While opening for Devin The Dude in Kans… Read Full Bio ↴It all started on stage.
While opening for Devin The Dude in Kansas City, Ces Cru thoroughly impressed hometown rap kingpin Tech N9ne. Tech motioned to Ces Cru’s Ubiquitous and let him know that he loved what he was hearing.
Fast forward a few years to Kansas City barbeque staple Jack Stack. There, a friend of Ubiquitous gave Tech N9ne a copy of Ces Cru’s 2009 album, The Playground. Tech took the album home, listened to it and tweeted that he was vibing out to the music of Ubiquitous and his partner-in-rhyme, Godemis. In 2010, Tech N9ne and Strange Music CEO, Travis O’Guin, called to offer Ces Cru a slot on Tech N9ne’s forthcoming Bad Season mixtape. Along with the mixtape appearance, came an opportunity to open for Tech at the Beaumont Club, a prestigious KC entertainment venue. Ces Cru’s impressive contribution to the Bad Season track, “Livin Like I'm Dyin”, along with their energetic live performance, paved the way for the duo to join the Strange Music roster. “This is like passing the bar or something,” Godemis says. “It’s a really big deal. It means everything to me. I feel super-validated. We’ve been working for a really long time and this is the best place we could be.”
Indeed, Ces Cru has been putting in work for nearly a decade. The crew went through a number of different group members before becoming the trio of Ubiquitous, Godemis and Sorceress in the early 2000s. In 2004, the group released its debut album, Capture Enemy Soldiers. But while promoting the project, Sorceress wanted to fire the group’s then-manager. Ubiquitous and Godemis disagreed, so Sorceress departed the group. The impact of Sorceress’ exodus was immediate and significant. “Sorceress’ leaving definitely shaped how our next record was going to go,” Ubiquitous says. “We had to focus on a new dynamic when we were making songs. We had to figure out how to fill that space. The formula goes from just everybody just submits a verse and we put a chorus together to now it’s just kind of fluid. Her leaving made us break that writing box that we’d been in. We had to fill more space, work harder.” Part of working harder included appearing on a bevy of albums, mixtapes and recordings from local and regional artists. Another important undertaking was securing production and producers for forthcoming Ces Cru material.
Ces Cru found its new sonic partner in well-rounded producer Lenny D. “He was someone who focused all of his efforts into us,” Godemis says. “We didn’t have that and we needed that.”
Both Ubiquitous and Godemis dedicated themselves to writing more potent, intricate and meaningful rhymes. They also enhanced their song-making skills, better understanding how to strengthen the impact of their material thru doubling vocals, ad-libs and learning how to better navigate production with their voices. The hard work certainly paid off. Ces Cru’s next album, 2009’s The Playground, signaled marked artistic growth. Ubiquitous and Godemis earned critical acclaim thanks to such songs as the break-up anthem “DYT,” the chest-thumping “Float” and the politically-charged “Teeter.” In fact, the release contains such powerful material that Ces Cru will be releasing videos for The Playground cuts “Hate Season” and “Eye on Dat” in 2012, a full three years after the album’s initial release. As the group continued their evolution, Ubiquitous and Godemis realized that the meaning of Ces Cru also changed with the times, too. Originally an abbreviation for “Conglomerate Elements of Self-Consciousness,” Ces has also taken on the additional meanings of “Children Everywhere Smiling” and “Cost Effective Strategy” to Ubiquitous’ recent favorite “Can’t Entertain Stupidity” and Godemis’ tongue-in-cheek “Can’t Eat Sweets.”
“Having the name stand for different things brings a certain versatility to our culture,” Ubiquitous says. “We’re constantly building our own personal culture and adding to it.”
