Before joining forces, Sly was drumming for the Skin Flesh and Bones band and Robbie was the bass player for the Aggrovators. They also used to play in clubs (Sly at Tit for Tat and Robbie at Evil People), and used to check each other out. They found out that they had the same ideas about music in general (both are huge fans of Motown, Philly Sound and Country & Western, in addition to Jamaican legendary labels Studio One and Treasure Isle), and Reggae production in particular. They first worked together for the newly created Channel One label and studio, operated by the Hoo Kim brothers.
They changed the face of Reggae several times: in 1976, they introduced a harder beat called "Rockers", which quickly replaced the then prevalent "One drop" style, then introduced the "rub a dub" sound in the early 1980s. Sly and Robbie were important in developing the trend towards computer assisted music and programmming in the mid 1980s.
Also in the early 1990s they introduced a novel sound with the hits "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers. Chaka Demus' rough DJ vocals were matched with Pliers' sweet, melodic, soul-influenced singing; this unusal vocal pairing was championed by Sly and Robbie. This formula has since been used with great success by the likes of Shaggy (who teamed up with singers Rayvon or Rik Rok), Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest and others. This predates and may have influenced the recent trend in some rap music where a song's "hook" or chorus is sung by a guest, while the verses are rapped.
Sly & Robbie continued to innovate during the 1990s and early 2000s, fusing Dancehall and Latin music sounds (La Trenggae) or Dancehall and hip hop/R&B (their 2004 Big Up riddim). In 2001, their "Strip to the Bone" album paired them with electro producer Howie B, and together they explored new dub territories.
Far from restricting themselves to the Jamaican scene, (in which they have played for virtually every prominent Jamaican musical artist from Beenie Man to Sean Paul to Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and others), they have been one of pop music's most sought after rhythm sections, playing for and producing superstars such as Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones, Grace Jones, Joan Armatrading, Gilberto Gil, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, Simply Red, Michael Franti, Sting, Khaled, Tricky, Doug E. Fresh, Carlos Santana, Sinéad O'Connor, and many more.
They have produced No Doubt's hits 'Hey Baby' and 'Underneath it All'. They also produced some tracks off Suggs first album 'The Lone Ranger' including the hit version of Cecilia featuring Louchie Lou and Michie One which sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.
After 30 years together, they still tour and record relentlessly. Their last US tour was with Tony Rebel and Half Pint, during the Spring of 2005. During the Summer of 2005, they toured Europe and the UK with Bunny Rugs, lead singer for Third World. During the Fall of 2005 they were on the road with Sinéad O'Connor and in August 2006, they appeared with Don Carlos at the Reggae on the River Festival, while they backed Cherine and Queen Ifrica in 2007 and early 2008.
They have produced several new Jamaican artists for their TAXI label, including Kibaki, Mynimoo and Zennlocc, as well as confirmed superstars such as Elephant Man. They have also recorded with their original group, the Revolutionaries, to produce Horace Andy's new album "Livin' it up" (2007). They recently signed the lovers rock sensation Bitty McLean to their TAXI label and are planning to release "MOVIN' ON", Bitty's new album, during 2008.
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Woman For The Job
Sly & Robbie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[CHORUS]
KRS, Latifah, don't forget
Mash up any male or female artist on the set
Mi comin with mi style, mi take your title and your rep
The BDP Posse and Flavor Unit in effect
It's Queen Latifah with the R.E. Posse, Flavor Unit sound
Broken down by the Boogie Down (Productions)
Slip and slide to a Sly & Robbie instrumental
And also as an indicental
The music to which vocals you know I have done
Produced by (KRS-One)
One tribe, one guide, and one destiny
You want the best of me?
Death to those who testin me
Cause to test is to try to conquer
But me, I catch em (1-2-3) and do an encore
Get paid by music, no money to the mob
Cause I'm the woman for the job
[CHORUS]
[KRS-One:]
Flavor Unit - assemble!
BDP Crew - assemble!
Sly & Robbie - wheel up!
[VERSE 2]
Once again, it's time for Queen Latifah to return
Because to live is to learn
I learn a lotta suckers out there thought we slept
Now they give us (nuff respect!)
I'ma get loose inside this queendom
Suckers tried to duck, it didn't work, cause I seen them
I'm not out to shoot anybody out the box, but it's my scene
(I know just what you mean)
Woman called Latifah is a wise one
There are no others like me, I'm a prized one
Although they try to measure up, I outsize them slobs
Cause I'm the woman for the job
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 3]
Intelligence captivates your mind
While the sound of my voice detains and occupies your ears
The thought and the message speak clearly through the vocals
Your heart is breathtaken, and it's bringin you to tears
The t-i-p (tip) That is what you are on the m-u-s-i-c
(Music) That is what you want to own, but you could never be
The one to take my off the throne
Your mind's like a child's, my dear, and I am grown
So just forget it, cause while you wanna do it, I did it
Also admit it, if you can hit it, you're with it
Show me your chest, you musta flown over a coockoo's nest
No buts about it, my life you wanna out it? I doubt it
Suckers don't play me, cause suckers I do vamp
Last time you challenged me, you cancelled due to cramps
Allegedly, really you weren't readily
Able to rock a rhyme so smooth, so steadily
But next time you better be
Cause these appointments ain't for nothin
They're only for coolin, crushin, and solo-bumrushin
KRS-One's creatin music like an Einstein
Rollin up the rhythm to keep the pace of my rhyme
Me chosen by super musicians, Sly and Rob
Cause I'm the woman for the job
[CHORUS]
The lyrics of the song "Woman For The Job" by Sly & Robbie featuring Queen Latifah are a combination of boastful rhymes and confident declarations of their abilities as artists. The chorus calls out the names of KRS-One and Queen Latifah as a warning to any artist who may dare to compare themselves to these titans of the music industry. The lyrics of this song are a declaration of their superiority and their willingness to take on any challenge and emerge victorious. The first verse is performed by Queen Latifah and highlights her achievements and success in the industry. She boasts of producing by KRS-One, her one tribe, one guide, and one destiny. She then confidently asserts that she is the woman for the job.
The second verse of the song focuses on Queen Latifah's intelligence and her superior talent as an artist. She describes the captivation of her audience as she communicates her message through her music. She confidently proclaims her status as the queen of hip-hop and that she outmatches any challenger. The final verse features KRS-One rhyming about his creative genius and his ability to create music like an Einstein. He is backed by the musical geniuses of Sly & Robbie who highlight his skills as an artist. Overall, the song is a celebration of Queen Latifah's and KRS-One's success and their status as some of the greatest artists in their respective genres.
Line by Line Meaning
KRS, Latifah, don't forget
KRS-One and Queen Latifah, you better not forget
Mash up any male or female artist on the set
We can out-perform any other artist, regardless of gender
Mi comin with mi style, mi take your title and your rep
We're bringing our own unique style, and we'll take your title and reputation if we need to
The BDP Posse and Flavor Unit in effect
Both the BDP Posse and Flavor Unit are present and active in this song
It's Queen Latifah with the R.E. Posse, Flavor Unit sound
This is a Queen Latifah song, featuring the R.E. Posse, with the unmistakable Flavor Unit sound
Broken down by the Boogie Down (Productions)
Introducing a sound produced by Boogie Down
Slip and slide to a Sly & Robbie instrumental
Dancing smoothly to the instrumental produced by Sly & Robbie
And also as an indicental
Plus, as an additional benefit
The music to which vocals you know I have done
You already know I've sung vocals on this type of music before
Produced by (KRS-One)
The producer of this song is KRS-One
One tribe, one guide, and one destiny
We are all part of one group, following one leader, and going towards one destination
You want the best of me?
Do you really want to see my best?
Death to those who testin me
I will destroy anyone who tries to test my abilities
Cause to test is to try to conquer
When you test someone, you're really just trying to beat them
But me, I catch em (1-2-3) and do an encore
But I catch them easily and then perform again
Get paid by music, no money to the mob
I get paid for my music, not for engaging in illegal activities for the mafia
Cause I'm the woman for the job
I am the right person for this job
Once again, it's time for Queen Latifah to return
I'm back again, it's time for another Queen Latifah song
Because to live is to learn
Learning is an essential part of life
I learn a lotta suckers out there thought we slept
I learned that a lot of people underestimated us
Now they give us (nuff respect!)
Now they give us enough respect and recognition
I'ma get loose inside this queendom
I'm going to have fun and let loose in my own kingdom
Suckers tried to duck, it didn't work, cause I seen them
My opponents tried to avoid me, but I still caught them because I'm vigilant
I'm not out to shoot anybody out the box, but it's my scene
I don't want to eliminate competition, but I do want to stay on top
(I know just what you mean)
(I understand what you're saying)
Woman called Latifah is a wise one
Latifah is a wise and intelligent woman
There are no others like me, I'm a prized one
I am unique and valuable among others
Although they try to measure up, I outsize them slobs
Even though others try to compete, I'm still bigger and better than them
Intelligence captivates your mind
Intelligence is mesmerizing and captivating
While the sound of my voice detains and occupies your ears
My voice captures your attention and holds it
The thought and the message speak clearly through the vocals
My message comes through loud and clear in my singing
Your heart is breathtaken, and it's bringin you to tears
My singing moves you emotionally, making you teary-eyed
The t-i-p (tip) That is what you are on the m-u-s-i-c
You're only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to music
(Music) That is what you want to own, but you could never be
You may want to own music, but you'll never be able to replicate it
The one to take my off the throne
No one can dethrone me
Your mind's like a child's, my dear, and I am grown
You're immature, while I am mature and experienced
So just forget it, cause while you wanna do it, I did it
Just give up because while you're trying, I've already accomplished it
Also admit it, if you can hit it, you're with it
If you appreciate my music, you're on my side
Show me your chest, you musta flown over a coockoo's nest
You must be crazy to challenge me
No buts about it, my life you wanna out it? I doubt it
There's no debate, you can't do what I've done with my life
Suckers don't play me, cause suckers I do vamp
Don't try to fool me because I'm too skilled to fall for it
Last time you challenged me, you cancelled due to cramps
Last time you challenged me, you backed out because you were weak
Allegedly, really you weren't readily
You claimed you were prepared, but in reality, you weren't
Able to rock a rhyme so smooth, so steadily
You couldn't perform your song smoothly and confidently like I can
But next time you better be
But next time, you better come prepared
Cause these appointments ain't for nothin
These contests aren't just for fun
They're only for coolin, crushin, and solo-bumrushin
They're for cooling down, crushing the competition, and impressing individuals
KRS-One's creatin music like an Einstein
KRS-One is making music like a genius
Rollin up the rhythm to keep the pace of my rhyme
Creating a rhythm that complements my rhyming style
Me chosen by super musicians, Sly and Rob
Sly and Robbie selected me because I'm talented
Cause I'm the woman for the job
Because I'm the most qualified person for this role
Contributed by Leo C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BathTime
I have this on tape but my tape player broke, lol this is the only video I can find with this song. So, thank you!
Fred Good
Album is "Sly & Robbie: Silent Assassin" (oops- somebody beat me to .. a year ago! :D GREAT album tho
Leonard James
1989 Don't get left behind, if anyone knows the album this is from drop us a line, think it also featured KRS1, and young MC. as well as this gem from queen latifah
Leonard James
@Dubkebab Excellent ,thanks Damien.
Dubkebab
Sly & Robbie-silent assassin.Strong album.
Dubkebab
Sly & Robbie-silent assassin. Strong album.