California
88Rising Lyrics


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(这是88rising) Yeah

Yeah, I'm faded (ayy), fake faces
I erase 'em, California
That fragrance, mad payments
Fake places, California

I don't wanna be the one that's left behind
I love the way you lie
Tryna get my money bag straight this time
The hills is gon' decide (yeah, ayy)

La, Westside, mama scared most of the time
Lookin' behind, what's this so called life?
Shawty run my other phone, yeah
Fake faces, gotta cut 'em off, yeah
Fake faces, them crossed of yeah, yeah
My faith is from the cameras, yeah
Flash-flash, I'ma take the pictures for my fam, damn
Show 'em I've made it
Flashbacks to the pictures from way back
The kids were like, "Who's that? Who's that?"
Now I do Hollywood, yeah
Copies everywhere like a walkie talkie
I'ma run the lobby, speak to nobody
San Gabriel Valley, I might crash your party, like

Yeah, you made it, you've been anxious
But you made it, California
Conversations 'til the sunrise
When you stop by, California
I don't wanna be the one that's left behind
I love the way you lie
I don't wanna be the one to lose my mind
I know you know

Somebody put some brakes on me
I really need rest on me
Pops callin' up every couple days
I'm smilin' so he could think I'm straight
Why can't I tell the truth?
Playin' J. Cole back then, with a clear end goal
Like it all made sense, I needed myself
And nobody else, okay, let's go, uh
From how it looks, man, it's hard to complain
Man, I just been prayin' that when I get older
That I got some smile in me that can remain
My money is long but I got some new issues
That feel like as long as they government names
Man, all I could wish is the mask that I wear
And the face that's below it is lookin' the same, like
(Oh, oh, oh) You been in this fight
I can see it in your eyes, like
(Oh, oh, oh) I made up my mind
I don't wanna waste no time, yeah

Money makin', while we're breakin'
It's amazin', California
Celebrate it or berate it
It's been fated, California
Oh, Maria, the hills are swarmin'
With dead ends and the bots performin'
Don't mistake it, you can break big
'Til you get sick, hm

Shut the fuck up, don't wake another neighbor (yeah, shut the fuck up)
I don't know you and I don't want to later (later)
Praying to God I never run out of His favor
But we don't make the textbooks on our best behavior, do we?
I'm the anti-hero in my own damn movie (movie)
All my exes write songs that I'm based on, loosely
Take after my ma, I can be choosy
I can be choosy, oh
And when the sky looks like a painting
That's when you look down

California
Money makin', while we're breakin'
California
But you made it, California
California
Yeah, I'm faded, fake faces
California




But you made it, California
California

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "California" by 88Rising speaks about the emotions and challenges of making it in the entertainment industry in California. The song has a melancholic vibe, and the tone of the lyrics focuses on the pressures of maintaining a successful facade while facing inner turmoil. The lyrics speak of the singer wanting to cut off the fake people around him while struggling with anxiety and the fear of being forgotten. The singer discusses how they've made it this far while dealing with personal issues that they can’t share with anyone. The song ends with a feeling of hope as it talks about the beauty of California and the singer's desire to stay true to themselves, regardless of the challenges they face.


One of the interesting facts about "California" is that the song features female vocalist Joji, formerly known as George Miller, who is also a part of the 88Rising collective. Additionally, the song was produced by Joji, who primarily focuses on creating lo-fi and experimental hip-hop music. Furthermore, the song fuses elements of hip-hop, indie-pop, and electronic music, which is a signature style of the 88Rising collective. "California" was released on July 20, 2018, as a part of the album "Head in the Clouds" by 88Rising. The song recognized the competitive nature of California's entertainment industry, where artists need ‘fake faces’ to get ahead while struggling to maintain a sense of authenticity. The directorial debut of one of the 88rising's founders, Sean Miyashiro, created a music video inspired by '90s buddy comedies in Los Angeles. The video celebrated the city with scenes of landmarks, as well as capturing the struggles of the group’s members. The song was also covered in a live performance by Phebe Starr, a singer-songwriter based in Sydney. Additionally, the song was included on 88rising’s 2019 compilation album “Head in the Clouds II.”


As for the chords of the song "California," the song's guitar progression is in the E major key, consisting primarily of four chords: E, A, B, and C#m. The song begins with a solo guitar intro riff with a modulation in the chorus section. The chords in the chorus are B, C#m, E, and A, indicating a change in tonality from E to B. The song's guitar riff has a surf-rock sound that reminds the listener of the California vibe that is celebrated in the song. Overall, the song's guitar progression and melody contribute to the song's nostalgic and melancholic feel.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, I'm faded (ayy), fake faces I erase 'em, California That fragrance, mad payments Fake places, California
The singer is feeling lost and disconnected, surrounded by people with disingenuous intentions. However, California can offer a sense of solace despite all the fake people, places, and lifestyles.


I don't wanna be the one that's left behind I love the way you lie Tryna get my money bag straight this time The hills is gon' decide (yeah, ayy)
The singer is pushing themselves to achieve success and compete with others. Their desire for money and fame is heavily influenced by their surroundings in California, especially the wealthy neighborhoods in the hills.


La, Westside, mama scared most of the time Lookin' behind, what's this so called life? Shawty run my other phone, yeah Fake faces, gotta cut 'em off, yeah Fake faces, them crossed of yeah, yeah My faith is from the cameras, yeah Flash-flash, I'ma take the pictures for my fam, damn Show 'em I've made it Flashbacks to the pictures from way back The kids were like, "Who's that? Who's that?" Now I do Hollywood, yeah Copies everywhere like a walkie talkie I'ma run the lobby, speak to nobody San Gabriel Valley, I might crash your party, like
The singer reflects on their journey to fame and how their life has transformed. However, they are still haunted by their past and are cautious of the fake people they have met along the way. They distance themselves from people who don't have their best interests at heart and instead focus on building their brand and image.


Yeah, you made it, you've been anxious But you made it, California Conversations 'til the sunrise When you stop by, California I don't wanna be the one that's left behind I love the way you lie I don't wanna be the one to lose my mind I know you know
Despite the challenges and anxiety that come with trying to make it in California, the artist has achieved success. They enjoy the experiences that come with the lifestyle, such as staying up late and having deep conversations. However, they are always worried about falling behind and losing their grip on reality.


Somebody put some brakes on me I really need rest on me Pops callin' up every couple days I'm smilin' so he could think I'm straight Why can't I tell the truth? Playin' J. Cole back then, with a clear end goal Like it all made sense, I needed myself And nobody else, okay, let's go, uh From how it looks, man, it's hard to complain Man, I just been prayin' that when I get older That I got some smile in me that can remain My money is long but I got some new issues That feel like as long as they government names Man, all I could wish is the mask that I wear And the face that's below it is lookin' the same, like
The artist feels overwhelmed and in need of a break. They hide their struggles from their family and friends, pretending that everything is going well. Despite their success, the artist worries about the future and the pressures of having to maintain their wealth and image. They seek to understand their true self and wish for their public persona to match their inner self.


(Oh, oh, oh) You been in this fight I can see it in your eyes, like (Oh, oh, oh) I made up my mind I don't wanna waste no time, yeah
The singer recognizes the struggles that others, including themselves, face in California. They have made a decision to make the most of their time and not waste it on negativity, as reflected in their determined eyes.


Money makin', while we're breakin' It's amazin', California Celebrate it or berate it It's been fated, California Oh, Maria, the hills are swarmin' With dead ends and the bots performin' Don't mistake it, you can break big 'Til you get sick, hm
Despite the challenges and negative aspects of California, people continue to flock to the state in search of success and fame. The singer alludes to the pitfalls of the entertainment industry in California, where people can achieve success but still end up empty and unfulfilled.


Shut the fuck up, don't wake another neighbor (yeah, shut the fuck up) I don't know you and I don't want to later (later) Praying to God I never run out of His favor But we don't make the textbooks on our best behavior, do we? I'm the anti-hero in my own damn movie (movie) All my exes write songs that I'm based on, loosely Take after my ma, I can be choosy I can be choosy, oh And when the sky looks like a painting That's when you look down California Money makin', while we're breakin' California But you made it, California California Yeah, I'm faded, fake faces California But you made it, California California
The artist is tired of the facade that people put on in California and wants to distance themselves from fake friends and neighbors. They are aware of their own flaws and seek to improve themselves. The song ends with the repetition of the previous themes - the pitfalls and successes of California - and a reflection on the artist's own journey to making it in the state.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Angelo Arce, Brian Imanuel, Caesar Alexander Romero, Eric Anthony Steiner, Jack Lomastro, Jacob Ray, Matthew A Morales, Nicole Zefanya, Nima Jahanbin, Paimon Jahanbin, Steven B. Ayala, Syed Afjad Hossain, Warren Hui, Zach Rapp

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sobirin4721

[Chorus: Warren Hue]
Yeah, I'm faded (Ayy), fake faces
I erase 'em, California
That fragrance, mad payments
Fake places, California
I don't wanna be the one that's left behind
I love the way you lie
Tryna get my money bag straight this time
The hills is gon' decide (Yeah)


[Verse 1: Warren Hue]
LA, Westside, mama scared most of the time
Lookin' behind, what's this so-called life?
Shawty run my other phone, yeah
Fake faces, gotta cut 'em off, yeah
Fake faces, they don't problem solve, yeah
My faith is from the cameras, yeah
Flash-flash, I'ma take the pictures for my fam', damn
Show 'em I've made it, flashbacks
To the pictures from way back
The kids were like "Who's that? Who's that?"
Now I do Hollywood, yeah
Copies everywhere like a walkie talkie
I'ma run the lobby, speak to nobody
San Gabriel Valley, I might crash your party, like

[Chorus: Rich Brian]
Yeah, you made it, you've been anxious
But you made it, California
Conversations 'til the sunrise
When you stop by, California
I don't wanna be the one that's left behind
I love the way you lie
I don't wanna be the one to lose my mind
I know you know


[Verse 2: Rich Brian]
Somebody put some brakes on me
I really need rest on me
Pops callin' up every couple days
I'm smilin' so he could think I'm straight
Why can't I tell the truth?
Playin' J. Cole back then with a clear end goal
Like it all made sense, I needed myself
And nobody else, okay, let's go, uh
From how it looks, man, it's hard to complain
Man, I just been prayin' that when I get older
That I got some smile in me that can remain
My money is long, but I got some new issues
That feel like it's longer than government names
Man, all I could wish is the mask that I wear
And the face that's below it is lookin' the same, like
(Oh, oh, oh) You been in this fight, I can see it in your eyes, like
(Oh, oh, oh) I made up my mind, I don't wanna waste no time

[Chorus: NIKI]
Money makin', while we're breakin'
It's amazin', California
Celebrate it or berate it
It's been fated, California
Oh, Maria, the hills are swarmin'
With dead ends and the bots performin'
Don't mistake it, you can break big
'Til you get sick, hm


[Verse 3: NIKI]
Shut the fuck up, don't wake another neighbor (Yeah, shut the fuck up)
I don't know you and I don't want to later (Later)
Praying to God, I never run out of His favor
But we don't make the textbooks on our best behavior, do we?
I'm the antihero in my own damn movie (Movie)
All my exes write songs that I'm based on loosely
Take after my ma, I can be choosy
I can be choosy, oh
And when the sky looks like a painting
That's when you look down


[Outro: NIKI, Rich Brian & Warren Hue]
California
Money makin', while we're breakin'
California
But you made it, California
California
Yeah, I'm faded, fake faces
California
But you made it, California
California



All comments from YouTube:

@RageElixirGames

this song is gonna be huge!

@EvanGautier

Ok

@ccharrrless4080

that's what she said

@pieczarapl3311

Yup

@superprediatorx-cage6259

Rapper “joji” who's real name is George Kusunoki Miller has died to an overdose. Police report he was found in his hotel room dead after room service found his body. Police report saying that the George was found with pills and a bottle of codeine.

@oconnerwannabe5514

😏

37 More Replies...

@BrutalizerX

The Brothers Sun, truely a unique Asian-Hollywood show unlike anything we've seen before 🔥

@niyaaaatiiii

Yess!!!

@amaliasusanu1650

Came here right after i watched the series, love it!

@nynydevoe7707

IM SO MAD THAT WAS IT 😢.

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