Four Minds is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
Inspired by the kind of music when it hit you felt no pain
for the brain, not for fame, or financial gain
twisted with the religion of consumption, hedonism
docile when raised by the television
the vision to mine doesn’t correlate
a catalyst to actuate from a sedate state
to escape the overplayed masquerade, subjected
to a vague shade of the art I wanna see protected
affected, to the point of no return
seize the day I ain’t got time to burn
collect my thoughts and I write
connect my voice and ignite, fuck hype, gimme insight
excite the urge to create
find out if my skills are as ill as my fate
clocks ticking, quicken conviction to the spitting
never quitting til I’m in a position I deem fitting

I was never one to rhyme, used to spitting out licks
on the fret neck flickin’ picks, getting my fix off
a whiny ass Conor pro-lyric acoustic 
in me size dreams always seemed elusive
played the pilgrim but no chance to rock it
to the pedestal of the music market
with the crown renowned scratch the itch in the crowd
hitting all the right places in the here right now
shotgun seats pumping obnoxious beats 
a Sycho-logical life without time to retreat
here we go it’s the flight of the Scar bro elites 
Jay Zhidao, Chen Qillin across the sea 
to the motherland gone international 
smooth we set sail, with a leak in the hull 
I’m hibernatin’ after losing it all
but I’m rising up stronger than before the fall 

Travelled many years to get to where we’re at
Four mics forthright forming over the track
Chips stacked and the aces rise from the pack
Four minds combined now it’s time to act 

Nor’Easter to the cold core from New Hampshire
the best of Chester you know I’m damn sure
cutting my teeth on the kit and keys 
the Sad Cafe, Downstairs, TT’s
living in Boston I got so lost in the dream
but now I figured my next scene
I’m living quarter to quarter - 90 days a new border 
I’m bored of touring instead I put my life back in order 
like Songdo my master plan’s laid down
like One World Trade towers over downtown
Empire required be second to none
it took a hundred percent to get to 101
to rock at mission control with my live bands
drum like Gene Krupa call like Gene Kranz
and though I’m living as an absentee
you know the motto’s in my blood: die or live free

Mind locked, thoughts blocked and my vision was blurred
so I closed two eyes and envisioned with my third
unravelled my mind cause it was tied up in knots
I’m talking bad knots, have nots, cannots and am nots
hung in a sad spot thought I oughtta adopt a new plot 
rolled out like an Autobot
to reach my roots broke loose bust through the next stratum 
cut the noose got a boost when I split like Adam
fled the west headed half a day closer to death 
same quest same stress but it all made sense
indent next paragraph flows in parallax 
focused on the cash but my goals ain’t match
blended friends with biz but that shit didn’t mix
now it’s back to the basics trying to live
too late to be young, rich and famous
I might as well do what I love if I’m going to die nameless

Travelled many years to get to where we’re at
Four mics forthright forming over the track
Chips stacked and the aces rise from the pack
Four minds combined now it’s time to act 

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY

Sampled drums recorded by Cent
at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda and Adam Chen

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

The Dream

Four Minds

The Present is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
four bards, spitting hard with conviction
on a quest, embarking on expedition
no time like the present for presence to be presented
with power in numbers seeing our force augmented
ready to defy the tide
with every last ounce of strength and mind applied
committed to the cause in every line supplied
sublime required to vie for our space in time

age slower when I’m moving faster
my mind’s moving so fast thinking past disaster
getting busy with business, my musical interests 
invest in the quest, all dressed, know my time’s pressed
eliminate limits and gimmicks every take 
make day-drinks to daydreams through to daybreak
step out the shadows I’ve eclipsed in phases
focus on the basics and staying evasive

I rise to the occasion like the sun at summer solstice
rise to the mic as my hand demands hold this 
don't drop this, you're going to need it
to enter the mind of this metropolis and free it, so be it 
within the depths of me I converge qi centrally 
merge it with the verse and disperse it instrumentally 
incidentally, lids get lit mentally quick 
it was now or never, now never doesn’t exist

we got to take it to the top
four minds, combined you can’t stop
embracing lucid schemes
wake up, disrupt those elusive dreams
pushing off from the past
fuck it, I’m done putting myself last
aim for better days
be in the present, engage the next phase

the motivation, euphonic elation
for sake of creation without hesitation
best tracks on rotation, equipped in my station
celebrations of the last generation 
on to the next bet, the present set in retrospect
with respect, four minds combined and intersect 
stay undefeated, complete it in the pull of resistance 
in time with life’s limited existence

the bar I want to be setting
taken many years, blood, tears, a whole lot of sweating
forgetting regret and betting on my own ability
affinity creating a mind-body synergy
to advance, taking a chance, optimistic
misfit, persevere with what I love ‘til the bliss hit
persistent exertion and mental immersion
versed in subversion, ‘cause we’re the leaders emerging

disbelieve the fallacies, mocking our mortality 
giving a smack back of reality, a fearless mentality 
it’s tempting to quit, but if you focus on the quick fix
you might trip, slip, and fall back into the mind-tricks 
stop for fear you’re feeling near to reaching your limit
admit it you’re in it too deep, it could all end in a minute 
infinite and beyond skipping over the backtracks 
no escaping the present, thought we’d already passed that 

we got to take it to the top
four minds, combined you can’t stop
embracing lucid schemes
wake up, disrupt those elusive dreams
pushing off from the past
fuck it, I’m done putting myself last
aim for better days
be in the present, engage the next phase

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Delbert Ty: sampled guitar 

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

The Present

Fuck It is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
I got this mic in my fist
I won’t cease or desist
the rewards are worth the risk
fuck it, I’m gonna do more than exist

on a parallel universe 25 north
1-21 east putting my life on course
ripping rhymes to unwind, trying to break from the grind 
small steps for the man, giant leaps for the mind

in my mind I'm still new here but done thinking through clear
I won’t let my ambivalence interfere
moving past the past, stepping out to be free
throwing caution to the wind, is it blowing back at me?

quit listing out to myself limiting factors
class, riches, and race are the identity detractors 
ignore the premonitions of impending disaster
keep my eyes on the prize, it ain’t pride that I’m after

had to toe the ledge to get to know the ledge
to hip-hop I pledge full-fledged 
ready and on edge, to head straight into action
on a path to interact with the fate of this faction 
 
leaving behind all the times I tried
conceiving the life that I have in mind
believing it’s time to revise my line
fuck it, I gotta do more to define

got to live while I can, it won’t last forever
however, got to ensure my endeavours are clever
to weather any storm or attack made to measure
whatever I may face I won’t crack under the pressure

all my strength focusing on holding me together 
on a mission in my mind I’m like Nebuchadnezzar
I was sick with the spell but now I’m better than ever
on a never-ending quest I’m here to conquer whatever

whenever stressed I just let life lead me down it’s road
no regrets, it’s the pain that makes you grow
I got to lower my guard, let my inhibitions surrender
if I reset center things will only get better

built up momentum, took a leap and fell 
to fail not an option, we must prevail 
it’s the two-fifth fucking para-double-L-E-L 
well-equipped with skills that'll tip the scales

right now I’m ready to get over the
status quo, gratis flows, and Cali-phony-a
to be complacent is my new phobia
my utopia’s an unknown fear

adrenaline, my friend, don't let me down now
I looked down, it's too late for me to back out
falling into my role it's time to act out
zhidao without a doubt, nothing left to ask about 

roll the dice, decisive, known for rolling precise
incisive, rhyme priceless
no more trading time for little reward
got to explore to ensure that my faith’s restored

distractions atrocious, hypnotized hopeless 
increase my depth of field and keep focus
I gotta keep my cool to steady my sights
my heart is pumping, now it’s brimming with life

leaving behind all the times I tried
conceiving the life that I have in mind
believing it’s time to revise my line
fuck it, I gotta do more to define

I got this mic in my fist
I won’t cease or desist
the rewards are worth the risk
fuck it, I’m gonna do more than exist

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Teddy Ho: sampled bass
Wes Wu: sampled bass

“Fuck It” contains a sample of “2000 lbs. of Turkish Metal” by Hartford’s Grey (written by Joe K., Dave Scott, Nat Boda)

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Fuck It

Versus The World is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
do as you’re told, a cog in the machine
quickly find yourself maligned if you break from the routine
ostracized if you don’t jump the hoops
marching to mad men’s orders like another one of the troops

the enemy is a lack of tenacity
or strategy to confront the next catastrophe 
actively splitting heirs over nationality 
this fallacy could be an apogee to immortality

apparent to see I don’t foresee change materializing
devising and striving to bring light to the horizon 
confined and restricted by class, race and gender
slaves to a system that demands surrender

resource limits and we’re only visiting
stop ignoring the long view, quit the quibbling
get civil and filter thoughts through the cosmic prism
waging wars, waiting for an extinction collision

can we affect the world while the world infects us?
perfect our effect before the world forgets us?

here’s the gist of my analysis, fame is analogous 
to mental paralysis, build up the palaces
it’s where the callus live in stone phalluses 
isolated in mind, indulged in extravagance

imposition of submission to currency acquisition
when the dollar's a deity, dictating our definition 
what do you do?
why do we answer with our job instead of our drive
are we blessed to be alive, or cursed to fight to survive?

the world is crushing me and my creativity
all my thoughts have been thought out ahead of me
ideas created and sold out instead of me
getting me into a state of atrophic artistry

blasphemy to suggest a stance of opposition
I make for the periphery by my own volition
before it breaks cognition, dissipates all ambition
recondition disposition, so new hopes I can envision

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Robbie Shaw: sampled violin

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Versus The World

Wake Up is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
Fantasies of other ways to exist
feel idyllic for a minute then my mind starts to drift
dreams shift understanding expands
products of an ego, morphed by circumstance
a chance to escape everyday banality
brutality that permeates the everyday mentality
how can it be achieved when it’s ever evolving?
and around what you possess is it ever revolving? 
resolved to chasing ways to waste in case
gotta face up to the lies embraced, when placed 
in a corrupt, pre-decided race, erase
reconstruct, never quite keep pace
gimme space, block out negative interference
so thoughts can return to a semblance of coherence 
now I want control not permission
my goals are my own, and I’m my only competition

I dream when I'm awake when I’m asleep I'm okay
my mind never stops working out the day
constantly going know it's the reason I’m growing
slowing as I age, the page accumulates knowing
selfish drivers always pay a toll
on the highway speeding careless towards the goal
I take the backroads aim where the map goes 
arriving later but I’m in control
as I hone the craft, flow and draft 
microphone attacks, I won’t be overblown like that
the open road, it opens minds and mine
ain’t opened by the rhyme production line
could be a schemer who’s well-financed
could be rhymer of the lost art taking a chance
why satisfied if the dream’s to be a millionaire?
the cash flow’s going fast though I don’t seem to care

Don’t seem to care
don’t seem to care if I’m there

Wake up, quit chasing the elusive dream
wake up, replace it with a lucid scheme
wake up

A fresh start moving apart from the mundane 
many rappers in the frame but we’re far from the same  
epitome of style is the music it's in
if it lacks substance then why we want to fit in?
it’s an unforgiving world, their objectives don’t make sense to me
with my propensity to control my destiny
the enemy is apathy over action
seduced by distraction and cash over passion
oh yeah could be making money which
doesn’t make you rich without scratching that creative itch
not for dollar, fame or adoration
my concentration's on quality creation
on the mic on stage or written on page
not a sage by age but by staying engaged
getting at it pragmatic, keep it moving, never static
nothing's given automatic but for victory I'm an addict 

I fuckin’ hate to lose  
I got ill-fated options but got to choose 
don’t let elusive dreams cause obtrusive in-betweens
the current me is not what I’ll always be
unforeseen eventualities, flaws and fatalities
plausible realities, morphing out of clarity
a disparity of what could be and what’s real
when desire’s dictated by the mass appeal
what if my dreams turn into nightmares when I get there?
take care, take risk, make mistakes rare
unaware of where the road will come out
but aware of the despair if I give in to the doubt
without pursuing the vision can’t fail or succeed
I believe in myself and my strength to proceed 
to turn a dream to scheme requires sleepless nights
rewrite our life while we still got fight

Wake up, quit chasing the elusive dream
wake up, replace it with a lucid scheme
wake up

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Adam Chen: ½ bass
Ann Chang: sampled vocal

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Wake Up

Elusive Dreams is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
With an itch to scratch, wits to cash
can’t sit chillax, gets to pass, switch to fast 
I'm wearing out the masters
comparing success to disasters
looking out take it in all I can then I’m turning in
see what’s burning within
burden spin, revisions in my thirty skin
subverting plans of everything that was a certain win
try looking at what’s pertinent 
think it out work at it, life short-circuited 
don’t need to be the first in last out 
passed out from amassed doubts Q’s maxed out
I got to lay the track down came up in a slack town
change to my kid gloves ready to attack now
the last round, the mind has the drive to make
coalesce in time and take the dream awake

Blaring music loud, dreams of rocking the crowds
thoughts of a young man with his head in the clouds
full of high hopes, but high on dope
and his visions keep changing like kaleidoscopes
he’s prone to ride the slope but when it all went flat
he had no inclinations to carry him back 
he had to get off his ass and act 
running fast but direction he lacked 
pops telling him to rock suits
cock telling him to knock boots 
cerebellum telling him to not lose just move
so he did but no longer a kid 
it's time for this man to handle his biz
grinding from 10 to 10 just trying to meet ends 
is he really living? well I guess it depends 
running on the spot non-stop at full steam
all in for the cream but can't afford to dream

Questioning my dedication
pursuits far removed from my true aspirations
held down by the gravity of reality
totality of normality, fear of mortality
ambition of youth, ground to submission
conditioned to follow a path dictated with precision
a decision to defy, don’t come lightly
despite constructing new fantasies nightly
forever weaving my way around square one
brain trained to not care, remain dumb
inane fun, keeping creation protracted
distracted, when ideas are there to be exacted
fact is I’m my own worst enemy
impact is never reaching what’s ahead of me
steadily turning tides, time ain’t on my side
I’m too sick to sit back and take what’s prescribed

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Adam Chen: guitar
Delbert Ty: sampled guitar
Teddy Ho: sampled guitar

“Elusive Dreams” is based on the song “December” by Dress Shop (written by Delbert Ty, Adam Chen, Nat Boda)

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Elusive Dreams

25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream" is available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Adam Chen: sampled guitar
Robbie Shaw: sampled violin

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Intro

Mind Verses is from 25th Parallel's debut album "The Dream", available now:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/6KycPaKGTxraUDpCFUWaTE
iTunes: geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-d…t=1&app=itunes
Amazon: a.co/8ZpQaOb
KKbox: kkbox.fm/za1tCp

For info, or to order a limited-edition CD, visit:
25thparallel.artmouthmedia.com

Lyrics:
a mind pinnacle, my climb subliminal
limits aligned to the line I'm living on
two-five parallel confined and standing still
stay until I get wise to time will tell
an island hop became asylum stop
no direction, regressions like a wild top
spinning, control giving in and
inundated with frustrated misgivings

the haze filling holes in my cerebral vortex 
contorting my composure, cramping the bones in my neck
I’ve been told I’m always staring at the back of my head
I’ve gotten nowhere alone, maybe I’m better off led 
into the rigid pyramid, a company of compartments
measuring success by the size of my apartment
nevertheless I’d be left with lesser than best  
oppressing my needs stuck in a state of arrest

I'm living, I'm grateful, I got food on my plate
I guess I’m getting by, I'm doing good but not great 
some kids sit wishing for a pot to piss in 
and here I am bitching caught in a knot position 
I got what I need, but if I ask for more, is that greed?
is this all that’s left in store for this seed?
to be or not to be? Is that really the question?
or to be or be more? the next step in the progression?
should I escape the box that I’m pressed in? a paralyzing oppression 
this incessant obsession with impressing
caught up with what I’m dressed in, invested in the present 
development arrested, avoiding pressing questions like
who am I? who am I trying to satisfy? 
what’s the purpose? is it worth it? why do I try? 
is it do or die? what am I meant to achieve?
it's a matter of time and what mind can conceive 

I’m barely capable, my unshakable grief
is a chain around my neck with no release for relief
inner peace is long gone from my venomous vernacular
the voices in my head shout “you aren’t the act you were”
so back onto the stage, with no master for this puppet
with no strings attached, I’m sweating buckets so fuck it  
internal struggles eternal, I push back with the force
do or do not, I got no other recourse

it’s been awhile since I’ve been focused on revival
my versatile reprisal is a constant trial
like my idols I got ideals but I’m idle
my ideas are confiscated by fears and denial
and though I know it I let it spiral
I put oceans between me and what is vital, survival
the way back to the top of the game
the path’s the same terrain that I left in flames

I got a devil on my shoulder pouring honey in my ear
saying to burn my life away ‘til I fade, disappear
cloaked in fear, maintain sane projection
dogs waiting to devour another victim of natural selection
if only the fittest survive
then quick the demise of those who aren’t fit to arise
I picture the prize, where the limit’s the skies, 
better fix and revise, devise lines to baptize
whether antagonised by the dreams I’m not fulfilling
or the tormented sense I’m intent on concealing
when it feels like there’s always all to lose
needs and wants are easy to confuse
and abuse ‘til perspectives subjectively wrecked
an effect to connect with the years of neglect
a respect I collect for those with self control
always thought I'd know better by the time I got this old

I’m tired of second guessing
tired of inhibiting progression while my time is ever pressing
tired of investing all my effort when obsessed with the irrelevant
I’m contesting with myself a quest to rest within my element 

Produced by 25th Parallel: CFB Flobare, Jay Zhidao, Chen Qilin, NAT

Recorded & Mixed by Nat Boda
Mastered by Neil Matharoo in New York, NY
Sampled drums recorded by Cent at Cen+8 Studio in Taipei, Taiwan

Lyrics by 25th Parallel
Music by Nat Boda

Additional instrumentation & samples: 
Delbert Ty: sampled guitar

Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Mind Verses

25th Parallel is the fusion of deep lyrical insight with a high-energy live band. Founded in 2015 by members of the rhyme collective ALL CAPS and alternative rock band Dress Shop, 25th Parallel’s takes inspiration from it’s roots in both genres. The band has performed across Taiwan including regular shows at Revolver and PIPE Live House in Taipei, and at festivals such as Spring Scream. 25th Parallel’s debut album “The Dream” was released on October 20, 2017.

25th Parallel

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