(From their website)

Imagine blending the sounds of Mardi Gras funk,… Read Full Bio ↴(From their website)

Imagine blending the sounds of Mardi Gras funk, soft rock, and reggae so seemingly it defies category. Now shrink that idea into a seven-piece ensemble, add a hip hop sensibility plus a hundred years of New Orleans jazz tradition, and you get the Louisiana sound known as the Soul Rebels. This shrewd crew of college trained multi-instrumentalists are forcing listeners to "Let Your Mind Be Free" as they "Work It Out" on the dance floor. Their music is utterly uplifting and hardcore, leaving fans with a myriad of intrinsic sounds and songs to enjoy.

The Soul Rebels were destined for success. After parading around the streets of New Orleans in the tradition of the second line and jazz funerals, the Soul Rebels began their professional debut with the famed Neville Brothers in New Orleans at the hot spot Tipitina's! The Soul Rebels rocked so hard and so strong, they continued opening for the Neville Brothers and beyond. The bands hard funk groove has landed them gigs as an opening act for: Bootsy Collins, A Tribe Called Quest, Better than Ezra, Counting Crows, Green Day, Olympia Brass Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Roy Hargrove, James Brown, Allen Toussaint, Lionel Hampton, Terence Blanchard, Branford Marsalis, The Fugees, Digital Underground, The Roots, Brand New Heavies, The Gap Band, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page and many more.

The Soul Rebels have traveled the US and abroad, bringing their live and uncut rhythms as far as England, Greece, Italy, South Africa and France. The band has performed at many prestigious music festivals across the world such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, North Sea Jazz Fest, Jazz Ascona, Spain Jazz Fest, New Orleans by the Bay with Bill Grand Management, Ray Charles Jazz Festival in Atlanta, Banlieues Bleues, High Sierra Music Fest, Charleston Music and Heritage Fest, River Roots Fest in Iowa, P-Fest in Pensacola, Voodoo Fest, Bonnaroo, JVC Jazz Fest, Chicago Jazz and Blues Fest, Lafayette Crawfish Festival, Umbria Jazz Fest, and Art of Jazz Festival in Toronto, to name a few.

The band's mission is to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. So, bring a taste of New Orleans to your festival, club, or party today with a visit from the Soul Rebels Brass Band.

Living For The City
The Soul Rebels Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Y'all know where y'all at
Tell em!!
Ain't no city like my city
Soul Rebels!
Mannie, let's go!

Ridin' round my city you can find me
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (what you said?)

I gotta keep them haters off me
Please don't call me if it ain't about the money yeah (tell em!)

Ridin' round my city you can find me (that's my city)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds
They say it's dirty but it's pretty,
and my people ridin' with me cause I'm Down for My City yeah

What kind of city got the Saints on Sunday
Who Dat's reppin' for the Black and Gold everyday

What kind of city got the culture and the wordplay
The whole world love to hear us say baby, ya heard me

What kind of city I can play at Le Bon Temps
End up at The John til the early morn'

What kinda city house Cajuns and the Creoles
Boudin, Butterbeans, Fried Chicken and Tomatoes

(man)
What kinda city got the crawfish that'll burn your lips
So spicy, need a napkin for ya nose drip

What kinda city where they jumpin' down in the 6
Keep the beat with a bottle and a drumstick

What kinda city brought you Jubilee
Twerk somethin' was our thing before Miley C

(yeah)
What kinda city brought you Jubilee All
Gettin' ready, stop pause, got you shaking it like a dog yeah

Ridin' round my city you can find me
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (what you said?)
I gotta keep them haters off me
Please don't call me if it ain't about the money yeah

Ridin' round my city you can find me (that's my city)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds
They say it's dirty but it's pretty,
and my people ridin' with me cause I'm Down for My City yeah

What kinda city where they drinking and partying everyday
What kinda city when we speak we say Hey baby

What kinda city got you bucking every day and night
That's my city, New Orleans. Whoa, you got it right.

What kinda city gave you brass and bounce and make it work
Gave you Juvie, Wayne, B.G. and that boy Turk

What kinda city make you bounce, show your footwork
Sipping on Sunday, watchin' them girls, they work and twerk

What kinda city got 17 wards
Housing projects, driveways and courtyards

What kinda city you can hop on that St. Bernard
or take a ride downtown when you on that Broad

What kinda city, we got food, we got loves, we got taste, we got bands

(yeah)
What kinda city 2nd line in the streets
with them Ree's on their feet, while they sip on daiquiris yeah

Ridin' round my city you can find me (hey)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (hey) (what you said)
I gotta keep them haters off me
Please don't call me if it ain't about the money yeah

Ridin' round my city you can find me (that's my city)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds
They say it's dirty but it's pretty,
and my people ridin' with me cause I'm Down for My City yeah

Hey you, what's your name?
You on the radio with ya boy Wild Wayne

Yeah this ya girl J Everyday over here at the barbershop
I was seeing if you can play a song for me I heard the other day

What song you talking about?

It's a song that got bookoo horns in the background
They got some children singing the chorus
You've GOT to know what I'm talking about

Aww you talking about that Down For My City

Yeah!!

That's them Soooooul Rebels!! Let's go, let's go let's go!!!

Ridin' round my city you can find me (you can find me)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (what you said?)
I gotta keep them haters off me
Please don't call me if it ain't about the money yeah (Yeah)

Ridin' round my city you can find me (that's my city)
G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (up in the nosebleeds)
They say it's dirty but it's pretty,
and my people ridin' with me (alright) cause I'm Down for My City yeah

Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah

Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Down For My City yeah
Down For My City yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Living For The City" by The Soul Rebels express pride and love for their city, emphasizing the unique aspects and cultural significance of their hometown, specifically New Orleans. The song highlights different elements that make the city special, such as the New Orleans Saints football team, the culture, the food, the music, and the lively atmosphere.

The opening lines establish the theme of the song, with the Soul Rebels declaring that there is no city like their city. They express their determination to keep the haters away and focus on making money. The following verses highlight various characteristics of New Orleans, such as the renowned football team, the strong culture, the famous jazz and brass music, and the vibrant nightlife. The lyrics also reference specific aspects of New Orleans, like the city's food, dances, neighborhoods, and landmarks.

Overall, the lyrics celebrate New Orleans as a city that is full of life, cultural richness, and a strong sense of community. The Soul Rebels proudly proclaim their love and loyalty to their city, embodying the spirit and pride of their hometown.

Line by Line Meaning

Y'all know where y'all at
Acknowledging that the listeners are aware of their location

Tell em!!
Encouraging the listeners to spread the message

Ain't no city like my city
Expressing the uniqueness and superiority of the singer's city

Soul Rebels!
Identifying the group performing the song

Mannie, let's go!
Showing excitement and readiness to begin

Ridin' round my city you can find me
Exploring the city in a vehicle, easily spotted

G-Wagon sittin' high in the nosebleeds (what you said?)
Driving a luxury vehicle, elevated above the rest

I gotta keep them haters off me
Maintaining distance from those who dislike or envy the artist

Please don't call me if it ain't about the money yeah (tell em!)
Requesting not to be contacted unless it involves financial matters

They say it's dirty but it's pretty,
Acknowledging the criticism of the city, but finding its beauty

and my people ridin' with me cause I'm Down for My City yeah
Being loyal to the city and having the support of its people

What kind of city got the Saints on Sunday
A city where the football team, the Saints, play on Sundays

Who Dat's reppin' for the Black and Gold everyday
The city's residents being dedicated fans of the Saints

What kind of city got the culture and the wordplay
A city known for its rich culture and linguistic creativity

The whole world love to hear us say baby, ya heard me
Being proud of the city and its distinctive dialect

What kind of city I can play at Le Bon Temps
Having the opportunity to perform at the Le Bon Temps venue

End up at The John til the early morn'
Continuing the night at The John establishment until sunrise

What kinda city house Cajuns and the Creoles
Being a city where Cajun and Creole cultures are present

Boudin, Butterbeans, Fried Chicken and Tomatoes
Mentioning traditional foods associated with the city

What kinda city got the crawfish that'll burn your lips
Having spicy crawfish that may cause discomfort

So spicy, need a napkin for ya nose drip
The spiciness is so intense that it causes nasal discharge

What kinda city where they jumpin' down in the 6
A city where people energetically dance in the 6th Ward

Keep the beat with a bottle and a drumstick
Using unconventional items as instruments to maintain rhythm

What kinda city brought you Jubilee
A city that introduced the Jubilee celebration/event

Twerk somethin' was our thing before Miley C
Being known for twerking even before Miley Cyrus popularized it

Gettin' ready, stop pause, got you shaking it like a dog yeah
Preparing to dance and moving one's body vigorously

What kinda city where they drinking and partying everyday
Having a culture of frequent drinking and partying

What kinda city when we speak we say Hey baby
Using the greeting 'Hey baby' as a common phrase

What kinda city got you bucking every day and night
A city known for lively bucking dances happening regularly

That's my city, New Orleans. Whoa, you got it right.
Confirming that the city being described is New Orleans

What kinda city gave you brass and bounce and make it work
A city known for its brass music and energetic dance style

Gave you Juvie, Wayne, B.G. and that boy Turk
Producing notable musicians such as Juvenile, Lil Wayne, B.G., and Turk

What kinda city make you bounce, show your footwork
A city where people showcase their dance skills and footwork

Sipping on Sunday, watchin' them girls, they work and twerk
Enjoying drinks on Sundays while observing girls dancing and twerking

What kinda city got 17 wards
Having a division of the city into 17 wards

Housing projects, driveways and courtyards
Containing housing projects and various residential areas

What kinda city you can hop on that St. Bernard
Being able to easily access St. Bernard street for transportation

or take a ride downtown when you on that Broad
Having the option to travel downtown using Broad street

What kinda city, we got food, we got loves, we got taste, we got bands
A city that offers a variety of food, culture, music, and entertainment

What kinda city 2nd line in the streets
A city where second line parades occur on the streets

with them Ree's on their feet, while they sip on daiquiris yeah
People wearing Ree's shoes and enjoying daiquiris as they participate

Hey you, what's your name?
Addressing an individual and inquiring about their identity

You on the radio with ya boy Wild Wayne
Being interviewed or present on the radio with Wild Wayne

Yeah this ya girl J Everyday over here at the barbershop
Introducing oneself as J Everyday from the barbershop

I was seeing if you can play a song for me I heard the other day
Requesting a specific song to be played on the radio

What song you talking about?
Seeking clarification on the song being referred to

It's a song that got bookoo horns in the background
Describing a song with a significant presence of horns

They got some children singing the chorus
Highlighting the involvement of children in the chorus of the song

You've GOT to know what I'm talking about
Asserting that the radio host should be familiar with the song

Aww you talking about that Down For My City
Confirming that the song in question is 'Down For My City'

That's them Soooooul Rebels!! Let's go, let's go let's go!!!
Identifying 'Soul Rebels' as the performers of the song and expressing enthusiasm

Down For My City yeah
Expressing loyalty and dedication to one's city

Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Corey Peyton, Derrick Moss, Eric Heigle, Erion Brandon Williams, Julian Gosin, Lumar III Leblanc, Mannie Fresh, Manuel Jr. Perkins, Marcus Hubbard, Paul Robertson, Walter Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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