Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums (one of which also contains never-before released material), three EPs, and one box set. Although their first two albums—40oz. to Freedom (1992) and Robbin' the Hood (1994)—were quite popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only No. 1 hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about ten million in the U.S. alone. Michael "Miguel" Happoldt and Marshall "Ras MG" Goodman contributed to several Sublime songs.
Following Sublime's dissolution, former members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh founded the Long Beach Dub Allstars in 1997, which also included many frequent Sublime contributors such as Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (former member of The Ziggens), Marshall Goodman "Ras MG" (former Sublime member), and Todd Forman (3rd Alley). LBDAS disbanded in 2002, due to several members of the band breaking a no-drug vow they had taken. In 2009, the surviving members attempted to reform the band with Rome Ramirez, a young guitarist and admitted Sublime fan from California. However, not long after performing at Cypress Hill's Smokeout Festival, a Los Angeles judge banned the new lineup from using the Sublime name as they needed permission from Nowell's estate, which owns the rights to the Sublime name. This prompted the lineup of Wilson, Gaugh and Ramirez to change their name to Sublime with Rome, which has since released three albums, although Gaugh left the group shortly after the release of their 2011 debut Yours Truly.
With the mainstream success of their self-titled album, going five times platinum and earning worldwide airplay, Sublime's influence persists to this day. Sublime was one of the most popular bands of the third wave of ska, specifically characterized as ska punk. Sublime often combined punk rock and hardcore punk with hip hop, heavy metal, dancehall, reggae, ska, funk, and (21st century) surf music. Sublime also has been described as 'reggae rock'.
Their signature sound and their songs are often associated with the beach and coastal areas of Southern California, such as San Diego, Orange County, Venice Beach and Long Beach as well as areas of Northern California like Eureka. Over two decades after Nowell's death and the band's breakup, Sublime remains immensely popular throughout North America, especially in its state of origin, California.
Sublime's songs have been featured via soundtrack in a variety of media. Los Angeles alternative rock radio station KROQ has listed Sublime at No. 3 in their annual "Top 106.7 biggest KROQ bands of all time" list for the past six years in a row, behind Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, and No. 81 at the "Top 166 Artists of 1980–2008" list.
With over 17 million units sold worldwide, Sublime is one of the most successful, and "powerfully moving" ska-punk acts of all time influencing many modern reggae and ska acts.
91 Freestyle
Sublime Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's house music, reminds me of you
I crossed my fingers that I'd feel abuse
but I know what's real, oh no
if my daddy was here, to make me dj in a bad mood
I like punk music, the jazz and the blues
but the reggae music never confuse
(?)
(?)
My name is Sublime, Bradley is my band
Just waitin' for the tide to get low, oh no
eyes get slow and they put me in a trance
but it ain't house music that makes me wanna dance
I say yes, always you say no
I said hip-hop rules, hip-hop rules and these other industries say we cannot take it
We want!
Hip-hop rules, hip-hop rules and the other industries say we cannot take it
We do want!
Rap music we want rap music, bo!
Rap music we want rap music, bo! bo!
Rap music we want rap music, bo! bo! bo!
And hope for a job (?) they're on the mic right after me and you
(?) buddabai buddabai buddabai (?)
So bo bo bo bo bo!
Gonna bring it down nice and low, bassline!
I'm the man with the plan (?) mic stand
Don't you stress don't you (?) my progress
(?)
(?)
Whole crowd of people on the dance floor
Me don't want no dibbi dibbi style me don't want no dibbi dibbi
Bring it down!
Bradley RIP
The lyrics of Sublime's song "91 Freestyle" are a mixture of musings and self-referential statements, as lead singer Bradley Nowell reflects on his musical preferences and experiences. The opening lines convey a bittersweet feeling of reminiscence, as he associates house music with an unspecified emotional abuse. The line "I crossed my fingers that I'd feel abuse, but I know what's real" suggests a resigned attitude toward hardship, possibly related to his troubled upbringing and ongoing struggles with addiction.
At the same time, Nowell expresses his musical tastes, which range from punk and blues to reggae, which he proclaims as the one genre that never confuses him. He briefly touches upon his identity as the frontman of Sublime ("my name is Sublime, Bradley is my band"), and alludes to the idea of waiting for something to happen, possibly a reference to the band's burgeoning popularity at the time.
The second half of the song features a more aggressive and confrontational tone, as Nowell seems to be addressing detractors of hip-hop and other genres of music labeled as controversial or vulgar. He repeats the phrase "hip-hop rules, hip-hop rules," emphasizing his support for the genre and his rejection of the notion that it should be censored or excluded from the mainstream. He then transitions to a call and response section, where he chants "rap music we want rap music" with increasing intensity, accompanied by a frenzied bassline.
Overall, "91 Freestyle" showcases some of Bradley Nowell's eclectic influences and his ability to merge them into a unique sound that blended punk rock, reggae, hip-hop, and other genres. The song was likely recorded in 1991, and while it was never officially released on any album, it has become a fan favorite and a testament to Sublime's early days as a hard-working, genre-defying band.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone, I feel abused
When I'm by myself, I feel mistreated and hurt.
it's house music, reminds me of you
House music reminds me of the person who hurt me.
I crossed my fingers that I'd feel abuse
I secretly hoped to be mistreated again.
but I know what's real, oh no
But I am aware of the truth and it is not good.
if my daddy was here, to make me dj in a bad mood
If my dad was around, he would force me to DJ even if I wasn't in the mood.
I like punk music, the jazz and the blues
I enjoy listening to punk, jazz, and blues music.
but the reggae music never confuse
Reggae music is never confusing to me.
(?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
(?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
(?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
My name is Sublime, Bradley is my band
I am Sublime and Bradley is the band that I am a part of.
Just waitin' for the tide to get low, oh no
I'm waiting for a better time to come because things are not good for me right now.
eyes get slow and they put me in a trance
My eyes get heavy and I become hypnotized by the music.
but it ain't house music that makes me wanna dance
House music isn't the only type of music that makes me want to dance.
I say yes, always you say no
I am always agreeable but you are always opposed to my ideas.
I said hip-hop rules, hip-hop rules and these other industries say we cannot take it
I believe that hip-hop music is powerful and important, but other industries disagree and try to suppress it.
We want!
We desire hip-hop music and its influence.
Hip-hop rules, hip-hop rules and the other industries say we cannot take it
Hip-hop music is powerful and important, but other industries disagree and try to suppress it.
Rap music we want rap music, bo!
We want rap music and we express this by saying 'bo!'
Rap music we want rap music, bo! bo!
We want rap music and we express this by saying 'bo!' twice.
Rap music we want rap music, bo! bo! bo!
We want rap music and we express this by saying 'bo!' three times.
And hope for a job (?) they're on the mic right after me and you
And we hope that whoever is next on the mic also shares our desire for rap music.
(?) buddabai buddabai buddabai (?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
So bo bo bo bo bo!
We continue to express our desire for rap music by saying 'bo!' multiple times.
Gonna bring it down nice and low, bassline!
I'm going to slow down the music and focus on the bassline.
I'm the man with the plan (?) mic stand
I am confident in my abilities as a DJ and I am taking control of the microphone.
Don't you stress don't you (?) my progress
Don't worry or interfere with my progress as a DJ.
(?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
(?)
There is no clear meaning for this line as it is difficult to understand.
Whole crowd of people on the dance floor
There are a lot of people dancing to my music.
Me don't want no dibbi dibbi style me don't want no dibbi dibbi
I don't want any repetitive or boring music styles.
Bring it down!
I'm slowing down the music to create a different vibe.
Bradley RIP
This is a tribute to Bradley Nowell, the lead singer of Sublime who passed away.
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Boenk Nsty Brown
on Santeria
the best