Take Ten by Black Alien Lyrics Meaning – Peeling Back the Layers of Societal Commentary

Lyrics

Deus habita no silêncio
Que as vozes na minha cabeça quebram sem o menor senso
Quem tem boca fala o que quer
Eles tem arma e tem droga
Quem tem boca fala o que quer
Corta um sample da guitarra de Jimi
Grava um clipe, canta um rap cheio de marra no filme
Mar de nego perdido procurando Nemo
Sem rumo, sem remo, no nado mermo, oh, can you feel me?
Frita na cocaine, se envolve no crime
Fritando em Coltrane ouvindo A Love Supreme
O médico e o monstro, Dr. Jekyll
Mr.Hyde, a Babilon de frontside, just gimme
Morador, total de morador, onde o povo
Passa mal a Babilônia comemora a dor
Eles nos devem a alma, foda-se o karma
Se eu começo a quebrar, quem é que vai pedir calma?
Pé na porta que racha do teto ao solo
Mas nada disso importa com meus netos no colo
Essa aqui é a pílula vermelha
Se não aguenta, se adianta, alérgico não mexe com as abelhas

Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz

Hoje cedo no Muay Thai de manhã
Outros tempos, só Deus sabe onde ia ‘tá de manhã
O cara vai ter pra adiantar de manhã
Praticava o caratê de rá-tá-tá de manhã
Meu fígado não concordou com meu estilo de vida
Meu cérebro acordou, tirou meu bloco da avenida
1993 primeiro rapper da cidade
2019 poucos rappers dessa idade
Quatro ponto meia, pente cheio, pé na areia
Saco cheio de cretino que cuida da vida alheia
Eles metem o nariz, botar a cara, eu duvido
Um bando de juiz que julga com telhas de vidro
Tempo ruim eu ‘tô quebrando, mergulhando em águas rasas
Tempo bom eu ‘tô quebrando a banca, enchendo várias casas
Quem me viu, mentiu, país das fake news
Entre milhões de views e milhões de ninguém viu

Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz
Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass
Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz

In a landscape where music often serves as background noise, Black Alien’s ‘Take Ten’ emerges as a lyrical colossus that demands attention. This is a track that refuses to fade into the abyss of the Spotify playlist, instead grabbing the listener by the collar and exposing them to a raw, honest reflection of society. As we dissect the intricacies of its lyricism, we find a rich tapestry of meaning threaded with cultural references, social critique, and personal introspection.

The poignancy of ‘Take Ten’ lies in its ability to inhabit two worlds at once; it resonates with the vibrancy of Brazil’s hip-hop scene while simultaneously dipping its intellectual quill into the universal ink of existential musings. It is this duality that beckons a closer examination, compelling us to unfurl the layers of Black Alien’s narrative and explore the deeper implications that ripple beneath the surface.

Society in a Whirlpool of Noise: The Quest for Divine Silence

The opening line, ‘Deus habita no silêncio,’ suggests a yearning for a divine quietude that is constantly disrupted by the cacophony of life — or, here, the voices in one’s head. Black Alien positions this silence as a sacred space where truth and spirituality might flourish, yet it remains just out of reach, shattered by the chaos of both internal and external forces.

This theme unfurls as a stark commentary on the dissonance between what society venerates and the deeper spiritual fulfillment it systematically obstructs. The song critiques the rampant materialism and violence that drowns out tranquility, unsettling the equilibrium of the human soul.

Sample the Greats and Speak Your Truth: An Ode to Authentic Artistry

A nod to Jimi Hendrix’s guitar work, ‘Corta um sample da guitarra de Jimi,’ symbolizes the artist’s homage to musical titans while endeavoring to craft his own legacy. Black Alien’s strategic sampling and mention of John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’ hint at his roots in sincere, soulful expression as contrasted with the superficial, mass-produced content prevalent in the music industry.

Moreover, this reverence for iconic figures reflects a deeper yearning for meaning and purpose within the art form. Underneath the surface-level bravado of the rap scene lies a complex engagement with the creative process and its potential to sculpt a message of substance.

A Cinematic Journey Through Pain and Triumph: The Song’s Contrasting Visuals

The lyric ‘Grava um clipe, canta um rap cheio de marra no filme,’ paints a picture of a music video that serves as a microcosm for a larger cinematic experience. This line encapsulates the duality of life’s narrative, where moments of hardship and celebration are interwoven in the human experience.

Black Alien’s words depict a raw, unfiltered portrayal of what it means to confront societal adversity head-on, to ‘quebrar,’ or break, against the expectations and pressures that are placed upon us.

The Hidden Meaning: An Existential Battle in ‘Take Ten’

When Black Alien raps ‘Morador, total de morador, onde o povo Passa mal a Babilônia comemora a dor,’ he invokes the symbolic entity of Babylon to represent a society that not only tolerates but revels in the suffering of its citizens. It’s a powerful metaphor for systemic oppression and the commodification of pain.

Black Alien doesn’t just spit rhymes; he exposes the raw nerve of societal failings, encouraging listeners to confront the grim reality of a world that has monetized human struggle. The ‘karma’ owed by such a society, then, is its comeuppance for the misery it has wrought, a theme that rings especially true in an era defined by social upheaval.

Memorable Lines That Echo Through Generations

Eminently quotable, ‘Mister Black Take Ten, don’t pass; Mister Brubeck take five inna di jazz,’ stands as a clarion call resonating through the track. Here, Black Alien tips his hat to the world-renowned jazz musician Dave Brubeck’s iconic ‘Take Five,’ bridging the gap between the genres and eras in a seamless tribute that also alludes to taking one’s own time–taking ten–to process and react.

This emblematic hook serves as a reminder that amidst the rush of life and the clutter of messages we receive, it is essential to pause and reflect. The line itself becomes a symbol for the time we must take to decipher the nuanced layers within the song, the world around us, and ultimately, ourselves.