Bars and be yawned (Son shine and reign) is the second single for One Be Lo’s Baby album. This song begins as a reflection of growing up in Pontiac (Mi) committing crimes and doing time in prison. The message is universal and timeless, but during these pandemic times in September 2020 It serves like a light source to my 18 year old son, now studying his first year of college courses.
Born 5 days after 9/11, his name is Diaab which translates as “One who perseveres during hard times.” The lesson here is about Shining bright even in the darkest hours.
I chose to use a photograph of myself, taken 25 years ago, when I was around the same age that Diaab is now. The difference between Diaab and young Rahlo is the difference between night and day. Even though we look almost identical, he just began his first year of college courses while in contrast my 18th year was spent incarcerated at the Hiawatha Correctional Facility for armed robbery serving a 3-20 year sentence.
In this Polaroid snapshot of 1995, I had recently reverted to Al Islam durIng this dark period, and a new light was just entering my world.
This is when I decided to changed my birth name to Nahshid. I learned that even while my body was in quarantine and lock down, my mind, heart and soul was free.
Bars and be yawned is about prison bars opening wide, and whatever comes after that. It’s a reminder of where I came from, and how far beyond we can actually go, from one generation to the next.
Reign: to have control, rule or influence of any kind.
lyrics
Just Imagine
My words kinda vivid
Now if you close your eyes,
you can see this while you listen
Experience
at different Periods
how I was living
Was it about the Choices
or the Options I was given?
Growin' up
I didn't have it bad as other children
but we lived in the same hood
lame school system
plus we had television
My mother had wisdom
but I ran wit the rebels
I could here the Devil's whisssper
The Teachers couldn't hold my attention
I was distant
I focused on the posters on my wall
caught a vision
now my words fall in Rhythm
HIP HOP made a difference
making albums ain't the mission
I'm just sayin' what I'm feelin'
My uncle's life in prison
at times
I would visit
I made bad decisions
almost had to do it with him
My moms found a weapon in my dresser
and you know it ain't impress her
so the rest is His-story
I got evicted
IN THE SUNSHINE
this is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
This is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
Aaaaah Haaah
She said
"You gon' end up JUST like your Uncle
Locked up
or maybe shot up
a lot of trouble"
The only man at home
I said "I'm just trynna hustle"
"I know you gettin grown"
she said, "I'm just trynna love you"
The man,
Seventeen is plenty
drinkin' Henny
Her words prophetic
I'm headed for Three to Twenty
Behind Bars
Closing my eyes
I see the City
FREEDOM!
But is it really?
Is it really???
Trynna make it today,
JOBS make you a slave
The free man,
Ordered to pay
Forced to behave
Police man and soldiers obey
War is the way
Now the P.O.W.'s sit at home
It's no escape,
This is Life
IN THE SUNSHINE
this is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
This is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
Aaaaah Haaah
Some of my People died by the pistol
I know this dude from Lebanon,
his people died by the Missile
A white boy I know,
his brother died sniffin' crystal
Different mothers
and different colors
That ain't the Issue
I got a sister
Same mother
Different fathers
Same last name like Dwayne
"Different Worlds"
In the same Houses
I got a brother
Same father
Different mothers
Same song
Different feelings
Damn shame
Daddy didn't Love him
He loved to party when the kids was younger
Now every bodies older
The parties over
Outside is colder
but I forgive him
Allah made a difference
making albums ain't the mission
I'm just sayin' what I'm feelin'
LISTEN
So long in the dark of the night
Your eyes must adjust to the light
Held close in its warm embrace
Awakens what time has erased
The cold in your soul melts away
And tears evaporate
Ignore the approaching clouds
It may rain today
But it’s not right now
IN THE SUNSHINE
this is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
This is my life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
My life, my life
IN THE SUNSHINE
Awwww Huuuh
credits
from Baby (Being a black youth),
released November 7, 2020
BEAT PRODUCTION: Eric G (Soul Council)
ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS: Jonas Siegel
LYRICS: One Be Lo
CHORUS WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY: Aja Black
SCRATCHES: DJ Abilities
RECORDED/MIXED by: Aaron Angus
MASTERING by: D Sane
supported by 35 fans who also own “Bars and be yawned (Son shine and reign) produced by Eric G, feat. Aja Black”
This is my favourite album of the 2020’s. A classic in the first order. Every song is truly great. Nothing sounds repetitive and it continues to be fresh and new to this day. William "Tycoon" Russ