After releasing several recordings themselves on small time labels, in 2010 they contracted to release an ep with Sub Pop and have collaborated in recordings and on stage with artists such as MC Silk, and THEESatisfaction. They deliver sincere and radical lyrics with sounds and beats that include sounds from around the world. Containing echos of funk, minor-key jazz, London dubstep and mbira sounds they structure their songs outside the 16-bars/chorus/repeat form of much hip hop.Their music won them the first ever Music Genius award from The Stranger in 2010.
The group which also features mixing engineer Erik Blood, often dress in elaborate costumes and masks for their live performances.
For Butler, who never stopped making music since he released his classic album by Digable Planets , ''Blowout Comb'', Shabazz palaces is his latest place to play with ideas. Those ideas have always been simultaneously global in their expansiveness and basement ceiling low in their commitment to hip-hopโs bottom line.
Their video for Belhaven Meridian is a one-shot bw music video, shot in Watts, LA, homage to the 1977 classic film Killer of Sheep, a film set around the Watts Riots. It features a cameo by Ernest Wadell from The Wire.
Dope.
Shine a Light
Shabazz Palaces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven
It's heaven, it's seven, it's heavy
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
Shine a light on the fake
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Street profit, sweets geeked off it
Seek profit, cook styles eat off it
Think unique, tires squeak, jewels blink
Defy critique, high peaks, comped suites
She said I'm too deep, then she fell asleep
How that llama repeat sound hella sweet
Gorgeous dashing
Waves crashing, mind elastics
Smooth action
The Cadillacs was backed in (Why?)
You may need to get in the trunk or in the wind (Fast)
Lost friends, floss for them gloss gems
Often it's thought that I'm lost in
Weighing out what all this chance takings costing
Sliding cornered by more law enforcements
Feeling like I'm ridin' with The Four Horsemen
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shout out my pops Big Reg
Love you baby
Shout out all the old heads
As time whispers in your ear
Know we love you baby
The song "Shine a Light" by Shabazz Palaces feat. Thaddillac is an emotionally charged track that seeks to expose fake people and offer inspiration to those who have been struggling to succeed. The repetition of "it's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven" suggests that the weight and significance of the truth can sometimes be burdensome but ultimately liberating. The call to "shine a light on the fake" is a plea to expose falsehoods and reveal the real, providing hope for better opportunities for "my peeps."
The lyrics also reference the struggles of making a name for oneself in the music industry. The lines "Think unique, tires squeak, jewels blink / Defy critique, high peaks, comped suites" suggest a challenging but ultimately rewarding process of carving out a unique style and identity. The sense of risk is accentuated in lines like "Weighing out what all this chance takings costing / Sliding cornered by more law enforcements."
Ultimately, the song's message is one of perseverance and teamwork. Shabazz Palaces and Thaddillac highlight the importance of having a supportive community, represented by shoutouts to "Big Reg" and "all the old heads." In the face of adversity, the song encourages listeners to "shine a light," holding onto hope and working together towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine a light
Illuminate the darkness
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
The moment is intense and enjoyable
It's seven
The time is late and significant
It's heaven, it's seven, it's heavy
The time is blissful, late, and profound
Shine a light on the fake
Expose the phoniness
This way my peeps can have it all
So that my people can gain everything
Street profit, sweets geeked off it
Subculture money, candy high
Seek profit, cook styles eat off it
Strive for financial gain, hone skills for success
Think unique, tires squeak, jewels blink
Be original, make an entrance, flaunt riches
Defy critique, high peaks, comped suites
Ignore criticism, reach the summit, free rooms
She said I'm too deep, then she fell asleep
She found my thoughts too complex, and dozed off
How that llama repeat sound hella sweet
The repetition of 'llama' is enjoyable
Gorgeous dashing
Very attractive and fast
Waves crashing, mind elastics
Crashing of waves, expandable thoughts
Smooth action
Effortless movement
The Cadillacs was backed in (Why?)
The Cadillacs were parked in reverse (Why?)
You may need to get in the trunk or in the wind (Fast)
You might need to hide in the trunk or make a quick escape
Lost friends, floss for them gloss gems
Friends gone, flaunting jewels for them
Often it's thought that I'm lost in
People often think I'm confused
Weighing out what all this chance takings costing
Considering the risks and their costs
Sliding cornered by more law enforcements
Cornered and pursued by the authorities
Feeling like I'm ridin' with The Four Horsemen
Feeling like I'm part of the biblical apocalypse
Shout out my pops Big Reg
Greetings to my father, Big Reg
Love you baby
I love you dearly
Shout out all the old heads
Greetings to all the elders
As time whispers in your ear
As the years pass by
Know we love you baby
Know that we cherish you
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tendai Maraire, Ishmael Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ZimUnknown
Shine a light
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven
It's heaven, it's seven, it's heavy
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Street profit
Sweets geeked off it
Seek profit
Cook styles eat off it
Think unique, tyres squeak, jewels blink
Defy critique, high peaks, comped suites
She said I'm too deep, then she fell asleep
How that llama repeat sounds hella sweet
Gorgeous dashing
Waves crashing, mind elastics
Smooth action
The Cadillacs was backed in (Why?)
You may need to get in the trunk or in the wind (Fast)
Lost friends
Floss for them gloss gems
Often it's thought that i'm lost in
Weighing out what this chance takings costing
Sliding cornered by more law enforcements
Feeling like i'm riding with The Four Horsemen
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shout out my pops Big Reg
Love you baby
Shout out all the old heads
As time whispers in your ear
Know we love you baby
Internet Cancer
Criminally underappreciated song
Adam Lannan
Absolutely felonious.
Dexter Gilford
Violators not even deserving of bail.
FurBi
Cayo perica
A-Dubs
I heard this in a Chipotle today.
duck films
This song makes me feel like Iโm rolling in a big old Cadillac down a lit up Hollywood boulevard at night
Robbero
Born too late to explore the Earth, born too early to explore space, but born just in time to listen to this masterpiece
ZimUnknown
Shine a light
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
It's seven
It's heaven, it's seven, it's heavy
It's seven, it's heavy, it's heaven
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Street profit
Sweets geeked off it
Seek profit
Cook styles eat off it
Think unique, tyres squeak, jewels blink
Defy critique, high peaks, comped suites
She said I'm too deep, then she fell asleep
How that llama repeat sounds hella sweet
Gorgeous dashing
Waves crashing, mind elastics
Smooth action
The Cadillacs was backed in (Why?)
You may need to get in the trunk or in the wind (Fast)
Lost friends
Floss for them gloss gems
Often it's thought that i'm lost in
Weighing out what this chance takings costing
Sliding cornered by more law enforcements
Feeling like i'm riding with The Four Horsemen
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shine a light on the fake
This way my peeps can have it all
Shout out my pops Big Reg
Love you baby
Shout out all the old heads
As time whispers in your ear
Know we love you baby
Terry Haircastle
Thanks - absolutely love these lines.
The last two especially are real beauties
THEODSTKING117
Had this song tucked away on my old spotify account and was diggin through and found it again. Was like finding your old favorite toy or something. This song rules man