BANNED FROM MTV:
Invincible feat. Tiombe Lockhart
“Ropes” video
Invincible feat. Tiombe Lockhart
“Ropes” video
I know, I’ve been telling you that this video was coming for a while now – but its finally here. The delay for the premiere occurred due to the censors over at MTVu banning the video for being too “problematic” due to “suicide undertones.” So Invincible, being the G that she is, decided to record an intro for the video addressing MTV’s standards department, and now she’s looking for some feedback from you to see what you think of the video. So watch it below and leave a comment about what you think about, and if you think MTV is justisified in their decision.
“Ropes” also features Tiombe Lockhart and was produced by knXwl3dG3. The video was produced by Invincible and directed by veteran NY MC, Mr. Complex, who also directed Pharoahe Monch’s clip for “When The Gun Draws.”
Big ups to Shamz at Okayplayer for premiering the video.
LYRICS: “Ropes” lyrics after the jump
Ropes
Lyrics by Invincible, chorus by Tiombe Lockhart
Its hard to get a glimpse of hope
When you against the ropes
Try to penny pinch but after bills and rent ya broke
Life it always throws a wrench like Emp at Interscope
You in the aftermath succumb to numb it with a drink or smoke
To ease the pain I sleep all day
Relieves the hangover from the E and J
Lookin for a tunnels end, a light to lead the way
But the shame has been ingrained into my DNA
Cuz pop’s was a failure
Mom was on lithium
Always settled for less than the best
No one to pity em
No one to drop a pretty gem
At seven tied a plastic bag over my head
Like, “What’s the point but getting older and dead?”
So innocent, searching for missing links
Surrounded by the carcasses of instruments
Of dreams departed hardened by the sentiments
Out of tune and sharpened by the artists who neglected it
I’m scarred by my resemblance
Hook [performed by Tiombe Lockhart]:
Silly things
That I do to feel life
I realize
I drink and I smoke
Scrambling for a hint of hope
My tight rope
You know the one where a rabbi, imam and pastor walk in
To a bar to discuss what happens if the caskets dropping
The one inside committed suicide
Family spastic sobbin
The answers come in more flavors than Baskin-Robbins
Will god forgive em for the sin
and will they ever make amends
Or was it the last option off of the path they walked in?
Depending on if they believed in hell or heaven
Or if there was a chemical imbalance in their cerebellum
Or if the pain was overwhelming full of self loathing
Feeling plagued by failure like the first males chosen
Or what if hell’s frozen, and life was only this purgatory?
Full of greed, and murder, war
See I know you heard the story
What if they wait and have faith to reincarnate?
With luck they won’t be stuck again between a rock and hard place
Running in a hamster wheel
We wondering what answer’s real
And star gaze pray someone above to keep our heart safe.
HOOK
I heard the barrels cry wishing they could spare ya lives
Was feeling paralyzed but no I wasn’t scared to die
Feared not livin to the fullest so i pulled it
All or nothing
Now somebody wanna call my bluff when
I tried to flinch
Told them that the suicide attempt was cause I’d rather die
Than live and ride the bench
For every victory there’s like 50 times the set backs
For every revolution there’s a death trap
And everytime I see police attackin with a tazer gun
A protester that’s down already on the ground my face is stunned
I see people that’s unaffected like “that’s just for safety hun”
Turn around and tell myself: “You’re not the crazy one”
To all the unfazed and numb, hope that you hear
What I’ve spoken is clear
So you stop repressing choking the tears
We all walk the line between insanity and sanity
And hope and despair
Hope and despair
Outro [performed by Tiombe Lockhart]:
I realize
I’m as big as the sun in the sky
Wild dreams and mild denies
Slow raw and numb outside
I dream in the snow
I drink and smoke
Hint of hope
Walking on the tight rope…
34 Comments
Finally, we have a video that can enlighten and teach some people something and you say “that’s too problematic?”
I love the video Invincible. I love the song. I think MTV messed up royally by denying this video some airplay.
PEACE. my piece from Milwaukee,
Melissa Czarnik 3
fuck mtvU 4
Lyrics are on point! 5
Put it on its a awesome vid n track
Invincible Ropes is dope
Mtv please change your mind 6
They do get the GAS-FACE!
Keep on Invincible, and Kenny, thanks for the heads up, It’s going on my inspiration blog page!
Easy. 9
-y 12
I don’t have MTV home but everytime I travel and see it I feel really embarrased.
Fuck tv!
Use Youtube and other channels to spread the message. 14
You are hip hop. Also thanks to people with you who release music on your site for FREE.
I am still banging the PPP mixtape and other PPP exclusive you have provided. Peace to Bling47 and its assoiciated acts.
fuck MTV and the whole networks that are up to shit. I will cop Tiombe’s album without even checking the video because thats how dope i think she is.
Kenny, keep it up. Share music expose imposters but mostly keep it fresh as you will always do. 15
Send that shit to CurrentTV, now that’s a channel worthy of some dope shit. 21
If you want to sell this to the public you have to find other ways of distribution and stop all the boo hooing. Wait I have an idea lets put it on industry blogs and see if we could build some real underground buzz, we did after all make a video. 25
Regardless, what an amazing meditation on life’s daily struggles. This song challenges religious and social conventions, and maintains the album’s signature, graceful flow throughout. MTV don’t deserve you, Invincible! Keep making great music! 26
Keep doing what your doing Invincible and thank goodness for the internet!!! 27
big up to invincible.. 28
The song “Ropes” is hot. Invincible is most deffinatly a star and just an all around dope emcee.
I fist was introduced to her from the music video “Sledghammer” which I thought was super dope.
(especially when I put it up to Micromantics music video “Lets Get Phisical)
To be honest, upon first take, I found the “Ropes” video to be missing a little something. I wanted to see more, perhaps a warning, a hotline or a statistic. Somthing that addresses the message in the song.
However, Mtv is no stranger to issues like suicide being depicted through musical and visual art.
(just look at Gnarles Barkley Mtv success)
Mtv-U especially has a responsibility in CAMPUS OUTREACH and the issue of suicide has always been one to be addressed. This video seems serious because it; MTV, compromise with Invincible, edit, even have her as guest hosts in addressing the issue.
Think “Awarness Day” with one of the illist artists to date.
Peace. 29
so whats the problem!! 34
but… well… i´m a video editor and a mother as well. i´ve thought a lot about tv´s stuff, you know? i was a potential suicide when teen. among crisis, suicidal people needs to grab onto something to keep living. if we find something that fits with our anguish, so, man… it is hard to stay alive. tv spreads ideas but people doesn´t think about that they see. everyone knows that, sure? people just “eat” that they see. it is pretty complicated to put this video on morning or afternoons tv´s schedule. BUT… under advises at late night, so, it will be pretty good! maybe, MTV gives you a letter of recommendation stating you to a big recorder. ask them it.
plus… if you think about… this case already helps you spread your word. i´m from brazil and i got knowing about you and your good work!
keep strong and talented as you really are!!! 37
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