#mexplains

Most release tracks, but to be honest my approach is to exhibit. My sensibility genuinely has more so always been that of a visual artist, rather than a rapping machine who releases a mix tape every two months. Much respect to those who are that prolific and can keep the quality equally consistent with the volume but that's just not me, never was and never will be. It's partly due to my circumstances and also the intent in my overall artistry.

You see I'm not part of the so called 'industry', any 'scene' be it 'over ground' OR 'underground'. This work is me doing family business pretty much and minding my business; Even those whom I've collaborated with on this music probably don't fully understand that so sometimes my pacing frustrates them because they've always thought I was and am really good and creative when it came to this rap shit so I should put out all what they hear from me as soon as I start to make it, emphasis on start. Their confidence in my capabilities is appreciated but if the song isn't close enough to what I'm hearing in my head…I'll wait until the resources and conditions are available to complete the painting, sorry I mean - song. I commonly confuse the two.  

In These Times was one of the earliest examples of this. The memories do fade with age but I will try my best. The original beat was cooked up by one of my first collaborative producers Kevin aka God Skillz, a local talent I've known since secondary school whose lab was somewhat of a hub in the neighbourhood where among general bonds of various friendships and hustler ties being established the odd hip hop song would be crafted. We weren't amazingly prolific to be fair but we were trying to do our thing and had aspirations. There were numerous pieces worked on in this period and a couple have seen the light ('Chronolog' and 'Grey Hairs' respectively, featured on my debut EP Elohymns - In the Master Key). As a principle based on being blessed with these beats just on the strength of rating each other's talents, I refused to be cavalier about anything gifted to me. It might as well be the top of the tier giving me productions, I make no distinction. Those considered the best usually are products of great marketing and big budgets. We had (and still don't have) neither yet persisted with the passion to make competing heat. I always appreciated that about who I've personally built with - Kev being one of them.

This track was never going to be a throw away, From the moment I heard it I always saw it as a piece that without being forced had all the components of a timeless song that although the primary incarnation was that of 'rap' it could be reinterpreted in any genre (at least within reason and avoidance of begging it).

Bro. Baines

Intro Chorus

Seems all like a hustle when I watch it

But get it how you live I can't knock it

Just keep your hands out my pocket

I peeped your games Brother Baines

Looks a lot all like a hustle when I clock it

But get it how you live I can't knock it

Just mind you keep your hands out my pocket

Yeah we peeped your games Brother Baines

  V.1

They never cared when I spoke on my square?

Cool, self preservation is the mode

Clear as day games sold as well as told

And if you choose to play win or lose you can't fold

The code of the street is to eat at any cost

Belly level chakra carnal pursuits got us lost

Tribe that only speaks the language oppressors forced upon us

Walking half asleep in the dark claiming we’re conscious

(Woke?)How so? Yapping' all our plans in the public

Lacking all discretion the bwoy dem must love it

Hell or Right Selling fight to the fam with no facilities’

Just a suicide mission of emotive stupidity

And token victories like a month day or road sign's

Merely crumbs on a table I can't sit at to consign

Renaissance time,Yeah I hear some talk of it

But Please judge wise when the source is false prophets...

Cos to be honest...

 Chorus

Seems all like a hustle when I watch it

But get it how you live I can't knock it

Just keep your hands out my pocket

I peeped your games

Brother Baines

 Looks a lot all like a hustle when I clock it

But get it how you live I can't knock it

Just mind you keep your hands out my pocket

Yeah we peeped your games

Brother Baines

V.2

Hiram Abiff Was a young Supreme Mcgriff in the works

Student of Knowledge, Wisdom, Cipher, still doing dirt

Running my demons out/ Learning routes to finding self

Can't move swift if your sagging /Had to tightened my belt

Loop holes got exposed though In some of them equations

Are these buddy systems just frats Posing as a nation?

If all is mental And GOD is the mind

How Women can't claim that / But meant to have our spine?

Theology of time is to know it's waiting for none of us

Debate wasted much of it I stepped off the blunder bus

Paid my fair minus dues on face value

Blind faiths a tool charlatans use to trap you

That's why I wiped the cold out my eye

These thieves move slick using deceit and lies.

Creeps in disguise I sight your bait moves plotted

Can’t stick pins in my head Point? I'm never off it

Cos...

 2nd Chorus/Bridge

 V.3

U.K. Zulus Thanks for not getting back to me

Cah look at wha gwan with Afrikan Bambatty

And certain OG's supporting the travesty?

I got no more idols your dead don't chat to me

Your pro black musings are nil and void

If when you come to the manor you just schmooze with caucasoids

Hard to avoid sighting the flaws in them doctrines

Yet I'm supposed to blindly buy what you’re shotting?

(Nah) I'm kicking over them twenty silver pieces

Of so-called mystics and deviant preachers

Was our own in many cases who betrayed our leaders

Most times Judas is the loudest cheering from the bleachers

Bad karma heaped by leagues of deceivers

With parasitic habits used to steadily bleed us

(We need a revolution!)

Yeah I’m hearing you speak but-

When it gets real

Don't sell us out to the beast cos...

Seems all like a hustle

Outro Chorus

Lyrics Copyright © 2018 Marcus L. Owens /  Jobbs Inspired™ ℗ 2018 Marcus L. Owens exclusively licensed to Monolyph inc

Written by 

Marcus Explains aka M.E. For Jobbs Inspired (PRS)

Produced by Illicit Hekau For Salongo86 Co-Produced By Marcus Explains aka M.E. For Gn Productions/ WAO

Featuring Scratches By DJ Miss Cee Brown for Ones & Twos Productions

Recorded @ 7 Wallace Studios London by Ashley Elba & Illicit Hekau

Mixed & Mastered By Ashley ‘Ashcon’ Bartlett For Ashcon Beats

Additional Vocals/ Harmonies by M.E., Ashley Elba, Shonique Brown & Illicit Hekau

Art Direction & Design: GNM Design Dept.

Overseen by Jermaine ‘Jobbs’ Owens

Bro.Baines Contains elements of “Fruit of Islam” written by T. Blanchard & Published by Joseph Oliver Music (BMI). All Rights reserved. “Bro.Baines” contains elements of “Fruit of Islam” as performed by Terence Blanchard used courtesy of Columbia / Sony. All Rights Reserved ‘Bro.Baines Contains audio from the Motion Picture ‘Malcolm X’ used courtesy of Spike Lee/40 Acres & a Mule & Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved