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
Shine
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My inner space got constellations
And all those inner conversations
They help me to shine, shine
Shine, shine
They help me to shine, shine
So shine, shine
They help me to shine
Picture the world after the wilderness
No longer exists, picture me with no filter
Picture we see the rainbow as evidence that the storm
Was only meant to wash away the hurt, certainly not destroy
Picture divine vines growing on side abandoned buildings
Picture choosing the road less traveled, abandon millions
Picture standing on top of hills and projecting your brilliance
Picture we started old and slowly became more like children
Picture me as the tadpole, started off as a frog
Picture me as the channel that started off as a blog
Picture me as the whisper that started off as a yell
Picture only offering heaven although they give you hell, like
Picture that, scripture that
Picture that brilliant sister from Sister Act
That gave us the Miseducation, found those who missed the map
And gave 'em hope, just one more 'genn, picture a extra lap
That's love
I can feel the love in here, yes, I cam, yeah
My inner space got constellations
And all those inner conversations
They help me to shine, yeah, shine, ooh
Shine, shine
They help me to shine, shine (that's what we need to do)
Shine, shine (me and you, listen)
They help me to shine (let's go again)
Picture me flying over the city
Picture me with a beauty whose soul is equally pretty
Picture me with a ruby that's redder than cherry stems
Picture me with a choir full of hers that's singing hymns
Picture having action at calefaction, we heating up
Picture even with your voice trembling, speaking up
Picture dropping the ladder for all of those reaching up
Picture every time we searching for answers we seeking up
Picture every finger pointed conjoining to form a fist
Picture every time you pray that heaven gladly forms a list
Picture baddy carrying Jamaican patties blowing kisses
Picture gravity wasn't a factor, now picture me lifted
Picture skies, picture trees
Picture too many flowers, too many leaves
Picture you and me for hours doing whatever we please
Picture giving self-love deeper than seas, preach
I can feel the love in here, and it feels so good
My inner space got constellations (yeah)
And all those inner conversations (you gotta talk to yourself like you in love)
They help me to shine, bought yourself a little time, shine (with yourself)
Shine, shine (that's how you shine, go on 'head and shine)
They help me to shine, shine (from the inside out) (make my mama proud)
Shine, shine
They help me to shine (yeah)
Picture me bright, picture me glowing
Picture my intuition guiding me, picture me knowing
Picture me dripping, picture me giving, picture me showing
Picture me 96ing dipping, now picture me rolling
Picture me in a low-low, switches and bending corners
Picture me in a white T riding through California
Picture with a queen that's playing a violin
Picture little kids looking at daddy like I am him
Picture dirty hands in soil planting greens to feed the future
Picture me so fresh, so clean, cleaner than loofahs
Picture teaching a class, divina la vida pura
Picture me as a doctor, I'm saying tengo la cura
Picture sipping natural herbs through tip of hookah
Picture me living much better than great, I'm living super, ooh
And then we just let it ride, ride out
Like that, right?
Like that, right? Right (shine)
The song "Shine" by Robert Glasper talks about finding love and self-worth from within one's self while painting a picture of an ideal world where love, diversity, and resilience thrive. The first verse introduces the idea of inner conversations and constellations in one's mind, which is a metaphor for one's thoughts and emotions. These inner conversations help the person to shine and reveals the potential to radiate light and positivity to the world.
The second verse is a vivid description of a utopian society where there is no need for filters and diversity is celebrated through the rainbow, as a sign that the storm has passed. The picture of divine vines growing on abandoned buildings and choosing the road less traveled resonates with the idea of resilience and self-discovery. The third verse emphasizes the power of positivity and imagination, as it presents mental images of flying over the city, having a beauty with a beautiful soul, and playing violins with a queen.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel the love in here
I am sensing an atmosphere of love in this place
My inner space got constellations
My inner self has various aspects, like a constellation of stars
And all those inner conversations
All the self-talk and reasoning I've had internally
They help me to shine, shine
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy
They help me to shine, shine
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy
So shine, shine
Therefore be successful, radiant and happy
They help me to shine
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy
Picture the world after the wilderness
Imagine the world after things have been fixed and gone back to normal
No longer exists, picture me with no filter
The wilderness has disappeared such that I now present the authentic me
Picture we see the rainbow as evidence that the storm
Imagine that we perceive the rainbow as a sign that even though the storm was present, it didn't cause permanent damage
Was only meant to wash away the hurt, certainly not destroy
The storm just intended to heal and not to cause damage
Picture divine vines growing on side abandoned buildings
Imagine beautiful things growing out of rundown structures
Picture choosing the road less traveled, abandon millions
Visualize selecting a path that's usually not opted for by many and foregoing opportunities
Picture standing on top of hills and projecting your brilliance
Imagine being at the top of hills and showcasing your success and light
Picture we started old and slowly became more like children
Imagine living in a way that's carefree and youthful despite getting older
Picture me as the tadpole, started off as a frog
Visualize me as the small fish that began life as a frog
Picture me as the channel that started off as a blog
Imagine me as the more professional me that started out as a beginner
Picture me as the whisper that started off as a yell
Visualize me as the quiet me that was once exceptionally vocal
Picture only offering heaven although they give you hell, like
Imagine being good to others who are cruel to you
Picture that, scripture that
Reflect upon that thought, connect it with scriptures
Picture that brilliant sister from Sister Act
Imagine an amazing person who brings joy much like the character in the Sister Act movie
