Formed in 2007 by Jacob Richardson and Tom Cowan, the pair began writing together again in Brighton after having previously written and performed together in Burton-Upon-Trent. Having long shared a passion for rich, layered and intricate guitar music, the Sons’ deep musical exploration quickly developed into a unique and mesmerizing style, brooding on the dark fringes of folk, crossing genres and quickly setting them apart from their contemporaries.
Violinist Mike Siddell (formerly of Hope of the States and currently with indie rockers Lightspeed Champion), was living in Richardson’s girlfriend’s garage at the time, and it wasn’t long before he joined the pair along with William Calderbank (cellist and co founder of The Miserable Rich). The heart of the band was born and the four recorded their debut album in a converted chicken shed in Devon.
As word spread and recordings were passed around town, an array of interested local musicians emerged and joined the fray, including members of the acclaimed Willkommen Collective: Nick Hemming (banjo, mandolin) and Helen Whitaker (flute) of The Leisure Society, Marcus Hamblett (double bass) of Kopek, Alistair Strachan (horns) of Hamilton Yarns, Rowan Coupland (clarinet), Jo White (accordion) of Red Dog Green Dog, Danny Green (percussion) of Laish and Catherine Cardin of Redwood Red.
The band's debut self-titled album was released worldwide in April 2010 (distributed by Shellshock).
Their second album, Knots, was released in 2012.
The band's third album, Turquoise Purple Pink, was released on 25 November 2016.
Sites: Discogs and MySpace.com/SonsOfNoelAndAdrian
Rise
Sons of Noel and Adrian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would walk down the streets strapped with two nines
Bitch smacking, jacking niggas, G dub stacking figures
Police drive by, I was click clacking triggers
Jay De Lucas put me with the fam to grow
I was a boss amongst white boys rocking the flow
I had hoes, bankrolls and minks by the dozen
My rise to power was quick, they just wasn't
I blacked out on them and started my own clan
Black Gambino, black suits, black Syndicate
My crime fam was tight, every move was intricate
The coke was brought in from by bad Colombian mules
Gorgeous women that I draped down in jewels
Streets fight started, mafia wars in Italy
Crime fam against fam and no one could do diddly
Do the dirty work, bring in the coke by the boatloads
Go against the grain, nigga, I feed nose holes
Follow no family rules, rules are for fools
Chase the paper cause it's the cash that rules
Fuck the law of fam, it's the law of land
You don't like how I move then try to force my hand
I'm moving keys, them DeLucas couldn't touch my pianos
Putting pressure on them Gambinis and Verrazanos
They love my money, they hate to see a nigga getting it
Selling drugs is taboo, but I ain't fucking sweating it
The dirt gotta get done so I took my position
One day I'm just Black Tone with a lot of ambition
Next I got status, dinners with all courses
Flights in and out of the country, they getting nauseous
Money, power, respect; rise of the black suits
Talk shit behind my back, but to my face salute
Hugs and handshakes, they can't stop my reign
Got the coconut, pilots bringing shit on their plane
It's a shame, they ain't have the balls to make moves
They pussies, couldn't walk a mile in my shoes
Do the dirty work, bring in the coke by the boatloads
Go against the grain, nigga, I feed nose holes
Follow no family rules, rules are for fools
Chase the paper cause it's the cash that rules
Do the dirty work, bring in the coke by the boatloads
Go against the grain, nigga, I feed nose holes
Follow no family rules, rules are for fools
Chase the paper cause it's the cash that rules
These lyrics tell the story of a protagonist who starts off as a young aggressor born into a life of crime. He describes walking down the streets armed with guns, engaging in violent activities and accumulating money. He becomes a prominent figure among his peers, distinguishing himself as a boss amongst white boys and quickly rising to power. However, the plans to make him a "made man" within the criminal organization fail, leading him to establish his own clan called the "Black Syndicate" and become known as the "Black Gambino."
The singer takes pride in the success of his organization, highlighting the intricate moves and strategic operations they execute. He reveals that they bring in cocaine through their connections with Colombian drug mules and lavishly indulge in a lifestyle filled with beautiful women and expensive jewels. A conflict arises in Italy with rival families, leading to mafia wars, but despite the chaos, the singer emphasizes that no one was able to achieve much.
In the second verse, the singer talks about his role in the drug trade, emphasizing his disregard for family rules, instead prioritizing the cash flow and breaking the law. He boasts about his ability to maneuver in the criminal world, mentioning that even powerful families like the DeLucas, Gambinis, and Verrazanos couldn't touch him or his operations. He acknowledges that selling drugs may be frowned upon by society, but he remains undeterred, seeing it as a necessary means to accomplish his goals.
The singer's rise to power brings him wealth, influence, and respect. He mentions lavish dinners, international travel, and being the center of jealousy and gossip. Despite facing criticism behind his back, he demands respect to his face and asserts that his reign cannot be stopped. He even has pilots helping him transport illegal substances, reflecting the extent of his illicit activities. The singer belittles those who dare to challenge him, claiming they lack courage and couldn't survive in his world.
Overall, these lyrics provide a glimpse into the life of a criminal who starts at the bottom but rapidly ascends to a position of power and influence, disregarding traditional family rules and prioritizing wealth and success.
Line by Line Meaning
Young aggressor, born into the life of crime
I grew up in a world of crime, where aggression was necessary for survival.
I would walk down the streets strapped with two nines
I carried two guns with me wherever I went for protection.
Bitch smacking, jacking niggas, G dub stacking figures
I was involved in violent confrontations and robberies, accumulating large amounts of money.
Police drive by, I was click clacking triggers
When the police were nearby, I was ready to shoot if necessary.
Jay De Lucas put me with the fam to grow
Jay De Lucas introduced me to the family to help me develop and rise in the criminal world.
I was a boss amongst white boys rocking the flow
I established myself as a leader among my white associates, displaying confidence and style.
I had hoes, bankrolls and minks by the dozen
I had multiple women, plenty of money, and expensive fur coats.
My rise to power was quick, they just wasn't
I attained power and influence rapidly, while others couldn't keep up.
Trying to make me a made man, they fucked up the game plan
Their attempt to officially recognize me as a respected member of the mafia went awry.
I blacked out on them and started my own clan
In response, I cut ties with the existing mafia families and formed my own criminal organization.
Black Gambino, black suits, black Syndicate
I established the Black Gambino crime family, where everyone dressed in black and operated as a tight-knit Syndicate.
My crime fam was tight, every move was intricate
The members of my criminal family were close-knit and we carefully planned and executed our actions.
The coke was brought in from bad Colombian mules
We smuggled cocaine into the country using unreliable Colombian couriers.
Gorgeous women that I draped down in jewels
I adorned beautiful women with expensive jewelry to signify my wealth and power.
Streets fight started, mafia wars in Italy
Conflict between different crime families erupted, leading to mafia wars in Italy.
Crime fam against fam and no one could do diddly
The different crime families fought against each other, but no one could gain a significant advantage.
Do the dirty work, bring in the coke by the boatloads
I was responsible for the dangerous work of smuggling large amounts of cocaine.
Go against the grain, nigga, I feed nose holes
I didn't conform to societal norms and instead supplied drugs to those who craved them.
Follow no family rules, rules are for fools
I didn't adhere to the established rules of the crime families, believing them to be foolish.
Chase the paper cause it's the cash that rules
I prioritized pursuing money since wealth and financial power were the ultimate authorities.
Fuck the law of fam, it's the law of land
I disregarded the rules of the crime families and followed the laws of the land instead.
You don't like how I move then try to force my hand
If someone disagreed with my actions, they would often try to manipulate me into compliance.
I'm moving keys, them DeLucas couldn't touch my pianos
I was involved in the drug trade, and even the powerful DeLucas couldn't interfere with my operations.
Putting pressure on them Gambinis and Verrazanos
I exerted influence and put pressure on rival crime families like the Gambinis and Verrazanos.
They love my money, they hate to see a nigga getting it
Others were envious of my wealth and success but also desired the benefits it brought.
Selling drugs is taboo, but I ain't fucking sweating it
Although selling drugs is considered socially unacceptable, it didn't bother me or affect my confidence.
The dirt gotta get done so I took my position
Recognizing the necessity of committing illegal activities, I assumed my role in the criminal underworld.
One day I'm just Black Tone with a lot of ambition
Initially, I was an ordinary person named Black Tone, but I possessed an incredible amount of ambition.
Next I got status, dinners with all courses
As I rose in power, I gained a prominent position and enjoyed extravagant meals with multiple courses.
Flights in and out of the country, they getting nauseous
I frequently traveled internationally, making others uneasy and uncomfortable with my frequent movement.
Money, power, respect; rise of the black suits
I accumulated wealth, influence, and earned respect, solidifying the dominance of the Black Gambino family.
Talk shit behind my back, but to my face salute
While some may speak negatively about me when I'm not present, they still show respect and deference when interacting with me directly.
Hugs and handshakes, they can't stop my reign
Despite any attempts to undermine me, the support and alliances I formed were unbreakable and allowed me to maintain my power.
Got the coconut, pilots bringing shit on their plane
I had connections and capabilities to transport illegal goods, even using pilots to smuggle contraband.
It's a shame, they ain't have the balls to make moves
Others lacked the courage and determination to take action and establish themselves in the criminal world.
They pussies, couldn't walk a mile in my shoes
They were weak and incapable of enduring the hardships and challenges I faced.
Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ADRIAN YOUNGE, DENNIS COLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind