While the world hadn’t heard a follow-up Res album, that didn’t mean there was no music. In 2006 Res was asked by Hip-Hop crooner Cee-Lo to join the Gnarls Barkley world tour promoting their Grammy Award winning album St. Elsewhere. "That was a ride I will never forget! We performed in places like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, all throughout Europe and the United States...in the most ridiculous costumes," she fondly remembers. Throughout the year and a half touring as a background singer for Gnarls Barkley, Res constantly wrote new material, including the song “To Empower” which landed on the soundtrack to Akeelah and the Bee. Upon returning to the States, she started a residency at Hollywood’s the Mint and began doing spot dates in LA, Atlanta, and San Francisco performing new material. “Then I decided to get my act together,” she says. Then Idle Warship happened.
“I started a group with Talib Kweli ,” Res says of the genesis of Idle Warship. Their music melds the rapping of Kweli with the singing of Res peppered in. Idle Warship took the 2008 SXSW by storm, making their official debut with an unlikely paired fanbase of Rock and Hip-Hop heads. While the trio is still forming songs and gearing for an official release, the stage is now set for Res to re-emerge with her second solo offering.
Black.Girls.Rock! is a true labor of love for Res. Growing up in a household warmed by Marvin Gaye plus being a child of the ‘80s, Res was always eclectic in her musical tastes. While her early days offered electro-laden Neo Soul, Res spent a large portion of her in between years crafting singer/songwriter folk songs. Add in the influences from touring Europe with Gnarls Barkley and the music she is now making has never been heard before. With songs that were previously unreleased from her Geffen days coupled with newly penned hymns of heartache, love, and rebirth, Black.Girls.Rock! is the long-awaited album that will live up to every fan’s expectation.
Res’ near-decade long career is filled with winding paths and memorable experiences. While she’s no stranger to the hardships of being an artist, Res is simply in love with making music and the world will fall in love once again with Black.Girls.Rock! Her voice, her style, and her sound are a combination lacking in today’s music. While her debut set the tone for the start of the first decade of the new millennium, Black.Girls.Rock! will own the close of it. By now many would have given up, but Res was born to make music. Simply put, “You’re destined to do what you’re destined to do.”
The Hustler
Res Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My soul's kinda gritty
Now do I lie or run away
Engine, engine number 9
You get your way
Or I'll get mine
Sure as the sun will shine each day
Just like the apple
Temptress sets in
I win you're tackled
Shackles on my feet won't let me move
Not soft but supple
Come with all you got
My wings won't ruffle
Victory is sweet but I ain't scared to lose
In my house the moon still shines in the day
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house feel free to dance like it's May
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
Mama can you hear me?
Papa I'm sittin' pretty
Don't have to shun my heart this time
I know when it really matters
It'll be me alone and regrets will be none
Just like the apple, temptress sets in
I win you're tackled
Shackles on my feet won't let me move
Not soft but supple
Come with all you got
My wings won't ruffle
Victory is sweet but I ain't scared to lose
In my house the moon still shines in the day
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house feel free to dance like it's May
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
I'll be on my own, it don't matter I'm grown
I won't be singin' no sad song in the lay
And if I rub you wrong, baby, I come on strong
I got no mind to cushion what I say
In my house the moon still shines in the day
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house feel free to dance like it's May
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house the moon still shines in the day
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house feel free to dance like it's May
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
In my house
(In the day)
In my house
(Won't you stay)
In my house
(In my house)
In my house
The room will shine
Shine in the day
The lyrics to Res's song The Hustler are about the struggles of life and the perseverance it takes to overcome them. The singer opens the song by describing herself as being gritty, putting her in a mental state that questions whether she should lie or run away. The repetitive chorus "Engine, engine number 9, You get your way, or I'll get mine, Sure as the sun will shine each day” represents her determination to face her challenges and come out on top. The metaphor "Just like the apple, temptress sets in" highlights the allure of temptation and the risks that come with it.
The lyrics go on to describe the singer's home where the moon still shines in the day, but she's got a lot of old bills to pay. Despite her struggles, she encourages others to feel free and dance as if it's May in her house. The final verses are about the singer taking control of her own life and not depending on anyone else, including her parents. She acknowledges that she may rub people the wrong way but is unapologetically herself.
Overall, the lyrics of The Hustler are inspiring and empowering, encouraging listeners to face their struggles head-on and not be afraid to live their lives authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got something with me
I have something inside me that I carry with me wherever I go
My soul's kinda gritty
I have a tough spirit because I've had to go through difficult times
Now do I lie or run away
When faced with a difficult decision, I'm not sure whether to be dishonest or escape the situation
Engine, engine number 9
I'm invoking a children's rhyme as a metaphor for the competition between me and my opponent
You get your way
My opponent may have the upper hand at first
Or I'll get mine
But I will eventually achieve success as well
Sure as the sun will shine each day
It's inevitable that there will be victories and losses in life
Just like the apple
Referring back to an earlier line, victories can be like tempting fruit that you must fight to attain
Temptress sets in
Achieving this victory can be alluring and tempting
I win you're tackled
Once I achieve my goal, my opponent will be stopped in their tracks
Shackles on my feet won't let me move
Despite achieving success, there are still limits and responsibilities that come with it
Not soft but supple
I am not weak, but I am flexible
Come with all you got
I am ready for any challenge
My wings won't ruffle
I will not be shaken or disturbed by adversity
Victory is sweet but I ain't scared to lose
While success is great, the possibility of losing doesn't scare me and I'm willing to take risks
In my house the moon still shines in the day
Despite difficulties, I strive to maintain a positive environment
But there's a lot 'a old bills I gotta pay
There are challenges and debts that I still need to address
Mama can you hear me?
A message to my mother, asking if she's proud of me
Papa I'm sittin' pretty
A message to my father, showing I've achieved success without his help
Don't have to shun my heart this time
I do not have to hide my true feelings anymore
I know when it really matters
I am confident in my abilities and can handle tough situations
It'll be me alone and regrets will be none
I am responsible for my own success and won't let regrets hold me back
I'll be on my own, it don't matter I'm grown
I am independent and can handle life's challenges
I won't be singin' no sad song in the lay
I am not going to let hardships get me down or affect my spirit
And if I rub you wrong, baby, I come on strong
If someone is bothered by my confidence, it will only make me stronger
I got no mind to cushion what I say
I speak my mind without fear of consequences
The room will shine
Despite challenges, I will maintain a positive and happy home environment
Shine in the day
Even during tough times, I will strive to maintain a positive attitude
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SANTI WHITE, PATRICK LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind