became the first Hip-Hop act out of the UK to be featured on American mixtapes since Slick Rick back in the 80s. With their reputation solidified in America and their status as Global superstars confirmed, the duo rapidly took their place in the forefront of the British Hip-Hop movement. And soon it seemed like they were well on their way to becoming Hip-Hop royalty: a 10 minute cross-Atlantic conference call with then Roc-A-Fella Records co-CEO Damon Dash (the other co-CEO being Jay Z ) officially made S.A.S Diplomats/Roc-A-Fella recording artists. The deal bought clothing endorsements and cameo roles in movies (including State Property 2) and three tracks on the Diplomats acclaimed second group release, Diplomatic Immunity. Sadly, this was only a few months before the most publicized break up in Hip- Hop between Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Never to sit idly by and wait for anyone to put them on, S.A.S proceeded to release ‘Streets all Salute’ in the U.K. in 2005. The CD and DVD release featured high profile appearances by the likes of Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and Nicole Wray. Their movement only became stronger with the creation of Eurogang, a 30 member crew consisting of five rappers, in house producers and a serious support team, effectively making the troupe self sufficient.
After touring heavily in Europe and Canada; receiving TV airplay on MTV UK and MTV Base Africa, they partnered with DJ Big Mike and MixUnit.com to release ‘Coming To America’ in November of 2006. The project became an instant street classic, reminding fans of what London has to offer to the Hip-Hop game. Self preservation was never more important than during 2007, when the brothers were left to their own devices after issues within the Diplomats’ camp left them on the side lines. The brothers had to regroup and emerge waving the Eurogang flag high. Having released ‘Where Is S.A.S’ in early 2008, to the approval of both fans and critics, the brothers are leading their own movement, Eurogang, now. Since then they have produced ‘Eurogang Vol 1 – We Built This City’ and Eurogang Vol 2, with Vol 3 soon to be released. They have established their own record label, Black Social Klub. With clothing endorsements from some of the most prestigious labels (such as Lyle and Scott, Futura Laboratories, Maharishi and Yoropikomym), the brothers are literally the haute couture of Hip-Hop, hence the adoption of the moniker ‘The Runway Boys’ The viability of their personalities and their brand is now based on more than just a pair of brothers with impressive rhyme skills. Mega and Meyhem are now not only ambassadors of Cross Atlantic Hip-Hop culture and style, but savvy young businessmen whose acumen is rivalled only by theie relentless work ethic.
Roll Call
S.A.S Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the pledge?
Stroll! Roll Call!
Start it off with a Roll Call
Que's be my road dogs
AKA's walking round with they pink and they green on
Zetas be live when they talking
Shimmy shimmy ya
Shimmy yay with the Kappas
In my black and gold I throw a blade like a Alpha
Roll Call!
Campus full of homies
Got me feeling like Zeus
When I'm with my crew
And they all Greeks
Got my niggas turned up
With they middle fingers up
Fuck the police
When my hitta gotta got a problem
We don't call on them
We just hit up the LB's
What's up, shut up
Going on tour
It's gonna be cool
The only way that you invited is if you HBCU
Historically Black
I wear that on my sleeve
47 I just got an honorary degree
Roll Call!
Start it off with a roll call
Que's be my road dogs
AKA's walking round with they pink and they green on
Deltas be elephant walking
Zetas be live when they talking
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yay with the Kappas
In my black and gold I throw a blade like a Alpha
Thurgood, Ms. Rashad, Dr. Ann, Mr. King
Tell em one mo' gen
Ms. Badu, Sean Combs, Chadwick, Taraji P
Tell em where we been
Southern U dolls I see ya
Bethune Cookman they wanna be ya
Drumline always there when we need em
Howard Homecoming where we meet up
We going on tour
Come bring a friend
Shawty if you ain't connected
Sorry you can't get in
Historically Black
I wear that on my sleeve
47 I just got an honorary degree
Roll Call!
Start it off with a roll call
Que's be my road dogs
AKA's walking round with they pink and they green on
Deltas be strolling and walking
Zetas be live when they talking
Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yay with the Kappas
In my black and gold I throw a blade like a alpha
Roll Call!
The song "Roll Call" by S.A.S is a tribute to black Greek organizations on college campuses, specifically historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The lyrics, "Start it off with a Roll Call," and the repeated calls of different fraternity and sorority names, pay homage to the sense of community and unity that the organizations provide to black students attending predominantly white institutions. The song highlights the different characteristics of each organization, such as the AKA's signature pink and green colors and the Zetas' lively personalities. It also references the symbols and rituals of certain fraternities, such as the Kappas' throwing of blades.
The song also touches on larger issues of systemic racism and police brutality. The line "Fuck the police," challenges the ways in which law enforcement often targets and mistreats people of color, and the lyrics "When my hitta gotta got a problem, we don't call on them, we just hit up the LB's," suggests a form of self-policing within the black community.
Overall, "Roll Call" celebrates the sense of belonging and support that black Greek organizations provide to their members, and acknowledges the importance of historically black institutions in fostering and preserving black culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Start it off with a Roll Call
Let's begin the ritual of Roll Call
Que's be my road dogs
Que's are my close friends and companions
AKA's walking round with they pink and they green on
Alpha Kappa Alpha members proudly display their colors
Deltas be elephant walking
Delta Sigma Theta members move gracefully in formation
Zetas be live when they talking
Zeta Phi Beta members are enthusiastic and energetic speakers
Shimmy shimmy ya
Shimmy yay with the Kappas
Kappa Alpha Psi members perform their signature dance move
In my black and gold I throw a blade like a Alpha
I, as an Alpha Phi Alpha member, am skilled and confident in throwing my fraternity's symbol
Campus full of homies
Got me feeling like Zeus
When I'm with my crew
And they all Greeks
Being on campus surrounded by my friends, all of whom are members of Greek organizations, makes me feel powerful and important
Got my niggas turned up
With they middle fingers up
Fuck the police
When my hitta gotta got a problem
We don't call on them
We just hit up the LB's
What's up, shut up
My friends and I have each other's backs and don't trust the police to handle our problems, so we turn to each other and our local brothers (LB's) for support
Going on tour
It's gonna be cool
The only way that you invited is if you HBCU
Historically Black
I wear that on my sleeve
47 I just got an honorary degree
We're excited to go on tour, but only those who attended or are affiliated with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are welcome. I am proud of my HBCU roots and recently received an honorary degree from one
Thurgood, Ms. Rashad, Dr. Ann, Mr. King
Tell em one mo' gen
Ms. Badu, Sean Combs, Chadwick, Taraji P
Tell em where we been
We reference trailblazing figures like Thurgood Marshall, Phylicia Rashad, and Martin Luther King Jr. to show the impact of HBCUs, and also name-drop other celebrities who have attended or supported them
Southern U dolls I see ya
Bethune Cookman they wanna be ya
Drumline always there when we need em
Howard Homecoming where we meet up
We acknowledge and shout out other HBCUs and their traditions, like Southern University's dance team and Bethune Cookman's aspiration to be like them, and also appreciate the music and excitement of drumlines and the annual Howard Homecoming celebration
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Michael Brown, Clyde Ellison, Gavin Williams, Harold Lilly, Harry Marquel Mejias, Hasben Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind