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.
High Lights
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it in the air (high lights, high lights)
(high lights, high lights)
[Aceyalone]
Bubble kush, cat piss, purple rain
Hash plant, thai stick, white widow, wreck the train
Indo, outdo', to the brain
Bongs, blunts, and zig-zags
Bubblers, bowls, blowin out of big bags
Twist up, roll up, pack up, hit that
Scent so strong in the air, where you get that?
Afghan, Pakistan, lamb's bread, skunk
Acapulco Goldy, hydro funk
Blueberry, chronic, chocolate chunk
Northern lights, buddha bless, cannabis cup
And that's what's up
(high lights, high lights)
(high lights, high lights)
[Aceyalone]
The legislation wants regulation
Want to interfere with my cultivation
My personal usage for meditation
And medication to help the patients
Cancer, asthma, emphysema
Back pains, migraines, grass is greener
Glaucoma, arthritis, epileptic seizures
Medicine man make me a believer
Cheech & Chong, "Reefer Madness"
"Half Baked," _How High_ heal the masses
Light that, puff that, dump the ashes
Take 2, take 3, take 4 and pass it
(high lights, high lights)
(high lights, high lights)
[Aceyalone]
Super silver, Hawaiian haze
Sativa, indica, Solomon's grave
Genesis, chapter one verse twelve ways
Marijuana, hashish, everybody blaze
Fuels and fibers, energy saved
When the natives met the travelers, guess what they gave
All praise due to the seeds they raised
And the people all over the world that smoke J's
Kings and queens, musicians, actors
Everyday, working class, stoners, slackers
Low key blazers and green bowl packers
If Mary Jane is in the house then I'm gon' mack her
(high lights, high lights)
This is dedicated to everybody in the world that smoke weed
Legalize it
(high lights, high lights)
Eat it, use it for fibers, Aceyalone
The lyrics of RJD2's song "High Lights" are about the different strains of marijuana and various ways of consuming it. Aceyalone, the featured artist in the song, lists out various marijuana strains: bubble kush, cat piss, purple rain, hash plant, thai stick, white widow, wreck the train, indo, outdo', to the brain, the ones that come in brown, red, orange, and green, and the most potent strains. He also mentions the different methods of smoking or vaping marijuana: bongs, blunts, zig-zags, bubblers, and bowls. He asks where the strong scent comes from and lists out different types of marijuana such as Afghan, Pakistan, lamb's bread, skunk, Acapulco Goldy, hydro funk, blueberry, chronic, chocolate chunk, Northern lights, buddha bless, cannabis cup. The song also has a message of advocating for the legalization of marijuana for medical as well as personal use. Aceyalone names different medical conditions for which marijuana can be used, such as cancer, asthma, emphysema, back pains, migraines, glaucoma, and arthritis. He cites the Cheech & Chong, "Reefer Madness", "Half Baked," and "How High" movies that have brought awareness about the medicinal properties of marijuana.
Line by Line Meaning
Light it up! Yeah
Start smoking marijuana and enjoy the high
Put it in the air (high lights, high lights)
Inhale the marijuana smoke and let the high begin
Bubble kush, cat piss, purple rain
Different strains of marijuana - Bubble Kush, Cat Piss, and Purple Rain
Hash plant, thai stick, white widow, wreck the train
More strains of marijuana - Hash Plant, Thai Stick, White Widow, and Wreck The Train
Indo, outdo', to the brain
Indoor and outdoor-grown marijuana that gives a powerful high
Orange brown redhead, green, the potent strains
Marijuana strains with different colors that are known for their potency
Bongs, blunts, and zig-zags
Different ways to smoke marijuana - using bongs, rolling it in blunts, or rolling it in zig-zags
Bubblers, bowls, blowin out of big bags
Other tools like bubblers and bowls, and smoking large amounts of marijuana from big bags
Twist up, roll up, pack up, hit that
Different methods of rolling or packing marijuana to smoke it
Scent so strong in the air, where you get that?
The strong smell of marijuana smoke in the air
Afghan, Pakistan, lamb's bread, skunk
More strains of marijuana - Afghan, Pakistan, Lamb's Bread, and Skunk
Acapulco Goldy, hydro funk
Two more strains of marijuana - Acapulco Goldy and Hydro Funk
Blueberry, chronic, chocolate chunk
More strains of marijuana - Blueberry, Chronic, and Chocolate Chunk
Northern lights, buddha bless, cannabis cup
Even more strains of marijuana - Northern Lights, Buddha Bless, Cannabis Cup
And that's what's up
Just some of the various strains of marijuana available
(high lights, high lights)
Repeated phrase representing the enjoyment of the high
The legislation wants regulation
The government wants to regulate the use and cultivation of marijuana
Want to interfere with my cultivation
The government wants to control or stop individuals from growing their own marijuana
My personal usage for meditation
One of the reasons for personal marijuana use - to help with meditation and relaxation
And medication to help the patients
Another reason for marijuana use - to help with medical issues like cancer, asthma, and epilepsy
Glaucoma, arthritis, epileptic seizures
Some of the medical conditions that marijuana can help with
Medicine man make me a believer
Referring to how a marijuana dealer is often considered a "medicine man"
Cheech & Chong, "Reefer Madness"
References classic stoner films and anti-marijuana propaganda
"Half Baked," _How High_ heal the masses
More stoner films that are enjoyed by many
Light that, puff that, dump the ashes
Instructions for smoking marijuana
Take 2, take 3, take 4 and pass it
Inviting others to enjoy the marijuana together
Super silver, Hawaiian haze
More strains of marijuana - Super Silver and Hawaiian Haze
Sativa, indica, Solomon's grave
Different types of marijuana plants that produce different highs
Genesis, chapter one verse twelve ways
Reference to the Bible verse that talks about the creation of plants - specifically, marijuana
Marijuana, hashish, everybody blaze
Encouraging everyone to enjoy some form of marijuana
Fuels and fibers, energy saved
Referring to the many other uses for hemp aside from smoking marijuana
When the natives met the travelers, guess what they gave
Native Americans often shared marijuana with European travelers when they first arrived in North America
All praise due to the seeds they raised
Giving credit to the origin of the marijuana plants
And the people all over the world that smoke J's
Acknowledging that marijuana is popular worldwide
Kings and queens, musicians, actors
People from all walks of life enjoy marijuana
Everyday, working class, stoners, slackers
More people who smoke marijuana
Low key blazers and green bowl packers
People who smoke marijuana casually and without drawing attention to themselves
If Mary Jane is in the house then I'm gon' mack her
If marijuana is around, the singer is going to enjoy it
This is dedicated to everybody in the world that smoke weed
The entire song is about marijuana use and enjoyment
Legalize it
The artist is advocating for the legalization of marijuana
Eat it, use it for fibers, Aceyalone
More uses for hemp aside from smoking it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: EDWIN M. JR. HAYES, RAMBLE JON KROHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind