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

DA NAME'S SUBSTANTIAL

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

To This Union a Sun Was Born

Kalitwutchawon2

Sacrifice

A P.G Boy

Resurrection of the House Party

Resurrection of the House Party (feat. Deacon The Villain)

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 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

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

From 'Home Is Where The Art Is'

Lyrics

Come on... (x 10) 

VERSE 1 
Man it's hard when you see more bills than checks 
That’s why I push an XB for wheels, no Lex 
While I write day and night just to deal with stress 
Walk these DMV streets like I'm still the best 
Even though I got an overdrawn account waiting on collb money 
Frontin ass promoters refusing to ask for me 
State trooper tailing me, creeping in back of me 
Traffic violation they call in the calvary 
Shit ain't adding up and you don't need a math degree 
I'm here laughing at shit that really ain't that funny 
But eh man, life ain't perfect 
Made something of myself with next to nothing to work with 
And found my purpose, while looking for answers 
Wife looking for purses, baby looking for pampers 
Got me looking for paper to feed our needs and our wants 
So a slice won't due, when you're in need of a chunk 
Of the proverbial pie, so when shit try to halt 
This descendant of go-getters ‘bout to get some results 
So those pennies for thoughts can add up when you get on your grind
Especially when you got a lot of shit on your mind, I'm saying... 

HOOK 

It's no use crying over spilled milk (Yeah!) 
Big deal if you fall you can still help (Yeah!) 
Son I'ma stick to laughing to keep from crying (Yeah!) 
I'ma stick to living to keep from dying (Yeah!) 
No time for quitting I keep climbing (Yeah!) 
In my darkest hour I keep shining (Yeah!) 
Even when sunset he keep rising (Yeah!) 
Pick myself up shake it off and keep grinding (Yeah!) 
Til I take these coals and make diamonds (Yeah!) 
Always make the best of the situation that I'm in! (Yeah!) 

VERSE 2 
Fuck a plan B if plan A is win, you can quote me God 
With the mic, stage, or pen... I am going hard 
While my friends took a break, I was taking chances 
Labels feeling the kid, now and try to take advantage 
Every other week of the month I'm like damn this 
Starving and bamas is trying to feed me canned shit 
I know I'm hungry, okay more like famished 
But I done seen things that'll make a grown man cringe 
But I still will heal with no bandage 
Found away to still paint pictures with no canvas 
But I'ma manage 'cause challenge I'm use to. 
Got every single reason to fail... I refuse to 
With little promo, no investments, and skeptics 
Can make this road to success shit hectic. 
The way I'm barely eating man I should be anorexic 
Everything's backwards, I ain't even dyslexic 
Check it, I've tried what other people suggested 
But being anything other than me's out of the question 
Found a way to win when others didn't expect it 
Underdog champ of the decade, respect it! (Yeah!) 

HOOK (x2)

Home Is Where The Art Is

Spilled Milk [Produced by Slopfunkdust]

With less than a week left for the #SubOnWax Kickstarter Campaign (http://bit.ly/subonwax), I've decided to make this once "SUBporter Exclusive" song available to everyone for supporting the campaign. This is one of several unreleased tracks from 2008's Sacrifice and because I am a man of my word, I will still gift everyone who backs the campaign another previously unreleased track from 'Sacrifice'. 

ABOUT 'IMMORTALITY'
I finished this song back in the Spring of 2006 and it was originally suppose to be the last track on my sophomore album, Sacrifice. Unfortunately, I lost contact with the producers (The Deffenders) when it was time to finalize and release the album a year or so later and it's remained in the vault ever since. Back in 2011, I got the song remixed by M-Phazes, but when he sent the beat, I loved it, but felt like it didn't work as well as the original track. So instead, I used the remix beat for Grateful on my third album Home Is Where The Art Is, which is why the song themes are similar. 

11 years later, this is hands down one of my favorite songs I've ever recorded. Now it's yours! By the way, it should be available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Tidal and everywhere else by the weekend but you can download it right now exclusively on Bandcamp.

Download

Immortality (Unreleased Sacrifice Track)

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)

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

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

Stephanie Gayle