The Qemists were originally the drummer, bassist and guitarist in a rock band where they spent a lot of time touring UK and Europe as well as spending a lot of time in the studio. During this time in the rock band in the late 1990s, they acquired an interest in drum and bass and some of the group's early efforts started to get airplay. For many years they were performing in the rock band as their day job whilst producing and DJing drum and bass at night, and this conflict of interests lead to the fusion of the two styles to form The Qemists sound that is known today. They had previously worked as live sound engineers for Basement Jaxx, Kano and Lady Sovereign.
Their debut release on Ninja Tune was a remix of Coldcut's "Everything Is Under Control" which was supported by Zane Lowe, Coldcut and Pendulum.
Their first single "Stompbox" appeared on the movie soundtrack, and in the movie "Jumper". Some singles of the band appeared in many video games. Stompbox appeared in MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, Need for Speed: Undercover and Midnight Club: Los Angeles. Lost Weekend appeared in Colin McRae: Dirt 2, Forza Motorsport 3, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge and Need for Speed: Shift. The year 2009 also saw the release of their debut album "Join The Q" on the Ninja Tune label.
In 2009, they supported Enter Shikari on their World Tour, and underwent their own headlining UK Tour.
With the bands origins in heavy rock music and their fusion of rock and drum and bass they are often compared to mainstream drum and bass act Pendulum, with both artists having similar musical history and styles.
Jungle
The Qemists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
we're taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
What you gonna do soundboy
Tour life, high times,
blaze green, no crime
JDs, all mine, Jaeger Bombs,
take five
No sleep 'til sunrise,
see the state of these eyes
Get messy, no lies,
going hard every night
Our life is sick cos it's fire
that we spit,
Making bodies move
from the day we started this,
Got 'em bouncing,
going insane the kids lose it,
Qemists and H yeah,
we're taking over this shit
In the jungle,
taking over this shit
In the jungle,
taking over this shit
In the jungle,
taking over this shit
In the jungle,
taking over this shit
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
we're taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
we're taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
We got our foot in the door,
and we're about
to smash the hinges off
In a nightclub, on cruise ship,
on tour,
coast to coast we cross,
From Sweden, to Finland,
in season,
when it's blazing hot,
Stop off at the free town
Christiana,
get lean up find a spot,
Bad boy from London England,
that the police aretryn'a' stop
Cos after sound check
my eyes drop,
but anyway let's get back
to my job,
Everyday a different hotel
key fob,
got an itinerary,
I can never keep up,
It's all love
I'm with my people gettin' crunk
in the jungle,
Where's my people gettin' crunk
in the jungle,
Where's my people gettin' crunk
in the jungle,
Where's my people gettin' crunk
in the jungle,
Where's my people gettin' crunk
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
we're taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle,
we're taking it over
What you gonna do,
In the Jungle,
In the jungle.
The lyrics to The Qemists feat Hacktivist's song "Jungle" describe a life filled with travel, partying, and drug use. The repeated question "what you gonna do" suggests a challenge to the listener to keep up with and participate in this hedonistic lifestyle. The term "soundboy" references someone who identifies as a musician or DJ and is used to call out anyone who might stand in the way of the party.
The verses are a mix of boasting about their exploits and expressing fatigue with the constant movement. The chorus serves as a rallying cry to their fellow partygoers, encouraging them to take over whatever space they find themselves in.
Overall, the song portrays a wild, almost reckless existence that is glorified by the performers. It is a call-to-action for the listener to live in a similar manner, embracing life's wild side.
Line by Line Meaning
In the jungle, what you gonna do
Asking what actions one will take when faced with challenges in life
What you gonna do soundboy
Addressing a specific person who needs to take action
Here in the jungle, we're taking it over
Asserting dominance and control over a situation or environment
Tour life, high times, blaze green, no crime
Describing a wild and carefree lifestyle of drug use and breaking the law with no consequences
JDs, all mine, Jaeger Bombs, take five
Listing specific alcoholic drinks being consumed frequently to enhance the party atmosphere
No sleep 'til sunrise, see the state of these eyes
Staying up all night partying and highlighting the physical toll it takes on the body
Get messy, no lies, going hard every night
Emphasizing the reckless and chaotic behavior that characterizes the party lifestyle
Our life is sick cos it's fire that we spit, Making bodies move from the day we started this, Got 'em bouncing, going insane the kids lose it, Qemists and H yeah, we're taking over this shit
Boasting about their abilities as musicians and how they can move a crowd; asserting their confidence and triumph in the industry
We got our foot in the door, and we're about to smash the hinges off
Having already made some progress in their career and expressing eagerness to exceed expectations and make even more strides
In a nightclub, on cruise ship, on tour, coast to coast we cross, From Sweden, to Finland, in season, when it's blazing hot, Stop off at the free town Christiana, get lean up find a spot
Detailing the many locations they travel to while on tour and describing the party scenes in each place they visit
Bad boy from London England, that the police are tryn'a stop, Cos after sound check my eyes drop, but anyway let's get back to my job, Everyday a different hotel key fob, got an itinerary, I can never keep up, It's all love I'm with my people gettin' crunk
Boasting their rebellious nature and how they are always on the move and working hard, but still able to party with their friends
Where's my people gettin' crunk in the jungle
Asking where their friends are partying and emphasizing the wild and frenzied atmosphere
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: D.Arnold/L.Black/L.Harris/O.Simmons/B.Marvin/J.Hurley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Prus
And year later....
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle, weāre taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle, weāre taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Tour life, high times, blaze green, no crime
JDs, all mine, Jaeger Bombs, take five
No sleep ātil sunrise, see the state of these eyes
Get messy, no lies, going hard every night
Our life is sick cos itās fire that we spit,
Making bodies move from the day we started this,
Got āem bouncing, going insane the kids lose it,
Qemists and H yeah, weāre taking over this shit
In the jungle, taking over this shit (x4)
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle, weāre taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle, weāre taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
We got our foot in the door, and weāre about to smash the hinges off
In a nightclub, on cruise ship, on tour, coast to coast we cross,
From Sweden, to Finland, in season, when itās blazing hot,
Stop off at the free town Christiana, get lean up find a spot,
Bad boy from London England, that the police are trynāaā stop
Cos after sound check my eyes drop, but anyway letās get back to my job,
Everyday a different hotel key fob, got an itinerary, I can never keep up,
Itās all love Iām with my people gettinā crunk
In the jungle, Whereās my people gettinā crunk (x4)
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
In the jungle, what you gonna do
What you gonna do soundboy
Here in the jungle, weāre taking it over
What you gonna do soundboy
LoveRedeemed
Honestly, I am surprised with this group.
Its such a neat mashups of sounds
Calvin Elliott
Fucking love these guys. and here I thought good well written music was going extinct.
Arc Blackheart
Miss 2016 now feels a little old and I miss The Qemists they need to come back soon with a new album š¤
Jenn Stoeckl
Love the flow on this track, and the elements of Skindred I can hear. Excellent!!
Asha Nagar
sounds crazy! An instrumental version would be INSANE! :D
AyooYoku
Loving this album
Complete Dissociation
I love how it's rap and singing. it really works.
T-Dawg
rap is singing.
Vanesa el Briged
MrVarhansen please be mindful that this is the internet. We all have our opinins. Such as I like rap vocal styles mixed with rock. Also incase your one of the "free speech" people, it doesn't mean people have to listen. lol.
Bereniceis Dead
Do you know The One Hundred? They are combining rap with screaming and growling, it's awesome