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
Time Machine
Sweatshop Union Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I live for tomorrow
Got a hand full of stones
And a hand full of sorrow
Baby got a bug
Got a buck I can borrow
Give it back if I can
If I can't ima owe ya
Be nice if the vagabond
Girls get for ya
Cleaner than ammonia
Sicker than pneumonia
Never let em on ya
The tax man will phone ya
I'm a soul that romps with the loaners
Never been a poser known to cut corners
The new order opposite of colder
Hotter than a brother with a group of other soldiers
Soul of a golding Godsmith
Not as he is now I
Vinnies not Vince sold to the highest bid
No peace offerings
Warlord warlord
Born in a old street auction
Traded for a record and some new stock options
Pop got me then when he was like hoppin
Warlord warlord
I'm the name that the gods want to claim
When they come to bring fame put the truth in the game
We the few that remain with the view thats the same
As back in the day
The party in the park ey
[Chorus]
Your head gets bumpin
The beat is clean
I got to bring it back I am your time machine
I show you somethin
You ain't seen
I got to bring it back I am your time machine
Everybody in the party say (ey)
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Everybody in the party say (ey)
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Your head gets bumpin
(Warlord)
Yesterday oh yesterday
What they do today will take your breath away
Remember Saturday it's a Saturday
a smooth operator Big Daddy K
Bring it back
I do I do
Who bring it back
My crew my crew
Sweatshop U with a new set of rules
Understand i'm in the center of the epicenter
When I enter on the entertainer inovatin better than your
plain Jane condescending corny and i'm kinda endin
Everything you do
Everything is true
Kids step aside let the King glide through
I'm a size 10 shoe
You can take a walk in em if you want to
But you better have rhythm enough
And no it isn't enough
To say you tough
With jism it's nuts
'Cause that sucks sucka
You ain't sayin nothin sucka
I ain't even playin with these stupid
Motha fuckers
Back to the fact that the basement is back
And the base is the backbone of the boom bat
But we move raps over the tune of new tracks
From the future I present the past I move back
[CHORUS]
Your head gets bumpin
The beat is clean
I got to bring it back i am your time machine
I show you somethin
You ain't seen
I got to bring it back i am your time machine
Everybody in the party say (ey)
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Everybody in the party say (eyy)
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Your head gets bumpin
Warlord
The lyrics to Sweatshop Union's "Time Machine" talk about living for tomorrow and the struggles that come with it. The first stanza mentions the difficulty in finding a way to live in the present and instead living for the hope of a better tomorrow. The reference to "a hand full of stones and a hand full of sorrow" suggests that the singer is carrying a heavy emotional burden. The next line talks about borrowing money and the hope to be able to pay it back.
The second stanza talks about the singer's independent spirit of not following the norm and not being a poser. The line "never been a poser known to cut corners" highlights the idea of authenticity and not trying to be something one is not. The next few lines talk about the singer being a soul that identifies with the lone wolf, always on the move and never staying in one place for too long. The lines "cleaner than ammonia, sicker than pneumonia" suggest a toughness or resiliency in the singer, who may have been through difficult times.
The chorus talks about the singer's ability to transport the listener to a different time through music. The line "I am your time machine" suggests that the singer's music has the ability to transcend time and bring people together in a celebration of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Couldn't find a way to live for today
I couldn't enjoy the present because I was too focused on the future
Now I live for tomorrow
I prioritize preparing for the future over enjoying the present
Got a hand full of stones
I have a lot of problems and worries
And a hand full of sorrow
My problems and worries cause me a lot of emotional pain
Baby got a bug
I have a problem that needs to be solved
Got a buck I can borrow
I have a small amount of money that I can use to solve my problem
Give it back if I can
If my problem is solved and I have the money to give back, I will return it
If I can't ima owe ya
If I can't pay back the money, I will owe it to you
You know im gona owe ya
I acknowledge that I will owe you the money
Be nice if the vagabond Girls get for ya
It would be great if I could solve my problem without having to owe anyone or resort to desperate measures
Cleaner than ammonia
I am very clean and pure
Sicker than pneumonia
I am very sick or in a bad state
Never let em on ya
I don't trust people enough to let them close to me
The tax man will phone ya
If you owe taxes, the government will come after you
I'm a soul that romps with the loaners
I associate with people who borrow money
Never been a poser known to cut corners
I have never pretended to be someone I'm not and I've never taken shortcuts
The new order opposite of colder
My approach is warm and welcoming
Hotter than a brother with a group of other soldiers
I am very intense and passionate, like a determined warrior leading a group
Soul of a golding Godsmith
I have a skilled artisan's soul, like that of a goldsmith
Not as he is now I
I am not as I appear on the surface
Vinnies not Vince sold to the highest bid
I have sold out and lost my authenticity
No peace offerings
I don't have anything to offer to make amends for my past mistakes
Warlord warlord
I am a ruthless and powerful leader in my own domain
Born in a old street auction
I was born into poverty and disadvantage
Traded for a record and some new stock options
I was sold out for the promise of fame and fortune
Pop got me then when he was like hoppin
My father took care of me when he was still young and mobile
I'm the name that the gods want to claim
I have great potential and can achieve greatness
When they come to bring fame put the truth in the game
When the opportunity for greatness comes, I will stay true to myself and my values
We the few that remain with the view thats the same
The few who share my mentality and values are still standing strong
As back in the day
Just like it was in the old days
The party in the park ey
Let's have a celebration and enjoy what we have, no matter how small or simple.
Your head gets bumpin
The beat is so catchy that it makes you move
I show you somethin
I will reveal something that you haven't seen before
Everybody in the party say (ey)
Let's have everyone in the party say something together
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Let's have everyone in the party say something together
Yesterday oh yesterday
Thinking about yesterday and the past
What they do today will take your breath away
The present is overwhelming or exciting, and will leave a lasting impression
Remember Saturday it's a Saturday
Recalling a specific Saturday from the past
a smooth operator Big Daddy K
Referring to someone who is smooth and confident, Big Daddy K
I'm the name that the gods want to claim
I have great potential and can achieve greatness
When they come to bring fame put the truth in the game
When the opportunity for greatness comes, I will stay true to myself and my values
We the few that remain with the view thats the same
The few who share my mentality and values are still standing strong
As back in the day
Just like it was in the old days
The party in the park ey
Let's have a celebration and enjoy what we have, no matter how small or simple.
Back to the fact that the basement is back
Returning to the original place or state where we started, like the basement
And the base is the backbone of the boom bat
The bass is a crucial foundation of the music genre, boom bap
But we move raps over the tune of new tracks
We adapt and create new versions of rap music over new beats
From the future I present the past I move back
I bring elements from the future and present them in the past
Your head gets bumpin
The beat is so catchy that it makes you move
I show you somethin
I will reveal something that you haven't seen before
Everybody in the party say (ey)
Let's have everyone in the party say something together
Everybody in the party say (ohh)
Let's have everyone in the party say something together
Warlord
Referring to a ruthless and powerful leader
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.