The itch to put out a solo album became overwhelming as some of his music and lyrics were only relevant for a solo release. Sun's always made his music for himself first, so in late '97 Sun began recording his tour-de-force, "Shining Underground" and brought his whole vision to life.
With the release of this album, Sun has not only received the love and respect of his hip-hop community, but has received high praise from some in the music press. MTV on-line writer, Christina Branson, had this to say of his performance at U of M, Michigan: "Hip Hop phenomenon S.U.N. aka Santonio Hughbanks lit up Club Heidleberg with sweet beats and lyrical finesse. The promising rapper dropped verses from his debut album "Shining Underground" (Black Soul On Vinyl) causing the crowd to bob their heads and chant: S.U.N." Underground Soundz Magazine confirms "distinct styles and hard edged lyrical delivery... advanced poetical stylings... definitely some of the most exciting hip hop to come from Michigan." His music has been used as sound track for an independent film. His current album continues to sell heavily in the midwest and across the nation.
"T.H.U.G. (True Heart Under Ground)" is the first single from the album. Sun views himself and many in his community as "underground", not just in music, but in life... struggling underground, away from the system. He redefines the term thug- taking away from its original meaning. "Shining Underground" is another highlight from the album giving enlightening insight into the mind of a free thinker. On "Just For a Minute" his ingenious sampling of Q-Tip's very recognizable line from "Got Til It's Gone" by Janet Jackson makes a pleasing backdrop for his lyricism. The album features several other rappers including Invincible, Paradime, Mr. Sinns, Browne & Bizarre.
Production was handled by relative newcomer Tink Thomas for Produk Productions. His hip hop tracks are structured and clean. Thomas is a unique new talent in his own right.
Off stage, S.U.N. is relaxed and contemplative. His live shows are spontaneous; "it's the point when God manifests." With that said, you can be sure freestyle will be a present element. One of his personal quotes is "Underground music should be felt not heard."
S.U.N. is looking to sign to a major or well poised independent who knows how to break a hip hop artist nationally with DJs, media and retail. Silent Records is quickly becoming well known for its high standards in hip hop's purist style. The label is positioning itself to be picked up by a heavyweight distributor or label.
Then And Now
S.u.n. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From meeting ozone in L.A in 85'
From my attempts to try and step on stage and rhyme
To my beyond 2005' state of mind
From a copy of a culture, ta teaching a tradition
From electric buguloo, to the beat that keeps my rhythm
From, wonderin' the tracks, ta the mic that's in my hand
From, wantin' to be black, to lovin who I am
From no one knowin' hip-hop, to kids thinkin' their 50
From the dramas on film, to the dramas of life
From posh clothes, to not knowin' they were half of the price
And from thinking to be king, you gotta have wealth
Ta the inner revolution i call knowledge itself
So from back "then till now" I still rap for the pleasure
Bein' rich or poor man, I'm still happy as ever
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I gotta understand you
(I gotta understand you
so we can stand together recognize the vision,
its one love, one life, sets aside our differences
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I got to understand you,
cause that's what gets me by, in my life
From a part of the Bronx, to the heart of the burbs
From a dyslexic, to a artist of words
From a wild child, to my parents trynna steady me
From taken my parking cue, to givin' me heave "D"
From mimicking thugs, thinking the lyrics with dope
To getting no satisfaction cause it was mirrors of smoke
From a home of hip-hop, to a land owned by rock
From rhyming to my mirror, to thousands blowin' the spot
But through all of the cheers, and the boo and the beers
Was just a kid on the bus, headphones glued to his hears
Who just grew through the years, to sewer the tears
The blood and sweat makes somethin' with his crew and his peers
See it was hip-hop that put three lost souls on a map
From showin us the country, to puttin clothes on our back
And from finding myself, in my mic's reflection
To this musical marriage that gave my life direction
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I gotta understand you
(I gotta understand you
so we can stand together recognize the vision
Its one love, one life, sets aside our differences
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I got to understand you,
Cause that's what gets me by, in my life
From a major label deal, to bustin' on the street
Knowing souls were for sale, when I'm fuckin' with these beats
The landlord of these lyrics, with a touch of what can be
And if it doesn't ground, You could trust it wasn't me
The deepest of minds, can't frame what I've imagined
Three eyes on the train, writin' rhymes on a napkin
See these kids don't have bentley's, they sit and take the bus
But if ya playin' this tape, ya situation's sussed
From backstage butterfly's to a passion of a debut
From not haven a path, to push past and a way through
From this rhyming release, to stress I've got off my chest
From chasing a dream, to holding the hart of the press
From shoe store days, to writing sessions at night
To a culture that ultimately taught me lessons in life
So from back "then till now" I still rap for the pleasure
Bein' rich or poor man I'm still happy as ever
And we won't stop until we get that feeling
That's why we get on up that's why we got on up
Oh we won't stop until we get that feeling
That's why we get on up (Hang on, hang on, hang on)
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I gotta understand you
(I gotta understand you
So we can stand together recognize the vision
Its one love, one life, sets aside our differences
You gotta understand me
(You gotta understand me)
I got to understand you
Cause that's what gets me by, in my life
The lyrics of S.u.n.'s song "Then And Now" reflect the artist's personal journey and growth through the power of hip-hop. The song starts by acknowledging the profound impact that hip-hop had on the artist's life, from the early days of discovering the music and meeting influential figures like Ozone in Los Angeles in 1985. The lyrics highlight the artist's aspirations to step on stage and rhyme, as well as the evolution of their mindset and understanding of hip-hop culture from the 80s to beyond 2005.
The song also touches upon the artist's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. They express their initial desire to be black, representing a longing for identification and belonging. However, over time, they come to embrace their own identity and love themselves for who they are. The lyrics allude to the changing perception of hip-hop from something that was unfamiliar to many people in Sydney to becoming a popular culture among kids who even think they are like 50 Cent.
As the song progresses, the artist reflects on the struggles and challenges they faced in their life, both in the realm of hip-hop and in personal relationships. They contrast the dramas depicted in films with the dramas of real life and the revelation that materialism does not equate to being a king. Instead, the artist emphasizes the importance of inner revolution and self-awareness, which they refer to as "knowledge itself." Throughout the lyrics, the artist maintains a sense of contentment, stating that whether rich or poor, they remain happy and continue to rap for the pleasure of it.
Overall, "Then And Now" is an introspective and reflective song that delves into the artist's personal journey within the realm of hip-hop and their own growth as an individual.
Line by Line Meaning
See it was Hip Hop that dam near changed my life
Hip Hop had a profound impact on my life and almost completely transformed it.
From meeting ozone in L.A in 85'
I had the opportunity to meet Ozone in Los Angeles in 1985, which was a significant moment for me.
From my attempts to try and step on stage and rhyme
I started trying to perform on stage and rap, hoping to make a name for myself.
To my beyond 2005' state of mind
Now, after the year 2005, I have developed a different perspective and mindset.
From a copy of a culture, ta teaching a tradition
Originally, I was just imitating a culture, but now I am involved in preserving and passing on its traditions.
From electric buguloo, to the beat that keeps my rhythm
The dance style of electric bugaloo led me to the beats that provide the foundation for my musical rhythm.
From, wonderin' the tracks, ta the mic that's in my hand
I went from wandering aimlessly around train tracks to holding a microphone in my hand, ready to perform.
From, wantin' to be black, to lovin who I am
I used to desire to be black, but now I have grown to love and embrace my own identity.
From not known where your from, to the image of Sydney
Initially, people did not know where I came from, but now I am recognized as a representative of the city of Sydney.
From no one knowin' hip-hop, to kids thinkin' their 50
In the past, no one knew about hip-hop, but now children even believe they are like the famous rapper 50 Cent.
From the dramas on film, to the dramas of life
I have transitioned from experiencing the dramas depicted in movies to facing the real-life dramas.
From posh clothes, to not knowin' they were half of the price
I used to wear expensive clothes without realizing they were actually available at half the price.
And from thinking to be king, you gotta have wealth
I used to believe that to be considered a king, one needed to possess wealth and material riches.
Ta the inner revolution i call knowledge itself
But now, I understand that the true revolution lies within acquiring knowledge and self-awareness.
So from back "then till now" I still rap for the pleasure
Throughout all these changes and years, I continue to rap simply because it brings me joy and fulfillment.
Bein' rich or poor man, I'm still happy as ever
Whether I have wealth or not, I find happiness and contentment in my life.
From a part of the Bronx, to the heart of the burbs
I went from being a part of the Bronx, a borough in New York City, to living in the suburbs.
From a dyslexic, to a artist of words
Despite being dyslexic, I have overcome my challenges and become a skilled and creative artist with words.
From a wild child, to my parents trynna steady me
I used to be a rebellious and unruly child, but my parents tried to calm and guide me.
From taken my parking cue, to givin' me heave "D"
Initially, it was difficult for me to find a parking spot, but now I am given priority treatment.
From mimicking thugs, thinking the lyrics were dope
I used to imitate tough individuals and believed that their lyrics were amazing.
To getting no satisfaction cause it was mirrors of smoke
However, I realized that imitating them did not bring me true satisfaction because it was just an illusion.
From a home of hip-hop, to a land owned by rock
I transitioned from a place where hip-hop thrived to a place dominated by rock music.
