Urban Species hail from Tottenham in North London. Growing up amidst the backdrop of diverse cultural heritage, founders, Mintos and Renegade had known each other for most of there young lives attending the same infant, primary and secondary schools together. In the 80s, as teenagers, they embraced an emerging Hip Hop culture; however their musical environment was not solely limited to Electro and Rap Music.
They were just as likely to be found at a sound system (Reggae Dancehall) as they were at a Hip-Hop jam, Blues or the occasional Rave. The connecting factor of such diversity was the underground nature of them.
It was in 88 when” Renegade (Winston Small) and Mintos (Peter Akinrinlola) first realised that they shared the same love of music and set about writing together. Using basic low tech equipment and samples, comprising largely from Renegade’s older brothers vast collection of old jazz and funk records, the two (during this period) followed the standard DJ MC model whereby Renegade would provide the beats and Mintos would drop rhymes on them.
In 89 they saved enough money to go into a professional studio and recorded a track called” its My Thing” Pleased with the result they set about pressing white labels and distributing them via specialist record stores on a sale and return basis. Going out under the name MC Mint & DJ Renegade “its My Thing” was championed by several underground DJs and Pirate radio stations alike and they soon found themselves doing PA s and pressing more copies to keep up with demand.
But it wasn’t just in the UK the track created a stir; as proof of their budding talent two of New York’s Biggest Radio Stations, Kiss and WBLS put the track into rotation. However with out sufficient experience, backing or distribution, they were unable to capitalise on this break. What it did do however, was expand their horizons beyond the UK and make them realise that they could make a career from music.
In 1990 they self funded and distributed a track called “Got to Have It”. It was this track with its driving jazz piano, heavy bass line and clever rhymes that first brought them to the attention of Gilles Petersons Talking Loud Records (Then subsidiary of Phonogram) which, although a relatively new label, could boast a roster of some of the finest black music acts of the time with the likes of Incognito, Omar, Young Disciples and Galliano to name but a few.
Soon after signing in 1992 ,they came up with the name Urban Species and in 93 they had the distinction of opening the Talkin Loud 2 compilation, with the track “Hide and Seek” picking up critical acclaim and laying the foundations for what was to follow.
Urban Species from the outset enlisted the help of funk musicians to reproduce their sound live. They also called upon old school friend and Ragga Style MC Rodney Green AKA Doc Slim, whose mad cap street flavour and humour served as the perfect foil for Mintos’ contrasting more laidback and thoughtful style. These elements meant that now they were able to deliver shows as opposed to appearances.
After opening for Bands such as MC Solaar, Jazzamatazz and the Stereo MCs Urban Species quickly developed a fierce show and were fast becoming known for their live exploits. It wasn’t long before they were a headline act and would earn the reputation as one best live act around prompting the Guardian to say “if there is a better live act, this reviewer hasn’t seen it.
The experience of playing with musicians would also have impact on their recordings as they started incorporating live instruments not to mention the embellishment of Ragga vibes courtesy of Doc Slim into there recordings, further advancing their sound and unique take on Hip-Hop.
Urban Species released their ground breaking Classic Album “Listen” onto an eagerly awaiting public in May 1994. Described by Melody Maker as “Possibly the finest Debut of 1994” and “The best album Talkin Loud have ever put out” by Sky Mag, the album received universal acclaim and was an immediate success. Commercial chart success came with the hit singles “Spiritual Love” and ”Brother”, firmly confirming their arrival and unprecedented exposure of a UK rap act.
The Band was also finding success across Europe, most notably in France even managing to eclipse that of their UK achievements. In the States they picked up a following in New York’s underground, receiving considerable airplay. The album was released on London Records after a jaw tropping performance at the New Music Seminar in New York , a showcase that blew away both media and public alike. Over the next 18 months they would take their unique blend of Hip - Hop to places as far a field the Far East and Africa, making many friends along the way.
Finding it difficult coming to terms with the emergence of Mintos as the principle force behind the band, coupled with the rigours of touring, Renegade, sadly, announced his departure from Urban Species in 95. He went on to set up Hip-Hop and R&B production company, Dub Wise productions. .
Urban Species re-surfaced in 96, on the Talkin Louder sampler, their next offering was in 97 with a four track EP entitled “Religion and Politics”. Urban Speciesreturned to the studio accompanied by up and coming Raw Deal who would co produce their follow up album. Doc Slim was replaced by Tukka Yout who would feature on both the next album and in a live capacity. Mintos then enlisted vocal contributions from established artist like Blues legend Terry Callier and respected UK Rappers MC Mello and Blak Twang, while also providing a platform for a crop of talented up and coming artist such asMJ Cole, Elizabeth Troy, Jeffery Darnell and Imogen Heap . The result was a “maturer, more introspective sound, yet one that retains all the soulfulness of its predecessor” (Music Week Feb 99). .
Blanket was released in continental Europe in late 1998 and repeated Urban Species previous success in the region. It was not until the following year 1999 that the album finally got its UK release receiving wide spread critical acclaim. .
This was to be Urban Specieslast offering to date with Mintos concentrating his efforts on writing for other artist like The Freestylers, LHB, S Club 7and various unsigned talents. He would also pursue entrepreneurial interest outside music, most notably Real Estate. .
In recent years, the anticipation for another URBAN SPECIES album has been growing. The good news is that Urban Species have OFFICIALLY REFORMED with Mintos, and Slim working on new material. They also have plans for a reunion tour.
Blanket
Urban Species Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Music is my blanket
Emotionless the city lies
Cruel it is, it clouds my eyes
The dull the dark shades on my day
I live inside this place
Always tense and filled with rage
Above the concrete fields below
With you i wanna go, wanna go
Music is my sanctuary
Music is my blanket
I see only what i wanna see
I'll be only what i wanna be
My blanket covers me, yes
"Yeah, check it
Now as a yout man I was body poppin' breakin' on the lino
Traded in my lino for a pad and a biro
Used to stand in line just so as I could sign my giro
But now my ends meet in the best way that I know
(Hat, snare, kick) and the beats that go boom
See the music I consume to escape the doom and gloom
All the beats and melodies keep realities at bay
But what happens when the records done and starts to fade away"
Alone within myself again
I try to veil away my pain
The dirty grey surrounding me 'round
And now I hear no sound
"I feel like Melle Mel from way back in the days
As i wonder how i keep from going under
I got trouble on my mind like my name is chuck d
And like Marvin Gaye it makes me wanna holler
When the music hits me I feel no pain
That's why i gotta put you on again and again
I take the needle off the technics and put it in my vein
All my troubles get crushed as the rush hits my brain
And away goes trouble down the drain"
I see only what I wanna see
I be only who I wanna be
My blanket covers me
Music is my sanctuary
Music is my blanket
I see only what I wanna see
I be only who I wanna be
My blanket covers me
Music is my sanctuary
Music is my blanket
You are my living world
You are my living world
You are you are you are my
My only living world.
The lyrics of Urban Species's "Blanket" explore the theme of escapism through music. The song opens with the lines "Music is my sanctuary, Music is my blanket," which serves as the chorus throughout the song. The repetition of this phrase resonates with the idea that music is the singer's escape from the harsh realities of life. The singer portrays the city as emotionless and cruel, causing a sense of detachment and numbness. The singer feels trapped and isolated within himself, expressing through the lyrics that his love for music is the only thing that gives him solace and comfort.
