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).
Smoke
Cautious Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I say you, you cutting me out
Put a flame at the end of my name
So I know it's real, you see how I feel
I bent a whole lotta cards
Seen a whole lotta of broads, as they walk my way
Stay reaching for the stars
But don't you blow your smoke at me
No, don't you blow your smoke at me
Growing is not a contest
But I'm loving all the attention
Forgot all their affection
That I felt for you
But there's always someone to frequent
To feel right for any reason
Don't make it out to be greater
Than two people trying to fuck
Always remember things change
When you move to new lanes
Never know if you stay
We always meet with our friends
Never been for new ends
People fall where they may
But don't you blow your smoke at me
No, don't you blow your smoke at me
(Don't cut me out)
I'm losing the meeting
So fuck how you feeling
I'm reaching the ceiling
It's all so reviling
I bent a whole lotta cards
Seen a whole lotta broads, as they walk by me
Stay reaching for the stars
And a whole lotta cars with some broken ashtrays
But don't you blow your smoke at me
No, don't you blow your smoke at me
In Cautious Clay's song Smoke, the lyrics explore the aftermath of a broken relationship. The song portrays a sense of emotional turmoil and hurt that the singer is experiencing due to the actions of his former lover. The opening lines "They say you had a character flaw, every time I say you, you cutting me out" suggest that the singer's friends might have warned him about this person's behavior, but he didn't listen. Despite this, he still has feelings for her, as he says, "Put a flame at the end of my name so I know it's real, you see how I feel," possibly implying that he wants her to validate his feelings.
In the second verse, Cautious Clay talks about how he has been through a lot in his life in terms of relationships, but he had never let it stop him from reaching for his goals, although he has been left with a broken ashtray as a result of his previous relationships. The bridge "Always remember things change when you move to new lanes, never know if you stay, we always meet with our friends, never been for new ends, people fall where they may" suggests that people grow and change, and relationships don't always last forever.
Overall, the song Smoke touches on the universal theme of heartbreak and moving on from lost love. It highlights the pain and emotions associated with a broken relationship but ultimately recognizes the importance of accepting change and letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
They say you had a character flaw
I heard people talk about your flaws
Every time I say you, you cutting me out
You ignore me when I mention you
Put a flame at the end of my name
You speak badly about me behind my back
So I know it's real, you see how I feel
I feel hurt by your actions and words
I bent a whole lotta cards
I took a lot of risks
Seen a whole lotta of broads, as they walk my way
I met many women
Stay reaching for the stars
I dream big
Been in a whole lotta cars with a broken ashtray
I've been in many old and beat-up cars
But don't you blow your smoke at me
Don't spread rumors or talk badly about me
Growing is not a contest
Self-improvement is not a competition
But I'm loving all the attention
I enjoy the recognition and validation
Forgot all their affection
I don't care about their love anymore
That I felt for you
The love that I used to have for you
But there's always someone to frequent
There's always someone to spend time with
To feel right for any reason
To feel good for any reason
Don't make it out to be greater
Don't exaggerate it
Than two people trying to fuck
Than just two people having sex
Always remember things change
Remember that things can change
When you move to new lanes
When you move on to new things
Never know if you stay
I don't know if you'll stay in my life
We always meet with our friends
We always see each other with our mutual friends
Never been for new ends
I'm not looking for something new
People fall where they may
People end up in different places and situations
I'm losing the meeting
I'm losing the purpose or direction
So fuck how you feeling
I don't care how you feel
I'm reaching the ceiling
I'm reaching my potential or limit
It's all so reviling
It's all so disgusting or offensive
Writer(s): JOSHUA ALEXANDER DINGUS
Contributed by Miles D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jsid4305
Cautious clay needs to be super famous. His songs are brilliant
@nokwandagumede2175
An original sound! I love! 😌
@Manu-hp5qq
I love your songs😍😍 can't wait to see u famous around the world and in tv shows😍😍
@heskiador2752
First view? How can this be? Cautious clay is a genius!
@davidj9033
I like listening to this song when I check the fire and smoke map!
@talithadeck2002
I love this Song so much
@75095
My favorite song of his❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@poojanmaru8908
💯
@FaRoss232
Dude you polished the fuck outta that layered rim sound lol it slaps.
@HeySoulSydney
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SONG! 🎶