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
This Changes Everything
Robert Glasper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
I met a woman, she loved me but got a wedding ring
She said her nigga don't know anything
Oh, that changes everything
We on to better things
I met a singer she always snorting the Medellin
I don't approve but she sucking my dick incredibly
That changes everything, that changes everything
That changes everything, that changes everything
I remember in church they said boy, you better sing
And now I travel the world to places I've never seen
This changes everything, this changes everything
This changes everything, this changes everything
I got some homies in Compton who still gang-bang
They always robbin' and sellin' that Methamphetamine
That don't change anything, that don't change anything
That don't change anything, that don't change anything
I got the melody, that's why your aunties and uncles always be playing me
And I ain't moving a muscle until they paying me
That changes everything, that changes everything
This changes everything, this changes everything
Hey yo, Denzel, where you at?
This changes everything
Divorce to wedding ring
From sober to 'Phetamine
From hunger to feta cheese
You give up anything, that changes everything
Bikes for Eversten
Treat it like whatever thing
It's a now or never thing
Regarding living life, besides
We in a circle from what Lion King writes
The cycle built, destroy, erase, and revise you
Cut the dreads for my rebirth, follow the primal instinct
That I in-sync with no iTunes
So blessed to have everything praying 'til high noon
It's a great day for the beach
Until the typhoon hits
Likely you could lose your shit
See change is the coin for the term called season
Mama said people don't change for no reason
Used to be illiterate now I'm the one reading
Used to be a follower now I'm the one leading
This changes everything
This changes everything
This changes everything
Yeah, okay
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
Take your time, say your prayers
Call your mom, get your money
Close your eyes, catch a vibe
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Take your time, say your prayers
Call your mom, get your money
Catch a vibe, close your eyes
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Take your- take your-
Take your- take your-
Take your time, close your eyes
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Catch a vibe, call your mom
Get your money, get your money
Take your- take your-
Take your time
Take your time
Take your time
Take your time, close your eyes
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Catch a vibe, Robert Glasper and Buddy (take your- take your-)
Take your- take your-
Take your- take your-
Take your time
Close your eyes, Robert Glasper and Buddy
Call your mom
Get your money
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These motherfuckers ain't-
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Close your eyes, catch a vibe
Robert Glasper and Buddy
Call your mom
Get your money
Say your prayers, say your prayers, say your prayers
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
These-
The repeated phrase "This changes everything" in Robert Glasper and Buddy Denzel Curry's song speaks to the theme of transformation and evolution. The different verses paint a picture of different scenarios of change that come with varying consequences. For example, in the first verse, the woman's confession of being in a relationship (with a wedding ring) already marks a change in the singer's perception of their relationship. Similarly, the chorus refers to change that happens as a result of traveling and experiencing new things. The second verse portrays an instance of moral compromise where the singer acknowledges disapproval but still indulges in hedonistic pleasure. The theme of moral compromise continues in the third verse in the reference to gang violence and drug trafficking, but with less emphasis on transformation. The last verse is the rapper Denzel Curry's contribution, which is a reflection of the singer's journey from darkness to light, acknowledging that change can be positive if one takes personal responsibility to transform.
Despite the apparent frankness and vulgarity in the song's language, it is full of metaphors and symbols that speak to broader sociopolitical issues beyond personal transformation. For example, the juxtaposition of an individual's journey of transformation with the public's reception of their music puts the singer's personal transformation in the context of systemic oppression. The line "I got the melody, that's why your aunties and uncles always be playing me/ And I ain't moving a muscle until they paying me" highlights the exploitation of Black artists and the capitalist structures that benefit from Black labor. Similarly, Denzel Curry's verse demonstrates how personal transformation cannot be divorced from one's context and the sociopolitical issues that shape the individual's reality.
Overall, the song is a commentary on personal transformation and the role of sociopolitical oppression in shaping an individual's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
This changes everything
Repeated phrase as a mantra to signify that major things have happened or are happening that will change the course of events
I met a woman, she loved me but got a wedding ring
The singer met a woman who was already in a committed relationship, but still developed feelings for him
She said her nigga don't know anything
The woman claimed that her partner was clueless about something important, possibly regarding her feelings for the singer
Oh, that changes everything
The revelation about the woman's partner changes the artist's perspective on their relationship
We on to better things
The artist and the woman have decided to move on from their previous situations and pursue something better together
I met a singer she always snorting the Medellin
The singer met a singer who has a drug problem, specifically with snorting cocaine from Medellin, Colombia
I don't approve but she sucking my dick incredibly
Despite disapproving of the singer's drug use, the singer still engages in sexual activity with her
That changes everything, that changes everything
The revelation about the singer's drug use changes the artist's perspective on their relationship
I remember in church they said boy, you better sing
The artist recalls being urged to sing in a church when he was young
And now I travel the world to places I've never seen
The artist's singing talent has led to him traveling to new places in the world
I got some homies in Compton who still gang-bang
The singer has friends in Compton who are still involved in gang activity
They always robbin' and sellin' that Methamphetamine
The Compton gangsters often engage in robbery and the sale of methamphetamine
That don't change anything, that don't change anything
The singer's relationship with his Compton friends and their lifestyle hasn't changed despite his success as a singer
I got the melody, that's why your aunties and uncles always be playing me
The singer has a talent for creating melodies in his music, which is why older family members enjoy listening to him
And I ain't moving a muscle until they paying me
The singer refuses to perform or make music without proper payment
These motherfuckers ain't fucking with us
The artist and his team believe they are superior to others and their competitors
Take your time, say your prayers
Advice to the listener to take their time while also establishing a spiritual element
Call your mom, get your money
Prioritizing family while also emphasizing financial stability
Close your eyes, catch a vibe
Instructions to relax and let the music take over
Robert Glasper and Buddy
The artists behind the song, acting as a callout and reminder of the music being listened to
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Glasper, Simmie Sims, Denzel Curry, Terrace Martin, James Poyser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chicago West's Variety Of Sound
Man, what a creative Vibe!
This Stuff got that Back n da day Hancock, Roy Ayers, Gil Scott thrill!
Guess it's to much to ask to keep it clean!!!
Rob man, I'm a middle aged guy and my parents like yo stuff, but I'd have to skip this one around them and my grands because of the cursing and swearin!
Hope we that want it (Like Myself) get a clean version.
If you provide us with one it's BOUGHT!!!!!
Dezz Smith
Robert Glasper has collaborated with almost everyone! He deserves his flowers now!👊🏿👊🏿
Gracjan Duda
Killing chords as always... respect!
richard heathcock
Fresh but with a retro feel, old beats but new music behind it, keep on!
Dik Beats
These are the freshest sounds that my ears could want right now
n vangogh
DAMN....robert glasper always finds away to change everything musically!
Divine Pioneer
I Love Buddy!! Of course Robert Glasper is a Genius!!
Yom Rap
loving this right here, Buddy always delivers
Martins Mamis
Oh my gosh Robert Glasperand friends kill my mind :D !! Absolutely incredible records!!
Zelgaro
Great Denzel verse!
SushilowG
Denzel on point as always