The next additions to Ces Cru’s catalog will be Ubiquitous’ Matter Don’t Money solo mixtape, which features the standout selections “Harmony of Spheres” and “Larry David.” Godemis’ The Deevil will also come out in early 2012, prior to Ces Cru’s debut Strange Music LP. The duo is starting the pre-production process with Strange Music production stalwart Michael “Seven” Summers (Tech N9ne, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne). Now, after grinding for years in the underground, steadily building its following and releasing high-quality material, Ces Cru is set to take a major step thanks to its recent signing with Strange Music and its visionary artistic leader Tech N9ne.
“We’re from the same era of music and like the same kind of things,” Godemis says of Ces Cru’s relationship with Tech N9ne. “Tech sees something different in us and always comments that we’re on some real MC stuff. We put our best into the music. I think Tech sees that and can tell we’re not some flash-in-the-pan group. We give it our all.” Creating Endless Success may be the next thing Ces Cru is known for.
Lotus
Ces Cru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Deevil's in the mirror praying to God, scrubbin' his features,
He came a helluva way from battlin' squads, murderin' features,
And the way that he's been doin' it makes it hard for niggas to keep up,
They might've been local forever but Tech swooped 'em,
For murderin' everything in the MIDI, Duke Nukem,
These suckas throwin' caution to wind we might slaughter,
But just to set it off once again be like water,
Those rhymes are fuckin' recycled no wonder you niggas bore me,
Pour me, suckin' me dry of my energy can't stop,
We've diversified the label they label it Strange Hop,
My angels prayin' to demons I'm wavy that's why I'm leanin',
Chug up a cup of blood now it's somethin' to put the lean in,
Meanin', I'm wilin' out for the night, and I'm writin' likin' it,
Like it or not, I'm right in the light and I'm kinda likin' it,
Fighting 'em like a lichen, if I tried then I might win,
Parasailin' in peril, as soon as I catch the right wind,
But to be one of the greatest is to be hated,
Take a look around the room and it feels like I finally made it
Made it made it (made it) made it,
Godemis: Finally made it,
Ubiquitous: Arrived, here, all this fuckin' way,
Godi: Still on my first wind, your journey just started, full tank
Ubi: And it feels like it never stopped,
Godi: I ain't tired folks
We graduated from the block with a full ride, covered the countryside
To the stage where we don't play games now come alive
Shut my eyes; thinkin': "What if we never make it?",
All of the years that we've invested are wasted, it's comin' up close I can
See, told me to look but don't touch, told me to touch but don't
Taste, I've been starving for years, homie you stuffin' your
Face, rather I work like a slave than to be stuck in no
Place, and see enough to no way! I'm freein' up my soul,
Came with all my chakras aligned,
How could they possibly think I'd be fallin' off in my prime?
Strange gave me my shot! I sawed it off with a N9ne,
Patiently waitin' my turn and you nodded off in the line,
Homie they callin' your number, during your slumber I shine,
Snatchin' up what is mine, the classic come-from-behind win,
I'm catching that high wind, my weapon is silent,
You can hear what I'm thinkin' inside this deafening silence,
Two hands on the clock, never forget what the time is,
Meditation affecting perception under my eye-lids,
I sit in Lotus and focus, stagger my steps,
Takin' a shot at my body at best they tatted my vest,
Nobody's snatchin' my breath, they only add to my stress,
Stress pattern my flesh a lesson I have to accept,
Shit happens I guess, Klick Clack when I crept,
Now sit back and ingest 'Constant Energy Struggles'
And this track was a test
The lyrics in Ces Cru's song Lotus are packed with layers of meaning and symbolism. The song is about the journey of Ces Cru from their humble beginnings as local rappers to their current status as successful musicians signed to Strange Music label. The lyrics depict the struggles, doubts, and challenges faced by the duo on this journey, as well as their perseverance, determination, and eventual success. The title "Lotus" represents the idea of spiritual growth and enlightenment, as the lotus flower is associated with purity, rebirth, and enlightenment in Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
The lyrics mention the devil praying to God and scrubbing his features, which can be interpreted as a metaphorical representation of Ces Cru's past struggles and sins, which they are trying to overcome and leave behind. The lines "Don't focus on the finger miss all that heavenly glory / Those rhymes are fuckin' recycled no wonder you niggas bore me" can be interpreted as a critique of mainstream hip hop and its lack of originality and substance. Ces Cru wants to focus on creating music that is authentic, innovative, and spiritually uplifting.
The chorus "Finally made it, arrived, here, all this fuckin' way / Still on my first wind, your journey just started, full tank" celebrates Ces Cru's success while acknowledging that there is still a long way to go on their journey. The lyrics "We graduated from the block with a full ride, covered the countryside / To the stage where we don't play games now come alive" depict the duo's transformation from local rappers to successful touring musicians.
Overall, Lotus is an introspective and inspirational song that reflects on the struggles and triumphs of Ces Cru's journey in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Ces Cru music comin' up out yo speaker,
The music made by Ces Cru is playing on your speakers
The Deevil's in the mirror praying to God, scrubbin' his features,
The reflection in the mirror is the devil, who is praying for forgiveness and cleaning himself up
He came a helluva way from battlin' squads, murderin' features,
The devil has overcome many challenges and battles to become successful and defeat other rappers
And the way that he's been doin' it makes it hard for niggas to keep up,
The devil's tactics are difficult for others to imitate or replicate
They might've been local forever but Tech swooped 'em,
The people who used to be only known locally were recognized by Tech N9ne and given a chance to become famous
For murderin' everything in the MIDI, Duke Nukem,
These people succeeded in everything they did in their music career, like Duke Nukem succeeding in his game
These suckas throwin' caution to wind we might slaughter,
Other rappers are being reckless with their actions and Ces Cru might defeat them easily
But just to set it off once again be like water,
The rappers will start fresh, like water starts fresh every time it flows
Don't focus on the finger miss all that heavenly glory
Don't focus on the small things and miss out on the bigger, greater things in life
Those rhymes are fuckin' recycled no wonder you niggas bore me,
Other rappers are repeating the same lyrics over and over again causing Ces Cru to lose interest in their music
Pour me, suckin' me dry of my energy can't stop,
Other people are draining Ces Cru's energy and they are unable to stop it
We've diversified the label they label it Strange Hop,
Ces Cru has made the label they are on more diverse and unique, and it is now being called Strange Hop
My angels prayin' to demons I'm wavy that's why I'm leanin',
Even though Ces Cru has people supporting them, they are struggling to succeed, which is why they are feeling uneasy and leaning to one side
Chug up a cup of blood now it's somethin' to put the lean in,
Ces Cru has been through a lot of pain and now they are using it as motivation to succeed
Meanin', I'm wilin' out for the night, and I'm writin' likin' it,
Ces Cru is going all out for the night and enjoying the process of writing their music
Like it or not, I'm right in the light and I'm kinda likin' it,
Ces Cru is in the spotlight and enjoying it, whether others like it or not
Fighting 'em like a lichen, if I tried then I might win,
Ces Cru is fighting their battles like a lichen, a type of organism known for its resilience and ability to win
Parasailin' in peril, as soon as I catch the right wind,
Ces Cru feels like they are taking a risk and might experience danger, but once they find the right opportunity, they can soar to success
But to be one of the greatest is to be hated,
Ces Cru knows that in order to become one of the best, there will be people who hate them
Take a look around the room and it feels like I finally made it
Ces Cru looks around and feels like they have finally achieved success
We graduated from the block with a full ride, covered the countryside
Ces Cru has come a long way from their hometown and has made an impact across many different areas
To the stage where we don't play games now come alive
Ces Cru has reached a level of success where they are serious and focused on their music career
Shut my eyes; thinkin': "What if we never make it?"
Ces Cru sometimes doubts that they will succeed in their music career and may not make it
All of the years that we've invested are wasted, it's comin' up close I can see
If they don't succeed, all the years that Ces Cru has put into their music career will be considered a waste
Told me to look but don't touch, told me to touch but don't taste
Ces Cru has been given advice that doesn't make sense or is contradictory
I've been starving for years, homie you stuffin' your face
Ces Cru has been struggling and working hard for years while others are enjoying success easily
Rather I work like a slave than to be stuck in no place
Ces Cru would rather work hard than be stuck in one place with no progress
And see enough to no way! I'm freein' up my soul
Ces Cru has seen enough and wants to free their soul from negativity and move forward
Came with all my chakras aligned,
Ces Cru is aligned spiritually
How could they possibly think I'd be fallin' off in my prime?
Ces Cru is at the peak of their music career and it's unlikely they will fall off
Strange gave me my shot! I sawed it off with a N9ne,
Tech N9ne and Strange Music gave Ces Cru the chance to succeed and they have worked hard to make the most of it
Patiently waitin' my turn and you nodded off in the line,
While others were not paying attention, Ces Cru was patiently waiting for their chance to succeed
Homie they callin' your number, during your slumber I shine,
While others are sleeping, Ces Cru is working hard and succeeding
Snatchin' up what is mine, the classic come-from-behind win,
Ces Cru is winning against all odds and is succeeding when it seemed unlikely
I'm catching that high wind, my weapon is silent,
Ces Cru is taking advantage of their opportunities and succeeding quietly
You can hear what I'm thinkin' inside this deafening silence,
Ces Cru is successful and humble, their thoughts are heard in the silence despite their success
Two hands on the clock, never forget what the time is,
Ces Cru knows the importance of time management and always remembers what time it is
Meditation affecting perception under my eye-lids,
Ces Cru meditates and it affects their perception, even when their eyes are closed
I sit in Lotus and focus, stagger my steps,
Ces Cru is meditating in the Lotus position to focus and take their steps cautiously
Takin' a shot at my body at best they tatted my vest,
Others are attempting to harm Ces Cru, but they are protected and their vest has tattoo markings from where they have been attacked
Nobody's snatchin' my breath, they only add to my stress,
Ces Cru is determined and no one can stop them, but others attempting to harm them still add stress to their life
Stress pattern my flesh a lesson I have to accept,
Ces Cru has experienced stress and has learned to accept it as a natural part of life
Shit happens I guess, Klick Clack when I crept,
There are always unforeseen events, like when Ces Cru had to move quietly and quickly
Now sit back and ingest 'Constant Energy Struggles'
Listen to the album 'Constant Energy Struggles' and enjoy Ces Cru's music
And this track was a test
This song was a test to see if Ces Cru's music is enjoyed by their audience
Godemis: Finally made it,
Godemis feels like they have finally become successful
Ubiquitous: Arrived, here, all this fuckin' way,
Ubiquitous has arrived at their destination after a long journey
Godi: Still on my first wind, your journey just started, full tank
Godi is rested and ready for their next journey, while others are just beginning with energy to spare
Ubi: And it feels like it never stopped,
For Ubiquitous, the journey was long and never-ending
Godi: I ain't tired folks
Godi has energy and is not tired like others who might be exhausted after their journey.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pete Barbuto
I'm not sure how I've been sleeping on these dudes but I just found out about them and they're fire.
Randy Logan
Pete Barbuto 🔥
Tom lee
Stop right now you don't like them anyways
Gardi
This is definitely a must have for not only Strange Music fans but for any hip-hop fan
Smitty Reacts
This albums gonna be a classic!
Andrew Valentin
Damn they def brought it more than they have with previous tracks. I'm excited for their album
Joe Heastings
I'm pumped for this album and the show April 27th nothing but dopeness coming out of strange this year
Jackin Jaws
They were badass live! These guys are definently worth checking out if they come through your town.
2tutimen
I'm loving CES CRU, I was in Demencha Mag with these guyz, I really didn't know how incredible they are. KC STANDUP!!!!! #Young Fierce
uv6o7
You know that feeling when you're feeling the music and you shiver cause it's so sick? Well that's what happened to me when I heard this. And it happens every time I listen to it.