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Urban Retro Life (Vol. 1)

by Lei Row

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    "Urban Retro Life (Vol. 1)" is Lei Row's 2nd mixtape ("Lei Row presents Euphoria" is her 1st mixtape). This project borrows and blends sounds and styles of hip-hop, r&b, and pop music, especially from the 90s and early 2000s. It is written, vocally arranged, and co-produced by Lei and sets the tone for how she writes and vocally arranges in her own work. On this mixtape, Lei is singing over major and independent music industry beat production and DJ woriel was behind the blending and transitions of some of the tracks. The major industry beat production that she uses are from songs: "Black Nostaljack" by Camp-Lo, "Long Kiss Goodnight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "New Slaves" by Kanye West, and "Pain" by Tupac. The independent beat production is courtesy of Kenneth "Marty McLaren" Onyeaka, Brahim "Mercutio" Derkaoui, Max Layn, Kevin "Gripp" Gripper, Dogukan "Do" Gungor, and Jason "J-Sweet" Sweeting. The subject matter in the songs range from love/companionship highs and lows to race relations, family, and messages of inspiration.

    We hope you enjoy the project!

    *Recording, Mixing, and Mastering: 78 West Productions and QD-Up Studios.

    **Management: THEEM Music & Entertainment Group (email: TheemLLC@gmail.com).

    Includes unlimited streaming of Urban Retro Life (Vol. 1) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD or more 

     

1.
INTRO: Urban Retro, Life, Love (Background: All The Ladies) On my urban retro flow, come on On my urban retro flow, come on On my urban retro flow, come on Ha, come on 1ST VERSE: We are lovers through and through and though we made it through the storm I really want you to realize, I really want to put you on (-Mary J. Blige, "Real Love") There is nothing I wouldn't do, for you All that you want I'll be all that you need (-SWV, "Anything) Said you needed time away (Background: Come back to me, begging you please) But that was so long ago (Background: Come back to me, I want you too) (-Janet Jackson, "Come Back To Me") I will love you anyway, even if you can not stay I think you are the one for me, here is where you are to be (-Chaka Khan, "Sweet Thing") CHORUS: It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe 2ND VERSE: It's Friday (background: HEY) And I'm ready to hang Pick up my girls and hit the party scene Tonight, oh it's alright, yea (-Aaliyah, "Back & Forth") Soon as I get home I'll make it up to you, baby I'll do what I gotta do (-Faith Evans, "As Soon As I Get Home") I said I ain't too proud to beg For what I call my own It's just you and me, uh Hey, hey, hey yea hey yea (-TLC, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg) And I am a material girl (-Madonna, "Material Girl) You know that it's CHORUS: It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe 3RD VERSE: Hoo, my first mistake was I wanted too much time I had to have him Morning, noon, and night (-EnVogue, "Hold On") Everyone falls, in love sometimes Well I'm your baby tonight (-Whitney Houston, "Exhale Shoop Shoop" and "I'm Your Baby Tonight") I got me myself and I, that's all I got in the end Is what I found out and it ain't no need to cry I took a vow that from now on On, on (-Beyonce, "Me Myself & I") Oh on and on and on and on (Backgrounds: My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone) Oh on and on and on and on And on and on, oh oh (-Erykah Badu, "On & On") CHORUS: It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe It's my urban retro style Some of my urban retro side Check out my urban retro, urban retro Urban retro vibe OUTRO: Back in the day when things were cool yea You know back in the day when things were smooth I'm in the mirror with my hairbrush Pretending to be my favorite singer, rapper, actor Oh, my urban retro vibe Urban retro side My urban retro, urban retro (Backgrounds: Rest in Peace Aaliyah, Left Eye, Whitney Houston, Thank You)
2.
1ST VERSE: Oh oh I've been trying to figure it out What this is all about 'Cause I. oh I Don't wanna loose my mind One minute, you say that you care Then the next you're nowhere to be found My smiles turn into frowns And it's killing me PRE-VERSE: It's like you wanna see, me act in disbelief When you decide to leave and leave me so lonely Baby tell me, what you really wanna do 'Cause I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you CHORUS: He loves me, he loves me not He loves me. I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you (Backgrounds: Oh oh, oh oh) He loves me He loves me not He loves me I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you (Backgrounds: Oh oh, oh oh) 2ND VERSE: What if this isn't love What if I just walk away And move on Will you long for me I never gave you enough time To miss me like you'll never find Another love Like me PRE-VERSE: It's time I make you see Why I can't let you treat Me so unfairly This is very scary Got me confused, don't know what I'm gonna do But I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you CHORUS: He loves me, he loves me not He loves me. I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you (Backgrounds: Oh oh, oh oh) BRIDGE: Did you know, did you know That this love hurts me so Oh so bad (Backgrounds: So bad, I got it bad) I got it bad and I'm so mad 'Cause I can't get away from you The way I feel you got me open like a fool But I refuse to give up, don't wanna give up Until I pick that last petal that shows You love me so CHORUS (2xs): He loves me, he loves me not He loves me. I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you He loves me, he loves me not He loves me, I'm getting tired of picking flowers with you (Backgrounds: Oh oh, oh oh)
3.
How I Feel 03:05
1ST VERSE: I don't know what to make of this As simple as it seems It's still a risk Expressing my feelings for you Hoping that you'll say Something to me soon But I don't know How you think of me PRE-VERSE: If you only knew How my heart beats inside Every time you pass me by Sleepless nights Wondering How you can change my life, but CHORUS: Do you feel How I feel, I feel Do you care about How I feel, I feel I don't know, I don't know if you I don't know, I don't know if you Feel Do you Feel the same way (Backgrounds: Do you feel the same, do you feel the same way, uh) I don't know, I don't know if you I don't know, I don't know if you Feel Do you Feel the same about me (Backgrounds: Do you feel the same, do you feel the same way, uh) 2ND VERSE: It's not clear to me If right here is where you Wanna be Where you wanna be 'Cause it's been all this time And you haven't spoken up Oh let it go Or could I be wrong please let me know PRE-VERSE: If you only knew How my heart beats inside So how long will you continue To be silent Realize How I can change your life CHORUS: Do you feel How I feel, I feel Do you care about How I feel, I feel I don't know, I don't know if you I don't know, I don't know if you Feel Do you Feel the same about me (Backgrounds: Do you feel the same, do you feel the same way, uh)
4.
INTRO: I can no longer hide That this relationship has died I can no longer ride For you and all your fucking lies VERSE: You told me you would be all that I need But that changed over time eventually Guess you see That I am no longer enough for you But no worries 'Cause you'll see later As me and karma play the spectators And move in silence Fool me once Shame on me But fool me twice And I'm out of the door No point in sticking round for the same old Bull shit that keeps getting older It does nothing for me anymore My pussy's dry and my heart is cold It's so odd to me that you're so comfy With shitting on me consistently It's been way more times than several And now I just can't handle The details I found Like all the ends you blew on bitches to run through But my year's about to be new And I don't need no resolution to CHORUS Walk away Walk away from you Keep on walkin, act like Ce Ce And keep on walkin Walk away Walk away from you Keep on walkin, act like Ce Ce And keep on walkin Keep on walkin, act like Ce Ce And keep on walkin
5.
VERSE: I learned to swim through the rain And somehow enjoy the pain I owe myself all the blame However, I don’t thihk I would change a thing My heart’s eclipsed From feelings which somehow put me at risk Though I want to, I need to Just leave you alone but PRE-VERSE: But one final wish Let’s share our last kiss so I can let you go love You’re too beautiful for The heartbreak in store if We proceed and go forth You’ll only just hurt more I shouldn’t have took it this far CHORUS: Gotta leave you Alone, alone But I can’t get you out of my mind Gotta leave you Alone, alone But I can’t get you out of my mind Gotta leave you Alone, alone But I can’t get you out of my mind Gotta leave you Alone, alone But I can’t get you out of my mind Gotta leave you
6.
Witchu 02:54
1ST VERSE: Frustrated and elated 'Cause I know how far our love can go But there's still me and him Which ain't been much but emptiness, yes So my happiness comes when I think of you baby Nothing else even matters And I can easily see my life with you But need to make sure that you're ready for it PRE-VERSE: Ready for me if I drop the ball I'll leave in a minute as soon as you call For me with your heart Like i'd do for you But I need you to make yourself clear So I know CHORUS: Don't know what to do, don't know what to do I really want you so bad, you so bad Don't know what to do, don't know what to do This is making me so mad, I'm so bad 2ND VERSE: Guess I should be content since I have someone at home But it ain't the same when we're together alone He don't know how to keep me smiling or interested And oh that's a signal that I I should be with you baby 'Cause nothing else even matters To me and I want you to believe in me Oh I'm so serious and I need you to be PRE-VERSE: Ready for me if I drop the ball I'll leave in a minute as soon as you call Baby please won't you hear me out on this one Just trust me, 'cause I want you to be the one CHORUS: Don't know what to do, don't know what to do I really want you so bad, you so bad Don't know what to do, don't know what to do This is making me so mad, I'm so bad
7.
1ST VERSE: Dealing with the past Of us trying to make it last It's been so hard on our future plans And present time as one CHORUS: If we're gonna be together Then let's stop wasting time and make this work or Say goodbye and let that be the final answer And get this all out our system, let it all go 2ND VERSE: Scared to face loneliness That I never thought would confront me with you 'Cause there's no need (no need) To be unhappy if we're sure we're meant to be CHORUS: If we're gonna be together Then let's stop wasting time and make this work or Say goodbye and let that be the final answer And get this all out our system, let it all go Are we gonna be together Or get this all out our system, our system, our system BRIDGE: When love is real It's not supposed to make you feel like It's all a lie Don't give all your all Unless you know There's reciprocity On each side Of the love game CHORUS: If we're gonna be together Then let's stop wasting time and make this work or Say goodbye and let that be the final answer And get this all out our system, let it all go If we're gonna be together Then let's stop wasting time and make this work or Say goodbye and let that be the final answer And get this all out our system, let it all go
8.
INTRO (Lei): Enough about these companionship woes I'm ready to speak on some real life and history type of shh, um 1ST VERSE (Lei): My mama was born in the 50s and Daddy was a soldier sent to Korea Around the same time so Maybe the energy of a cold war helped seal their destiny Together in black love and family And no it wasn't all roses back then But to day it seems TUPAC: That’s deep. It’s like, when you’re born, usually you’re born into a dynasty or an empire, right? You’re born as a junior, or following in your father’s footsteps. They always tell you, “Your father, he did this …” or “We got this” or “The family heirlooms …” It’s none of that in the outer city — I call it the outer city, ’cause we’re left out. There’s no nothing. We don’t get any family heirlooms, the family crest. All that stuff that you would think is so important is meaningless ’cause our family crest was cotton, you know what I’m saying? It’s like the only thing we can really leave behind is culture and dignity and determination. That’s what we had. So It’s like I feel as though I’m cheated because (LEI BACKGROUND: Hmm, I mean how far back up the underground railroad, must we go) instead of me fulfilling my prophecy, I have to start one. Instead of me doing a good job and carrying on the empire, I have to build one. And that’s a hell of a job for a 21-year-old. That’s a hell of a job for any youngster, male or female, to have to build an empire for your family. Especially when the odds is that you know there’s somebody else who lives in the inner city, the real inner city — suburbia — who, when he’s born, 16 he gets a car automatically. There’s money in the bank for college. It’s Christmas, you go vacation somewhere. Our vacation was down the street, across town — Grandma’s house, you know what I’m saying? That was the vacation. Or jail, to be more real. I hate to make this a sad story, but it’s real. (LEI BACKGROUND: Hope you're hearing something, oh. Hope you're hearing something, oh. Hope you're hearing something oh. Hope you're hearing something, oh.) This world is — and when I say “this world” I mean it, I don’t mean it in an ideal sense. I mean it in every day, every little thing you do — it’s such a “Gimme, gimme, gimme.” Everybody back off. Everybody’s taught that from school. Everywhere. Big business: You wanna be successful? You wanna be like Trump? Gimme, gimme, gimme. Push, push, push, push. Step, step, step. Crush, crush, crush. That’s how it all is. (LEI BACKGROUND: Rock, rock, whips, and chains and they got you by ya, our whips and chains. Rock, rock, whips, and chains and they got you by ya, our whips and chains.) And it’s like nobody ever stops, you know? I feel like instead of us just being like, “Slavery’s bad. Bad whitey,” I mean, let’s stop that. Everybody’s smart enough to know that. We’ve been slighted and we want ours. And I don’t mean by “ours,” like 40 acres and a mule, because we’re past that. But we need help. I mean for us to be on our own two feet, “us” meaning youth or “us” meaning black people, whatever you want to take it for. For us to be on our own two feet, we do need help because we have been here. We have been a good friend, if you want to make it a relationship type of thing. We have been there, and now we deserve our payback. (LEI BACKGROUND: One nation under God, one nation under God <---- repeats until OUTRO) It’s like you got a friend that you don’t never look out for you. You know, you dressed up in jewels now — America’s got jewels and they got paid and everything, and they lend their money to everybody except us. Everybody needs a little help on their way to being self-reliant. I mean, if this is truly a melting pot in the country where we care about them ... we really need to be like that. ... You need to help black kids, Mexican kids, Korean kids, whatever. But it needs to be real and it needs to be before we all die and then you say, "I made a mistake. I should have gave them some money. We really should have helped these folks." It's gonna be too late. And then that's when you've gotta pay your own karma. And that's what God punishes when God punishes you (Source: http://www.rapbasement.com/2-pac/tupac-the-lost-interview.html). OUTRO (Lei): It's a cold, cold world It's a cold, cold world I know Cold world It's a cold, cold world It's a cold, cold world I know *Feel free to view this Tupac interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnBcpgZJYUk.
9.
INTRO: On, hold on On, hold on 1ST VERSE: There's no way life can be easy Just take a look at history and you will see all the Wars and genocide, blood, sweat, tears, and suicides through the years It's like the pattern never changes So many mixed emotions of our people So many unsolved issues in our homes That we don't take the time to deal with for peace of mind If only we could turn around the pain and make it work towards a rightful gain Because I'm tired of the strain and the pain Oh but it makes me who I am today, yea Look I never wanna give up and I don't want you to give up either I believe we all can make the best of life CHORUS: I know that life sometimes Can bring more stress than what you bargain for But just keep your faith and practice patience Let persistence see you through Keep on pushing On, hold on Keep on pushing On, hold on You gotta, you gotta Keep on pushing On, hold on Keep on pushing On, hold on Yea, yea 2ND VERSE: I might know what you're going through 'Cause I been hurt myself a time or two When you feel there is no way no how To bring you out of all your doubts Fear and doubt can only hold you back in life Hatred of any kind will never make or keep you satisfied And yea there's no such thing as a perfect world But you can make the best of being here Set out to strive for more despite of CHORUS: I know that life sometimes Can bring more stress than what you bargain for But just keep your faith and practice patience Let persistence see you through Keep on pushing On, hold on Keep on pushing On, hold on You gotta, you gotta Keep on pushing On, hold on Keep on pushing BRIDGE: Keep on pushing Don't stop you can go far Keep on don't boggle your pace One day you can be great OUTRO: I know that life sometimes Can bring more stress than what you bargain for But just keep your faith and practice patience Let persistence see you through
10.
All I Want 03:23
INTRO: In the relationships that don't work out There's always one who wanted more, gave more, loved the other more So if you're that one, the one of more Don't worry, your time for love, true love Will fall in place 1ST VERSE: Never said that I'm perfect But I know that I'm worth it So you gotta put work in If you feel you're deserving Finding love is a blessing And each mistake's been a lesson From which I've learned Can't put no rush on love, just wait your turn PRE-VESE: Let it come your way, let it come your way If it's your time then it will all fall in place, it will all fall in place Let it come your way, let it come your way Everyone ain't that special one, but it will all fall in place CHORUS: All I really, all I really, all I really want That special love, someone to trust, but I won't rush All I really, all I really, all I really want That special love, someone to trust, but I won't rush Want, want 2ND VERSE: I was way too persistent When I should have just resisted The warning signs but when you're young and blind You just can't get it right and you fight your feelings anyway PRE-VESE: Let it come your way, let it come your way When it's your time, remember it will all fall in place yea Let it come your way, let it come your way Everyone ain't that special one, but it will all fall in place CHORUS: All I really, all I really, all I really want That special love, someone to trust, but I won't rush All I really, all I really, all I really want That special love, someone to trust, but I won't rush Want, want But I can't rush yea No, oh, mmm hmm All I want All I want

about

"Urban Retro Life (Vol. 1)" is Lei Row's 2nd mixtape ("Lei Row presents Euphoria" is her 1st mixtape). This project borrows and blends sounds and styles of hip-hop, r&b, and pop music, especially from the 90s and early 2000s. It is written, vocally arranged, and co-produced by Lei and sets the tone for how she writes and vocally arranges in her own work. On this mixtape, Lei is singing over major and independent music industry beat production. The major industry beat production that she uses are from songs: "Black Nostaljack" by Camp-Lo, "Long Kiss Goodnight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "New Slaves" by Kanye West, and "Pain" by Tupac. The independent beat production is courtesy of Kenneth "Marty McLaren" Onyeaka, Brahim "Mercutio" Derkaoui, Max Layn, Kevin "Gripp" Gripper, Dogukan "Do" Gungor, and Jason "J-Sweet" Sweeting. The subject matter in the songs range from love/companionship highs and lows to race relations, family, and messages of inspiration.

We hope you enjoy the project!

*Recording, Mixing, and Mastering: 78 West Productions and QD-Up Studios.

**Management: THEEM Music & Entertainment Group (email: TheemLLC@gmail.com).

credits

released February 22, 2014

THE CREDITS:

Executive Producer: Leilanda "Lei Row" Rowland

Recording, Mixing, & Mastering: Kenneth "Marty McLaren" Onyeaka and John Luckenbaugh

Other Production and Engineering: Ill Will Fulton, B. Sigler, Saladine Wallace, Salahadeen Wilds, D. Willis, Bob James, and Curtis Mayfield ("Urban Retro Vibe-All The Ladies"), which uses beats "Black Nostaljack" by Camp-Lo, "Tripping Out" by Curtis Mayfield, and "Nautilus" by Bob James. Frank "The Tank" Silver, Brahim Mercutio, and Max Layn (Picking Flowers). Kenneth "Marty McLaren" Onyeaka ("How I Feel"). Robert "RZA" Diggs ("Long Kiss," which uses beat "Long Kiss Goodnight" by The Nototious B.I.G.). Kevin "Gripp" Gripper ("Last Kiss" Intro). Dogukan "Do" Gungor ("Witchu"). Jason "J-Sweet" Sweeting ("All or Nothing"). Kanye "Yeezy" West and Ben Bronfman ("New Slaves: Another Perspective)," which uses beat "New Slaves" by Kanye West). Randy "Stretch" Walker ("Resilience," which uses beat "Pain" by Tupac Amaru Shakur featuring Stretch). Kevin "Gripp" Gripper and Burnie Stevenson ("All I Want").

All Lyrics and Vocal Arrangements by Leilanda "Lei Row" Rowland. Other Lyrics and Vocal Arrangements: "Urban Retro Vibe-All The Ladies" samples "Real Love" by Mary J. Blige; "Anything" by SWV; "Come Back To Me" (by Janet Jackson); "Sweet Thing" by Chaka Khan; "Back & Forth" by Aaliyah; "Soon As I Get Home" by Faith Evans; "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by TLC; "Material Girl" by Madonna; "Hold On" by En Vogue; "Exhale Shoop Shoop" and "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston; "Me, Myself and I" by Beyonce; and "On & On" by Erykah Badu. Kevin Onyeaka-background vocal in "Urban Retro Vibe-All The Ladies" (during "Back & Forth" sample). Jarred McDonald-vocal arrangement in "Picking Flowers." Kenneth Onyeaka-background vocal in "How I Feel." "Long Kiss" samples vocal arrangement in "Long Kiss Goodnight" by The Notorious B.I.G. "Last Kiss" (Interlude) lyrics by Kevin "Gripp" Gripper. "Witchu" samples vocal arrangement "When I Think Of You" by Janet Jackson. "All or Nothing" samples vocal arrangement in "I Wanna Love You Down" by Jade. "New Slaves: Another Perspective" samples lyrics in "Too Many Wanna Bes" by Jonathan Branch and interview by Tupac A. Shakur and MTV. "Resilience" samples vocal arrangement in "Pain" by Tupac featuring Stretch and "Keep On Moving" by Soul II Soul. "All I Want" samples vocal arrangement in "Be Happy" by Mary J. Blige and lyrics by Kevin "Gripp" Gripper.

Photography By: Michael Letterlough, Jr.
Graphic Arts By: Antoine Tate
Management By: THEEM Music & Entertainment

THANK YOUs: Of Course, GOD is just AWESOME and ALL MY FAMILY & FRIENDS are too! My Production, Media/Promo, and Network for riding with me on this project! And all the FANS I've developed along the way, you ALL truly inspire me!

And a HUGE #SALUTE to HIP-HOP, R&B , & POP MUZIK + ALL INDEPENDENT ARTISTS & CREATIVE PEOPLE .. ALWAYS CONTINUE TO LIVE OUT YOUR DREAMS!

*This Project is for Promotional Use*

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Lei Row

Known for her unique melodic vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and chic vintage style: Lei Row brings an urban yet retro flavor and soulful sound to music. As a singer-songwriter, Lei has written and vocally produced in different genres such as r&b/soul, hip-hop, and pop. Lei is also a Grammy Recording Academy Member and ASCAP Affiliated Singer/Songwriter. To read more about Lei, visit: www.LeiRow.com. ... more

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