In 2000, after living in New Hampshire, he moved back down to Massachusetts to enroll in the audio production program at Boston's New England Institute of the Arts. That same year, Selektah started putting out mixtapes, namely his Spell My Name Right series. With his mixtapes and DJ gigs, Selektah never passed up the opportunity to champion local hip-hop from Boston and the surrounding New England area. In particular, Selektah was responsible for introducing fellow Lawrence, MA, native Termanology to the world, helming his Hood Politics mixtapes in the mid- to late 2000s. Managing all of these tasks became much easier when he established in 2003 his own PR/marketing firm ShowOff.
In 2006, he turned ShowOff Records into an official record label, with Termanology & Producer DC's Out the Gate LP as its first release. By this time, though, Selektah's prestige had grown considerably. His radio shows were playing in several places, from London to Mobile, AL; he produced beats for many artists, including Foxy Brown, AZ, and Joell Ortiz; and most importantly, the DJ dished out tons of mixtapes with big name and up-and-coming artists, such as Nas, Q-Tip, John Legend, Royce da 5'9" (The Bar Exam, co-hosted with DJ Premier), and Saigon.
Statik dropped his first LP, Spell My Name Right in 2007, and his follow up Stick 2 the Script album in 2008. Other artists he has produced for following that include Talib Kweli, Bun B, Styles P, Consequence, Freeway, M.O.P., and Jadakiss. Rockstar games reached out for Statik in late 2008 to enlist him as DJ and producer of the Grand Theft Auto IV update "the Lost and Damned", as well as 2 songs for Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
In March 2008, Selektah and Saigon recorded All In A Day's Work in a 24 hour period, and was acclaimed by critics. He also DJed for Q-tip on his 2009 Renassaince World Tour. Statik just dropped his third studio album, 100 Proof: The Hangover on Showoff/Brick Records.
In 2010 Statik Selektah released his fourth album, Population Control, on Duck Down Records to critical acclaim boasting features from a mix of up and coming MC's and well established veterans.
Statik's fifth album, Extended Play, was released on June 18, 2013, and features Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Raekwon, Sean Price, Mac Miller, Black Thought, Noreaga, Lecrae, Lil' Fame, Styles P, Mike Posner, Termanology, Freddie Gibbs, Bun B, Joell Ortiz, Posdnuos of De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Troy Ave., Hit-Boy, Smif-N-Wessun, Flatbush Zombies, and many many more.
Time
Statik Selektah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Statik Selektah)
No tune, turn my voice up a little bit (aight, it's time)
Yeah
Nightmares about my deepest secrets out
Two months inside the crib, it's time for me to leave the house
I wanna put my hands around the girl that I've been thinkin' bout
When we're together I be thinking "Damn, I need to get back to Atlanta"
I be thinking "Damn, I need to get back to the music"
Time keeps slipping, gotta watch the way I use it
Lot of new acquaintances, I watch the way they moving
Watch how much stock I'm putting in the way I look 'cause it's gon' wash away the soonest
The girls I talk to want the truth from me directly
But I tell 'em in my music, it's an awful way to do it
I would like to find love before my time's up
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm young and I ain't tryna rush
It just seems nice
But it's tough when nobody matches up to the hype or really are the way they seem like
Right after Mac Miller died, Statik took me to the club and told me what a great person that he was
First person I had spoke to that was hurt the way he was
It stuck with me then and it still does
At times it feels like the end times
I feel like I'm gon' get everything I want in time, but will it be in time?
A pandemic and climate change at the same time
Doesn't make you feel like everything's fine, quite the opposite
I'm a skeptic but I'm still quite the optimist
I'ma try to stay that way 'til I do not exist
I'm hoping for some more time, in fact a lot of it
(Time, time)
I'm hoping for some more time
(Time, time)
I'm hoping for some more time, in fact a lot of it
Time, time, time
Time, time, time
Time
Time is the most valuable currency in the world
Can never buy it back
Choose what you spend it on wisely
In the opening lines of Statik Selektah and Jack Harlow's song "Time," we hear the Kentucky rapper asking for the volume on his headphones to be adjusted, signaling his readiness to start the song. He proceeds to unveil a series of thoughts about his life and the passage of time, highlighting themes of love, growth, and existentialism. Harlow starts by reflecting on his fears of being exposed, as he has been having nightmares about his deepest and darkest secrets being revealed. He feels it's time for him to leave the house after spending two months indoor, and he yearns to reunite with a girl he's been thinking about. Despite longing to be with her, there's an internal conflict because he's also thinking about his music and career, and feels the urge to return to Atlanta.
Harlow speaks about how he feels about the passing of time and how he needs to be mindful of how he uses it. He talks about being careful about the people he associates with and their intentions. Moreover, he expresses the challenge of finding genuine love, admitting he would like to find it before his time is up, but he's not trying to rush it. A pivotal moment in the song is when Harlow mentions his conversation with Statik Selektah after Mac Miller's death, and how the producer spoke to him about the late rapper's character. The conversation left an indelible impression on him, and he's still processing the impact of Miller's passing.
As the song progresses, Harlow confronts some of the challenges the world is facing, like the pandemic and climate change, and how it affects everything. He confesses to being a skeptic and an optimist, hoping for more time to make the best out of life before he's no longer around. The chorus repeats the phrase, "I'm hoping for some more time," emphasizing the song's main theme. The song ends with a sobering thought about time being the most valuable currency in the world and the need to choose how we spend it wisely.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn my headphones down a little bit, yeah
I need the volume of my headphones lowered a bit.
Nightmares about my deepest secrets out
I have had dreams where my most intimate secrets are revealed.
Two months inside the crib, it's time for me to leave the house
After being staying indoors for two months, it is time for me to go out now.
I wanna put my hands around the girl that I've been thinkin' bout
I'd like to be physically close to the girl I've been thinking of.
At a distance I feel like she's someone I would keep around but
From a distance, she seems like someone with whom I'd like to spend more time.
When we're together I be thinking 'Damn, I need to get back to Atlanta'
When we are together, I feel homesick and think of going back to Atlanta.
I be thinking 'Damn, I need to get back to the music'
I feel a strong urge to go back to making music.
Time keeps slipping, gotta watch the way I use it
I need to be mindful of how I use my time as it passes quickly.
Lot of new acquaintances, I watch the way they're moving
I carefully observe the behavior of my new acquaintances.
Watch how much stock I'm putting in the way I look 'cause it's gon' wash away the soonest
I am cautious about not placing too much emphasis on my appearance as it will fade away soon enough.
The girls I talk to want the truth from me directly
The women I communicate with prefer me to be truthful with them in person.
But I tell 'em in my music, it's an awful way to do it
I explain the truth to them through my music, but I recognize that it is not the best way to do so.
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm young and I ain't tryna rush
I am aware that I am young, and I don't want to hurry things.
At times it feels like the end times
Occasionally, I think it's the end of the world.
I feel like I'm gon' get everything I want in time, but will it be in time?
Although I believe I'll achieve all of my goals eventually, I am afraid it may not happen soon enough.
A pandemic and climate change at the same time
A pandemic and climate change occurring simultaneously.
Doesn't make you feel like everything's fine, quite the opposite
It doesn't create a sense of calm; quite the contrary, it has the opposite effect.
I'm a skeptic but I'm still quite the optimist
Despite being a skeptic, I am still optimistic.
I'm hoping for some more time, in fact a lot of it
I desire more time—a substantial amount of it.
Time is the most valuable currency in the world
Time is the most valuable commodity in the world.
Can never buy it back
It's impossible to purchase time back once it's gone.
Choose what you spend it on wisely
Therefore, it is crucial to spend time wisely.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Jackman Thomas Harlow, Stephen Paul Banik, Jan Richard Branicki, Alexander Lange Hall, Abbay Molalign Misganaw, Jason Paul Kempen, Pacal Alejandro Bayley, Patrick Owen Baril
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Brandonian3030
Time waits for no man. Here today gone tmw. This holiday give flowers to those who can still smell them. Rip mac miller.
@jonahbryn
Rest In Peace mac 😢 amazing song very therapeutic beat and jack killed it with the lyrics
@Michaelhateshandles
Absolutely. RIP Mac. Great job by Harlow and static. You can really see the impact Mac had on the industry, even after his death, we still are hearing shout outs.
@God_is_an_Atheist666
Statik Selektar is the most inclusive producer ever, he works with the new school and the old he is atrye legend no beef with anyone no discrimination just peace and love🙏
@EARART
Only makes sense
@tonyfrausto2027
Jack is mad versatile. We need a Harlow and Statik Selektah mixtape!!!!
@jennyneon
Oh my....... Statik Selektah never makes a bad beat, his beats are always 🔥
@hugh-jasole
Yep. im still angry to this day how underrated his albums are. Dude has made multiple classics and doesnt get his flowers.
@drinkwatersmokeair
I could even hear an rnb version of this song, beat is just smooth and nostalgic, peace from Sydney.
@leohorchler6069
Bro if Harlow made a whole album like this I might listen to his music