Pre-empting all other beat eclectics, Urban Species, with their unique appr… Read Full Bio ↴Pre-empting all other beat eclectics, Urban Species, with their unique approach to making music and their engaging live shows offer a tangent of blues, funk, jazz and reggae combining live playing and samples to create their own definitive sound and feel. They deliver incisive and worthwhile lyrics addressing universal issues relevant to all.

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.

I WONDER
Urban Species Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sometimes I wonder what I want out of life
Do I wanna settle down have myself some kids and a wife
I take the dog on walks and have a house with a drive
Then I wonder to myself can I handle that vibe
And then sometimes I wonder if we'll ever be free
Then I wonder if we are but maybe we can't see
I wonder about the youth that's running round with no
direction

And I wonder how to channel making use of that aggression
Yes I wonder what the worlds coming to
And I wonder what it's like ta have no home to go to
You got no roof over your head maybe a park bench as ya bed
And if I wasn't rappin'then I wonder what I'd do instead
Ya see I could be alone or in a crowded place
I get all introspective my mind starts to race
From one place to another strung together like beads
But no you can't stop the process once you've planted those
seeds
Now I'm...

Wondering and I'm pondering and I'm thinking
Got me tripping out of my mind

And sometimes I wonder who I am and where I'm going
Is there anything to know if so am I worthy of knowing
I might wonder how and when my life is gonna end
Then I wonder to if I'm gonna come back again
And if I do would I have learnt from the mistakes I've made
Or will I have to carry on till all my debts have been paid
I wonder if there's really such a thing as UFOs
And if they exist I wonder if they're friends or foes
And if they're foes I wonder if they'll ever invade
Can they do a better job than the mess we've made
Like most of us I wonder what's the reason that I'm here
Are dreams a recollection of a whole different sphere
Now I could be alone or in a crowded place place
I get all introspective and my mind starts to race
From one place to another strung together like beads
Ya can't stop the process once you've planted those seeds
Now I'm

Wondering and pondering and I'm thinking
Got me tripping out of my mind

Now sometimes I wonder if the radio will play this
if they do will it be on the A- or B-playlist
I wonder if I got what it takes
For me ta rock the microphone over beats and breaks
But those anxieties are gone when I hear the competition
Those kids and saying nothing that make me wanna listen
I wonder was it in vain our leaders died
I wonder why some people ain't never satisfied
'Cos no matter what youi got is like you always want more
I wonder, I wonder what's behind the green door
I wonder who shot J.F.K., I wonder what if my mum's OK
You know what I think I'll call her today
I wonder 'bout problems of the world at large
I wonder if peace is just a big mirage

You think it's there but it's gone when you try to touch
Sometimes I wonder if I wonder too much...

Overall Meaning

The Urban Species's song "I Wonder" is a reflective and introspective piece that examines the many thoughts and questions that people often have about life, society, and the world around them. Throughout the song, the singer muses on a wide range of topics such as the purpose of life, the existence of UFOs, the problems of the world, and the possibility of reincarnation, among other things.

The song opens with the singer wondering about what he wants from life and whether he is capable of handling a life with a family and children. He then moves on to question the nature of freedom and wonders if it is possible for humanity to truly achieve it. The singer then expresses his concerns about the youth who lack direction and wonders how their aggression can be channelized effectively.

As the song progresses, the singer continues to delve into various existential questions such as his own identity, the meaning of life, and the possibility of existence beyond this world. He expresses his curiosity about the mysteries of the universe and wonders if there's more to life than what people can see and know.

Overall, "I Wonder" is a thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to reflect on the bigger questions in life and encourages an overall sense of mindfulness.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I wonder what I want out of life
I ponder what my aspirations are for my life

Do I wanna settle down have myself some kids and a wife
Am I interested in starting a family and having a long-term partner

I take the dog on walks and have a house with a drive
I imagine living in a suburban environment with a dog and a car

Then I wonder to myself can I handle that vibe
I question whether I am suited to such a lifestyle

And then sometimes I wonder if we'll ever be free
I contemplate whether true freedom is attainable

Then I wonder if we are but maybe we can't see
I consider the possibility that we have freedom, but are unaware of it

I wonder about the youth that's running round with no direction
I am curious about the aimless actions of young people

And I wonder how to channel making use of that aggression
I contemplate possible ways to redirect their energy

Yes I wonder what the worlds coming to
I question the trajectory of society as a whole

And I wonder what it's like ta have no home to go to
I can't fathom the experience of being homeless

You got no roof over your head maybe a park bench as ya bed
Sleeping on a bench in a park without any shelter is unimaginable to me

And if I wasn't rappin'then I wonder what I'd do instead
I speculate on what alternative career I might have pursued if not for music

Ya see I could be alone or in a crowded place
I acknowledge my tendency to introspect regardless of my surroundings

I get all introspective my mind starts to race
I become contemplative and my thoughts become rapid and scattered

From one place to another strung together like beads
My thoughts jump around quickly, often appearing unrelated

But no you can't stop the process once you've planted those seeds
Once my thoughts begin racing, it's difficult to stop them

Now I'm... Wondering and I'm pondering and I'm thinking Got me tripping out of my mind
I continue to contemplate and overthink, causing me to lose touch with reality

And sometimes I wonder who I am and where I'm going
I question my identity and what direction my life is headed

Is there anything to know if so am I worthy of knowing
I wonder if there is any inherent purpose or meaning to life, and if I am deserving of such knowledge

I might wonder how and when my life is gonna end
I speculate about the details of my eventual death

Then I wonder to if I'm gonna come back again
I consider the possibility of reincarnation or an afterlife

And if I do would I have learnt from the mistakes I've made
If reincarnation is real, I think about whether I would make the same mistakes again

Or will I have to carry on till all my debts have been paid
Alternatively, I consider if I will continue to reincarnate until I have completed some sort of spiritual debt repayment

I wonder if there's really such a thing as UFOs
I ponder the existence of unidentified flying objects

And if they exist I wonder if they're friends or foes
Assuming UFOs are real, I question their intentions

And if they're foes I wonder if they'll ever invade
If UFOs are dangerous, I consider whether they will attempt to conquer Earth

Can they do a better job than the mess we've made
In jest, I inquire if invading aliens would be able to govern better than humanity

Like most of us I wonder what's the reason that I'm here
I am in the same boat as everyone else in attempting to understand my purpose in life

Are dreams a recollection of a whole different sphere
I contemplate whether dreams have any significance or if they are purely random images and thoughts

Now I could be alone or in a crowded place place
Regardless of my environment, I tend to be introspective

I get all introspective and my mind starts to race
My thoughts become scattered and rapid when I overthink

From one place to another strung together like beads
My thoughts jump around quickly, often appearing unrelated

Ya can't stop the process once you've planted those seeds
Once I start overthinking, it's difficult to break the cycle

Now I'm... Wondering and pondering and I'm thinking Got me tripping out of my mind
My constant contemplation and overthinking causes me to lose touch with reality

Now sometimes I wonder if the radio will play this
I contemplate whether this song will be popular enough to be played on the radio

if they do will it be on the A- or B-playlist
Assuming this song is played on the radio, I consider whether it will be a main feature or less popular

I wonder if I got what it takes For me ta rock the microphone over beats and breaks
I ponder whether I have the talent and skill necessary to perform as a rapper

But those anxieties are gone when I hear the competition
My doubts and fears dissipate when I listen to other rappers and determine they are not a significant threat to my success

Those kids and saying nothing that make me wanna listen
Younger, less experienced rappers do not capture my attention with their lackluster performances

I wonder was it in vain our leaders died
I contemplate whether the lives sacrificed by influential figures were done so for nothing

I wonder why some people ain't never satisfied
I question why some individuals always crave more and never seem content with what they have

'Cos no matter what youi got is like you always want more
This phenomenon seems to occur regardless of one's accomplishments or possessions

I wonder, I wonder what's behind the green door
In a figurative sense, I am curious about unknown secrets and mysteries

I wonder who shot J.F.K., I wonder what if my mum's OK
I have a diverse assortment of thoughts and concerns

You know what I think I'll call her today
As a result of my worries, I decide to reach out to my mother

I wonder 'bout problems of the world at large
I contemplate issues facing society as a whole

I wonder if peace is just a big mirage
I question whether global harmony is attainable or illusory

You think it's there but it's gone when you try to touch
If peace does exist, it seems to evaporate as soon as we get close to achieving it

Sometimes I wonder if I wonder too much...
I consider whether my overthinking is excessive or detrimental to my wellbeing

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER AKINRINLOLA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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