AllttA
AllttA Lyrics

American me, wearing a hair net as a teen
I was an American teenager, wearing a hair net for work, trying to fit in and be seen.

Feeding my arrogance to be seen
I was trying to project an air of confidence to gain attention and popularity.

Embarrassed to care I was scared, unaware of my dreams
I was ashamed to admit my fears and didn't know what my aspirations were.

Just an heir to what my parents had seen how unfair it all seems
I felt like I was simply following in my parents' footsteps and it didn't seem fair to me.

Collar to throat was the barrio joke
Wearing a collared shirt all the way to the top was considered a joke in my neighborhood.

Had 3 Flowers a comb and some dollar store locs
I had three flowers, a comb, and cheap dreadlocks from a dollar store.

Ironing rags keep your eye on the sag
I used to iron my clothes so they would be wrinkle-free and paid attention to how low my pants sagged.

A disguise for those admired but never fired a mag
It was a way to appear tough and be admired, but never actually use a gun.

I grew tired of that I grew eyes on my back
I became tired of the façade and started to become aware of my surroundings.

They drew iron when I drew rhymes now who's firing back
They used to threaten me with guns, but now I can fight back with my words.

Told myself keep your mind on them raps
I reminded myself to focus on my music.

Knowing damn well this shits chess Denzel
I was aware that life is like a game of chess, similar to what Denzel says in the movie Training Day.

And distress is for the damsel lying on tracks
I didn't want to let stress affect me because it's something that's associated with someone in a weak position.

719 my Springs training days
Referring to his hometown Colorado Springs, and his training days as an aspiring rapper.

Clever with rhymes I ain't explaining a thing
I was confident in my ability to write clever lyrics and didn't feel the need to explain them.

Though I ain't claiming to bang, I state in criminal slang
I'm not pretending to be a gangster, but I use the language associated with criminal activity in my lyrics.

I speak better with signs and subliminal hymnals
I communicate more effectively through body language and hidden messages in my lyrics.

Lines look minimal until I paint a King
My lyrics may seem insignificant until I create something powerful and meaningful.

Be it Rodney or Martin who can make the claim
Both Rodney King, a victim of police brutality, and Martin Luther King Jr. were influential figures in the civil rights movement.

When it's minds like Stephen's who create the game
Stephen Hawking's intellectual contributions created an impact much like King's leadership did in the civil rights movement.

Be it Tut, Louis, or Midas, the mistakes of James
Referring to King Tutankhamun, Louis XIV, and King Midas, who all made mistakes in their reigns as leaders.

These times got me relying on the King of Kings
The current state of affairs has made me turn to a higher power for guidance.

Cus ain't a hand that can change a thing
There's nothing a single person can do to change the system or state of affairs.

Can you blame the ring when painting man with some angel wings
We can't blame material possessions or success for making us lose sight of our morality or spirituality.

Now keep it moving my styles deep seeming confusing
I continue to create my music with my uniquely deep and mysterious style.

Me and 20 in a league of our own where have you been
Referring to his music duo, AllttA, we are in a league of our own and wondering where his critics have been.

Where art thou? You who trend?
Asking where the critics who focus on trends have been.

Where is art now? Please, let me clue you in
Asking where art has gone and saying that his music is the answer.

I said 20, thou, league, see I drop Jules and
Referring to the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet and saying that he's dropping jewels of knowledge.

Used those last three bars in parts to prelude damn
Ending the previous thought and starting a new one with the last three bars of the previous line.

Sylvain said I see you man brought my skills from LA to the EU land
Referring to his music partner, Sylvain, and saying that they've combined their skills to create music that can cross cultural barriers.

And formed AllttA and on this altar I offer my language till all words are auburn
Creating their music duo AllttA and dedicating themselves to their art and lyrics until everything they create is valuable like the color auburn.

Sorta like in autumn see my loose leaf's changing am I too deep say it and we'll all learn
Referring to autumn leaves turning from green to other colors and saying that his style and lyricism are constantly evolving and deep. Inviting his audience to learn from him.

I said language altar and auburn I'm saying pages are getting read as they all turn
Referring back to the line about dedicating himself to his language and lyrics, saying that his pages are being read like turning the pages of a book.

But they on an altar I'm saying they all burn
Saying that his words are valuable and sacred, like being on an altar, but can also be seen as immolated, like burning sacrifices.

Words are getting purged in the flames call our songs urns
Saying that his music is like an urn for the lyrics and that they are purified in the heat of the flames like cremated remains.

If all of our songs earn and we get paid well
If our music is successful, and we get paid for it, attaining financial stability.

Is it cus we've all learned that only fame sells
Exploring the notion of success in the music industry, where fame is more desirable than true talent.

If you're not at all concerned if we can paint well
Asking the audience if they really care about artistic ability or only fame.

You can take our name just make sure that it's framed well
Saying that if the audience doesn't care about the music itself, they can at least market the group well.

Then hang it high expose it to every angle
Saying to market the group in every way possible.

Guess it's all the same when they claim no one can tell
If the marketing is good, the actual quality of the music doesn't matter.

Maybe its just the way that our names spelled
Exploring why marketability may be more important than talent or quality.

AllttA = A Little Lower Than The Angels
Explaining the name of the group, AllttA, and the meaning behind it.