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.
Slave
Ces Cru Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh
Lookit
I know and understand what happen to costs
People, they be so in the dark about the natural laws
And I guess the focal point's attacking the cause
And understand that nothing blue under the sun at all
And wouldn't dare to challenge the power of that authority
Not everybody but I'm a say the majority
Are under mind control and won't never notice cause morally
They numb enough to take you out just the same
You can master the non-aggression once you balance your brain
If you agree to play the game you have no right to complain
Love is the law to all of ya'll and I'm just doing my thang!
Why even pick it cause you failed to engage
When you don't even realize the got your head in a cage
The rats race and headed straight to the maze
And you don't get the message even though the stress it on stage
Ain't nothing ill nothing you say real words
Get re-acquainted with the brakes cause it may build nerves
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave, and a slave, and a slave
And a slave, and a slave, and a slave
Really hurts me to say
It taught you how to behave
You've got one foot in the grave
You've gotta know you're a slave
You're a, you're a, a
Now think about if everything was to flip up
You taxin' everybody they don't know it's a stick up
The politicians prolly just forgetting they tip sucked
Whoever makes the cut is next in line for the nip-tuck
The freedom fighters crumbling when it gets rough
Retreating is a form of weakness we can see shit stuck
Its sick to think about how much the frequency missed us
Manipulated media keeps leaving us mixed up (fuck)
And now its time I harness all of my skill
And exercise the right to act when love is under my will
Internalize the vigilance and never stop it until
The crooked people put in power know this isn't a drill
For real
Why even pick it cause you failed to engage
When you don't even realize the got your head in a cage
The rats race and headed straight to the maze
And you don't get the message even though the stress it on stage
Ain't nothing ill nothing you say real words
Get re-acquainted with the brakes cause it may build nerves
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave will serve
And a slave, and a slave, and a slave
And a slave, and a slave, and a slave
Really hurts me to say
It taught you how to behave
You've got one foot in the grave
You've gotta know you're a slave
You're a, you're a, a
In the first two paragraphs of the lyrics, Ces Cru reflects on the ignorance and lack of awareness people have regarding the natural laws that govern our lives. He believes that many individuals are blindly following the mainstream narrative and are unwilling to challenge the authority that controls and manipulates society. Ces Cru suggests that these people are under mind control and are too numb to recognize their own enslavement. He emphasizes the importance of balancing one's mindset and not conforming to societal norms if one wants to break free from this state of slavery.
The next two paragraphs discuss the consequences of failing to engage and challenge the status quo. Ces Cru uses the metaphor of a rat race and a maze to represent how people unknowingly follow a predetermined path, oblivious to the manipulation and control imposed upon them. He highlights the disconnect between the reality presented on stage, where the stress and truth are exposed, and the audience's inability to comprehend and internalize the message. Ces Cru criticizes the lack of authenticity and realness in people's words and advises them to reacquaint themselves with their own power and the importance of resistance.
The overall message of the song is that many people are unaware of their own enslavement and are conditioned to accept a predetermined way of living. Ces Cru urges listeners to awaken to their own power, challenge the authority that controls society, and reclaim their freedom. The song calls for self-awareness, critical thinking, and taking action to dismantle the systems of control that keep individuals enslaved.
Line by Line Meaning
I know and understand what happen to costs
I am aware of and comprehend the consequences
People, they be so in the dark about the natural laws
Most individuals are unaware and ignorant of the fundamental principles
And I guess the focal point's attacking the cause
The main focus is addressing the root of the problem
And understand that nothing blue under the sun at all
Nothing is truly hidden or concealed
Why even act if you're only acting accordingly
Why bother pretending if you are just conforming to expectations
And wouldn't dare to challenge the power of that authority
And never dare to question the authority's control
Not everybody but I'm a say the majority
Not everyone, but I will say the majority
Are under mind control and won't never notice cause morally
Are under mental manipulation and will never realize it due to moral reasons
They numb enough to take you out just the same
They are desensitized enough to harm you without any hesitation
You can master the non-aggression once you balance your brain
You can achieve peace and control aggression by achieving mental equilibrium
If you agree to play the game you have no right to complain
If you willingly participate, you forfeit your right to protest
Love is the law to all of ya'll and I'm just doing my thang!
Love should guide us all, and I am simply expressing myself
Now think about if everything was to flip up
Imagine if everything was to drastically change
You taxin' everybody they don't know it's a stick up
You are exploiting and extorting everyone without their awareness
The politicians prolly just forgetting they tip sucked
It's likely that politicians have forgotten they serve the people poorly
Whoever makes the cut is next in line for the nip-tuck
Those who meet the criteria are next in line for alteration or manipulation
The freedom fighters crumbling when it gets rough
Those fighting for freedom weaken under challenging circumstances
Retreating is a form of weakness we can see shit stuck
Giving up and retreating is a clear sign of weakness
Its sick to think about how much the frequency missed us
It's disturbing to realize how much we have been deceived and misled
Manipulated media keeps leaving us mixed up (fuck)
The controlled media continues to confuse and distort information
And now its time I harness all of my skill
Now is the moment to utilize all my abilities
And exercise the right to act when love is under my will
And assert my right to take action when guided by love
Internalize the vigilance and never stop it until
Embrace a continual state of vigilance and never cease until
The crooked people put in power know this isn't a drill
The corrupt individuals in positions of power must recognize the seriousness of the situation
For real
In all seriousness
Why even pick it cause you failed to engage
Why even choose it if you have failed to fully commit
When you don't even realize they got your head in a cage
When you are oblivious to being trapped and controlled
The rats race and headed straight to the maze
The people blindly rush into a confusing and disorienting situation
And you don't get the message even though the stress it on stage
And you fail to understand the message even when it's clearly presented
Ain't nothing ill nothing you say real words
None of what you say has any significance or truth
Get re-acquainted with the brakes cause it may build nerves
Relearn the concept of restraint because it can induce fear
And a slave will serve
And a person who is enslaved will always obey
Really hurts me to say
It truly pains me to admit
It taught you how to behave
It instructed and molded your behavior
You've got one foot in the grave
You are on the verge of destruction or death
You've gotta know you're a slave
You must come to the realization that you are enslaved
You're a, you're a, a
You are, you are, a
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Donnie King, Mike Viglione
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gage Huddle
Yall always made good music damn it
Chitown Flips
not even 2k views after 2 weeks fuckin crazy ces cru are lyrical masterminds
Prototype 81
You get it though right?
Emma Wow
you guys are fucking sick!! keep it going! 💙
RaZoRWrAiTh
Dope ass song, great point, lyrics and cool chorus, keep it strange yup!😈👹😎
Dean
Never stop releasing music!
jshada11
wait wait!! did they take this idea from the movie falling down?? that's dope!
kosgmgf
I remember when this came out
Dany G.
Nice idea, how all these clips make a looped story.
Brennan
Need some new music soon