I met fellow NY artist Corey (Shavaar) while I was going to school in Oswego in Upstate NY in 2010/2011. He's a really talented guy and we planned on collaborating. I wrote and recorded this verse for him over a fantastic beat by a producer whose name I've forgotten (my apologies!) for a project that unfortunately never came to fruition. At the time I was playing with my band "AllOne & The Room" at a lot of eclectic shows. I was really feeling empowered by connecting with people even as it was clear how left field what we were doing was. I was stupefied (and often still am) by rappers who just slip into a persona and start rapping about whatever is popular, costumed in the acceptable current fads and all. While the fads are no longer relevant years later, that may only prove my point further: "authenticity endures". I feel that my general statements still hold true and I still hold by them. Although, you MIGHT need to network to get heard. If I've learned anything since writing this naively, optimistically writing this verse, it's that the music business is more about business guile than talent or sincerity (although the latter two help!).
lyrics
These daft kids act
like they've got a chance in rap
making classic tracks
cause they fit in with the fashion fads,
(flat brim cap with the snaps in back,
make it match exact with that
plaid, and kicks that have to
laughably have them straps!)
Well, I'm not a black skinned man,
on stage mic clasped in hands
with a band in back, a Chaplin hat,
Lorax mustache and dapper thrift slacks.
and the fact is that I'm never shunned,
cause never once has sincerity cracked, intact,
as my integrity's fastened fast,
and never does my passion lack,
I keep em all entranced and glad!
It's not about the stacks of cash,
or crack you stash, or gatts you clap
or images that you have to craft,
it's about images that you craft on pads!
You don't need to “network” to get heard,
fan's will spread word if you interns would just
reach out to them in verses, by doing the inverse,
they'll enhance your reach in turn.
See, people need artists today to render a picture
of this hurt, they can't articulate in words.
If you want listeners to keep in touch,
touch their hurt they keep in,
and to achieve this you need to reach inwards within first!
credits
from Whole > Sum Parts,
released March 26, 2019
Lyrics written and performed by Bruce "AllOne" Pandolfo
recorded and mixed by Michael Korb at 6th Street Studios Jan 2013
Left-field rapper, slam poet, singer/songwriter, and author Bruce Pandolfo from Long Island.
Creating to connect. Obsessively exploring and creating art as healing and growing.
Deeply vivid/introspective lyrics populate this ambitious folk rock project. The arrangements span from mellow/minimal to rocking and grandiose. Consistently emotive, unique and sincere. Brilliance. AllOne
Progressive yet punk, aggro yet emotional. One of my favorite bands from Long Island and doing everything they can to live up to their name, raising money for causes and making badass music, AllOne