The dogged determination to prevail at any cost that both Strange and COGNITO share couldn't be a better match. The Fairfield, Calif.-raised father of two has poured his heart into albums, toured relentlessly, and stayed in the studio late numerous Friday nights when he could've been chilling at home with his family – all for the love of the game.
Growing up in the North Bay, COGNITO fast became intrigued with the burgeoning local hip-hop scene led by E-40 and B-Legit. The two hip-hop heavyweights exposed the young emcee to the hip-hop community, tapping his services at the Sick Wid It offices and schooling him in the art of promotion. He is the first to admit he was not the best student. But writing stories was his strong point in school. He started writing rhymes at 16, taking his cue from the people he was around. Yet it was hard to take rapping seriously as a career. A white rapper just wasn't considered normal yet. It wasn't until three years later, when Eminem's The Slim Shady LP released, that COGNITO's path became clearer.
“I don't think being a white rapper has held me back,” relays COGNITO about the always-controversial topic of the White Rapper. “It got me seen more. It got me out there. I stand out because I am white. But let my music speak for itself.”
As for the Eminem comparisons, COGNITO is flattered but suggests otherwise.
“When Eminem dropped minds were blown. I look at the Eminem comparison as an honor. He's the best rapper in game. But never once has a guy I work with said I sound like Eminem.”
At age 21 COGNITO earned himself a new title; father. In order to care for his family, he put hip-hop on the back burner for the next year, popping into the studio every so often to record tracks with producing partner D Buck. Mike Mosley, who had worked with E-40, TQ, C-Bo, Richie Rich and Tupac, heard COGNITO's music, and in 2002, offered him a deal with his Steady Mobbin' label.
“When Mike wants to offer you a record deal,” COGNITO states, “you take your career serious.”
COGNITO never dropped an album, but he did make a handful of important connections in the industry, one being QD3 producer Femi, one of the two producers he still consistently works with today. He continued doing shows and brushed up on the record industry rules.
2006 was a big year for COGNITO. He hooked up with Master P and his newly formed Gutta Music to release Recognition. It was an honor to be affiliated with P, a hip-hopreneur COGNITO had admired since hearing his West Coast Bad Boyz compilation in 1997. COGNITO would score his biggest hit to date, “Shift Kits,” from the Shift Kits and Hood Chicks DVD.
COGNITO stayed busy touring with fellow Bay Area rapper Andre Nickatina. When Nickatina took some time off, COGNITO hit the road solo. As fate would have it, COGNITO and Strange shared the same booker. Together on a string of show dates, COGNITO witnessed Strange's impressive stage show and extreme professionalism. COGNITO even shared a joke with Tech: He had previously recorded over Femi's “Slacker” beat, a song that appears on Tech's Absolute Power (2002).
The groundwork for the COGNITO-Strange merger was set in motion. Three years later when hip-hop activist Violet Brown, a longtime supporter of Strange, approached COGNITO about shopping a deal to the indie powerhouse, he was with it.
One conversation with Strange Music co-owner and CEO Travis O'Guin and another with Dave Weiner, Vice President of Strange Music West, plus one visit to Kansas City, the label's home, and COGNITO knew he was home. “I know it sounds cliché, but you can do anything you want,” tells COGNITO. “My motivation has been people saying I couldn't do this. I'm hardheaded. At the end of the day, you have to go get it and no one is going to give it to you. But I look at my progression. Seeing what I'm accomplishing on my own and knowing that if I go get it, it could happen. There hasn't been a goal I shot for that I haven't achieved when it comes to my music.”
Building on his own persistence, COGNITO is quick to admit his success has been buoyed by his supportive team: Violet Brown, Femi, Mike Mosley, Darien Smith, his studio engineer for the past seven years. The 29 year old has had an amazing team behind him, which has catapulted him to where he is today. Currently, COGNITO is working on his Strange debut, Automatic, scheduled for a February/March 2010 release.
“Stylewise, I'm a storyteller,” COGNITO points out. “Whether it's a club track or a serious, depressed track, I'm going to tell you a story and get my message across to you. I like when people can relate to a song. That's what I love more than anything.”
“I don't follow trends,” he adds. “I pride myself in making my music real. I don't like to front, but I also like to have fun. Take me serious, but don't take me too serious. Listen to me with an open mind. I want to be an inspiration like my musical influences were to me.”
As COGNITO prepares for the next stage of his career, he is more than ready for the full-time grind.
“From 21 until now I have given this everything. I don't stop until I achieve my goal. With Strange backing me, I feel that I can accomplish all my goals. I got a shot like this and I'm going to run with it and make it happen.”
Big Bank
Cognito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got big bank, big rank
walkin through the club like my shit don't stank
[Verse One]
Remember back in the day we used to sport fox
Izod alligator shirt with the socks
Louie Vuitton, I used to rock it like farm
Now them days done gone, and shit done changed
I went from a bronco to a six range
Nawmakazel, now it's Cartier frames
Light weight chains, princess cuts mang
Chedda like velvetta, i'm in the club
V.I.P, with a black heata
Thug drama, smokin on blue sticky
They see me ballin in this game
and they want to hit me. (Cog-nonsense)
Lets go, giocanna eyes low
Two-way E, tell 'em to meet us at Roscoes
Ball til I Fall, that's my motto
In LA, NY even in Flo
Sittin on 'tractin rims
wit' a mexican, took X again
want sex again
Jot it down, it was told to me
by that boy, A.K.A. The P-O-E
[Hook] - 4X
[Verse Two]
Deep in ya brain, the nigga you can't stand
Most get upset when I switch cris hands
Shoulda left band, it gets worser man
Ice so bright, you salute both hands. (switzin')
To the dot 6 we ride, got two chicks that promise to say Ahh
We'll pop a X and swallow between thighs
y'all get it right, while I chase the sky
Been here, been bubblin' like coke pots
Boy, I can't stop
Bentley, Lex or a drop top
The fo' on, ?? soft leather til pop
Lyrically man, niggas to the turf like cops. (goddamn)
Little mama got class, absolutely, Gucci dime ass
Oooh, I want to hit it from the back til ya cry
Cognito, you the best I won't lieeee
V.I.P, you know me, mob related
Toast style like cool & the gang, celebratin'
Guns stay cocked, why not? It's real life
Cause playin' in this game you lose your real life
[Hook] - 4X
[Verse Three]
ain't it a shame the way the ferrari vibrate the body
Collectin mo' chips than laser sex parties
Me, I, be with the P-O-E
Til I'm calm, restin the box with crossed arms
The beat double, look around where you say it cause
its like trouble
Who's watchin? My man Ricky Ross
Six-six giocanna, twelve and don't test the calico wrist
can't forget E-class, sniper-like
Even if peripheral view, you lose sight
With so much ice, we turn night into day
We too fly, in front of the Source awards
Red Eyeeeee
[Hook] 6X
Walkin through the club, like my shit don't stank
The song "Big Bank" by Cognito is a hip hop track that talks about the artist's transformation from his early days to his current successful state. The lyrics describe the artist's journey from wearing Izod alligator shirts and Louie Vuitton to now owning Cartier frames, chains with princess cuts and sitting on attractive rims. The artist reflects on how he has evolved from his Bronco days to a six range, and how he is now living a life of luxury, with V.I.P access in clubs and a black heata for security. The hook that repeats four times clearly states the artist's current position: "We got big bank, big rank / walking through the club like my shit don't stank."
In the second verse, Cognito raps about his success with two chicks, popping X pills and chasing the sky. He also mentions his fast cars, which include a Bentley, a Lex, or a drop-top. The lyric "The fo' on, ?? soft leather til pop" suggests that he's pushing his car to its limits. He explains how he has been in the game for a while, and how he won't stop because he is too busy "bubbling" like a coke pot. The third and final verse sees Cognito talking about his wealth, with references to owning a Ferrari and "collecting mo' chips than laser sex parties." He concludes the song with a boastful line: "Walking through the club like my shit don't stank."
Line by Line Meaning
We got big bank, big rank
We have a lot of money and status.
Walkin through the club like my shit don't stank
I'm acting confident and superior in the club.
Remember back in the day we used to sport fox
I recall a time when I used to wear Fox brand clothing.
Izod alligator shirt with the socks
I used to wear Izod alligator shirts with socks.
Louie Vuitton, I used to rock it like farm
I used to wear Louis Vuitton clothing and accessories as if I owned a farm.
Gucci with the tag, not painted on
I used to wear Gucci clothing with the actual tag instead of fake clothes with a painted tag.
Now them days done gone, and shit done changed
Those days are over and things have changed.
I went from a bronco to a six range
I upgraded my car from a Ford Bronco to a Range Rover.
Nawmakazel, now it's Cartier frames
I used to wear Nawmakazel glasses, now I wear Cartier frames.
Light weight chains, princess cuts mang
I wear light weight chains with princess cut diamonds.
Chedda like velvetta, i'm in the club
I have a lot of money like Velveeta cheese and I'm in the club.
V.I.P, with a black heata
I am in the VIP section of the club with a black gun.
Thug drama, smokin on blue sticky
There is trouble with gang members and I am smoking marijuana.
They see me ballin in this game and they want to hit me. (Cog-nonsense)
People are jealous of my success and may want to harm me.
Lets go, giocanna eyes low
Let's go, as I have a serious and focused look in my eyes.
Two-way E, tell 'em to meet us at Roscoes
Contact our associate Two-way E to meet us at Roscoes restaurant.
Ball til I Fall, that's my motto
I will continue to party and spend money until I can no longer do so.
In LA, NY even in Flo
I party and spend money in Los Angeles, New York City, and even Florida.
Sittin on 'tractin rims
I am driving a car with attractive rims.
wit' a mexican, took X again
I am with a Mexican person and we took ecstasy again.
want sex again
We desire to have sex again.
Jot it down, it was told to me by that boy, A.K.A. The P-O-E
Take note of what was told to me by The P-O-E.
Deep in ya brain, the nigga you can't stand
I am the person that you cannot stand and is deep in your thoughts.
Most get upset when I switch cris hands
Most people get upset when I show off my expensive watches.
Shoulda left band, it gets worser man
I should have left my band (gang), it only gets worse.
Ice so bright, you salute both hands. (switzin')
My diamond jewelry is so bright, you have to cover your eyes and show respect with both hands. (gang sign)
To the dot 6 we ride, got two chicks that promise to say Ahh
We are in a BMW 6 Series car with two women that promise to have sex with us.
We'll pop a X and swallow between thighs
We will take ecstasy and have sex with the women at the same time.
y'all get it right, while I chase the sky
You all try to understand me, while I continue to pursue my goals.
Been here, been bubblin' like coke pots
I have been successful in this game, like a pot of boiling coke (cocaine).
Boy, I can't stop
I cannot stop being successful and making money.
Bentley, Lex or a drop top
I have either a Bentley, a Lexus, or a convertible car.
The fo' on, ?? soft leather til pop
The air conditioning is on and my car seats are soft leather until they pop (explode).
Lyrically man, niggas to the turf like cops. (goddamn)
My lyrics make people fall to the ground like cops subduing criminals. (exclamation of amazement)
Little mama got class, absolutely, Gucci dime ass
The woman next to me has class and is absolutely gorgeous in her Gucci clothing.
Oooh, I want to hit it from the back til ya cry
I want to have sex with her from behind until she cries.
Cognito, you the best I won't lieeee
Cognito, you are the best and I will not lie about it.
V.I.P, you know me, mob related
I am well known in the VIP section and have mob connections.
Toast style like cool & the gang, celebratin'
I am celebrating in a style similar to the band Cool & the Gang.
Guns stay cocked, why not? It's real life
My guns stay loaded and ready to use, because this is real life.
Cause playin' in this game you lose your real life
Because participating in this lifestyle could end up costing you your actual life.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind