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

Got Over
Robert Glasper Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me tell you who I am i’m not dead, yet
So, the sum total has not yet been added up
So let me tell you who I think I am
I’m one of the ones of color who got over
I’m one of the ones your bullet missed
I didn’t graduate high school
Not to boast about, but to puzzle over
After all

I’ve been awarded thirty-four PhD’s
Honorary, they are called
Because I defied the rules i’m a dropout
Not by choice, but by fate’s sense of humor
By nature’s design i’m dyslexic
I’m the son of immigrants of color
The island of slaves were dropouts also
They found their way to
America’s Harlem ghetto
They found no work inside the law
But with cunning they survived
Outside the law

They made the rules, and endured
I’m one of the ones of color who got over

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics belong to the Robert Glasper song "Got Over", which is a display of deep introspection that depicts the journey of a person who has surpassed all odds against them. The singer is saying that they are not dead yet and thus, are still writing their story. Instead of letting external circumstances define them, they have defined themselves as "one of the ones of color who got over" and did not become a victim of the circumstances that they were in. They have succeeded despite not graduating high school, being dyslexic, and the son of immigrants of color.

This statement demonstrates their greatness, strength, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer has been awarded thirty-four honorary PhDs, which is a satire on the academic system that overlooks the potential of those who are not suited for traditional education. Instead of giving up due to society's expectations, this person defied the rules and embraced their differences as strengths. They didn't drop out of school by choice, but because of fate's sense of humor that made them dyslexic. The singer alludes to the fact that the history of African American people is the history of dropouts who found their way to America's Harlem ghetto. Despite facing discrimination and hardship, they found a way to endure and succeed.

The lyrics of "Got Over" are a reflection of the singer's life journey, including their personal struggles and eventual triumph over them. It emphasizes the significance of individual experiences that might vary from one person to another but does not define them.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you who I am i’m not dead, yet
Despite not having passed away yet, I cannot truly say who I am.

So let me tell you who I think I am
Allow me to provide my perspective on who I am.

I’m one of the ones of color who got over
As a person of color, I am one of many who have succeeded despite adversity.

I’m one of the ones your bullet missed
Although I have faced challenges, I am fortunate enough to have avoided the harm inflicted upon others through violence.

I didn’t graduate high school
I did not obtain a high school diploma.

Not to boast about, but to puzzle over
I do not bring this up to brag, but rather to reflect on the implications of this fact.

After all
Considering everything that has happened to me thus far.

I’ve been awarded thirty-four PhD’s
Although I did not complete formal education, I have accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise.

Honorary, they are called
These achievements were given to me as honors, rather than through traditional academic means.

Because I defied the rules i’m a dropout
By not following the norms of formal education, I am considered a dropout.

Not by choice, but by fate’s sense of humor
This was not a decision I made lightly, but rather due to circumstances beyond my control.

By nature’s design i’m dyslexic
My brain is wired in a way that makes reading and writing challenging for me.

I’m the son of immigrants of color
My parents came to this country from elsewhere and faced oppression due to their race.

The island of slaves were dropouts also
The ancestors of many people on my ancestral island were forced into slavery, and likely did not have the opportunity to obtain formal education.

They found their way to
Despite hardships, these individuals found their way to new opportunities and experiences.

America’s Harlem ghetto
Harlem, a historically Black neighborhood, became a hub for people of color seeking better lives.

They found no work inside the law
Due to systemic racism, many people of color were excluded from legal employment opportunities.

But with cunning they survived
Through their own ingenuity and resourcefulness, these individuals were able to make ends meet and persevere.

Outside the law
In order to survive, some people turned to less traditional, and sometimes illegal, forms of work or income.

They made the rules, and endured
Despite facing significant challenges, these individuals were able to create their own paths and overcome obstacles.

I’m one of the ones of color who got over
Despite the challenges I face, I am proud to be one of many people of color who have succeeded in life.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY BELAFONTE, ROBERT GLASPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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