Canadian hip-hop heavyweights Sweatshop Union, one of the hardest working ensembles to ever emerge from British Columbia, have been making righteous, politically charged music for over a decade but on their newest album Infinite (summer 2013), they’re ready to really enjoy themselves.
The 6-member crew took their time with this album, spending a year to gather sounds and lyrics, whereas previous records have been completed in mere months. It bridges the gap between conscious music and fun party jams, exploring heavy themes but it’s also built for kicking back and vibing. The group believes that the record’s strength lies in this dichotomy.
Infinite (nominated 2014 WCMA) follows 2011’s Bill Murray EP, which won the Western Canadian Music Award for Hip-Hop Album of the Year, and raised their profile beyond their grassroots following, some time after pair of Juno nominations from their previous work together (Natural Progression & United We Fall | 2004 & 2006).
The new LP contains a range of sounds, combining old-school hip-hop with futuristic, electro headbangers, not to mention some ballads and spoken word interludes. It accomplishes the tricky task of reflecting the outfit’s individual tastes, as they inform SSU’s collective vision.
The group is prolific and moves quickly but as of this moment, Infinite stands as the most eclectic record in the Sweatshop Union catalogue. Listeners will find it tricky to categorize but it’s clear the collective had a lot of fun making this music and they hope it’s contagious. After all, despite its title, Infinite reflects a group of men who know that life is short and that they need to savor all the joyful moments that making music together provides.
Discography
* Sweatshop Union 2001
* Local 604 2002
* Natural Progression 2004
* United We Fall 2005
* Water Street 2008
* Bill Murray EP 2011
* Infinite 2013
Radio Edit
Sweatshop Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na na na,
Na na na
Na na na
Chorus:
Sweatshop coming through so everybody move over no sir don't worry at all
We're gonna break the mold and shake the whole thing so surely they'll fall
(Na na na, na na na)
So everybody move over no sir don't worry at all
(Na, Na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na)
We're gonna break the mold and shake the whole thing so surely they'll fall.
(Na na na, na na na)
Don't you figure its a little bit twisted this bullshit that gets rotated
In most cases don't say shit but we're still listenin'
And MCs if you decide to push your views aside
and choose to ride whatever's popular at the moment then do it,
I'll just make music that's dissing it.
Because it's just the way you're thinking it'll keep our ship sinking
And its keeping me living within a prison
And disconnected isn't entered from the infinite
And given just a glimpse of what it is and isn't is what we're living in.
Trim the speech, the beat since the truth we speak,
Bring the heat or failure creeps in inches we don't eat.
We'll find an image to mimic to get our 15 minutes
Till SoundScan drags down all our hopes to the limit,
But why do I have to try to dumb down the sound
In a compromise to try to turn sails around?
If I speak my piece, will the interest cease?
Well at least will get a week
And if they're driven to spin it,
We'll make change from within it,
But if not we'll get got, cause bitter washed-up cynics
Pretend to like spot hype and we'll be alright
Singing right for the fight and we can better this life
Chorus
Mmm I wonder how to leave the underground with dignity intact and be the rappers that we are today we say but even fatter
So we'll tour in tons of towns and bump the sound for kids that need the facts and fiend for rap and something to say but in this industry is backwards
Mmm without radio play your sales may be okay maybe you'll stay afloat maybe plenty of tape maybe you'll drown turn the radio down
Who's that? Sweatshop, and we shaking your ground
Love to hand feed everyone
Do believe its fundamental to need funds,
Sobering look at what we've become, above our heads a web of deceit is spun.
To the beat of a drum, we'll speak to the young
And teach, never preach of false freedom
Redeem some rights, some wrongs, and write my songs to feed the
and industry pythons.
No matter what you say, you better watch the snakes;
We're just the prey for anybody who loves the game.
But trust the game, gonna embrace the touch of fame-
(Don't worry there's no shame!)
'Cause no way it's okay, they get jerked for low pay, have to serve and obey, it's all work and no play!
But hope
don't change a make some old diggy overplayed willy
what tape with no soul.
