Originating in the late-80s, in midst of the Golden age of hip hop, alternative hip hop was headed primarily by East Coast groups such as De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, and Digable Planets in subsidiary conjunction by West Coast acts such as The Pharcyde, Digital Underground, and Jurassic 5 as well as certain Southern acts such as Goodie Mob and OutKast. Similar to the alternative rock movement, alternative hip hop initially began to segue into the mainstream at the dawn of the 1990s. The classic debut albums 3 Feet High and Rising, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, and Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde achieved minor commercial success as they garnered immense acclaim from music critics, who described the records as managing to be both ambitiously innovative but playful masterpieces, hailing the artists as the future of hip hop music as a whole.
However, a resurgence came about in the late 1990s-early 2000s with the rejuvenated interest in indie music by the general public. Arrested Development, along with The Fugees, stand as the some of the first few alternative rap groups to be recognized by mainstream audiences.[1] Rodrick cites Arrested Development, Basehead, and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy as examples of such "alternative" hip-hop.[10] Since the mid 90's, indie labels such as Rawkus Records, Rhymesayers, Stones Throw and Definitive Jux have experienced lesser mainstream success with alternative rap acts such as MF DOOM, Atmosphere, Black Star, Pharoahe Monch, and Aesop Rock. It was in the 2000s that alternative hip hop finally secured a place within the mainstream, due in part to the declining commercial viability of gangsta rap as well as the crossover success of artists such as OutKast, Kanye West, and Gnarls Barkley.[11] Not only did OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below receive universal acclaim from music critics and manage to appeal listeners of all ages spanning numerous musical genres–including rap, rock, R&B, punk, jazz, indie, country, pop, electronica and gospel–but also spawned two number-one hit singles and has been certified diamond by selling 11 times platinum by the RIAA for shipping more than 11 million units, becoming the best selling rap album of all time.[12] Industry observers view the sales race between Kanye West's Graduation and 50 Cent's Curtis as a turning point for hip hop. West emerged the victor, selling nearly a million copies in the first week alone, proving that innovative rap music could be just as commercially viable as gangsta rap, if not more so.[13] Although he designed it as a melancholic pop rather than rap, Kanye's following 808s & Heartbreak would have a significant effect on hip hop music. While his decision to sing about love, loneliness, and heartache for the entirety of the album was at first heavily criticized by music audiences and the album predicted to be a flop, its subsequent critical acclaim and commercial success encouraged other mainstream rappers to take greater creative risks with their music.[14][15] During the release of The Blueprint 3, New York rap mogul Jay-Z revealed that next studio album would be a an experimental effort, stating, "... it's not gonna be a #1 album. That's where I'm at right now. I wanna make the most experimental album I ever made."[16] Jay-Z elaborated that like Kanye, he was unsatisfied with contemporary hip hop, was being inspired by indie-rockers like Grizzly Bear and asserted his belief that the indie rock movement would play an important role in the continued evolution of hip-hop.[17] The alternative hip hop movement is not limited solely to the United States, as genre-defying rappers such as Somalian poet K'naan, Japanese rapper Shing02, and especially Sri Lankan artist M.I.A. have achieved considerable worldwide recognition. In 2009, TIME magazine placed M.I.A in the Time 100 list of "World's Most Influential people" for having "global influence across many genres."[18][19] Today, due in part to the increasing use of music distribution through the internet, many alternative rap artists are able to find acceptance by far-reaching audiences. Several burgeoning artists such as Kid Cudi and Drake have managed to attain record-breaking, chart-topping hit songs, "Day 'n' Night" and "Successful" respectively, which they both released on free online mixtapes without the help of a major record label. The pair, along with other new artists such as Wale, Asher Roth, The Cool Kids, and B.o.B, openly acknowledge being directly influenced by their '90s alt-rap predecessors in addition to alt-rock groups while their music has been noted by critics as expressing eclectic sounds, life experiences and emotions rarely seen in mainstream hip hop.
Cudi Zone
Kid Cudi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sure bet my daddy proud,
A little nigga with a shaker smile,
On top of the dreams is where I'm found.
Some figured I was Satan-bound,
Until I came back with the style I found,
Then all of the sudden they fixed they're faces
Cause of who I know, and the trail of places,
That I've stepped, how many niggas wanna hate cause I left?
How could you blame me and my plan of attack,
Cause I'm risking my soul attack, now I'm heard all over the map.
Only rule of thumb, it don't really matter just where you from,
All that really matter is where you're goin' go,
Baby I'm stayin' for somethin',
But you can't rule out this caps of gun
Second chances givin' out for some
All you gotta do is take advantage,
Then maybe you can get yourself a horse and carriage,
Done pimpin' you can think about marriage,
Until then get it in,
Find yourself and let's begin,
I'm a tell you how in a minute,
I'm a show you how I be livin'
From a long time ago, a young nigga, he was timid,
Now I'm in the zone, seein' things so vivid,
I'm a soul, nah homie, not even,
I'm a zone now till I lose feeling,
Remember I'm a be gone way past November,
Even stay up there, up there, floatin', floatin', hopin' I could find peace somewhere.
In my mind, it sounds like ooh,
When I'm gone it feels like ooh,
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright I forget about it all.
Ballin', is this allowed?
Without feeling like Shallow Hal,
Diamonds on the Jesus peace for style,
Back into the city right around,
Greetin' my niggas with dap 'n' pounds,
So if I fall I won't hit the ground,
These are the things that a make me smile,
Knowin' this blunt might burn a while,
I keep myself so lifted,
I am accustomed to new heights,
I feel perfect though they think it's worthless,
See what I might flight, man
Everybody wanna be a critic I have my life and I will live it
Shut your mouth before I fuck it
How are my jokes? They will love it
If I'm seen on the scene with my slim cut jeans,
More than likely I am faded man
Doin' other shit get ready where you goin',
Niggas just stand around hatin'
So my vice ace is when
The lights start flashin' 'n' I'll be soaring all alone 'n',
In the place my mind is going fill with songs and no-ones knowin'
And the devil with the harpin' dress tryin' ask me for one dance,
He think he slick but my guardians protects me from his wrath,
So in my place no hate shall enter, livin' high up there up there
Copin', copin', floatin', I will find peace somewhere
In my mind, it sounds like ooh
When I'm gone, it feels it likes ooh
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright I forget about it all.
In my mind, it sounds like ooh
When I'm gone, it sounds it likes ooh
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright I forget about it all.
The lyrics of "Cudi Zone" by Kid Cudi explore his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance while being aware of the judgments and criticisms coming from outsiders. The opening lines of the song "Soaring, is this allowed? I sure bet my daddy proud" suggest that Cudi has pursued his own dreams and aspirations, facing doubts and opposition from others but ultimately finding success on his own terms. He acknowledges that some people saw him as "Satan-bound" until he found his unique style and proved his worth.
The chorus, repeating "When I'm zoned, I'm feeling alright, I'm feeling alright, I forget about it all," represents a moment of peace and contentment that Cudi finds when he is truly in tune with himself and his surroundings. He has found a way to escape the overwhelming thoughts and judgments of others and be present in his own zone.
In the second verse, Cudi again refers to the critics and haters who want to tear him down, but he maintains his confidence and sense of self-worth. He describes feeling "perfect" even though others may think what he does is "worthless." The references to his fashion and partying lifestyle suggest that he is comfortable in his own skin and not afraid to express himself.
Overall, "Cudi Zone" is an introspective and empowering song that celebrates individuality and the freedom to be oneself despite the judgments and expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Soaring, is this allowed?
Can I really be this successful? Is it okay for me to fly high?
I sure bet my daddy proud,
I feel like my father would be proud of me for all that I've achieved.
A little nigga with a shaker smile,
Even though I started out small, I always had a confident and contagious smile.
On top of the dreams is where I'm found.
I'm living out my wildest dreams and achieving everything I once hoped for.
Some figured I was Satan-bound,
There were people who judged me and thought I was headed down a dark path.
Until I came back with the style I found,
But once I found my unique style and voice, people started to take notice and appreciate me.
Then all of the sudden they fixed they're faces
Those same people who judged me before suddenly changed their attitude and expression once they realized my talent.
Cause of who I know, and the trail of places,
It's because of my connections and the places I've been that people started to pay attention to me.
That I've stepped, how many niggas wanna hate cause I left?
Some people resent me for moving on and leaving behind those who doubted me and didn't support me.
How could you blame me and my plan of attack,
I had to take risks and make bold moves to get to where I am, so why blame me for following my plan?
Cause I'm risking my soul attack, now I'm heard all over the map.
I put my all into my music and now my message is reaching people all around the world.
Only rule of thumb, it don't really matter just where you from,
It doesn't matter where you come from or your background, success is achievable for anyone.
All that really matter is where you're goin' go,
What's important is where you're headed and the journey you take to get there.
Baby I'm stayin' for somethin',
I have a purpose and a goal that I'm working towards.
But you can't rule out this caps of gun
Despite my success, there are still risks and dangers that come with the lifestyle.
Second chances givin' out for some
Opportunities for redemption and change are available to those who seek them.
All you gotta do is take advantage,
The key is to seize opportunities when they arise.
Then maybe you can get yourself a horse and carriage,
Success can bring luxuries and material possessions, but it's important to remain grounded and focused on the bigger picture.
Done pimpin' you can think about marriage,
Once you've achieved your goals and matured, you can start thinking about settling down and building a family.
Until then get it in,
Until then, focus on your goals and work hard to achieve them.
Find yourself and let's begin,
The first step towards success is knowing yourself and what you want to achieve.
I'm a tell you how in a minute,
I'll share my experiences and advice on how to achieve success.
I'm a show you how I be livin'
I'll lead by example and show others the lifestyle and habits that have helped me achieve success.
From a long time ago, a young nigga, he was timid,
I used to be shy and lacking in confidence when I was younger.
Now I'm in the zone, seein' things so vivid,
Now I'm in a focused and productive mindset and able to see my goals clearly.
I'm a soul, nah homie, not even,
I'm not just a physical body, I'm a spiritual being with a deeper purpose and connection to the world.
I'm a zone now till I lose feeling,
I'm in a productive and creative state until I lose that feeling or inspiration.
Remember I'm a be gone way past November,
I plan to achieve success that lasts well beyond a single month or year.
Even stay up there, up there, floatin', floatin', hopin' I could find peace somewhere.
I hope to find inner peace and fulfillment even amidst my success and fame.
Ballin', is this allowed?
Am I really allowed to enjoy this much success and wealth?
Without feeling like Shallow Hal,
I don't want to feel like success and wealth is superficial or shallow, but truly earned and deserved.
Diamonds on the Jesus peace for style,
I might flaunt my wealth with expensive jewelry, but also have spiritual and religious beliefs that ground me.
Back into the city right around,
I return to my roots and hometown, despite my success and travels.
Greetin' my niggas with dap 'n' pounds,
I stay true to my friends and community, always greeting them with friendly handshakes and greetings.
So if I fall I won't hit the ground,
Even if I face failure or setbacks, I'll always have a support system to catch me and lift me back up.
These are the things that a make me smile,
It's the relationships and positive interactions that bring true happiness and fulfillment.
Knowin' this blunt might burn a while,
I know that my success and influence might not last forever, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
I keep myself so lifted,
I stay in a positive and motivated mindset, even amidst challenges and obstacles.
I am accustomed to new heights,
Success has become a normal and expected part of my life.
I feel perfect though they think it's worthless,
Even if others don't value my success or success in general, I feel fulfilled and content.
See what I might flight, man
I can see the potential for even greater success and am determined to achieve it.
Everybody wanna be a critic I have my life and I will live it
Despite criticism or judgement, I'll live my life and pursue my goals as I see fit.
Shut your mouth before I fuck it
Those who criticize or doubt me should keep their opinions to themselves, or face the consequences.
How are my jokes? They will love it
Even if others don't appreciate or understand my humor or art, I know there are those who will love and support it.
If I'm seen on the scene with my slim cut jeans,
Even my fashion choices and personal style are a reflection of my success and influence.
More than likely I am faded man
It's likely that I'm under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but it doesn't detract from my success or vision.
Doin' other shit get ready where you goin',
I'm working hard and preparing for my future success, even amidst distractions or other activities.
Niggas just stand around hatin'
There will always be those who resent or criticize my success, but I won't let them hold me back or bring me down.
So my vice ace is when
My main release or coping mechanism for stress and pressure is ...
The lights start flashin' 'n' I'll be soaring all alone 'n',
When I'm in a productive and creative state, I'll feel unstoppable and unbothered by distractions or negativity.
In the place my mind is going fill with songs and no-ones knowin'
My creative process is personal and unique, and often takes place in my own mind without outside interference or input.
And the devil with the harpin' dress tryin' ask me for one dance,
Even amidst my success and happiness, there will always be temptation and negative influences trying to bring me down.
He think he slick but my guardians protects me from his wrath,
But I have a support system and spiritual beliefs that help me resist temptation and negative influences.
So in my place no hate shall enter, livin' high up there up there
In my state of success and fulfillment, I won't allow negativity or hate to bring me down. I'll continue to live my best life.
In my mind, it sounds like ooh
I'm in a productive and creative state where success feels achievable and satisfying.
When I'm gone, it feels it likes ooh
When I achieve success or reach new heights, it feels satisfying and rewarding.
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright
When I'm in a focused and productive mindset, I feel content and fulfilled.
When I'm zoned, I'm feelin' alright, I'm feelin' alright I forget about it all.
When in a productive and creative state, I can push aside negativity and distractions and focus on my goals and success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EMILE HAYNIE, SCOTT MESCUDI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind