Ceschi was born with four fingers on his right hand, which served as partial inspiration for the name of his DIY record label, Fake Four, Inc. Those who have worked with him describe Ceschi as one of the most artist-friendly labelheads out there, a rare breed who values art over profit almost to a fault. Since 2008, he has curated a roster of wildly original and critically praised talent and put out albums from the likes of Open Mike Eagle, Buck 65, Sister Crayon and Dark Time Sunshine in addition to his solo records The One Man Band Broke Up and Broken Bone Ballads.
An engaging, theatrical live performer, Ceschi Ramos has treated entire venues like a stage, viewing the middle of the audience or an empty barstool as good a place as any to perform a soul-baring folk song or tongue-twisting rap track. Ceschi once described himself in song as “a martyr at most… a failure at least” and said that, “In the eyes of history I’ll be no more than a leaf on a tree.” He knows what it is to suffer for his art and is aware that music exploring the ugliness and sorrow of the human condition will always exist on the fringes of a game dominated by disposable escapism and expensive publicists. Yet he still pours everything he has into his craft, and on any given night you can find him tracking vocals at his cousin’s New Haven studio, warmly greeting fans and friends at a dive bar merch booth or rapping double-time in Japan or Europe for audiences that often don’t speak his language, but are able to see the giant heart at the core of it all.
Forever 33
Ceschi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's an obligatory reference to Kerouac
He was eating apple pie in a diner
I'm sneezing, sleeping on a rug with cats
Still trying to convince myself that exposure will fend away life long allergies
While waking puffy eyed as a boxer every other day of the week
These songs are spare change signs
Under rain Dripping and smudged
New Haven Connecticut I - 91
I've gone on a mission
From a vicious dickhead God
Who loves to torture for fun
And I'll die trying to please him
This tour will never be done
I've gone from point A to point Z
From Salt Lake to Dead Sea
And I've lost faith in humanity
Though I badly want to believe
While conscious rappers sample "I have a dream"
I'll discuss life with Latin Kings
Wondering what freedom means
In a cell with junkies detoxing
I could really give a shit about a critical opinion
If a CEO can make billions
Then the world we know is filth ridden
Some of us rock shows to make a living
Some of us rock coke to feed our children
Some of us flat broke
And we all know that the fast food dough won't cover 4 kids' clothes
Back on the road
Parole let me leave for a week
Out of prison but I still can't believe that they locked me for weed
Kingpin to the CTPD
Cause a rat told them that it was all meant for me
If Factor can finish this beat
Then the album is close to complete
Forever 33
Christ-nice like Ornery
Fake Four Till I stop breathing
Peace
The song "Forever 33" by Ceschi is a reflection on the bleak realities of the life of a touring artist. He compares himself to Jack Kerouac, an author known for his exploration of life on the road, but instead of apple pie in a diner, Ceschi finds himself sleeping on a rug with cats and trying to fend off life-long allergies. The lyrics are stripped down and raw, with Ceschi admitting to losing faith in humanity, despising critical opinions, and feeling trapped in the cycle of touring to make a living. He bemoans the fact that while CEO's can make billions, he and many other artists struggle to make ends meet and support their families. Ceschi also touches on his own experience with incarceration, feeling disbelief that he was locked up for possession of weed when he sees the corruption and abuse of power within the CTPD. The song concludes with a sense of peaceful resignation, as Ceschi accepts that he will continue to tour and create music until he stops breathing.
Overall, "Forever 33" is a poignant and honest look at the struggles of a working artist in modern society, and the harsh realities of life on the road. Ceschi's lyrics evoke a sense of disenchantment and disillusionment, but also a deep desire to find meaning and purpose in the midst of the chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
On the road again
I'm heading out for another tour
Here's an obligatory reference to Kerouac
I'm paying tribute to a famed traveler and writer
He was eating apple pie in a diner
I'm contrasting the good times others have with the struggles of touring
I'm sneezing, sleeping on a rug with cats
I'm dealing with allergies and uncomfortable sleeping arrangements
Still trying to convince myself that exposure will fend away life long allergies
I'm hoping to build up immunity through exposure to cats and other allergens
While waking puffy eyed as a boxer every other day of the week
I'm constantly waking up with swollen eyes after poor sleep and being on the move
These songs are spare change signs
My music serves as a way to make money, like a street performer
Under rain Dripping and smudged
My signs - like my music - are getting rained on and damaged
Near the freeway entrance
I'm relegated to performing near highways and off-ramps
New Haven Connecticut I - 91
This specific location is where I'm currently performing
I've gone on a mission
I'm on a personal and artistic journey
From a vicious dickhead God
I feel like there is an entity making things difficult for me
Who loves to torture for fun
That entity seems to take joy in my suffering
And I'll die trying to please him
I feel a sense of obligation to continue my career, despite the hardship
This tour will never be done
I'll always be working and performing, with no real end in sight
I've gone from point A to point Z
I've traveled all over the country and experienced a wide range of situations
From Salt Lake to Dead Sea
I've performed in locations across the United States and beyond, including Dead Sea
And I've lost faith in humanity
My experiences have left me disillusioned with people as a whole
Though I badly want to believe
Despite my cynicism, I still hold out hope for a better future
While conscious rappers sample "I have a dream"
The work of other artists inspires me
I'll discuss life with Latin Kings
I'm likely to have deeper and more meaningful conversations with outsiders than with those within the music industry
Wondering what freedom means
I'm grappling with what it truly means to be free
In a cell with junkies detoxing
Despite my success, I'm not immune to being incarcerated and seeing the ugly side of things
I could really give a shit about a critical opinion
I'm indifferent to critics' reviews of my work
If a CEO can make billions
I see clear disparities in how different people are valued by society
Then the world we know is filth ridden
I believe that there's something fundamentally wrong with how the world is structured
Some of us rock shows to make a living
For some, touring is simply a means of survival
Some of us rock coke to feed our children
Others may turn to drug dealing to provide for their families
Some of us flat broke
Some are struggling to make ends meet in any way possible
And we all know that the fast food dough won't cover 4 kids' clothes
I'm painting a picture of how difficult it is to provide for a family, even when working multiple jobs
Back on the road
I'm back to touring and performing
Parole let me leave for a week
I've been granted a short break from the restrictions of being on parole
Out of prison but I still can't believe that they locked me for weed
I'm still grappling with the consequences of being incarcerated for a nonviolent drug offense
Kingpin to the CTPD
I feel like I'm being unfairly targeted by law enforcement agencies
Cause a rat told them that it was all meant for me
I'm frustrated by how my success has made me a target for false accusations
If Factor can finish this beat
My album is almost complete and ready for release
Then the album is close to complete
This behind-the-scenes step is crucial to getting the music out there
Forever 33
I'm committed to my artistry and career, no matter how long it takes
Christ-nice like Ornery
I'm proud of my versatility as an artist, able to mix references and styles
Fake Four Till I stop breathing
I'm dedicated to my label's ethos and will continue to represent it for as long as I can
Peace
I end on a positive note, wishing peace for myself and my listeners
Contributed by Elliot P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BumpyEarth 420
His flow is undeniable!
Alisha Collins
You are seriously one of my all time favorite musicians. I've been hooked since 2017. I love you.
Dan Ross
HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!! BAD ASS CHESCHI!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP UP THE PERFECTION OF WHAT YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!
freedomthv
Dense and raw I'm loving it. Nice touch with the four fingers at the end it caught me off guard.
Zack Davis
just to check so you know, that's not really a "touch" he was just born missing a finger
Bent Self
Some real talent ....Keep up the travels and great lyrics ideas.
Ayentee The Lyricist
damn, his delivery is so clean. time to practice!
Ruckz1
SICK! Letting ppl know chess/ki got mad lyrics! Beat was dope! Rp
Scott Goulet
You the fucking man Ceschi. Love the new album. To everyone else, go check out/like Indie Raps on facebook.
Shcheblykin Vladimir
PERFECT!