1. The Rapper: Cage Ke… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1. The Rapper: Cage Kennylz (born Christian Palko), commonly known as Cage, is an underground rapper based in New York City, United States.
Cage's life has gone from watching his father shoot heroin, to addiction and violence and mental institutions to cutting an album for Columbia Records and being a rising star in the heyday of the NYC independent rap scene, to the final culmination and personal triumph that his most current release Hell's Winter has become. It's a brand new record from someone who has been through more extreme circumstances than most people could ever imagine, and has come out triumphant and a better person because of it, and whose artistic vision now reflects this.
18 years old, fresh out of the lodge, Cage decided to pursue his the talent he honed while in hell and try to become a professional rapper. He made a demo, got a manager and was introduced to Pete Nice of 3rd Bass fame. Pete featured Cage on his solo effort "Dust to Dust" on the song "Rich Bring 'Em Back" in 1993. This was his first appearance on a rap record.
Through Pete Nice Cage met fledgling radio personality Bobbito Garcia who had just started his soon to be legendary late night mix show with DJ Stretch Armstrong. He was invited up to the show several time, earning a rep in the emerging underground NY scene as a savage and raw new MC with an original style based on his tortured life and demented imagery
Through his connection with that show, he met and formed a strong friendship with the KMD (whose front man Zev Love X would eventually be known as MF DOOM) and formed a very strong friendship with the late great Subroc. Cage was the last person to see Subroc alive before he was killed. He also became associated with and close to: Kurious Jorge, K-Solo, Godfather Don, Artifacts, Pharoah Monch, El-P (who actually worked with Cage briefly in 1994 on a 3 song demo now lost to the world), the Juggaknots and many more.
Bobbito and Pete Nice started a label through Columbia Records called Hoppoh and were on the verge of singing Cage as one of their first releases. At this time Cage was heavily abusing drugs and every time he got into the studio he was too high to record anything that Columbia thought was worthy of a major label release.
In 1997, Cage's friend and mentor Bobbito Garcia started his own independent label Fondle 'Em Records, and offered cage a twelve inch deal. Refocused and determined to get it right this time, Cage penned the single Agent Orange b/w Radiohead. The single would go on to be one of the landmark records of the golden era of NYC underground/independent rap music and propelled Cage into cult star status.
After a few more singles with Fondle 'Em, Cage met and became friends with Philly to New York transplant rap group The High And the Mighty. He formed a group with them called the Smut Peddlers, and Rawkus (who were riding high on albums by Company Flow and Mos Def, to name a few) offered them a full length album deal through Eastern Conference’s imprint, Eastern Conference. The record sold over 50 thousand copies and solidified Cage's status as a rising rap star in the independent scene.
Cage went on to do more records with Eastern Conference including his first solo record Movies for the Blind. The record was the realization of the very character he became through his tortured early years, relying on raw, savage, often cruel, misogynistic, gritty and rebellious attitudes he had formed through his earlier years. The record struck a chord, selling 15 thousand copies in just 2 weeks, and his legion of dedicated fans grew ever bigger, attracted to his visceral and dangerous persona and music. He traveled the world several times over in support of the record and became a major draw in the independent show circuit.
Soon after he started the supergroup Weathermen, comprised of good friends Camu Tao, El-P, Aesop Rock, Yak Ballz, Tame 1, Breeze of the Juggaknots and Vast Aire.
Restless with his artistic direction and feeling trapped by a persona created out of his troubled youth, he found himself at a crossroads. He felt as though he was squandering his writing abilities and catering to music with content that only scratched the surface of what he was about. He no longer wanted to project crazy for the sake of crazy and grew tired of showing the results of his past and how they reflected on his personality. Instead, he wanted to explain why he was the way he was and wanted to make a record that he could play for his daughter someday; a record that reflected the man he was now while at the same time finally shedding light on the source of his rage, pain and rebellion. It was at this point that he and El-p started to seriously talk about making an album that would truly realize his desire to take his art to another level. They cautiously talked and imagined this transformation for over a year, culminating with his signing with Definitive Jux records. Cage worked to to bring these ideas to fruition, and the result is a cathartic and radical statement of a tortured boy turned man. A detailed, imaginative and often disturbing look into the dark territory that Cage had so closely guarded from the fans that loved him.
Cage appeared at the end of the Head Automatica album Decadence on the track 'I Shot William H. Macy' - lead singer Daryl Palumbo appeared on the RJD2 produced track Shoot Frank, as well as his band being referenced throughout the album (notably on Scenester, with Cage urging the listener to "slip it in your Head Automatica folder"). Head Automatica also wrote a song called K-Horse about Cage on their new album Popaganda.
Actor Shia LaBeouf star of Transformers (July 2007) will be playing Cage in an upcoming movie about his life.
2. The Power Metal Band: (from website bio) CAGE formed in 1992 after the breakup of two outfits from San Diego, CRUSHER and NOMAD. The band has become an underground legend of sorts and are still active to this day. Their original lineup consisted of Sean Peck (Vocals), David Garcia (Guitar), Eric Horton (Guitar), Mike Giordano (Bass), and Damian Arletto (Drums).
In 2010 original bassist Mike Giordano and lead guitarist Anthony Wayne McGuiniss left the band, and new recruits bassist Steve Brogden (guitarist/vocalist for Howler) and former Brick Bath bassist Pete Stone were added on. Current lineup consists of Sean Peck(vocals), Dave Garcia(Guitar), Casey Trask(Guitar), Dwight Magic(Bass), and Sean Elg(Drums)
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Down the Left Hand Path
Cage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I convinced a group of 19 that they should drown today
How I flipped it, clipped it after madness
Then the dead came back and haunted the wrong address
Cause they some stupid dead motherfuckers
Just like all you bitches, all Weathermen fluffers
And I get my shoes polished
By the best open mic emcees paying Timbaland's homage
If your deck ain't playing Cage
You probably disgruntled your Mrs. Funnel mayonnaise
Or I ain't get the right palm
My whole career been a upstream kayak through blood
My tools love, seeing the face of opponents
Seconds before they scull and wig savor the moment
Light up a Jay, cast silence over Bob
And hair stuck on the ground, shit I might as well rob the dead
[Chorus]
Hear this to the DJ then track the clubs
Lift the cover of my CD then see what acid does
Don't just stand there looking like some average thugs
If there's a chick standing next to you then grab her jugs
And if you ain't grabbin' the dough when they ass below
Then you come back to the crib wearin' a mask and gloves
Then you go back to the club stinkin' of ass and blood
Joke some kid up diggin' pockets and snatch the drugs
I a backwards education
Studied some chick with broken navigation
All this anti-Cage demonstratin'
I don't pray to Satan
I pray on agents makin'
Shapeable minds
Capable of firing traceable 9's
But not at any kegs that make they snout's see
I don't know what I wrote till' I spit and my mouth bleeds
Look, more patterns to market
Not even naming I'm standin' a walkin' target with shoppers that look at me
awkward
Granted I got a canon and my freakin' mouth's leakin'
Cause my crew put more dust in the air than house keeping
If you sleeping you're getting woke the fuck up
Like you're parents while you bought this and smoke the fuck up
With some much rhymin' in the NYC
I carry 9 millimeter in the back of Taxi
While I thought music prevented GOB servants
And a cycle of brain wash entertainments to detergent
[Chorus]
If my thought patterns
Brought palans to Walt Adams
And spit violence and death, then kids start gaddin'
Bloody ear canal
Hold it down with a towel
Cause by the time the verse hatch your stomach's hangin' out
We got a verse on the loose, let's get these mouth zippers
Buy six drinks a night then wake up and wear 'em as house slippers
I'm just fuckin' with you bitch, don't get offended
This ain't your average anti-pop record with a happy ending
Go ask your block
School body and bastard pops
How the fuck you get your hands on acid drops
Music television repellent for kids with extreme views
Start torchin' labs to light the team's fuse
I've gotten plottin', rotten ? been chewing
I keep my hands in it with no tangible influence
Whether a Clockwork Orange or a murderous night
A book of what my pops did to Tony Burgess's wife
[Chorus]
Cage's song "Down the Left Hand Path" is a dark and intense portrayal of the rapper's mindset surrounding various issues such as death, power, and the music industry itself. The opening lines "I was mislead, but once I found the way / I convinced a group of 19 that they should drown today" suggest a twisted path to enlightenment that involved convincing others to die. Cage then reflects on the hypocrisy of the Weathermen, a left-wing activist organization he had previously been associated with, before boasting about his skill as an emcee.
The chorus then encourages listeners to let loose and engage in reckless behavior, urging them to grab women's breasts and steal drugs. In the second verse, Cage addresses criticism of his music and persona, declaring he does not pray to Satan but rather manipulates those in power for his own gain. He portrays himself as a dangerous figure, carrying a gun and likening himself to a Clockwork Orange character. The song ends with another chorus urging the listeners to engage in violent and hedonistic behavior.
Overall, "Down the Left Hand Path" is a dark and disturbing portrayal of Cage's mindset and the industry that surrounded him. The lyrics are intentionally provocative and confrontational, leaving the listener unnerved and uncomfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
I was mislead, but once I found the way
I was confused before, but now I understand the truth
I convinced a group of 19 that they should drown today
I manipulated and persuaded 19 people to kill themselves
How I flipped it, clipped it after madness
I transformed the situation and cut it short after it became chaotic
Then the dead came back and haunted the wrong address
The dead returned and haunted a place that was not related to them
Cause they some stupid dead motherfuckers
The dead are foolish and ignorant
Just like all you bitches, all Weathermen fluffers
Like all of you cowardly and sycophantic Weathermen supporters
And I get my shoes polished
I receive praise and admiration for my skill
By the best open mic emcees paying Timbaland's homage
By the most talented open mic rappers who are inspired by Timbaland
In this day and age
In modern times
If your deck ain't playing Cage
If your music player is not playing my music
You probably disgruntled your Mrs. Funnel mayonnaise
You have likely upset your partner and need to apologize
Or I ain't get the right palm
Or I did not receive the correct payment
My whole career been a upstream kayak through blood
My entire career has been a difficult journey through violence and struggle
My tools love, seeing the face of opponents
My weapons enjoy inflicting harm on my enemies
Seconds before they scull and wig savor the moment
I relish the moment right before my opponent dies
Light up a Jay, cast silence over Bob
Smoke a joint and quiet Bob, creating a peaceful atmosphere
And hair stuck on the ground, shit I might as well rob the dead
With hair on the ground, I may as well steal from the dead
[Chorus]
Refrain
Hear this to the DJ then track the clubs
Listen to and play this song in the nightclubs
Lift the cover of my CD then see what acid does
Examine my album and its effects on the listener
Don't just stand there looking like some average thugs
Do not appear ordinary and unremarkable
If there's a chick standing next to you then grab her jugs
If there is a woman next to you, sexually assault her
And if you ain't grabbin' the dough when they ass below
And if you are not stealing from them when they bow down
Then you come back to the crib wearin' a mask and gloves
Then return home in disguise
Then you go back to the club stinkin' of ass and blood
Then return to the nightclub, smelling like feces and blood
Joke some kid up diggin' pockets and snatch the drugs
Assault and rob a child who is searching for drugs
I a backwards education
I have a non-traditional education
Studied some chick with broken navigation
Observed a woman who is lost and misguided
All this anti-Cage demonstratin'
All this protesting against me
I don't pray to Satan
I do not worship Satan
I pray on agents makin' Shapeable minds
I exploit people who are easily influenced
Capable of firing traceable 9's
Capable of using guns that can be easily traced
But not at any kegs that make they snout's see
But not at any events that would attract police attention
I don't know what I wrote till' I spit and my mouth bleeds
I do not know what I will say until I express it with passion
Look, more patterns to market
More patterns to sell and promote
Not even naming I'm standin' a walkin' target with shoppers that look at me awkward
Without even revealing my identity, I am attracting negative attention from shoppers
Granted I got a canon and my freakin' mouth's leakin'
I have a powerful weapon and I constantly express myself through lyrics
Cause my crew put more dust in the air than house keeping
My group causes more chaos and disruption than a cleaning crew
If you sleeping you're getting woke the fuck up
If you are unaware, I will shock you into awareness
Like you're parents while you bought this and smoke the fuck up
Like your parents discovering you bought and consumed drugs
With some much rhymin' in the NYC
With so much competition in the New York City rap scene
I carry 9 millimeter in the back of Taxi
I carry a gun in the back of my taxi
While I thought music prevented GOB servants
While I believed music prevented government mind control
And a cycle of brain wash entertainments to detergent
And a cycle of brainwashing entertainment that cleanses the mind
[Chorus]
Refrain
If my thought patterns
If my way of thinking
Brought palans to Walt Adams
Caused harm to Walt Adams
And spit violence and death, then kids start gaddin'
If I promote violence and death, then children will follow
Bloody ear canal
A bleeding ear
Hold it down with a towel
Stop the bleeding with a towel
Cause by the time the verse hatch your stomach's hangin' out
Because by the time I finish rapping, you will be in critical condition
We got a verse on the loose, let's get these mouth zippers
We have a dangerous verse, let's silence our critics
Buy six drinks a night then wake up and wear 'em as house slippers
Drink excessively and wear the cups as slippers when you wake up
I'm just fuckin' with you bitch, don't get offended
I am joking, do not be upset
This ain't your average anti-pop record with a happy ending
This is not a typical, upbeat anti-pop song
Go ask your block
Ask your neighborhood
School body and bastard pops
Educate and discipline your peers and fathers
How the fuck you get your hands on acid drops
How did you acquire hallucinogenic drugs
Music television repellent for kids with extreme views
Aversion to music television for radicalized youth
Start torchin' labs to light the team's fuse
Burn down laboratories to incite the team's aggression
I've gotten plottin', rotten ? been chewing
I have been scheming and contemplating, and my state of mind is deteriorating
I keep my hands in it with no tangible influence
I continue to be involved despite having no real impact
Whether a Clockwork Orange or a murderous night
Whether it is like A Clockwork Orange or a deadly evening
A book of what my pops did to Tony Burgess's wife
A story about my father's treatment of Tony Burgess's wife
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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