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.
Off The Hook
Ces Cru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last thing I recall was I was turned up with the DJ
Pat shot, another Pat shot, passed out for like 3 days
Woke up to an orgy, like poor me and I couldn't look
Came to my senses, got naked and it was off the I took uppers in that attic, downers in that basement
Fell into the sheet rock, left there all with my face print
But don't trip cause it ain't shit, I keep the doctor on speed dial
Yeah, I'm off the hook, try again later, scratch surface, then layer
Speak backwards sin prayer, I'm Ray or, John Mayer
City on lock like I'm Mayor, hit the bomb drop, bet I'm there
Trigger up on top, respond flare, A.K.A. your mom's layer
Tryna hit me up, wondering where the party at
Must be at her inn or something, better call me back
You flipping shit on me, now what the fuck is up with that
Don't be so hypersensitive, could have a heart attack
Somebody call the EMS, what they need is an EKG
Gotta get 'em on the line for the good time, party looking D-E-A-D
Check her, one two, double check, for the middywest
Put a bang beat, it be coming off the chain, now put it on the books
Better ask around, she was off the hook, yeah!
Wanna hop in, cause I got them off top
When it come to the chopping, spin 'em in a hot wind
In the pocket when I clock in, and there ain't no other option
Cause I rhyme sick and y'all high-pitched, sounding like shit
Or like first gear, with the gas down, and that's not the look
Ces off the hook, it's y'all worst fear, now the world hears
That I won't stop, but I can't stop, I can't quit now
Got girls here in that same spot
With them tank tops and their tits out
Had a daydream that we made out and it made off
You got bit down, I swear to God if I squint hard it's like
Baywatch in this bitch now, ah! Running with the main boss
Another day off, I'm like "which town?" I gotta sit down
I stake off and my Jane boss and my pitch loud and I, uh
Smoke it on stage, I don't give a fuck if it's allowed
Light up your blunt, that's if you're proud
Four hands up when I hit the crowd, see, some they pay and
Some they go, some complain and some they boast
Some people really do things and others saying
Some they wrote, double dutchin' sayin' nothin' fucking playing
Jumping rope, my shit bumping, type amazing
Find your way, ya compass broke, hold up, hello?
Tryna hit me up, wondering where the party at
Must be at her inn or something, better call me back
You flipping shit on me, now what the fuck is up with that
Don't be so hypersensitive, could have a heart attack
EMS, what they need is an EKG
Gotta get 'em on the line for the good time, party looking D-E-A-D
Check her, one two, double check, for the middywest
Put a bang beat, it be coming off the chain, now put it on the books
Better ask around, she was off the hook, yeah!
I was just minding my business, I wasn't in it
I don't know what happened, dog, I was sipping Jacky D
Next thing I know they offended, hold up, this hit me a minute
Admit that I was drinking like I was chasing a [?]
They gave me a shot of Patron, a shot of crown and Hennessy
[?], I don't know what the fuck has gotten into me
Niggas bugging tryna make me the enemy
Nothing compare to try to drink my energy
Fuck what you do [?] entity
Someone there in line showing sympathy
If you ain't related, homie, you ain't killing me
Amateur hour, you gotta be kidding me
Look at me, dog, you're probably into me
You don't want problems, well it a be it a be [?]
[?] cause, last night night
Off the like that dial tone
Got me feeling like fight night
Make a path for them wild ones
I'm like hold up, nigga, hold up
We're swarming y'all, feeling rolled up
Cause this bitch ain't finna be popping here
Until me and my crew come showing up
Nigga, off chain, off the walls, off the ropes, oh, off the We get looked at an awful lot, your ass just get awful looks
That's the shit that I'm talking about
They're like "cool, man, you just rolling, bruh?"
Get used to this dope shit, cause that's that shit I'm known for (Oh!)
Tryna hit me up, wondering where the party at
Must be at her inn or something, better call me back
You flipping shit on me, now what the fuck is up with that
Don't be so hypersensitive, could have a heart attack
Somebody call the EMS, what they need is an EKG
Gotta get 'em on the line for the good time, party looking D-E-A-D
Check her, one two, double check, for the middywest
Put a bang beat, it be coming off the chain, now put it on the books
Better ask around, she was off the hook, yeah!
The lyrics of Ces Cru's song "Off The Hook" describe a night of wild partying and debauchery, with the singer recounting waking up to an orgy and feeling the effects of "uppers in that attic, downers in that basement." The chorus describes the party as being "off the hook" and invites people to try calling again later.
The lines "Tryna hit me up, wondering where the party at/Must be at her inn or something, better call me back" indicate that people are trying to find out where the party is, but the singer is too caught up in the chaos to give a straight answer. The lyrics also reference drug use ("Xanis in my back pocket, and Adderall in my weed pouch") and the potential dangers of partying too hard ("Don't be so hypersensitive, could have a heart attack/Somebody call the EMS, what they need is an EKG").
Overall, the lyrics of "Off The Hook" paint a picture of a wild and reckless night of partying, with the singer seemingly proud of their exploits but also acknowledging the potential consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Last thing I recall was I was turned up with the DJ
The singer’s last memory was hanging out with the DJ with the goal of getting high.
Pat shot, another Pat shot, passed out for like 3 days
After taking a couple of successive shots, the singer lost consciousness for three days.
Woke up to an orgy, like poor me and I couldn't look
Upon regaining consciousness, the singer saw himself surrounded by people in an orgy and felt embarrassed.
Came to my senses, got naked and it was off the I took uppers in that attic, downers in that basement
After recovering, the singer got naked, high and took some uppers in the attic and downers in the basement.
Fell into the sheet rock, left there all with my face print But don't trip cause it ain't shit, I keep the doctor on speed dial
The singer fell into the sheetrock, leaving a face print but took it lightly because of having a doctor's phone number on speed dial.
Xanis in my back pocket, and Adderall in my weed pouch Yeah, I'm off the hook, try again later, scratch surface, then layer
With Xanax in the back pocket and Adderall in the weed pouch, the singer is off the hook and asks to call again later to get to know him better.
Speak backwards sin prayer, I'm Ray or, John Mayer City on lock like I'm Mayor, hit the bomb drop, bet I'm there
The singer claims to have the ability to speak the reverse of sin prayer and compares himself with Ray and John Mayer. Additionally, he is confident in his ability to handle any circumstance to the degree that the city is on lock, as if he is the Mayor.
Trigger up on top, respond flare, A.K.A. your mom's layer Tryna hit me up, wondering where the party at Must be at her inn or something, better call me back
The singer is called the trigger because he is the one who makes things happen, and if someone is trying to find him to party, they should call back because he is probably with their mother.
You flipping shit on me, now what the fuck is up with that Don't be so hypersensitive, could have a heart attack Somebody call the EMS, what they need is an EKG
The singer is frustrated at someone questioning him and advises them not to be oversensitive or risk having a heart attack. He thinks EMS needs to arrive and do an EKG.
Gotta get 'em on the line for the good time, party looking D-E-A-D Check her, one two, double check, for the middywest Put a bang beat, it be coming off the chain, now put it on the books Better ask around, she was off the hook, yeah!
The singer needs to communicate with people for a good time since the party isn't exciting. He checks his equipment, and Midwest's beat is banging, which makes it off the hook.
Wanna hop in, cause I got them off top When it come to the chopping, spin 'em in a hot wind In the pocket when I clock in, and there ain't no other option Cause I rhyme sick and y'all high-pitched, sounding like shit
The singer is confident that he can chop and spin so well that others can't compare. He is dedicated to his work and is confident that he sounds better than others who sound terrible.
Or like first gear, with the gas down, and that's not the look Ces off the hook, it's y'all worst fear, now the world hears That I won't stop, but I can't stop, I can't quit now
Comparing weak performances to the first gear shows there is no effort on the opponent's side. Ces is off the hook, and it's the opponents' worst fear because the world is hearing his ability that he will never stop.
Got girls here in that same spot With them tank tops and their tits out Had a daydream that we made out and it made off You got bit down, I swear to God if I squint hard it's like Baywatch in this bitch now, ah! Running with the main boss
There are girls with tank tops and exposed breasts. He daydreams about making out with someone and it comes true. He sees Baywatch in his surroundings, and he's running with the boss who runs the show.
Another day off, I'm like "which town?" I gotta sit down I stake off and my Jane boss and my pitch loud and I, uh Smoke it on stage, I don't give a fuck if it's allowed Light up your blunt, that's if you're proud Four hands up when I hit the crowd, see, some they pay and Some they go, some complain and some they boast Some people really do things and others saying
The singer needs a break and cannot decide which town to relax in but, later, will rest like a boss with his crew. He doesn't care if smoking on stage is acceptable or not and invites the crowd to light up. The crowd responds by praising the singer's performance, while others complain or boast about their own lack of talent.
Four hands up when I hit the crowd, see, some they pay and Some they go, some complain and some they boast Some people really do things and others saying Some they wrote, double dutchin' sayin' nothin' fucking playing
The singer excites the crowd to the extent that many have their hands up, both in admiration and disgust. Some people have talent but don't boast about it, while others are just playing games and pretending.
Jumping rope, my shit bumping, type amazing Find your way, ya compass broke, hold up, hello? EMS, what they need is an EKG
The singer is jumping rope, and his performance is amazing. He invites people to find their way even if they're lost. He jokes about calling EMS for an EKG.
I was just minding my business, I wasn't in it I don't know what happened, dog, I was sipping Jacky D Next thing I know they offended, hold up, this hit me a minute Admit that I was drinking like I was chasing a [?] They gave me a shot of Patron, a shot of crown and Hennessy
The singer insists that he was just enjoying his drink when something went wrong and he doesn't know what happened. Later, he blames his behavior on drinking too much Jack Daniel's, and they gave him shots of various liquors.
[?], I don't know what the fuck has gotten into me Niggas bugging tryna make me the enemy Nothing compare to try to drink my energy Fuck what you do [?] entity Someone there in line showing sympathy If you ain't related, homie, you ain't killing me Amateur hour, you gotta be kidding me Look at me, dog, you're probably into me
The singer doesn't understand why he behaves this way. People are trying to make him the enemy, but no one can reduce his energy. The singer ignores people who are not related to him, and he insists that no one will defeat him. He realizes that people are into him.
You don't want problems, well it a be it a be [?] [?] cause, last night night Off the like that dial tone Got me feeling like fight night Make a path for them wild ones
If someone doesn't want problems, then they shouldn't start one. The singer is off the hook; the dial tone emphasizes that it is over. The singer's feeling is like a fight night, and whoever causes a problem should pave the way for wild ones.
I'm like hold up, nigga, hold up We're swarming y'all, feeling rolled up Cause this bitch ain't finna be popping here Until me and my crew come showing up Nigga, off chain, off the walls, off the ropes, oh, off the We get looked at an awful lot, your ass just gets awful looks That's the shit that I'm talking about They're like "Cool, man, you just rolling, bruh?" Get used to this dope shit, cause that's that shit I'm known for (Oh!)
The singer insists on waiting and warns a person to wait with him for his crew. Until he and his crew come, the party won't be exciting. He and his crew are crazy and cause people to stare. The singer explains that people need to accept him as he is because he is known for offering dope performances.
Writer(s): Michael Summers, Mike Viglione, Donnie King
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.