A rapper… Read Full Bio ↴Born Matthew Cullen on May 11, 1997 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
A rapper, singer, and musician with an aggressive style and an angry world view, Zero 9:36 rose from a cult figure in the Philadelphia hip-hop community to an alternative artist with a nationwide following by the time he was 22. Under the name Zero, his machine-gun delivery and caustic verses made him a talent to watch with his 2016 mixtape Paradise Campground. By 2019, he'd changed his handle to Zero 9:36 and combined rapping and singing as guitars and electronics took on a bigger place in his arrangements on the 2019 EP You Will Not Be Saved, bringing alternative metal and other metal influences into the mix aswell.
Break
Zero 9:36 Lyrics
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One less life that I'm up against
No escape from where I've been
I wouldn't expect you to understand
My tendencies are underneath and provoked
Got their necks on the floor, and I got my knees on their throat
But they don't need any smoke
I can't snap if y'all just leave me alone
So when I'm lookin' for the break
I get inside of my own brain
Somethin' about it is unsafe
I can't breathe
Hope that someday I'll escape
Once I get outta my own way
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
One less life that I'm up against
No escape from where I've been
I wouldn't expect you to understand
To understand
I wouldn't expect you to understand
Yeah, yeah
I feel like a photo in a broken frame
Hope that all this broken glass will take the pain away
I get trapped inside myself, feel like a prison stay
There's another cloud again, the future looks like rain
So when I'm lookin' for the break
I get inside of my own brain
Somethin' about it is unsafe
I can't breathe
Hope that someday I'll escape
Once I get outta my own way
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
One less life that I'm up against
No escape from where I've been
I wouldn't expect you to understand
Understand
I wouldn't expect you to un-
When I'm lookin' for the break
I get inside of my own brain
Somethin' about it is unsafe
I can't breathe
Hope that someday I'll escape
Once I get outta my own way
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
One less life that I'm up against
No escape from where I've been
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
One less life that I'm up against
No escape from where I've been
I wouldn't expect you to understand
Understand
I wouldn't expect you to understand
I wouldn't expect you to understand
The lyrics of Zero 9:36's song "Break in 2" convey the feeling of being trapped within one's own mind and struggling to escape from the internal battles and pressures one faces. The song explores themes of isolation, frustration, and the desire for understanding.
The artist describes feeling consumed by their own thoughts and emotions, as if they are wrapped up inside their own head. They express the sense of being constantly confronted with the challenges and hardships of life, facing one less life that they are up against. There is a feeling of entrapment and a lack of escape from their current circumstances.
The artist acknowledges the difficulty in expecting others to understand their situation. They mention that their tendencies are underneath and provoked, possibly referring to hidden struggles and the external influences that contribute to their internal conflicts. The lyrics also touch upon a sense of anger and aggression, with mentioned imagery of having their knees on someone's throat. At the same time, they express a desire for solitude and peace, praying to God but not needing any hope.
The chorus emphasizes the artist's longing for a break and escape from their own mind. They find solace in the idea that someday they will be able to get out of their own way and free themselves from the constant mental burden. However, it is made clear that they don't expect others to fully understand their internal struggle.
Overall, the lyrics of "Break in 2" paint a picture of someone dealing with inner turmoil and the desire to find a way out of their own mind, while also acknowledging the difficulty in conveying their experience to others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
I am deeply consumed by my own thoughts and emotions
One less life that I'm up against
One fewer chance or opportunity I have to succeed or escape
No escape from where I've been
I am trapped and unable to break free from my past experiences or circumstances
I wouldn't expect you to understand
I don't anticipate you being able to comprehend or empathize with my situation
My tendencies are underneath and provoked
My subconscious inclinations and behaviors lie hidden and triggered by external factors
Got their necks on the floor, and I got my knees on their throat
I have control and power over those who try to harm me or hold me back
But they don't need any smoke
But they don't require any confrontation or conflict
I pray to God, but I don't need any hope
I seek guidance or assistance from a higher power, but I have lost faith in the possibility of improvement
I can't snap if y'all just leave me alone
I cannot lose control or break down if I am left undisturbed by others
So when I'm lookin' for the break
So when I am searching for a way to find relief or release
I get inside of my own brain
I delve deep into my own thoughts and overanalyze
Somethin' about it is unsafe
Something about the constant rumination and introspection feels mentally hazardous
I can't breathe
I feel suffocated or overwhelmed by the weight of my thoughts and emotions
Hope that someday I'll escape
I hold onto the desire that eventually, I will break free from this internal turmoil
Once I get outta my own way
Once I can remove the self-imposed obstacles and barriers
I feel like a photo in a broken frame
I feel damaged and incomplete, like a picture trapped in a shattered and malfunctioning frame
Hope that all this broken glass will take the pain away
I hope that by mending the broken pieces, the pain and anguish will subside
I get trapped inside myself, feel like a prison stay
I become imprisoned within my own thoughts and emotions, experiencing a sense of confinement
There's another cloud again, the future looks like rain
There is another obstacle or source of gloom ahead, and the prospects for the future seem bleak
Understand
Comprehend or grasp the depth of my feelings and struggles
When I'm lookin' for the break
When I am seeking a momentary respite or solution
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
I am consumed and entangled in my own thoughts and emotions
One less life that I'm up against
One fewer chance or opportunity I have to succeed or escape
No escape from where I've been
I am trapped and unable to break free from my past experiences or circumstances
I wouldn't expect you to understand
I don't anticipate you being able to comprehend or empathize with my situation
I'm so wrapped up inside my head
I am consumed and entangled in my own thoughts and emotions
One less life that I'm up against
One fewer chance or opportunity I have to succeed or escape
No escape from where I've been
I am trapped and unable to break free from my past experiences or circumstances
I wouldn't expect you to understand
I don't anticipate you being able to comprehend or empathize with my situation
I wouldn't expect you to understand
I don't anticipate you being able to comprehend or empathize with my situation
Writer(s): Brandon Saller, Matthew Cullen, Andrew Migliore, Hiram Hernandez
Contributed by Bentley L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tiger Lili
@Zero 9:36 you missed my point, Z. My point was, for someone who isn't into rock of any type or genre (which is what it seems like the OG commenter was) it gives a song less value if the backing track is full on rock vs anything else. Hence me saying that the song has less enticement for someone who got into you when you were doing strictly rap/trap style beats.
You do you, Z.
I'm just letting you know that there's going to be a base contingent of your fans that got into you as rap/hiphop fans that just aren't going to be here for your rock shit no matter how hard you hit it. Therefore, that's why I say don't bother getting defensive about it, you can't make someone who despises rock be into rock.
As I mentioned previously, I'm a fan and will continue to be so as I think you have incredible potential, you're just on a journey to find where you're most passionate. This joint wasn't it for me, but, as I mentioned, that's mostly due to the inclusion of atreyu. I'm sure they're dope humans, they're just kinda meh as a band for me.
Keep up the self work. You seem to be doing great!
FanRose FabRose
Screams, rap, incredible cleans and amazing instrumentals - can your potential look anymore incredible?? I'm rooting for you and the band! 👏👏
Zero 9:36
Love 🖤
FG Macredz
I love this!!
Traffic Control
Saw them last night. Incredible.
FG Macredz
Awesome
FG Macredz
@Traffic Control I bet it was a killer show
Florent CLANET
I love everything about that pre-chorus.
What a banger this song is!
Amerika Hall
WOOOOO THANK YOUUUU, ZERO! Bringing me back to life with this drop. I can't wait to experience this live!!! See ya soon.....Arizona leaves the light on for you always, dude💖 Love and infinite respect to you, Sir❣
Jake Thibeault
My dude is so tragically underrated.. Keep it up fam! 💯💯💯
Zero 9:36
Appreciate it!!