That Cazwell is an openly queer artist making his mark in an infamously homophobic genre is extraordinary all by itself. That he began his career in Worcester puts his story somewhere near the twilight zone. From his point of view, his Worcester roots are by far the strangest part of the tale. "I donβt even care if Iβm considered hip-hop," he says. But he shudders at the memory of a poll from the early β90s that cited his home town as the nationβs second-ranked destination for retirees β right behind Miami. At that point, he realized Worcester offered two choices: grow up and get out, or grow old and give up.
"People moved to Worcester to settle, and to die. I felt trapped. I had to leave." Getting from Point A β rapping at skate-punk keg parties and staying closeted until he was 18 β to Point B in NYC took longer than he expected. Nevertheless, heβs now being courted by labels and is set to appear at Elton Johnβs Life Ball AIDS benefit in Vienna May 21. (Before that, on May 12, heβll be performing in Cambridge at ManRayβs weekly gay night, "Campus.")
Cazwell cut his teeth rhyming with another Worcester native, lesbian rapper Crasta-Yo. Although that does conjure images of an East Coast My Own Private Idaho, he points out that they werenβt particularly politicized or very different from other artsy teens. "When we were kids, the Beastie Boys were really big. We always tried to be like them, because they were never dull." In between smoking pot and rapping about Converse sneakers and cheeseburgers, the duo befriended members of the Worcester Artists Group and started inching toward a musical career. In 1995, Cazwell enrolled at Boston College, and lining up local gigs for himself and Crasta β they performed together first as Wordsworth and later as Morplay β became a daunting task. "Everything in Boston is 10 times harder. And I was doing it all by myself. I didnβt know what a press kit was, or how to make phone calls. But I learned, and I built a foundation, and by the time I got to New York, I was so strong."
Thatβs not to suggest NYC embraced him straight off. A year before moving to Boston, Cazwell was making regular weekend jaunts to New York to palm off cassettes and rap for anyone whoβd listen. One night, he met notorious DJ and promoter Larry Tee, whose credits include co-writing RuPaulβs 1993 hit "Supermodel" and spearheading the Electroclash craze. By 1999, when Cazwell moved to NYC, his skills had improved sufficiently for Tee to take notice. "Larry has a really intense, unique music collection," says the rapper, who lapped up every Kraftwerk and Schoolly D groove the DJ laid on him. And while Cazwell labored over lyrics, Tee drove home the importance of hanging rap rhymes on big musical hooks: "Larry taught me the importance of having your own sound." Tee also managed Morplay briefly, and he included "Check Your Pulse" β a cut that features the duo swapping rhymes in English, gibberish, and Pig Latin β on the now seminal 2001 compilation Electroclash.
Morplay broke up in 2002, whereupon Cazwell went solo. Former Deee-Lite manager Bill Coleman now oversees his career, and heβs poised to sign a deal with a large NYC-based indie label. In the meantime, five Cazwell tracks and two jaw-dropping videos are available at www.cazwell.com. Heβs also collaborated with the pottymouth party girls Avenue D β heβs on the track "The Sex That I Need" on their Bootleg, which they released last year on their own Avenue Dreams label β and heβs been writing a concept album for nightlife icon Amanda Lepore.
Lepore will join Cazwell at ManRay, a gig he views as a triumph of sorts. "When I lived in Boston, I never got a gay gig. All I wanted was to go someplace where people go to dance, hop on stage, and keep the crowd dancing to my music. But it never happened. And now, five years later? Theyβre flying me up. I must be doing something right."
Helen Keller
Cazwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yaaaaaassssss
Helen Keller!
I got pro nails
On my toe nails
With a weave cut down
To my coat tails
Get ready
Line up the eyeliner
Steady
Where's my foundation?
