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The Return Of The Prodigal Son (featuring Holistik) by Leon [Email]
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Keywords:
winner (2), loser (3), hope (82), prodigal (1), son (22), return (6), Leon (22), Holistik (40)
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Description:
I always wanted to try writing a hip-hop song, like "Gangsta's Paradise,'" so it was like stumbling on a gem when I came upon Holistik's rap "I Stopped Losing A Long Time Ago" which has an awesome rhythm, a well-written and well-performed rap with a great message. Curiously, he also released all his songs into the public domain several months ago and has not been spotted at Macjams since then.
As I wanted to expand and diversify my style, I took this chance to sample and incorporate parts of his rap into my melodic lyrics and complete a rap/hip hop song, which to me is a new, experimental genre. I wanted to build a song that sends out a message of hope and change for anyone who has lost or gone astray. This song is not autobiographical for me, but as I was writing this song I recalled Scott Carmichael's response to my comment to his recent song: that goodness and perfection is not a state but rather a journey that we all hope to attain but we all fall short of (or something along that line).
The original title (I Stopped Losing A Long Time Ago) was very much in line with the essence of this song, that inside each one of us is a good man, a great winner that is wanting to assert itself.
Musically, one thing I learned from this collaboration is that it so damn difficult to rap! I sang back-up vocals on some of the rap parts and I had to do at least ten takes for one verse to keep up with the pace and timing! Ha-ha! But since this song breaks new ground for me, it is one of my proudest and most satisfying works.
Thanks, Holistik, for your wonderful rap!
Lyrics:
THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON
(I Stopped Losing A Long time Ago)
co-written and performed by Leon & Holistik
[Intro]
Well God bless 'cause the truths in your soul
Young or old, we're all made of gold
[Rap 1]
I stopped losin' a long time ago
Take a break from your rap and listen to my flow
I'm not on my own, I'm backed by mad skill
Pick a battle wit' us and you're grabbin' a bad deal
[1]
People have told me I'm losing my way and wasting my life,
going down the wrong path
I have fought the world, wrestled my demons,
lost some battles, all wrapped in my wrath
I feel a need to change, turn around,
bring down the stops 'cause it's time to go
Cause in my mind I have the will to win,
began to think I stopped losing a long time ago.
[Chorus 1]
My mind's in motion, it's finally open
The mic's explodin', yet I can hold it
The birth of magic, my words surpassed it
At first my hand slipped but I learned to grasp it
[2]
Take on the challenge of life, go up and down,
learn from the lessons of history
Pick up the pieces of a shattered past
and move forward, time to clinch victory
Look in the mirror, do I see my face,
a beaten warrior or a hungry stranger
Time to lose all the weight of despair,
take the prize of life... it's now or never
[3]
I know, I've got a way to go...
But you'll always be there for me... yeah
I feel a need to change, turn around,
bring down the stops 'cause it's time to go
Cause in my mind I have the will to win,
began to think I stopped losing a long time ago
[Rap 1]
I stopped losin' a long time ago
Take a break from your rap and listen to my flow
I'm not on my own, I'm backed by mad skill
Pick a battle wit' us and you're grabbin' a bad deal
[Rap 2]
Often the crews that I cross get crossed
'Cause they lost, and they said that they would win
but they did not
I recall in the past when I was battlin' Nasty
And Ghost, they both showed that they could blow past me
But I remembered how the foundation of
my faith was based on hate, and then one day...
(Repeat verse 1)
[Bridge]
My mind's in motion, it's finally open
At first my hand slipped but I learned to grasp it
(Repeat Rap 1/Chorus 1 and Rap 2)
[Outro]
Well God bless 'cause the truths in your soul
Young or old, we're all made of gold
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Nice &mdash 05/04/07 - 04:52:40 PM
This is very nice. The rap is excellent, and the words and music you created work very well. Your vocal performance is outstanding. Terrific tone and range in your voice. Dynamic, stirring stuff. Kind of seemed to lack a bit of bottom end in my speakers (but keep in mind - they're crappy speakers!). Very cool. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks... &mdash 05/05/07 - 11:59:53 AM
Thanks for the listen! Hip hop is a new genre for me, so this was quite a challenge. Thanks for appreciating my vocals. Truthfully, I was more in awe of how Holistik manages to rap each word so clearly. That guy can outrap Eminem if given the chance.
As for the bass, it may vary from speaker to speaker. My full system is overly booming with bass and I actually had to tone down the bass guitars in this song, whereas in my little speakers the bass came off as a rattle rather than a boom.
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Very cool &mdash 05/04/07 - 06:41:34 PM
I went back and listened to Holistik's original. You did an excellent job of incorporating it and expanding on what he did. You worked his stuff in seamlessly, both musically and thematically. You are a man of many talents. Enjoyed it very much. [ Reply to This ]
Thanks! &mdash 05/05/07 - 12:06:33 PM
I'm amazed you actually took time to listen to the original rap, but it's great to know you did so you know how much effort was put into this hip hop song. It has an anthemic message to constantly remind myself that I've got what it takes to move through life and win, and Holistik's song happened to have the content and edginess that I was looing for. I am always excited to try new things, so this was a joy to create. Thanks for your appreciation, Joe!
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Joyous &mdash 05/05/07 - 01:46:19 AM
This is awesome - I was grabbed from the intro. Love clean arrangement, and grear drum progs, which drive the song along. The vocals however really make this - the two different voices work well together, but I gotta say Leon, your voice sounds FANTASTIC on this - powerful and emotional. The 2 voices give this a feeling of a rap battle, which works tremendously well, and the fast rapping sections give this a really dynamic feel.
This is a tottaly commercial track, better than 90% of what I hear today ... the world doesn't know what it's missing.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Hey, Steve! &mdash 05/05/07 - 12:19:45 PM
If you did not exist in real life, I might have to invent you in my mind in order to have a constant source of musical inspiration and encouragement. You, being such a keen and honest observer and critic, always give me something to celebrate about my music. Thanks again for admiring my voice and the novelty that I put into this song to make it different from my previous efforts. The vocal exchange between me and Holistik's rap in this song did turn out better than I expected, as they were actually spliced together rather than written from scratch. Now that you have pointed out the "rap battle" going on, I am beginning to appreciate it even more.
I am still expanding my musical horizons and trying to discover different things, and all the more I begin to appreciate the maturity that you have in your own sound and style.
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Real? &mdash 05/06/07 - 02:03:07 AM
Heh - I do exist in real life, but the virtual version is a much better person! I think you've really broken out with some of the work you've posted recently ... you're retaining what makes you unique, but showing us different shades of you.
I hear a track like this and weep, 'cause it's a song that should be heard by the general populace, not just our small community.
Anyway - I'm currently recovering from nasal surgery, and will hopefully post something in the next week, but the vocals will be crap (as everytime I move, my nose bleeds).
Hey - blood on the (vocal) tracks.
LOL
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Blood... &mdash 05/07/07 - 08:29:43 PM
on the vocal tracks.... sounds like the making of a great title... ;-)
Get well soon, Steve. This site is yearning for another Echoroom hit!
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Insane &mdash 05/05/07 - 08:54:59 AM
Thanks! &mdash 05/05/07 - 12:21:36 PM
Hope to see you more around Macjams, too, and we can learn from each other's music!
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
I want more... &mdash 05/05/07 - 01:23:01 PM
This was great, especially for someone new to hip hop, you managed to get a good hip hop feel from it. You picked a good song to use for the rap too. I hope you keep making hip hop, this was a great start. [ Reply to This ]
Hi, Alex! &mdash 05/05/07 - 06:16:42 PM
Welcome to Macjams. You're one of the new kids in the block, so it's great to be one of the first ones to meet you.
Thanks for your encouraging feedback about my first hiphop attempt. Nothing more satisfying than a thumbs-up response from a young musician like you who belongs to the hiphop generation (and I mean that in the nicest way ;-)
After these great remarks, yeah, I am really inspired to do more of this kind of music.
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
great... &mdash 05/05/07 - 01:50:17 PM
Fav for shure... Nice song... The singing is great and the song also is hot... [ Reply to This ]
A happy marriage &mdash 05/05/07 - 05:44:37 PM
I don't think there is a real genre for this -- it sounds like a blend of rap, hip-hop, rock, and even a hint of folk (yes, really!) to me. A very very fresh sound to my ears, and wonderfully performed and mixed. I would love to see this performed live. [ Reply to This ]
Hey! &mdash 05/06/07 - 01:49:09 PM
Melodic rap!!! Who knew? Nice job Leon. Really. This is wonderful...No, it's not my usual genre...but I can see myself giving this a listen again. Love the synth work and your vocals are top drawer as always my friend. Great message too!
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Anticipating... &mdash 05/07/07 - 08:38:24 PM
Always great to collab with other musicians as they bring out the best and the undiscovered side of you. Hip-hop was such a new kind of experience for me, and I enjoyed it tremendously.
Along with the rest of Macjamsdom, I am looking forward to your (supposedly secret) mega-collab!
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Awesome work here____ &mdash 05/06/07 - 09:58:25 PM
Leon you have so much talent. You can pretty much sing any genre. This is nothing short of what I come to expect from you. I apologize for posting The Fighter at the same time. This is a great song and as usual you shine once again. Great collab fellows.
Thanks for sharing,
mvh : ) [ Reply to This ]
This is not my genre... &mdash 05/07/07 - 10:02:59 PM
...to critique *at all,* but I'm so glad you pointed me to listen to this song, Leon :)
I love the message of hope in change and conquering life's inner battles.
This is a terrific collaboration!
You've both done a fab job in your respective contributions...and, Leon...you sound like a natural.
Way to broaden your musical horizons! :) [ Reply to This ]
I'm a teacher... &mdash 05/08/07 - 12:48:01 PM
...very very tough kids. Very tough critics. I was listening to this on my lunch when they came back in the room from gym.
You got a class full of fans, dude. They loved it. Downloaded and ready to play when requested. [ Reply to This ]
wow! &mdash 05/09/07 - 01:12:48 AM
I know how that goes... I have two teenage nieces and they are indeed the toughest ones to predict in terms of musical taste. Hearing that this song has earned your class' approval is the biggest collective compliment I have EVER gotten for my music. I am sure Holistik's Gen-Y-friendly rapping has much to do with that! You sure made our day.
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Yeah... &mdash 05/09/07 - 01:37:25 PM
....they were genuinely into it. Congrats on a score!
---
I live between the notes [ Reply to This ]
I liked it &mdash 05/09/07 - 12:55:33 PM
I am not really a rap fan, but I found myself tapping my toe while it was playing. I was doing something else at the time and wasn't really paying attention to the lyrics, but now I will have too.
Thanks! [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 06/18/07 - 02:52:52 PM
Fantastic crisp production on some very cool sounds. Excellent musicianship and songwriting. Kudos to you, Leon.
el len ruge y la selva baila...
:O) [ Reply to This ]
HOT, REAL FRIGGIN HOT &mdash 07/04/07 - 02:42:59 AM
it's like BAMMMMMM, love coming back to a web site where Kurbstomp is still getting shown love, love as mad as this, this song is a instant iPod classic, can't wait until our friends hear this, there gunna flip like bananas son, BANANAS!!!! lol. Leon, kudos man, however, you are to Akon what Carson is to Eminem hahaha (as you have so compared lol) jk jk. great job, no need to email either, I was able to download after all. Keep this remix shizzz goin man, it's brilliant =) [ Reply to This ]
Wow, Leon &mdash 07/28/07 - 10:13:22 AM
This is the kind of rap I wish they'd play on the radio. Everything about this is suberb- the lyrics, the excellent musicianship, the mixing, everything is perfect. I'm so glad you commented on one of my songs because i'd never heard you before. I'm downloading your songs so my daughter can hear some uplifting rap. (and i like it, too!) :-) [ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 07/28/07 - 05:29:38 PM
Love your lyrics on this.... &mdash 08/28/07 - 03:05:53 AM
Very insightful..."I stopped losin' a long time ago"..."the birth of magic"... :-) The vocals are great!
Heard you for the first time on karmatoburn's song. That entire piece of work was just...incredible!!!! :-) [ Reply to This ]
Refreshing &mdash 10/03/07 - 08:55:16 PM
The whole song flows well, musically and vocally. A refreshing alternative to all the senseless hip-hop on the radio. Solid lyrics and vocals. Nice work man. [ Reply to This ]
Sorry ! &mdash 10/11/07 - 03:41:44 PM
Leon, so sorry man, it took some time to discover you here, you're one of my fans and i noticed that in some of my songs but i didn't open your page before. All i can say "I wish i had earlier". The music here is very nice, not really my style but loved it from all the sides, your vocal is great and i discovered it from the collab with BDM .. Thanks for sharing such a clear & impressive work !
WOW .. Great [ Reply to This ]
The Return Of The Prodigal Son &mdash 04/06/08 - 11:23:02 PM
Hi Leon you are very good at Hip Hop Rap You sound brilliant the whole production music an all I loved very much too.
you carried this off for sure Its seriously good I agree with everything that dajamas said. Your singing is excellent powerul stuff this is :)
I love you anyway Your a great guy as well. So you have everything going for you :) Take care what a fun time we all had on the chat too ha ha
Peace Dee xx
[ Reply to This ]
Ooops. &mdash 04/06/08 - 11:26:16 PM
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