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.
Hide and Seek
Urban Species Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatcha say?
Yeah
Well, c'mon, yeah
Well, I love you, love you, love you
Tickle tickle hug me, hug me, hug me
You all hid, yeah
If you ain't hid ya better holler billy goat, bah
Are you ready? I'm not ready
Aw man, let's hide this time
I went down the road, the road was muddy
I stubbed my toe, my toe was hurtin'
You all hid, yeah
If you ain't hid you better holler billy goat, bah
Two bars of washin' powder, two bars of soap
Already hid you better holler billy goat
I went down the road, the road was muddy
I stubbed my toe, my toe was hurtin'
Walk don't jump to the bottom of the well
Swam by the devil 'n' he
Wha'd he say, wha'd he say?
I'm not gonna say that
You all hid, yeah
If you ain't hid you better holler billy, goat bah
Look what I go, look what I go
Aw man, will you put down that thing you got
In your hand an' find your hole an' get it it?
I'm gonna say this just one more time yep
Five ten, fifteen twenty, twenty-five thirty, thirty-five forty, forty-five fifty
You all hid, yeah
If you ain't hid you better holla billy goat, bah
One potato, two potato, three potato, four
All ain't ready better let me go
If you hide behind my pie
I'm gonna hit you right in the eye
You all hid, yeah
If you ain't hid you better holla billy goat, bah
Now are you ready? I'm still not ready
Aw man look here, I want you to find yourself
The tallest tree an' I want you to climb up in it
An' walk out on the limb an' jump
An' I hope that you fall in the deepest hole
I mean listen 'cause I'm gonna say this
Just one more time
Say, I went down the road, the road was muddy
I stubbed my, toe my toe was hurtin'
Two bars a' washin' powder, two bars a' soap
All ain't hid you better holla billy goat, bah
Now I know, you're ready this time man
I'm ready, I'm ready
Let's get together tonight an' play some hide and go seek
Whatcha say?
The lyrics of "Hide and Seek" by Urban Species are playful and nonsensical, seemingly evocative of a childhood game. The song seems to suggest the idea of meeting up with friends and playing hide and seek, with the lyrics resembling the chanting and cheering that might go on during a game. The phrase "If you ain't hid you better holler billy goat, bah" is repeated multiple times, signifying the idea that if you haven't hidden yet, you better do so. The song features an upbeat rhythm and a group of individuals intermittently joining in with the lead vocalist to add to the playful mood.
However, as the song goes on, there are some darker undertones. The lines "Walk don't jump to the bottom of the well, Swam by the devil 'n' he, wha'd he say, wha'd he say?" suggest the idea of temptation and the potential consequences of acting recklessly. Similarly, the line "I'm not gonna say that" implies some sort of taboo or shameful behavior that is being hinted at but not explicitly discussed. The song concludes with a somewhat menacing directive to climb up a tree and jump off the limb, with the insinuation that the singer hopes the individual falls into the deepest hole.
Overall, "Hide and Seek" evokes a sense of youthful energy and playfulness, but with hints of danger and potential consequences lurking beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get together tonight an' play some hide and go seek
Let's spend some time together tonight by playing hide and go seek.
Whatcha say?
Do you agree with me?
Yeah
Yes, I agree.
Well, c'mon, yeah
Let's do it then, agreed?
Well, I love you, love you, love you
I care about you deeply.
Tickle tickle hug me, hug me, hug me
Playfully show me affection.
You all hid, yeah
Everyone has found a place to hide.
If you ain't hid ya better holler billy goat, bah
If you haven't found a hiding spot yet, you better speak up or else you'll be found easily.
Are you ready? I'm not ready
Are you ready to start the game? I'm not prepared yet.
Aw man, let's hide this time
Let's change things up this time and be the ones who hide.
I went down the road, the road was muddy
I took a journey that wasn't easy.
I stubbed my toe, my toe was hurtin'
I encountered some pain along the way.
Two bars of washin' powder, two bars of soap
I have some items for cleaning.
Already hid you better holler billy goat
If you have already found a hiding spot, let us know so we can start looking for you.
Walk don't jump to the bottom of the well
Be cautious and don't make reckless decisions.
Swam by the devil 'n' he
I encountered a difficult situation.
Wha'd he say, wha'd he say?
What did the devil say?
I'm not gonna say that
I'm not going to repeat the devil's words.
Look what I go, look what I go
Look what I've found.
Aw man, will you put down that thing you got
Please stop holding onto that item.
In your hand an' find your hole an' get it it?
Find a good hiding spot quickly.
I'm gonna say this just one more time yep
I'll repeat this only once more.
Five ten, fifteen twenty, twenty-five thirty, thirty-five forty, forty-five fifty
Counting up to fifty with intervals of five.
One potato, two potato, three potato, four
Counting with a common children's rhyme.
All ain't ready better let me go
Everyone is not prepared yet. I should go first.
If you hide behind my pie
If you hide behind my possession or belongings.
I'm gonna hit you right in the eye
I'll retaliate with violence if you do that.
Now are you ready? I'm still not ready
Are you prepared now? I am still not prepared yet.
Now I know, you're ready this time man
I now believe that you are prepared to start the game.
Let's get together tonight an' play some hide and go seek
Let's spend some time together tonight by playing hide and go seek.
Whatcha say?
Do you agree with me?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Konstantin Gribov
criminally underrated band
KwiNdZ
Konstantin Gribov
I actually know them
Ken Peel
Absolutely freakin excellent track - I've loved it for nearly 30 years!
Michaël Nau
Same. This whole album is a pure gem!
Mark Martinelli
I can't believe these cats aren't bigger
aboudriss abo feris
my first love
Igor Freitas
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