In 1996, Mad Child and Prevail went to the B-Boy Summit in San Diego, California, where Mad Child won several rap battles and was initiated into the Rock Steady Crew, legendary to the hip hop/b-boy scene. The Crew is held in great respect as hip hop's highest collective - to join one must win a contest of skill against one of the highest ranked members. Swollen Members is one of only three rap groups affiliated with Rock Steady.
That same year, the duo began recording their first tracks, with help from many of their friends from the scene - MCs, DJs, and producers, including Rob the Viking. Rob would continue to work with the group through the years, eventually joining them later. From the praise they were receiving, they decided it was time to release their material as a group. With the subsequent release of three 12" singles on Mad Child's record label Battleaxe Records, the group quickly established themselves in the scene and built a respectable following. The next logical step was to release an album, which was titled Balance and released in 1999.
Balance received wide critical acclaim and has been claimed by the band to have sold in excess of 50,000 copies. Featuring collaborations with artists such as Everlast, Divine Styler, and Dilated Peoples, the album also netted Swollen Members the 2001 Juno Award for Best Rap Recording.
Following Balance, Swollen Members recorded and released Bad Dreams, which successfully dodged the so-called "sophomore curse" many artists suffer upon their second release. Bad Dreams was released on November 13, 2001, featuring guests such as Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Son Doobie, Joey Chavez, and former member Moka Only. Like their debut, Bad Dreams was surprisingly successful for an independent rap album and brought Swollen Members global acclaim. Surprisingly, it appealed to both underground and mainstream audiences, with several singles reaching platinum status in Canada.
The album also earned Swollen Members their second Juno Award, and four MuchMusic Video Awards. The group continues to tour, visiting every major market possible and performing hundreds of shows a year; some with nearly 15,000 audience members. The media continues to give their music and live shows excellent coverage around the globe, and both new and old singles receive solid airplay on college and commercial radio. Their tracks have also been featured in a multitude of films, television programs, extreme sports videos, commercials, video games (especially games produced by Electronic Arts, which has a studio in their hometown of Vancouver), and compilation albums, the sales of which total in the millions when combined.
Swollen Members have appeared on numerous television shows, in addition to having several of their live shows televised. Like their singles, their music videos have been heavily played on both the Canadian MuchMusic and the American MTV, as well as on many independent video shows.
2002's Monsters in the Closet, their third release, brought them greater fame than ever before. Where Moka Only and Rob the Viking had only peripherally assisted the duo before, they now became official members of the group. Monsters included several unreleased tracks and remixes, as well as collaborations from fellow British Columbian Nelly Furtado and Saukrates of Def Jam. Production credits included Evidence from Dilated Peoples.
2003 brought Heavy, released yet again to critical acclaim and powerful sales, despite dismal video play time on MuchMusic. The band considers it the bridge between their underground origins and their potential for fame. Unfortunately the album was controversial among Swollen Members' fanbase. Many fans claim that Swollen Members have removed many elements of their style which had awarded them in the past. The lines were drawn between fans who began to listen to Swollen Members when Monsters in the Closet came out and fans attracted by the earlier two albums (especially Balance). They continue to tour, playing both local and international shows to the delight of their hometown fans.
In 2005 Moka Only decided to break off from the group for a second time and continue work on his solo career.
In 2006 Swollen Members released their fifth full album, Black Magic. It is understood that Mad Child and Prevail made an attempt to return to their previously critically acclaimed style and method. Their previous album Heavy was seen by the band as a disappointment, and isn't listed on their official site discography.
In August 2006, Swollen Members released their new single "Put Me On - Feat. Everlast" off of their new album, "Black Magic".
Their next CD is scheduled to be released at the end of the summer of 2008. According to the band's website, Mad Child will soon release a solo album.
Brothers
Swollen Members Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This isn't just about friendship
This is family right here
And that's a bond that can't be broken
You know what I'm saying
How do I feel about my band of brothers
Friends for life we understand each other
Swollen Members
When we met, started rappin' with P.
I remember when you got your very first tattoo
Now we're both covered
Through the highs and lows
We made the most of it
But now I know your true colors
I feel like God just blessed me
With two new brothers
Cause' I look to the cross
And I ask for proof of it
To the father, to the son
Holy spirit and the mother
I pray
And feel my pain wash away
Me and Prev we could walk
We could talk all day
And Rob is like my little cousin
I could scream at the top of my lungs
But they know I still love 'em
Hold me down
Lets go, one more round
You ready
This is the big one
One more round
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
[AJ Randall ajrandall106]
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
Who'd a thought
When we met up at extra large
Would have meant
We'd be next in charge
We were four then three
Then four now three
Now we stand together like a family undivided
Provide support
We live and die for it
It's the most important thing in my life
Mad, I remember when you battled to get into RSC
The first Swollen Members logo screened on the TV
A tour in Europe
Almost broke up in France
Our conversation, one more chance
Made Bad Dreams
Made Rob official
Brotherly love absolutely unconditional
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
[AJ Randall ajrandall106]
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
We've done forty-five drives
Forty-five hour flights
Forty-five days a week
Forty-five minutes a night
Add another forty-five for encore
Hard core stage show
We don't lay low
Or run gun run
We take it as it comes
But whatever happens
We're going to make it as one
To my family
Thank you for everything you've given me
You had my back when no one else believed in me
Yo, how many hours have we spent
Exploring different cities
This I'll never forget
We're about to face our biggest challenge
One for all, all for one
All of this came from balance.
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
[AJ Randall ajrandall106]
Provide for my family
Ride with my family
Things tough, still by my side
That's family
Had a rough landing
No one's hurt badly
I'm difficult at times
But my friends understand me
I act crazy
But they act the same
Pulled me back from the flames
Gave me back my name
My brothers can't thank you enough for the love
Open my eyes, lets rise back above
And this time we will do it right
Cause' we learn from mistake
Never fake, keep our eyes out for snakes
Listen to your heart
We could make true art
Never let greed blind me again
Lets start
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
[AJ Randall ajrandall106]
Got your back
Through the thick and thin
We came up still brothers till the very end
Hold me down
Always felt like music saved our life
Kept it real through the drama
We still brothers now
The lyrics to Swollen Members' song "Brothers" explore the bond between the members of the group, describing their friendship as family. The song starts with the recognition that the relationship between the members of the group is more than just a friendship but a bond that cannot be broken. The lyrics that follow express gratitude for the group's members and the role they have played in each other's lives. The lyrics refer to Swollen Members as "brothers" and speak of the support they provide to each other through thick and thin. They also make reference to the group's past experiences and obstacles, such as their battle to get recognition for their music, and the challenges faced during their tours. However, despite the difficulties they have faced, the members remain close and committed to each other's well-being.
The song's first verse specifically mentions the memories the group shares with one another, such as the day when one of the members got his first tattoo. The verse also highlights the group's ability to work together, stating that they were able to make the most out of their highs and lows. The following lyrics refer to the personal growth each member has experienced throughout their friendship, concluding that the bond between the members is rooted in their faith in God and the support they provide for one another.
Overall, the song's lyrics emphasize the idea that friendship and support are more important than any career or fame, that being in this group has been a life-changing experience for them, and that they are stronger together than individually.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledging a strong bond between the group
This isn't just about friendship
Realizing that the bond between them goes beyond friendship
This is family right here
Acknowledging that the group has become a family
And that's a bond that can't be broken
Believing that their bond is unbreakable
You know what I'm saying
Asking if everyone understands the depth of their relationship
How do I feel about my band of brothers
Reflecting on the strong bond between the members of the group
Friends for life we understand each other
Knowing that the group members understand and support each other for their lifetime
May be the best thing that happened to me
Expressing gratitude for the group being in his life
Swollen Members
Referring to the group by name
When we met, started rappin' with P.
Reflecting on how P was present when they started making music together
I remember when you got your very first tattoo
Remembering when one of the group members got their first tattoo
Now we're both covered
Reflecting on how far they've come together
Through the highs and lows
Acknowledging the tough times they've faced together
We made the most of it
Acknowledging how they've made the most of every situation
But now I know your true colors
Knowing that he truly understands his group members
I feel like God just blessed me
Feeling blessed for having the group members in his life
With two new brothers
Thinking of his group members as brothers
Cause' I look to the cross
Referencing religion as a way to express gratitude for his group members
And I ask for proof of it
Asking for a sign that his group members will always be together
To the father, to the son
Referencing Christianity's Holy Trinity
Holy spirit and the mother
Acknowledging the importance of the Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary in Christian beliefs
I pray
Asking for blessings to protect the group
And feel my pain wash away
Finding comfort in the group during difficult times
Me and Prev we could walk
Reflecting on the closeness between the two members of the group
We could talk all day
Acknowledging the ease of conversation between the two members of the group
And Rob is like my little cousin
Describing the relationship between two members of the group
I could scream at the top of my lungs
Expressing frustration but knowing the group members will still care for him
But they know I still love 'em
Knowing that his group understands he still loves them
Hold me down
Asking his brothers to support him during a tough moment
Lets go, one more round
Encouraging his brothers to push through and overcome obstacles
You ready
Asking if his group members are ready for a challenge
This is the big one
Acknowledging the scale of the challenge they face
One more round
Encouraging his brother's to push through and overcome obstacles
We've done forty-five drives
Reflecting on the challenges the group has overcome together
Forty-five hour flights
Acknowledging the difficulties they've faced traveling as a group
Forty-five days a week
Working together with each other almost every day
Forty-five minutes a night
Performing shows and rehearsing their music every night
Add another forty-five for encore
Expecting to put on a great show for their fans until the very end
Hard core stage show
Acknowledging the quality of their performances
We don't lay low
Acknowledging the group's hard work
Or run gun run
Choosing to face their problems head-on instead of avoiding them
We take it as it comes
Acknowledging that they can't control everything that happens to them
But whatever happens
Accepting that they can't always predict the future
We're going to make it as one
Believing that they'll face any obstacles together as a group
To my family
Acknowledging the group as his family
Thank you for everything you've given me
Expressing gratitude for all the support his group has given him
You had my back when no one else believed in me
Knowing that the group members have always supported him when others wouldn't
Yo, how many hours have we spent
Reflecting on the time the group has spent together
Exploring different cities
Traveling together to see various places
This I'll never forget
Acknowledging the memorable experiences they've shared together
We're about to face our biggest challenge
Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation they're currently in
One for all, all for one
Believing that the group will face the challenge together
All of this came from balance.
Reflecting on how their experience as a group has resulted in balance between them
Provide for my family
Acknowledging the group members as his family
Ride with my family
Being loyal and supportive to the group members
Things tough, still by my side
Being steadfast in their support for one another even during difficult times
That's family
Referencing the closeness of the group members
Had a rough landing
Acknowledging a tough situation they've faced
No one's hurt badly
Acknowledging that they've all made it through together
I'm difficult at times
Acknowledging that he can be tough to deal with at times
But my friends understand me
Knowing that his group members understand him
I act crazy
Acknowledging his behavior in challenging situations
But they act the same
Knowing that his group members react to tough situations similarly
Pulled me back from the flames
Acknowledging that his group members have saved him from tough situations
Gave me back my name
Acknowledging that his group members have helped him remember his worth and place in the group
My brothers can't thank you enough for the love
Gratefulness for the support of his group members
Open my eyes, lets rise back above
Motivating his group to keep pushing forward together
And this time we will do it right
Believing that they'll succeed in their endeavors this time
Cause' we learn from mistake
Acknowledging that they've made mistakes, but they've learned from them
Never fake, keep our eyes out for snakes
Promising to always be genuine and to watch out for others who aren't
Listen to your heart
Encouraging his group to listen to their own intuition
We could make true art
Believing that they can create meaningful work together
Never let greed blind me again
Promising to never allow greed to take over again
Lets start
Encouraging his group to start creating again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Ashby
THE MASTERS OF RAP
gladizh
Got your back Through the thick and thin We came up still brothers till the very end GENIOUS!!!
Mark DiLello
MUSIC CAN SAVE THE WORLD
Shintek Beats
"We understand eachother"
Justin Bullock Bullock
still brothers to the very end
K4960816
does anyone know where i can get an instrumental to this song?
heymaria123
who is the singer ? is he apart of the group ? love this track, its my first time hearin it ..first time knowing about swollen members period, i gotta look more about them !
Dalton Thorsen
Prevail and madchild aka Shane bunting
Ricky Bartlett
@bigbluntburning It's not a literal meaning it means they are good friends
StormCloak Shadow
thats why theyre good´´ no commercial shit, they take time for it´´