I'm impatient
My rice gets sticky
When my man's on probation
I give him yellow fever
A believer
Hand on the stick
Of my pink
Two-seater
He can't get enough
Of this siamese
Kitty cat
He can't stick into an
Itty bitty jimmy hat
He's my Bruce Lee
Don't stop me
Get the fuck off me
Brew me
Some coffee
Let the by gones
Be my gones
Queen of Siagon
McQueen nylons
Face by Kryolan
Don't try me hunny
I'll go to jail
I got rail money
Cazwell:
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
Someone call Candy Finigan
My addictions
About to begin again
Got my balls slapin'
On your chin again
For longer than
Gone with the wind again
Then
Again
Called it quits
Chopped your head
Zipped you up in a space bag
Under my bed
Now I know
Where you are
When I need you
Break out the brail
Helen Keller
Gonna read you
I don't see her
I don't hear her either
I disapeared to the sun in Abiza
Layin' outside
Where
The tall palm trees
Are
Givin' y'all more
Dark marks
Where your knees are
Ya went from my green room
To the steam room
Kicked your ass
Out the house
'Cuz I need room
Now I got that bitch
Locked in the cellar
That's why I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
Manila Luzon:
Fuck it gets better
It gets gorgeous
Patience thin
Heart enormous
My girls in the club
Can't ignore us
Track just dropped
Learn the chorus
Champagne
For effervescence
F train
Under bright flourescents
Lipstick fuck anti depresents
Wash my hair with Herbal Essence
Don't see me
Outta luck boss
Layer this beat
Extra duck sauce
Get that lovin'
Spread that muffin
Heat the run
In an easy bake oven
Boys on my mind, coins on my mind
Annoyed by my grind
I'm one of a kind
Eye of the tiger
Leo my sign
Wanna sip this cider?
Get in line bitch!
Cazwell:
Rewind bitch
My time bitch
See me on twitter
Instagram and vine, bitch
Fuck with me?
That's a hella nope
You couldn't see me
With a telescope
The only dial you'll be gettin'
Is some yellow soap
To wash that rachet ass twice
I know I'm nice
(Listen)
I admit I'm a bit vain
That's 'cuz I'm in the shit
You a shit stain
Cheat twice then split
Ain't she changed
Caught the clap like that
Ain't shit strange
All I need is my name
I don't wanna clear it
All you want is fame
But ain't no where near it
Wanna play a love game
I don't wanna hear it
Plus you dead to me now
And I don't talk to spirits
Still trill
Ill will
Fresh on kilter
Picture that
Hashtag
No filter
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Helen Keller
[Manila Luzon:]
We're done
I don't see you
I don't hear you
We're through
I've helen kellered
Your ass
Buh-by!
The song "Helen Keller" by Cazwell features several rappers including Manila Luzon, and is geared more towards partying and self-expression. The song opens with Manila Luzon rapping about her distinct style and beauty routines while also mentioning her lover's inability to resist her. Throughout the song, the rappers use Helen Keller as an analogy for ignoring negative influences and focusing on their own success. The lyrics also touch on sex and relationships, with Cazwell rapping about an ex-girlfriend he has locked up in his basement, and Manila Luzon asserting her independence and worth.
Overall, "Helen Keller" is a fun, upbeat song that encourages listeners to celebrate themselves and ignore anyone who tries to bring them down. The song's catchy beat and playful lyrics make it a popular choice for parties and clubbing.
Line by Line Meaning
Yaaaaaassssss
Helen Keller!
Excitement for the song's theme, which references the historical figure Helen Keller
I got pro nails
On my toe nails
With a weave cut down
To my coat tails
When the boat sails
Get ready
Line up the eyeliner
Steady
Where's my foundation?
I'm impatient
Getting ready for a night out, dressing up with acrylic nails, a weave, and makeup while impatiently waiting
My rice gets sticky
When my man's on probation
I give him yellow fever
A believer
Hand on the stick
Of my pink
Two-seater
Jokingly claiming that cooking rice gets difficult when her man is away due to probation, but she keeps the romance alive by taking charge in her pink car
He can't get enough
Of this siamese
Kitty cat
He can't stick into an
Itty bitty jimmy hat
He's my Bruce Lee
Don't stop me
Get the fuck off me
Brew me
Some coffee
Describing her partner's sexual attraction to her and referencing Bruce Lee as a metaphor for her own power, while also requesting coffee with attitude
Let the by gones
Be my gones
Queen of Siagon
McQueen nylons
Face by Kryolan
Don't try me hunny
I'll go to jail
I got rail money
Refusing to let the past bother her, she asserts her position in fashion, wears Kryolan makeup, warns not to test her, and references having money for bail
I don't see her
Helen Keller
I don't see her, I don't see her, I don't see her
Someone call Candy Finigan
My addictions
About to begin again
Referencing back to the song title with a punchline, then acknowledges a personal addiction and indicates an intention to act on it
Got my balls slapin'
On your chin again
For longer than
Gone with the wind again
Then
Again
Called it quits
Chopped your head
Zipped you up in a space bag
Under my bed
Recalling a violent breakup and disposing of an ex-partner's body, while also using a sexual innuendo
Now I know
Where you are
When I need you
Break out the brail
Gonna read you
I don't hear her either
I disapeared to the sun in Abiza
Layin' outside
Where
The tall palm trees
Are
Feeling nostalgic for her ex, she suggests the use of Braille to understand each other and reveals that she's in a tropical paradise sunbathing
Givin' y'all more
Dark marks
Where your knees are
Ya went from my green room
To the steam room
Kicked your ass
Out the house
'Cuz I need room
Now I got that bitch
Locked in the cellar
That's why I don't see her
Fuck it gets better
It gets gorgeous
Describing rough sex and kicking out a partner to have space, while also revealing that she has someone locked in the cellar and referring to how things got better
Patience thin
Heart enormous
My girls in the club
Can't ignore us
Track just dropped
Learn the chorus
Champagne
For effervescence
F train
Under bright flourescents
Lipstick fuck anti depresents
Wash my hair with Herbal Essence
Highlighting club experiences, promoting her new song, and referencing her preferred hair products
Don't see me
Outta luck boss
Layer this beat
Extra duck sauce
Get that lovin'
Spread that muffin
Heat the run
In an easy bake oven
Asserting that others are unlucky if they don't see her, asking to add more sauce to the music, and using playful language to talk about sex
Boys on my mind, coins on my mind
Annoyed by my grind
I'm one of a kind
Eye of the tiger
Leo my sign
Wanna sip this cider?
Get in line bitch!
Acknowledging her focus on earning money and being unique, attributing herself to an astrology sign, and challenging someone to get in line to share the cider
Rewind bitch
My time bitch
See me on twitter
Instagram and vine, bitch
Fuck with me?
That's a hella nope
You couldn't see me
With a telescope
The only dial you'll be gettin'
Is some yellow soap
To wash that rachet ass twice
I know I'm nice
Asserting that she's too popular and unavailable for negativity, suggesting that someone needs to clean their appearance, and confidently acknowledging her favorable traits
I admit I'm a bit vain
That's 'cuz I'm in the shit
You a shit stain
Cheat twice then split
Ain't she changed
Caught the clap like that
Ain't shit strange
All I need is my name
I don't wanna clear it
All you want is fame
But ain't no where near it
Wanna play a love game
I don't wanna hear it
Plus you dead to me now
And I don't talk to spirits
Admitting to being self-centered due to her career, calling out someone for cheating, and suggesting that her name is the only important thing, all while referencing Lady Gaga's song LoveGame
Still trill
Ill will
Fresh on kilter
Picture that
Hashtag
No filter
Ending with a positive message, suggesting that she's genuine despite any negativity, and promoting a hashtag as a metaphor for her authenticity
We're done
I don't see you
I don't hear you
We're through
I've helen kellered
Your ass
Buh-by!
Ending with a final blow, suggesting that the former partner is no longer relevant and that they're breaking up for good
Contributed by Caroline E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sean Bateman
I really cannot watch this video or listen to this song enough.Β I love it!!! Manila is the shit and Cazwell is sexy as hell!!! Plus " You're dead to me now and I don't talk to spirits"...part of my everyday vocab. Really thank you to Cazwell and Manila for this collaboration. It makes me feel good everytime I hear it!!
Zay Nation
Cazwell is truly a talented artist
Hen Dogg
RIP Roxy! You are so missed!!!
Young Reptilian
really cool rap IMO and the beat is fresh
Ellen Coleman
Roxy slayed!!!
ebonieprincess1972
Now that....was a DRAG TRACKππ
William Dunn
I donβt think Cazwell would have the same mainstream appeal now that he did when this came out. Something has changed in society and not for the good
adebisiade
0:05
Best part <3
Batmarc6
π₯π₯π₯
stopthatmikey
"I'M the SHIT. You're a Shit STaaaiinn." Haha that's a pretty ass diss there!!