From rhyming to my mirror, to thousands blowin' the spot
I went from practicing my rhymes in front of a mirror to performing in front of thousands of people who loved my music.
But through all of the cheers, and the boo and the beers
Despite receiving both praise and criticism, and experiencing celebratory moments and challenging times,
Was just a kid on the bus, headphones glued to his hears
I remained grounded, remembering that I started as a young kid, listening to music on the bus with my headphones.
Who just grew through the years, to sewer the tears
I have grown and matured over the years, using my experiences and hardships as fuel for my artistic expression.
The blood and sweat makes somethin' with his crew and his peers
My dedication and hard work, along with the shared efforts of my crew and peers, have resulted in something meaningful.
See it was hip-hop that put three lost souls on a map
Hip-hop played a crucial role in bringing recognition and success to me and my two companions, who were initially lost in life.
From showin us the country, to puttin clothes on our back
Hip-hop provided us with opportunities to tour the country and earn money to support ourselves financially.
And from finding myself, in my mic's reflection
Through my music and microphone, I have discovered and understood myself better.
To this musical marriage that gave my life direction
This fusion and connection of music and my life has provided me with a sense of purpose and guided my path.
From a major label deal, to bustin' on the street
I went from signing a contract with a major record label to performing on the streets and independently.
Knowing souls were for sale, when I'm fuckin' with these beats
I realized that the music industry often treats artists as commodities, just trying to profit from their talent.
The landlord of these lyrics, with a touch of what can be
As the creator of these lyrics, I hold the power and authority to shape their meaning and potential impact.
And if it doesn't ground, You could trust it wasn't me
If the music I create doesn't connect and resonate with the audience, it is not a true representation of who I am.
The deepest of minds, can't frame what I've imagined
Even the most profound thinkers and intellectuals cannot fully comprehend the depths of my imagination.
Three eyes on the train, writin' rhymes on a napkin
I can be found on the train, with three eyes (symbolic of heightened perception), jotting down lyrics on a napkin.
See these kids don't have bentley's, they sit and take the bus
Unlike wealthy individuals with expensive cars, these kids have a more humble lifestyle and rely on public transportation.
But if ya playin' this tape, ya situation's sussed
However, if you are listening to this music, it means you have understood and relate to my message.
From backstage butterfly's to a passion of a debut
I went from being nervous and anxious backstage to experiencing the excitement and passion during my debut performance.
From not haven a path, to push past and a way through
Initially, I did not have a clear direction or path, but I pushed through obstacles and found my way forward.
From this rhyming release, to stress I've got off my chest
Through the act of rapping and expressing myself, I have found a way to release and alleviate my stress.
From chasing a dream, to holding the hart of the press
I transitioned from relentlessly pursuing my dream to garnering the respect and recognition of the media.
From shoe store days, to writing sessions at night
I moved on from my days working at a shoe store to spending nights writing and perfecting my craft.
To a culture that ultimately taught me lessons in life
Through hip-hop culture, I have gained invaluable insights and lessons that have shaped my life.
And we won't stop until we get that feeling
We will continue our efforts until we experience that indescribable and satisfying feeling of accomplishment.
That's why we get on up that's why we got on up
That is precisely why we keep moving forward and rising up to face any challenges.
Oh we won't stop until we get that feeling
We are determined to persist until we achieve that feeling of fulfillment and success.
That's why we get on up (Hang on, hang on, hang on)
We keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity or setbacks, with determination and resilience.
So we can stand together recognize the vision
By understanding each other and embracing a shared vision, we can stand united and work towards a common goal.
Its one love, one life, sets aside our differences
We should prioritize love and unity, recognizing that we all share one life and should set aside our differences.
I got to understand you, Cause that's what gets me by, in my life
Understanding others and their perspectives is what helps me navigate and find meaning in my own life.
Lyrics Β© WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JONATHAN VINCENT NOTLEY, MAX DONALD MACKINNON, XAVIER JOSEPH MILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saikara
Sun: βItβs average okayβ¦β
Moji
@Alt Account fr..
Aditya Raj
Suns ego
{ β‘ W E A T β‘ }
sun: YOU SEE WHAT HAPPEN IN 7 BILLION!! π
Cleon D. Kingfire
Nah the sun in 2 billion years will be a big boy too
Lucas
We might be tiny but weβve got personality π’
Atharwa Malawade
@JRE Ibanez
Well, until we can, and until we discover life outside Earth, my statement still holds true.
JRE Ibanez
β@Atharwa Malawade you haven't even seen the 'present' outside the observable universe ποΈπποΈ
GamingWithAdam
@Pikachu! Use suffocate attack! Woahh. Too far man.
Pikachu! Use suffocate attack!
Finally someone doesnβt care abt my smol eggie plant