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
I Stand Alone
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But alone ain't always wrong
Alone in a crowded room
My mind made up like a powder room
I'm the sun, giving the clouds some room
I shine, shine like the hour noon
Tune is to stay in step with every day men
Still I'm Legend like Will Smith
In the presence of the fake I am a real gift
Open it, hopin' it'd be something dope in it
Movement of the people getting motion sick
We ride on the highs and lows of it
On the Southside, we got hosed for it
Standing up like Rich Pryor
We get fire and inspire 'bout a prospect to get higher
Your sire on the throne grew up around the stones
The ranger, so I stand alone
I'm flying high up in the sky
I will not run, I will not hide
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
The only test is to survive
I will succeed I will not die
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
Success it is, we blessed to live
Not just my kids, want the best for his
Progression lives where the lessons is
I got my own, God bless the kid
In the mid part of Babylon listening to Farrakhan
In the parks of Avalon Streets we would battle on
Got the good book in my carry-on
Life is a race, I'm the marathon
Man on the moon, give the boy some room
Rose from the concrete, told you I would bloom
Situation brought out the hero
A little black 13-year-old
The voice of the Lord in my earlobe
Telling me my purpose, I could see it clearer
Revolution in the execution of lyrics
Spirit of Gil Scott, Marvin Gaye, modern day I pray
I'm flying high up in the sky
I will not run, I will not hide
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
The only test is to survive
I will succeed I will not die
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
I'm flying high up in the sky
I will not run, I will not hide
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
The only test is to survive
I will succeed I will not die
I stand alone, I stand alone
I stand alone, I stand alone
In Robert Glasper Experiment's song "I Stand Alone," the artist portrays the theme of standing alone and choosing to embrace individuality despite facing societal pressures. The first verse suggests that being alone isn't always a negative thing, and that sometimes it's necessary to give your mind space to think and make decisions. The imagery of the sun shining brightly and giving the clouds room depicts the idea of making space for oneself to shine and be their own source of light. The artist further emphasizes that authenticity is key and that the world needs realness amidst the presence of fake individuals. In the second verse, the theme of perseverance is introduced, as the artist talks about surviving and succeeding despite the challenges that may come. The chorus repeats the idea of standing alone while refusing to run or hide and embracing the only test of survival.
The use of political and cultural reference points also adds depth to the message of the song. The mention of the legendary comedian Richard Pryor and the Black Lives Matter movement alludes to the impact of standing up for oneself and one's community. The reference to hearing the voice of the Lord in the singer's earlobe illuminates the personal and spiritual journey the artist has been on. The allusion to influential artists such as Gil Scott-Heron and Marvin Gaye shows how art can ignite change and revolutionize societal structures.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we feel alone
There are times when we experience loneliness
But alone ain't always wrong
Being alone is not necessarily a bad thing
Alone in a crowded room
Feeling isolated even when surrounded by people
My mind made up like a powder room
Having a clear and decisive mindset
I'm the sun, giving the clouds some room
Being in control and shining despite negativity around
I shine, shine like the hour noon
Radiating confidence and positivity
Tune is to stay in step with every day men
Keeping in sync with the common folk
And women, the rhythm of the realness
Flowing with the honest and authentic vibes
Still I'm Legend like Will Smith
Being unique and memorable like the actor
In the presence of the fake I am a real gift
Being a valuable presence amidst the insincerity
Open it, hopin' it'd be something dope in it
Having high expectations for something exciting
Movement of the people getting motion sick
Feeling dizzy and confused amidst social change
We ride on the highs and lows of it
Navigating through the ups and downs of life
On the Southside, we got hosed for it
Experiencing discrimination and injustice
Standing up like Rich Pryor
Resisting and fighting against adversity like the comedian
We get fire and inspire 'bout a prospect to get higher
Feeling motivated and compelled towards progress
Your sire on the throne grew up around the stones
Coming from a tough background and making it to the top
The ranger, so I stand alone
Being self-reliant and independent
Success it is, we blessed to live
Feeling fortunate and grateful for the opportunity of success
Not just my kids, want the best for his
Desiring success for others beyond just one's own family
Progression lives where the lessons is
Learning from experiences to achieve progress
I got my own, God bless the kid
Having one's own things and feeling blessed
In the mid part of Babylon listening to Farrakhan
Being in a place of chaos and listening to a leader for guidance
In the parks of Avalon Streets we would battle on
Engaging in fights or disagreements in a poor area
Got the good book in my carry-on
Having religious or guiding text with oneself
Life is a race, I'm the marathon
Considering life as a long and enduring journey
Man on the moon, give the boy some room
Aspiring towards lofty and unconventional goals
Rose from the concrete, told you I would bloom
Overcoming challenges and obstacles to achieve success
Situation brought out the hero
Becoming a hero-like figure in a difficult situation
A little black 13-year-old
Referencing a specific age and race of a person
The voice of the Lord in my earlobe
Feeling guided by a higher power or spirituality
Telling me my purpose, I could see it clearer
Discovering one's true purpose or calling
Revolution in the execution of lyrics
Creating powerful and impactful music
Spirit of Gil Scott, Marvin Gaye, modern day I pray
Honoring and drawing inspiration from influential musicians
I stand alone, I stand alone
Emphasizing independence and self-reliance
The only test is to survive
Feeling like survival is the ultimate test of strength
I will succeed I will not die
Having a strong determination to achieve success
I'm flying high up in the sky
Feeling happy, confident and soaring above the rest
I will not run, I will not hide
Facing challenges with courage and bravery
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CASEY BENJAMIN, LONNIE LYNN JR., PATRICK STUMP, ROBERT GLASPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@warrenjacobus4110
"No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of our knowledge.
The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his
followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his
lovingness.
If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.
The astronomer may speak to you of his understanding of space, but he cannot give you his understanding.
The musician may sing to you of the rhythm which is in all space,
but he cannot give you the ear which arrests the rhythm nor the voice
that echoes it.
And he who is versed in the science of numbers can tell of the regions of weight and measure, but he cannot conduct you thither.
For the vision of one man lends not its wings to another man.
And even as each one of you stands alone in God's knowledge, so
must each one of you be alone in his knowledge of God and in his
understanding of the earth."
--- Khalil Gibran ---
@dr.shelter
"... that we should all be unsatisfied with mimicking the popular, rather than mining the fertile veins of creativity that God placed deep inside each of us." YEEEESSSSSS!!!!
@dr.shelter
This is the new soundtrack for my life.
@devioncoalmon1136
Shelter Bamu same
@staceyhillardbey8268
Right!! 🔥
@robertp.jamessr.6749
FACTS!
@sammyngichabe8355
100%
@DBZdude95
What an absolute classic!!! The words at the end are legendary everybody should take heed
@thewillY2K
This song forever empowers my mind, body, and spirit. Become yourself and not like others.
@user-sw8dz8yp4x
I feel stronger when I'm listening to this
@blackhawk7519
Well we raised this bro on 87th every word is a reflection of us. Stony isl profile.. Big ups EASTSIDE!!!