weak
And the mic can be a decieving device
The microphone can distort one's voice and make them sound better than they actually are
Muffle your rhymes so they ain't clear and concise
Intentionally obscuring one's lyrics so they sound deep and poetic
Have niggas thinking you nice
Making people believe you are a great rapper when in reality you are not
With battle I'll crack all your gear and all your wack raps
I will easily defeat you in a rap battle and expose your low-quality music
You can't be saved by your babbling or your backpack
Your trendy clothing and nonsense lyrics won't save you
Doing it for the love is great but you fake
Creating music for the love of the genre is admirable, but pretending to be something you're not is not
And putting your shit out is a mistake nobody wants to make
Releasing poor-quality music that nobody wants to hear is a major error
Hate when I go to open mics and I see everybody clapping
I dislike when crowds applaud mediocre rappers at open mic nights
For some clown they don't understand
Cheering for a performer who lacks true talent
Yet everybody acting like he dope because they believe he's hip hop
Pretending that he has skill just because he is part of the hip hop community
Y'all convincing me that most of y'all are brainwashed
Your behavior suggests that most of you are easily influenced and manipulated
Dug in old hip-hop history
Stuck in the past, clinging to outdated hip hop trends
Some cats are crap without their tracks 'cause they weak
Certain rappers rely solely on their beats to cover up their lack of skill
I wish a nigga would say he listen to me for the beats
My music is not just about the instrumentals, anyone who claims otherwise is foolish
Some got the nerve to say they dope when they spit
Some rappers have the audacity to claim they are good when they really aren't
When even they family got a tape and they won't open the shit
Even their own family has a copy of their music, but refuse to listen to it
I got a big mouth and I ain't scared to use it
I am not afraid to speak my mind and express my opinions
One person's key style allows everyone to abuse it
One person's innovation is often imitated and overused by others
So what the fuckk is your definition of underground?
What do you consider to be true underground hip hop?
Depressing beats and bleak cats who love the sound
Many underground rappers produce music with depressing themes and dark sounds
Well I ain't part of that, I'm tired of rapper's garbage
I do not conform to that stereotype, and am fed up with mediocre rap music
I'm the part of the underground who only feels the raw shit
I align myself with the true underground hip hop scene, which values raw and authentic music
And I can take a nigga out regardless
And I can defeat any rapper in a battle, regardless of their skill level
You can bring your hardest artists and I'll make 'em heartless
Even the most talented rappers will be no match for me in a battle
Some say they lyrically this, or lyrically that
Some rappers boast about being great lyricists
Throwing lyrical in every rap and they lyrically wack
But overusing the word 'lyrical' in their lyrics does not make them good rappers
And many cats rhyme over tracks nobody fiends for
Many rappers perform over beats that nobody wants to hear
Don't fuck around with me, if you can only fuck with keyboards
Don't challenge me if you are only capable of producing beats on a computer
Just 'cause lazy niggas use recognisable material
Just because some rappers use familiar samples
Don't mean the dope samples are not original
Does not mean that the samples are not creatively used and unique
'Cause a producer with skill can lace tracks
A talented producer can use samples in a way that enhances the music
Keyboard beats aren't that original, lets face facts
Beats made solely on a keyboard lack originality
That shit was overused in the G-funk era
This style of beat was popularized during the G-funk era and is now overused
Don't give me that excuse, real MCs want better
I do not accept this as an excuse, genuine hip hop artists strive for innovation
You rhyme over enough shit, most get away with murder
Many rappers use low-quality beats and yet still manage to succeed
Like kids who think they words rhyme 'cause they the suffix
Like children who believe their words rhyme simply because they share a suffix
Must bitch niggas be fragile with facts
Some rappers are easily offended by the truth
You bragging 'bout who you battled, but who you battled was crap
Boasting about winning a battle against a weak opponent is meaningless
What you angry for, and acting all tense
Why are you angry and on edge?
If you innocent be cool, only the guilty's catching offense
If you did not do anything wrong, then why are you getting defensive?
Keep tryin' to keep it real by keepin' it raw
Strive to maintain authenticity by remaining true to oneself
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
But many others fall short by producing subpar content
And all the real heads scream 'Fuck hip hop!'
True fans of the genre express frustration with the current state of hip hop
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Until the influx of mediocre content ceases
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Drug users, follow my lead
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
Who is still holding onto drugs in their residence?
It's Mota mouth. who? it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
It's me, Jakki the Mota mouth, who else would it be?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mephisto703
[Hook]
Keep tryna keep it real by keepin' it raw
While half of y'all still be keepin' it flaw
And all the real heads scream "FUCK HIP HOP!"
Until this mediocre bullshit stops
Drug fiends let me show you the route
Who's that motherfucker still keepin the dope in the house?
It's Mota mouth (who?), it's Mota mouth baby, it's Mota mouth
[Verse 1]
Whenever I write, I put myself out of place from other cats
So it don't sound like another brother's rap
I smother tracks with raw shit, niggas aren't able to bite
What I bring to the table is height
Then I easily superceed, niggas need what I got
Reason I'm hot, there's no other raw season of pot
While most motherfuckers follow the guidelines and hip hop 101
Jakki the Mota mouth decides to have fun
Not following rules, swallowing crews
Son I toss cats off the stage, often I slay their soft raps
To all you fake dictionary emcees, get off that
Half of y'all don't understand your own rhymes and soft batch(?)
They straight at open mics, we put them out on the street
Take away their dope beat, let 'em rhyme and they weak
And the mic can be a decieving device
Muffle your rhymes so they ain't clear and concise
Have niggas thinking you nice
With battle I'll crack all your gear and all your wack raps
You can't be saved by your babbling or your backpack
Doing it for the love is great but you fake
And putting your shit out is a mistake nobody wants to make
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
Hate when I go to open mics and I see everybody clapping
For some clown they don't understand
Yet everybody acting like he dope because they believe he's hip-hop
Y'all convincing me that most of y'all are brainwashed
Dug(?) in old hip-hop history
Some cats are crap without their tracks cause they weak
I wish a nigga would say he listen to me for the beats
Some got the nerve to say they dope when they spit
When even they family got a tape and they won't open the shit
I got a big mouth and I ain't scared to use it
One person's keystyle(?) allows everyone to abuse it
So what the fuck is your definition of underground?
Depressing beats and bleak cats who love the sound
Well I ain't part of that, I'm tired of rapper's garbage
I'm the part of the underground who only feels the raw shit
And I can take a nigga out regardless
You can bring your hardest artists and I'll make 'em heartless
Some say they lyrically this, or lyrically that
Throwing lyrical in every rap and they lyrically wack
And many cats rhyme over tracks nobody fiends(?) for
Don't fuck around with me, if you can only fuck with keyboards
Just cause lazy niggas use recognisable material
Don't mean the dope samples are not original
Cause a producer with skill can lace tracks
Keyboard beats aren't that original, lets face facts
That shit was overused in the G-funk era
Don't give me that excuse, real emcees want better
You rhyme over enough shit, most get away with murder
Like kids who think they words rhyme cause they the suffix
Must bitch niggas be fragile with facts
You bragging 'bout who you battled, but who you battled was crap
What you angry for, and acting all tense
If you innocent be cool, only the guilty's catching offense
[Hook]
@signorpippistrello
One of the tracks that just remain rad over the years. Timeless stuff, and the lyrics still apply, too!
@utopianfurbiscuit
Same with some songs from Greyboy “dealing with the archives “ album... timeless
@stevesharpe3370
Lyrics apply more then ever
@stephanie6501
❤❤❤ i miss real hip hop
@nelsonsaunders6449
This song is a huge part of my early twenties. 1980 child here. So fucking ill.
@lordrealm
🔥🔥🔥💯
@MrIndieP
Instrumental version is amazing But with Lyrics, it's awesome *-*
@violatethemagistrate
I like Jakki, but I'm more into Blueprint (Soul Position). Saw Copywrite at a small show a couple years ago and hung out afterwords. Pretty laid back dude.
@travisechum8711
Blank Stairs man I honestly think copy's underrated his styles changed but not for the worse I honestly do prefer his old punchline, battle me.. grimey style from high exhaulted and weathermen but the life and times album is sick as fuck so he progressed and matured in my opinion one of my top emcees from back then to NOW
@violatethemagistrate
I haven't heard that one yet. I'll have to check it out.