Cecil is one of the founding members of Doomtree. As an emcee he’s admired for his lyric, cinematic style. He writes about love, vengeance, and redemption—and the spaces where the three convene. His narratives ride on his imagery: sepia flickers of loners, beauties, ghosts, and vagabonds.
As a producer, his sound is nostalgic. He features swooning guitar lines, masterful drums, vinyl crackle, and distant voices. The effect is melodic, often melancholic, and seems to draw on the sentiment of another, more romantic era.
Cecil’s fascination with rap music started when his big sister ran away from home. She left a box of rap cassettes beneath her bed, all intentionally mislabeled to prevent confiscation by her parents. Easy E with a Jon Bon Jovi sticker. N.W.A as Michael Bolton. At eight, Cecil memorized every word, intent on impressing her when she returned.
A few years later, Cecil learned to skate, went semi-pro and spent hours practicing with high school friends Stef (P.O.S.) and Johnny (Paper Tiger). Kai (MK Larada) made the occasional visit, often with a camera in hand. The same varied cast of characters began making music together—some rap, some punk, some rock—and by 2000 the name Doomtree surfaced.
Now, almost a decade later, Cecil has contributed to nearly a dozen releases in the Doomtree Records catalog. His most recent full-length, Rebel Yellow, was re-released by Sage Francis for Strange Famous Records. He's now recording his solo project, Porcelain Revolver.
Solo Projects
False Hopes 7
Rebel Yellow
http://www.doomtree.net/cecilotter/
1999
Cecil Otter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
now this gumshoe's coming for you
three, four
with more than the lord to speak for
five, six
I'm gonna walk this beat until I drop my drumsticks
I've spun 78's, 45's, and 33's since '99
a needle wants to touch me
my feet get cold, i speak soft
until they cut me free
get out of this world of one window flaps and spins out of control
gold and silver,
it don't warm my soul, so cold i shiver
so i try to aim my bow and quiver
pull the arrow back but it wont deliver
and it's frozen like this hopeless liver slash romantic
will you hold this picture
and shake it out of habit
i ain't an addict man i just gotta have it
so gimme gimme gumdrops
and one shot of whatever you got inside this gunshot
and give up control to the confused
(it goes) one, two
now this gumshoe's coming for you
three, four
with more than the lord to speak for
five, six
I'm gonna walk this beat until i drop my drumsticks
I've spun 78's, 45's, and 33's since '99
99 problems
bitchin' ain't one
i learned over the years how to imitate running
a tight ship for you
so come here and let me bite that lip for you.
okay, you can have your cake
but you cant touch the icing
you gotta hush the lightning
'cause motherfucking jailbirds like to sing like
(if that diamond rings your neck
you got no one else to blame just your love for respect)
where respect ain't due
protect your neck from the fangs you drew
true blue collar blood with you
love it you need it but that love ain't true
your colors are shinning through
and there as yellow as the sun that's blinding you
(can you hear me? ...something about a business deal? ...i think i lost you)
but i held on to your innocence
since you have a heart that beats still
so just be still
come out of the rain and open your ears and listen
some are out to win (the big money)
and some are just out to aim
(and if all you see are triple sevens
that's gonna go and cripple heaven for you)
one, two
now this gumshoe's coming for you
three, four
with more than the lord to speak for
five, six
I'm gonna walk this beat until i drop my drumsticks
I've spun 78's, 45's, and 33's since '99
(if that diamond rings your neck
you got no one else to blame just your love)
now your passing the rock
or your passing the liquor
attracting the gods or attracting the bleeding
its a delivery straight from your will
and it will kill, thrill and haunt you
got you holding on to things that weren't there
and you weren't scared
there there now
hold down those demons
no rush, no rush,
keep breathing
The lyrics to Cecil Otter's "1999" are dense and cryptic, full of references and ideas that resist straightforward interpretation. The song begins with a repetition of a simple, ominous counting rhyme - "It Goes one, two / now this gumshoe's coming for you / three, four / with more than the lord to speak for / five, six / I'm gonna walk this beat until I drop my drumsticks" - which creates a sense of tension and danger from the outset. The singer seems to be a detective or investigator of some kind, and his motivation for pursuing his target is left deliberately vague: "with more than the lord to speak for" suggests that there is some kind of divine judgment at stake, but it's not clear whether the singer feels personally invested or is simply doing his job.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer's search is taking him through a world that is disorienting and unnerving. He mentions "nine ten foot poles," which could be a reference to the saying "I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole," indicating that he is reacting with revulsion to the things he encounters. There are also references to addiction ("gimme gimme gumdrops / and one shot of whatever you got inside this gunshot") and to the difficulty of finding genuine connection and meaning in a world that is full of false promises ("gold and silver, / it don't warm my soul, so cold i shiver").
The song ends with a series of paradoxical and mysterious images that suggest both danger and possibility: "now your passing the rock / or your passing the liquor / attracting the gods or attracting the bleeding / its a delivery straight from your will / and it will kill, thrill and haunt you / got you holding on to things that weren't there / and you weren't scared." Overall, "1999" is a complex and thought-provoking meditation on the difficulty of navigating a world that can be simultaneously alluring and terrifying.
Line by Line Meaning
It Goes one, two
I am starting this song counting one and two, indicating the beginning of a rhythm.
now this gumshoe's coming for you
I am presenting myself and my intentions to my audience as a detective or policeman, ready to pursue them.
three, four
I continue counting, preparing to launch a musical verse.
with more than the lord to speak for
I hold more than religious or moral beliefs to guide my actions and statements.
five, six
I am still counting, announcing my determination to keep going until the end of my performance.
I'm gonna walk this beat until I drop my drumsticks
I will maintain my musical rhythm until I physically cannot continue anymore.
I've spun 78's, 45's, and 33's since '99
I have played and enjoyed various kinds of vinyl records at different speeds since the year 1999.
(there's nine) ten foot poles
I am suggesting that I am dealing with a situation that requires me to keep my distance, emphasizing the length of my poles used for measurement.
a needle wants to touch me
I am experiencing a sense of danger represented by an approaching needle or other sharp object.
my feet get cold, i speak soft
I am scared, but trying to remain calm and avoid detection.
until they cut me free
I may hold secrets that could lead to my capture or danger unless I am released.
get out of this world of one window flaps and spins out of control
I am criticizing a confusing and chaotic world that lacks clear directions and stability.
gold and silver, it don't warm my soul, so cold i shiver
I am expressing that material riches do not bring me happiness or comfort, as I shiver from feeling cold and alone.
so i try to aim my bow and quiver
I am attempting to control my fate and defend myself with a bow and arrows imagery.
pull the arrow back but it wont deliver
My efforts to achieve my goals are hindered and remain unsuccessful.
and it's frozen like this hopeless liver slash romantic
My state of being is stuck, helpless, and struggling between bitter realism and a romantic outlook on life.
will you hold this picture
I am asking the listener to accept and relate to my struggles and point of view.
and shake it out of habit
I am asking the listener to challenge their own ordinary habits and patterns of thought.
i ain't an addict man i just gotta have it
I may not be addicted to anything per se, but I still need something to satisfy my desires.
so gimme gimme gumdrops
I am using an exaggerated and childish phrase to express my craving for something sweet or satisfying.
and one shot of whatever you got inside this gunshot
I want to experience a moment of pleasure or excitement, even if it is short-lived and comes from something potentially harmful.
and give up control to the confused
I am willing to relinquish my control to a state of confusion and uncertainty in order to feel alive or different.
99 problems bitchin' ain't one
I am referencing a well-known phrase and suggesting that my problems are manageable and minor compared to others.
i learned over the years how to imitate running
I have learned to adapt to difficult situations through evasion and survival techniques.
a tight ship for you
I am running a tight, organized, and efficient operation for the benefit of others.
so come here and let me bite that lip for you.
I am making a sexual and possibly violent suggestion towards someone else.
okay, you can have your cake
I am giving permission for someone else to enjoy their own pleasures and desires.
but you cant touch the icing
I am setting boundaries and limiting what others can have access to, especially if it belongs to me.
you gotta hush the lightning
I am advising someone to control their excitement or enthusiasm, possibly for their own safety or mine.
'cause motherfucking jailbirds like to sing like
I am warning against the risk of getting caught or started on by people who may compromise your safety or goals.
(if that diamond rings your neck you got no one else to blame just your love for respect)
I am implying that material wealth can be a burden that puts you at risk and makes you lose sight of what really matters.
where respect ain't due
I am acknowledging social norms and expectations that may not be related to personal values or merits.
protect your neck from the fangs you drew
I am advising against revenge or violent retaliation that can bring more harm than good to oneself.
true blue collar blood with you
I come from humble beginnings and have a deep sense of loyalty and grit.
love it you need it but that love ain't true
I recognize that love and affection may play a big role in my life, but I also see that it can be deceiving and false.
your colors are shinning through and there as yellow as the sun that's blinding you
I am perceiving that someone's true nature or motivations are showing, and that it may be blinding or contradictory to what they think or say.
(can you hear me? ...something about a business deal? ...i think i lost you)
I am breaking the fourth wall and jokingly or ironically addressing the listener, pretending to be on the phone or in a conversation that goes nowhere or changes focus abruptly.
but i held on to your innocence
I value loyalty and honesty, and I have preserved the purity or goodness of someone or something else.
since you have a heart that beats still
I am acknowledging the vitality and strength of someone else's spirit or essence.
so just be still
I am asking someone to calm down, relax, and just let things be.
come out of the rain and open your ears and listen
I am telling someone to stop hiding or avoiding the world, and to pay attention to what I have to say.
some are out to win (the big money)
I am calling out the instrumental and competitive nature of society, where some people are focused on winning or gaining a lot of money.
and some are just out to aim
Other people are motivated just by the pursuit or direction of their goals, without necessarily having an endgame in mind.
(and if all you see are triple sevens that's gonna go and cripple heaven for you)
I am warning against the risk of indulging too much in luck or gambling, as it can lead to negative consequences and a skewed sense of integrity or stability.
Contributed by Nicholas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
thepointblank213
I swear the general public is broken. HOW DOES THIS ONLY HAVE 34K VIEWS??!?!?! I have a stupid Guitar Hero video I posted at almost the same time that has 47K. My video is a stupid tutorial that took me like 5 minutes to make. This music is AMAZING ART and deserves a much bigger audience. Mind boggling!
luvpogl
thepointblank213 The public doesn't like to have to think. Music like this thumps your brain, so most ignore it.
Qqwerty U
This is fucking hip hop. Thank god we still have these gem videos left ❤️
JCginja
Cecil Otter is proof that Hip Hop isn't dead, its growing strong in the underground. Minnesota is a hive of talented Hip Hop artists.
jonnyqrotten
DOOMTREE! Completely restored my faith in Hip-Hop Cecil Otter is "wreckless"
cfugatt17
I thank Cecil Otter for keeping music REAL...we need alot more like him.
bananaswag45
Cecil Otter is the illest POET in the game. It's beyond hip hop at this point, this is legitimate poetry.
nvrstsfd
I just heard his music for the first time, last week. I'm hooked.
SugarFreeRecordsUK
Great signing Sage...Dope song, dope video, dope album. Though I prefer the original audio, but that probably due to familiarity... Anyway people, if you don't know about Cecil Otter, or Doomtree as a collective, but this shit!
Stella Juarez
mictlan,dessa, sims, pos in ceci's vidl.all in one. love it.