Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and s… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and strongest musical influence. Mrs. Glasper not only played piano and sang gospel music in the family's church, she led a band that worked the city's jazz and blues club circuit as well. By the age of twelve, young Robert was playing piano in that church. "Gospel music is built on emotion and spirituality; you go to church and leave crying," he smiles. "It definitely just gave me that sensitivity and knowing how to reach people and knowing how to be in tune with your feelings and the emotion of the music. My thing is, it helps me relate to the audience 'cause they're gonna give you what you give them. When you bring the crowd into your world, you can do anything you want."
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
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
Black Superhero
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Yeah (up in the sky)
(It's a bird, it's a plane)
Hmm, sound like some superhero shit
Some Black superhero shit
Hmm, damn
Oh yeah
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
You need a nigga roll like me
Military mind stated and I keep a gun and a degree
You can label me a Huey P
Made a martyr outta Martin, outta Malcolm, outta Medgar
I refuse to let these dirty devils make my Gullah beggar
Fuck a hero see oh I will go make heed oh for my people
Give me liberty or death that is my credo not my ego
Dressed in a tuxedo, enter party, altar ego
Killed your need of it, gazebo, did it for the people
Love what motivated, I did not do it for hatred
But I truly hate the devil I cannot debate or fake it
I was asked a question and I asked about it hard
If I was facing death then I could ask one thing of God
I would ask for every nigga to be free here and abroad
And to be rightfully celebrated as a child of God
And to be rightfully celebrated as a child of God (as a child of God)
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Our own kind took Nip from us
Money still read "in God we trust"
Truthfully we envy, so why we so envious
And why our own kind envy us?
Pop said it's hard but we gotta keep our head up
Goin' even though we know we fed up
It's hella tension
'Cause we ain't careful where we all pay attention
I need all my real soldiers on the front line
Fighting for the right shit just one time
So unstoppable together at the same time, with the same mind
Yeah, we wanna be high and always above what's beneath us, so
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
I'm talking bulletproof kinda suit
Reflect the struggle that they put us through
With a shrimp
To fight the power like Chaldea do
With the insight to be equal
Know the sky need it, a voice that finds reason
To multiply people in the streets full of calls
Marching on Washington, might as well be walking through walls
Type of superhero show up with ain't no one to call
That'll shield ya from them shields that been killing us all
High beams for eyes to peep the villains in the dark
Power of resolution 'fore a war was even started
The knowledge to build and grow where they live
And take care of the kids and the older folk
The queens cause they need it most
Politic with the kings about economic growth
Kill PTSD, 'cause mental health ain't a joke
Feed the hungry, and though, everyone would know everywhere we go
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
It's gon' take one of us to save us
It's gon' take love and a lot of trust
We just took it, have faith and know that
Long as you got mine, I got your back, I know
It's gon' take one of us to save us
It's gon' take love and a lot of trust
We just took it, have faith and know that
Long as you got mine, I got your back, I know
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero (need a Black superhero)
You know, just, just the idea of how Black men
In this culture and society get framed
And how everything possible is actually designed
To actually diminish what your true power is, right?
And so, when you speak about the superhero-ness of our communities
Every ghetto, every block, every street corner
Really, all of those men are God
They're just living in a reality that tears them down
And makes them feels as though they're not what they actually are
'Cause they know it when they look in the mirror
The female take on it
You know, it's on some levels, it's a little more heartbreaking, right?
Because, like, we've created this reality
That walks away from us being clear
About the fact that the Black woman is actually
The goddess on this planet (absolutely)
The mitochondrial information that's requisite
To create every type of man
That exists on this planet is derivative of hers (absolutely)
Right? So, we actually have to sit there figuring out
Which being on this planet actually constitutes God?
And that term, if we're framing it in that way
The actual living God on this planet
The only direction you can point in is the direction of the Black woman
Firstly like, us as an extension of her, but firstly her, right?
Because none of it exists without her
(It's a bird, it's a plane)
Hmm, sound like some superhero shit
Some Black superhero shit
Hmm, damn
Oh yeah
Every block, every hood
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
You need a nigga roll like me
Military mind stated and I keep a gun and a degree
You can label me a Huey P
Made a martyr outta Martin, outta Malcolm, outta Medgar
I refuse to let these dirty devils make my Gullah beggar
Fuck a hero see oh I will go make heed oh for my people
Give me liberty or death that is my credo not my ego
Dressed in a tuxedo, enter party, altar ego
Killed your need of it, gazebo, did it for the people
Love what motivated, I did not do it for hatred
But I truly hate the devil I cannot debate or fake it
I was asked a question and I asked about it hard
If I was facing death then I could ask one thing of God
I would ask for every nigga to be free here and abroad
And to be rightfully celebrated as a child of God
And to be rightfully celebrated as a child of God (as a child of God)
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Our own kind took Nip from us
Money still read "in God we trust"
Truthfully we envy, so why we so envious
And why our own kind envy us?
Pop said it's hard but we gotta keep our head up
Goin' even though we know we fed up
It's hella tension
'Cause we ain't careful where we all pay attention
I need all my real soldiers on the front line
Fighting for the right shit just one time
So unstoppable together at the same time, with the same mind
Yeah, we wanna be high and always above what's beneath us, so
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
I'm talking bulletproof kinda suit
Reflect the struggle that they put us through
With a shrimp
To fight the power like Chaldea do
With the insight to be equal
Know the sky need it, a voice that finds reason
To multiply people in the streets full of calls
Marching on Washington, might as well be walking through walls
Type of superhero show up with ain't no one to call
That'll shield ya from them shields that been killing us all
High beams for eyes to peep the villains in the dark
Power of resolution 'fore a war was even started
The knowledge to build and grow where they live
And take care of the kids and the older folk
The queens cause they need it most
Politic with the kings about economic growth
Kill PTSD, 'cause mental health ain't a joke
Feed the hungry, and though, everyone would know everywhere we go
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero
It's gon' take one of us to save us
It's gon' take love and a lot of trust
We just took it, have faith and know that
Long as you got mine, I got your back, I know
It's gon' take one of us to save us
It's gon' take love and a lot of trust
We just took it, have faith and know that
Long as you got mine, I got your back, I know
Every block, every hood
Every city, every ghetto
Need a Black superhero (need a Black superhero)
You know, just, just the idea of how Black men
In this culture and society get framed
And how everything possible is actually designed
To actually diminish what your true power is, right?
And so, when you speak about the superhero-ness of our communities
Every ghetto, every block, every street corner
Really, all of those men are God
They're just living in a reality that tears them down
And makes them feels as though they're not what they actually are
'Cause they know it when they look in the mirror
The female take on it
You know, it's on some levels, it's a little more heartbreaking, right?
Because, like, we've created this reality
That walks away from us being clear
About the fact that the Black woman is actually
The goddess on this planet (absolutely)
The mitochondrial information that's requisite
To create every type of man
That exists on this planet is derivative of hers (absolutely)
Right? So, we actually have to sit there figuring out
Which being on this planet actually constitutes God?
And that term, if we're framing it in that way
The actual living God on this planet
The only direction you can point in is the direction of the Black woman
Firstly like, us as an extension of her, but firstly her, right?
Because none of it exists without her
The lyrics to "Black Superhero" by Robert Glasper featuring Killer Mike, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Big K.R.I.T. envision a world in which every block, every hood, every city, and every ghetto needs a Black superhero to fight against the oppression faced by Black people. The song speaks to the need for a powerful figure who can reflect the struggles faced by Black people and understand the need for freedom and equality in every sphere of society. The lyrics call for a heroic figure who can fight for the rights of Black people, who can resist the forces of systemic racism, and who can inspire Black people to march forward in unity.
The song also highlights the legacy of past Black heroes such as Huey P. Newton, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers, who fought for equality and justice for Black people in America. The lyrics convey the urgent need to continue the legacy of these great leaders by fighting for freedom and justice today. The song also calls for Black people to unite and fight for their rights together, rather than fighting amongst themselves.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Bryan James Sledge, Chris Dave, Justin Lewis Scott, Michael Santigo Render, Robert Andre Glasper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Zoe_ __
Vine a ver que joyitas escucha Nam 💜
Yuan Yuan
wtf I found this artist for a jazz class presentation and now you told me this is related to bts??? OMGGGGAD I'm the luckiest army in the world
Carlos KarmaComma
Jajajaja...
Iba a preguntar quién rayos es pero ya vi que por los coments seguro es un galán coreano. Que verguita es ese nam. La verdad Glassie es uno de mis súperheroes. No por nada le apodan el monstruo del jazz de Texas. Peace✌🏿
Bruna Fratia de Melo
Aaaaaaaaaaáaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaqqqaaaaaáaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaáaaaaaaaaáaqaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ZMATIK
yo ya lo escuchaba desde antes
Noreli Morales García
Yo igual
nunu
namjoon's suggestions never disappoint me.. I love it💜
nunu
@Wilson Strong yeah he is one of the best kpop boy band's member
Wilson Strong
Kpop?
@iitzRessie
Ahh yes! When you kept his story recommendation in watch later😂✨
Namjooning