I Heart My Polo Lifestyle

Common – “Testify” (88-Keys Hand On The Bible Remix)

88-Keys — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:46:15 +0000

Okay, I’m going to make this one brief (yeah… as IF) because I’m about 20 minutes from getting kicked out of my hotel here in Oklahoma City, OK. Gotta love the extended check-outs. *snooze*

Anyway, I’m supposed to be in the studio with the G.O.A.T. Bilal back in New York mixing, with the legendary Bob Powers, my record for his upcoming album BUT I’m out on the road pal’ing it around with Kidz In The Hall, Izza Kizza & Donnis on this little dope-*ss hip hop tour called The Crowd Control Tour. So here was my dilemma: I’m over here in OKC while my beat files are back in NYC (Harlem World). I had to call the Mrs. to help find the files which proved to be unsuccessful; she’s actually done it for me before but this time, no dice. I had to call in the big guns for this job: My boy Supastar Dave Dar (engineer extrodinaire of Talib Kweli fame). So, again to cut to the chase & wrap this up because I’m down to a few minutes now, we spent about 2 hours on the phone searching thru the hard drives of my Roland VS-2480. – Look ma… no ProTools! He didn’t find it, however he came across this lil’ gem that I totally forgot about. It’s a remix I submitted to Common a few years ago.

We're Super Heroes

I hit up Kanye & asked him if he had the a cappella files for this (which wasn’t out at the time). He gave me the files without hesitation. I turned over this remix rather fast but never finished it because I couldn’t come up with a hook for it. I played it for Kanye & he liked this a lot. So much, in fact, that he was going to reach out to Brandy to lay a hook down on this. Unfortunately, for me, Common didn’t feel this half as much as ‘ye did. So I got the word back from Common & Derek (his management) while they were in Japan that they were going to pass on it. It’s cool though. They are all still my brothers. No love lost. I only hated him for like 5 minutes. *ha* I keeed. I keeed.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy & download the crap out of this & pass it along to all of your buddies. I don’t have the time to really dress this post up how I normally do but hey, I could always go back n’ edit when I’m at my next ‘telly.

‘Til then my friends… Peace!

*Note: PLEASE COME CHECK ME, KIDZ IN THE HALL, DONNIS & IZZA KIZZA OUT ON THIS CROWD CONTROL TOUR. DATES & TICKETS CAN BE FOUND/PURCHASED HERE: The Crowd Control Tour. I’m actually doing a prize giveaway to the first 88 people in each city who purchases their tickets before the show. Just email me here with your proof of purchase (receipt): Email 88-Keys.

Shouts:

My Southside Bros. Kanye & Common thanks for the opportunity G.O.O.D. brothers.
Kidz In The Hall: Double-0 The Co-Pilot… Quit tweetin’ whilst you drive. You’re tweetin’ got me tweakin’. Just kiddin’… but for REAL though… *ha*
Kidz In The Hall: Naledge I do not challenge you to a push-up competition at high noon today. Oh wait… It’s way past noon & we’re way past check-out time.
Donnis

you snapped when you told homeboy what the “D” on your fitted was for. *Note to all: Donnis is uncheckable!

Izza Kizza man… You gon’ just let Choc thow your mic around like that son? *BEEF*
Hot Sauce thanks for holdin’ us down on the road… & merch table… &…”
Choc Mic you’ve earned the title of Key Master of Disaster. More on that later people.
My DJ Drastic… of LI, NY. Dude… What’s good with your Lunchables?

West Hempstead H.S. Beats (1990s)

88-Keys — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:32:24 +0000

Beats By Bogie (Pre 88-Keys Era)

Back when I was teenage I had my (then makeshift) “studio” set up in the basement of my parents’ house. I called it Port Authority Studios only because I liked the way that looked & sounded. I started buying equipment such as a Fostex 4-track cassette recorder, a 16-channel Mackie mixing board, Technic turntable, etc. after I was GIVEN the Akai MPC 3000, which I’ve named “Raw Dawg” (I borrowed that sir name from the living legend Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest), by dear ol’ friend Prince Be of P.M. Dawn.

Since day one, I got on my beat game heavy. Not saying I was making “club bangers” straight out the gate (far from it actually) but remember that Kanye line from “Spaceships” I’ve quoted in my previous blog post: “5 beats a day…”? Well that, my friends, was indeed me. I used to average about 5 beats a day back then.

