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.
Destructive
Urban Species Lyrics
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Destruction
Destruction
Destruction
Lying on his back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling
Symbolizing how he's feeling, on his face, the sunlight sits
It aids the drying of an eye while he tries to get to grips
He switches on the radio and every other one's a sad song
Fat lady sings about she slipped through his fingers
Now the smell of smoke from the ex-flame is all that lingers
Tries to rekindle, but the wick's gone down
Rummages through the mind like a high street tramp
Desperately, seeking like Susan for a reason
Mind's cast back before the acts of the treason
To the times spent and what those times meant
Realized that she was heaven sent, but he was hell-bent
On destruction, just like an arsonist
The truth hurts, and the truth is that you asked for this
Suspicious minds and mistrust
Now is it just reflections of one's own lust
Or is it insecurity that makes a man possessive
His little piece of purity that no one could mess with destruction
Why you do me so? (Why you wanna do me so?)
Why you do me so?
I think I know (an appetite for destruction)
You've got an appetite for destruction
My love for you is like a big obstruction
Destructive Lo-o-ove
We sow like farmers, reap the melodrama
The good times, the bad times, depending on the karma
As do you
What goes around comes back around that's simple
Invincible's the principle forever and a day, so
As sure as the day glow, you're bound to get yours, bro
There's no doubt about it, no if buts, no maybes
Maybes having babies in the belly of the beast
Some looking to the West, some looking to the East
I look inside myself where the answers are dwelling
In this age of confusion where ignorance is selling itself
And the masses keep on buying it
You got your own bro, you made your bed now lie in it
Or deeper still you die in it
But I don't wanna die, that's why I multiply, I sleep and then I fly
Through the domains of the astro-planes, on my return back to the physical
I wake up in the chains of destruction
Why you do me so? (Why you wanna do me so?)
(Why you wanna do me so?)
Why you do me so?
Oh, now I know (an appetite for destruction)
You've got an appetite for destruction
My love for you is like a big obstruction
Destructive Lo-o-ove
Why you do me so? (Destructive Lo-o-ove)
Why you do me so? (Destructive Lo-o-ove)
You've got an appetite for destruction
My love for you is like a big obstruction
Why you do me so? (Destructive Lo-o-ove)
The song "Destructive" by Urban Species is about a man who is feeling the sadness and pain of a lost love. He lies on his back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling, symbolizing how he feels. He tries to come to grips with the fact that the real thing is gone. He turns on the radio and every song seems to be a sad one, reminding him of what he has lost. He rummages through his mind, trying to find a reason for why things turned out the way they did.
As the song progresses, he realizes that he was the cause of the destruction of the relationship. He was hell-bent on destruction, just like an arsonist. He had an appetite for destruction and it led to the end of his relationship. He reflects on the fact that what goes around comes back around, and he will now have to face the consequences of his choices.
The song is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of relationships and the consequences of our actions. It is a reminder that we are responsible for what we sow, and we must face the consequences of our choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying on his back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling
He is lying on his back, looking up at the cracks in the ceiling.
Symbolizing how he's feeling, on his face, the sunlight sits
The sunlight on his face emphasizes his mood.
It aids the drying of an eye while he tries to get to grips
The sunlight helps dry his tears while he tries to understand what happened.
With the fact that the real thing's gone
He is struggling to accept that what he had is now gone.
He switches on the radio and every other one's a sad song
The songs on the radio reflect his sad mood.
Fat lady sings about she slipped through his fingers
The fat lady sings about losing something important just like he did.
Now the smell of smoke from the ex-flame is all that lingers
Now, all he can smell is the aftermath of his failed relationship.
Tries to rekindle, but the wick's gone down
He tries to revive the relationship, but it is beyond repair.
Rummages through the mind like a high street tramp
He is searching his mind like a homeless person searches through trash.
Desperately, seeking like Susan for a reason
He is searching for a reason, just like Susan did in the Bible.
Mind's cast back before the acts of the treason
His mind goes back to a time before the betrayal.
To the times spent and what those times meant
He remembers what the good times meant to him.
Realized that she was heaven sent, but he was hell-bent
He realizes that she was perfect for him, but he was too destructive to appreciate her.
On destruction, just like an arsonist
He was determined to destroy his relationship, just like an arsonist is determined to burn things down.
The truth hurts, and the truth is that you asked for this
He recognizes that the consequences of his destructive behavior were his own doing.
Suspicious minds and mistrust
He was always skeptical and untrusting.
Now is it just reflections of one's own lust
He wonders if his mistrust is only because of his own desires.
Or is it insecurity that makes a man possessive
He considers whether his possessiveness comes from his own insecurity.
His little piece of purity that no one could mess with destruction
He was determined to protect what he saw as his own and caused destruction in the process.
We sow like farmers, reap the melodrama
Our actions have consequences, and we are often responsible for our own struggles.
The good times, the bad times, depending on the karma
Our experiences depend on the consequences of our actions.
As do you
You are also responsible for your own actions and consequences.
What goes around comes back around that's simple
The consequences of our actions will eventually come back to us.
Invincible's the principle forever and a day, so
The principle of cause and effect is unbreakable and eternal.
As sure as the day glow, you're bound to get yours, bro
Your actions will catch up to you eventually; it's inevitable.
There's no doubt about it, no if buts, no maybes
There's no avoiding the consequences of our actions, no matter how much we try to deny it.
Maybes having babies in the belly of the beast
The consequences of our actions can be harsh and unforgiving.
Some looking to the West, some looking to the East
Some people are optimistic, while others are pessimistic about the future.
I look inside myself where the answers are dwelling
He searches within himself for answers.
In this age of confusion where ignorance is selling itself
In a world where ignorance is celebrated, he needs to find his own answers.
And the masses keep on buying it
Most people are content with the easy answers, even if they are ignorant.
You got your own bro, you made your bed now lie in it
You are responsible for your own actions and their consequences.
Or deeper still you die in it
If you don't take responsibility, the consequences could be deadly.
But I don't wanna die, that's why I multiply, I sleep and then I fly
He wants to learn and grow so he can avoid deadly consequences.
Through the domains of the astro-planes, on my return back to the physical
He wants to explore the unknown so he can gain a better understanding of himself and the world.
I wake up in the chains of destruction
Even after all of his searching, he is still trapped in the cycle of destruction.
You've got an appetite for destruction
Referring to the person who was responsible for the destructive relationship.
My love for you is like a big obstruction
His feelings for this person are hindering him.
Destructive Lo-o-ove
His feelings for this person were destructive.
Writer(s): Peter Akinrinlola
Contributed by Oliver O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.