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.
Fire
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fi-yah! Fah fi-fi-fi
Fa-fiii-yah, fa-fa-fi-yahhhhh (Love life let it love you back)
[Acey talking as background repeats]
Yeah, what's really goin on?
Yeah, Aceyalone
Ha, yeah love life let it love you back
[Aceyalone]
Yo there's somethin wrong with my radio dial
Some of these fools just ain't got style
I don't know why and I don't know how
But I do know a dude low and you so foul
Let's do the thing most people do with it
Who could it be but the one that done did it
I come with it, yeah rain or shine
I lit it up I hit it up I came to grind
And the game ain't mine but it will be when I'm done
Right now I like to kill MC's for fun
Let your momma know, she'll feel me like a son
And when I'm dead and gone I'll still be #1
I got heat like underneath your seat like
Stoppin at the street light, but I ain't the beef type
I got the herb though, when it's green and crystal-ly
I smoke a joint and hit the mic the rest is history
Aceyalone, but you can call me Acey
I'm a real O.G. like Count Basie
Hook up the recipe so nice and tasty
When I'm done they screamin out Aceyalone, lace me
I'm outspoken, I'm not about jokin
I'm from California but I'm not from Oakland
But they my folks now, fool I'm from SoCal
Put it down like a champion on vocals
[background starts to repeat again]
[Acey over background]
Yeah! We always rockin
It's always tight around here
Yeah! Look
[Aceyalone]
Pull everybody in this bitch close the doors up
Mines up, yours up, get your bars up
Hold up, freeze up, G's and hearts up
Hoes up in your face lookin for stardust
Didn't you notice by my swagger I was an ar-tist
I came here to party out with you and your partners
Square as a dollar bill, twice as harder
Before I start up, I put my guard up
My timeshare's open to whoever can use it
My music make more love than you did
My new shit rock, RJ produced it
New kid on the block, nah I'm used to it
Slide through, ride through, technicolor my
technique spit heat like no other I'm
low key, high signed yet discovered
Lone wolf, sho' nuff, like no other I
come through, one-two, that's all it takes for me
Old school, new school, servin 'em basically
All in the future so just don't wait for me
World class champion forever and faithfully
Lifestyle freestyle tryin to get past it though
Hold mine, goldmine, keepin it classical
How we rock it just so cunnin and masterful
And that's that flow that the people was askin fo'
[background repeats again]
[Acey over background]
Yeah man, I mean
I try to tell 'em from the gate man
We just spreadin this out, we gon' give it
We gon' give life a good ol' shot, yeah umm
I'm shootin for mines, I'm puttin everything in a pot
Yeah, huh, bet that, bet that
[Aceyalone]
Project Blowed, I'm {?} Park's finest
Billy Higgins, the world stage, Dynasty and rhymers
I'm like primer, underneath your fresh paint
Don't you ever think to let you try to say the West ain't
Whattup {?}, Mikah 9, Medusa
2Mex, PEACE, Ave, 'Driver and Jupiter
Ben Caldwell, aw hell, the whole hood
Big Pun, no name, up to no good
Ellay Khule, T-Dac, Missing Page
Party ain't over 'til I disengage
But shut your mouth up you always barkin
What'chu gonna do when your world get darkened
Pull up on the side of you right where you're parkin
Light flash in front of you and life start sparkin
Hold me down and I'll hold you up
I'm hot ice, cold in the cut, nigga what
I take flight, soarin to higher heights
I'm so tight that God bless everything I write
Plus I stick to your ribs at night
I'm like oatmeal, peanut butter, beans and rice
I said - I take flight, soarin to higher heights
I'm so tight that God bless everything I write
Plus I stick to your ribs at night
I'm like oatmeal, peanut butter, beans and rice
C'mon!
[background starts again]
[Acey over background]
Yeah, respect to all my fallen soldiers
That had to leave this lifetime early
Big up to my homies that's already here
Big up to my my my homies, my family
My peoples, my uncles, my aunties
My cousins, my two sisters my brother
My mother and father, one love to everybody
You know, do good, do good on yo' - on yo' journey
I'm tryin to do good on mine, I'm holdin it down [Acey speech fades]
The song "Fire" by RJD2 featuring Aceyalone is a classic hip-hop track with a funky beat, catchy chorus, and sharp lyricism. The song starts with the background singers chanting "fi-yah" repeatedly, creating a sense of urgency and intensity. Aceyalone's verses are complex and thought-provoking, with clever wordplay, metaphors, and references to other hip-hop artists. He talks about the state of hip-hop, calls out fake and unoriginal MCs, and showcases his skill as a lyricist and artist.
Aceyalone also celebrates life and encourages listeners to love and appreciate it. The chorus "love life let it love you back" is a powerful reminder to focus on the positive aspects of life and find joy in the little things. He also pays tribute to his fellow hip-hop artists and the community he grew up in, mentioning Project Blowed, Billy Higgins, and other influential figures. Overall, "Fire" is a fiery and dynamic song that combines social commentary, personal reflection, and infectious energy.
Line by Line Meaning
Fi-yah! Fah fi-fi-fi
Expressing excitement and intensity
Fa-fiii-yah, fa-fa-fi-yahhhhh (Love life let it love you back)
Further expressing excitement about life and spreading joy
Yo there's somethin wrong with my radio dial
Acknowledging that something is not right, that something needs to be fixed
Some of these fools just ain't got style
Some people lack creativity and originality
I don't know why and I don't know how
Unsure of how things have gotten this way
But I do know a dude low and you so foul
Calling out someone who is not a decent person
Let's do the thing most people do with it
Suggesting a course of action that is common to take in this situation
Who could it be but the one that done did it
Asking a rhetorical question, implying that the person responsible is obvious
I come with it, yeah rain or shine
Stating that they are always ready to perform
I lit it up I hit it up I came to grind
Expressing that they are ready to put in the work and succeed
And the game ain't mine but it will be when I'm done
Implies that they will eventually succeed and come out on top
Right now I like to kill MC's for fun
Enjoys competing against other musicians
Let your momma know, she'll feel me like a son
Implies that they will be welcomed into people's lives like family
And when I'm dead and gone I'll still be #1
Believes they will be remembered for their greatness even after death
I got heat like underneath your seat like
Metaphorically describing that they have a lot of ambition and energy
Stoppin at the street light, but I ain't the beef type
Asserting that they are peaceful and not a troublemaker
I got the herb though, when it's green and crystal-ly
Referring to their expertise with marijuana
I smoke a joint and hit the mic the rest is history
Implying that they are able to perform well under the influence
Aceyalone, but you can call me Acey
Introducing themselves and offering a more informal name
I'm a real O.G. like Count Basie
Describing themselves as an authentic and experienced musician
Hook up the recipe so nice and tasty
Requesting help to create something that is enjoyable and impressive
When I'm done they screamin out Aceyalone, lace me
Expressing confidence that their music will be enjoyed by others
I'm outspoken, I'm not about jokin
Describing themselves as direct and serious
I'm from California but I'm not from Oakland
Clarifying their place of origin
But they my folks now, fool I'm from SoCal
Referring to a change in their affiliations and geographic location
Put it down like a champion on vocals
Declaring their talent and ability
Pull everybody in this bitch close the doors up
Asking everyone to come together and be united
Mines up, yours up, get your bars up
Challenging other musicians to improve their performance
Hold up, freeze up, G's and hearts up
Implies that everyone should stop and be prepared for what's next
Hoes up in your face lookin for stardust
Commenting on people who are looking for fame
Didn't you notice by my swagger I was an ar-tist
Asserting that their appearance and demeanor reflects their profession
I came here to party out with you and your partners
Referring to a desire to socialize and spend time with others
Square as a dollar bill, twice as harder
Asserting their honesty and integrity
Before I start up, I put my guard up
Preparing themselves mentally before beginning something
My timeshare's open to whoever can use it
Offering a helping hand to those who need it
My music make more love than you did
Claiming that their music provokes a stronger emotional response than the listener's romantic life
My new shit rock, RJ produced it
Acknowledging the producer while promoting their new music
New kid on the block, nah I'm used to it
Stating that despite being new to the music scene, they are experienced in dealing with new situations
Slide through, ride through, technicolor my
Describing their style of music as vibrant and colorful
Technique spit heat like no other I'm
Asserting their unique and impressive musical abilities
Low key, high signed yet discovered
Describing themselves as humble but talented
Lone wolf, sho' nuff, like no other I
Asserting their independence and individuality
Come through, one-two, that's all it takes for me
Saying that they are able to produce their best work with minimal effort
Old school, new school, servin 'em basically
Asserting that they are able to perform well with various styles of music
All in the future so just don't wait for me
Encouraging people to keep moving forward and not focus on waiting for others
World class champion forever and faithfully
Believing that they will always be successful and highly regarded
Lifestyle freestyle tryin to get past it though
Describing their music as a way of dealing with life
Hold mine, goldmine, keepin it classical
Explaining that their music is valuable and timeless
How we rock it just so cunnin and masterful
Proud of their musical style and performance
And that's that flow that the people was askin fo'
Suggesting that their music and performance is what people are looking for
Project Blowed, I'm {?} Park's finest
Acknowledging their roots and pride for their community
Billy Higgins, the world stage, Dynasty and rhymers
Referring to specific people and places that have influenced their music
I'm like primer, underneath your fresh paint
Stating that they are foundational and essential to the music scene
Don't you ever think to let you try to say the West ain't
Defending the West Coast music scene and their place in it
Whattup {?}, Mikah 9, Medusa
Acknowledging and greeting fellow musicians
2Mex, PEACE, Ave, 'Driver and Jupiter
Listing other musicians that they have respect for
Ben Caldwell, aw hell, the whole hood
Shouting out their community and people who have helped them along the way
Big Pun, no name, up to no good
Referencing other musicians, both famous and unknown
Ellay Khule, T-Dac, Missing Page
Listing more musicians that they admire
Party ain't over 'til I disengage
Asserting that their presence is essential to a good party
But shut your mouth up you always barkin
Telling someone to be quiet
What'chu gonna do when your world get darkened
Asking a rhetorical question about what someone will do when they face tough times
Pull up on the side of you right where you're parkin
Imagining a confrontational situation
Light flash in front of you and life start sparkin
Describing a dangerous and violent situation
Hold me down and I'll hold you up
Promising support for others
I'm hot ice, cold in the cut, nigga what
Describing their personality as complex and multilayered
I take flight, soarin to higher heights
Comparing themselves to a bird
I'm so tight that God bless everything I write
Believing that their music is exceptional and divinely blessed
Plus I stick to your ribs at night
Imagining their music as nourishing and satisfying
I'm like oatmeal, peanut butter, beans and rice
Comparing themselves to simple but satisfying foods
Writer(s): Edwin M.Hayes Jr Copyright: Decon Has A Publishing Co., That Kind Of Music, Universal Music Corp.
Contributed by Lucas S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.