To my recollection, I’d say the ratio was broken down pretty much like this: 5 beats per day = 1 solid beat, 2 decent beats & 2 weak-*ss beats.

Now I didn’t have a ton of placements back in the day, actually none at all during the early to mid ’90s, but my beats back then took me a long way & was the start of my (un)professional career. It eventually landed me in the studio with The Artifacts, Shawn J-Period, Hard 2 Obtain, KMD, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, meeting D’Angelo, Mos Def, Da Beatminerz, Erykah Badu amongst countless of others both known & not so known (like myself *sigh*).

These Helped Make Me Money

Well, it just hit me the other day, when I glanced over at a pile of 3.5″ floppy diskettes (so girly) that I have all of these beats just lying around literally collecting dust. So I figured, “Hey, I might as well put these out for sh*ts n’ giggles.” I’m hoping people wouldn’t be foolish enough to think these are the kinds of beats I currently make or would think that I consider these beats dope by any means. It’s just me opening my time capsule here in your presence.

Most, if not all, of these beats I haven’t heard since I was a teenager. A lot of DISKS wouldn’t even load up… Even after I tried the “Nintendo fix”. I’ll have to say that some of the samples I chose were pretty fresh though; I still have all of the records I’ve owned since I started collecting around 14 years of age so I plan on revisiting some of these records (if I could locate the actual songs) & re-approach with my current ears.

So friends, enjoy a good laugh & hear what I’ve been holding onto these past 15+ years. I will try & add to these every 2 weeks or so. Keep checking back in with me or, to make life that much easier for you (you lazy bums you), just click here on: Follow 88-Keys On SoundCloud.

Peace!

Shouts:

Prince Be for moving way faster than your attorney was & literally changing my life with your gracious gift: “Raw Dawg” (The second half of that entire sentence deserves a *pause*).
Krista, thanks for taking these flicks & yes… I will now clean our master bathroom as per our agreement. (How do I get myself INTO these messes?!?!??) *slaps forehead*
Philip & Regina Njapa. Thanks mom & dad for putting up the “boom-boom-boom” for as many years as you had. I love you both. Also, I will be stopping by soon with Kris’ & the girls. I’ll use picking up some more of my ‘diskettes’ as an excuse to come by. (As if I need an excuse to visit my folks.)
Nat Sabio my old best friend who used to come thru almost everyday while I made beats. We would just bullsh*t around but you kind of became my driving force/”A&R” rep’. Miss you dude. Stop ice froggin’ (as Consequence would have said) & come thru to vibe out on some new sh*t with me!!! Just like old times dude. Hey, we could even talk about cats around the way or go on ‘missions’ with Dez & ‘Touch if you want… The Four Horsemen.
West Hempstead, Long Island, NY… I love you. Always! Exit 18 STAND UP!

Raaaaaaaandy & Dave Sitek – “Aaaaaaaangry”

88-Keys — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:13:06 +0000

My manager/best-friend Daniel just put me onto this post Kanye made on his blog. This is hilarious. I actually met Aziz, along with the very pleasant (in real life) Rashida Jones *stunt* in CA at a gathering ‘ye had at The W Hotel one night. Cool dude & we’ve kept in touch from time to time. I actually had to remind both him & Kanye about a joke Aziz told in one of his early stand-up routines that I heard about 6 years ago. Man… Time sure does fly.

So, back in ‘04, Aziz made fun of a line Kanye spit on “Spaceships”. “…5 beats a day for 3 Summers…” Aziz flipped it. It was funny as Hell & I told ‘ye about it. (Yeah… Call that ‘dry snitching’. So what?) So I was saying to ‘ye, “Yo, this skinny lil’ Indian dude with a high-pitched voice just snapped on you kiiid; we need to gat that foo’!” Nah, I was actually trying to show ‘ye he’s becoming that popular when people start to work him into a stand-up routine. He’s becoming more relevant. Again, this was about 6 years ago.

Needless to say, ‘ye didn’t remember me telling him about Aziz back then. Maybe because I couldn’t remember his name. Either way, enjoy/download this ’song’ & spread it around like butter on toast. Download Raaaaaaaandy (a.k.a. Aziz) & Dave Sitek’s mixtape when it drops. Peace!

Shouts:

Aziz always entertaining (as usual). By the way, I just texted you from my new number. Hit me back before I “gat you foo’!”
Daniel… QUITE relevant. *sheesh*
Kanye2Tha oh you’re working with Bugle Boy now? Next you have to do some designer polos for Ocean Pacific. Bring them back into the game.

88-Keys – “Wake Up Call” ft. Colin Munroe

88-Keys — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:10:10 +0000

What’s up friends? I hope you’re ready to SEIZE THE DAY like I am every waking moment of my life… unless I feel like being totally lazy (usually on Sundays). Well, here’s a song I made with my good friend Colin Munroe to help wake you up a bit. I hope this song proves more effective than your mocha latte at Starbuck’s… & it’s cheaper too & will last longer (think about it).

I originally made this song for EA Sports’ NBA Live 10 video game. The song was placed within the game but not included in the official soundtrack due to contractual issues.

I’ve taken the liberty to include the lyrics so you could truly feel where I was coming from with my whole carpe diem steez. I hope this helps you get thru the hustle n’ bus of your day. Play this song then play “Grindin’” by The Clipse & you should be able to conquer all. *hi5*

(Click On Player Below To Play &/or Download Song)

88-Keys:

I had to take plan b
Out my program
Soon as I found out
That time waits for no man

‘Cause time
Is a tedious tutor
I had to make immediate future look better
Like I’m getting a slow tan

And I brown nicer than brown rice
This not gonna sound nice
But you gotta make it
Part of your slogan

“Screw everybody”
Who said you can’t get this
Treat ‘em like Todd Bridges
And you’re Gary Coleman

Like “What’chu talkin’ ’bout Willis?”
You’re still pissed?
‘Cause my future is magnetic
I clutch it with steel fists

Apply it to your skin
Like make up y’all
It’s 8 o’clock
And here’s your “Wake Up Call”… Now let’s go!

Colin Munroe:

Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Will it be)
Nothing or all (You gotta)
You gotta
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Your “Wake Up Call”)
If you don’t wake up then you’ll fall

88-Keys:

When I was younger I used to wonder
What made my belly roll
I ate a jelly roll
But I knew it wasn’t hunger

It was the thunder
Built inside of me
I turned into a scavenger
And stepped to the challengers

They couldn’t even
Step in my path
I’m defying the odds
I wouldn’t get wet in a bath

That’s what you call determination
My eyes set on the goal
Everything else
Faces early termination

And I don’t give a damn
About contracts
I’ll go toe-to-toe with my foe
That’s my stance up in combat

You gotta stay focused
Get your cake up y’all
7 o’clock
And here’s your “Wake Up Call” now let’s go!

Colin Munroe:

88-Keys:

I hope you know
Since time is ticking
I’m gonna call you out
Like bock bock chicken

Or call you out your crib
Like a knock, knock joke
When you answer, “who’s there?”
I’ll be a lot less forgiving

You gotta be driven
Like car seats
Stay focused – Get your work done
Won’t have to wait ’til the stars meet’

Don’t base it off of
Luck or destiny
I’m Tony Robbins- Motivate your ass
like celebrity

Diet
Recipes – Try it
Man i’ll tell ya
You’re a blimp if you’re thinking of failure

There’s not enough room
If you assume you’re going to take up all
It’s 6 o’clock
Your final “Wake Up Call”… Now let’s go!

Colin Munroe:

If you don’t wake up
Then you’ll fall
Your “Wake Up Call”
Your “Wake Up Call”

88-Keys:

Don’t you know time waits for no man?

Shouts:

Colin Munroe for turning in this chorus, in the middle of the night, in less than 40 minutes & helping to make this song sound way bigger than it was. Thanks brother from another other’s mother.
Wentz, your keyboard work is flawless. Word!
Irko, the reason why the drums pound & the synths sound like you’re at a stadium. Thanks for yet ANOTHER fine mix homeboy
Yoram Benz killin’ ‘em (again) with the artwork. Thanks big kahuna. Did I spell that correctly?

Land of Talk – “It’s Okay”

88-Keys — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:14:31 +0000

I haven’t told any of you how much I LOVE Land of Talk have I? No? Well… More on that soon. I promise. However, if you’d like to get the jump on how illmatic they are, just click on the album artwork for their last full length LP (Some Are Lakes) below & get your iTunesin’ on. I can’t stress enough the importance of showing your support for dope artists. You’ll wind up appreciating the music even more when you know you’ve helped make them a success & a household name. You will not be disappointed… Trust!

(Click On Album Above If You Want To Own Some Fresh Sh*t)

Here is their latest video for a song called “It’s Okay” which can be found on Some Are Lakes. I must say, they’ve definitely stepped their music video game up with this one. Very artsy without it being fartsy. *kudos*

Oh & by the way, this video is now available for free… Oh excuse me, I meant for free on iTunes right now for a limited time only. Get yours while the getting is good.

Aaand… GO! *shoots starter pistol* (Startles wife.) Sorry babe.

Shouts:

Will “will.i.meem” Abramson. Thanks for helping to make my dreams come true; First is was The Morning Benders then Land of Talk. Dude… You ROCK!
Elizabeth Powell. Thanks for being one of the coolest people I’ve met whom I’ve admired so. It was like 3 o’clock in the morning when we parted ways right? Remember that dude who would NOT leave you (us) alone? Can you blame him though? You & your band mates brought the house down. Oh & thanks for that special dedication of “Summer Special“. When you shouted me out on stage, that made my night complete. And to think… you all were JUST… GETTING… STARTED! *wooo-tang*
Joe Yarmush & Andrew Barr (of Land of Talk). Great meeting you guys. Wish we all could’ve hung out a bit more.

88-Keys x Chop Suey: Beat Conductor Series

88-Keys — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:03:27 +0000

While out in Santa Monica, CA doing some work at The Red Bull Studio (very fly by the way), my long time friend Naim Ali (one of the head A&R reps at Warner Bros.) brought his guy Kristian Hill over from KPLTV to do a little filming. Again, like I’ve previously stated in previous blog posts (was that redundant of me to say… TWICE?) *ha* I usually don’t like ‘beat makers/producers behind-the-boards’ videos (even with me in them) but I like the way Kristian edited this & made it look more fun than serious because that’s what this is for me: “fun” (on top of being my livelihood). So I hope you all enjoy the tunes. Peace!

Post Script: I have the extra footage with my Jean Carn chop… SUEY! The beat was mean.

Shouts:

Naim Ali for bringing homeboy thru. Let’s get that work in. I’m just about ready. Blu… Let’s go!
Kristian Hill. Thanks for your interest & good editing skill. You make me feel like a ’super producer’… Although I’m not. *sad face here* ____
J*DaVeY. Thanks for stopping by the session. It was good seeing you two again. Music (as always) sounds NUTSO FACTO! LOVE y’all.

My Daughter’s Got Style

88-Keys — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:19:08 +0000

So my wife just recently found out about a blog/website called Planet Awesome Kid dedicated to displaying children with great fashion sense… In other words “cool kids”. So my wife thought it would be fun to submit our 3 year old daughter’s photo.

(Click On Tutu Above To View Another Photo)

Needless to say she made the cut thus proving what I’ve been saying since 1992:

“You can’t go wrong with Ralph!”

By the way, Planet Awesome Kid is hooked up with Global Action For Children, an amazing charity in which Angelina Jolie is the honorary chair. Take a peek at their website to learn more & see how you could be a part of the movement. They also have a huge charity/benefit kids party coming up on March 20th at Milk Studios¹. It’s invite only and 100% of the proceeds are going towards Global Action For Children. It’ll be a fashion-heavy event. Check it out.

Notes:

I wonder if cookies will be served. *wokka, wokka, WOKKA*

Shouts:

Krista for finding out & submitting our little girl’s picture. Oh yeah & for TAKING THE PHOTO you Momtographer you.
Sherlen Archibald for putting Krista up on game. Oh & for HELPING TO MAKE ME POPULAR!
Chloë Yoshe (The ‘Model’) & her penchant for ballerina tutus & (combat) boots.
Julia Samersova Adler for having a really cool site & turning our little offsprings to marketable fashionistas. (Did I say “marketable”? I swear I’m not a ’stage mom’).

Post Script: Luca… You’re next!

88-Keys – “Baggage Claim”

88-Keys — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:02:04 +0000

88-Keys:

Uh, yeah! My name is 88-Keys & that’s the name you’ll see on the manifest on Oceanic Flight 815. We’ve been Lost for a few weeks now. I don’t think anybody’s coming for us. Man… I remember this like it was yesterday; When I lost my bag on day one.

1st Verse:

I woke up from a concussion
With sand on my feet
No futher discussion
I’m a son of a beach

Where’s my briefcase?
It was in reach
I gotta drill these people
Just like a prez before he gets impeached

Let me go straight to the liar & pack rat
Scratch that
Take it to the man
With the desire for that hatch

Locke – Don’t give me that
Philosophical crap
I know is gonna spew
From you esophagus track

Just tell me where my box is
Before I let everybody know
You couldn’t use your limbs
Where your sock is

Save it!
I’ll just ask Sawyer
Now let’s face it
He’ll say he didn’t take it

So now I gotta go to Kate
To sweet talk Sawyer
Just to get my briefcase
For a kiss like cheap dates

Sawyer doesn’t have it
Nobody said they grabbed it
Now they’re all acting like
I’m chasing down a white rabbit like Jack did

Chorus:

My bag got lost
So now I’m looking for it
My bag wasn’t found
I got tooken for it – Lost
Have you see it
Anywhere around here? – Lost
Tell me if you see it
When the ground clears

I’m not taking orders from Jack
Like I’m his soldier
I don’t trust Katie
As far as my arms could throw her
Expect the unexpected
When they do drop bombs so
YouMightWantToConsiderHikingBoots.com

2nd Verse:

Gotta investigate this matter further
This madam that I never heard of
Using words
So absurd to

Me & everybody else
Except for Shannon
Distress calls
Who got balls like cannon?

To tell me where my briefcase is
How ’bout you Michael?
You know us brothers gotta
Stick together

I tried to play the race card
But my plan faultered
The only one he’s cares about
His lil’ man Walter

That’s the kid
Who could
Make reality
Alter

I ain’t messing with him
So I slid
Back to Shannon
Just to see if I could find Sayid

And he’s over there
Talking to Boone
Let me see if I could get closer
And get the scoop like a spoon

I heard him say,
“Stay the Hell away from my sister!”
Mr. Overprotective brother
Not only does he lover her but he used to kiss her… Under the covers

Chorus:

My bag got lost
So now I’m looking for it
My bag wasn’t found
I got tooken for it – Lost
Have you see it
Anywhere around here? – Lost
Tell me if you see it
When the ground clears

I’m not taking orders from Jack
Like I’m his soldier
I don’t trust Katie
As far as my arms could throw her
Expect the unexpected
When they do drop bombs so
YouMightWantToConsiderHikingBoots.com

3rd Verse:

Now I searched all over the island
For my stuff
Man it’s rough
When these dead bodies are piled in

There’s only so much
That Jack can do
With polar bears running through the forrest
Attacking you

Now let’s not forget Claire
She needs the prenatal
Care – Make the wrong move
And Charlie makes it fatal?

I’m not really here for friends
Just my bag
I don’t care about you, your drugs
Or Drive Shaft

Now why did Sun laugh
If she only speaks Korean?
There’s something she ain’t telling
There’s something Jin ain’t seeing

She making ginseng
Just to poison human beings
And everybody on the cave & beach
Disagreeing

I should’ve asked Hurley
Early
‘Cause he took a head count
He knows everybody on the island

I described my baggage
He said he knows who had it
Now we gotta figure out
Why Ethan’s name wasn’t added to the manifest

Chorus:

My bag got lost
So now I’m looking for it
My bag wasn’t found
I got tooken for it – Lost
Have you see it
Anywhere around here? – Lost
Tell me if you see it
When the ground clears

I’m not taking orders from Jack
Like I’m his soldier
I don’t trust Katie
As far as my arms could throw her
Expect the unexpected
When they do drop bombs so
YouMightWantToConsiderHikingBoots.com

Shouts:

Needlz – for producing this crazy beat. The beats he gave to me to get this song done are C-R-A-Z-Y!!! If I was a grimy dude, I’d probably put out another 88-Keys album… Entirely produced by Needlz (whether he’d like it or not). (Don’t laugh! You’d be surprised how often that happens with songs). *smh*

Irko (The Audio Nutrionist) – for blessing me, once again, with an awesome mix. He knocked this out in the matter of minutes practically. Needlz’ tracks are heavily layered so you could just imagine what Irko had to go thru to get this sounding proper. (“What’cha say Hammer? Proper!” – Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest -)

The Apple of My Eye.

88-Keys — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:39:24 +0000

This is my wife, not to be confused with the widely used term “wifey” (I actually put a rock on her finger a few years ago.) She’s the inspiration to a lot of work & effort I put into each sample I come across, each rhyme I try to outdo myself on & each snare n’ kick chop in my musical productions. I’m making this post because I just love looking at her.

Behind The Scenes With ½ of The Momtographers.

Okay that’s all. Carry on people!

Oh & I’d like to dedicate this song to my wife. This pretty much sums it all up:

Common – The Light (J. Dilla Remix) ft. Erykah Badu

Shouts:

Krista. Again, the answer to the question you just emailed me: “Hells to the muthaf*ckin’ yeah shawty!”
Adrienne Gray thanks for building a ton of awesome ideas & opportunities with my wife. Let’s see how you both spend your first million. (This should be… interesting.)

Post Script: The storyline in The Death of Adam has absolutely nothing to do with my wife so don’t go trying to ‘read between the lines’. Although I’m sure she (as well as myself & countless of others [you] could still manage to somehow relate in one way or another).

Skin & Bones – “Lemonade” Ft. 88-Keys, Chris Chu & Bernie Worrell

88-Keys — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:04:51 +0000

Remember back when I mentioned that I met this really dope alt-rock group who I loved & was going to work with them shortly after we met? I believe I had to recant that & correct my post; I was actually going to be featured alongside the lead singer/songwriter of that group (Christopher Chu of The Morning Benders) on a project produced by 2 of the funniest, craziest & most talented producers to step into the game right now. I’ve only had email & Twitter correspondences with these guys & I already know they’re live as Hell… Oh & crazy. Come to think of it, I believe we all been on video iChat with each other once or twice.

told You These Dudes Were Crazy." title="skin & bones" width="300" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-2746" />

I told You These Dudes Were Crazy.

Charlie “Skin” Duff & Paavo “Bones” Steinkamp make up this production duo known as Skin & Bones. With this song in particular, they came up with a track that I found “oddly” familiar. It was the ‘feel’ of the track which brought feelings of nostalgia to me. They brought back that R&B sound from the earlier ’90s which I hadn’t heard since the early ’90s. You remember when groups like Sky, Hi-Five & H-Town were out? Those male R&B groups who all dressed alike then you’d get mad at your girlfriend because she had cut out the photos of that one light-skinned/curly headed singer from the group from her Black Beat, Ebony & Jet magazines & hung them up all over her wall? The Elgin Lumpkin lookin’-*ss-n*ggas. Uh… Yeah… THAT sound. I have to be honest here as I was a bit ‘thrown off’ by the track initially. I was like, “Man… This sounds like some ol’ 1990s sh*t that I wouldn’t listen to UNLESS I was at a house party trying to rub up on something.” All of course before the reggae came on which was then my right of passage to fully dry hump a girl. C’mon now, don’t act like I was the only one doing this back then. Some of you STILL do this; probably fake-freaked off last weekend.

Needless to say, initially, I was a bit aprehensive on making up a rap for this beat. It wasn’t until I played this beat for my manager where he took one listen & loved the beat. I was like, “Really?!?? But this sounds like some ’90s R&B joint.” It turned out that was exactly why he liked the track: Because it sounds very authentic. Once he pointed that out, I heard & felt exactly what he meant. I wound up liking this track a lot… Then I went “in” on it. Please forgive me for having to catch up to speed to where you (Skin & Bones) were with the production. This song is dope!

Fun Fact:

I actually perform this song during my set. You’d have to come to one of my shows to see how it all goes down though. It’s always a crowd pleaser. Trust!

Wait ’til you heard this song though. I did my thing; Chris & Bernie definitely kill it as well as only they could. This song is a bit of an unexpected mix of talent but we come together perfectly to form VOLTRON. You guys are going to have to cop the song to get the full listen. iTunes baby!

(Click On Cover Art Above To Listen & Show Your Support… You Cheapskates!)

88-Keys:

No pretending
We’re not for games
Our love’s in a crisis
Like the stock exchange¹

We got a lot to gain
With this love
So you shouldn’t dismiss
Like pocket change

To a millionaire²
So let’s get this clear
Like the grade
On a rock with names³

I got fame
But it’s not the same
As having you in my corner
Like time out⁴

And when you’re
Off punishment
I guess
You’re not loving it

Now I gotta backtrack
To where we went wrong
When it felt so right
We were velcro tight

I was with a 10
But I didn’t have the heart
Or the smarts
So I guess this Tin Man played the part

The Scarecrow⁵ type
And there’s no nights
When I’m not thinking of you
I really want to love you

Let’s not focus
On what I can’t do
Let’s focus
On romance & candles

I want to love you
Like you love “it”
With no replicas
Or duplicates

I put the emphasis
On the wrong syllable⁶
Because I’m liable
To look you up & then slob you

Down
Unless you want to be a tease
Or you want to stay low key
By saying, “No ‘Keys” n’

Maybe I should
Book us a suite at The Seasons⁷
For reasons
You & I both believe in

Chorus:

88-Keys:

Now tell me is this love or what

Girl I think we’re there
If my words ain’t enough
And this ring is too much
Then we could pinky swear

And we’ll it at that
No applied pressure
No extreme measures
Just notes inside dressers

When you get up in the morning
To get dressed – You get blessed
With a little note
Then you get fresh⁸… Yep!

You start blushing
Turning red like the Russian flag
Then you start huffin’
Like your head’s in a duffle bag

And now you went
And got your body tense
I feel you
Like Spidey sense – Tingle⁹

Like Heidi/Spence’
Let’s act like we ain’t single¹⁰
And do this love thing
Like we’ve been vibin’ since

The days of our youth
When I was in the Bronx
You gotta love it
Like Ashley Wentz¹¹

You weren’t around
Like absent kids who faked having the flu
When I was dying
From abstinence

Now it’s time for us
To catch up on old times
Until we’re old timers
Dealing with Alzheimer’s

I want to love you
Like you love all diamonds¹²
Unless there’s conflict
Like Paula called Simon¹³ out

You know what I’m
Rhyming ’bout
You’re my American Idol
Other’s bombing out

Now here’s your golden ticket¹⁴
To come over & kick it
Now you’re finding out
I’m nice n’ signing out – Peace!

Notes:

If you don’t know that our country is going through economically tough times (to say the very least)… then you must be in the RIGHT country. Trade places? Never!
Millionaires do not carry pocket change (or so I was told). I think they’re allergic.
Diamonds anyone?
Unless you have children of your own or watch Super Nanny, this reference wouldn’t make any sense to the you. Now I place YOU on ‘time out’… Now GO to the corner & think about my clever line!
Think: Wizard of Oz.
A classic line said by Mike Meyers in the movie .
The Four Seasons Hotel. That one was for the etremely slow.
She’s finding out that “There’s Pleasure In It“… On her own. *blush* Egads!
Spider Man would get a tingling feeling whenever something dangerous was about to pop off. His catch phrase was, “My spider senses are tingling.” Spidey was a nickname some of his archenemies referred to him by.
There was a lot of media speculation as to whether Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag were in really in love with each other or if they were rather in love with ‘the camera’. They eventually got married (for real). Egg on the media’s face.
Ashley Simpson, who married Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, gave birth to their son: Bronx Mowgli Wentz. Gotta love it like a mother’s love for her child right? *booyah* This line makes WAY more sense to you now doesn’t it?
Because “diamonds are a girl’s b.f.f.”
Conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone.
Think: American Idol
Again… Think: American Idol

Shouts:

Skin & Bones for considering me for this incredibly produced song & project. You guys are a pair wild onions for real.
Patrick Brown for expediting the check & keeping those on Twitter updated with my goings ons.
Chris Chu for being dope as Hell. The hip hop community really need to check for you & I plan on doing all that I can to make that happen.
Bernie Worrell for providing the extra funkiness to this batch of “Lemonade”.

Post Script: By the way, this is Bernie Worrell from PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC! Heard of that group? I’ll make another blog post on that living legend soon. Stay tuned mi gente. Peace!