Homeboy Sandman Drops "Refugee" [Official Video] + Sand's Manifesto

Homeboy Sandman follows the gut punch of "Problems" and "America The Beautiful" with the official video for "Refugee" from his Hallways LP, which arrived at the top of the month via Stones Throw. The track about Sand's idiosyncrasies anchors the footage and serves as the philosophical basis for a detailed treatise accompanying the clip - a carefully crafted breakdown penned to walk listeners through the meaning and inspiration behind each line of the single. Homeboy Sandman recently summed up his impetus for dissecting the track, noting "I broke the joint down because I'm just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." Check the footage below to watch the official video for "Refugee." Scroll down to read Homeboy Sandman's Refuge Manifesto. Purchase the Hallways LP via iTunes. Stay tuned for more.

“REFUGE”

I just turned down a Univision promo

Hell no

I live in slow mo

But sometimes I gotta lower the people's elbow

Only promise was my name on a fat check

And travel to a beach where I could catch rays rather than catch wreck

I had just been made aware of an opportunity to work on a rhyme of some sort for Univision when I began writing this song. I immediately declined given that Univision is a racist ass station that needs to be called “White Looking Latin People Only.” I normally be chill but shit like that I need to enthusiastically decline.

I earned the type of rep Prep taught me at Aspects

Always teach babies in bassinets

My road be traveled mad less

Winding through forests and passed tents

Mountains, till they talk about me in the past tense

I’m Prep for Prep 9 (“Prep” for short), Contingent 7. It’s a world renowned program. One of the things they do is called “Aspects of Leadership” (“Aspects” for short). They bring the kids out to the woods and have workshops all day trying to teach us how to be stand up people. Things like looking out for the youth, taking the road less traveled, and being ready to die for what you believe in. (Maybe I added the death part)

My blood be the A+

I didn't know what Staten Island was 'til Wu-Tang and King Just

While I was playing duck hunt brothers were sitting ducks

So if I'm still breathing then i'm just dinged up

A+ was a rapper that was out when I was younger and that’s also my blood type. For whatever reason I thought he was from Staten Island (he’s actually from Hempstead, where I lived for a couple of years) so that was a nice transition into some other SI rappers. Everybody knows the Wu but King Just could use some more shout outs for how huge that “Warrior’s Drum” cut was. Also that line is another way of saying that hip hop music painted a picture of reality for me. I was lucky to be home playing Nintendo while many of my IS 73 brethren were coping with a lot more strife.

I got strong in the process

From sinning with the saints, kicking game with the prophets

Decided at the gate to keep my name out of gossip

I found that keeping faith prove fruitful

Muchos gracias

I’ve been lucky to have great role models whose experiences made for me being able to learn from them instead of having to learn the hard way. I’m never into petty gossip nonsense that’s not my style. I have God to thank for everything I have and everything I’ve ever been able to do and I’m thankful.

It be the refugeeeeeeeee!

It be the cat without a home ‘cause there’s so much shit going on he could just never get down with.

Maybe I should write short stories and screenplays

It's hard out here for a rapper, these days

First off, I ain't never live in the PJs

Second off, I ain't got no money for DJs

Maybe I should take my writing acumen into other avenues where being brilliant is bit more appreciated (I’ve dabbled in journalism). In hip hop it’s like something is wrong with you if you’re not from the ghetto (unless you’re white. Then you’re allowed to just rap really good). I’ve also never had the budget to create the buzz that many people value more than talent.

We got, PD (jake)

TD Jakes

We got, cats that barely ate

That's why they belly ache

Ain't no wonder why these charlatans half step

Throw em on the cover of a mag, ain't nobody gon' fact check

Cops is illing. Church is conning people. People are starving. People believe the most ridiculous nonsense about people as long as it’s in print somewhere.

I'm not into fashion

I claw to grasp greener pastures with a passion

That don't involve any cash as it can't fit in a casket

Well actually it can, just ask Christians that are Catholic

I’m not into gear and money. That stuff you can’t bring with you when you’re dead even though some Catholics be serious with the post mortem opulence.

I go into class sick

I separate the half full glasses from the classic

The case out of the basket

Bastards

I put in work nonstop. I show cats the real deal. I’m crazy wit it.

It be the refugeeeeeeeee!

It be the dude always on the move because there’s no place he truly feels at home.

So beat from making records can't believe I could still move

Pushing the borrowed wheels without insurance

Yo, Wolf is a cool dude

The city of LA seem foreign

Red is flamed out

Even though there's blue flame

And most flame's orange

I was in the studio heavy when I wrote this. Wolf was letting me borrow his wheels, which I would of course get towed. LA’s gang culture is something that I find troubling and difficult to wrap my head around.

I see the trees for the forest

My publicist is paying for it

He stay at odds with the blogs for the tourists

Who think they in the place to be, but not

Like bees at a florist

I see the big picture, which makes it a bit difficult to market me in a climate where artists openly aspire to be “brands.” Bees be in the florist seeing all the flowers mad excited about all that pollen. Sorry homey. Ain’t no pollen here. You’ve been duped.

They D porous

I meddle in they affairs like they bears eating porridge

Won't give they diamonds back, though they heard stories

Of folks wit diamonds on they back, like a stegosaurus

Or Arizona baseball snake

These cats can’t hold me. I be all up in they mix disrupting they affairs.

Bugged how cats openly know about all of the slavery and torture of diamond mining and the horrific burden that it is on the backs of so many people, but brag about diamonds anyway.

Winner take all, high stakes

Look like a fine day to fly away into divine grace

Muah

All or nothing. God is going to hold me down the entire way. Peace.