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).
Strange Love
Cautious Clay Lyrics
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'Cause I'm that nigga everybody really wanna eat for breakfast
Drop me off at the movies
Take me to the mall, popping my collar
Forward tomorrow
'Cause stranger things have happened
The making of the madness of your love
(You can print whatever amount of money you want)
Said you better not break that hard again
You was looking for light, picking up a fight
I don't really got time for it (oh)
Gucci, Prada, Versace too
I don't really know which one to choose
You making me think I'm lost
I don't always gotta be the boss
Burning silence just us two
Black and white so tried and true
Driving 'round town popping rounds off
I don't really got much time (uh)
But they treat me like a God, treat me like a villain (yeah)
'Cause I'm that nigga everybody wanna get with
So long as my clothes match the pop song's description
We turned stores upside down, put the tires on the ceiling
For retail we sell ourselves short as a blunt sentence
Splurging a fun feeling, this shirt wasn't on clearance (nah)
She looking at me like me and Benjamin share resemblance
I spend it because I get defensive about my entrance
I could be a muhfucka if you want
I could be a muhfucka on the run
Smoking like blue strains or something
Puffing clouds in the night while I'm running
(Clouds in the night while I'm running)
Then I'ma take off when the going gets tough
'Cause I don't really feel like racing
My head's only got two stations
(You can print whatever amount of money you want)
'Cause stranger things have happened
The making of the madness that's your love
Gucci, Prada, Versace too
I don't really know which one to choose
You making me think I'm lost
I don't always gotta be the boss
(I don't always gotta be the boss)
Ride in silence just us two (yeah)
Black and white so tried and true
Driving 'round town popping rounds off
I don't really got much time
(No, I don't really got much time)
'Cause stranger things have happened
(Driving 'round town popping rounds off)
(I don't really got much time)
'Cause stranger things have happened
(No, I don't really got much time)
Ride in silence just us two
Black and white so tried and true ('cause stranger things have happened)
Driving 'round town popping rounds
I don't really got much time
The song Strange Love by Cautious Clay and Saba is about the complexities of love and how it can make people act strange. The lyrics start off by asking to be treated like a model but also like somebody reckless. The singer of the song acknowledges that he is coveted by many, but he also recognizes that he is in a position where people might be out to hurt him. The chorus repeats the phrase "stranger things have happened," which conveys that even the most unexpected things can happen in the name of love. The lyrics go on to describe how the singer is unsure about his choices and is being influenced by external factors like pop songs and retail therapy. The song has a certain sense of urgency and restlessness, which can be interpreted as the singer's anxiety about love and life.
One possible interpretation of the song is that the singer is struggling to hold on to his identity and integrity in the face of societal pressures and the fickleness of love. He wants to be seen as someone who is confident and in control, but he also feels vulnerable and afraid of being hurt. The repeated line "I don't really got much time" can be seen as a reflection of his mortality and the fleeting nature of life. At the same time, he recognizes the power of love to bring people together and to inspire them to do things they never thought possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Treat me like a model, treat me like I'm reckless
Treat me like I'm important and valuable, even if I sometimes act carelessly
'Cause I'm that nigga everybody really wanna eat for breakfast
Because I'm popular and in demand
Drop me off at the movies
Take me out for a fun date
Take me to the mall, popping my collar
Take me shopping, showing off my stylish outfit
Forward tomorrow
Looking forward to the future
'Cause stranger things have happened
Because unexpected or unusual things can occur
The making of the madness of your love
The unpredictable or crazy nature of your love
(You can print whatever amount of money you want)
An assertion that anything is possible or achievable
Said you better not break that hard again
A warning not to hurt me again like in the past
You was looking for light, picking up a fight
You were seeking attention or a way to make things interesting
I don't really got time for it (oh)
I don't have the patience or energy to deal with it
Gucci, Prada, Versace too
Designer fashion brands that are expensive and exclusive
I don't really know which one to choose
I'm having trouble deciding on what to wear
You making me think I'm lost
You're making me feel disoriented or confused
I don't always gotta be the boss
I don't need to always be in control
Burning silence just us two
An intense or passionate silence between us
Black and white so tried and true
Something that is classic or dependable
Driving 'round town popping rounds off
Riding around town and having a good time
I don't really got much time (uh)
I don't have a lot of free time
But they treat me like a God, treat me like a villain (yeah)
Others have strong opinions about me, either positive or negative
'Cause I'm that nigga everybody wanna get with
Because I'm popular and attractive to others
So long as my clothes match the pop song's description
As long as I fit in with what's currently fashionable or trendy
We turned stores upside down, put the tires on the ceiling
We created chaos or commotion in stores by acting recklessly
For retail we sell ourselves short as a blunt sentence
We undervalue ourselves when it comes to money or material possessions
Splurging a fun feeling, this shirt wasn't on clearance (nah)
Spending money is enjoyable, even if the item isn't on sale
She looking at me like me and Benjamin share resemblance
Someone is comparing me to Benjamin Franklin, a notable figure on the US $100 bill
I spend it because I get defensive about my entrance
I spend money as a way to prove my worth or status to others
I could be a muhfucka if you want
I could be a badass or tough guy if that's what you prefer
I could be a muhfucka on the run
I could be someone who has to flee or hide from danger
Smoking like blue strains or something
Smoking potent or high-quality marijuana
Puffing clouds in the night while I'm running
Experiencing a sense of freedom or escape while smoking and running
Then I'ma take off when the going gets tough
I'll leave when things become too difficult or unpleasant
'Cause I don't really feel like racing
I don't have the motivation or energy to compete or hurry
My head's only got two stations
I have a limited or simplistic perspective on things
Ride in silence just us two (yeah)
A peaceful or intimate moment between us
Driving 'round town popping rounds off
Having a good time while driving through the city
No, I don't really got much time
I don't have a lot of free time
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Hans Anthony Quiben Galvez, Josh Karpeh, Tahj Malik Chandler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind