Avg Rating: 
3.7 ( 39 total votes )
On his Booth debut, featured last Thursday, Shane Eli reflected on the difficulty of carving out a personal identity, particularly when one resides in the Grey Area at the center of an racial and cultural divide. As refreshing as the artist’s insights were, however, contemplation ultimately has to give way to action; the project’s second leak finds the Los Angeles native ready to Knuckle Up and plow through anyone who gets in the way of his trajectory to the top. Once again doing double-duty on the mic and behind the boards, Eli delivers his braggadocio-drenched bars over a driving mix of clattering percussion and grimy synths. As different as this cut is from its predecessor, it carries an equally worthwhile message: “Those who don’t create the future they want must endure the future they get.” If you’re hoping that more fresh tunes from Shane Eli lie in your future, you’ll most definitely want to reach out and download his Booth-sponsored street album, The Push, when it lands on our front page this June.
This song first appeared on the
Independent Chart
on April 26, 2010
Listen to More: Shane Eli Written by richard
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11633 |
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Wait a second... are we really getting a valuable underlying message behind quality lyricism over a slightly street-oriented beat? Was that even possible?
Yes, that was all sarcasm and yes, Shane Eli has talent. Press play. 
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| Posted on Apr 21, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 613 |
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Grimmy beat,flow and lyrics. Worked very well!
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 475 |
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Oh shit.
I did not see this coming. I don't remember the last time I heard lyricism on top of a beat worthy of a Birdman album (which, in case you haven't noticed, is always a crowning jewel for production; if nothing else). This is my top track of the night. Classic. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 54 |
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The deep message and intelligent lyrics make up for any, if any, imperfections. This is a song I could really find myself nodding my head with, Shane Eli obviously has more than just flow.
While I personally enjoyed Grey Area a little more, this song convinces me that he is on the path to success. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 178 |
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More and more I listen to what Shane Eli has to offer and I keep becoming more impressed with what he is doing. He has that certain quality that a lot of the rappers today are missing...what's it called again? O yea, talent.
Extremely catchy production and Shane grabs the beat and manhandles it. Even the chorus is really well done and catchy. Sick song, can't stress that enough. Not very often can artists out overshadow great production like the beat on "Knuckle Up" but Shane does exactly that. Wordplay was top notch and he doesn't overdue it at all. I feel sometimes artists can try to outshine a hot beat when all they are doing is destroying what it was. Shane does exactly what he needed to on this to make it hot. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 394 |
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Really good lyrics on this one. The drum beat helps him spit his feelings. Could use a bit more effort on the hook. I like this dude's flow and his ability to bring the heat. Not exactly a 5 star product, but still really really good. I enjoyed this and looking forward to his next production. Good job.
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 432 |
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@ Phantastic- Haha Birdman wouldn't know what to do with a beat like this!
Shane goes hard on this, both as an artist and a producer. Impressive individually, but really impressive together. The fact that he is his own producer always him another level of creative freedom. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 306 |
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hymmmmmmm 4 stars by alotta people so im expecting alot.
im not lovin that intro, but its again that type song that i can dig after a few listens. that beat is pretty new skool funky and its surprisingly simple nothing too wild about it at all and it works with the rythm of eli that flow is so "im me" type shit. hes stakin claim i feel the enrgy from the booth this song was created in but still with all that im not really loving it. format,production,flow their all exceptional but again its not makin me go insane its just taste thats a hinderence otherwise this is a banger. 3.5 stars its solid realll solid |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Wasn't expecting that beat, but it worked! A deep message told with high quality lyric, what more could you want.
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 687 |
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This deserves a few listens before commenting. Bizarre intro. Shane Eli's got an undeniable flow. Lots of name-dropping, but I'm a sucker for it. I loved the Kanye-inspired line.
@ Phantastic- Birdman does always have banging production. I think you've commented before that he's a guilty pleasure of yours. I'm right there with you. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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shane has an incredible flow here, just doesnt even break a sweat but sounds amazingly in control of a high-quality beat. keep it up!
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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This is real hot, the beat especially bcuz it makes you listen then his is like icing on the cake, this is way hot.
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 42 |
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Solid Shane! Sweet track. He really has me paying attention to the lyrics!
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 877 |
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Beat was original compared to other songs. Dudes flow was nice, and had nice wordplay.
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 407 |
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I wasn't sure how I would feel about this track after hearing the first 30 sec...then the beat kicks in and he starts going crazy. This production (which happens to be by the same person rapping on this track) is incredible. He has bars for days and the lyrics on top of this beat just make me want more of Mr. Shane Eli. The one thing that wasn't exceptional was the hook in my opinion but he makes up for it with his flow over his electronicish production!
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1216 |
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Haha damn, Shane snapped on this production. Good to see him doing big things, especially since I wasn't really too overwhelmed with his last feature "Grey Area."
The production is very dynamic and energetic. Doesn't get repetitive and has the right hint of creativity to really help keep my attention. For a street beat, this is pretty cool. Shane really surprised with me some of his lyrics. Glad to see that he took a different direction with this track. Might actually consider checking out his "Push" Mix tape when it is unveiled to the world. He had some good lines and the production was hot so I'll give this a solid 3.5. |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 97 |
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i hate this beat...so im ignoring it and listening to him only.
Shane comes great with the lyrics and flows well...damn i can't handle the disturbing ass beat tho. Great job tho |
| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 217 |
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Tell me why my ears were not ready for this propane flo fillin up my mendula..I have to double back to his first drop because I could swear he didn't come as concrete as he did on this track...everything from the hard hittin production to his knock u out spittin I'm mesmerized..im listenin with intent Shane
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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He realy got talent, can't wait for his next song
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 217 |
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Dag too busy nodding my head n movin my hand over his lyrics to rate..Banger (can 1 of ya'll add this to mine..thanx!!)
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 4267 |
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The marching band flavor of drums pattern with an insistent synth bass-line is dope and Shane delivers heavy with carefully thought out lyrics to seal the deal. Rotation fa sho!
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Sick beat, dope lyrics. This one is getting played.
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 492 |
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I just cant feel this production, gets on my nerves. As far as lyrics he came hard.
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| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 29 |
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the drums!!! Sounds like ?uestlove on crack! Haha.
The funky structure of lyrics is money. With each beat, Eli's spit elevates the sound to sonic nirvana. Can you feel the charged-up pitch of the voice on chorus? That shit is hot! A little bassier on verses, which I don't mind, and the delivery is not forced (AND doesn't sound forced) so that he gets drowned in the brawling beat. As others mentioned, this is a song where you can really tell the quality production involved. Kanye-esque influence, with a bit of electronica and a whole lot of attitude. Shane Elie killed it, man. |
| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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The production is TOO bangin', if i put this on my headphones, my eardrums would fall out. I caught the biggie and pac references, nice!
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| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 225 |
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he reminds em of drake talent wise and appearance lol :0
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| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 23, 2010 |
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New to the booth, but I've listened to a couple of tracks and this kid has got something.
These lyrics, and he makes his own beats!! wow. |
| Posted on Apr 24, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
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Watch me givin this 4 starts just because the drum is kicking... yes, I have that power!
I like the confidence in his voice/delivery, realness if you want! Sometimes the message doesn't sink in if the tone isn't right. Lookin forward to what he'll bring to the game. Just by lookin at his picture, it's a breath of fresh air not to see a stereotypical style and that reflects in his music. |
| Posted on Apr 24, 2010 |
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I'm on the fence. Seems forced at times.
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| Posted on Apr 25, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 242 |
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I want to thank DJBooth for the thing they're doing with the headphones, because it got me checking out these underground artists, while before i was only listening to big artists on the booth. As for the track it is bangin, the only problem I have is that shane eli at times sounds like Talib Kweli.
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| Posted on Apr 25, 2010 |
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Sick lyrics! this song is awesome
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| Posted on Apr 25, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 76 |
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It seems that I'm in the minority for not liking this track.
@The5JAY13, I agree. The production was just way too busy, and it was a challenge trying to filter out that jumble of drums, synth, and beeps. The lyrics (sorry,"legacy" as Shane says) were pretty energetic, but I wasn't really into the hook, since I wasn't feeling the dubbing...it just didn't feel clean and synced enough. The lyrics battle with some overly messy production, and ultimately the listener loses. I say skip it. |
| Posted on Apr 25, 2010 |
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this song is ok
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| Posted on Apr 26, 2010 |
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| Posted on Apr 26, 2010 |
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this song is sick, dam
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| Posted on Apr 27, 2010 |
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| Posted on May 10, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jan 07, 2013 |
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