Karpeh was born on January 30, 1993, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated with a degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University in 2015. Karpeh worked as a real estate agent in New York City for two years and in advertising for a year before pursuing music full-time.
Karpeh learned music production at GW University by remixing beats for friends. His music style is influenced by hip-hop, organic and electronic sounds. He plays multiple instruments including the saxophone, flute, guitar, bass, keyboard and drums.
Known by his stage name Cautious Clay, Karpeh, on September 22, 2017 released "Cold War", the first single from his debut EP Blood Type, which was first released on February 21, 2018, and then re-released on April 13, 2018 with the additional single "Stolen Moments".
Karpeh's second EP Resonance, was first released on May 30, 2018 and then re-released on August 22, 2018 with the additional song "Crowned". His third EP Table of Context, was released on March 27, 2019.
Karpeh played at the 2019 Billy Reid Shindig in Florence, Alabama. He will also feature on the soundtrack of 13 Reasons Why: Season 3 with the song "Swim Home". Swim Home is one of two collaborations with John Mayer, the other is "Carry Me Away", featured on Table of Context.
"Cold War" was sampled on the song "London Boy" for Taylor Swift's seventh studio album Lover (2019).
Crowned
Cautious Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Poolside drinking we came to stay
Got me thinking up ways to pray for my sanity
But you crown
Ya you crowned with the likes of us
Yeah you crown
Crowned with the likes of us
You said I could call you any name that I want
I don't want the bag
I don't wanna go figure
You fishing cus it's all the same
Check me when you needed me the most
I ain't event get to talking bout a toast
Quite on the set
I don't need to stress
bout things that you want
anything that you want
Rolls that you want
Signs you making bread
No coupons
I can't even make you famous
It's everything beside the way you make me feel
Black white yellow and browns ok
Poolside drinking we came to stay
Got me thinking up ways to pray for my vanity
But you crown
Ya you crowned with the likes of us
Yeah you crown
Crowned with the likes of us
So While you eating Kraft singles
I been switching phones
Trying not to think about the terms of it all
Wrapping up your life in cellophane
But that 911 on the lot is what you loving
We got 0-100 calls
We got Models with their egos on ya shelf
Choking up you on the run
Not enough to say while you back in
Check me when you needed me the most
I ain't event get to talking bout a toast
Quite on the set I don't need to stress bout things that you want
Black white yellow and browns ok
Poolside drinking we came to stay
The lyrics to Cautious Clay's song "Crowned" address themes of identity, social status, and the pressures that come with fame and success. The opening line, "Black white yellow and browns okay," indicates a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, suggesting that people of all races and backgrounds are accepted in this context. The next line, "Poolside drinking we came to stay," portrays a luxurious scene, perhaps representing a desire for a carefree and indulgent lifestyle.
The chorus emphasizes the sense of being "crowned" or recognized as part of an exclusive group. It suggests that despite any differences or hardships, the singer and their peers are regarded highly, almost regally, in this particular environment. The repetition of "crowned with the likes of us" emphasizes this idea of being celebrated and valued.
The following lines delve into the dynamics of relationships within this context. The line "You said I could call you any name that I want, Imma call you any name" hints at a certain level of freedom and nonchalance in the singer's relationship with someone else. They seem to resist conforming to niceties, indicating that they are uninterested in superficial relationships or acquiring material possessions ("I don't want the bag"). The mention of fishing and "it's all the same" implies that they can see through people's strategies and perceive the ulterior motives behind their actions.
The second verse suggests a contrast between the singer's actions and the person they are addressing. While the singer tries to distance themselves from the pressures and materialistic pursuits, the other person appears engrossed in these things. The line "While you eating Kraft singles, I been switching phones" highlights the singer's desire to move past mundane concerns and focus on more significant matters. The mention of wrapping up one's life in cellophane symbolizes packaging or suppressing one's true self for the sake of appearances.
Line by Line Meaning
Black white yellow and browns ok
Different racial backgrounds are accepted and embraced in this place
Poolside drinking we came to stay
We arrived here with the intention to relax and enjoy ourselves by the pool
Got me thinking up ways to pray for my sanity
This situation is causing me to reflect and search for inner peace and stability
But you crown
However, you elevate and honor me
Ya you crowned with the likes of us
You are recognized and celebrated alongside people like me
You said I could call you any name that I want
You granted me the freedom to address you by any name I desire
Imma call you any name
I will exercise that freedom and choose a name for you
I don't want the bag
I do not desire material possessions and wealth
I don't wanna go figure
I do not wish to analyze or understand the situation
You fishing cus it's all the same
You are searching for something because everything seems repetitive and predictable to you
Check me when you needed me the most
You judged and evaluated me at a crucial moment in your life
I ain't event get to talking bout a toast
I didn't even have the chance to celebrate or acknowledge
Quite on the set
Silence falls upon the scene
I don't need to stress bout things that you want
I don't have to worry about fulfilling your desires
anything that you want
All your wishes and demands
Rolls that you want
Luxuries and privileges you desire
Signs you making bread
Indications of you achieving financial success
No coupons
You don't need discounts or bargains
I can't even make you famous
I am unable to bring you fame and recognition
It's everything beside the way you make me feel
Your impact on me goes beyond mere emotional sensations
So While you eating Kraft singles
While you are satisfied with mediocre and processed cheese slices
I been switching phones
I have been changing my phone numbers
Trying not to think about the terms of it all
Attempting to avoid contemplating the conditions and ramifications of everything
Wrapping up your life in cellophane
You are packaging and enclosing your existence in a superficial and temporary manner
But that 911 on the lot is what you loving
However, you are infatuated with the extravagant and luxurious car (Porsche 911) available
We got 0-100 calls
We are receiving urgent and intense communication or requests
We got Models with their egos on ya shelf
We have attractive individuals with high levels of self-importance in our midst
Choking up you on the run
You are overwhelmed and struggling while trying to escape from something
Not enough to say while you back in
You don't have sufficient words to express yourself as you remain in a certain place
Check me when you needed me the most
You evaluated and tested me during a critical moment
I ain't event get to talking bout a toast
I didn't even have the opportunity to raise a celebratory toast
Quite on the set
Silence prevails in this setting
I don't need to stress bout things that you want
I don't have to worry about fulfilling your desires
Black white yellow and browns ok
Different racial backgrounds are accepted and embraced in this place
Poolside drinking we came to stay
We arrived here with the intention to relax and enjoy ourselves by the pool
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ANDREW WANSEL, JOSHUA KARPEH, JOSHUA ALEXANDER DINGUS, JOSH KARPEH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@indie
So damn underrated
@hakeemdadream334
You aint never lied!
@i_am_chaplin
You say he's underated but Cautious is in complete control. This is the way he wants to roll. Just low key.
@uherrera2137
yeah he’s just cautious 🤫
@The765Das
Spotify's a great tool, cause this bumps.
@shazbegum5739
my mans is so underrated it makes me sad :(
@chafet05
I just saw him live with Alina baraz ...yo this guy is so talented he literally pulled out a flute out of nowhere and killed it. Much love Clay 😌
@doubledee945
2 of my favorite artist. I would live to see Clay, Alina, and Khalid together.
@DKendrick1
This is that lefty creativity at work! Genius
@melchorchipoco1632
This type of song you listen in your car at 2am running around town