Walker Freestyle came from the drum groove that is laid down on the record. That tempo has a real 'walking with purpose" vibe to me which was very useful in the sequence so I decided to include it even though it is another song with no hook.

The bars on this one are more freeform with a less-defined subject matter. The synths were in-the-box and on a controller so I was comfortable throughout the keyboard tracking. This track was recorded in its entirety at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney

Fantastic
Move makin' is classic
Go toughen up boy
Ya vibe too plastic
I'm handcrafted and drafted in the first round
Until you buy it be quiet when I'm makin' the sound
Makin' the round brown boogie git down
Found in ya kitchen cabinet ya have it spread it around
Get 'em deep in the sound
Rooted and watered deep in every town
Deep underground where the worms is found

Deep in the hood where there's perms and pounds
Firework make a sound
Makin' that cake outta state bringin' it back to town
No I ain't backin' down
Turn ya smile to a frown
Tennishu from the land of two up and two down

So watch ya mouth now don't get foul
They might give you the soak and fold like a wet towel
Back then you used to hit ignore but see we friends now
Fixin' the error in your ways that is the trend now
I can't offend now
We makin' cheddar gotta git the chow
For the child
This is it now
Clip click pow
That's how America be gettin' down
Not something that I wanna be around

Then or now
Got the vibe feelin' maad wow
oh yeah so Ima slow it down
And chill
For the feel bring the real not the fake
For Pete's sake we love Pete but not so much Jake
It's too much at stake
Don't need no type break
Or a take or a slate
I rub two words together for the flame no escape
Superman without a S or no type uh cape

©2024 James Infinite

More To The Story

Walker Freestyle

Buy Here

A lot of the time, I'm the type of person that just goes. I like to prepare right before and I analyze and plan out right after. To me, rolling that way keeps the experience itself the freshest and it also doesn't give my memory time to forget what happened. The analyzation is the core of the process and if that runs off of stale data, the following steps will be stale as well which put me further and further behind my goals.

Those thoughts led me to document this song. I got the idea from thinking about the instruments that I play currently and the path that I took to acquire the skill. Though that understanding, I found that I want to be what I want to be so my job has become getting creative with how I can achieve that as much as possible in every situation I am in.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu by James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite

I want to be
What I want to be
Every single day
And night
Ohhh

I want to be
What I want to be
Every single day
Make shit go my
Way

I want to be
What I want to be
Every single day
And night Ohhh
I want to be
What I want to be
Every single day
Make shit go my Way

I want to be
What I want to be
Every single day
And night Ohhh
I want to be
What I want to be
I want to be me

©2024 James Infinite

What I Want To Be

Vibrayshun is a feel-good vibe that I just felt like rappin' on💯💯💯

I feel like all of the best rap albums have a track (or two or three) that bars on bars on bars so I wanted to incorporate those same elements into this record as well.

"Fuck Is It To You" is a tribute to the tough times that came along with the skillset. Trying to become proficient on all of these instruments took time away that could have been used to elevate my position rather than expand my understanding. With that said, I don’t regret my decision to pursue this path. I believe deeply that I bring the most value communicating through musical instruments.

Although I don't think this is a healthy way to operate as a human being in the world, I felt the need to document this vibe because the pandemic and quarantine periods became easy donkeys to pin the tail on. Those periods showed me exactly what I needed to see in order to maximize myself to the fullest extent.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Drums recorded by Lance Koehler at Minimum Wage Recording in Richmond, VA
All other sounds recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu
Written by Marcus James Tenney

Freeze for the moment
Uh
I'm outspoken
The competition chokin'
But I be straight strokin' stokin' the same flame
Tennishu I got that shit that shake ya out ya frame
This is not a game or a test of sorts
You cannot hit abort or retort this report
My shit a new type official
Premium Rap Music brand name like a Bissel
Heat ya hear it sizzle
Word to Doggy Fizzle
She kicked him in the dizzle
Ouch
Now he laid up eatin' it on the couch
I don't know what that's about but I be eyein' my surroundin'
Ya never know what kind of situation that ya found in
Got to be patient first you gotta put the work in
Before they close the curtain
Even if ya pockets hurtin'
Gotta stand 10 feet tall above them all
And if you don't you breakin' up more than yo skin when you fall
So

See I dream electric
Sound so eclectic
Hard to make a exit
Hard to stand still to be real
Hypnotize minds lockin' in for the feel
Tell me is it real

The fuck I'm finna do
What the fuck I'm finna do
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck I'm finna do

What the fuck I'm finna do
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck I'm finna do

What the fuck I'm finna do
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck I'm finna do

What the fuck I'm finna do
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck I'm finna do?

What the fuck is it to you?
What the fuck I'm finna do
Where was you before the nightmares really came true
Where was you before the past due letters came thru
Where was you when that salami meat was finna hatta do
Man you finna hattah screw yo whole
Check up to the wreck up
See I stack that papah gifted from the stage
Turn the page to the rona
Shows a gonna
We just had to make due
Where was you?
What I'm finna do?
Fuck is it to you?

©2024 James Infinite

Vibrayshun/FuckIsItToYou

Vibrayshun/F*ck Is It To You

Tennishu - Ray Of Light



This song is for the positive people listening. Sometimes rap music can get very dark and very fatalistic in the way that the lyricist provides context and detail about the worlds that inspire the music.

For this record, I really wanted to make something that had a positive outlook but still sounded cool. I didn't want to polish it up too much but I'm glad it made its way onto the album.



I can see the Ray of light
Can’t see what they go through
Work it till the feelin’s right
Til that’s the sound they runnin’ to

I can feel you by my side
That way I can see it through
Drivin is you down to ride
Chillin’ as I breeze through

Well Ima
Drop a
Fire flame philosophy 
On my shoulder feel the boulder stand on top of me
Posted up behind the arc now we poppin’ three
Poppin’ band poppin’ out just for a shoppin spree
Fly in’ higher yeah I’m shakin the top of the tree
Do it together now or never fuck workin’ for free
What’s the plan? Understand what you tryin’ tah be
Tryna to see plane train send a picture to me
Mercilessly I’m on the beat Golf ball on the tee
Tennishu Tee I’m on the street buy it just cuz they see
Just cuz they free for the moment don’t mean it last long
Spit it hot cuz I don’t know if this my last song
Stay stronger than the dude that was sellin’ that
When I finish the next one Ima be right back
Right stack will make me holla jump up and down
Spread the rhymes in the times out to every town

I can see the Ray of light
Can’t see what they go through
Work it till the feelin’s right
Til that’s the sound they runnin’ to

I can feel you by my side
That way I can see it through
Drivin is you down to ride
Chillin’ as I breeze through



Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney


©2024 James Infinite

Ray Of Light

This song was very difficult to write because the section of "Peace" that I sampled always reminds me of my Mom. She alway has a way to give sage advice and she was also really good at helping me understand the seriousness of situations that I was not involved in myself.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite

Come all the way around
Lay ya pistols on the ground
Put ya politics down
Hold hands if ya can
Those brands turn it down
Tune your ears to the sound of what all ya neighbors going thru
Deep in the hustle in the struggle
You could wild out
Use ya friends and ya clout
Make the Ms big amount
Balance never go in doubt
Never runnin' out
Scream and shout in the beginning like you winnin' but you can't pretend
It's froze ice cold when you alone and at the end
Deep in the mirror you swim in a burnin' sea of sin
And now ya band aid fallin' off cuz it's made of Gin
Even tho you limpin' you headed back just to ride again
And then again
I speak it cuz that's what we got in common
Started the hustle arizona tea and top ramen
Now I see the adriatic when Im finish rhymin'
Box full of gold Gz Ima keep diamond shinin'
Keep on shinin' just like a diamond bright
Tennishu fire lit for another night
Shoutout to the homies need it at the right height
Rolled up slow they caught him slippin' at the light
For that good life nigga you gon' hafta fight
With ya tooth and nail not a guard rail in sight
Right over the edge neva know you might
Right over the ledge ride slo alright
And if you keep on simpin' you'll limpin' toward your endin'
Ain't no mendin' when the outcome is descendin'
Ain't no runnin' from its just one and done no suspension
Swivel all time nigga please pay attention
Never swindle mine grow what I go invest in
Other guy try but I fly ascension
Elevator status it had us on and connected
Well-laid plans is what they tryna throw a wrench in
Come all the way around
Lay ya pistols on the ground
Put ya politics down
Hold hands if ya can
Those brands turn it down
Tune your ears to the sound of what all ya neighbors going thru
Deep in the hustle in the struggle
You could wild out
Use ya friends and ya clout
Make the Ms big amount
Balance never go in doubt
Never runnin' out
Scream and shout in the beginning like you winnin' but you can't pretend
It's froze ice cold when you alone and at the end
Deep in the mirror you swim in a burnin' sea of sin
And now ya band aid fallin' off cuz it's made of Gin
Even tho you limpin' you headed back just to ride again
And then again
I speak it cuz that's what we got in common
Started the hustle arizona tea and top ramen
Now I see the adriatic when Im finish rhymin'
Box full of gold Gz Ima keep diamond shinin'

Run it up
Run it up
Juice swimmin' in my cup
Thoughts swimmin' in my mind
Acts swimmin' with the swine
Quick to push the hard line
Slow to rethink and refine
But they still pressin' rewind
You think you havin' the time
But yo time comin' up
It's my time to shine
I waited long enough
Head down on the grind
Put it all on the ground
Tell me what you have now
Watch them sway with the sound
Send the gas back around
No confusion yo team losin'
In the whip cruisin'
With the bars that be steady bruisin'
The shit you choosin' is problem cuz you lack the sauce
Pockets empty you ain't got enough to pay the cost
My shit is two up two down with 95 across
A survival horse pushin' in the porsche of course
Bitch I got the key tah open up them doors
Pour it up til it drip drop to the floors

©2024 James Infinite

Threat

"The Formula" was written back when my daughter was drinking formula. Everyday that we were at home, I remember timing everything around when my wife and I scheduled her eating time.

During that time, there was a lot of formula the counter tops, the floor, my clothes and anywhere else that super small powder particles could fit.

At the moment that the idea for this record came to me, I was thinking about going down a highway at night with the windows down in the summer time. The feeling of the warm air blowing past my face and head while I blast rap music on my to play somewhere was a mental get away from the repetitive nature of taking care of an infant so I thought to myself, "I can get there, I just need to know the formula."

Drums were recorded by Lance Koehler at Minimum Wage Recording in Richmond, VA
All other instruments and vocals recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite

Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Yeah
Yeah
Lets go

I wanna know what it feel like
Don't wanna do it if it ain't right
No
But I wanna know what it feel like
I think about it deep into the night
Cuz I wanna know what it feel like
I wanna know what it feel like
I wanna know what it feel like

Take a look
What do we have
What do you want
What can you grab
What do you flaunt
What do you flash
Never the cash
Never the stash
Both of my legs I be runnin the race
Chef in the kitchen I give 'em a taste
Spoonful melody straight to the face
Uppercut twice now it's blood in yo space
Whole lotta red
Some of em dead
Shit I don't know I be wreckin' the mic and I'm stackin' it til I git fed
Trackin' it all from the head
Straight from the tip
Right off the rip
Audio drip
Yeah
Slide to the side for the VIP
Water is plentiful but don't slip
Feelin' is mutual please don't trip
Yeah
Uh
See you ain't have to get but I ain't havin' it
Uh
The energy I'm burnin' up while I do this shit
Uh
I can see it all over they face
Vibe way different I'm on the chase
Sauce straight burnin' yo eye
Doin' it fore I die
They got murder all on the case
So we don't go
Moving too slow for the feel
Make it right with the real
Knee-deep up in the field with the grass and the cash
And the name but we not the same
Not even the game
It ain't no rules
Not for the pussy the cars or the jewels
That's why they poppin' the trunk for the tools

But so what

I wanna know what it feel like
Don't wanna do it if it ain't right
No
But I wanna know what it feel like
I think about it deep into the night
Cuz I wanna know what it feels like
I wanna know what it feel like
I wanna know what it feel like

Step inside my mind and have a seat
I'm pourin' you a drink
But don't get it twisted I don't give a fuck 'bout what you think
Sixes on me
Neck is icy like I'm slidin' in a rink
Kill this beat dead hide the body til it start to stink
Then we move it to another box and paint that ho pink
Steppin' up out in the Rolls finest leather freshest mink
Smokin' on the super veggie lots of iron lots of zinc
Count the money in the tub and wash the tools in the sink
Keep it quiet til you buy it what them old heads say
Pistol for a little issue how them young boys play
Microphone inside my grip then I'm gon git up and slay
Get money up today
Homie so fuck whatcha say
Im gone do it my way cuz
I wanna know what it feel like
I wanna know what it feel like

©2024 James Infinite

The Formula

The question of "Do I Know What I'm Doing" has really been present throughout this production process so I wanted to make a jam about that specifically. 

The vibe of this record is a little different than the rest of the album. The drum groove has an island tinge to it. The bass line provide top and bottom line melodies to count on while the synths and percussion drop in and out to aid with the overall flow of the vibe.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite

I hope you know that this is the right way
And not the tonight way
Just what's in sight way
I hope you know that this is the right way
Because we're runnin' out of time

Whoa
Damn
Lookin' in the mirra
Eyes on the prize
See a little cleara
Get alil neara
I could reach out
Grip my fingaz before the time runs out
Fuck the stingers I think they comin' knives out
No more shadows inside my mind no doubt
No more bottles inside I'm fine breathe out
Ima stand out me no come for the clout
Nah
Body body just twist when ya hear it
Deep in ya spirit
A lesser man finna fear it
The heat I sear it
Tear when ya comin' near
But don't get too close
Cuz only God I fear
Let that go ear to ear
I swear I'm so sincere
Yah
Watch the sharks posted up by the pier
No peer that I'm used too
It's by my own hand
Use my ears just for the view
Cuz time like quicksand
So

I hope you know that this is the right way
And not the tonight way
Just what's in sight way
I hope you know that this is the right way
Because we're runnin' out of time

U know where you goin'?
You know where you comin' from?
When the wind blowin'
Cold make ya fingaz numb
I see the liquor pourin' and I'm gittin some
Smoke passin' now we activated gettin' dumb
No plastic all glass when you throwin' them
No spine too flaccid when you owin' them
No shine I ain't hatin' but you go with them
No lime ayo you gotta do a show with them
One time
One bar I pull out the sky
We sky high dappin' up God
Got tah try
No lie
No sigh I'm just havin' fun
Too many one and done
Nobody stick around
Lookin' at the mud it's no tracks
All facts
If you gettin' hyper relax
Get stacks
Vocals layin' down maad tracks on tracks
And my shit always top notch
Neva whack

I hope you know that this is the right way
And not the tonight way
Just what's in sight way
I hope you know that this is the right way
Because we're runnin' out of time

Please believe me when I tell you that I
Breathe in deep and I can connect you to
My imagination with these bars so
Pay attention fruit is from these scars

Please believe me when I tell you that I
Breathe in deep and I can connect you to
My imagination with these bars so
Pay attention fruit is from these scars

Fruit from these scars produce bars
Fruit from bad deeds produce bars
Fruit from bad seeds come back hard
Roll up maad trees so you don't start

So you don't flip out and fall apart
So you can show the homies better ways to start
Tell all of ya friends this is from the heart
Do you know the way way before ya start
Souls caught in crossfire
Ascend higher to a plane
A domain where shit remain insane
I can't explain ya brain is on sugar Cain
And will remain as long as they let the rappers in
Ready aim
Bars ready to go and kill again
Ain't no discussion
Destructive percussive rappin' mayne
In mah lane
Eyes open
I'm like a hurricane
I can see the destination through the window payne

I hope you know that this is the right way
And not the tonight way
Just what's in sight way
I hope you know that this is the right way
Because we're runnin' out of time

I hope you know that this is the right way
And not the tonight way
Just what's in sight way
I hope you know that this is the right way
Because we're runnin' out of time

©2024 James Infinite

Hope You Know

This is the intro track to More To The Story. I wanted to make this the intro set up the sequence in a way that may give insight into the way I put lyrics together.

This track was produced using a Fender Precision Bass as well as in-the-box synthesizer patches from Logic Pro X.

Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA

Are you gonna tell them?
Are you gonna tell them?

Thangs extra tight
Steering wheel grip the line keepin' it to the right
At the destination when I'm havin' a good night
Havin' a cold brew
I do what I do

Are you gonna tell them?

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite


Are you gonna tell them?

Are you gonna tell them?

Thangs extra tight
Steering wheel grip the line keepin’ it to the right
At the destination when I’m havin’ a good night
Havin’ a cold brew
I do what I do

Are you gonna tell them?

©2024 James Infinite

Intro (From The Top)

One of the things that I like to experiment with as a producer is to see if I can make an instrumental record that is just as potent as a record that has vocals with lyrics.

With this one, I wanted to simulate a very intimate dance between two people. The chords are building anticipation in the situation while the saxophone is the very dance itself, trying to maintain through out all of the harmony and rhythmic variation to continue to push to a conclusion.

Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Recorded at Dinah Recording in Richmond, VA
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite
Written by Marcus James Tenney for James Infinite

©2024 James Infinite

FireWater

“Yes. I think the main moment for me, there were many, but I think the main moment for me was when I decided that wasn’t going to chase being a trumpet player……alone. And you know, I started playing around with other instruments just learning how to write because I really wanted to write music. And so my brother was playing saxophone and he didn’t to do it anymore so I ended up getting his saxophone and I was like “I’m gonna learn how to play it””

Excerpt taken from "The Marcus Tenney InterView" video on the "Jake Feinberg Show" channel on Youtube
Artwork by Derrick Tenney
Produced by Tennishu for James Infinite

 ©2024 James Infinite

Interlude (Cover to Cover)

Tennishu is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and MC based in Richmond, VA. As a member of the genre-defying band Butcher Brown since 2017, he brings a distinct voice to the group’s fusion of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and funk. Whether performing on saxophone, trumpet, or crafting tracks behind the scenes, his work is rooted in rhythm, intention, and movement.

His latest solo album, More Of The Story, showcases that approach in full form. Entirely self-produced, the project weaves live instrumentation with groove-forward production to create an immersive sonic experience. From high-energy cuts to more meditative moments, the album reflects a mindset of growth, clarity, and artistic purpose—inviting listeners into a sound that is both personal and expansive.

Tennishu’s career is marked by constant evolution. From his early experiments in production to his role in Butcher Brown, he has steadily carved out a solo path defined by intention and versatility. As a producer, instrumentalist, and vocalist, he continues to refine his voice across mediums—building a catalog that stands on its own while pushing into new creative territory. Whether performing live, composing, or producing, Tennishu is shaping a body of work that reflects growth, discipline, and a vision that keeps moving forward.

New tracks tagged #MoreToTheStory