The second verse is introduced with a spoken-word passage, explaining the singer's journey from a youth body-popping and break-dancing to an adult taking refuge in music. The lyrics tell of the singer's struggle to make his ends meet and the negative environment that surrounds him. The beats and melodies of music help him escape reality's harshness and keep his troubles at bay. The song’s final chorus concludes with an emphasis on the power of music to comfort and help us escape. The singer repeats, "You are my living world, my only living world," depicting just how integral music is to his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Music is my sanctuary
Music is where I find peace and solace
Music is my blanket
Like a physical blanket, music covers and comforts me
Emotionless the city lies
The city is cold and uncaring
Cruel it is, it clouds my eyes
The city's cruelty blinds me to the good around me
The dull the dark shades on my day
The city's dreariness colors everything in a dark, dull hue
I live inside this place
Despite its drawbacks, I am stuck here in this city
Locked up inside my metal cage
My car, which is like a metal cage, contains me
Always tense and filled with rage
Because of the city's stresses, I am constantly on edge and angry
Above the concrete fields below
As I look down on the city's barren landscape
With you i wanna go, wanna go
I'd rather be anywhere but here, with you by my side
I see only what i wanna see
I deliberately ignore the bad parts of my life and focus on the good
I'll be only what i wanna be
I choose how I present myself to the world
My blanket covers me, yes
Music shields me from the harsh realities of the world
Alone within myself again
I am lonely and isolated once more
I try to veil away my pain
I cover up my emotional pain, pretending it doesn't exist
The dirty grey surrounding me 'round
The city's smoggy pollution envelopes me
And now I hear no sound
I fall into numbness, unable to feel or perceive anything
See the music I consume to escape the doom and gloom
Music is my means of escaping the bleakness of my surroundings
Keep realities at bay
I use music to avoid confronting hard truths
But what happens when the records done and starts to fade away
What will become of me when my temporary escape ends?
I feel like Melle Mel from way back in the days
I relate to the lyrics of old-school hip hop songs, like those of Melle Mel
As i wonder how i keep from going under
I don't know how I'll survive in this hard world
I got trouble on my mind like my name is chuck d
Like Chuck D from Public Enemy, I am burdened with troubles and concerns
And like Marvin Gaye it makes me wanna holler
Marvin Gaye's protest album inspires me to speak out about injustice as well
When the music hits me I feel no pain
Music is a painkiller for me
That's why i gotta put you on again and again
I listen to music repeatedly to maintain its therapeutic effect
I take the needle off the technics and put it in my vein
I compare the physical act of playing music to a drug injection
All my troubles get crushed as the rush hits my brain
Music has the power to eliminate my worries and transport me elsewhere
You are my living world
You make my life worth living
You are my living world
You are the source of my happiness and fulfillment
You are you are you are my
You are the one I treasure most
My only living world.
You are all that matters to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IMOGEN JENNIFER HEAP, PETER AKINRINLOLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@atari57980
90's, no smartphone, no social network, just friends, summer night, natur, fire camp, professor Hoffman ......... 90's was a beautiful ending
@blizzardrealm9216
brutal, just went there reading this. greetings! 90's, the 90`s..... : )
@martinschweisthal5560
and especially in Germany, not so fucking Politcans as nowadays.
@julienjalageas779
The 90s were the culmination of post ww2 modern civilization, feels like it was everything the world aspired to be. Like we were coming out of the haze from previous decades and normalcy had been achieved. From clothes to music, the economy, seems America was truly great. Maybe it’s also wishful thinking.
@mathieudager4234
One of the most mesmerizing songs ever written and recorded. The atmosphere is straight up haunting. Hadn’t listened to this in a minute. Instant throwback. Nothing’s changed
@victoriapowley1588
How can people not like this song?! It's my favourite Sunday Morning track. 😋
@serhaterdemir4765
yep mine to from now on
@MT-qv4nn
Its sunday and i am here too😙😚😉😗.
Peaceful, gentle,relaxing,good vibes
@thilolemke
Victoria Powley :) I love this track since way back in the 90ties when i was young and fresh. I never listened to this in the morning waking-up, if at all already in the morning thinking about catching some sleep as this night goes on too long...
@lisadalgarno919
I just heard this on the best of Glastonbury 1999 (my home town) blew my mind, RIP JEFF