Description: Download/Stream: http://smarturl.it/winterbreaks2 Written by M. Marino, S. Robinson, L. Robinson Produced by Marcus D Vocals by Substantial Additional vocals by Louise Robinson (Substantial's Mom) 'Simpler Times' is from the EP Winter Breaks 2 by Bop Alloy LYRICS Christmas time, Mama always came thru in the clutch Felt bad, thinking back, I didn’t give you much For what you lived thru, you deserve to have it all Use to take us to get pics with Santa at the mall Don’t recall a single year with nothing under the tree Christmas morning in our apartment it was something to see More important than the gifts, yo, you kept us fed And the proof was in my waistline, enough said Back then, I got almost anything I liked G.I. Joe, Transformers, or a brand new bike Spoiled me rotten on that day, and my date of birth But what you did on holidays don’t illustrate your worth It’s what you did behind the scenes to keep the family afloat Trying to minimize the struggle when you’re actually broke So I wrote a little something just to honor your grace And the sacrifice you made to put a smile on my face HOOK Felt like simpler times to my simple mind But good and bad times are forever intertwined Felt like simpler times to my simple mind Momma always did the best she could to provide VERSE 2 As a child, I only cared about the gifts of course Focused on what you got me, never what you loss Learn later that you loss your mom on Christmas day Before my time but I’m sure you never were the same Wasn’t gifted with her presence but I heard she was strict Like most women in our fam, she didn’t take no sh… Here you are, decades later still morning her death Had many tearful Christmas mornings while all of us slept You’re stronger than we know and that’s saying the least Slaving at your job, come home and you make us a feast Didn’t know how hard you had it ‘cause you kept it from me But your darkest days came to light inevitably Pull every string you could before you’d let us down Living proof that not every Queen wears a crown You aren’t without your flaws but you mastered resilience This is just a little thank you on behalf of your children HOOK Things aren’t as simple as it was then Really thought it was but wasn’t Summer’s done, Fall back, Winter’s coming Hope we spring forward likes it’s nothing VERSE 3 This time of year we usually make the trip to spend it with you, Lee and the fam, but change of plans until these issues improve With the virus, already missed a visit or two We’re just trying to keep you safe this ain’t just an excuse I take after you, trying to do what’s best for the fam Making tough choices that babies don’t understand But it’s easier for me, I see it now that I’m grown Sometimes you had help but mostly had to do it alone Then give “Santa” all the credit, that was so misleading You just wanted us to have something that we could believe in I feel you, I do the same with mine, but with Kwanzaa ‘Cause the real heroes like yourself deserve to be honored Follow Bop Alloy: Web: http://bopalloy.bandcamp.com IG: @bopalloy Twitter: @bopalloy Spotify: https://bit.ly/bopalloy Follow Substantial: Web: http://iamsubstantial.com IG: @substantialmusic Twitter: @iamsubstantial Spotify: http://bit.ly/substantialmusic Follow Marcus D: Web: http://marcusd.net IG: @marcusd_ Twitter: @marcusd Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LrXI2SwrD9P30B6CqOjNV?si=xn_Gj-qoQa2oF6N28zkYPQ #bopalloy #substantial #marcusd

Description: Download/Stream: http://smarturl.it/whatsitwithoutyou Written by M. Marino, S. Robinson, T. Lucas, T. Smith Produced & Remixed by Substantial What's It Without You (WIWY), the debut single from Winter Breaks 2, Bop Alloy's follow up to their Hip-Hop holiday classic, Winter Breaks, is Substantial & Marcus D doing what they do best. Substantial delivers contemplative, solemn bars over Marcus D's signature melancholy, jazzy rhythms. The Jazz Rap/Jazz Hop duo is joined by frequent collaborators, Pismo providing smooth vocals on the hook and T.Lucas who reflects on the recent passing of his father. WIWY is a reflection of the toll 2020 has taken on people's lives and how they've adapted to "the new normal". Marcus D states, "This is probably the first time a lot of us won’t be able to spend the holidays with our loved ones, some in different ways than others. We’ll eventually get back to normal, but for now, it’s important to keep our families safe... so if this is looking like it’s gonna be a blue Christmas for you, just know you’re not alone and Bop Alloy got your back." Winter Breaks 2 drops December 4th on Bandcamp and December 11th on all digital streaming platforms. Follow Bop Alloy: Web: http://bopalloy.bandcamp.com IG: @bopalloy Twitter: @bopalloy Spotify: https://bit.ly/bopalloy Follow Substantial: Web: http://iamsubstantial.com IG: @substantialmusic Twitter: @iamsubstantial Spotify: http://bit.ly/substantialmusic Follow Marcus D: Web: http://marcusd.net IG: @marcusd_ Twitter: @marcusd Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LrXI2SwrD9P30B6CqOjNV?si=xn_Gj-qoQa2oF6N28zkYPQ Follow Pismo: IG: @pismoshou Twitter: @pismoshou Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gD0gAjJ9gRYmlwBoORx8S?si=laR3sPGWTWSwsAa5hsPatA Follow T.Lucas: Web: http://tlucasa.com IG: @tlucas301 Twitter: @tlucas301 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OKg7EEXsvrb2pIPoT1e7p?si=Ey-EPqK0ReuqlDYXqS8MTA Join the mailing list for updates on new music, shows, videos, and more: https://substantial.fanbridge.com/ Become a super SUBporter for exclusive music, merch, and 20% off all merchandise. https://substantial.bandcamp.com/subporters #bopalloy #substantial #marcusd

Description: From the album "Another Day in the Life of..." available now: on CD, Digital & Vinyl https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/another-day-in-the-life-of Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and more. Directed & Edited by Robert Lewis Includes clips shot by Cameron Ross, Stan Robinson & Ramzey Staples. Filmed in Tokyo, Japan. US shots filmed in Baltimore, MD, Seattle, WA and Oregon. SONG DETAILS Artist: Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) Song Titles: Count On Us ft. Steph/Writing My Wrongs ft. DJ Jav Written by S. Robinson & M. Marino Produced by Marcus D LYRICS COU: https://genius.com/Bop-alloy-count-on-us-lyrics WMR: https://genius.com/Bop-alloy-writing-my-wrongs-lyrics FOLLOW BOP ALLOY Facebook, IG, Twitter: @BopAlloy Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ls1KFPrm608A4avxaIgDp?si=KJkdL8L6Siy6iV4HDVVE3A Bandcamp: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/

Description: This July, Substantial & Marcus D (Bop Alloy) head back to the West Coast for another adventure, this time, joined by Baltimore MC, Greenspan. July 03 - Blue Lamp - Sacramento, CA July 06 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA July 08 - Everyday Music - Seattle, WA (In Store) July 09 - The Crocodile (Back Bar) - Seattle, WA July 11 - Kava Lounge - San Diego, CA July 14 - 924 Gilman - Berkeley, CA Details and ticket info: http://www.iamsubstantial.com/events/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BopAlloy/events Footage shot and edited by Chris Gioacchini (IG: @chrislog3) Song: Bop Alloy 'The Art of Work' featuring Steph https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/track/the-art-of-work-ft-steph-the-sapphic-songstress Twitter @BopAlloy @IamSubstantial @marcusd @Greenspan410

Description: With only one date left on tour, Substantial & Marcus D share this video giving us a behind the scenes look at their 'Better To Give' Tour in Seattle. Watch. Enjoy. Share Final Date: 3/30 - Lock & Key - Los Angeles, CA (Free show. 21+) The 'Better To Give' Tour is brought to you by Blue Marble Apparel (http://bluemarbleapparel.com), HiPNOTT Records (http://hipnottrecords.com) and DTR45 (http://deepthinka.com) Follow Substantial & Marcus D on Twitter @IamSubstantial @marcusd @bopalloy Video edited and shot by: Paul K. Hong Song: Bop Alloy 'Jazzmatic' ft. Steph, The Sapphic Songstress

Description: From the album "Another Day in the Life of..." in stores now: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/another-day-in-the-life-of Available on CD, Digital & Vinyl. Animation Director: Carlo-Roman Picaso for Studio Picaso http://facebook.com/carloromanpicaso | https://vimeo.com/carloromanpicaso SONG DETAILS Artist: Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) ft. Oma Pearl Song Title: Sketches of Pain Written by S. Robinson & O. Ichile-McKenzie & M. Marino Produced by Marcus D Lyrics: VERSE 1 Peacemaker Son of a violent man Dream chaser Raised on divided land Where thieves raped us Treated like I’m not a man Our behavior Like rebels without a plan Step false get offed by a coward’s hand Life’s shorter than an hour hand But the least of my worries is the Taliban Or hopin’ that they’ll pass an assault rifle ban Most guns where I’m from aren’t licensed fam The ones that are Usually held tight in hands By the cops and so called authority figures Cringe at my black skin while calling us nigger But 6 letters can't define me I'm so much bigger The path I walk, Most people can’t endure the rigor Back up talk By displaying so much vigor Mastered art The blind just ignore the picture Passed a tart But of course my portion’s bitter That or starve Cause round here they don’t deliver Grabbed a quart Rather be engulfed in liquor Lacked support And I wasn’t born a winner An afterthought These know-it-alls won’t consider A man of God Who sits upon a throne of wicker Who scratched & Clawed to reach the very point I’m sitting After-all That’s what fuels the poems I’m spitting HOOK (Substantial) I’ma take this pain I’ve been dealt with and use it This ship can’t reach the stars if I don’t fuel it Without my music and art I’d be useless I always knew I got to do so... I’ma take the pain I’ve been dealt and use it This ship can’t reach the stars if I don’t fuel it Without this music and art I’d be useless I always knew What I had to do 'cause... (Oma Pearl) You can’t hide from who you are You can’t hide from who you are Not even the highest peak The lowest place In every space You always leave a trace You always leave a trace Always leave a trace! VERSE 2 Blood pressure high, Self-respect low Could be cancer inside Am I’m scared to know Lucky to be alive At the age of 34 Livin’ in fast times Still manage to die slow IV pumping morphine in my bloodstream Woke with a scratchy throat & groggy what a rough dream Something’s Not right, nurse can you help me sit up Felt like I was stabbed, Every time I try to get up Hurt so damn bad, I can’t even cough this phlegm up Pain every minute Every moment that I been up When I told the fam They looked at me like I’m finished Huh! I’ll be damned if anything we’ll make me give up Wishing I was home in my chair Anywhere but here Baby girl completely unaware Lives without a care It ain’t fair When your child, you can’t even pick up But I did it for her, so I’ma keep my chin up HOOK BRIDGE (Oma Pearl) No matter what happens today Tomorrow the sun will rise We'll be there We'll be there We'll be there To greet the sun Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning

Description: Bop Alloy's 1st Holiday Project 'Winter Breaks' Download & Lyrics Available Here: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/winter-breaks 00:00 Let The Flakes Fall Where They May 03:00 Hottest Christmas On Record 06:36 Resolutions Per Minute 11:31 Spent 15:40 Longing For Nia 19:43 A Celebration Released 09 December 2014 All songs written, produced, mixed and mastered by Substantial & Marcus D. | http://www.BopAlloy.com Independent Hip Hop duo Bop Alloy will release their first holiday project on December 9, 2014. In February 2014, Bop Alloy was able to fund their 2nd LP, ‘Another Day in the Life of...’ using Kickstarter. The initial goal of the project was $7000. They more than doubled that amount in under one month and issued stretch goals, one of which included a holiday EP which would become ‘Winter Breaks’. ‘Winter Breaks’ compiles 6 sonically vintage Hip Hop tracks. Producer, Marcus D handles the live instrumentation mixes masterfully while infusing jazz, soul and a pinch of Afro beat samples. Lyrically, Substantial touches on the personal, social, and economical effects of the Holiday season, using thoughtful lyricism, wit, and a variety of flows to paint a different portrait of Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s. “I wanted to do something that wasn’t a traditional Christmas/Holiday album. I celebrate Kwanzaa as well and I set out to make songs that give you a peek into this underexposed, wonderful world”, says Substantial. “Regardless of how you celebrate, what you celebrate, and/or who you celebrate it with, this is the best time of year, and I think ‘Winter Breaks’ embodies that sentiment without the cliche "holiday raps factor”, says Marcus D. The ‘Winter Breaks’ EP is sure to be the only holiday music you’ll be playing from now through February.

Description: Download Song: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/track/a-celebration Download Full EP: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/winter-breaks From Winter Breaks, released 09 December 2014 (M. Marino, S. Robinson) Produced by Marcus D Lyrics by Substantial Additional vocals by Marcus D, Rachelle Etienne-Robinson & Serenity Robinson VERSE 1 We celebrate a week long Gonna get our eat on Many things we'll speak on, elevate minds And spirits is the reason That we gotta keep on ‘Cause ‘tis season to congregate. Shine! Headed to my man crib Where the whole fam is Together we banded since the days of old Families expanded Gave our parents grandkids Unified we’re standing reaching our goals Elders, children My peers in the building To those no longer living we say ashe Pouring libations Peaceful faces Soulful vibrations made my day Talk of better tomorrows Life with less sorrow A place where all folks value our lives Fam and my next of kin Chillin’, no flexin’ Counting our blessings, watching our wives... do the same HOOK It’s all about (Family) It’s all about (Community) It’s all about (Culture) It’s all about (Life) Repeat 1X We celebrate (Family) We celebrate (Community) We celebrate (Culture) We celebrate (Life) Repeat 1X VERSE 2 Strengthening our bond as we thank the divine Moving our people forward a day at a time Speaking to our problems, making time to listen Commemorate our past, restoring our traditions While creating new ones… for instance To my daughter Kwanzaa’s as normal Christmas Gotta give her more if her future’s to be brighter That’s my true duty as her father & provider See her with her friends taking pride in her history So overjoyed like witnessessing victory Seeds making crafts while we chat ‘bout progress You’d be hard pressed to hear us spatting out nonsense Watching candles burn as we countdown the days Greeting you with peace followed by the phrase… “Habari gani?” Depending on the day One of these 7 principles is what you would say Follow me now.. Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa Nia, Kuumba, Imani Repeat 2x OUTRO I know when times get hard We put all our faith is God You still gotta elevate with me Still gotta celebrate with me ‘Cause until we work as one You know our work’s far from done You know you gotta elevate with me You know you betta celebrate with me We see that times are bad And it’s got us fighting mad I need you to elevate with me Really need you to celebrate with me Stand up and lets rise Open up your mind and eyes So you can elevate with me I want you celebrate with me HOOK It’s all about (Family) (Community) (Culture) (Life) (Family) (Community) (Culture) (Life) We celebrate (Family) (Community) (Culture) (Life) (Family) (Community) (Culture) (Life)