1. a N… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists recording under the name The Ones.
1. a New York city-based dance music group
2. a Portland, Oregon-based rock band
3. a psychedelic rock band of the 1960s featuring Edgar Froese (they would mutate into the far more substantial Tangerine Dream)
4. a mid-1980s rock & roll band from Seattle, WA., United States, part of the early grunge scene
5. a Lansing, MI, United States-based blue-eyed soul group signed with Motown
6. a Fontana, California-based psychedelic rock band featuring lead vocalist Dillon Becerra and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Ledezma
1. The Ones are an American electronic dance music band, best known for their 2001 hit single "Flawless", which reached number 7 in the United Kingdom. The trio consists of three male vocalists Paul Alexander, JoJo Americo, and Nashom Wooden, who met while working at the Greenwich Village boutique Patricia Field. Each of them has a background in performing, DJing, and being stylists within the underground New York club and fashion scenes.
Their debut single, "Flawless" (inspired by the 1999 film which Nashom appeared in, alongside Robert De Niro), produced by A Touch of Class, was popular among New York DJs even before its official release and became a hit, especially in Europe. In 2004, "Flawless" was sampled and had lyrics added to it by George Michael for his song "Flawless (Go to the City)". Michael's version reached number 8 in the United Kingdom, which gives "Flawless" the distinction of being a hit twice in Britain. The group released a follow up single, "Superstar" which reached number 45 in the same country.
In November 2006, they released "Ultramodern", with a music video and clips available at A Touch of Class's website. The video was banned on television.[citation needed] The Ones signed to Peacebisquit management in 2007. They tweaked their look and sound and released a 2008 single, "When We Get Together", with a video clip featuring cameos from the Scissor Sisters, Debbie Harry, Jody Watley, Fischerspooner, Ultra Naté, Cazwell, Colton Ford, and many others.
Nomi Ruiz collaborated with The Ones on their single "Let's Celebrate" from their upcoming fourth album "Blast from the Past"
2. The rock band The Ones formed in Portland, Oregon in 2005. Personnel: Andrew Coursen - guitars/vocals, Chad Savage - guitars/backing vocals, Alan D Maly - bass, Tim Slapper - drums, Dave Heston - bass. A self-titled album was released in 2006 on Wax Vaccine records.
4. Chris Adams and Terry Lee Hale began playing together under the name Need-a-Bass after a chance meeting at Chuckanut Charlie'sbar in Fremont in 1984. Like many Seattle outfits an ad in local music newspaper, The Rocket, led to Jack Endino auditioning and the birth of The Ones, who played for a couple of years in the Seattle area. Toward the end of 1985, after some forty gigs, Jack had to commit more time to one of his other outfits, Skin Yard, leaving Chris and Terry Leeto play on together for a while. Having never clicked with another bassist they soon pulled the plug.
Black is the Color
The Ones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then turn around and accuse you of attacking them
Every case of police brutality against a negro follows the same pattern
They attack you, bust you all upside your mouth
And then take you to court and charge you with assault
What kind of democracy is that?"
Uh, although it's uncertain times I still smile
Forty acres and a mule
Black history should be a mandatory class in school
Strong-minded, solid like granite
We the most forgiving human beings on the planet
They the raped the men in our family in front of wives
Tried to make us look weak in front of our kids, dehumanize
And our leadership hella devil-sent
Got in the white house by trolling our only black president
Evil, evil, evil
Brainwashed our people, say, "What Obama do for black people?"
Me personally, I wanna fade
Fell out with so-called friends 'cause they drunk the Kool-Aid
They whipped us and hung us up on a tree
Lit us on the fire so the community could see
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set our warriors free
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set us free
It's crazy how my beautiful skin
Could get me strapped up, strung up, swung in the wind
Tasered, maced, and cuffed, arm under my chin
Kneeled on, wheeled on, call for mama again
Dragged from the back of a pick-up for people to see
K-9 that bite down, now there's flesh in their teeth
Douse me in gas, burn the ash and left in the streets
And even then, some white folk'll take a picture with me
My beautiful skin could also get me thrown on a boat
Live by the flow, my name, chain, culture revolt
Pray to the heavens 'cause hell on earth is all that I know
My skin made it where I got nowhere to go
When my people were trying to escape, they either killed or they captured us
And now they got the nerve to tell me, "Go back to Africa"
African-american, my ancestors died for it
So fuck them racist motherfuckers, I'ma ride for it
Black is beautiful
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set our warriors free
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set us free
Black is gold, black is beautiful to me
Behold the shine, set our warriors free
(Set our warriors free)
Black is gold, black is beautiful to me (uh)
Behold the shine, set our warriors free
(Set our warriors free)
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set our warriors free
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
(Set our warriors free) set us free
The Ones' song "Black Is The Color" is a powerful commentary on social injustice and police brutality, particularly against Black people in America. The opening lines describe a familiar pattern of police brutality: attacking a person and then accusing them of attacking the police. The lyrics express frustration with the lack of justice in a democratic society where police brutality continues to go unchecked. The song calls for Black history to be taught in schools, arguing that this education would create a more informed and empathetic society.
The song also speaks to the dehumanization and mistreatment of the Black community throughout history. It references the rape of enslaved people in front of their families and the attempts to make Black people appear weak and lacking in humanity. The song calls for an end to this devilish leadership that perpetuates injustice and calls out those who have turned against the Black community, even when they were once considered friends.
Throughout the song, the chorus repeats "black is beautiful" as a powerful affirmation of Black pride and identity. The song challenges the systemic oppression and racism that Black people have endured and continues to demand freedom and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
They put their club upside your head
Police officers use excessive force against black individuals
And then turn around and accuse you of attacking them
Police officers falsely charge black individuals with assault
Every case of police brutality against a negro follows the same pattern
Police brutality against black individuals is systemic and follows a predictable pattern
They attack you, bust you all upside your mouth
Police officers physically assault black individuals, causing injury to their faces
And then take you to court and charge you with assault
Police officers falsely accuse black individuals of assaulting them and take them to court
What kind of democracy is that?
The singer questions the fairness and justice of a system that allows police brutality and false accusations against black individuals
Although it's uncertain times I still smile
The singer remains optimistic despite the difficult times they face
Social injustice and racial profile
Systemic issues of racism and discrimination continue to affect black individuals
Forty acres and a mule
The artist references the broken promise of reparations for slavery
Black history should be a mandatory class in school
The artist advocates for the inclusion of black history in education to promote cultural awareness and understanding
Strong-minded, solid like granite
The singer emphasizes the strength and resilience of the black community
We the most forgiving human beings on the planet
Despite the oppression and injustice they face, the black community remains forgiving and compassionate
They the raped the men in our family in front of wives
The singer references the historical trauma of sexual violence against black men and women
Tried to make us look weak in front of our kids, dehumanize
The singer highlights the efforts of oppressors to dehumanize black individuals and undermine their sense of self-worth
And our leadership hella devil-sent
The singer criticizes corrupt black leaders who perpetuate the cycle of oppression
Got in the white house by trolling our only black president
The artist calls out the racism and disrespect directed towards Barack Obama during his presidency
Brainwashed our people, say, "What Obama do for black people?"
The artist acknowledges the influence of propaganda and misinformation in shaping opinions about Obama's presidency
Me personally, I wanna fade
The singer expresses frustration and exhaustion with the ongoing struggle for racial justice
Fell out with so-called friends 'cause they drunk the Kool-Aid
The singer references a loss of friendships due to differing beliefs about racial issues
They whipped us and hung us up on a tree
The artist references the historical trauma of lynching and brutality against black individuals
Lit us on the fire so the community could see
The artist references the public spectacle and terror of burnings and other forms of violence against black individuals
(Black is beautiful) black is beautiful
The artist affirms the beauty and value of black individuals and culture
(Set our warriors free) set our warriors free
The singer calls for the liberation and recognition of black individuals as warriors in the face of oppression
It's crazy how my beautiful skin
The artist reflects on the irony of their skin color being both beautiful and a target for discrimination
Could get me strapped up, strung up, swung in the wind
The singer references the violence and brutality directed towards black individuals, including lynching
Tasered, maced, and cuffed, arm under my chin
The singer references the use of force and restraints by police officers against black individuals
Kneeled on, wheeled on, call for mama again
The singer references the torturous treatment and desperation for help during arrests and police encounters
Dragged from the back of a pick-up for people to see
The artist references the historical trauma of hate crimes and lynching, including being dragged behind vehicles
K-9 that bite down, now there's flesh in their teeth
The artist references the use of police dogs against black individuals resulting in serious injury and trauma
Douse me in gas, burn the ash and left in the streets
The singer references the use of fire as a violent method of harm and intimidation against black individuals
And even then, some white folk'll take a picture with me
The singer comments on the hypocrisy and ignorance of some individuals who seek to take photos with black individuals while simultaneously supporting systemic racism
My beautiful skin could also get me thrown on a boat
The artist references the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the forced removal of black individuals from Africa
Live by the flow, my name, chain, culture revolt
The artist embraces their black identity and celebrates the resilience and resistance of black culture
Pray to the heavens 'cause hell on earth is all that I know
The artist reflects on the ongoing struggle and trauma of living as a black individual in a society that perpetuates systemic racism
My skin made it where I got nowhere to go
The singer highlights the pervasive nature of racism and its impact on opportunities and mobility for black individuals
When my people were trying to escape, they either killed or they captured us
The artist references the horror and violence of slavery and the limited options available for escape
And now they got the nerve to tell me, "Go back to Africa"
The singer criticizes the hypocrisy and absurdity of individuals who suggest that black individuals should return to a continent that was forcibly taken from them
African-american, my ancestors died for it
The singer acknowledges the sacrifices and struggles of their ancestors in fighting for black liberation and justice
So fuck them racist motherfuckers, I'ma ride for it
The singer expresses determination to continue fighting against racism and injustice despite the challenges and opposition they face
Black is gold, black is beautiful to me
The artist affirms the value and beauty of black individuals and culture
Behold the shine, set our warriors free
The artist calls for the recognition and liberation of black individuals as warriors in the face of oppression
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Earl T. Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind