“I remember having one of my 'performances' in my backyard one afternoon, and glancing over and seeing my mom watch me. She kind of had this 'what the hell is this boy doing?' look on her face.....but I still finished my show.”
-Shawn Chrystopher
In 1997, during his first day at Foshay Learning Center, Shawn was introduced to music in a different light as he enrolled into his very first music class. In this class, he was not only taught the fundamentals of music--such as melodies and music theory--he also acquired the knowledge of music history as well as the skills to not only play, but master many different instruments.
It was that same year that Shawn met industry exec and life-long mentor/friend Tom Sturges. At the time Tom, who was head of Shaquille O'neal's record label "TWisM," came to Shawn's school to meet with another student who he was sponsoring in a mentorship program. Coincidentally, during his visit Tom was able to see Shawn perform at one of the many assemblies he took part in, and instantly saw the talent and star-power Shawn possessed.
As high school came to a culmination, Shawn, then known in his area as one of the premier entertainers, not only continued to perfect his skills as an MC, but also honing the craft of producing.
"I would literally sit and make 5 beats a day, then at the end of the week delete them all; I kept this going for months. The reason why I would delete them is because they weren't any good. I knew they weren't good, but just like every other skill, you have to practice to get it perfected. Im sure Jordan didn't make the first shot he ever took."
-Shawn Chrystopher
In 2003, at the age of 16, Shawn was awarded a 4 1/2 year scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he would study Political Science. While in school, Shawn learned the necessary skills of business and networking that would help him conduct himself in a professional manner whenever he was not in 'entertainer' mode. These skills were nothing more but mere additions to Shawn Chrystoper's already 'micro-manager' demeanor. More than just a rapper, Chrystopher is known to do everything himself--and if he cant do it, he asks to have the final decision on anything made regarding him or else he wants no part of it. Shawn writes, performs, produces, mixes, and masters all of his own music; something he sees being a necessity in the music industry if longevity is to be achieved.
"The era of the 'regular rapper' is almost done. Soon people are going to be asking 'well we know you can rap, but what else do you do?' There are many musicians who write and produce their own music, however in hip-hop, being one-dimensional was accepted. That won't last for too much longer."
-Shawn Chrystopher
Five years later, after careful planning and patiently learning the ins-and-outs of the music industry, Shawn Chrystopher, formally released his critically-acclaimed debut mixtape "I.W.G.: I Wear Glasses"; garnering him a major co-sign by fashion powerhouse LRG Clothing as well as its owner Jonas
In the fall of 2009, Shawn released his debut LP "A City With No Seasons" via his website, HonourRoleStudent.com. "A City With No Seasons" was Shawn's true introduction to the world as it was his first project with the music entirely produced by him (his prior mixtape was comprised mostly of industry instrumentals). With his debut album, Shawn Chrystopher set out to push the envelope with today's rap music; choosing song concepts and instrumentation that would normally be reserved for an alternative act.
"Some people really feel that it's virtually impossible to create something different in this day and age when it comes to music; I strongly disagree. I look at music as fingerprints; being independently exclusive to every musician. The reason why music, especially hip-hop, stays stagnant during certain periods of time is because artists tend to try and duplicate another artists' "fingerprints" because he or she has created a winning formula in the form of a hit song. Just because something worked for one artist doesn't necessarily mean that it will work for me, so I have chosen to basically be my own artist, and create a sound that can only be linked to me as a musician."
-Shawn Chrystopher
With intellect, superior musical talent, and passion for all that he does, the future is truly bright for Mr. Chrystopher.
The Revolution
Shawn Chrystopher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reminisce on days trapped inside that cage
Poppa left nada, no father I wasn't fazed
To replace him in the mornings waking up I wouldn't shave
My peach fuzz got my fe buzz, nigga on citas
Learned from baby mommas they knew more than all my teachers
Shootin shots up at Darby
My nigga really shootin shots, he hit a cop he wasn't sorry
That's just how we gotta get down
And if you ever life yo life my nigga make sure that it's right my nigga
Make sure that yo niggas really down, then its all good
They'll stop yo money fo you get it
Cause johnny at yo temple like a fitted
And Ronnie know the spots you like to kick it
Shots through yo window twist yo body like a gymnast
Now I'm on it, I'm on it
And all my niggas is on it
They shot at Dre for his Jordans
We'll deal with that in the morning
See some of my niggas is corny
But them my niggas you feel me
The crime is loyal I'm guilty
So drop the gavel come kill me (hold up wait)
See my uncle Sonny taught me how the white man gon be salty
If he ever snooped and caught me
In his daughter CD player that mean she bought me
See that ticket that mean she saw me
See that poster that mean she love me
VIP yeah that mean she fucked me
She fucked me why you mad Mr. Whiteman
Shit, cause after all you still a white man
You ain't living how I'm living
The chuck dickens of this new edition smooth as Michael Bevins, wait
So what the fuck they gon tell me
Huh
What the fuck they gon tell me
This is, The Lovestory LP
In Shawn Chrystopher's song "The Revolution", the lyrics address issues faced by some African American men in America. He references his own experiences with poverty, absent fathers, crime, and drug use, as well as the systemic racism present in society. The first verse begins with a description of smoking marijuana, and how it serves as a form of escapism for him and his friends, who are forced to confront the harsh realities of their lives. Chrystopher then reflects on growing up without a father, yet not feeling the effects until later in life when he had to take on responsibilities he wasn't ready for. He talks about how he learned more from the mothers of his children than from any teacher in school, highlighting the importance of women in shaping his life.
The second verse focuses on the violence and crime in his community, with his friend shooting a police officer but feeling justified in doing so. Chrystopher expresses the belief that this is simply the way things are, and that this is "just how we gotta get down". He also touches on the idea of loyalty amongst his friends, even if they are "corny". The final part of the song is a reflection on race and discrimination, with Chrystopher recalling a white woman who showed affection towards him but was not accepted by her father. He compares himself to the smooth and cool Michael Bevins from New Edition, showing a sense of pride in who he is and his accomplishments in life.
Overall, "The Revolution" is a powerful portrayal of the experiences of a young black man living in America. Chrystopher's lyrics address issues such as poverty, fatherlessness, crime, and systemic racism, while also expressing a sense of pride and defiance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Teed niggas with braids inhale the haze
Young men with braids smoke marijuana
Reminisce on days trapped inside that cage
Recalling times being imprisoned or oppressed
Poppa left nada, no father I wasn't fazed
Father left, but I wasn't affected
To replace him in the mornings waking up I wouldn't shave
I didn't shave in the morning to appear older and more masculine
My peach fuzz got my fe buzz, nigga on citas
My facial hair made me appear more mature
Learned from baby mommas they knew more than all my teachers
I learned more from my children's mothers than from my actual teachers
Shootin shots up at Darby
Shooting a gun in a dangerous place
My nigga really shootin shots, he hit a cop he wasn't sorry
My friend shot and injured a police officer, and he had no remorse
Told me that's the way of life, my nigga that's just how we fight, my nigga
He explained that this kind of behavior is just how life is and how we defend ourselves
That's just how we gotta get down
We have to act this way to survive
And if you ever life yo life, my nigga make sure that it's right, my nigga
If you're going to live your life, make sure it's the right way
Make sure that yo niggas really down, then it's all good
Make sure your friends are loyal and reliable, and then everything will be good
They'll stop yo money fo you get it
People will try to prevent you from earning money
Cause Johnny at yo temple like a fitted
Someone will shoot you in the head, like adjusting a hat on your head
And Ronnie know the spots you like to kick it
Someone else knows your hangout spots
Shots through yo window twist yo body like a gymnast
Gunshots through your window will leave your body contorted
Now I'm on it, I'm on it
I'm now paying attention and ready to take action
And all my niggas is on it
All of my friends are also ready to take action
They shot at Dre for his Jordans
Someone shot at Dre to steal his Air Jordan shoes
We'll deal with that in the morning
We'll address the shooting incident later
See some of my niggas is corny
Some of my friends are not cool
But them my niggas you feel me
But they're my friends, you understand?
The crime is loyal I'm guilty
I am guilty of being loyal to my criminal friends
So drop the gavel come kill me (hold up wait)
I am ready to face punishment for my actions, but wait a moment
See my uncle Sonny taught me how the white man gon be salty
My uncle Sonny showed me how white people will be upset with me
If he ever snooped and caught me
If a white person ever found out what I was doing
In his daughter CD player that mean she bought me
If they found my CD in his daughter's player, it means she liked my music
See that ticket that mean she saw me
If the police gave her a ticket for my concert, she saw me perform
VIP yeah that mean she fucked me
If she was in the VIP section, she slept with me
She fucked me why you mad Mr. Whiteman
She had sex with me, and it makes white people angry
Shit, cause after all you still a white man
It's because you're still a white person, regardless of your anger
You ain't living how I'm living
You don't understand how I'm living
The chuck dickens of this new edition smooth as Michael Bevins, wait
I'm as smooth as Michael Bevins from New Edition, just wait and see
So what the fuck they gon tell me
What can anyone tell me?
Huh
Questioning the listener's response
What the fuck they gon tell me
Repeat of previous line
This is The Lovestory LP
This is the name of the album
Contributed by Parker F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Damond Lockett
Never dissapointed, good shit Shawn, you're an influence on me man, keep working hard, maybe one day I'll run into you #salute #goodmusic
Leigh Feldman
album is fire. video is fantastic. really digging all of this.
dsbawg
finally a tape i can look forward to!!! this summer aight got no bangers yet
Ste Miller
Underratted this guy
WatchKay
I love you!!!!!
Obeyme
nice to hear some Fela Kuti in the mix. Like your style, yup.
lilbuttinski19
Can you work with Azizi Gibson in the future... That would be legendary.
EYEHVNG LOOSE
yo i live near there you got my support bruh
don fiero
Beast
Father Jah
Spectac, familation!!!! I just posted this on fatheramaknowsbest.blogspot.com KEEP IT COMIN', my G!!! - fatherama (HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!)