By the time he reached adolescence, Robert knew his destiny was to be a jazz musician. He was accepted to the Houston's famed High School for the Performing Arts ("Jason Moran went there before me."). Post-graduation, Glasper enrolled at New School University in Manhattan. Soon after arrival, he hooked up with future bandmember Reid and vocalist Bilal, an old schoolmate. As an undergrad, Glasper gigged with Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Kenny Garrett. Professional life after the New School was even sweeter: stints with Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, and Carly Simon.
The Bilal connection brought the pianist back to hip-hop. Glasper's contributions to Bilal's debut and subsequent tour brought him to the attention of Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest). "Tip would come hang out at my shows, and one day he called me and said, ‘I'm doing this tour and I need you to play keys. Can you do it?’” He's also since played with Mos Def, and is featured prominently on Bilal's forthcoming sophomore release.
In 2003, Glasper's first album Mood was released on indie label Fresh Sound New Talent, and two years later, Blue Note came calling. At Blue Note, Glasper joins a jazz piano legacy that stretches back to 1939, beginning with Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, and continuing through Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, Jason Moran and Bill Charlap. Undaunted, Glasper reflects, “I’m just happy to be a part of the Blue Note family and its rich history.”
-- From Glasper's Official Website
Aah Whoa
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You haven't decided your life is a
Complete waste because I let you look at me
Nah you're not a failure
Just the alternative to success
You will rust
Your perspective is weakened by emotion
Giving me everything I want has
Your declaration of self-esteem screams
Just the opposite laughable in my diary
You enjoy being beat
Stuck in clone relationships
Losing quality and
Resolution with each copy of me
Teach your smile to become a habit
Maybe you'll stop getting kicked out
Of places you don't own here's my first lie:
I'll be here when you get home
Stop texting me about shopping
I'd rather be cleaning the grout
In the bathtub after 48
Visitors than being seen with you
In the shopping mall
I'd rather be threading my eyebrows after a
Sunburn alone than with you at all
But we all know how the story goes
You can only hate someone
Your once truly loved
In the first paragraph, the singer seems to be addressing someone who is struggling with their self-worth and emotional stability due to their relationship with the singer. The singer acknowledges that the person has not completely fallen apart or given up on life because of their presence, but also points out that the person's self-perception is clouded by their emotions. The singer suggests that the person's struggles are not a reflection of their failure but rather the contrast to success, hinting at a sense of inadequacy or insecurity in comparison to the singer.
Moving on to the second paragraph, the singer delves deeper into the dynamics of the relationship, highlighting the distorted perspective of the person towards the singer. The person's efforts to please the singer and meet their desires are portrayed as futile, as the singer dismisses the significance of it, indicating that it does not affect them personally. The person's attempts to boost their self-esteem or assert their worth are deemed ineffective by the singer, who sees through their facade and perceives their actions as insincere and laughable, hinting at a lack of authenticity in the relationship.
In the third paragraph, the singer expresses a sense of detachment and indifference towards the person, rejecting their attempts to engage in superficial activities like shopping or socializing. The singer contrasts these mundane activities with solitary tasks like cleaning or personal grooming, suggesting a preference for solitude over the company of the person. The singer's dismissive attitude towards the person hints at a lack of genuine connection or interest in maintaining the relationship, emphasizing their desire for independence and autonomy.
In the final paragraph, the singer concludes with a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and hate in relationships. The singer acknowledges the shift in emotions from love to hate towards the person, highlighting the painful realization that one can only harbor hatred towards someone they once truly loved. This introspective closing statement encapsulates the bittersweet nature of relationships, where feelings of resentment and disillusionment can replace affection and admiration over time. Overall, the lyrics of "Aah Whoa" by Robert Glasper paint a vivid portrait of a tumultuous relationship characterized by emotional turmoil, detachment, and the harsh realities of shifting dynamics between two individuals.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Modestus Wijanarko
You haven't fallen apart because I exist
You haven't decided your life is a complete waste because I let you look at me
Nah you're not a failure, just the alternative to success
You will rust
Your perspective is weakened by emotion
Giving me everything I want has nothing to do with me
Your declaration of self-esteem screams just the opposite
Laughable in my diary
You enjoy being beat
Stuck in clone relationships losing quality and resolution with each copy of me
Teach your smile to become a habit
Maybe you'll stop getting kicked out of places you don't own
Here's my first lie:
I'll be here when you get home
Stop texting me about shopping
I'd rather be cleaning the grout in the bathtub after 48 visitors than being seen with you in the shopping mall
I'd rather be threading my eyebrows after a sunburn alone than with you at all
But we all know how the story goes
You can only hate someone
Your once truly loved
Modestus Wijanarko
You haven't fallen apart because I exist
You haven't decided your life is a complete waste because I let you look at me
Nah you're not a failure, just the alternative to success
You will rust
Your perspective is weakened by emotion
Giving me everything I want has nothing to do with me
Your declaration of self-esteem screams just the opposite
Laughable in my diary
You enjoy being beat
Stuck in clone relationships losing quality and resolution with each copy of me
Teach your smile to become a habit
Maybe you'll stop getting kicked out of places you don't own
Here's my first lie:
I'll be here when you get home
Stop texting me about shopping
I'd rather be cleaning the grout in the bathtub after 48 visitors than being seen with you in the shopping mall
I'd rather be threading my eyebrows after a sunburn alone than with you at all
But we all know how the story goes
You can only hate someone
Your once truly loved
Vernell Thomas
I LOVE MUHSINAH!!!!🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.....her voice melts my soul!
QueenOfTheDamned
I miss her experimental music. So underrated and dope ❤
Mr_Wall Street
Been gone for a min in the USA
Allison Lea
How am I just learning about Robert Glasper??! I've had my head stuck in the 90s for so long, I never took the time to take a look at the talent that's come up over the last decade. You are a mood, Robert.
YaYaminah
The harmony is amazing. I can listen to this on repeat while driving to work
tutumiles1
Glasper, please release this album.. This is going to be amazing
Syreeta Chever
My Queen 👸🏾 Always spits so eloquently 🤌🏾
Gab Omandam
"Not a failure, just an alternative to success." Step on me please lol got me on the ballsacc
Andy Edwards
that line was epic