A compilation of the music Substantial and I have collaborated on over the last 10 years...and the list continues to grow.

Substantial & Steph Collaborations

Leehahn - Shoulders of Giants (ft Substantial, Steph the Sapphic Songstress)

Lyrics Video: 
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B9B10NaF3T5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Stream on Spotify: http://bit.ly/2m3KSWk
Stream on melon: http://bit.ly/2zvmylv
DL on Itunes#: http://apple.co/2mRXQoP
DL / Buy the single album (including acoustic version) : 
http://leehahn.bandcamp.com/album/shoulders-of-giants

Celebrating and remembering the Giants of my life who have inspired and helped me to the person I am today.  (Isaiah 41:10) 
Thanks to Substantial and Steph the Sapphic Songstress for lifting up the track with their talent. Such a blessing for me to work with you. 

Lyrics by Substantial - http://substantialmusic.wordpress.com 
Chorus by Steph the Sapphic Songstress - http://sapphicsoul.com 
Music Produced by Leehahn 
Mixed & Mastered by Leehahn

Follow Leehahn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leehahndavid
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/leehahn
Spotify: http://bit.do/leehahnSpotify
Melon: http://bit.do/leehahnMelon

Verse 1
I stand tall 'cause I'm on the shoulders of giants
Stand alone like a calm soul in a riot
Studying the ways of the bold & defiant
Who never chose to be silent 
Played the role of a lion
Feeding those totally reliant
On their wealth of wit instead of gold or some diamonds
In a world known to be cold and it's violent
I'm marching with Martin overthrowing tyrants
Music up loud 'til it's roarin' like sirens
Now they say my music is known for inspiring
Maybe that Jun's with me and the spirit of Miles and Marley
Or Parker's lyrical style that haunts me
Plus I'm studying Nas, Com & Jill
So I can make music it's hard not to feel
Like Stevie 
No wonder we call that the real.
Believe me.
I'm as strong as foundation built
Beneath me 

Hook
If I have reached,
What seems to be the highest peak (It was on your shoulders)
Though I was weak
You showed just how far I could see (And the journey's not over)

Verse2:
Me alone these accolades ain't meant for
The man that I am is largely due to my mentors
I try to do what I was sent for
A long list of people should be sharing this splendor. Raise them
Glasses if you help raise him, amazing.
Ask this if Jun didn't praise him would you play them
"Classics" or would you just label him average
I ain't one to debate with my maker what the path is
I just thank him for the opportunity
And for folks like J Dilla who influenced me
More than musically he did it thru his illness
Still inspired to create though he was real sick
Thanked his momma when I met her man, that's real ***
You ain't worthy of respect if you don't feel this
To my giants/heros God bless
I'll carry the torch while carrying who got next

Hook

Shoulders of Giants

Shoulders Of Giants (ft. Substantial, Steph the Sapphic Songstress)

Substantial & Marcus D, together known as Bop Alloy, return with their signature jazz induced sound and a clever new single entitled 'Count On Us' from their upcoming sophomore LP, 'Another Day in the Life of...' out this Spring. Featuring sparse, yet perfectly placed vocals from Steph, The Sapphic Songstress, COU showcases the duo's sonic growth with Marcus tickling the ivory to perfection over his sophisticated brand of boom-bap. (Think jacket and tie with fresh sneaks.) Substantial masterfully chronicles BA's humble beginnings, the morning after a show, while simultaneously counting from 1 to 40. This is the type of creative Hip Hop storytelling the repeat button was made for. 

On February 4, 2014, Bop Alloy launched their Kickstarter campaign to raise money for their new album ‘Another Day In The Life of…’. With a goal of $7000 and a funding period of 20 days, Bop Alloy hit the ground running and took to Twitter, Facebook & Instagram to promote their campaign. The duo achieved their goal in one week! Pledge incentives included digital downloads, t-shirts, posters, autograph copies of their CD and even an offer to perform at your wedding. With 13 days remaining, Bop Alloy provided stretch goal incentives for their fans. With $10,000 raised, fans can aide Bop Alloy with a Holiday album scheduled for release Winter 2014. If $15,000 is raised, they will record and film a live album and all contributors will be given free admission into the event. Six days later they reached their 1st stretch goal. “The support's overwhelming. $10,000 without even a preview of any new music is a testament to the kind of fans we have, and the type of listeners we attract said Marcus D. 

Support the campaign by contributing on Kickstarter: kck.st/1iprZlb

LYRICS
No surprise I’m the one they sleep on, I roll with dreamers 
But when us two come thru we make’em believers 
Fiendin’ thru your receivers when it’s all 3 of us 
For the love of the music, high 5 for Jesus 
In a Motel 6, wake up call at 7 
Breakfast we ate later had these players in heaven 
By 9:10, I’m in a cab to the airport 
Boarding’s at 11, I’m not stressing so therefore 
It’s time to finish up this rhyme I’m 12 bars into 
Hold up... 13 now yeah this shit’s cool. 
Came up since 14 with a hissing ass demo 
15 minutes strong though the songs were hella simple 
Finish that 16 then I crashed like a cymbal 
Sounding 17 again, I’m gon’ bodied that instrumental 
Night before, packed house. It was 18 an over 
Still would’ve been killed if only nine teens showed up 
We focused, in 2021 we may have more for you 
But still be underrated they say that’s a catch 22 
We wanna be... rated the greatest like #23 
But since our thinking’s too forward that’s something we might never see 
25 mins before I board for my trip 
Hit my driver with $20 + a $6 tip 
Thinkin’ that I was 27 when I heard Marcus shit 
28 when we began to plan the very start of it 
Dark skin chick tapped me saying , “I don’t know what’s on your mind. 
You’re holdin‘ up the line, by the way your gate is 29 
“Pirty” lil’ 30 something sista from the motherland 
Thanked her for the info, passed the checkpoint with my stuff in hand 
Copped gum, snacks and a book for something to do 
Cashier said my total’s 31.32 
Phone at 33%, my battery is lame 
Charged it and called my family ‘fore I boarded the plane 
34 years young, making music with my friends 
Documented through a 35 millimeter lens 
Day and a half before, yo that’s when we hit the road 
Only 37 copies of our album in tow. 
One show they all go ‘cause they’re a hot commodity 
Imports plus shipping be like 38 a copy B 
Finally boarded, near a guy who’s 39 or 40 
By the time we’re in the sky I closed my eyes and started zoning... 

 HOOK 
Just another day in this life of ours, homes Seems like we the ones that you can count on 
Feels right the moment they put the sound on 
Count on us to hold it down from now on 

REPEAT HOOK 

Drop on the 1 
Clap on 2 
Nod on the 3 
This is 4 you 
Drop on the 1 
Clap on 2 
Nod on the 3 
This is 4 you 
This is 4 you!!!

(S. Robinson, M. Marino) 
Lead vocals by Substantial 
Produced by Marcus D 
Additional vocals by Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

Count On Us ft. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

Bop Alloy - Coming Home Ft. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress (Another Day In The Life Of...)

From the album 'Another Day in the Life of...' OUT NOW: 
CD | Digital | Vinyl - Coming Soon
http://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/

The latest single 'Not 4 Show' featuring Steph, The Sapphic Songstress from Bop Alloy's Sophomore LP, 'Another Day in the Life of...' draws a line in the sand with posers on one side and Substantial & Marcus D's feet planted firmly on the other.

Kings without the need for crowns like the son of God! 

The drums knock. The melody is chopped to perfection. The flow and rhymes are technically sharp, yet soulful. This isn't minute made rap, they "do it for real". This isn't shock rap, glorified self hate or anything you frown upon one day, then champion the next in the club or on computer. The real. You know, the not-always-explicit-for-the-sake-of-being-explicit real. The struggle of juggling school or parenting with your passion or career while remaining true to your beliefs and the culture that helped raise you. Hip Hop.

Catch Bop Alloy on tour in a city near you this Spring.

UPCOMING SHOWDATES
5/25 - Arlington, VA @ IOTA
5/29 - Chicago, IL @ Smart Bar
5/30 - Detroit, MI @ 5e Gallery

LYRICS

We do it for real 
Repeat 4x 

VERSE 1 
We’re not your average underground 
Rap group frontin’ like we’re down 
With everyone that come around 
Or show up on a blog 
But something unique & profound 
Working to perfect our sound Kings without a need for crowns 
Like the son of God 
We ain’t aiming to be Hell bound 
Like these other sell outs 
Watch’em you can tell how 
They’re whoring for applause 
(Not too many will reach our level 
Spread your wings come fly with us) 
You’re lovin’ how we put it down 
Feel free to sing aloud 
Watch how we move the crowd Like Rakim Allah 
Marcus let the rhythm hit’em 
I provide the lyricism 
Disregard the criticism 
Do it how we want Puttin’ plenty soul up in it 
Been ill for a minute 
They were hoping that we’re Fin(n)ish 
Like we’re from Vaasa 
(They fear us ‘cause we are rebels 
But it’s all love when you rock with us!)  

HOOK 

VERSE 2 
We don’t do it for a rack of pay, 
To receive accolades 
Though it’s nice to gather praise 
This is ‘bout expression 
But it cost to have it made 
Somebody has to pay 
If you want the tracks we make 
To add to your collection 
Sorry but I have to hate 
Shady biz in rap today 
Not the best path to take 
As your profession 
(But if your skin is hard as metal 
You might be equipped to fly with us!) 
Every night I have to pray 
Several hours after 8 
That the ends I calculate 
Justify the means 
Partner bout to graduate 
I got a little gal to raise 
But not enough to allocate 
Funds to all our needs 
Hope our plans coagulate 
And the fans advocate 
So success validates 
Us chasing our dreams 
(Keep on reaching for the next level 
May God blessings shine on us!) 

HOOK 

BRIDGE 
 (Sample) Do it for the well educated and illiterate Real and nonsense, conscious and ignorant 
Do it for the wealthy and the welfare recipient 
If you down, listen up, you out there, listen in  

VERSE 3 
For well placed instruments, 
Flows that’s intricate 
And infinite 
Our growth’s imminent 
Need a bigger belt 
(We’ve out grown these children farewell 
They just can’t keep stride with us!) 
Whether the crowd’s intimate 
Or it is significant- 
ly larger, we’re killin’ it 
Cause we’re known to rip it well 
All for the feel we get 
Recalled from our innocence Call it a stimulant 
We offer a little help 
Hardly coincidence 
Our songs make you reminisce 
Of times where a lyricist 
And DJ we’re rocking bells 
(They would drop, not just rock jewels 
Want that real come ride with us!) 

HOOK 

Do it for the real 
We do it for real 
Repeat 2x

Not 4 Show Ft. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

Recorded in 2007 (on my 25th birthday), this was the final track laid for Substantial's 2nd LP, "Sacrifice". It also featured Reginald "RNB" Butler on the track. This is a rough track version.

Substantial - Hood Hope feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress & RNB

Recorded after Sacrifice was completed, this remix is extremely hard to find (even I don't have the final mix of it). It was featured on QN5's RMX NO.4 series featuring Substantial. This gem was only sold through UGHH.com and only a limited supply of hard copies were sold (i.e. it's a collector's item).

Substantial - It's You (I Think) The Unknown Remix feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

Recorded in 2009, this track was never released...but, it still cranks if I do say so myself.

Substantial - Just For You feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

This is the original version of "Hood Hope" produced by Definition, but because its sound didn't fit with the rest of the album, it became a remix that featured on QN5's RMX NO.4 series featuring Substantial. This one is also a rare gem.

Substantial - Hood Hope (Definition's Mix) feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

I had so much fun recording this track for so many reasons: (1) it was vocally challenging, (2) the sampling of "Golden Lady" (one of my absolute FAVORITE Stevie Wonder songs) was GENIUS, and (3) I got to record it with my two favorite people in life. Me + Sub + Marcus D (aka Twinkle Fingers) = HOT FIRE LIKE DYLAN!

Substantial - Golden Lady feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

When we initially recorded this track, it was supposed to be on QN5's Asterisk 5 mixtape, but that did not happen, and Sub did not want to waste a perfectly good track...so, he put it on the "Jackin' Jill" mixtape as an added bonus.

Substantial - Make Up Sex [DTV Remix] feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress & Chew Fu (Sax)

Recorded in 2005, this is the track the started the ongoing collaborations between Substantial and myself. Produced by yours truly.

Fairy Tales (R.I.T.S. Remix) feat. Substantial

This was a track that I wrote during one of the troubling times in my life (I also wrote "Tired Of Living" for Mr. SOS around the same time). I had to use my ex-girlfriend's laptop and a program that I had never used before (Adobe Audition) to finish both songs. Produced by M-Phazes.

Substantial - The Verge feat. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

(M. Marino, P. Johnson, S. Robinson)
Produced by: Marcus D 
Piano by: Marcus D 
Strings by: Peter Lee Johnson
Additional Vocals by: Steph the Sapphic Songstress
Arranged by: Nicholas Cheung

Still Think Different (Acoustic Version) ft. Peter Lee Johnson

The Warm-Up

This track is from the album The Sapphicsoul and is available for purchase on CD Baby here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stephthesapphicsongstres

Getaway (Bonus Track)

Lyrics by: Substantial
Produced by: Definition

My Favorite Things (ft. Steph the Sapphic Songstress) [Produced by Definition]

All songs produced by Marcus D for (ASCAP) 
All songs written & mixed by Substantial for Unlimited Vinyl (ASCAP)

Jazzmatic (ft. Steph the Sapphic Songstress)

All songs produced by Marcus D for (ASCAP) 
All songs written & mixed by Substantial for Unlimited Vinyl (ASCAP)

Universe Works (ft. Steph the Sapphic Songstress)

Lead the Followers (ft. Steph the Sapphic Songstress, Tunji, EA Floe, & Niles Davis)

Why the World Weeps (ft. Mello-D & Steph the Sapphic Songstress)

R&B Singer/Songwriter/Producer from P.G. County, Maryland. Frequent Bop Alloy collaborator, and worked with Mr. SOS, Inverse, Tonedeff, and CunninLynguists.

Substantial & Steph Collaborations

Stephanie Gayle