That gave us the Miseducation, found those who missed the map
An incredible person who shares knowledge and helps the lost find their way
And gave 'em hope, just one more 'genn, picture a extra lap
Someone giving others hope and an extra chance to be happy
I can feel the love in here, yes, I cam, yeah
I perceive an atmosphere of love in this place very clearly
My inner space got constellations
My inner self has various aspects, like a constellation of stars
And all those inner conversations
All the self-talk and reasoning I've had internally
They help me to shine, yeah, shine, ooh
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy
Shine, shine
Be successful, radiant and happy
They help me to shine, shine (that's what we need to do)
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy and that's what matters
Shine, shine (me and you, listen)
Be successful, radiant and happy as individuals and as a group
They help me to shine (let's go again)
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy once more
Picture me flying over the city
Imagine me soaring over the city
Picture me with a beauty whose soul is equally pretty
Imagine me being with a person whose looks and personality are both stunning
Picture me with a ruby that's redder than cherry stems
Imagine me with a bright red jewel that's even brighter than a cherry's stem
Picture me with a choir full of hers that's singing hymns
Imagine me with a female group singing religious songs
Picture having action at calefaction, we heating up
Imagine getting things done when it's hot and needs doing
Picture even with your voice trembling, speaking up
Imagine still voicing concerns even though you're scared
Picture dropping the ladder for all of those reaching up
Imagine helping others who are trying to climb up
Picture every time we searching for answers we seeking up
Visualize us searching for the solutions to our problems
Picture every finger pointed conjoining to form a fist
Imagine everyone coming together for a common cause
Picture every time you pray that heaven gladly forms a list
Visualize your prayers being heard and being granted
Picture baddy carrying Jamaican patties blowing kisses
Imagine a hot woman carrying Jamaican food and giving air kisses
Picture gravity wasn't a factor, now picture me lifted
Imagine gravity not affecting me
Picture skies, picture trees
Imagine the sky and trees
Picture too many flowers, too many leaves
Visualize there being an abundance of flowers and leaves
Picture you and me for hours doing whatever we please
Imagine being together for many hours enjoying activities
Picture giving self-love deeper than seas, preach
Visualize loving oneself intensely
I can feel the love in here, and it feels so good
I strongly sense an atmosphere of love in this place, and it feels great
My inner space got constellations (yeah)
My inner self has various aspects, like a constellation of stars
And all those inner conversations (you gotta talk to yourself like you in love)
Self-talk and reasoning that guides me to love and appreciate myself
They help me to shine, bought yourself a little time, shine (with yourself)
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy so take time to care for yourself to be happy
Shine, shine (that's how you shine, go on 'head and shine)
Be successful, radiant and happy because that's how you do it!
They help me to shine, shine (from the inside out) (make my mama proud)
They help me to be successful, radiant and happy starting from the inner self making my mother proud
Shine, shine
Be successful, radiant and happy
They help me to shine (yeah)
They help me to be successful and happy
Picture me bright, picture me glowing
Imagine me being bright and shining
Picture my intuition guiding me, picture me knowing
Visualize me being guided with intuition and knowledge
Picture me dripping, picture me giving, picture me showing
Imagine me being generous and profuse
Picture me 96ing dipping, now picture me rolling
Visualize me in a fancy lowrider car moving smoothly
Picture me in a low-low, switches and bending corners
Imagine me riding a lowrider car that can be controlled and moving on corners
Picture me in a white T riding through California
Imagine me wearing a white t-shirt and driving through California
Picture with a queen that's playing a violin
Visualize a woman playing a violin like a queen
Picture little kids looking at daddy like I am him
Imagine children looking up to me like I'm their father
Picture dirty hands in soil planting greens to feed the future
Imagine planting crops in soil to feed future generations
Picture me so fresh, so clean, cleaner than loofahs
Visualize me looking and feeling fresh and clean like a loofah
Picture teaching a class, divina la vida pura
Imagine me teaching a class, living life purely
Picture me as a doctor, I'm saying tengo la cura
Visualize me as a doctor who has a cure for diseases
Picture sipping natural herbs through tip of hookah
Imagine sipping medicine from a hookah's tip
Picture me living much better than great, I'm living super, ooh
Visualize me living a fantastic life and being super happy
And then we just let it ride, ride out
And then we just let the music play continuously
Like that, right?
That's it, correct?
Like that, right? Right (shine)
That's it, correct? Alright then! (Be successful, radiant and happy)
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Farris, Justin Tyson, Robert Glasper, Tiffany Gouche
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@djrolo813
Maaaan, this shit is crazy!!!!!!! THIS is music, smooth, jazzy, Tiff's voice, the lyrics. I ain't gon lie, gave me goosebumps. Playing this shit at my wedding in 2 weeks.
@vivianokon7256
All the best person of taste!
@DiggsSuperproducer
This was so amazing. I had an eargasm!!!!
@quaypretlor2112
Awesome idea ..I plan to do the same @ mine!!!
@djrolo813
Fun fact.... Eric Roberson personally sent me his song "Lessons" before it officially came out to use as our walk down the aisle song. Check that joint out
@pedrogates3189
This that shit my dad used to put me to sleep yo he used to lay me over knee with my face in the palm of his hand n just rock me to sleep n I thank him for that it developed my love for real music
@andresbalzan1413
I’m late guys but OH MY GOD. This sounds like Christ Has Risen Again🔥
@clr2991
It’s amazing. I discovered this song and the Black Radio III album yesterday, so you’re not alone in terms of timing.
@BlakICE
I've been a Robert Glasper fan for a long time. He always seems to know what fits. Tiffany's voice and D Smoke's lyrics are infectious and smooth. You've got another one sir.
@StarrSun
They are cousins... d smoke and tiffany as d smoke's brother is the artist SiR