Hylo Brown (April 20, 1922 – January 17, 2003) was a bluegrass and country music singer, guitarist and bass player.
Biography
Frank "Hylo" Brown, Jr. was born in River, Johnson County, Kentucky and began his career as a performer on radio station WCMI in Ashland, Kentucky in 1939. Soon, he moved to WLOG in Logan, West Virginia and their "Saturday Jamboree". Six months later, he moved with his family to Springfield, Ohio. He began composing songs and performing on local radio stations in Ohio. During an appearance at WPFB in Middletown, Ohio he received his nickname "Hylo" because Smoky Ward, who was on the show, couldn't remember his name and started calling him "Hi-Lo". That nickname was a humorous indication of Brown's presumed vocal range. In 1950, he recorded with Bradley Kincaid at WWSO studio in Springfield. Four years later, Brown wrote a song, Lost To A Stranger, that was sent to Ken Nelson, the A & R man of Capitol Records. The song was meant to be recorded by Kitty Wells but instead, Nelson offered Brown a recording contract if he recorded it himself. On November 7, 1954, he cut his first recordings for Capitol Records. Lost To A Stranger became his first hit. In early 1955, he formed the "Buckskin Boys" performing on the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1957, he joined Flatt & Scruggs on their "Martha White Mills" shows, and he was regularly featured in solo performances as well as with the Foggy Mountain Boys. He renamed the "Buckskin Boys" calling them "The Timberliners". The Timberliners consisted of Brown on guitar, Red Rector on mandolin, Jim Smoak on banjo, Clarence "Tater" Tate on fiddle and Joe "Flap Jack" Phillips on bass. After his Capitol contract had expired, Brown signed with Starday Records in 1961. He retired in 1991 and moved to Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Hylo Brown died on January 17, 2003. He is interred in Rose Hill Burial Park, Springfield,
Clark County, Ohio.
A 1990 trio bonus track of "Blackberry Blossom" with Doc, Norman Blake and Tony Rice is included.
Reception
Writing for Allmusic, music critic Steve Leggett wrote of the album "... what is immediately striking about this compilation is how varied it is, even as it settles nicely into familiar "Watson country." Again, there's no such thing as a bad Doc Watson album, and this one, like all the others, shows why he's a true national treasure."
Hylo Brown sings The Needle which my dad wrote. Please visit & "Like our Facebook page : Save Country Music. www.facebook.com/SaveCountryMusic
published: 17 Jan 2013
I've Waited Just As Long As I Can - Foggy Mountain Boys
recorded in May 1962, featuring Frank 'Hylo' Brown on the "Flatt & Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show'.
published: 18 May 2015
Truck Drivin' Man , HyLo Brown , 1963
Written by Terry Fell. From the 1963 album "Sing Me a Bluegrass Song".
published: 19 Sep 2015
Original Radio Recording ~ Hylo Brown and The Timberliners (1976) (Full LP digitally restored)
Artist: #HyloBrown
Label: #GrassoundRecords GRS 103
Year: #1976
Genre: #Bluegrass #Gospel
Restored from the original album
Please consider supporting my work:
PayPal: paypal.me/HankfanHankfan
CashApp: $rgr1973
published: 02 Jun 2022
Hylo Brown The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band with The Foggy Mountain Boys
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
published: 30 Sep 2020
Hylo Brown - Danged If I Do - King's Music City Records
published: 04 Jan 2023
Hylo Brown - Cocaine Blues
From 1963 London/Starday LP HA-B 8094 "Bluegrass Goes To College". Originally released as Starday SLP 204.
published: 21 Mar 2017
Hylo Brown- Lost To A Stranger
Hylo Brown sings a bluegrass classic and his best known song
published: 30 Apr 2013
Hylo Brown It's All Over Now But The Cryin' 1962 Flatt & Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
published: 30 Sep 2020
Hylo Brown - Sad Prison Song
Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands Vol. 3 "Beatin' On The Bars" (2006)
Artist: #HyloBrown
Label: #GrassoundRecords GRS 103
Year: #1976
Genre: #Bluegrass #Gospel
Restored from the original album
Please consider supporting my work:
...
Artist: #HyloBrown
Label: #GrassoundRecords GRS 103
Year: #1976
Genre: #Bluegrass #Gospel
Restored from the original album
Please consider supporting my work:
PayPal: paypal.me/HankfanHankfan
CashApp: $rgr1973
Artist: #HyloBrown
Label: #GrassoundRecords GRS 103
Year: #1976
Genre: #Bluegrass #Gospel
Restored from the original album
Please consider supporting my work:
PayPal: paypal.me/HankfanHankfan
CashApp: $rgr1973
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Le...
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Le...
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Black Mountain Rag · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
℗ 1972 Capitol Records Nashville
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: William E. McEuen
Composer: Tommy Magness
Composer: Traditional
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 14 Apr 2017
Billy Strings - "Black Mountain Rag" | Fretboard Journal
Though he’s best known for tearing up his mahogany Roy Noble dreadnought, when Billy Strings stopped by our office, we had a couple of choice vintage acoustics at the ready for him. Here he is playing “Black Mountain Rag” on a one-owner, completely original circa-1939 Gibson J-35 that is currently housed at Seattle’s Jet City Guitars.
We’ll be posting another video with Strings and the Noble soon, too. Stay tuned…
http://www.billystrings.com
https://www.fretboardjournal.com
http://www.fretboardsummit.com
http://jetcityguitars.com
published: 08 Sep 2016
Chet Atkins - Black Mountain Rag (nice acoustic version)
published: 18 Oct 2016
Black Mountain Rag
Macyn Taylor playing "Black Mountain Rag," written by Leslie Keith, arr. Chet Atkins. I was recording this on the front porch of a neighbor's log cabin and a tractor went by on the road. I kept this clip because I thought the tractor added ambience.
macyntaylor.com
macyntaylor.com
published: 21 Aug 2011
Chet Atkins Black Mountain Rag
published: 04 Jul 2017
Gareth Pearson - Black Mountain Rag
'Black Mountain Rag' from his new record 'A Tweak On Antique'.
CDs, Guitar Tabs, Mp3, Flac and 24-bit Studio Masters available at:
http://www.candyrat.com/artists/garethpearson
Buy/Listen
itunes / Apple Music : https://tinyurl.com/ydh8tbe5
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ya2pzb8n
Amazon: http://a.co/d/6Ieev0i
Visit Gareth Pearson:
Website: https://www.garethpearson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garethwelshtornado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garethpearsonofficial/
published: 21 Dec 2018
Doc Watson - Black Mountain Rag
This is a recording of Black Mountain Rag, with Doc Watson playing lead guitar.
I do not claim ownership of this song, and give all credit to the artists and whatever fucking record company put it out.
published: 09 Sep 2011
Black Mountain Rag - Doc Watson Jam (6/24/79-Tq)
Doc Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded. Watson taught himself to play fiddle tunes on his Les Paul electric guitar. He later transferred the technique to acoustic guitar, and playing fiddle tunes became part of his signature sound.
Deacon Dan Crary helped re-establish flatpicked guitar as a prominent soloing bluegrass instrument. Crary is an innovator of the flatpicking style of guitar playing. He is also a Speech communications Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Crary categorizes himself as a "Solo flatpicker" and has recorded ...
published: 11 Jun 2015
Country Music - Black Mountain Rag by Earl Scruggs & Lester Flatt
Join us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CulturesInMusic
published: 02 Oct 2011
Tommy Emmanuel plays Black Mountain Rag - Cayamo 2023
Tommy Emmanuel plays Black Mountain Rag - Cayamo 2023
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Black Mountain Rag · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
℗ 1972 Capitol Records Nashville
Releas...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Black Mountain Rag · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
℗ 1972 Capitol Records Nashville
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: William E. McEuen
Composer: Tommy Magness
Composer: Traditional
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Black Mountain Rag · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
℗ 1972 Capitol Records Nashville
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: William E. McEuen
Composer: Tommy Magness
Composer: Traditional
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Though he’s best known for tearing up his mahogany Roy Noble dreadnought, when Billy Strings stopped by our office, we had a couple of choice vintage acoustics ...
Though he’s best known for tearing up his mahogany Roy Noble dreadnought, when Billy Strings stopped by our office, we had a couple of choice vintage acoustics at the ready for him. Here he is playing “Black Mountain Rag” on a one-owner, completely original circa-1939 Gibson J-35 that is currently housed at Seattle’s Jet City Guitars.
We’ll be posting another video with Strings and the Noble soon, too. Stay tuned…
http://www.billystrings.com
https://www.fretboardjournal.com
http://www.fretboardsummit.com
http://jetcityguitars.com
Though he’s best known for tearing up his mahogany Roy Noble dreadnought, when Billy Strings stopped by our office, we had a couple of choice vintage acoustics at the ready for him. Here he is playing “Black Mountain Rag” on a one-owner, completely original circa-1939 Gibson J-35 that is currently housed at Seattle’s Jet City Guitars.
We’ll be posting another video with Strings and the Noble soon, too. Stay tuned…
http://www.billystrings.com
https://www.fretboardjournal.com
http://www.fretboardsummit.com
http://jetcityguitars.com
Macyn Taylor playing "Black Mountain Rag," written by Leslie Keith, arr. Chet Atkins. I was recording this on the front porch of a neighbor's log cabin and a tr...
Macyn Taylor playing "Black Mountain Rag," written by Leslie Keith, arr. Chet Atkins. I was recording this on the front porch of a neighbor's log cabin and a tractor went by on the road. I kept this clip because I thought the tractor added ambience.
macyntaylor.com
macyntaylor.com
Macyn Taylor playing "Black Mountain Rag," written by Leslie Keith, arr. Chet Atkins. I was recording this on the front porch of a neighbor's log cabin and a tractor went by on the road. I kept this clip because I thought the tractor added ambience.
macyntaylor.com
macyntaylor.com
'Black Mountain Rag' from his new record 'A Tweak On Antique'.
CDs, Guitar Tabs, Mp3, Flac and 24-bit Studio Masters available at:
http://www.candyrat.com/artis...
'Black Mountain Rag' from his new record 'A Tweak On Antique'.
CDs, Guitar Tabs, Mp3, Flac and 24-bit Studio Masters available at:
http://www.candyrat.com/artists/garethpearson
Buy/Listen
itunes / Apple Music : https://tinyurl.com/ydh8tbe5
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ya2pzb8n
Amazon: http://a.co/d/6Ieev0i
Visit Gareth Pearson:
Website: https://www.garethpearson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garethwelshtornado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garethpearsonofficial/
'Black Mountain Rag' from his new record 'A Tweak On Antique'.
CDs, Guitar Tabs, Mp3, Flac and 24-bit Studio Masters available at:
http://www.candyrat.com/artists/garethpearson
Buy/Listen
itunes / Apple Music : https://tinyurl.com/ydh8tbe5
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ya2pzb8n
Amazon: http://a.co/d/6Ieev0i
Visit Gareth Pearson:
Website: https://www.garethpearson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garethwelshtornado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garethpearsonofficial/
This is a recording of Black Mountain Rag, with Doc Watson playing lead guitar.
I do not claim ownership of this song, and give all credit to the artists and ...
This is a recording of Black Mountain Rag, with Doc Watson playing lead guitar.
I do not claim ownership of this song, and give all credit to the artists and whatever fucking record company put it out.
This is a recording of Black Mountain Rag, with Doc Watson playing lead guitar.
I do not claim ownership of this song, and give all credit to the artists and whatever fucking record company put it out.
Doc Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a G...
Doc Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded. Watson taught himself to play fiddle tunes on his Les Paul electric guitar. He later transferred the technique to acoustic guitar, and playing fiddle tunes became part of his signature sound.
Deacon Dan Crary helped re-establish flatpicked guitar as a prominent soloing bluegrass instrument. Crary is an innovator of the flatpicking style of guitar playing. He is also a Speech communications Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Crary categorizes himself as a "Solo flatpicker" and has recorded several projects that feature him along with guests, usually other innovators of the guitar in all styles.
Norman Blake is an American instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter.He is considered one of the leading figures in the bluegrass revival of the 1970s
Sam Bush is an American bluegrass mandolin player considered an originator of the Newgrass style.
Directed by Terry Allen Williams, Produced by Thomas Lofstrom
This series features progressive bluegrass and country music performed at the Telluride Festivals, and is available on DVD from
[email protected]
Doc Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded. Watson taught himself to play fiddle tunes on his Les Paul electric guitar. He later transferred the technique to acoustic guitar, and playing fiddle tunes became part of his signature sound.
Deacon Dan Crary helped re-establish flatpicked guitar as a prominent soloing bluegrass instrument. Crary is an innovator of the flatpicking style of guitar playing. He is also a Speech communications Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Crary categorizes himself as a "Solo flatpicker" and has recorded several projects that feature him along with guests, usually other innovators of the guitar in all styles.
Norman Blake is an American instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter.He is considered one of the leading figures in the bluegrass revival of the 1970s
Sam Bush is an American bluegrass mandolin player considered an originator of the Newgrass style.
Directed by Terry Allen Williams, Produced by Thomas Lofstrom
This series features progressive bluegrass and country music performed at the Telluride Festivals, and is available on DVD from
[email protected]
Artist: #HyloBrown
Label: #GrassoundRecords GRS 103
Year: #1976
Genre: #Bluegrass #Gospel
Restored from the original album
Please consider supporting my work:
PayPal: paypal.me/HankfanHankfan
CashApp: $rgr1973
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Flatt & Scruggs appeared on various country music variety TV shows, but they received their own 30-minute syndicated television show through WSM in 1955. The Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show featured guests such as Maybelle Carter and many famous singers of the era, and this new form of broadcast media widely increased their fame and influence. The episodes captured a dynamic that couldn’t be translated over airwaves alone.
While Flatt called the shots and directed much of the banter onstage, Scruggs leaned on his technical ability more than flare. The show ran until 1969, when the two disbanded.
Hylo Brown (April 20, 1922 – January 17, 2003) was a bluegrass and country music singer, guitarist and bass player.
Biography
Frank "Hylo" Brown, Jr. was born in River, Johnson County, Kentucky and began his career as a performer on radio station WCMI in Ashland, Kentucky in 1939. Soon, he moved to WLOG in Logan, West Virginia and their "Saturday Jamboree". Six months later, he moved with his family to Springfield, Ohio. He began composing songs and performing on local radio stations in Ohio. During an appearance at WPFB in Middletown, Ohio he received his nickname "Hylo" because Smoky Ward, who was on the show, couldn't remember his name and started calling him "Hi-Lo". That nickname was a humorous indication of Brown's presumed vocal range. In 1950, he recorded with Bradley Kincaid at WWSO studio in Springfield. Four years later, Brown wrote a song, Lost To A Stranger, that was sent to Ken Nelson, the A & R man of Capitol Records. The song was meant to be recorded by Kitty Wells but instead, Nelson offered Brown a recording contract if he recorded it himself. On November 7, 1954, he cut his first recordings for Capitol Records. Lost To A Stranger became his first hit. In early 1955, he formed the "Buckskin Boys" performing on the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1957, he joined Flatt & Scruggs on their "Martha White Mills" shows, and he was regularly featured in solo performances as well as with the Foggy Mountain Boys. He renamed the "Buckskin Boys" calling them "The Timberliners". The Timberliners consisted of Brown on guitar, Red Rector on mandolin, Jim Smoak on banjo, Clarence "Tater" Tate on fiddle and Joe "Flap Jack" Phillips on bass. After his Capitol contract had expired, Brown signed with Starday Records in 1961. He retired in 1991 and moved to Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Hylo Brown died on January 17, 2003. He is interred in Rose Hill Burial Park, Springfield,
Clark County, Ohio.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Black Mountain Rag · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
℗ 1972 Capitol Records Nashville
Released on: 2002-01-01
Producer: William E. McEuen
Composer: Tommy Magness
Composer: Traditional
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Though he’s best known for tearing up his mahogany Roy Noble dreadnought, when Billy Strings stopped by our office, we had a couple of choice vintage acoustics at the ready for him. Here he is playing “Black Mountain Rag” on a one-owner, completely original circa-1939 Gibson J-35 that is currently housed at Seattle’s Jet City Guitars.
We’ll be posting another video with Strings and the Noble soon, too. Stay tuned…
http://www.billystrings.com
https://www.fretboardjournal.com
http://www.fretboardsummit.com
http://jetcityguitars.com
Macyn Taylor playing "Black Mountain Rag," written by Leslie Keith, arr. Chet Atkins. I was recording this on the front porch of a neighbor's log cabin and a tractor went by on the road. I kept this clip because I thought the tractor added ambience.
macyntaylor.com
macyntaylor.com
'Black Mountain Rag' from his new record 'A Tweak On Antique'.
CDs, Guitar Tabs, Mp3, Flac and 24-bit Studio Masters available at:
http://www.candyrat.com/artists/garethpearson
Buy/Listen
itunes / Apple Music : https://tinyurl.com/ydh8tbe5
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ya2pzb8n
Amazon: http://a.co/d/6Ieev0i
Visit Gareth Pearson:
Website: https://www.garethpearson.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garethwelshtornado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garethpearsonofficial/
This is a recording of Black Mountain Rag, with Doc Watson playing lead guitar.
I do not claim ownership of this song, and give all credit to the artists and whatever fucking record company put it out.
Doc Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded. Watson taught himself to play fiddle tunes on his Les Paul electric guitar. He later transferred the technique to acoustic guitar, and playing fiddle tunes became part of his signature sound.
Deacon Dan Crary helped re-establish flatpicked guitar as a prominent soloing bluegrass instrument. Crary is an innovator of the flatpicking style of guitar playing. He is also a Speech communications Professor at California State University, Fullerton. Crary categorizes himself as a "Solo flatpicker" and has recorded several projects that feature him along with guests, usually other innovators of the guitar in all styles.
Norman Blake is an American instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter.He is considered one of the leading figures in the bluegrass revival of the 1970s
Sam Bush is an American bluegrass mandolin player considered an originator of the Newgrass style.
Directed by Terry Allen Williams, Produced by Thomas Lofstrom
This series features progressive bluegrass and country music performed at the Telluride Festivals, and is available on DVD from
[email protected]
Wassup? We need to talk Let me light my backport (lights up) (exhales) That's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown Yo, I love Los Angeles, you can hear it in my music Plus I got the scars to prove it And man.. you don't understand what I understand I'm feelin like a piece to a bigger plan 'Cause all I'm sayin is the God honest truth of it all, we fightin the wrong enemy That's why I'm gettin invovled, it's just like the end of that movie "Saw" When them two chained up guys met with their demise And the mastermind was layin there the whole time Remember that? That's why we have to sit down And speak about the black and the brown Now I didn't come here to point no fingers I know over the years that the pain still lingers over past confrontations Shit we all on parole and probation and fucked up situations And everybody lose.. from the pen, to the neighborhoods, now it's even the high schools 'Cause I was watchin K. Cal News when the students squared off and one kid wouldn't choose sides Hit with a hammer and the kid died and now it's a full blown riot Tck, that's when the fists start flyin These kids ain't learnin shit about math and science Man.. Tension is so thick, some are comin around I don't wanna see no more of us up under the ground So now.. that's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown Eighty percent of inmates are black and Hispanic They tryna wipe us all off the face of this planet Dammit.. that's why we need to sit down And talk about the black and the brown Yo, I got the homey Jose from way back in the day He came to scoop me up in his all white Six-Trey And he don't really fuck with nobody outside of the set It's tatted big on his neck Y'know? So over the years, built respect and trust Some black and brown issues we both discussed He said, "Homes, it's been goin down too long I gotta bang on them fools and it don't feel wrong" "They killed my cousin over eighty eight bricks So word came down, we gotta handle that shit" "Kill all mayatas in white tee shirts Can I tell the truth homes? The truth starts hurtin" At first, I remind him of what vengeance do What vengeance is and who vengeance belongs to He wasn't tryna hear that shit He just turned up the volume, bangin 50 Cent I got soldiers from both sides who really don't care Who identify themselves by the colors they wear The homey came through to put one in the air I can tell somethin was wrong the way he sat in his chair He said, "X, man I'm just gettin out from doin eighty eight months, tryna figure things out" He told me in the pen you get down to get done 'Cause the brown and black ratio is five to one He showed me the scar on his gut and his neck They got him good, said he damn near bled to death The hate was do deep, I can see in his eyes When he described what it feels like to almost die All I could do was just sit back and listen 'Bout how he 'bout to send soldiers on missions I got hit with a bottle but I'm not dead I said, "Think with your heart homey, not your head" I said Oooooh you must defend yourself (Yeah!) If you don't, then no one else (Nobody!) Your homies got to ride (Let's go!) You're fighting for your life (Yeah!) They want both of us dead You ain't heard a word I said You're fighting for your life (Come on)