Chorus (2x)
>
In Sweatshop Union's song "Radio Edit," the lyrics speak of the music industry's twisted ways and how it affects the artists. The chorus emphasizes the group's desire to break the mold and shake things up, without worrying about conforming to what is popular. The verses touch on the pressure for MCs to conform to what is rotated on the radio, but Sweatshop Union's response is to make music that goes against the grain. The lyrics also highlight the need for financial stability in the music industry, but at the same time, condemning the web of deceit spun above their heads. The song concludes with the reminder to watch out for the snakes in the industry and to stay true to one's values.
Line by Line Meaning
Chorus: Sweatshop coming through so everybody move over no sir don't worry at all (Na, Na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na) We're gonna break the mold and shake the whole thing so surely they'll fall (Na na na, na na na) So everybody move over no sir don't worry at all (Na, Na na na, na na na, na na na, na na na) We're gonna break the mold and shake the whole thing so surely they'll fall.
Sweatshop Union is here to change things up and get everyone moving to a new beat. They want to break the old system and create something new that will bring positive change.
Don't you figure its a little bit twisted this bullshit that gets rotated In most cases don't say shit but we're still listenin'
Sweatshop Union is aware of the problems within the music industry where fake and meaningless content gets promoted, yet people still listen to it.
And MCs if you decide to push your views aside and choose to ride whatever's popular at the moment then do it, I'll just make music that's dissing it.
Sweatshop Union believes that artists have a responsibility to express their true beliefs and values, even if it means going against what's popular and trendy.
Trim the speech, the beat since the truth we speak, Bring the heat or failure creeps in inches we don't eat.
Sweatshop Union believes in being honest and direct, cutting out anything that doesn't add value or meaning to their music. They must bring their best efforts, or else they risk failure.
We'll find an image to mimic to get our 15 minutes Till SoundScan drags down all our hopes to the limit, But why do I have to try to dumb down the sound In a compromise to try to turn sails around?
Sweatshop Union understands the pressure to conform and become popular as quickly as possible, through emulating what's currently trending. However, they would rather stick to their own style and message, regardless of whether it's popular or not.
If I speak my piece, will the interest cease? Well at least will get a week And if they're driven to spin it, We'll make change from within it, But if not we'll get got, cause bitter washed-up cynics Pretend to like spot hype and we'll be alright Singing right for the fight and we can better this life
Sweatshop Union is aware that if their message is not watered down, they may not be popular for long. However, they are committed to speaking their truth, even if it means they may not be in the spotlight for long. They believe in making small changes within the music industry and hope to create a better world through their music.
Mmm I wonder how to leave the underground with dignity intact and be the rappers that we are today we say but even fatter So we'll tour in tons of towns and bump the sound for kids that need the facts and fiend for rap and something to say but in this industry is backwards
Sweatshop Union acknowledges the challenge of staying true to their values while still aspiring for greater success. They plan to tour extensively to reach their fans and spread their message, despite the music industry's tendency to promote trends over substance.
Mmm without radio play your sales may be okay maybe you'll stay afloat maybe plenty of tape maybe you'll drown turn the radio down Who's that? Sweatshop, and we shaking your ground
Sweatshop Union knows that without mainstream radio support, they may not achieve as much commercial success. Nonetheless, they will continue to make quality music and hope to make an impact regardless of radio play.
Love to hand feed everyone Do believe its fundamental to need funds, Sobering look at what we've become, above our heads a web of deceit is spun. To the beat of a drum, we'll speak to the young And teach, never preach of false freedom Redeem some rights, some wrongs, and write my songs to feed the and industry pythons.
Sweatshop Union wants to use their platform to educate and inspire their listeners while still making a living from their music. They acknowledge the current state of the music industry and want to use their voice to spread truth and positivity, despite the challenges that may arise.
No matter what you say, you better watch the snakes; We're just the prey for anybody who loves the game. But trust the game, gonna embrace the touch of fame- (Don't worry there's no shame!) 'Cause no way it's okay, they get jerked for low pay, have to serve and obey, it's all work and no play! But hope don't change a make some old diggy overplayed willy what tape with no soul.
Sweatshop Union acknowledges the various obstacles and struggles within the music industry, such as exploitation and exploitation. However, they still have a hope that the power of music can overcome these difficulties and create something meaningful, instead of just churning out empty and soulless content.
Chorus (2x)
Sweatshop Union reiterates their commitment to change the mold and shake up the music industry, inviting everyone to join in on this revolution towards positive change.
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.