From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
Intro]
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gimme somethin' to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Gimme somethin' to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Gimme somethin' to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Hey hey Star Trak, Star Trak
[CHORUS] [Pharrell]
Oh girl ya taste is
Sweet like mornin' dew
I would go crazy girl
If I couldn't have none of you
I said ya from Jamaica
Straight outta my Mercedes trunk
You make me wanna roll ya up
And then you make my body slump
Which make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
Make a nigga have a gangsta leeean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
[Malice]
I only love her on occasions
Keep my heart racin'
Love to take her on vacations
Where the time zone changes and money exchanges
And meters and kilometers on the dials of the ranges
Far away with my Jamacian sexy everyday is like a holiday
The cheeba got me in a slum sleeper
But when I try to leave her I just find out that it's cheaper to keep her
Plus she keep my thoughts deeper, really zonin'
Like my Cali homies 6-4 rollin'
Or them Deroit 'Lacs trimmed in golden
Or my Texas family 150 white strollin'
Damn, I was caught up in the Matrix
But not Keanu Reaves, as she rolls in bamboo leaves
I think a way to ship off these piano keys
Since the traffic in a gangsta lean
[Pharrell]
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
Make a nigga have a geangsta leeean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga havea gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
[Pusha T]
If you put me where I need to be
Twist you anytime I feel the need
Love ya touch and how you set my mind at ease
In Virginia where you kept me motionless
From that point on I knew I could never get over this
Now they wanna see us broke up
'Cuz I'm lovesick, got me all choked up
Look, you keep my head in the clouds mami,'till I can't breathe
And next to that heat seeker you my main squeeze
Plus I get twistin' didn't even spend my money on
Now either I'm a fool or you really must got me gone
You got me open these days I must admit
Body numbed up and in a slump like I been hit
But luckily it's just the green got me leavin' smoke streams
And blowin' smoke rings as I flee from the scene
Gangsta leanin' in a 850 beamin'
I'm like K-Ci and Jo-Jo, love you got me fiendin'
[CHORUS] [Pharrell]
Oh girl ya taste is
Sweet like mornin' dew
I would go crazy girl
If I couldn't have none of you
I said ya from Jamaica
Straight outta my Mercedes trunk
You make me wanna roll ya up
And then you make my body slump
Which make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
Make a nigga have a gangsta leeean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
[Pusha T]
Her sex so sticky, I'm talkin' real icky
Have me gone and twisty
Make my other women miss me
Just by the way she kiss me
Hold her wit the index and thumb tippys
Ma I'm so trippy
Hard to hold back, scent so sweet
Got to Cognac and honey wrap her this ain't drink
From Taiwanese to Amsterdam greeny green
To hydroponic that make a weak stomach vomit
[Malice]
Listen, at times you hinder my vision
Blinded by ya love and you got the room spinnin'
It's not jealousy the reason why I keep you hidden
Hell, I hit you then I pass you to my man like I do my women
I know just what I'm investin' in
I done traded currency wit the Mexicans
In Texas just so we could get affectionate
Your complexion lime green wit red specks in it
I love you
[Pharrell]
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga have a gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
Make a nigga have a gangsta leeean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
You make a nigga havea gangsta lean
(Talk about the gangsta lean)
{HOOK 2x}
Gimme somethin' to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Gimme somethin to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Gimme somethin' to roll
Somethin' gangstafied
Hey hey Star Trak, Star Trak
Now let's smoke and ride
The song "Intro" by UNKLE featuring Pharell, Pusha T and Malice was released in 2003. The song talks about the different pleasures that come with smoking and riding, and the effect cannabis has on their lives. The beginning of the song is a hook that repeats the words "Gimme somethin' to roll, Somethin' gangstafied", which is asking for something to be rolled to get the party started. The chorus then talks about the desire for the Jamaican girl they are with, how she tastes sweet like morning dew and how they would go crazy if they couldn't have her. The song then describes the different experiences and adventures they go through with the girl, with Pusha T admitting that he gets twisted by her and Malice expressing his love and admiration for her. The song ends on the same note that it started with the repetition of the hook asking for something to be rolled, as they smoke and ride.
The song "Intro" was produced by DJ Shadow as an intro for his album "The Private Press". He then later gave it to UNKLE to add their own touch to it, creating the song we now know as "Intro". The song features Pharrell of The Neptunes, Pusha T, and Malice of Clipse, a hip hop group from Virginia, USA. The song also samples David Axelrod's song "The Human Abstract".
Line by Line Meaning
[HOOK]
The singer is asking for something to roll and wants it to be gangster-like. He also acknowledges a shoutout to Star Trak.
[CHORUS] [Pharrell]
Pharrell mentions how sweet the girl's taste is and how crazy he would go if he couldn't have her. He describes her as being from Jamaica and compares her to something he could roll up. He also states that she makes him lean gangster-style and feel relaxed.
[Malice]
Malice loves the girl on occasions and enjoys taking her on trips. He describes traveling and exchanging currencies as well as seeing different cars in different places where he goes. He also describes how the girl keeps his mind deep and keeps him zoned.
[Pharrell]
Pharrell echoes the statement about the girl making a man lean gangster-style and feel relaxed.
[Pusha T]
Pusha T mentions how the girl makes him feel and how he gets twisted off of her. He describes her sex as being the best and getting him hooked. He also describes smoking and driving away, leaning gangster-style, and feeling like he needs her all the time.
{HOOK 2x}
The singer repeats the opening hook, asking for something to roll in a gangster-like way.
Writer(s): RICHARD FILE, CHRISTOPHER GOSS, JAMES LAVELLE
Contributed by Kaylee W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.