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.”
My Lil Girl
Cognito Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If we ever get rolled she gone go up that road cause I'm making that ho take the charge for me
Told the slut if she doesn't I'm fucking her cousin and smothering brah while her father sleep
Pull off in his convertible then take the top off that bitch like a doc do lobotomies
Fuck yo experience, just need to see yo Experian
Ho what yo credit on?
Finna scam me some green out a yellow bone
Get yo pin and yo money forever gone
Fuck nigga better give me least eight feet
Put em in a gutta, bitch now he Trai D
Then I'm Tyrese in his skeezer, I'm waist deep
I'ma swipe on her Visa when bae leave
I don't ask for the car boy I take keys
She be making you beg her and say please
I just swerve in that Jetta with great speed
Told her get it together and hastefully
Jugged her right in her face, did it gracefully
Watch yo figure and watch what you say to me
Fore I call to lil friend to come play with me
I know she feeling me, I done caught won't of her energy like she's a Air Bender
Just in my nature boy I'm finna break her that bitch finna need a repair center
Nigga I'm grimy for life, know if I'm in a fight then it won't be a fair winner
Niggas is slipping, I'm getting this chicken bitch I just bit into my third tender
Just hit that boy for a seven piece
God bless his soul, may he rest in peace
I only fired cause I seen him tweet he was tired, I gave em a stress release
I hit that boy with the choppa that cost me the most, I gave em the best of me
Then his bopper gone give me some brain without me saying shit we developed telepathy
Bitch I'm ready, I'm heavy with weaponry
When it go down it ain't gone be pleasantly
Break a ho down, she go gets a check for me
She keep twenty percent but respectfully
She just happy that she can be next to me
Know that macking a bitch is my specialty
If she late then I'm charging an extra fee
Everything that I said is allegedly
The lyrics to Cognito's song "My Lil Girl" depict a disturbing and violent narrative centered around power dynamics, manipulation, and criminal activities. The lyrics suggest that the singer is involved in illegal drug possession and distribution, as well as coercing a woman into taking the fall for his actions. He brags about using drugs and manipulating women for his benefit, threatening them with violence if they do not comply. The lyrics also imply a disregard for human life, as the singer mentions harming others and boasts about killing someone who was tired.
In the second part of the song, the singer continues to glorify violence and criminal behavior. He expresses a sense of entitlement, claiming that women are lucky to be next to him and that he is skilled in manipulating them. The lyrics suggest a lack of empathy and a willingness to exploit others for personal gain. Towards the end, the singer warns that everything he says should be taken as alleged, possibly indicating a self-awareness of the problematic nature of his actions.
While the lyrics may offer a glimpse into the harsh realities of certain lifestyles and mindsets, they also raise concerns about the glorification of violence, manipulation, and criminal behavior in music. It is important to approach such lyrics critically and consider the potential impact they may have on listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I make her hold all my percs in her purse, when you open it, looks like a pharmacy
I have her carry all of my prescription drugs in her bag, and when you open it, it looks like a fully stocked pharmacy.
If we ever get rolled she gone go up that road cause I'm making that ho take the charge for me
If we ever get caught by the police, she will take the blame and face the consequences on my behalf because I manipulate her into doing so.
Told the slut if she doesn't I'm fucking her cousin and smothering brah while her father sleep
I warned the promiscuous woman that if she refuses to take the blame, I will have sexual relations with her cousin and harm her brother while he is asleep.
Pull off in his convertible then take the top off that bitch like a doc do lobotomies
I drive away in his convertible car and then remove the roof, just like a doctor performs a lobotomy, indicating my disregard for his belongings.
Fuck yo experience, just need to see yo Experian
I don't care about your life experiences, I just want to see your credit report by accessing your Experian information.
Ho what yo credit on?
I am asking the woman about her credit score.
Finna scam me some green out a yellow bone
I am planning to deceive and cheat a light-skinned woman to obtain money from her.
Get yo pin and yo money forever gone
Once I have your PIN number, your money will disappear and be gone forever.
Make it ring on that boy like a message tone
I will make his phone ring incessantly like a message tone as a form of intimidation or harassment.
Fuck nigga better give me least eight feet
Any person who is unworthy should give me a minimum of eight feet of personal space.
Put em in a gutta, bitch now he Trai D
I will throw him in the gutter, and now he is in a bad and desperate situation, similar to the character 'Trai D'.
Then I'm Tyrese in his skeezer, I'm waist deep
After that, I will be like Tyrese in his manipulative woman, taking advantage of her and fully enjoying the situation.
I'ma swipe on her Visa when bae leave
I will fraudulently use her Visa credit card when her significant other is not present.
I don't ask for the car boy I take keys
I don't politely request access to the car, I simply take the car keys by force or without permission.
She be making you beg her and say please
She enjoys making you beg and plead with her.
I just swerve in that Jetta with great speed
I skillfully maneuver in a Volkswagen Jetta at high speeds.
Told her get it together and hastefully
I instructed her to gather everything quickly and urgently.
Jugged her right in her face, did it gracefully
I deceived her directly to her face, doing it cunningly and with style.
Watch yo figure and watch what you say to me
Be cautious of your physical appearance and be mindful of your words and actions when dealing with me.
Fore I call to lil friend to come play with me
Before I call my small but dangerous acquaintance to come and have some violent interaction with you.
I know she feeling me, I done caught won't of her energy like she's a Air Bender
I am aware that she is attracted to me, as I have gained control over her emotions and energy, similar to the mythical Air Benders.
Just in my nature boy I'm finna break her that bitch finna need a repair center
It is simply in my nature as a person to emotionally and mentally manipulate her to the point where she will require significant emotional healing and support.
Nigga I'm grimy for life, know if I'm in a fight then it won't be a fair winner
I will always be deceitful and dishonest, so if I am involved in a physical altercation, it will not result in a fair outcome.
Niggas is slipping, I'm getting this chicken bitch I just bit into my third tender
Others are being careless and losing opportunities, while I am successfully gaining money, just like when I recently enjoyed my third piece of chicken tender.
Just hit that boy for a seven piece
I just attacked that person, causing harm or violence.
God bless his soul, may he rest in peace
I hope that he is granted eternal peace and tranquility in the afterlife.
I only fired cause I seen him tweet he was tired, I gave em a stress release
I only shot him because I saw his tweet expressing his tiredness, so I provided him with a release from his stress through violent means.
I hit that boy with the choppa that cost me the most, I gave em the best of me
I shot that person with the most expensive and powerful firearm I own, giving him the most intense and lethal experience.
Then his bopper gone give me some brain without me saying shit we developed telepathy
Then his partner will willingly engage in oral sex without any verbal communication from me, indicating a level of understanding and connection as if we have developed telepathic abilities.
Bitch I'm ready, I'm heavy with weaponry
I am prepared and equipped with a significant amount of weapons.
When it go down it ain't gone be pleasantly
When a dangerous situation arises, it will not be a pleasant experience.
Break a ho down, she go gets a check for me
I break a woman down mentally and emotionally until she submits to my control, and then she procures a monetary gain for me.
She keep twenty percent but respectfully
She keeps twenty percent of the earnings, but in a manner that is polite and considerate.
She just happy that she can be next to me
She is simply content and satisfied with being in close proximity to me.
Know that macking a bitch is my specialty
Make sure you understand that charming and manipulating women is my particular skill or area of expertise.
If she late then I'm charging an extra fee
If she is late or delays in fulfilling my desires, I will impose an additional monetary penalty.
Everything that I said is allegedly
Please be aware that everything I have stated may or may not be true or accurate.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Caton Bailey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind