The 49ers’ debut album, Equilibrium, was released in 2007 and was well received by critics and fans alike. Philadelphia’s popular hip-hop website, 215HipHop.com , took notice to Equilibrium as one that was completely produced and written by The 49ers with no guest appearances and claims, “The 100% we do it all our self method produces nothing but high quality music, which these guys do extremely well.” Equilibrium is full of live instruments, with a blend of unique sampling, and clever lyrics well beyond your nursery rhyme rappers that saturate the radio airwaves today. HipHopLinguistics.com also appreciated the versatility of the album saying, “This album seems to hold a great balance of lyrics, rhymes, production, deejay cuts, mixes and samples. All wrapped together in one, as if the purpose of the album was to take a little bit of everything and successfully mix it into sixteen tracks of hip-hop.” Grouchy Greg, CEO and founder of the popular website ALLHIPHOP.com, referred to The 49ers as “a group that is definitely pioneering a new sound and bringing a much needed change to a genre of music that has been flooded with copy cats and imitations.”
In 2007, The 49ers released their first Japanese album titled State of the Art and was well received in Japan. State of the Art was more of a 49ers’ greatest hits and unreleased album as it contained unreleased songs recorded by The 49ers, as well as a collection of their greatest hits released as The 49ers and The Outfit. In 2009, they released their second album titled The Ultrasound. The Ultrasound was the first album that wasn’t produced entirely by The 49ers. The Ultrasound featured producers from around the world and was also well received as a breath of fresh air to the current state of hip-hop. In 2010, The 49ers were featured on Re:plus’ album called Everlasting Truth. The song “Imagine” was the #1 hip-hop single on iTunes Japan for two months. The 49ers followed up their hit single and charted again on iTunes Japan with their song “Running Out of Time,” which is featured on Incise’s album called Daily Methods. The song is also featured on the compilation album called In Ya Mellow Tone 5 and peaked the charts at #72 on iTunes top 100 hip-hop songs inJapan.
In 2011, The 49ers charted on iTunes top 100 hip-hop songs in Japanwith “Music Plays On.” The song is featured on In Ya Mellow Tone 6 and is also included on Thomas Prime’s album called Waiting for Tomorrow. “Music Plays On” peaked at #97 on iTunes top 100 hip-hop songs in Japan. The 49ers released their 4th album titled Musaic on Libyus Music. The album’s title is a play on two words – music and mosaic. Marchitect explains, “We wanted all the songs to have their own flavor and color, but to come together and make a complete picture. Like a musical mosaic, hence Musaic.” The album was primarily produced by Soulchef and received great reviews across the internet.
Also in 2011, The 49ers released their second album of the year titled Soulstice on Green Piece. This was a collaboration album with a Japanese production unit called ZDW!? (Zaa Dee Woo!?). Soulstice has a unique flavor and is a blend of Japanese traditional sounds, hip-hop beats, and jazzy instruments throughout the album. The album’s theme is based on the summer solstice, hence the album’s title. Soulstice casts a wide net of concepts ranging from needing a vacation, reuniting with ex-girlfriends, and the inevitable end of all good things.
The 49ers hit the iTunes charts again in 2012 with “Doc Ellis,” a track that is featured on Blazo’s album called Reflections. “Doc Ellis” peaked at #66 on iTunes’ hip-hop charts inJapan. With the success of “Doc Ellis,” The 49ers have now charted on Japan’s iTunes top 100 hip-hop charts each of the past three years. Also in 2012, The 49ers released their 6th album called The World Record. The 49ers called their album The World Record because it’s true to their mission of spreading quality, authentic Hip-Hop throughout the world. The album features producers and artists from Korea, Japan, France, United States, England, Jamaica, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, and Poland – truly making this a world record. The World Record features the platinum selling Hip-Hop legend Positive K, as well as popular Japanese Hip-Hop group Samurai Troops aka SMRYTRPS. The album has a unique blend of concepts, turntablism, metaphors, live instruments, and foreign languages.
PICASSO
The 49ers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m an artist with the ink think of me as Picasso
Painting pictures with these words then I got to go
Because they probably won't respect it until I exit
It′s a damn shame they don't see the writing on the wall while it existed
They missed it, critiqued it, wrote it off like it's toxic
But now they want to box it
Don′t know if it′s original or fake, so wake up
Because it's the real deal, surreal like
Salvador Dali my baby and escorted to the door
Elevator to the 4th floor
And welcome to my musical museum I′m your host for the evening
I'm Jas Mace I surfed the Great Wave
And hi-fived my fans because it′s cooler in the shade
In this place we mixed rhymes with absinth
Until we're absent minded, blinded by the memories
It′s a work of art, a masterpiece
Amazing with the techniques just to say the least
Great use of expression on a Hip-Hop beat
Could you sign your name on it just to make it complete
It's a work of art, a masterpiece
Amazing with the technique just to say the least
So remember me, and those that came before me
Don't wait until it′s too late to recognize the great
Marchitect
Handle brushes with death like Edward Monk
Make them scream like the painting with the extra funk
That I masterpiece because yes I got the hot
Beats, and write words like I′m Basquiat
On my canvas it's analyzed on every single campus
I′m an artist, making pictures like Marcel Camus
But don't get it twisted, I′m quick to get brolic
And throw some shit together like the great Jackson Pollock
For more corners than a cubist
Connect the dots like impressionist, now I'm on some new shit
My new technique is vivid with new hues
But how I put it down left you thinking with no clues
How I blend up the palette you can tell I′m not new to rhymes
Why you going in circles like you're the Guggenheim
They unveil my works and start fainting
And now they hang around my crib like a painting
It's a work of art, a masterpiece
Amazing with the techniques just to say the least
Great use of expression on a Hip-Hop beat
Could you sign your name on it just to make it complete
It′s a work of art, a masterpiece
Amazing with the technique just to say the least
So remember me, and those that came before me
Don′t wait until it's too late to recognize the great
In "Picasso" by The 49ers, Jas Mace and Marchitect describe themselves as artists who use words to paint pictures just like Picasso did with ink. They acknowledge they may be underappreciated in their time and that many may not see the value in their craft until they've moved on. The song touches on how people often critique and dismiss art until they can profit from it or authenticate it as original. The 49ers assert that true art is recognizable on its own merits and needs no validation. They take pride in their work, calling it a masterpiece that is worthy of recognition.
The lyrics also reference famous artists such as Salvador Dali, Edward Monk, and Jackson Pollock, each with their unique styles and contributions to the art world. In doing so, the song acknowledges the influence of past greats on modern artists and hip-hop culture specifically. Throughout the song, there's a sense of creative rebellion and a refusal to be bound by conventional artistic expectations. Instead, the 49ers forge their unique path and make their mark on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an artist with the ink think of me as Picasso
Consider me as an artist who excels in writing, just like Picasso with his paintings
Painting pictures with these words then I got to go
Composing music with poetic lyrics, and then leaving as the moment passes
Because they probably won't respect it until I exit
My artistry might not be fully appreciated until I leave this world
It's a damn shame they don't see the writing on the wall while it existed
People fail to recognize the artistic value until it's too late
They missed it, critiqued it, wrote it off like it's toxic
People misjudged and dismissed my artistry as harmful
But now they want to box it
Suddenly, they want to market and sell my artistry
Don't know if it's original or fake, so wake up
People should be aware and discerning enough to differentiate between genuine art and imitations
Because it's the real deal, surreal like
My artistry is authentic and unique, comparable to surrealism
And welcome to my musical museum I'm your host for the evening
My music is like a museum, and I'm the guide for the night
In this place we mixed rhymes with absinth
In this museum of music, we blend poetic lyrics with the strong alcoholic drink absinthe
Until we're absent-minded, blinded by the memories
We continue to create art until we're consumed by it, and it becomes a vivid memory
It's a work of art, a masterpiece
My music is a true masterpiece - a remarkable accomplishment
Amazing with the techniques just to say the least
My techniques are incredibly impressive, to say the least
Great use of expression on a Hip-Hop beat
I use my expression to create amazing music on a Hip-Hop beat
Could you sign your name on it just to make it complete
My signature would be a finishing touch to complete the masterpiece
So remember me, and those that came before me
Remember the artists who inspired me and myself
Don't wait until it's too late to recognize the great
Appreciate the greatness now instead of waiting until it's too late
Handle brushes with death like Edward Monk
I create art with intensity and passion, just like Edward Monk
Make them scream like the painting with the extra funk
I create music that is funky, vibrant and intense enough to make one scream
That I masterpiece because yes I got the hot
My creative output is truly a masterpiece because it's fire-hot
Beats, and write words like I'm Basquiat
I'm a master at combining beats and writing lyrics, just like Jean-Michel Basquiat was at creating art
On my canvas it's analyzed on every single campus
My music is scrutinized and analyzed by everyone like an artwork on display on every campus
But don't get it twisted, I'm quick to get brolic
Don't underestimate me - I can get aggressive when necessary
And throw some shit together like the great Jackson Pollock
Like Jackson Pollock, I sometimes create stunning art by throwing things together in a seemingly haphazard way
For more corners than a cubist
I explore more diverse and intricate aspects of my music and art than even a cubist painter would do with corners and angles
Connect the dots like impressionist, now I'm on some new shit
Just like an impressionist painter, I'm connecting the dots and creating new, innovative music
My new technique is vivid with new hues
I've developed a new technique that is vibrant and colorful with fresh, modern touches
But how I put it down left you thinking with no clues
My unique and intriguing artistry leaves you puzzled and wondering how I created it
Why you going in circles like you're the Guggenheim
You are going round and round, bewildered like the spiraling interior of the Guggenheim Museum
They unveil my works and start fainting
People are blown away and overwhelmed when my music is revealed to them
And now they hang around my crib like a painting
People flock around me, and my music becomes like a prized painting in my house
Writer(s): Shaun Hopkins, Jason Williamson, Marcus Watkins
Contributed by Christian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.