Here's the new track, released in honor of "Beat Michigan" week. Produced by me; mixed by Jordan Lewis; artwork by Tre Smith. This was released about an hour prior to my first Mirror Lake Jump. Good times. Free download link here:
Here's a track I made a while ago. This was originally going to be put on Against All Odds but I took it off days before the release. It seems like people like it though. I may have to put it on the upcoming mixtape if everyone keeps showing love!
This will be on my upcoming mixtape. I produced it, using a sample from "Soul Rebel" by Bob Marley. I feel like these are some of the best lyrics I've ever written. Any rapper can 'go hard' on a song, but sometimes as an artist you need to take a little more time and make sure a song says everything you want it to say. I did my best to make sure this song did that. The third verse is one of my favorites of any I've written.
LYRICS
I'm a rebel. Soul rebel.
I'm a capturer; soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel.
I break down my life 'till my future is mathematics.
The science of the nature of my work is but a fraction. Or is it more?
What's your reaction if I told you that this shit is right here but I can't have it,
I'm a rebel. They label me but they could never tell me
There is no beast 'cause I could take you to the belly,
I'm a rebel. Late night, fill my stomach with Denny's.
I ponder the game and what it takes to be an MC.
I free my soul, open my mind.
I still see 'em even when I'm closing my eyes.
So close that I can almost taste it,
But if this shit's what I think it is then how could I be the greatest?
I could never. They talk to me through my lyrics.
A thousand people listen but I'm the only one who hears it.
I try to describe it but only I can see 'em clearly,
So hear me. I'm temporarily leaving. Sincerely, The Rebel.
I'm a rebel. Soul rebel.
I'm a capturer; soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel.
Willoughby South, Ole Miss.
Above everyone but I've never felt below this.
And I was praying for this moment,
Ironic that I own it 'cause at first I thought I loaned it
And I'm thinking fast. I got similes like it's English class.
Top five emcees, now bring it back.
Imagine that, top five and they won't hear you.
Sometimes the only honest person is found in the mirror.
Cloudy skies, rainy days, tell me when it clears up.
I try to cry, with cold vains, and I can't even tear up.
I write a line for the Cobains 'cause they don't ever hear us.
Now ride or die on this slow train, it's bittersweet like syrup.
I'm a rebel, the devil is near us. Wake up idealists!
I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I'm just a realist.
And by being a realist, they can call me the realest.
I conclude this letter with these lyrics: Sincerely, The Rebel.
I'm a rebel. Soul rebel.
I'm a capturer; soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel.
You feel lost after going through a catastrophe.
But dog you have to be whatever you are naturally.
They'll tell you: "act with the 'I don't give a fuck' mentality"
But actually, that would make it worse like disaster relief.
I know you're feeling pain, but God is by your side.
You gotta think "would I go to heaven if it was time to die?"
It's time to ride on this life-long rollercoaster.
It's a war. Keep your composure 'till you know it's over.
And we're all soldiers, maybe we need some closure,
But if that door ever closes you know we're as red as roses.
Whether close or far you know we're trying to walk the moon like rovers.
Against All Odds, and you act like I never told you.
If I'm talking to myself so be it.
There's a reason why the only team I believe in is Legion.
I scramble. I need this; drop bombs 'til I'm peace'ing.
In shambles. In pieces. 'Till I return I'm leaving as The Rebel.
Contact me in any way to purchase a copy for $9. I've put huge amounts of work into my first album and hope you all can appreciate and enjoy what I've done. They're shrink-wrapped, and contain a four page insert inside. June 3, 2011 - official release date. I will put it on iTunes in a few weeks but in the meantime, why not buy a hard copy for one less dollar?
We've come a long way.
You know what I'm saying?
We've come a LONG way.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
I open my eyes, and my whole life seems to be changing
In front of my face. I remember a place when we all had a dream to be chasing.
A baseball player, a firefighter, or whatever.
Or possibly even an astronaut blasting off with Endeavor.
One minute kindergarden, the next I graduate.
No I can't turn the clocks back, and yes it's sad to say but
My greatest memories are right here in my backyard.
I never thought that moving on would be that hard.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
I've done bad. Hell, I've done good.
I didn't take bad oppurtunities that some would.
I've been a smart, dumb son, Mom, forgive me.
And for the next few years, while I'm gone try not to miss me.
I'll be near my older brother everyday
Both of us some Buckeyes at THE Ohio State.
Yeah, shout if you're going but to everyone who ain't:
Much love and I promise that I won't forget your name,
I'm just a phone call away.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
(You know what, I can't even think of a bridge
So I'm just gonna freestyle this real quick.)
And unfortunately got no time for girls.
I'm trying to make this whole world
Rotate underneath me, make sure that none of these
Haters beat me, and make sure that I do 3D.
Always keep it real, Chris Black, I'ma be me.
I'ma - yeah I'ma be me.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
And I won't let this moment die.
I'm gonna make this the night of my life.
And I won't let this moment die.
I'm gonna live it up. Yeah, I'm gon' live it up.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
And as I sing this song I cry
I'm gonna miss you. I'm gonna miss you.
But we have to move on with our lives.
I won't forget you. I won't forget you.
High school, man. These are some good years, you know.
I mean, the whole time we're, you know, we're all
Complaining about it and what-not but,
Now that we're actually leaving it's just like, "woah."
You know? I mean I've never been that good with
Change in the first place and now all these people that
I grew up with, I just gotta, I just gotta leave behind.
Damn.
As far as the album itself goes, I got word from the studio that it is done. I just have some very small finishing touches to add and it will be out. There's also a few "political" problems going on. Believe me, I am just as impatient as you, and am working very hard to get it out. Just hang in there with me.
Here's the newest song I've done. I wrote and composed this in two days (my quickest song if I'm correct). The lyrics reflect the emotions I've been experiencing lately and how I rely on God to help me get through what I feel are rough times. Like I said, I wrote, composed, and produced this song in my basement. Keep posted to see when my album, Against All Odds, will be released!
Yup. I'm gonna go ahead and speak what's on my
mind real quick if that's alright. I'm just tired of losing
this game, you know? I've just decided to be strong
from here on out and that's what I'm gonna do.
Wicked men have wicked ways, go figure.
As long as they're just getting paid, they won't listen.
You tell 'em all that wisdom pays, they don't get you.
They don't understand you, they don't see your picture.
Cause they neglect their own bible;
Say they won't depend on something fake for survival.
"If something can't be seen how can it be followed?"
But I've seen the light of God and that's why I sing gospel.
I've tasted tears and I've faced my fears;
Tried to stay strong when temptation's near.
If your faith is clear, Christ said you could make the mountains move
But I made the Appalachians disappear, they ain't here.
But I don't waste time crying.
I know that one day I'll be in the sky flying.
I've learned a lot of things from my big brother Ryan,
Like "get busy living, or get busy dying," that's what he said.
I'm gon' fight and die for my right to life.
I'm gon' fight the good fight and I know I'll survive.
I know I will find another way to get by.
Just remember I tried everyday of my life.
Try hard not to go insane.
Feel like nobody could ever really know my pain.
And once again, the rain clouds come my way.
I haven't even seen the sun in nine days
But hey, what can I say? This is what Ohio's like.
One minute low, the next minute high life.
I'm 'bout to blow but tell me is the time right?
Too much green guess that's why it's called the lime light.
Yeah, Devyn told me he would be my psycologist
If and when I make it big and I might need it, man, this college shit
Might put me over the edge with this music, how can I balance it?
Lot's of hits to bang that's why I'm on the roster, bitch.
But I know that if it keeps on raining
All I'll have to do is just keep on praying.
And even if my fucking back starts breaking
I'll just keep on saying Chris Black is amazing.
I'm gon' fight and die for my right to life.
I'm gon' fight the good fight and I know I'll survive.
I know I will find another way to get by.
Just remember I tried everyday of my life.
But it hurts to know the things I do will never be the same.
And I think it's time I leave my cage and break these chains.
But I know that if it keeps on raining (keeps on raining)
All I'll have to do is keep on praying (keep on praying).
So pray as if your whole life depends on God,
But work like it depends on you.
And I'm out.
I'm gon' fight and die for my right to life.
I'm gon' fight the good fight and I know I'll survive.
I know I will find another way to get by.
Just remember I tried everyday of my life.
I'm gon' fight and die for my right to life.
I'm gon' fight the good fight and I know I'll survive.
I know I will find another way to get by.
Just remember I tried everyday of my life.
I haven't released anything in a while, so here's a freestyle/cypher I did over the instrumental of Lil Wayne's "6 Foot 7 Foot." Download if you'd like.
Like the title says, my band Final Frontierz performed a cover of "Gravity" by John Mayer. The amazing lead guitar was done by Ray Flanagan of Maddie Finn and other bands. This was performed at The Winchester in Lakewood, Ohio on February 25, 2011.
I recently got on the instrumental of Watch the Throne. We also threw Blackman on it and had Tre Smith record and mix the project. If I'm correct, it's the first release of 2011.
The track is called "Acceleration." Enjoy it, and feel free to download it!
This video was taken by a relative of Aaron Mittelo. It's our performance of Ain't No Sunshine (originally by Bill Withers). It features the beautiful voices of Aaron Mittelo and April Fatica. This was too fun.
Thank you to everyone who came or supported the band in any other way. We love all of you. We will playing in the finals which are on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2011. Please be in attendance!
My band was pictured in the News Herald on Friday, January 14 in their article about the rock-off. PLEASE come to the show THIS SATURDAY. Talk to any of the band members for tickets. Band members and other details can be found on my previous post. Download the picture and article (to read more easily) from this link.
I will be performing with my band on Saturday, January 22 at the House of Blues in Cleveland. The performance will be for the 15th annual Tri-C Rock-Off. My group (Final Frontierz) will feature the following members:
Chris Black - Vocals, Keys, Guitar
Aaron Williams - Vocals
April Fatica - Vocals
Eric Egan - Drums
Aaron Mittelo - Keys
Tre Smith - Synth, DJ
I hope you all can be in attendance that night. Contact any of the band members listed above for tickets. Tickets are $10.
