88-Keys

Avg Rating: 32121   3.2 ( 13 total votes )

88-Keys - Wake Up Call

Artist: 88-Keys

Featuring: Colin Munroe

Producer: 88-Keys

Album: EA Sports NBA Live 10 (Soundtrack)

Label: Decon Records

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Each of the eighty-eight keys on a piano plays a note different from all the rest - every key offers a unique sound that, if joined with the proper partner, can be extremely pleasing to the ears. Such is the case with New York native 88-Keys - absent on our pages as a feature artist since 2008’s Burning Bush - who has managed to combine his impressive rhymes with the equally impressive vocals of Colin Munroe to produce Wake Up Call. The track, an obviously sports-influenced, anthemic call to action, is most noticeably driven by its dancing synth beat underneath 88’s steady delivery and lyrical athleticism. Munroe contributes his share of the rent, too, offering vocals that fade and echo nicely over the track’s Slash-like guitar riffs.  Fitting considering Wake Up Call feels like it would have served as a backdrop to an epic Michael Jordan dunk, the track’s found a home on EA Sports NBA Live ‘10, available everywhere now.

This song first appeared on the Independent Chart on March 1, 2010

   

Listen to More: 88-Keys , Colin Munroe     Written by Matty K


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Member Reviews and Ratings


DjKidd
DJ Booth Member

DjKidd
Total Ratings: 272
Rating:  32121
this was bound to happen because of ye, and this does remind me of NBA life soundtrack....but i hate the how the engineer did the vocals...it doesn't work here sorry...i can see Jordan dunking to this though...good verses...but please take that shit off his voice


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

PrIc3Le$$
Tastemaker

PrIc3Le$$
Total Ratings: 1306
Rating:  43211
I wasn't sure about this song when it first started and Keys started rapping but then the hook came and everything really fit together. This is defintely a banger. And unlike alot of artists today, the lyrics acutally somewhat have a message.


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

DJ Z
DJ Booth Crew

DJ Z
Total Ratings: 11684
Rating:  43211
The production work here by Keys is the standout element of the track - I don't like the effect Keys put on his own vocals - but the overall effort is enjoyable.

On a side note, this only serves as a reminder that Colin Munroe needs to be given the chance to release his debut already!
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Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

mmcoolman2000
DJ Booth Member

mmcoolman2000
Total Ratings: 195
Rating:  32121
Agree with Z, production is ill, and I too do not approve of the vocal effects. He did the same thing throughout his album. The only reason I can guess for the reason is that he might not be comfortable with how his voice sounds, or that it's just not distinctive enough. But aside from that, I'm good. lol.


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

AP_ALL_DAY_28
Tastemaker

AP_ALL_DAY_28
Total Ratings: 288
Rating:  43211
I thought this song sounded familiar. It's on NBA Live 10. :) The production is ill, BANGER!


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

DJ Rater
Tastemaker

 
Total Ratings: 959
Rating:  43211
i agree with Z, colin needs his debut- extremely talented singer. 88 keys came hard on his raps and the production. great track!


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

Nathan S.
DJ Booth Crew

Nathan S.
Total Ratings: 2476
Rating:  32121
For a sports anthem I like this. In that context the track can't be too complicated, it has to hit you and get you moving, and it definitely accomplishes that mission. It's not going to replace Eye of the Tiger anytime soon, but it's quality.

And Munroe's quickly, and unexpectedly, becoming one of the go to hook men in hip-hop. The kid's got a bright future (if the labels don't f**k it up).
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Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

Ghouse
DJ Booth Member

Ghouse
Total Ratings: 81
Rating:  21321
Production seemed good, chorus was good but I am having a hard time why whenever 88 Keys raps, it sounds like he left a message on an answering machine? It sounds really cheap in my opinion. I don't know if he's trying to do his own thing, but it just does not sound good at all.


Posted on Feb 24, 2010    

The 149th
Tastemaker

The 149th
Total Ratings: 2065
Rating:  21321
The vocal effect brought this banger worthy track down to two stars. This is a pime example of how a minor but very important element can make or break a track.


Posted on Feb 25, 2010    

DJ LiveWire
DJ Booth Member

DJ LiveWire
Total Ratings: 487
Rating:  32121
I really like the chorus.


Posted on Feb 25, 2010    

Mr.Top Hat
Tastemaker

Mr.Top Hat
Total Ratings: 4267
Rating:  43211
[88-Keys]
I had to take plan b
Out my program
Soon as I found out
That time waits for no man
'Cause time
Is a tedious tutor
I had to make immediate future look better
Like I'm getting a slow tan
And i brown nicer than brown rice
This not gonna sound nice
But you gotta make it
Part of your slogan
Screw everybody
Who said you can't get this
Treat 'em like Todd Bridges
And you're Gary Coleman
Like "What'chu talkin' 'bout Willis?"
You're still pissed?
'Cause my future is magnetic
I clutch it with steel fists
Apply it to your skin
Like make up y'all
It's 8 o'clock
And here's your "Wake Up Call"... Now let's go!

[Colin Munroe]
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Will it be)
Nothing or all (You gotta)
You gotta
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Your "Wake Up Call")
If you don't wake up then you'll fall

[88-Keys]
When I was younger I used to wonder
What made my belly roll
I ate a jelly roll
But I knew it wasn't hunger
It was the thunder
Built inside of me
I turned into a scavenger
And stepping to the challengers
They couldn't even
Step in my path
I'm defying the odds
I wouldn't get wet in a bath
That's what you call determination
My eyes set on the goal
Everything else
Faces early termination
And I don't give a damn
About contracts
I'll go toe-to-toe with my foe
That's my stance up in combat
You gotta stay focused
Get your cake up y'all
7 o'clock
And here's your "Wake Up Call" now let's go!

[Colin Munroe]
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Will it be)
Nothing or all (You gotta)
You gotta 
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Your "Wake Up Call")
If you don't wake up then you'll fall

[88-Keys]
I hope you know
Since time is ticking
I'm gonna call you out
Like bock bock chicken
Or call you out your crib
Like a knock, knock joke
When you answer, "who's there?"
I'll be a lot less forgiving
You gotta be driven
Like car seats
Stay focused - Get your work done
Won't have to wait 'til the stars meet'
Don't base it off of
Luck or destiny
I'm Tony Robbins- Motivate your ass
like celebrity Diet
Recipes - Try it
Man I'll tell ya
You're a blimp if you're thinking of failure
There's not enough room
If you assume you're going to take up all
It's 6 o'clock
Your final "Wake Up Call"... Let's go!

[Colin Munroe]
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Will it be)
Nothing or all (You gotta)
You gotta 
Wake up & fight this is it
This is your call (Your "Wake Up Call")
If you don't wake up then you'll fall

If you don't wake up
Then you'll fall
Your "Wake Up Call"
Your "Wake Up Call"

[88-Keys]
Don't you know time waits for no man?


Posted on Feb 26, 2010    

Guest
Rating:  32121
       
I personally don't mind the audio effect on Key's verses. Throw in some legit production and a nice contribution from Munroe on the chorus and you got a solid feature.


Posted on Feb 28, 2010    

Karan Gupte
Rating:  32121
Posted on Dec 25, 2012    

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