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Back To Frank & Back To Rap (Funky DL Samples Amy Winehouse Volumes 1 & 2)

by Funky DL

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1.
Yo what’s up? This is Funky DL and I thought like I just… I should do something special for my peeps like… So I thought let me get on this Amy Winehouse “Frank” album… I aint mess with “Back To Black”, it’s like “Back To Frank” ya na’ mean, So just sit back, relax like… just check out everything in store… As I take you all… on this Amy Winehouse meets Funky DL… On this sampler, we’re going “Back To Frank”
2.
Verse One I wanted to bust, but never made the circle of trust In a crew as an I cos it was never an us 12 Stone, I can’t forget the things I was shown Even though I felt alone and left me out in the cold Had to leave and try and do this thing on my own And it worked, cos soon enough I started to blow Airplay on radio getting requests for a show Took it to the next level and by 20 years old Had released 2 albums and I’d won a MOBO yo What do you expect? What can you say? I felt the very same way of the entire UK And refused to play a part of this ridiculous game To criticize and judge a rapper on the way that he spray If the way that he spray doesn’t amount to the same As the way that I spray but that’s the choice that he made It’s no reason to get on stage and try and call him a fake But I take that bad energy and make it my fuel To take me to my destination middle finger to you See this aint no classroom and I aint stuck in a school So nobody aint gonna try and make me follow they rules Especially when they never done the things that I do And I wouldn’t let em’ stop me think about it would you? So I gotta do the many things I did on my own But son, what did you expect? You left me alone Chorus What do you expect? You left me here alone [and now they can’t believe it] What do you expect? You left me here alone [they really can’t believe it] What do you expect? You left me here alone Verse Two Paid my dues cos everyday I had to make moves And had to listen when I heard em’ say you snooze and you lose And be prepared to be the only one who stepped in my shoes An album every year or maybe there’s two But when I see these other rappers they got nothing that’s new Aint no need for fabrication I am telling the truth Sometimes I get the feeling I was out on a ledge They shut the window and they left me out there freezing to death On the edge but yo I am a baker of bread So I knew how to survive turn it around on its head Turning nothing into something never fall but instead Be the kind of rapper on the stage who’s breaking a leg So when I feel on the outside, maybe that’s a great thing Maybe that’ll stop my head from over inflating Maybe it can justify the time that I’ve been waiting Or maybe it can teach me how to exercise patience Or maybe it was Nathan, nada complete Zippo Or maybe I was meant to cause a splash and not a ripple Maybe I’mma stampede while other rappers tip-toe Already made money so my motto’s not to get doe Already made an album plus already made a sequel They should of took me in their circle And stopped me from the inside, I doubt it would of worked though And now I sit with a smirk yo, singing Chorus
3.
Intro Chorus And although my pride [yeah] is not easy to disturb [yeah] You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up, I had to wisen up] You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up, I had to wisen up] Verse One I’m Sick of this, that’s why I kicked you to the curb with the quickness Aint nobody in this world should have to live with this And so I had to put you out just like cigarettes And now you coming back with an apology I took it now I’m asking what you want from me? 2, 3, 4, 5 Chances But I think you know already what the answer is I’ll never put myself in that position Even though you tried to show me what I’m missing But that made it a whole worse girl Cos truthfully I’m saying you’re the first girl To do me like you did me so I cursed girl But I won’t put those curses in my verse girl Cos I can think of many other Words girl That explain why I kicked you to the curb girl Now you’re back again singing the same song Chorus You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up, I had to wisen up] You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up] Verse Two It’s over with, but seems you having trouble trying to notice it Is there anything to say I haven’t said already? But you don’t stop charging up your Ever Ready Back with the same old, same old And acting like this happened just a day ago But it’s much more close to ten months now I could have found somebody else and could have settled down But to you it’s all inconsequential Cos you saying that for you I am essential And as I’m speaking on this instrumental I ‘m thinking of the things you never meant to But everything would happen too frequent As often as every other weekend And every time I couldn’t find the words girl And so I had to kick you to the curb girl And now you’re back again singing the same song Chorus Verse Three So that’s it, I really aint got time for this harassment I used to look at you like you an asset But now that time is over and I’ve passed it You were classic but not in a good way You want me to remember all the good days? But those memories are so cloudy And covered by the days when you were rowdy And I just aint the one to live with this So you can keep asking for forgiveness And I can let you have it but there’s no way I’m ever gonna go back to the old days And if I was to do that then the fact is I didn’t learn cos I’d be going backwards And that is not the way that I prefer girl That’s why I had to kick you to the curb girl But now you’re back again singing the same song Outro Chorus You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up, I had to wisen up] You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb [I had to wisen up] You sent me flying when you kicked me to the curb So with your battered jeans [yeah] and your Beastie Tee… [fade]
4.
Intro [Scat] Uh, yeah [x4] Chorus You think everything gets handed to you free, but it’s not that easy [no] Verse One Nothing aint free in this life you gotta put in your grind I had to think about these words I went and put in this rhyme But some want it all the fancy lifestyle The clothes the jewels the cars, money and nice times Stress free life just kick back chillin with a million But how you supposed to get that when you putting in the minimum God knows I work hard, write then burn bars The industry is like a battle and I earned scars I seen those who do very little Expect to be the centre of attention in the middle Complain when they aint get much but never did much So when you see em’ yo you never see em’ wid much I aint no teacher but sowers make reapers And reapers aint grim unless they just deliver pizzas I aint knocking pizzas but son I had to reach for the stars Now I been around this world ask Lisa But nothing came easy and nothing easy came my way Saw plenty of times when something could have made my day But never and I was never owed Although I was the lick like blunts once you roll Trust me I deserve everything I got Getting and gotten a lot, and if it ever stops I just work harder so we should all learn To never become the person that Amy is referring to… sing Chorus [x2] You think everything gets handed to you free, [but it’s never that easy] But it’s not that easy [no] Verse Two Yo’ I used to know this girl who made the mistake Of thinking everything I had was handed over on plates But she didn’t realize that I worked for my prize To get it, I had the notion in my mind that the skies the limit And I don’t expect nothing from no one Cos disappointment is no fun And so I do for myself If it gets a little crowded make room for myself So everything she said was ridiculous That’s why I called her little miss bitterness Maybe she thought I had a free ride Standing on the corner making money from a freestyle I’m afraid it’s never that simple Even if I decide to make it pop like a pimple Even if I decide to take paper and a pencil And write then perform them on a rock instrumental The meek shall inherit the earth So I have to take second cos giving is first And you can call it like a gift and a curse But I’m not a freeloader cos there’s notin’ that’s worse Trust me I deserve everything I’ve got Getting and gotten a lot, and if it ever stops I’ll just work harder so we should all learn To never become the person that Amy is referring to… again Chorus [x4]
5.
