In early 2014, Arif signed a career management deal with Nora Collective. While working on his long-play debut, Arif released one of the biggest urban hits of the summer of 2014; “Lowkey” and in January 2015, he released the radio-friendly “Kanke Gi Opp” (feat. Magnus Eliassen), the first single from the April 2015 album “HighEnd / Asfalt” - raising the expectations for his album debut even further.
Background:
In the wake of the critically acclaimed EP, along with the national hit “Gal”, Arif was named Untouched Artist of The Year - a prestigeful aknowledgement for new, independent artists, presented by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). After his performance at Norwegian music festival by:Larm, Arif was hailed as a rising star by VG, P3, Dagbladet and Aftenposten - some of Norway’s largest media outlets. This paved the way for a career step in the right direction when major label EMI/Warner Music Group signed Arif in early 2013. He released his well recieved sophomore-EP “Aldri & Alltid” in the fall of 2013, which had a more dark and serious theme than his debut release.
Arif’s music and impressively energetic live performances, combined with his charismatic appearance, has helped earn Arif gigs at the biggest festivals, his own t-shirt collection together with the Varner Group, as well as several radio and TV performances, including a guest role in TV show “Helt Perfekt” with comedian Thomas Giertsen.
1344 Freestyle
Arif Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i Bærum hadde alle penger, alle kids var coole
noen bakstabbet, men jeg var i min sone
hadde ikke penger til en scooter
begynte å putte vits som scooteh
ti små poser
penger under puta, fikk meg litt puta
smartere enn lærerne, de var altfor dumme
eneste vi gjorde, røyke weed og leke coole
spille litt fotball, noen begynte å bole
ingen bry på skole, husker ikke kode
mamma sa det må regne før du ser solen
mamma sa det må regne før du ser solen
penger under puta, trodde vi var coole
penger under puta, trodde vi coole
mamma sa
penger under puta, trodde vi coole
penger under puta, trodde vi coole
mamma sa
ti små...
ti små...
The lyrics in Arif's song 1344 Freestyle describe the struggles he faced growing up in Bærum, Norway. Although many of the kids in his community were wealthy and cool, Arif was not as fortunate. He didn't have the money to buy a scooter, so he started calling his bike a "scooteh" to make it sound cooler. He also sold small amounts of drugs to make some extra money, which he hid under his pillow. Despite his struggles, Arif believed he was smarter than his teachers, who he found to be too dumb. He spent his time smoking weed, playing football, and trying to fit in.
The chorus of the song is centered around Arif's mother telling him that it has to rain before he can see the sun. This is a metaphor for life's struggles and the importance of going through difficult times in order to appreciate the good. In this case, Arif's struggles are being poor and not fitting in with the wealthy kids in his community.
Overall, the song 1344 Freestyle is a raw and honest reflection of the challenges Arif faced growing up in a wealthy community as a financially struggling outsider.
Line by Line Meaning
bombaclat ...
An exclamation used to express strong emotion or surprise
i Bærum hadde alle penger, alle kids var coole
In Bærum, everyone had money and all the kids were cool
noen bakstabbet, men jeg var i min sone
Someone betrayed me, but I stayed focused on myself
hadde ikke penger til en scooter
I couldn't afford a scooter
begynte å putte vits som scooteh
I started making jokes about a scooter
ti små poser
Ten small bags
penger under puta, fikk meg litt puta
Money under the pillow, gave me a little cushion
mamma sa du må våkne opp og gå på skole
My mom said I had to wake up and go to school
smartere enn lærerne, de var altfor dumme
I was smarter than my teachers, they were too dumb
eneste vi gjorde, røyke weed og leke coole
All we did was smoke weed and act cool
spille litt fotball, noen begynte å bole
We played some football, some people started doing drugs
ingen bry på skole, husker ikke kode
Didn't care about school, don't remember the code
mamma sa det må regne før du ser solen
My mom said it has to rain before you see the sun
penger under puta, trodde vi var coole
Money under the pillow, we thought we were cool
penger under puta, trodde vi coole
Money under the pillow, thought we were cool
ti små...
Ten small...
Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Selina Jeanette
on Flexnes
Where is the french part?