Over the course of his career, e-dubble released four albums; Straight Outta St. Mary's (2006), Hip-Hop is Good (2009), Reset EP (2012) and Two Tone Rebel (2016).
[h2]Early life[/h2]
Wallace grew up outside of Philadelphia, the youngest child of a principal and a schoolteacher. In the 1990s, Wallace and his friends fell under the spell of hip-hop cast by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre; his music would later be known for its common celebrations of this love of hip-hop. He played center on the Wissahickon High basketball team, but dreamed of being a rapper. In an interview with the Baltimore magazine, Wallace cited Eminem's breakout success in the late 90's as a major inspiration to him, saying "Eminem showed that a white rapper could have a career. It was about skills, whether or not you could do it."
[h2]Background[/h2]
After graduating from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a degree in political science, e-dubble moved to Baltimore to live with his friends and collaborators. Together they formed the hip-hop band Young English, and played their first show in July 2008. The group went on to purchase a renovated warehouse, dubbed “The Hampden Mansion,” where e-dubble would later go on to write, record, and produce his debut album Hip-Hop is Good. He went on to produce his Freestyle Friday series, a weekly series of free songs.
[h2]Career[/h2]
In 2009, e-dubble released his debut album, "Hip Hop is Good". The next year, in August 2010, e-dubble created his YouTube channel. He quickly began releasing freestyles on every Friday creating the series "Freestyle Fridays", in which he sampled other songs (such as Tighten Up and MMMBop) and rapped over the instrumentals. He also occasionally collaborated with his band, Young English, to make the tracks. The series ran throughout 2010 and a final track was released in 2012. The series was noted for its effective use of samples, lyrics and e-dubble's spoken word outros, in which he communicated with fans. He followed this up in 2012 with his next album, "Reset EP". He released his final album in 2016 with "Two Tone Rebel". His most popular songs include "Be a King", "Let Me Oh" and "What it Do".
[h2]Death[/h2]
On 21 January 2017, 23 days before his death, e-dubble posted a photo on his Instagram of a swollen hand, with the caption "I don't recommend throwing up half of your body's blood. Or having your hand swell up like Martin Short in 'Pure Luck' or needing 10 blood transfusions. But I'm gonna be aight. Thanks for the love". One of his business partners, Danny, later tweeted on 27 January: "Keep our friend e-dubble in your thoughts! He is at the Hahnemann Hospital fighting a serious infection", suggesting the infection was not getting better. As e-dubble became unusually inactive on the internet, rumors began to circulate that he had died, and were eventually confirmed on Twitter by many of his close associates as well as eventually the Black Paisley Records website. E-Dubble passed away on February 13, 2017.
Nest
e-dubble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I just shit on the mold
and I can't wait to be old
and have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
but in the mean time
I'm a owe cause I need mine
oats get felt till I'm old like Greenspan
and that motherfuckers old
I probly won't
Wheat bread, oj, I'm feelin that Old Bay
just a sprinkle on my eggs then I'm on my way, way
lookin for a new day
yesterday wasn't shit and today looks the same
everyones got a boat but the shit won't float
when that city goes broke everyones unpaid
and the people need aid
citizenry so desporate even athiests pray
people doin it for self never mind brothers help
that empire crumbles you'll be lookin for a, blade
cause the guns are all taken
what you thought was you wealth just turns into paper
hatin every other person that you see
cause they got a loaf of bread
and you want somethin to eat
you want somethin to be
and you want somethin to do
but when nobody is talkin nobody can tell the truth, I'm gone
I just broke the nest
and I just shit on the mold
and I can't wait to be old
and have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
but in the mean time
I stay cold like freeon
king of the castle
no lasso, no peeon
thats why I like to keep my eyes closed
cause I'm tryin to help these words get a life and keep goin
I spit the true story
we came for glory
we came for more than what a bucket can hold
we tryin ta feed a village while avoidin the pillage
but I heard it's kinda tough when those suckers are low
ya see they got this fire
they use this fire
ta keep us blind to our thoughts, our desires
on a higher plain yea we tame these liars
we got our water, motherfuck your fire
we keep on bangin
those bells keep rangin
people could go home but na they're stayin
the clock keeps ringin and the time keeps changin
smiles everywhere you wouldn't think that it was rainin
fuck that sunlight
look at this gunfight
who's a flash blast
fireworks looks fun right
4th of July
we gettin high
we dig those graves
looks like we took for granted all the good old days
and I'm gone
I just broke the nest
and I just shit on the mold
and I can't wait to be old
and have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
but in the mean time
I glow neon like Deon
a light so bright it'll shine for the eon
and thats why I keep my eyes closed
cause that shit'll scorch my retina if I try ta keep em open
One of those times you can't keep your voice from shakin
Inflection breaks pace and you can't be fakin
you wish you were, overanalyzing things that you did before
back when makin a mistake was just his or hers
it didn't matter, fuzzy math, chalk it up to dumb youth
the fact that your ass was in college
any major fuckups that happen
line em up in a column title that shit knowledge
It's like a free pass
the best endorsement to force kids into gettin A's on reports
it's an invite to lala land
where the grass is greener then Jim Cricket on an HD screen
like when Ready to Die was remastered
sure it sounds good but the '94 version was the classic
I can't go back and neither can you
so just deal with it, heal quick, and head the truth
the truth is the proof
I aint up in the Jello
it's when the drama builds up with the strings of the cello
and regret takes a backseat to wakin up fresh
open up the blinds lookin at the sun and sayin hello
and maybe that sounds cliche, ha
but maybe cliches ok
cause lately we been searchin for a reason
and even tho we can't see or touch it
I can hear it and it's breathin
The song "Nest" by e-dubble is about breaking away from the status quo and pursuing one's own desires, even if it means breaking the mold and starting from scratch. The chorus of the song talks about breaking the nest and shitting on the mold, but wanting to rebuild it with no regrets when older. In the meantime, the artist is going to do what he needs to do to survive and thrive.
The first verse talks about the artist's need to take care of himself, and how he plans on doing so. He references Greenspan, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and how he should be like him and make sure he is getting his due. He hopes to build a debt for everyone to pay, but in reality, he probably won't. The second verse mentions how people are always trying to get ahead and taking care of themselves, even when it means stepping over others. When an empire crumbles, everyone will be looking for a way to survive, even if it means turning on each other.
The third verse talks about fighting against the status quo and trying to make a difference. The artist wants to tell the truth with his words and help others while keeping his eyes closed to the negativity in the world. The fourth verse talks about how mistakes and failures are part of life, and it's important to learn from them. It's better to face the truth and heal quickly than to avoid it altogether.
Overall, this song is about breaking away from the norm and doing what is necessary to survive and thrive, even if it means starting over from scratch.
Line by Line Meaning
I just broke the nest
I've ruined my situation that used to feel comfortable and safe
and I just shit on the mold
I've made things worse by adding insult to injury
and I can't wait to be old
I look forward to a time when I won't have to worry as much
and have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
I hope to eventually rebuild what I've lost without feeling regret
but in the mean time
Until things improve,
I'm a owe cause I need mine
I'm in debt, but I have to take care of myself
oats get felt till I'm old like Greenspan
I'll keep working hard to support myself until I retire like Alan Greenspan
and that motherfuckers old
Even someone who seems to have it all figured out eventually grows old
I hope I make a debt for all
I want to make some kind of positive impact before I leave this world
I probly won't
But realistically, it might not happen
Wheat bread, oj, I'm feelin that Old Bay
I'm enjoying my breakfast with some seasoning
just a sprinkle on my eggs then I'm on my way, way
A little bit of something extra can make a big difference and get me going
lookin for a new day
I'm hoping for things to get better
yesterday wasn't shit and today looks the same
Things have been tough lately and don't seem to be improving
everyones got a boat but the shit won't float
Everyone seems to be struggling, even those who seem to have it all
when that city goes broke everyones unpaid
When the system fails, everyone suffers
and the people need aid
People need help and support in difficult times
citizenry so desporate even athiests pray
When things get really tough, even those who don't believe in a higher power may turn to spirituality
people doin it for self never mind brothers help
People are so focused on themselves that they forget about helping others
that empire crumbles you'll be lookin for a, blade
When everything falls apart, people may turn on each other in desperation
cause the guns are all taken
In desperate times, even weapons become scarce
what you thought was you wealth just turns into paper
Things that we think are valuable can become worthless in difficult times
hatin every other person that you see
People may become resentful of others when they feel they have nothing
cause they got a loaf of bread
People may become jealous of those who have anything at all
and you want somethin to eat
People's basic needs become more pressing when times are tough
you want somethin to be
People want to have purpose and meaning in life
and you want somethin to do
People want to feel productive and useful
but when nobody is talkin nobody can tell the truth, I'm gone
In times of hardship, it can be hard to speak openly and honestly
I stay cold like freeon
I'm trying to stay tough in difficult times
king of the castle
I'm in a position of power and control
no lasso, no peeon
I don't need any help from others to succeed
thats why I like to keep my eyes closed
I prefer to ignore the negative aspects of reality
cause I'm tryin to help these words get a life and keep goin
I want my words to inspire and encourage others despite the difficulties we face
I spit the true story
I tell things like they really are
we came for glory
We strive for greatness and success
we came for more than what a bucket can hold
We want more than just basic necessities
we tryin ta feed a village while avoidin the pillage
We want to help others while avoiding those who might try to take what we have
but I heard it's kinda tough when those suckers are low
It can be hard to help others when everyone is struggling
ya see they got this fire
They have a fierce determination and will to survive
they use this fire
They channel their energy and focus towards survival
ta keep us blind to our thoughts, our desires
Their struggles can make us forget about our own wants and needs
on a higher plain yea we tame these liars
We aim to rise above these difficult circumstances and overcome the lies we're told
we got our water, motherfuck your fire
We have everything we need to survive, while they are left with nothing
we keep on bangin
Despite the struggles, we keep fighting
those bells keep rangin
Despite the noise and chaos, we keep fighting
people could go home but na they're stayin
People are in this together and won't abandon each other
the clock keeps ringin and the time keeps changin
Time moves on regardless of our struggles
smiles everywhere you wouldn't think that it was rainin
Despite the struggles, there are still moments of happiness and hope
fuck that sunlight
I'm tired of the positivity and optimism
look at this gunfight
This is the reality we're facing
who's a flash blast
This situation is overwhelming and intense
fireworks looks fun right
Even in the midst of chaos, there can be moments of beauty
4th of July
This is supposed to be a celebration but it doesn't feel like it
we gettin high
We're trying to escape reality with drugs and alcohol
we dig those graves
We're setting ourselves up for failure
looks like we took for granted all the good old days
We didn't appreciate what we had until it was gone
and I'm gone
I'm tired of this struggle and ready for a change
a light so bright it'll shine for the eon
I hope my legacy will last for a long time
and thats why I keep my eyes closed
I prefer to focus on my dreams and aspirations rather than reality
cause that shit'll scorch my retina if I try ta keep em open
If I focus on reality too much, it will hurt me
One of those times you can't keep your voice from shakin
Sometimes we get emotional and vulnerable
Inflection breaks pace and you can't be fakin
Our emotions can't be hidden
you wish you were, overanalyzing things that you did before
You wish you could go back and change things
back when makin a mistake was just his or hers
Back when mistakes only affected one person
it didn't matter, fuzzy math, chalk it up to dumb youth
Mistakes seemed inconsequential when we were young
the fact that your ass was in college
The fact that you were trying to better yourself didn't prevent mistakes
any major fuckups that happen
Any serious mistakes that occurred
line em up in a column title that shit knowledge
We can learn from our mistakes
It's like a free pass
Mistakes can sometimes be forgiven
the best endorsement to force kids into gettin A's on reports
The idea that mistakes can be valuable may be used to pressure children to succeed in school
it's an invite to lala land
This idea can lead to unrealistic expectations and feelings of privilege
where the grass is greener then Jim Cricket on an HD screen
This idea leads people to believe in unattainable fantasies
like when Ready to Die was remastered
This is like trying to improve something that was already great
sure it sounds good but the '94 version was the classic
Sometimes we shouldn't try to improve things that were already great
I can't go back and neither can you
We can't change the past
so just deal with it, heal quick, and head the truth
We have to accept our mistakes and move on
the truth is the proof
The truth is all we have
I aint up in the Jello
I'm not delusional or misguided
it's when the drama builds up with the strings of the cello
Reality can be overwhelming and dramatic
and regret takes a backseat to wakin up fresh
Instead of dwelling on the past, we should focus on the present
open up the blinds lookin at the sun and sayin hello
We should embrace the beauty and positivity of life
and maybe that sounds cliche, ha
This may sound trite or overused
but maybe cliches ok
Sometimes cliches can be helpful or true
cause lately we been searchin for a reason
We've been trying to find purpose in this difficult time
and even tho we can't see or touch it
Even if we can't physically experience something
I can hear it and it's breathin
We can still feel a sense of hope and positivity
Contributed by Aaliyah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Muhammed
I just broke the nest
And I just shit on the mold
And I can't wait to be old
And have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
But in the mean time
I'm a owe cause I need mine
Oats get felt till I'm old like Greenspan
And that motherfuckers old
I hope I make a debt for all
I probly won't
Wheat bread, oj, I'm feelin that Old Bay
Just a sprinkle on my eggs then I'm on my way, way
Lookin for a new day
Yesterday wasn't shit and today looks the same
Everyones got a boat but the shit won't float
When that city goes broke everyones unpaid
And the people need aid
Citizenry so desporate even athiests pray
People doin it for self never mind brothers help
That empire crumbles you'll be lookin for a, blade
Cause the guns are all taken
What you thought was you wealth just turns into paper
Hatin every other person that you see
Cause they got a loaf of bread
And you want somethin to eat
You want somethin to be
And you want somethin to do
But when nobody is talkin nobody can tell the truth, I'm gone
I just broke the nest
And I just shit on the mold
And I can't wait to be old
And have no regrets, and rebuild that nest
But in the mean time
I stay cold like freeon
King of the castle
No lasso, no peeon
Thats why I like to keep my eyes closed
Cause I'm tryin to help these words get a life and keep goin
I spit the true story
We came for glory
We came for more than what a bucket can hold
We tryin ta feed a village while avoidin the pillage
But I heard it's kinda tough when those suckers are low
Ya see they got this fire
They use this fire
Ta keep us blind to our thoughts, our desires
On a higher plain yea we tame these liars
We got our water, motherfuck your fire
We keep on bangin
Those bells keep rangin
People could go home but na they're stayin
The clock keeps ringin and the time keeps changin
Smiles everywhere you wouldn't think that it was rainin
Fuck that sunlight
Look at this gunfight
Who's a flash blast
Fireworks looks fun right
4th of July
We gettin high
We dig those graves
Looks like we took for granted all the good old days
And I'm gone
Adam Roblett
"I can't wait to be old and have no regrets and rebuild that nest" So sad... Rest in peace, e-Dubble, the one and only
That Random Guy
Adam Roblety "I hope I make it that far I probably won't"
Jay WBell
Adam Roblety the only man that wanted to grow old dies so young ironic right?
Black Paisley Records
Always will be one of your best
PLK
:/
Ostrava
@SignedCargo259 Rest In Peace e dub
SignedCargo259
rip evan... im crying man...
Yahya Mizel
I swear, his rap has so much true meaning.
Mixu
Can't help but get chills every time I re-listen to his albums. Speechless.
SignedCargo259
same