Intro Get it up ya’ll, get it up [x4] Get down ya’ll get down [x4] Chorus Realize that you don’t have to answer to no man Responsibility comes down to you [it comes down to you but how can I?] But how can I expect you to understand? When you live life like you’re so run through Verse One Born into oblivion, babies aint know jack Eventually a man but as baby I aint know that Mom and pops raised me so it don’t amaze me That I aint lazy, know how to treat a lady And I learned much more, stood up on my own two Learned gratitude so I pay you if I owe you And I wanted many things but not settle for anything A Child with a destiny but you aint hearing Kelly sing Learned how to balance my desire and greed Realizing what I want is not exactly what I need Had to learn to walk away even when I’m in the right Let em’ have the last word, everything will be alright I don’t need to prove myself to those who disrespect me I don’t have the time for that and life’s short [get me?] So I’m telling certain people, man up and get a hold Chorus got the perfect outlook stop and listen so… Chorus Verse Two It was time to try it, being self reliant In a world where David everyday would meet Goliath Tell me to be quiet and I will be defiant I don’t mess with magic beans but I’mma kill the giant Try and pull the wool over my eyes but I won’t buy it Stay out of my business cos there’s things I’m keeping private And if you get in it won’t confirm it nor deny it If you heard it somewhere else it’s probable they lying Gotta be responsible, for the choices I make Suffering the consequences of the roads that I take When I got a heavy load, carry on my own back When I got a problem I claim it and I own that Answering to no man other than myself But I’m never hesitant asking for help But for the most part I man up and get a hold Chorus got the perfect outlook come on tell em’ yo Chorus Outro Hook Get it up ya’ll, get it up [x4] Get down ya’ll get down [x4] [various backing vocals] Chorus [x2]
6.
Stronger 03:22
Chorus You should be stronger [get up dust yourself down and start over] You should be stronger [as you get older you gotta get bolder] You should be stronger [listen pick yourself up and stand firmer] You should be stronger [only you can be the one to re-affirm ya] Verse One With a fare share or hard times it’s like we live among The things that’s trying to kill us but should only make us stronger Easy just to say but more difficult to do And nobody aint finding it more difficult than you Feeling like you got the world upon your shoulders But hold up, does this really mean its game over? No sir, took me just to get a little older And closer to what’s in the eyes of the beholder See life is full of different situations Tribulations come attached with irritations Accusations from bad associations Using manipulation to cause humiliation And it was only an example but shouldn’t brand you the type to out your own candle So handle everything that just went wrong cos You should be stronger over just being strong Chorus Verse Two Life aint a stroll in the park But we grown so we know how to roll in the dark And you might feel the bite of a shark That leaves you in a place where you might be apart From those who can help you and come to your aid But there’s no need to act like your strengths mislaid Face it even if it aint basic Embrace it, ya scared? Your predators can taste it Anyone can give up that’s easy to do But holding it together is the way you come through The other side, are you a chess pawn or your Mother’s child? I’ll leave it up to you You on top of the world Cos remember that your feet stay on top of the earth So handle everything that just went wrong Cos you should be stronger over just being strong Chorus
7.
Hook [Uh, yeah] So sweet ya’ll, so sweet ya’ll, So sweet, swe-swe-swe-swe-sweet ya’ll [x3] So sweet Chorus You’re the sweetest thing that I’ve ever known [x2] Verse One Minding my business on my way to work Had a late night so I wasn’t too alert Then my eye caught on this pretty looking girl I’mma step to her talking this, that the third Word, now she looking back at me Asked “where she from?” she originally from Hackney I said me too but I’ve never seen you Quick smile then I had to say I don’t mean to be too forward But can we meet up? Cinema flick or restaurant eat up? Thinking her response might be quite generic It was kinda nice cos she gave her numerics Wow, what a way to really start a morning Hoping, I get a connection when I’m calling All in all she ten out of ten And all throughout the day the only thing I’m thinking is… that Chorus You’re the sweetest thing [so sweet ya’ll] that I’ve ever known [x2] Hook [x2] Verse Two 2 weeks later we a little deeper Call her Dibiase cos she put me in a sleeper Hypnotized by her feminine charms Girl so hot that she setting off alarms Sophisticated garms and means no harm The kind of woman any man would want on they arm She always laid back and relaxed so calm Wouldn’t hesitate to introduce her to my Mom Another two weeks now it’s been a whole month Probably disagreed but didn’t argue once And I love everything about her Business mind little entrepreneur Pays attention to the things I prefer I pay attention to the things that occur All in all she eleven out of ten And all throughout the month the only thing I’m thinking is… that Chorus Hook [x2] Verse Three One year later, we pretty much the same Moving to the place where she get my last name Now we look back to the day that we met Something reminiscent of a soul silhouette Someone to love and someone to trust Two individuals playing for team us No substitutes and no referee All that means is it’s her and its me Two ingredients sound perfect to me Everything invested was worth it to me Personally comes first and for me Aint no way it can worsen to me Got everything that a young buck needs So what we got is bound to succeed All in all she a twenty out of ten And all throughout the year the only thing I’m thinking is… that Chorus You’re the sweetest thing [so sweet ya’ll] that I’ve ever known [x2]
8.
Chorus I came home this evening and nothing felt like how it should be I feel like writing you a letter but that’s not me [x2] Verse One Stepped through the front door, took my coat off and put my bag down 12 hour shift at work, so I’m glad now I’m home Proceed to the kitchen for H2O Saw the back light on so shouted “Honey you home?” Then I heard a whisper, could have sworn it sounded like a Mister Somewhere in my mind I know there is the chance That my wife could be cheating cos she distant And if I could confirm it I would leave her in an instant She in kitchen now she looking all suspicious Reaching for a towel like she just cleaned the dishes Nonetheless I put my arm around her gave her kisses She took a plate of food from in the oven looks delicious She offered me some white wine so I gave the green light But something bout that back door doesn’t seem right It was open just a little so I pushed it And at that very moment heard a rustle in the bushes So kept looking she saw I wasn’t happy So turned on the radio attempting to distract me I turned and asked her “what could that be?” The neighbour’s cat playing in the back? She said “exactly” But deep down already made my mind up And plus she had the jitters; broke the bottle cleaned the wine up She sweating cos her head is getting wetter Should I make an accusation or just leave and write a letter? Chorus Verse Two I received a message saying I will meet you at eight on my phone But I realized I’d made a mistake We both got the same phone; I didn’t take the right one Someone is meeting with my wife I think I might come Go, whatever, I’ve gotta find out Cos I’ll be damned if this is going on in my house They probably take me for a jerk but this Jerk is about to take time off work She turns up at lunch time to bring me my phone But also to check on the time I’ll be home I said eleven as usual The voice inside my head is saying can’t you see she’s using you? But my eyes gotta see it If you’re looking for the most naïve my wife’s gotta be it Now it’s like seven thirty And my girly aint got any clue I’m coming home early And I wanna divert me by Thinking maybe what I don’t know won’t hurt me And now my heart is really racing And I’m hesitating cos I’m so afraid of what I’m facing But deep down already made my mind up It’s eight on the button and my times up And my eyes are getting wetter Should I kick down this door or just mail through this letter? Chorus Outro Verse Stepped through the front door, took my coat off and put my bag down 12 hour shift at work, so I’m glad now I’m home Proceed to the kitchen for H2O Saw the back light on so shouted “Honey you home?” Then I heard a whisper, could have sworn it sounded like a Mister Somewhere in my mind I know there is the chance That my wife could be cheating cos she distant And if I could confirm it I would leave her in an instant Chorus
9.
Made For You 03:53
Intro Let’s go!! Hook To the beat ya’ll, keep on ya’ll [x3] To the beat ya’ll, keep on [Repeat] Verse One I was made for this music I live for the audio And that’s just how the cookie crumbles like Oreo’s Crazy beats and a mic in the studio To make the kind of sound to have ya shaking ya booty yo’ Kick drum bounce snare drum rock Plus the dope soulful sounds I place on top So when my record gets promo and my album drops Make sure your play button works to hell with the stop Yep I said it producer I want my credit Plus I engineer the track arrange and do the edit Mix down, until I feel I’m blessed with sound King classic and nobody aint taking my crown, word Beats and rhymes that aint no problem Got the studio equipment that gets the job done So you hearing this on FM or AM CD’s and cassette tapes we cause mayhem And if ya tools aint sharp then don’t blame them Hot tracks name them then I got to save them Reload them, yo I told them They took too long to make a purchase I sold them I got the Tascam, I got the Korg I got the Behringer connected to the boards I got the wave files, the mp3 So Amy tell em’ how I feel about my MPC Chorus Everyday I see you; my hands were made for you [x2] Hook [Let’s Go] To the beat ya’ll, keep on ya’ll [x3] To the beat ya’ll, keep on [Repeat] Verse Two The nicest on the mic it’s the Funk D, dot Its classic they can’t match this, The Wash we got music that’s made by the most fantastic Spitting on this Amy Winehouse, Mr Magic It’s like Acid Jazz, blended with Hip-Hop Any dope break beat gone have to get got And put in my MPC the 2000 Sequenced straight into bars that loop round And adjust the reverb, touch the EQ You want good music? That’s like me too And we do just that and aint stopping em’ The original track was Grover Washington Junior Plus we Washington Classics You gotta problem? It’s just music dawg it aint serious But with my MPC I’m mischievous And crafty, the beats nasty and sounds blatantly Kind of like the sound Rich H had for Amerie But it’s just one thing that got me trippin’ It’s the way that I get the people to take a listen I got the NS-10’s, I got the Sony’s I got so locked in I got lonely So Ms Winehouse, if ya’ listening Tell em’ what I feel about my studio equipment Outro Let’s go!! Chorus [fades]
10.
Intro I can’t help you I can’t help you Chorus I can’t help you if you won’t help yourself [no] I can’t help you if you won’t help yourself Verse One I get these rappers on my phone line Asking me for more beats when they’ve written no rhymes But really how many more times Have I gotta make it clear they gotta make they own climb I’m all for trying to help out But I can’t supply with every card I got dealt out I aint trying to diminish mine Brung em’ to the race I gotta take em’ to the finish line? I can’t lead em’ any further Than I brought myself so I’m now an observer I watching what they won’t do Expecting it from me but that’s something that you don’t do There’s a difference in a person That’s doing everything they can or only just a burden What more can I tell you? Cos I aint trying to help you if you aint trying to help you Chorus Verse Two I did a lot for many people Now I’m looking back and I can see it was unequal I’m putting more into they own cause I was on high speed they were chillin’ on pause Thought it was very inconsiderate That I would do the Lion share and they would do a little bit So now I’m not the same dude So if I don’t help you it don’t mean I hate you It really means you gotta do more More than you already did more than you asking for Is it really that challenging? Or easier to let somebody else do all the managing I aint really trying to hear that 4th gear up in here while they push the gear back What more can I tell you cos I aint trying to help you if you aint trying to help you Chorus
11.
And we done, ya’ na’ mean… So I hope you enjoyed this journey “Back To Frank” Ya’ na’ mean like… I just wanna big up couple people, ya na I’m saying, When I say a couple I just mean a couple like… and the first is [Amy, Amy, Amy] Ya’ na’ mean… incredible album, love it big up! [Amy, Amy, Amy] Secondly I wanna big up MCD for the idea, ya na’ mean And all the fans of my music and Amy’s Fans!! And last but not least, don’t forget to check out my albums, “The Interview”, “The 4th Quarter”, so many more other albums, iTunes and all of that, Myspace, funkydl.com, website all of that man, more music coming soon… One…
12.
[DL] “Yo what’s up people? This is Funky DL, and like… Yo first of all I wanna big up everyone that went and downloaded Back to Frank, that’s when I sampled Amy Winehouse’s first album, the reviews were truly magnificent. If you didn’t get that, then I guess just Google Back To Frank. This time round I’m going in on Amy’s second album, brought in some friends, family, special guests and features, so…. it’s no longer Back To Black, its Back To Rap” [Amy / I ain’t got seventy days]
13.
Intro [Amy] Nobody stands in between me and my man, it’s me and Mr. Jones, me and Mr. Jones Chorus [Amy] You can’t keep lying to your self like this, You can’t keep lying to your self like this, Can’t believe you played yourself, like this Verse One [DL] Let me write this, [scribble this] Sixteen bars of the hypeness, [its ridiculous] Spit til’ I get tonsillitis [and dribble this] And I ain’t even worried in the slightest, [I’m frivolous] I’m telling you the truth I’m a killer MC I got em’ buried in the booth But once upon a time they wouldn’t let me in the room See it ain't like the whole world knew what I do Never had a number one not even a number two Never had a cool mil’ so I had to make do Never had a plush crib with a beach front view More than four bedrooms and the walls see through But I make myself at home when I rock on a tune And I don’t need to lie or fantasize bout wealth Cos I ain't that guy I won’t play myself Yo it is what it is so it be what it be So this is dedicated to them frontin’ MC’s… Amy! Chorus [Amy] Verse Two [Ricko] Yeah, listen, yo I write bars after billin’ it Naturally hype so the weed helps me chill in it Reek’s got skill in it; I do it for my siblings We pray for health not wealth that’s the different Mind state’s we living in Lying to yourself is just stunting your growth Don’t say that you’re rolling With the pump in the cold if you don’t [that’s long] Cos man will leave you slumped for a loaf [BANG!] Gun butts to the boat and leave lumps on your dome [that’s nuts] And this can all come from the dumb shit you wrote [listen] F.Y.I. never lie when I tell a guy You can catch more than a lump in the throat [trust me] Man get bottled or shot over lyrical content Non spiritual or physical [allow it] Doe holds and clothes flows are so typical [what’s that?] Futuristic visuals cease facts [ahhh!] You need to stop lying to yourself see Snatch [for the reference] Chorus [Amy] Verse Three [Dukus] I like it when the rhymes get [intricate] You can’t deny the shit’s priceless [the richest kid] couldn’t even buy this I might just have to take you back to school again The aim is to turn you hooligans to Buda men And while you pretend I keep proving them wrong By doing what I do on a song For you to pick up all the shit you need a Hoover that’s strong I won’t move in a storm while you be pooing your garms You’re a shade of grey I glow aluminous tone The way he do it you can tell that he’s been doing it long Girls say he be doing it and doing it well You keep losing yourself and you should know better You should not be fooling yourself It’s like you bought a ticket and you’re proud you’re going to hell But you’re a little kid reaching for the top of the shelf For the porno, we all know your type You show no shame cos you don’t know better than being Bobo Chorus [Amy] Verse Four [Pyrelli] Every time I open my mouth [and let the flow out] I mutilate a wack rap bastard [in a showdown] Dry lik’kle bunch a’ pussy dem’ [needing a hose down] [Lazy Boy] it’s so cold how I’m profound It goes down you know now [Huh’] I ain’t even trying to address em’ It’s just for the simple fact I really got to teach these Dum Dums’ a lesson Cos they don’t seem to see that silence is my deadliest weapon Reckon for the record nothing more better than stepping on a head that these peasants Instead except you can keep lying to yourself That’s a no, no, you dying it’s bad for your health You a Bozo, Pinocchio, I’m writing for the cause bitch Dropping jaws’s and corpses, Pyrelli so sick Enormous with DL, Dukus and Ricko The Capito creeping the Jeep slow reload the rawness You’ve just been hit by four clips we think you’re all shit Fraudsters, Amy sing the motherfucking chorus! Chorus [Amy] Outro [Amy] Ruler’s one thing, but come Brixton, nobody stands [fade out]
14.
Intro Right ya’ now people, operator just entertain the people til’ the live recording gwarn, seen? Dem a’go run it seen… me a’go bring round to a serious point now Chorus x2 [Amy] Though we need to find the time, to just do this shit together ‘fore it gets worse Verse One [DL] [Cha!] I came up in the rap game with a bloodcleet mission To give the music lovers something real that they can listen to I would go as far as saying Funky was medicinal But that don’t stop them lik’kle id’yot’s from dissin’ you Fake with love underneath yo they really hate Wasn’t difficult to see that people don’t affiliate Don’t come together, don’t gel, don’t appreciate Don’t celebrate or relate, don’t integrate Musical artist dem tink dem the a’rdest Flex like bad man but true dem chat garbage But when it come to me I face everyone Cos yout’ like I and I just embrace everyone ya see me? And if u’nu understand the lyric me a write na’ Reach inna ya pocket and just push up u’nu lighter! So I came through to tell you bout my preference Dead all the separates and deal with togetherness, yes Chorus x2 Verse Two [Pyrelli] [Yeh] me seh, me pull up ah de’ dance in a brand new Ferrari De’ whole place pack up like a tall can a’ Sardine Cologne Armani, me ah who de’ boss is Swagger top ah de’ bloodclart line, ya get me doggy? Deh, deh by de’ bar me say a wha’ gwarn me darling? Tell ya’ weh’ me warn do, fill up your glass quick Bout fi mek a me exit gi’ her me’ number and tell her fi’ call me Before me reached out she call a’ one fi put it pon me She sit’ down pon me cocky with the real tight punani Me start fi’ fall in’a love, dem should a’ fuck warn me De’ gyal’ did have a plan weh’ never agree with me Now she ah’ breed fi’ me, the gyal’ did have a man Dem’ seh me never born bulletproof and bound fi’ get a shottin’ Ask him if him lose him pussyclart mind, if him forgot it Me call up me dogs and tell em’ bout’ the yout’ raas’mout’ Seh’ we have a lik’kle problem we need fi’ sort out [cha!] Chorus x2 Verse Three [MCD] [Uh ha, let’s do this thing man, let do it, you know how we do, this is real] I found the time to revive this, style of mine I’m Psychic I vibe it then I contemplate how I recite it How we spend the time of our life is so specific You’re gifted but all your gifts what you did with it Time wasting, each second keeps on ticking I ain’t obvious I don’t get in where I fit in I’m uplifting like bread rising in the kitchen I’m eloquent, that’s the formula with all my diction Find the time for peace in your life forget the friction Find the time for loving your wife, that’s what’s been missing And now you listen to all the energy encountered Find the time to be more than a doubter I bet you didn’t think this collaboration would happen I know you found the time to be following every pattern But ever since I listened to rap man I’ve been rapping Ever since I found some time for myself my something happens [echo…] Chorus x2 Outro Right ya’ now, yo u’nu fi check dem ting deh ya know’ Wouldn’t you call that a standing ovation?
15.
Intro x4 [Addictive] Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Verse One [DL] [Hold on] I told you I was trouble 6 foot 1, short hair, black stubble And I will never fold dude I’m bout to raise you double There’s no sweet boys here so kill ya Hubba Bubbles I been around the block like more than a couple, I’m classic So I don’t give a rats nuts if the cap fits Champion like Dilla and Madlib And playa’ this ain't no act like Brad Pitt People talking like Funky is mad sick The way I flip around a beat that’s some bad shit I can put you on the floor like a back spin And I do the opposite of an aspirin The type of dude who is telling not asking So please stay out my way if I’m passing And my team’ll stay sharp like a javelin And we’ll dribble that ball without travelling [haaa!] You can call me ignorant But I don’t – really – give – a – shit Low down dirty rotten apple And I ain’t looking no beef I ain’t cattle Battle?? I aint that guy Open mics all day? Fuck I aint that high You can be my protégé, I’ll mould you But remember I’m trouble I told you! Chorus [Amy] I told you I was trouble [x3] Yeah you know that I’m no good Refrain [Addictive] I told I was trouble [x4] [various phrases] Verse Two [Pyrelli] They call me Mr. Lazy, the one all of the girls like The one the haters wanna fight, my future looks so bright When the weather’s mucky push a clean buggy Through the streets of the gritty city, catch me dipping in the Turnpike I learn mics so I earn right burn guys It’s my birth right, rhyming like I’m on my third strike So blame the melanin, they ill but they ain’t sick as this My flair clear up that congestion Benylin I get’s it in whistle and flute no bow tie With my nigga Funky DL, we from the Eastside And this how G’s ride, fuck the jail time We conspire, turned the game into shook bitches, perspire I serve fire as my appetizer Blazing each show in 4D, there’s nothing liver I’m a troublemaker, straight bubble break ya’ Flying clotheslines, Lariat’s with Haymakers We catch the worms soon as they breaks Cos me and my team supreme they can’t break us United in this bitch pulling big boy capers Its big business and the motherfucking briefcases You know what this is, the Consist, the Instigator Classic shit, back to rap, nothing greater Ha! You down with us and you know we love you Against us and it’s motherfuck you, I’m trouble! Chorus [Amy] Refrain [Addictive] [various phrases / fade out]
16.
Intro [Dukus] Ooooh, Ooooh [dah dah dah] Ooooh, Ooooh Ooooh, Ooooh [dah dah dah] Ooooh, Ooooh-oooh Verse One [DL] I Knew this girl who was legendary I’ll describe her if you’re wondering Older vibe like Halle Berry Younger vibe like Lauren London Met her at a Pizza express Waitress on a minimum wage Started talking, told me to guess How old she was, what was her age? If I get it right I get her number Got her number cos I got it right Trying to find out what she under Shall we go out, how bout tonight? Let me cut the story short for you She became my girl, I became her man As I write this report for you Try to listen close, try to understand Everything was working out so well Until I found out bout her ex I suspect she cheats, oh well! Got to let her go on to the next But she kind of got a hold on me What could it be? Maybe I’m whipped Out the blue she go cold on me And I know why, it’s him, [oh shit] It’s a competition for her love She don’t know which one of us to choose Which one of us she puts above Either way I guess one of us will lose Til’ she didn’t come home one night So I waited up kept yawning Then I laid my head on my pillow Closed my eyes until the morning came Chorus [Amy] And I wake up alone [x2] Verse Two [DL] Asked her where she was but already knew But she broke down and she confessed Said she made the wrong choice And she knew that I was her number one And she blessed to still have me in her life Could I find it in my heart to forgive? Even though it cuts sharp like a knife She the one I wanna be with Everything was cool for a while Til’ I started seeing much more cash Wonder where she getting all this money from Started throwing old clothes in the trash Then she bought herself a brand new car Brand new jewels, brand new shoes But she wasn’t telling me anything Once again I’m a brand new fool All this carries on for a while Every time I ask she don’t speak Next thing I know cops at my house On the floor with a gun in my cheek Took my girl into custody Cos they found her with 2 keys of dope Now she in a court room with a judge Gave her 3 years she won’t cope Could have been much more than that But she snitched and gave up a name Turns out the same ex was involved Then I realized nothing changed Now she sat in a prison cell Didn’t heed my final warning Now it’s just me laying in my bed Toss and turning till the morning came [uh] Chorus [Amy] Verse Three [DL] Did her time for the crime she did Now she out she knocks on my door Begging me to give her one more chance Grabbed my arm and dropped to the floor Said she gonna be a good girl now No more lies it’s a new start Wish I could make a choice with my head Instead I made a choice with my heart Let her come back into my life Damn why would I do such a thing? But it seems she’s changed her ways And she treats me just like a king And her ex is still inside Everything is perfect now and it seems everything we went through was oh so worth it now But now there’s word on the street That her ex wants his revenge Now I fear for her safety And I’m scared, I won’t pretend But she tells me don’t worry Everything is gonna be ok Then I heard a round of gunshots Echoing from downstairs one day Ran down as fast as I could She was on the floor would she survive? Don’t know so I stayed by her side Til’ she was no longer alive Buried her on a Sunday And people say I’m stalling Cos her picture stays on my pillow But she’s never there in the morning [damn] Chorus Out [Amy] And I wake up alone [x3] [Duke] Come back, come, back, come back, come back, huh [Amy] And I wake up alone [Duke] Come back, come, back, come back, come back, huh [Amy] And I wake up alone
17.
Intro [Amy] All I can ever be to you is a darkness that we knew And this regret I've got accustomed to Intro Chorus x4 [Amy] Once you don’t owe nothing to me Verse One [DL] My Fate ain’t written in Great Britain I’m straight spitting Take missions, make listeners stand up I hate sitting I hot step in Red Sox like Boston And stone cold stepping like stone Steve Austin [You know my steez!] I’m showing you something So flow correct with your debt until you owing me nothing I’m not a walk at the beach, homie don’t be frontin’ Because a beat and rhyme speech ain’t my only button So don’t push me [pay me] Don’t get comfortable, cushy [ya crazy?] I’m saying this once to you and homie, [maybe] I’m responsible to hold you [daily] interest chargeable I’m here to collect all debts To collect all cash, all cheques Am-Ex To collect all belongings or something to that effect When your balance hit the red I’m a pain in the neck Chorus [DL / Amy] You can come back to the studio [Once you don’t owe nothing to me] I’ll stop taking Pounds and Dollars and Euro’s [Once you don’t owe nothing to me] And it will change like a Currency Bureau [Once you don’t owe nothing to me Things will go back the way you know [Once you don’t owe nothing to me] Verse Two [Sus] No way you ain’t getting you a thing off me Like an I.O.U. not happening You say you put me on the map got my Passport stamped Truth is it’s you who ain’t travelling Leeches, blood sucking til’ there’s nothing left You’re just another undercover praying on success And I ain’t for that stress, there’s no interest You trying to invest, shares go belly up I put pennies in your pocket, any way you can profit I will take you to places Show you faces and names you only see in the comics Now you’re a villain saying you saved the day? You know what they say, if the wind blows And you’re two-faced, shit’ll stay the same I ain’t saying names but I say it [once, once] You better off French Kissing on a loaded gun Chorus Verse Three [Dukus] See there’s two types of people in the world and you’re one of them The ones that don’t get it, the ones who ain’t won a thing Wishing for a lottery win over anything Cos anything’s better than any way they’ve ever been For the past, how ever many years I’ve seen many disappear into thin air For, for lack of finesse Perhaps you should witness The true form of what it really means to be a killer of Chinchilla’s Sticking up the chin, I put the face up in the chimney And have a Gin; your girl has the package I’m packaging I happen to have a thing for Rappers who cannot string words So I’m damaging their abdomens Put pressure on the wounds if you cannot consume with a spoon What I have spewed for you to chew As soon as I hear the beat it’s over And as soon as you get the beats it’s over, it’s over Chorus Outro [Amy] But to walk away I have no capacity He walks away, the sun goes down He takes the day [fade]
18.
Intro [DL] Dedicate this one to my Father, who sadly passed away midway in recording this album, rest in peace Pops… Intro Chorus x2 [Amy] Self professed, profound, Til’ the chips were down Verse One [DL] I’m alone in a room as I zone to this tune Thinking bout the highest moments of my life and the gloom And the low points, when I thought about retiring from any more joints Screw getting up I’m lying in Pass me the Duvet, this is real life talk bitch it aint a movie Bitch it ain’t blue ray, bitch it ain’t Student union movie Tuesday I’m a straight hustle no regards to what the rules say When I say hustle not referring the white stuff Only making reference to the beats and turning mics up So don’t bother squinting at me, no one turned the lights up Or I’m ‘a reach boiling point like when you turn the rice up, You could say I’m confident, brazen, tenacious So put away your two Jack’s I got four Aces So you can call me top boy, yeah that mean I roll plush Til’ some lucky bastard come and beat me with a royal flush! I was feeling so… Chorus [Amy / DL] [Self professed, profound] And everything was going so great until… [Til’ the chips were down] But I came back up so I’m feeling [Self professed, profound] And everything was going so great until… [Til’ the chips were down] But I still keep smiling… Verse Two [DL] I can have a cool day, free from any problems Other days I wake up and I’m feeling so despondent Just like when you messaging a girl who aint responding Or your cash flow is on pause and you starving Wishing for a garden where every tree is fruitful And a naked woman called Eve and she beautiful And I’m at my pinnacle, nobody can topple me Looking at a property and thinking bout it properly So I’m in my good books, character and good looks Til’ I am reminded that I live amongst these hood crooks And they don’t respect me must be the street code 21st century Wanna say something but my heart won’t let, me must be the wisdom Coupled with the fact that they probably won’t listen I’m grand old Duke ‘in it so when I’m up, I’m up And when I’m down, I’m down so enough is enough, is enough, is enough And I’m feeling Chorus Verse Three [DL] I guess I’m trying to say to you that even if you have the guts To stand up to the world, it won’t stop it trying to grab your nuts And put you in a dark place to make you feel you don’t fit Makes tomorrow harder than today but tells you don’t quit But then there is the flip side, where everything is blissful Where everything is clicking into place just like a pistol Flipside, take a long trip nobody miss you Flipside, money ain’t a worry got a fistful This my life in a contrast, ups and downs And at times I’m with comrades, sometimes times clowns It’s a tug o’ war when you just want more And ya looking for a door but you pushed to the floor And you look at the scoreboard to check on your score And your score is lower than 5 minus 4 And you wanna go back to the day right before When you felt at one with the world from you core [and you were feeling] Chorus Outro [Amy] And now the final frame, love is a losing game…
19.
Chorus x2 [Amy / DL] Put it in writing, but who you writing for? [For just yourself? I’d like to know, I do] Verse One [DL] Uh, too many rappers steady writing bullshit Coming up with old shit and saying its new shit Every word they writes an inch away from stupid Who they think is gone be listening to they music? Nobody cares and nobody profits Cos when they put pen to paper yo it’s catastrophic You an artist now you got a blank sheet of paper? Isn’t it your job to paint a picture like a painter? Instead they on some pancake flow Little fruity in the middle so they fan base grow Talking all kinds of rubbish so they band makes doe If they got a hit record probably can’t make more [Them niggas need to stop] it’s called the hand brake flow Take a seat yo’ they need to plan they flow So the general public can relate to what they wrote Cos it ain’t like they writing yo its like they make notes and then they… Chorus Verse Two [Ricko] Yo, man are talking bout things that they never done Until Karma forces them to get a gun Man are coming for your funds cos you said that you sell a tonne And on the strip you’re a veteran Okay, the flows bait, you’re so fake Fuck biters I brush teef’s no Colgate Trust me, under pressure Them man’ll crack like the pilot in Soulplane Now here’s a little task for the known lames How about trying to ride in your own lane? You ain’t wavy, I can see it in your boat race Skills, no frills, meaning you have no taste So now you’re looking at a next mans life Constructing your lines through a next mans eyes Trying to fool the masses with the next mans vibe That’s like stunting in the next mans ride [echo] Chorus Verse Three [K9] I’m like tell me who you writing for? I think your rhymes are poor I don’t believe what you’re saying so why the talk? You just lying to yourself to try and get the wealth But everything you say blood, I ignore Cos you guys are all feeding me the lies But I can’t be scammed, I can read between the lines Stop cheating on the mic, you think that it’s easily disguised But we ain’t believing all the hype I just speak what’s on the mind and put it in words Some say that I’m sick with the similes, metaphors Adjectives, nouns and I’m good with the verbs Trying to get what I fully deserve So would you prefer a real artist telling you the truth? Every time he gets up in the booth? Or would you rather listen to a bredduh’ that is loose? Spitting the fiction and telling you “whatever” on a tune [echo] Chorus
20.
Intro [Ricko Capito] Ay yo DL, I think it’s time for that Slick Rick shit you know fam, you dun’ know Intro Hook [DL] Now this is a simple fairytale, about a girl I used to know Who ran away from everything, but really wants to come back home you know But she too scared and so she spends all day on road Thinking of a place to go so she can be alone Verse One [DL] I knew this girl going through a hard time Won’t say her name cos that’s not fair She studied so hard at school But her grades weren’t great at the end of the year And she had a pops so strict And he wanted to control everything she would wear Her Boyfriend was an alcoholic And when he got upset he would pull her hair Her Mother died giving birth to her With no older Siblings in her life This young girl had a little Sister How is that possible? Dads second wife But one day the wife up and left She got too tired of the Dads control Some people said it was selfish Leaving two young girls left on they own It all became a bit too much With no one to talk to the stress builds up So one day she packs up a suitcase Finally deciding enough was enough Then one day dad comes home And then he realized that his daughter has left He calls the police to come over And hopefully help him retrace her steps like… Chorus [DL / Amy / Lei-an] Now she running from the cops [What she running from?] She running from her pops [What she running from?] She running from her ex-boyfriend [What she running from?] she running from everything [I’m running from everything / (Lei-an simultaneously)] Verse Two [DL] Yo, she out in the big wide world With not much money and not much to do With no real place to call home She’s turning her back on the life that she knew But she got her mind made up and with that said no one was gonna’ spoil it Spends her first night in a Motel Very next morning looking for employment [Oh my days] but no one’s hiring Not even a small job cleaning a window Hardship really hits home Cos it was never really gonna’ be that simple A whole 7 days go by With so much walking her shoes give her blisters So she sits down on a park bench Feeling the guilt of leaving her sister Knowing what her dad was like And acknowledging her step mum did the same She didn’t want her sister to grow up feeling neglected And pointing the blame She made a decision right then To do the right thing and make that call Her dad didn’t ask where was As long as she safe come all that’s all Chorus [DL / Amy / Lei-an] She was running from the cops [What she running from?] She was running from her pops [What she running from?] She was running from her ex-boyfriend [What she running from?] she running from everything [I’m running from everything / (Lei-an simultaneously)] Outro [DL] But now she runs and she runs, now she runs back home And she runs and she runs, suddenly she runs back home [repeats] (Simultaneously) [Lei-an] But now I run and I run, and I run back home And I run and I run, suddenly I’m running back home [repeats]
21.
Intro [DL] Yo, Yo, yo Yo, yo, yo Verse One [DL] Uh, they call me the hardest working man ever Probably because I like to endeavour Cos I won’t finish if time don’t finish The beat still playing? My rhyme won’t finish Recorded nine albums in three years With no candles blown out with three cheers Cos hard work ain’t no party I ain’t beat-les like Paul McCartney I’m so sleepless just like a zombie But no weakness in my way to stop me I see a lot of young cats chilling Gun to the clock we call it time killing Talking I’m on the grind shit But really wanna take all my shit Plus they wanna criticise my way They got to be high like Friday Cos this my life no hobby I know I can’t please everybody And some folks way to snotty but I’m J.R. they Bobby So I’mma just do what I do Worldwide Underground like Badu So I won’t lose no face And my parents brought me to this place so I can get mine Chorus [Amy] So I can get mine and you get yours Verse Two [DL] I spend a lot of time on my own Which means that I spend a lot of time on the phone I spend a lot of time in the lab So I spend a lot of time with my pen and my pad I write till my fingers hurting So don’t judge if you never been that person So let my pain be my pain And let my gain be my gain I got nothing to loose So I keep going even when I’m not in the mood Even if I probably loose I stand tall I ain’t one of these dudes Who give up on the first hurdle My Pops raised me like a Ninja Turtle I can’t be no cry baby So Mike let’s go get that Mercedes! And cruise around in the city No doubt, no regret no pity Top boys on the committee With top girls looking so pretty Living my life like a movie Having a great time nothing moody And I won’t lose no face And my parents brought me to this place so I can get mine [damn right] Chorus [Amy] So I can get mine and you get yours Speech [DL] Yeah, for real, right first of all I wanna apologize if I sound a bit bunged up, like, I… I caught a cold on the back end of recording this but urm, you know, I’m just gonna talk you out, urm, I just wanna say like, this, this song and this album is primarily just about going for your really… ya na’ mean? Like I’ve always been taught, to not let anything get in your way, no resistance, no hurdles, no obstacles, ya na’ mean? I mean I guess you’re always gonna face all that stuff in life but it’s still important to know that you can overcome, ya na’ mean? Like hardship and adversity and all of that… you know a lot of people talk about trying to make it like when they, they can’t even make a roll up! Do ya’ know what I’m saying? It’s like you got to get that discipline, that balance, that purpose and perspective and just do like what… What Amy’s saying basically… Outro Chorus [Amy] Yeah I can get mine and you get yours Yay-eee I can get mine and you get yours
22.
Chorus [Amy / DL] [She sits home and dreams] Dreaming of the man in her life She thinking he is doing her right [He’s not all he seems] His true colours won’t come through I think that she ignoring them too [Now she won’t be happy] Girl this ain’t no price to pay So I don’t understand why you stay cos… [It’s false security but she will be waiting] Verse One [DL] She sitting home dreaming bout a man who no good And everybody tells her but she misunderstood I guess that you could say that she was blinded by love Cos if you knew the things that she was tolerant of You probably be thinking that she sick in head The way he got her tripping cos he got her misled He got her suffocating like she holding her breath I told her she should kill it but she loves him to death It’s like the way that he be treating her was never best He had her slumming in his village like she run with the S But he ain't what he seems on real yo he’s not She thinks that he’s diamond not a rock at the top And plus he got her thinking that he loves her to bits But never says the reason why he never commits String dangling with her heart is not cool Cos he is not golden but she playing the fool [fool, fool, fool] Chorus [Amy / Pyrelli] [She sits home and dreams] Dreaming of the man in her life She thinking that he doing her right [He’s not all he seems] His true colours won’t come true I think that she ignoring them too [Now she won’t be happy] Girl this ain’t no price to pay So I don’t understand why you stay cos… [It’s false security but she will be waiting] Verse Two [Pyrelli] Yo D, she came to see me last night in the pouring rain With nothing but tears of pain rolling down her face All I could do was cuddle her frame and kiss her cheek And place her distressed head over my heartbeat On her wonderfully toned skin she wearing bruises Blaming herself for falling in love with a loser I don’t know what to do bruv! I can’t repeat the things on this track that she said he’d do to her The way she’d say it like it’s nothing, it ain’t new to her Steady defending him like it ain’t him abusing her She’s so beautiful, I asked God I wondered what the reason is she have to go through this ting’ at all? I pray you give her joy forevermore And the strength to overcome a love so un-pure I felt compelled to write for her cos I adore her But only time will tell cos it’s the master, there’s no other cure that’s why… Chorus [Amy / DL] Verse Three [DL] She waiting for the day when he gets her a ring And tells her he’s prepared to give her everything But the clock keeps ticking and the hours go by And she infatuated but she scared to ask why Thinking she will lose him if she tries to provoke Cos she don’t see no reason to be rocking the boat Wrapped around his finger is her whole wide world A golden boy for a foolish girl [Pyrelli] Never had relations with her, used to carry feelings for her But I kept em’ on the low cos I’m a dog when we out on tour It weren’t fair having you placed in that situation Now every year, more and more you disintegrating Breaking down your spirit of your mind he got control Now you looking twice your age like you’re sixty years old Babe, you really need to let this dude go And stop acting like this fools gold… but until then… Chorus [Amy / Pyrelli]
23.
[DL] “I guess we’re gonna draw the curtain now, the end of the journey… Back To Rap… Funky DL samples Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black… I just wanna at this time, I wanna big up everyone who came through... all the artists and the features, like my family man… Big up to like Dukus, Dukus Alemay, big up Sus, big up Pyrelli, Ricko Capito, K9, Lei-an, Addictive, MCD… MCD was the one who gave me the idea for this initially so big up MCD, also big up Parris, big time video director doing it big in New York, goreela.com DJ Stixx and the UK’s number one hip-hop DJ, DJ 279, shout out’s to DJ Kofi, can’t forget Klashnekoff, and my cousin Mike a.k.a. Myers… Yo you can check out the urm? The bundle download, like there’s other folders in there where you can see more about all the artists who came through on this, I just wanna thank them again ya’ na’ mean? It’s been a real good experience, real big experience ya’ na’ mean? Don’t forget to cop the brand new Funky DL album... entitled... “A Classic Example of a…” It’s out in July 2010, summertime, timeless… check out all the Funky DL albums on iTunes, funkydl.com Sending this one out to all Funky DL fans and all Amy Winehouse fans and I guess with all that said and done…there’s only one more thing I can really say… Big up Amy Winehouse. Outro [Amy] He left no time to regret, kept his dick wet, with his same old [fade]

about

[CLICK EACH SONG TITLE FOR LYRICS]

Respected Hip-Hop maestro, Funky DL, innovatively came correct for 2010 with 'Back To Frank', a piece of Amy Winehouse-inspired audio alchemy. The project came about after a conversation with UK Hip-Hop legend, MCD (Silent Eclipse), from which MCD suggested ideas for DL to expand his appeal to audiences that would appreciate his trademark jazz sound. MCD suggested he use an Amy hook. A cautious DL took his advice and came up with 'Kicked To The Curb', sampling Amy Winehouse's 'You Sent Me Flying' and after this initial foray, DL never looked back, turning the whole thing into an album project based around Amy Winehouse’s debut album ‘Frank’… The interplay between DL's rhymes and the blissful musical backdrops including Amy's distinctive voice, meshes together some of the finest hip-hop / jazz in the game.

Then, less than four months later, Funky DL returned to the studio for the second time to record the sequel to ‘Back To Frank’ and this was to become ‘Back To Rap’. Primarily based around Amy’s sophomore album 'Back To Black', this time round would feature a slew of artists as guests. This of course deviated away from the jazzier sound known from 'Back To Frank', as Amy's "'Back To Black' was moodier and darker than her debut. Even still, the combination worked just as well the second time around, carrying a boom-bap swing, a depth in subject matter and a sublimeness of lyrical ability (just listen to 'The Chips Were Down') to be envied by any budding MC.

DL has always been a huge fan of Amy's to the extent that both these albums were written, recorded and released back in 2010 prior to Amy's sad departure.

For the first time, both albums are combined into one long player set and have enough music to keep the speakers alive for days… But in all cases of audio commentary, it's always best to "let the music do the talking"… in the meantime, here are the joints, broken down for you track by track.


//TRACK 1: 'BACK TO FRANK INTRO’
Funky DL gets the listener ready, set and good to go over Amy Winehouse’s ‘October Song’ blended with drum breaks... and provides a relaxed intro to ‘Back To Frank’, before the first full length track is unveiled.

//TRACK 2: 'WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?’
‘What Do You Expect?’ was the second song written, produced and recorded for ‘Back To Frank’ sampling Amy’s ‘I Heard Love is Blind’. Funky DL sums up his evident feeling of being on the outside of particular circles in hip hop within the UK and how that dejection actually freed him from getting involved in the hip-politics and left him free to get on with his career. The unorthodox 3 bar loop arrangement is apparent in this one with chops and breaks flying in during the arrangement.

//TRACK 3: 'KICKED TO THE CURB’
This is the song that kicked the whole project off, and as 'You Sent Me Flying' is DL’s favourite track by Amy, he made 'Kicked To The Curb' his starting block for the album. In this song DL remarks of his regret as to the reasons why a relationship had to come to an end without actually saying what the girl did that led him to kick her to the curb, and does this smoothly over a beat reminiscent of some old Dilla / Slum Village vibe...

//TRACK 4: 'HANDED TO YOU FREE’
Never a more suitable selection to showcase Funky DL’s production skills in his ability to take all of the sounds used in this jam (bar the bass, 80’s snare drum and old drum loop for the outro) from the original Amy joint ‘Know You Now’ and re-arrange the guitar chord structure and flip the drum pattern, whilst interplaying with remnants of Amy’s vocal. DL muses over the value of hard work and utilises the glossy groove to let the listeners know that they should never expect things to be handed to them for free.

//TRACK 5: 'REALIZE RESPONSIBILITY’
This is one of DL’s personal favourites. The subject matter for the verbal’s is realising responsibility, growing up, and allowing yourself to be answerable to yourself and no other. The re-arrangement of Amy’s ‘Brother’, with a pile up of four 90’s style drum beats and airy reverberant harmonies, gives this song its old school but true school, chilled flava!

//TRACK 6: 'STRONGER’
Probably the closest to its original form of any song from the ‘Frank’ album, Funky DL took the horns from an outro skit version of Amy’s ‘Stronger Than Me’, and some guitar passes along with programming an old jazz style walking baseline. Then DL set about reprogramming the drums from the opening snatch in the intro of Amy’s original version of ‘Stronger Than Me’, editing Amy’s chorus down to just ‘you should be stronger’ with echo trails. This meant that DL could lyrically summarise on the need for a sense of inner strength within us all and our remembrance of just how powerful of an individual we can all be.

//TRACK 7: 'THE SWEETEST THING’
This song is as true of a representation of Funky DL and his love for jazz as it could get. An ode to the fairer sex and with true jazz chops all taken from Amy’s ‘(There Is) No Greater Love’. DL states “the drums were actually borrowed” (for want of a better word) from Questlove of The Roots and his YouTube channel ‘qoolquest’ and sampled directly from YouTube, but with some snare drum tuning and toning to make it at least somewhat different”. The interaction from verses into chorus is a tight fit and works to make this joint a jazz-filled and energetic piece.

//TRACK 8: 'BUT THAT'S NOT ME’
DL came with some niceties on this one with a story of his fears and insecurities of a suspected cheating wife to whom he is unsure whether to confront or quietly slip away from, only leaving a note or letter. DL explains “This was a difficult one because Amy hardly said anything from the original ‘Take the Box’ song that I could really write around” The story unfolds and is vividly descriptive only to come back round full circle to display that the 1st verse could have easily been 2nd and the 2nd, the 1st...

//TRACK 9: 'MADE FOR YOU’
DL stays true to his production roots with this ode to ‘studio equipment’. With a hook from Amy stating “everyday I see you, my hands were made for you”, it becomes clearer to understand where DL’s heart lies. As an avid Akai MPC user, Funky DL has taught himself the machine inside and out, even having to open the sampler to replace a burnt out memory chip whilst recording the project. A music lover’s favourite appears in the form of Grover Washington Jr’s ‘Mister Magic’, which Amy covered on her debut album as an unlisted bonus track.

//TRACK 10: 'I CAN'T HELP YOU’
Funky DL’s early influences were producers like Pete Rock, which is highly apparent on this one. Funky DL sends a message out to all those who are always prepared to lean on others for help, never having ever done anything themselves… to help themselves. The shortest and last track on ‘Back To Frank’ offers the opportunity for self-reflection if adhered to carefully.

//TRACK 11: 'BACK TO FRANK OUTRO’
DL takes this opportunity to send a shout out to Amy Winehouse and MCD as he says “for the idea” over a re-sampled ‘Amy, Amy, Amy’. A short outro to a short but well constructed album.

//TRACK 12: ' BACK TO RAP INTRO’
Funky DL chopped and segmented Amy’s ‘Rehab’ to be used for just the intro for Back To Rap as a familiar audio landscape to prepare the listener for what is to come.

//TRACK 13: 'CAN’T KEEP LYING’ featuring Ricko Capito, Dukus Alemay & Pyrelli
DL, Ricko Capito, Dukus Alemay and Pyrelli make a quartet of rhyme-smiths on this jam. DL cleverly chopped Amy’s vocals from ‘Me and Mr Jones’ and used different layers of filter frequency while switching drums grooves from hook to verses to provide a swing in the beat and a solid groove.

//TRACK 14: 'TOGETHER’ featuring Pyrelli & MCD
It was only right that since MCD was responsible for giving DL the initial idea for this project, he himself should feature on one of the songs. With Pyrelli added to the fold, ‘Together’ is a tri-scope view on the idea of togetherness from each MC. The reggae-ska sample from Amy’s ‘Just Friends’, lent to DL then sampling from some of the original “Saxon Sound” raves held in the UK in the 1980’s which feature the vocals of legends Papa Levi, Tippa Irie, Daddy Colonel and Daddy Rusty.

//TRACK 15: 'I TOLD YOU I WAS TROUBLE’ featuring Pyrelli & Addictive
Hip-Hop has always been synonymous with big drum beats so ‘You Know I’m No Good‘ was a perfect backdrop to showcase this as it starts with and electrifying live drum performance. DL snuck in and took snippets of horn screeches and stabs to then layer over the spacious beats and then went in with Pyrelli to tear the track apart lyrically. Female vocal group “Addictive” were added to provide harmonic value with their beautiful tones and texture as vocalists.

//TRACK 16: 'AND I WAKE UP ALONE’ featuring Dukus Alemay
Mirroring the storytelling value of ‘But That’s Not Me’ from ‘Back To Frank’, Amy’s ‘Wake Up Alone’ provided the perfect chorus and theme to enable DL to do so once more. Dukus Alemay provides a rainbow of harmonies for the intro and outro to further expand on the Amy Winehouse original, whilst DL plays extra keys with pizzicato and pads to bring the track alive beyond the original. DL remarks “The biggest challenge in this one was performing in a 3/4 time signature which is not highly common in Hip-Hop, although songs like Kanye West’s ‘Fly Away’ and Nas’ ‘Heaven’ have proven it is possible to do it and to do it dope!

//TRACK 17: 'OWE NOTHING TO ME’ featuring Sus & Dukus Alemay
Bearing in mind that Amy Winehouse hardly left any instrumental part open during her performance of ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’, DL did extremely well to create this track which again features Dukus Alemay and his also ‘Dead Bully’ rhyming partner Sus.

//TRACK 18: 'THE CHIPS WERE DOWN’
DL holds this song as his most precious from the ‘Back To Rap’ collection, because lyrically he feels it is some of the most honest writing he has ever put to his music. Sampling Amy’s ‘Love Is a Losing Game’, DL turns this into a heartfelt and melancholy tale of the ups and downs that life throw at us and how we can and can’t cope with them.

//TRACK 19: 'PUT IT IN WRITING’ featuring Ricko Capito & K9
Amy Winehouse’s ‘Some Unholy War’ is the backdrop for this number. Ricko Capito and K9 are two rappers DL met in late 2009 whilst working with Klashnekoff. So impressed with both their lyrical ability, it was a perfect opportunity to feature them both on the album in the form of ‘Put It In Writing’.

//TRACK 20: 'WHAT’S SHE RUNNING FROM?’ featuring Lei-an
DL felt that the original music for Amy’s ‘He Can Only Hold Her’ reminded him of something that the rapper Slick Rick would have chosen to rhyme over back in the day. That propelled to perform an almost Slick Rick style of flow on this track. With Lei-an as an added feature for a hook line and the outro, the track ended up sounding much better than DL had initially envisaged.

//TRACK 21: 'I CAN GET MINE’
The fastest track of the bunch comes in the form of ‘I Can Get Mine’ which samples Amy Winehouse’s ‘Addicted’. This song also has the shortest chorus line out of all the songs on the album. The song depicts going for yours and getting what you’re worth in this world. DL originally recorded a song entitled ‘I Think’ but it was never released, so he took the drums and merged them with the Amy samples to bring this high paced groove to the album.

//TRACK 22: 'GOLD FOR A FOOL’ featuring Pyrelli
Appearing on the album as a bonus feature, this is actually the very first beat that DL worked on in starting the ‘Back To Rap’ process; even though the original Amy track ‘Fools Gold’ did not feature on the ‘Back To Black’ album. When Pyrelli heard the beat, he fell in love with the vibe and DL agreed that they’d both share the lyrical duties on the track.

//TRACK 23: 'BACK TO RAP OUTRO’
DL takes this opportunity to send a shout out all the artists involved in the album process over the straight loop of Amy’s ‘Black To Black’… a shout out and peace out to all... and a nice round off and finish to a classic project.


Let's celebrate Amy's music and embrace it into hip-hop as she embraced hip-hop into her art...

Enjoy the FREE download!!!

credits

released January 15, 2013

PRODUCED & RE-PRODUCED BY: FUNKY DL FOR WASHINGTON CLASSICS 2010

RECORDED & MIXED BY: FUNKY DL AT THE WASHINGTON SOUNDLAB

ART, DESIGN & LAYOUT: WASHART

WASHINGTON CLASSICS LOGO: SANCHEZ AT VICIOUS CIRCLE DESIGN

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: N. NEWMAN

THE COPYRIGHT IN THIS SOUND RECORDING IS OWNED BY WASHINGTON CLASSICS © 2010

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Funky DL London, UK

Funky DL is regarded as one of the most legendary and significant MC's and Producers to come out of the UK. Now globally known for delivering albums with both musical and lyrical finesse...

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