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.
One of a Kind
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Recently renovated more hated on than the werewolf or the mummy
I call my peoples cat and b, it's the land of milk and honey
I tap a vein and blood be gooshin
Gonna need to pay up all the change in between your sofa cushions
To even get into position for following the leader
A single drop before you know it you're swallowing a liter
I eat bananas from Chiquita
And read the bhagavad gita
And when people say ""do you know who you remind me of?""
I say no and that i'm a rapper not a mind reader
Guess i get upset when people get it twisted
and suggest i'm similar to ayone who ever existed
No disrespect to everyone who ever lived
But none of y'all aint had no bars for the kid
ALL THE INDIE RAP
NONE OF THE CRYING
IT SURE DOES FEEL GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
ALL THE MOUTAIN TOPS
NONE OF THE CLIMB
IT SURE FEELS GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
Shout to critics
Shout to mimics
Shout to gimmicks
Shout to cynics
Shout to biters
Uhm
Shout to ghostwriters
Can't forget a
Shout to genres and categories the more rigid the better
Shout whatever
Just being forward
I think being butter is better than being corn
I think feeling better is better than being cured
I think being dead is way better than being bored
Word born
Laying a bet is way better than being sure
Laying in bed is way better than doin chores
When accidents happen i happen to be insured
In short
After school the bully didn't show up
First of the lessons i ever got taught
Is a crime ain't a crime if you never get caught
So I'ma get gone
Put on a bow and then get goin
Whatever direction the wind blowin
ALL THE INDIE RAP
NONE OF THE CRYING
IT SURE DOES FEEL GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
ALL THE MOUTAIN TOPS
NONE OF THE CLIMB
IT SURE FEELS GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
The lyrics of RJD2 feat. Homeboy Sandman's song "One of a Kind" are primarily about individualism and celebrating one's unique identity. The first verse talks about being a winner who doesn't rely on others for money and has recently been "renovated" (i.e., improved). Despite being unpopular ("more hated on than the werewolf or the mummy"), the artist sees themselves as part of an elite group ("my peoples cat and b") in a desirable place ("the land of milk and honey"). The second half of the verse takes a darker turn with the imagery of drug addiction ("I tap a vein and blood be gooshin") and a warning that following the wrong crowd can lead to dangerous consequences ("A single drop before you know it you're swallowing a liter").
The chorus emphasizes the artist's belief in their uniqueness and the satisfaction that comes with it. The phrase "one of a kind" is repeated along with a contrast between the peaks of success ("all the mountain tops") and the struggles to get there ("none of the climb"). The second verse continues the theme of individualism, with the artist calling out various people and things that they can't be compared to or don't aspire to be like. They point out that being "butter" (i.e., smooth and cool) is better than being "corn" (i.e., uncool), and that feeling good is more important than being cured of a problem. The artist then flips the phrase "better safe than sorry" to say that laying a bet (i.e., taking a risk) is better than being sure. The verse closes with a sense of freedom and adventure ("put on a bow and then get goin / Whatever direction the wind blowin").
Line by Line Meaning
Champion wit a chubby who constantly spending other peoples money
I am successful, but I have a habit of spending other people's money.
Recently renovated more hated on than the werewolf or the mummy
I have recently faced a lot of criticism and hate, more than what fictional characters like werewolves and mummies face.
I call my peoples cat and b, it's the land of milk and honey
I have good relationships with my people, and we live in a place where we have plenty.
I tap a vein and blood be gooshin
I am very skilled and experienced in what I do, and I perform it with great precision and accuracy.
Gonna need to pay up all the change in between your sofa cushions
You need every penny you can find to keep up with me.
To even get into position for following the leader
You have to put in a lot of effort and hard work just to be in the position of following the leader.
A single drop before you know it you're swallowing a liter
I am so captivating and impressive that you'll be hooked without even realizing it.
I eat bananas from Chiquita
I am just like everyone else and can enjoy everyday things like eating bananas.
Checkered flag in the bag
I have achieved a significant victory or success.
And read the bhagavad gita
I am well-read and knowledgeable about important texts like the Bhagavad Gita.
And when people say "do you know who you remind me of?"
People often compare me to others, but I am my own unique individual.
I say no and that i'm a rapper not a mind reader
I can't know what other people are thinking, but I know who I am and what I do.
Guess i get upset when people get it twisted
I feel irritated when people misunderstand me or misinterpret what I do.
and suggest i'm similar to anyone who ever existed
It bothers me when people compare me to others, even those from history or the present day.
No disrespect to everyone who ever lived
I have respect for everyone who has ever existed, even if I don't want to be like them.
But none of y'all aint had no bars for the kid
None of the people I am compared to are as talented or skilled as I am.
ALL THE INDIE RAP
I belong to the genre of indie rap.
NONE OF THE CRYING
But my music isn't sad or emotional.
IT SURE DOES FEEL GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
I feel proud and happy that I am unique and one of a kind.
ALL THE MOUNTAIN TOPS
I have achieved success and reached the top of the mountain.
NONE OF THE CLIMB
But I didn't have to struggle or work hard to get there.
IT SURE FEELS GOOD BEING ONE OF A KIND
I feel proud and happy that I am unique and one of a kind.
Shout to critics
I acknowledge and give attention to my critics.
Shout to mimics
I acknowledge and give attention to those who mimic me or copy my style.
Shout to gimmicks
I acknowledge and give attention to those who use gimmicks in their work.
Shout to cynics
I acknowledge and give attention to those who are cynical or negative.
Shout to biters
I acknowledge and give attention to those who copy and steal from others.
Uhm
I am unsure of what to say next.
Shout to ghostwriters
I acknowledge and give attention to those who use ghostwriters in their work.
Can't forget a
I don't want to forget about something important.
Shout to genres and categories the more rigid the better
I acknowledge and give attention to specific genres and categories of music, and I prefer ones that are strictly defined.
Shout whatever
I don't really care what else you shout about.
Just being forward
I am being honest and straightforward in what I say.
I think being butter is better than being corn
I believe it is better to be smooth and easygoing than stubborn or hard-headed.
I think feeling better is better than being cured
I believe it is better to focus on feeling good than to try to fix something that isn't necessarily broken.
I think being dead is way better than being bored
I believe it is better to be dead than to be so uninterested and unengaged in life that you are bored.
Word born
This is true and has always been true.
Laying a bet is way better than being sure
I believe it is better to take risks and make bets than to always play it safe and be sure.
Laying in bed is way better than doin chores
I believe it is better to relax and rest than to have to do annoying or difficult tasks like chores.
When accidents happen i happen to be insured
I am well-prepared and protected in case something bad happens.
In short
To sum things up quickly.
After school the bully didn't show up
I was bullied at school, but one day the bully did not show up.
First of the lessons i ever got taught
This was a significant and memorable lesson that I learned early on in my life.
Is a crime ain't a crime if you never get caught
If you can get away with something without being caught, it isn't really a crime.
So I'ma get gone
I am going to leave now.
Put on a bow and then get goin
I am going to put on my best and get going in my life.
Whatever direction the wind blowin
I am open to any direction that my life takes, just like a leaf in the wind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ramble Krohn, Angel Del Villar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind