After having won the Big Break competition in 1992, they proceeded to record several demo tapes and arrange multiple Canadian tours with several U.S. and Canadian bands. They have toured with Bad Brains, Triggerhappy, SNFU, Ten Foot Pole and several other popular underground and mainstream acts. After averaging at least three shows a week over a span of three years, the trio finally recorded an EP entitled Paying Rent. This three song demo also included a video which aired regularly across Canada.[citation needed]
After completing their fourth tour across Canada, the trio released their first full length CD entitled MINDSTATE. Following the release of this CD, several 12" singles with such artists such as Mr. Len, and DJ Atrak. They also released a self-titled "Mindstate" single featuring Desi DiLauro. Backed with the support of Muchmusic, MusiquePlus, BET and MTV their video aired regularly. The trio band subsequently took several "mini-tours" around Quebec with pop group The Backstreet Boys. They also opened for musicians such as: Eminem, Gangstarr, KRS-1, The Beatnuts, Ben Harper, and Jurassic 5.
Think Twice
Shades of Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah Yeah SOCs about to do it to ya once again
Live and direct
To all the SOCs kick up dust you can trust
The three of us to bust
True to Earth's crust
You need to cry for help because I'm fast like a quarter horse
In the late-night or afternoon rhymes
In the daytime it's never playtime
I creep up on your village or sector
Change your vector, your angle
The complex rap erector
Swallow your pride come to the stage and grab the micro'
Phone, your life leaked, your fucked, mic's blown
My shit's clear like mountain spring water
You better reaching for that nickel plated ink blotter
I see them suckers turning yellow like was struck by jaundice
It will be a cold day in hell before them fools get on this
Tactics that make moves that blur your vision
Some try, but come up dry like hair's that's not conditioned
Why they risk it? They will be insane, they defeated
False information to my peeps that I been seeing
For X amount of years and yo we never had no static
Them big yap kids, they need to break like a bad habit
Silly rabbits, trying to get their rep up
But they get wrecked up, when this verbalist decides to step up
You, what's your function?
Mine's to hit you like percussion
Some need to think twice before they be coming in and rushing
Yes, yes y'all you know we don't stop
It be the Shades of Culture crew making it hot on your block
Yes, yes y'all you know we never quit
It be the Shades of Culture crew with the Shades of Culture, shh
We keep it nice with this mic device
Some need to think twice if they don't think we precise
Take our advice and start adjusting your sites
Ay yo we take it to mics when reality bites
Yo, here comes the Revolution and the Dark Shade
With the rap attitude to never get payed, out
You're laid out in a box, not yet
You're never too young to die, want to bet
Get thrown away from me like stuntmen on cables
In a Jet Li movie, silver screen story fable
Or Clive Barker's darker novels and short stories
These rap skills make most MC chill, (EPMD sample 'chill')
Up in the sky so high like cumulus, not Columbus
I'm calculated like calculus
I rock your shit from birth to the crypt, that's the deal
Can you keep a secret like Egypt
I let it shoot from the start
That I'm well skilled in this art
I be moving like a Ferrari compared to a go-cart
Put them shits in park
It's the all terrain vehicle
That brings the ruckus when I roll through your municipal
District get hit by this kid with sharper wits
How a sucker want to rap with missing teeth and swollen lips
Man, it's simple they gotta break out like a pimple
Evacuate the premises, vanish like William Kimble
'Cause Real people don't like those fakes who perpetrate
That's why we come correct with all the rhymes that we state
It's too late for apologies
I'm out to demolish these
Obstacles in the way of we getting monopolies
There is not stopping these
What what, yo yo yo
Yes, yes y'all we don't stop
It be the Shades of Culture crew making it hot on your block
"My advice is to you, think twice
My advice is to you, think twice
My advice is to you, think twice
The price to pay is your life"
The song "Think Twice" by Shades of Culture featuring DJ A Trak is an aggressive and confident rap song about their skills as a group and their ability to take on any challengers. The lyrics focus on their prowess as rappers and their no-nonsense attitude when it comes to dealing with any competition. Revolution and D-Shade assert their dominance over other MCs while warning them to think twice before challenging them. The lyrics are filled with references to pop culture, movies, and fictional characters to strengthen the group's image as powerful and unstoppable.
Revolution and D-Shade employ clever wordplay and metaphors to convey their message of superiority. The chorus advises people to think twice before underestimating them, as they are experts in their craft and will not be taken down easily. The song features scratching by DJ A Trak, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the instrumental component. The song captures the essence of hip-hop and showcases the group's style and sound, making it a classic within the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
To all the SOCs kick up dust you can trust
We, Shades of Culture, are skilled in our craft and will provide quality entertainment.
The three of us to bust
The three members of Shades of Culture will each perform to the best of their ability.
You need to cry for help because I'm fast like a quarterhorse
I am a fast-paced rapper and you may need help keeping up with me.
In the latenight or afternoon ryhmes
We perform at any time of day, whether it is late at night or early in the afternoon.
In the daytime it's never playtime
We always take our performances seriously and put in a lot of effort.
Change your vector, your angle
We will change the direction of the show and provide a unique experience for our audience.
Swallow your pride come to the stage and grab the mirco
Don't be afraid to perform alongside us and show your skills like we do.
You better reaching for that nickel plated ink blotter
You better prepare yourself because we are going to leave a lasting impression.
I see them suckers turning yellow like was struck by jaundice
I see the fear and nervousness in the other performers and it shows.
Them big yap kids, they need to break like a bad habit
The weak performers attempting to compete with us need to stop and move on.
Some need to think twice before they be coming in and rushing
Performers need to think twice before they attempt to compete with us.
We keep it nice with this mic device
We provide great performances with our microphones.
Ay yo we take it to mics when reality bites
We provide great performances even if life gets difficult.
Yo, here comes the Revolution and the Dark Shade
The Shades of Culture includes Revolution and Dark Shade for this performance.
I rock your shit from birth to the crypt, that's the deal
The Shades of Culture will provide quality entertainment throughout the performance.
Real people don't like those fakes who perpetrate
We only want to see real talent and not anyone faking their skills.
My advice is to you, think twice
We recommend thinking twice before attempting to perform alongside The Shades of Culture.
The price to pay is your life
Attempting to compete on stage with an underdeveloped talent can be harmful to one's reputation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alain Macklovitch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind