1. |
THE BIZNESS
03:08
|
|||
(Verse)
I BUST MY ASS TO GET A PLATE AT THE TABLE
BUT THE PRICE OF ADMISSION DOESN’T COME WITH APPRAISALS
I’M NOT HATEFUL, YOU'RE FUCKING UNGRACIOUS
YOU ONLY THINK I’M SICK WHEN IT’S CONTAGIOUS
YOU THINK FAME AND FORTUNE DON’T COME WITH A PRICE?
YOU MAY SAY SOMETHING MEAN, YA SKILLS AIN’T NICE
I’M THE TYPE TO RUN UP ON YOU THEN WALK BY
MY COVER CHARGE IS ON A SCALE, I LET SHIT SLIDE
EVERYONE RAPS AND ACTS SO SELF-IMPORTANT
YOUR BITCH BAD BUT THE CROWD HATES YOUR PERFORMANCE
FUCK RAP! I’M HERE TO TELL YOU WHAT IT DO
YA BY THE BOOK UNTIL I’M BOOKED AT VENUES
BALANCING CHECKBOOKS, BOOKING OUT BACK DOORS
I’VE PAID MY DUES, NOW PAY ME WHAT I’VE ASKED FOR
WHAT I DESERVE ISN’T WHAT YOU’RE WORTH
PUT CASH IN THE BAG, STASH IT IN MY MAN PURSE
(Chorus)
IT'S THE BIZNESS...KEEP THINGS TO YOURSELF
IT'S THE BIZNESS...NOBODY ASKED FOR HELP
I MAY BE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS AND VERSATILE
BUT WITHOUT CONNECTIONS, IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL [x2]
(Verse)
I’M OUT HERE WORKING AS A STARVING ARTIST
YOUR FLOWS NOT STUPID, YOU JUST SOUND RETARDED
HIP HOP’S DEAD, ALIVE IN THE UNDERGROUND
PEOPLE TURN UP CUS IT’S DUMBED DOWN
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT? TURN OVER IN MY GRAVE
AT THE EXPENSE OF LISTENERS, I DON’T GET PAID
I MADE THREE FUCKING DOLLARS MY LAST PROJECT
I CAN'T TURN UP WHEN I'M NOT TURNING A PROFIT
NOBODY SPLITS THE DIFFERENCE ON THE SAME BILL
THE SCENE’S WATERED DOWN, THE MAINSTREAMS DISTILLED
WE WANT MASS APPEAL BUT WE’RE UNORIGINAL
CUS’ WE CAN’T REACH THE CROWD BY STRETCHING SYLLABLES
I PUT IN WORK, I’M ABOUT MY CRAFT
I WRITE RHYMES, PROMOTERS WRITE CHECKS THEY CAN’T CASH
WHAT I DESERVE ISN’T WHAT YOU’RE WORTH
PUT CASH IN THE BAG OR STASH IT IN MY MAN PURSE
(Chorus)
IT'S THE BIZNESS...KEEP THINGS TO YOURSELF
IT'S THE BIZNESS...NOBODY ASKED FOR HELP
I MAY BE SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS AND VERSATILE
BUT WITHOUT CONNECTIONS, IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL [x3]
|
||||
2. |
SINE QUA NON
02:29
|
|||
Dear you,
I wish you were me
The world spins madly on kinetic energy
My chakras disperse in a different universe
I'm always second guessing why you never put me first
I placed my crown on the head of a mistress
It's easy having sex, it's harder sharing interests
Constant contact, constant fighting
I'll change who I am before I change what I'm writing
My third eye coincides how you are
I left my George Mason hoodie beside your mason jars
Jars of clay, filled with grains of salt
Fuck patriarchy just say "it's your fault"
I gave you my all, that wasn’t sine qua non
Being together felt the same as being alone
Going through my phone, checking your messages
I'm your boyfriend, not a friend with benefits
Ironically, you’re a bully and oppressor
You can't stay single than say we're together
Small talk, my throat's ambiguous
We weren't a couple, just an isolated incident
Leaving fingerprints, my hands are made of spite
What gets you by...do you sleep all through the night?
Cus’ I don’t…sleep’s an impartial absence
A lotta shits changed, since I released Fragments
I have chest pain, heart palpitations
Comparing lengths of time to the durations
Depressed, copious, my solar plexus is vacant
To say, “I’m overweight” feels like an understatement
Loving my body feels like sacrilege
I want results but I’ll settle for averages
Fast food establishments, subtract additives
But if I feel shitty…will I use laxatives?
I don’t wanna feel down…I don’t wanna grow up
I threw my eggs in baskets where I throw up
I’m sick and tired of writing the same old shit
But it’s easy sharing blame than taking ownership
Constant battles, rooted deep beneath the surface
Breaking the habits just a daily occurrence
So before I walk away, behind closed doors
I’ll sign letters to myself, sincerely yours
ME
|
||||
3. |
||||
Watching snow fall, people keep flaking
It’s aggravating, explaining I’m appalled
People don’t call, nowadays we just txt
It’s easier to disconnect than get involved
I’m somewhat distraught, watching what I say
Rubbing you the wrong way, pretending to brush it off
I’ve lost my sense of self, finding fast
Crossing your mind doesn’t mean we crossed paths
Asking for help, you can’t seem to embrace it
It’s the only time we have a conversation
Blowing smoke…I’m disillusioned
When it’s drawn out, I draw my own conclusions
I push people away...they’re cancerous
I call digits then they ask “who is this?”
It’s hard to commit, since I’m treated poorly
You want the attention but choose to ignore me
Surely I’ll watch myself drown in nerve
Asking if what they want is what I deserve
Constant worry...trying to find words to convey
If you don’t stay, hey...I expect to get hurt
That’s worse than standing my ground
I find in my absence, people don’t stick around
Sounds alienating, loneliness and dating
Never making first moves…I’m always hesitating
Saying to myself, “I’m gonna be alright”
Agoraphobia’s why I stay home all night
I confront my demons but it’s inadvertent
Seeking validation and words of encouragement
But I’m insecure, lacking confidence
Cam said its hard to build up a trust on broken promises
So I’m out chasing ghosts
Somewhat torn between self loathe and self growth
I’ve ever been in love, maybe once or twice
Been told too many times, “you’re too nice”
Whatever…I guess that’s the way it goes
I’d rather be in a relationship than be alone
Despite life’s comprised of compromises
I’m vibrant but people think I’m awkward and quiet
Relationships are like my job...
I’ll meet you halfway but forget to calculate the mileage
Never go the distance, it ain’t worth it
We hide our feelings...pretending we’re assertive
Now I’m suddenly certain
Opposites attract but the fact is you’re still the same person
I’m happy inside...less happy on dates
I either persevere or perseverate
I hate when people don’t reciprocate, that’s what separates you taking the time from the time that you take
I make the effort, really it’s coerced
We’re all shallow but completely immersed, in who we are and what we envision
I’m not afraid to die, my whole life I’ve been non-existent
Staring at the wall, knowing all too well
That the reason you don’t like me is cus’ I hate myself
I’m not afraid to die...I hope
I almost gave up, giving up your ghost
|
||||
4. |
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
03:11
|
|||
(Verse)
When a guy fucks around that shit ain’t glamorous
But when that bitch does it, they call it polyamorous
At least that’s what I thought until I met someone I loved
Who I am and who I was...I’m seeing two people at once
I have a lot pain...my lover’s expressive
and says she loves the gift cards and how they’re presented
Images are textural, the bend feels flexible
I stay at arms length but she feels immeasurable
Sometimes attraction feels like a transaction
That’s why there’s an adhesive to enhance the attachment
Graphic design becomes the premise of aesthetics
It’s about having options besides debit or credit
We either take that to the bank...percentage of interest
But if you don’t fully want me, I become dismissive
That’s what I’m working on, being responsible...
Because if I don’t love myself, then no one else is comparable
But no the matter the limit, you’re more than it amounts
I can say how I feel, still come over unannounced
Checks of balances, that’s the meaning of intent
I keep coming back to you like a sequence of events
(Chorus)
Give me your time and I’ll give you my space
Everything happens for a reason...fall into place
Time spent well is time well spent
I keep coming back to you like a sequence of events
Give me your space and I’ll give you my time
This won’t last forever...don’t fall by the wayside
Time spent well is time well spent
I keep coming back to you like a sequence of events
(Verse)
When a girl fucks around, she’s a slut and a whore
Age ain’t nothing but a number, what’s 27 to 34?
The gaps between us, a hop skip and a jump
You age better overtime, I expire at 6 months
Satin mat finishes, we’ll have a wedding
If I can’t change your mind at least I’ll change your bedding
Two heads to every monster...lenticular
But if I draw the line somewhere its perpendicular
You want some you time, I wanna spend time with you
Instead of arguing, we see each point of view
Open relationships, open communication
So if I set the standard, don’t lower your expectations
Cus you don’t wanna think I’m actually perfect
So when I make mistakes, that means that you’re worth it
Checks of balances, losing track of time we spent
You keep coming back to me like a sequence of events
(Chorus)
Give me your time and I’ll give you my space
Everything happens for a reason...fall into place
Time spent well is time well spent
I keep coming back to you like a sequence of events
Give me your space and I’ll give you my time
This won’t last forever...don’t fall by the wayside
Time spent well is time well spent
I keep coming back to you like a sequence of events
|
||||
5. |
||||
(Verse)
I’ve been alone most of my life, it’s nothing new
People walk away before they walk in my shoes
I’m bridging the gap with distance
I feel complete in complete nonexistence
I’ve always felt different but never one of the guys
My boy Kleenkut says, “just take it in strides”
I’m barely alive, terrified of chest pains
Working two jobs for music, what’s my end game?
I’m ashamed that I’m never gonna make it
I either break the cycle or my concentration
Mixing bad habits with high regards
The spotlight’s on but it’s just a shot in the dark
I’m sick and tired performing at open mics
People coming up and saying “your set was really tight”
Yo, I get it but I’m poverty stricken
I get 75 dollars to pay for my prescriptions
My dad says, “I don’t care about your music”
So I lash out at mom being verbally abusive
The lines been drawn, I can’t draw crowds
Ironic…I make amends but I can’t make them proud
Right now, I’m just trying to rhyme
Fighting off chest pain, clocking in on time
I’m a failure, beneath stages of grief
I sing for the moment and pay dues every two weeks
(Chorus)
Day after day, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Week after week, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Month after month, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Year after year, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
(Verse)
I’ve been alone most of my life, it’s nothing new
I didn’t get a raise and failed my crew review
This life is hard, my parents don’t understand
I can’t make progress having back up plans
They want me to move up, I can’t let them down
I’m meant to be on stage not in the background
I work three jobs, can't work on my performance
“Your financial independence is more important”
Meet and greets won’t make ends meet
I spend too much money on going out to eat
It’s a struggle, my disorder comes in waves
When I look at my stomach…I feel overweight
Wait, false idols fall, you're all demagogues
People show their true colors outside the work log
I’m a work in progress, I feel stagnant
My urge to connect supersedes need for attachment
People love talking behind my back
FUCK THE STOREFRONT! I'd rather just rap
It's my craft, it's engrained as an artist
Beats, Rhymes, & Life...that’s my cardiac compass
Cus’ right now...I'm just borrowing time
My dad's having chest pain, I don't know if he's fine
I'm a failure, beneath stages of grief
I sing for the moment and pay dues every two weeks
(Chorus)
Day after day, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Week after week, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Month after month, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
Year after year, time after time
The life we lead, we leave behind
(Verse)
I've been alone most life, it's nothing new
Fuck an M.O. I'm an MC through and through
Everyday I wake up and wondering what I'm doing
Asking myself, "is this really worth pursuing?"
Day after day, I'm stuck in a rut
I'd rather be a let down then say, “I've given up”
Time after time, I make decisions...
I don't wanna be heard, I want people to listen
(Outro)
Day after day, time after time...
The life we lead we leave behind
Day after day, time after time...
The life I lead, I leave behind
|
||||
6. |
||||
7. |
MIDNIGHT MOORING
03:49
|
|||
(Intro)
When the clock strikes 12, hashtags commence
You keep coming back to me like a sequence of events
I'll tell me your story, take time in the morning
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
(Verse)
I’m in the background...taking photos with a dark glare
Sometimes my favorite place in the world is when you’re not there
Refining...search engine optimizing
I wake up every night just to see if light is shining
The timing’s perfect...every moments on display
I close my apertures in hopes they’ll capture brighter days
In a dark web...this only happens for a second
Accept message requests, accept the consequences
We filter mediums, the magnitude of our words
But to see you as you are is something you can’t converse
I’m left speechless...only to see what’s been posted
Scrolling past at first glance hoping they’ll take notice
It must be hard, questioning if you’re worthy
When being the most important’s has a false sense of security
I’m laying in bed, but I’m also feeling drained
If actions speak louder than words...fuck a title change
Because I’ve spent more time on mentions & tagging
Instead of expressing the pain from my grandpas passing
So when the clock strikes 12, hashtags endorsing
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
(Chorus)
The clock strikes 12, the clocks strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, take time for yourself
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, take time for myself
When the clock strikes 12, hashtags commence
You keep coming back to me like a sequence of events
I’ll tell you my story, take time in the morning
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
(Verse)
You’re in the background...taking photos with an affect
Meanwhile I’m counting the days since my grandpa’s death
I’m a mess...I need fuel for my engine
I’m just following directions like a funeral procession
Bad timing’s something that I can’t seem to grasp
I’d rather let myself go than hold myself back
I’m in a dark place, I need a silver lining
I control my destiny but can’t control when I’m dying
I have no filter...the magnitude of what I say
Is buried underneath the urge to push people away
So when I’m quiet...I get lost in my brain
Relationships evolve, death I’m certain you can’t change
It’s fucking hard...asking me if it’s worth it
When the next best thing...really isn’t all that perfect
I’m still in bed, my grandpas dearly departed
The few times he opened up, taught me to be guarded
Because I spent more time, mentioning assumptions
Instead of getting the answers and “whatever it comes with”
So when the clock strikes 12, mourning-morning
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
(Chorus)
The clock strikes 12, the clocks strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, take time for yourself
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, take time for myself
When the clock strikes 12, hashtags commence
You keep coming back to me like a sequence of events
I’ll tell you my story, take time in the morning
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
[x2]
|
||||
8. |
MIDNIGHT MOORING II
03:34
|
|||
(Verse)
The clock strikes 12, minutes to midnight
I’m just staring at these dark blue skies to find some insight
I don’t have much to offer when raising my voice
But confronting demons is what I tend to avoid
I feel lost...it’s easy to admit he’s dead
Why take care of myself when I can stay in bed
But what’s the difference…when he’s laying in a casket
I guess we don’t die…we just take a leave of absence
My girls jean jacket feels like it’s ripping
She said “don’t wear your heart on your sleeve because it's fitting”
I’ve been missing out on the things that matter most
Like seeing close friends and family but I know that’s how it goes
My grandpa’s dead…honestly it fucking hurts
But to live my life…parts of me gotta die first
When the clock strikes 12 with or without warning
Everyday starts again, we’re midnight mooring
(Chorus)
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, the hands overlap
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, there’s no turning back
When the clock strikes 12, I can’t tell time
So if I can’t take you back…I’ll take back what’s mine
The nights just begun…I’m just reinforcing
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring
(Verse)
The clock strikes 12, minutes to midnight
I’m staring into your hazel eyes to find some insights
Cuddles relinquish, subtle glimpses,
But if I keep repeating myself, my words diminish
I feel lost…somethings I can't admit
I don’t stay in the past... I just need to revisit
But that’s differences between self love and loathing
It’s easy facing my fears when you’re the one I'm approaching
I’ve been wearing your clothing and I'm hoping it's for now
But instead of hanging my head…I thought I wore you down
It’s hard reaching out when I’m stretched too thin
So I talk too much and avoid letting you in
I guess I only speak and interrupt
But it means so much when you tell me that “I’m good enough”
You’ve stayed by my side and I act like I’m surprised
When it’s hard enough to understand why my grandpa died
I know he's dead...and I guess that’s unfair
I can’t believe that he’s gone…but I believe why you’re there
When the clock strikes 12, with or without warning
Everyday starts again, we're midnight mooring
(Chorus)
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, the hands overlap
The clock strikes 12, the clock strikes 12
The clock strikes 12, there’s no turning back
When the clock strikes 12, I can’t tell time
So if I can’t take you back…I’ll take back what’s mine
The nights just begun…I’m just reinforcing
No midnight marauders, just midnight mooring [x2]
|
||||
9. |
||||
(Verse)
If time’s all we have...it’s a social construct
Sometimes you need down time, sometimes our times up
Every second counts because it’s formulaic
But it’s easier to think before I speak than to say it
Dark clouds keep my head in a dark place
Until my explosions build up like an arms race
I guess death inherently keeps you moving
Even though my grandpas dead...I still wonder how he’s doing
The heart dies but time is limitless
We try increments but no one knows what that minute is
I guess death is certain, I read the pamphlets
We all live and die under different circumstances
I’ve tried to cope but it’s easy when I’m arrogant
Blaming myself, when there’s no way to prepare for this
Dead at 85...I hope I get the same length of time
but I’ll probably die due to carelessness
Everyone says, “I’m sorry for your loss”
But there’s so much to gain, can’t hold back the pain
The clock strikes 12, midnight dwindles
“Life’s a bitch, and than you die...” it’s just that simple
(Chorus)
One last breath, two parents by your side
Three eras of law, four if my brother tries
Category fives, six feet under
Happy hour by 7 but you’re my 8th wonder
Clocked in at 9, sometimes you took 10
The eleventh hour, I’ll never see you again
I’m midnight mooring, it’s time to tell time
24 hours a day, 12 reasons to die
(Verse)
I watched my grandpa speak French with my Grandma Alice
He had a strong grip even when his hands were calloused
One kidney, surgical bypasses
He never went to church...I always thought he was Catholic
He taught my dad to be more patient
Sometimes you don’t have to say much to have a conversation
Never spoke out of turn...I remember still
“Mill Bingo is my bag” became “Bingo is my bag Mill”
Favorite ice cream - “no fucking strawberry”
Belly by Dunkin’ Donuts filled with that rasp-jelly
Loved watching tv...got lost in the glare
I’m surprised the grim reaper got him out of his chair
Still a lot to gain, can’t hold back the pain
Whether I’m Owen DRENT...Claude’s still my middle name
The clock strikes 12, it’s time to go to sleep
Au revoir Claude Lefebvre...may you Rest In Peace
(Chorus)
One last breath, two parents by your side
Three eras of law, four if my brother tries
Category fives, six feet under
Happy hour by 7 but you’re my 8th wonder
Clocked in at 9, sometimes you took 10
The eleventh hour, I’ll never see you again
I’m midnight mooring, it’s time to tell time
24 hours a day, 12 reasons to die
|
||||
10. |
||||
Yo Honcho...
I've been this emo rap thing the last two joints man
Time to get some shit off my chest
Clock strikes 12
It's time to count down
Yo
(Verse)
If time’s all we have...it’s a social construct
Sometimes you need down time, sometimes our times up
Every second counts because it’s formulaic
But it’s easier to think before I speak than to say it
Dark clouds keep my head in a dark place
Until my explosions build up like an arms race
I guess death inherently keeps you moving
Even though my grandpas dead...I still wonder how he’s doing
The heart dies but time is limitless
We try increments but no one knows what that minute is
I guess death is certain, I read the pamphlets
We all live and die under different circumstances
I’ve tried to cope but it’s easy when I’m arrogant
Blaming myself, when there’s no way to prepare for this
Dead at 85...I hope I get the same length of time
but I’ll probably die due to carelessness
Everyone says, “I’m sorry for your loss”
But there’s so much to gain, can’t hold back the pain
The clock strikes 12, midnight dwindles
“Life’s a bitch, and than you die...” it’s just that simple
(Chorus)
One last breath, two parents by your side
Three eras of law, four if my brother tries
Category fives, six feet under
Happy hour by 7 but you’re my 8th wonder
Clocked in at 9, sometimes you took 10
The eleventh hour, I’ll never see you again
I’m midnight mooring, it’s time to tell time
24 hours a day, 12 reasons to die
(Verse)
I watched my grandpa speak French with my Grandma Alice
He had a strong grip even when his hands were calloused
One kidney, surgical bypasses
He never went to church...I always thought he was Catholic
He taught my dad to be more patient
Sometimes you don’t have to say much to have a conversation
Never spoke out of turn...I remember still
“Mill Bingo is my bag” became “Bingo is my bag Mill”
Favorite ice cream - “no fucking strawberry”
Belly by Dunkin’ Donuts filled with that rasp-jelly
Loved watching tv...got lost in the glare
I’m surprised the grim reaper got him out of his chair
Still a lot to gain, can’t hold back the pain
Whether I’m Owen DRENT...Claude’s still my middle name
The clock strikes 12, it’s time to go to sleep
Au revoir Claude Lefebvre...may you Rest In Peace
(Chorus)
One last breath, two parents by your side
Three eras of law, four if my brother tries
Category fives, six feet under
Happy hour by 7 but you’re my 8th wonder
Clocked in at 9, sometimes you took 10
The eleventh hour, I’ll never see you again
I’m midnight mooring, it’s time to tell time
24 hours a day, 12 reasons to die
|
DRENT Providence, Rhode Island
DRENT
//
FOREVER ONWARD
//
TRAUMA INFORMED RAPS
Streaming and Download help
If you like DRENT, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp