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.
Shot In The Dark
RJD2 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[shoot to kill]
Chief :
Let's go.
Officer 1 :
Chief :
Alright you!
Man :
No need to shoot me officer, I was just--
Chief :
Don't you be tellin' me what not to do, man.
Just walk foward and keep them hands high.
Man :
I saw the man... the assalant.
Chief :
Shut your mouth.
Man :
But I was just chasing him
Chief :
I told you shut your mouth! (Phantom) arrest him.
Officer 2 :
He's clean.
Chief :
Cuff him.
Man :
But wait, I'm not the one you're looking for.
Chief :
Shut your mouth, boy!
Man :
You're making a mistake officer.
The man you want is getting away.
He's about 5'7". [5'7"] He weighs---
Chief :
Get him in the car!
Man :
Now look, my name is Benson.
I just got here from-- {punch in face}
Chief :
I asked you to shut your mouth, boy.
[mouth boy] You gonna do it? [do it]
The song "Shot In The Dark" by RJD2 is an instrumental hip-hop track that has a powerful and evocative spoken word passage. The lyrics are spoken by police officers as they try to apprehend a suspect. The track's spoken word passage has been sampled from "The Incident," a 1967 radio broadcast from the New York Police Department's radio scanner. The lyrics' power lies in its depiction of police brutality and the ease with which law enforcement can misinterpret events and harm innocent people.
The spoken word lyrics in "Shot In The Dark" describe a chaotic and tense situation between police officers and a suspect who is trying to explain his innocence. The chief of police is barking orders at his officers and the suspect, insisting that the suspect is guilty and should be arrested. The suspect is begging for his life, trying to explain that he's not the person the officers are looking for, but his words fall on deaf ears. The police officers are aggressive, shouting at the suspect and threatening him with arrest. The scene ends with the suspect being violently punched in the face, with no regard for his well-being.
Overall, "Shot In The Dark" is an unsettling and powerful song that calls attention to issues of police brutality and the ease with which law enforcement can harm innocent people. It is an important reminder of the need for police reform and the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
[shoot to ki-kill, to-kill] {x4}
The repeated phrase emphasizes the act of killing, introducing the violent tone of the song.
[shoot to kill]
The song's title is repeated, further highlighting the message of violence and aggression.
Chief :
The chief of police is in command of the situation, and his words hold great weight.
Let's go.
The chief gives a brief order to begin the operation.
Officer 1 :
One of the officers involved in the operation speaks up.
He's got his hands up, Chief. Take it easy.
The officer tries to defuse the situation and prevent any unnecessary violence.
Alright you!
The chief demands attention and obeisance from those around him.
No need to shoot me officer, I was just--
The suspect pleads with the officer to not harm him, explaining his situation and trying to justify his actions.
Don't you be tellin' me what not to do, man.
Just walk foward and keep them hands high.
The chief asserts control over the suspect, ordering him around with aggression and dominance.
I saw the man... the assalant.
The suspect tries to provide information to the officers about the criminal they are pursuing.
Shut your mouth.
The chief silences the suspect, not wanting to hear any more of his words.
But I was just chasing him
The suspect tries to explain why he was in the area and what he was doing.
I told you shut your mouth! (Phantom) arrest him.
The chief orders the suspect to be arrested despite his protestations.
Officer 2 :
Another officer interjects into the scene.
He's clean.
The officer reports that the suspect does not have any weapons or contraband on him.
Cuff him.
The chief orders the suspect to be restrained and taken away by force.
But wait, I'm not the one you're looking for.
The suspect tries one last time to prove his innocence and avoid arrest.
Shut your mouth, boy!
The chief dismisses the suspect's claims and silences him once again with derogatory language.
You're making a mistake officer.
The man you want is getting away.
He's about 5'7". [5'7"] He weighs---
The suspect continues to protest, trying to give the officers information about the real criminal they should be pursuing.
Get him in the car!
The chief ignores the suspect's information and orders his officers to take him away.
Now look, my name is Benson.
I just got here from-- {punch in face}
The suspect tries to give more information about himself, but is met with violence and brutality from the chief.
I asked you to shut your mouth, boy.
[mouth boy] You gonna do it? [do it]
The chief reiterates his power and control over the suspect with violent language, establishing his dominance through physical force.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Ramble John Krohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind