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.
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RJD2 Lyrics
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Something you got baby,
Makes me work all day,
Something you got,
Keep me bringing you all my things.
Something you got baby,
You oughta know.
Oh oh.
I love you so [Fade out]
The lyrics to RJD2's song "Work" are deceptively simple, but they carry a lot of weight. The main theme of the song seems to be about the power that love and attraction can have over a person. The repeated phrase "something you got" is a reference to this intangible quality that the singer's partner possesses, which makes him feel like he has to work hard to earn and keep their affection. This could refer to any number of things - perhaps they have a magnetic personality, or they're incredibly attractive, or the chemistry between them is electric. Whatever it is, it's enough to keep the singer constantly striving to impress them.
The phrase "makes me work all day" is particularly evocative, as it suggests that the singer is so consumed with thoughts of their partner that they can't focus on anything else. They're willing to put in endless hours just to keep the relationship going, which speaks to the intensity of their feelings. Of course, this level of devotion can be exhausting, and it's unclear whether the singer considers it a positive or negative thing. The fact that the song ends with the repeated line "I love you so" could be interpreted as either a declaration of undying love or a desperate plea for validation.
Overall, "Work" is a song that captures the complicated and sometimes overwhelming nature of attraction. It's both a celebration of the power that love can have over us and a warning about the potential pitfalls of giving ourselves over completely to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Something you got baby,
The mere presence of the person being addressed in the song motivates the singer to work extremely hard all day long.
Makes me work all day,
The effect of the person's presence on the singer is so strong that he is compelled to work continuously all day long.
Something you got,
The characteristics or attributes possessed by the person being addressed are so powerful that they have an intense impact on the singer.
Keep me bringing you all my things.
The person's influence on the singer is so great that he is willing to give them everything he has.
Something you got baby,
The same sentiment conveyed in the first line of the song is repeated to emphasize the power of the person being addressed.
You oughta know.
The singer is saying that the person being addressed should be aware of the immense impact they have on him.
I said, my my.
This line could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it could be seen as the singer being in awe of the power the person has over him.
Oh oh.
This line could be interpreted as an expression of joy or pleasure brought on by the person's influence on the singer.
I love you so [Fade out]
The song ends with the singer expressing his love for the person being addressed, likely due to the profound effect they have on him.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: RAMBLE JOHN KROHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind