There has never been an anomaly in hip-hop quite like the southern trio CunninLynguists. Sampling genres from psych-rock to blues, New Romantic to polka, they have been musically compared to UGK and Atmosphere in the same breath. They have toured and shared stages with Kanye West and Aesop Rock to equal success. They have produced for Lil' Scrappy as well as KRS-One. They have crafted songs with international soul superstar Cee-Lo Green and politically charged indie-favorite Immortal Technique … on the same album. CunninLynguists have eschewed categories, boxes and labels for 10 years, 5 albums and 4 official mixtapes, all while having what XXL Magazine described as the "Most Hated Name In Rap".
The result? If you want labels...Southern boom-bap. Too white for BET, too black for MTV2. A preacher's son, a caucasian guy from rural Georgia and a convicted felon. But mainly … a self-made career, one of the most consistent catalogs of any current hip-hop act and one of the most loyal, worldwide fanbases in all of indie rap music.
Backed with gritty beats, quality rhymes and 808 thump, the 'Lynguists intend on recapturing the soul in southern hip-hop. With what Spin Magazine calls "Outkast's tragicomic poignancy", Deacon The Villain, Kno and Natti follow in the footsteps of artists like Goodie Mob, Ya'll So Stupid, Geto Boys and the aforementioned 'Kast in painting a picture meant to remind the world that politics, death, racism, relationships, religion and struggle are just as relevant to life below the Mason-Dixon as anywhere else.
Their critically acclaimed debut LP, Will Rap For Food, was released in October 2001. CunninLynguists were joined by Floridian emcee Mr. SOS for their 2nd LP, Southernunderground, which was independently released April 1, 2003 on Freshchest Records and QN5 Music and re-released in 2004. Guests included Masta Ace, Tonedeff and RJD2. Between Southernunderground and A Piece of Strange, they released two mixtapes titled Sloppy Seconds Vol. 1 and Sloppy Seconds Vol. 2. Their third LP, A Piece of Strange, was released in January of 2006 via LAU Records. Their fourth album, Dirty Acres, was released 2007. In 2009, they released two more mixtapes titled Strange Journey Volume One and Strange Journey Volume Two, featuring such artists as Freddie Gibbs, E-40, Slug, and Killer Mike. Their most recent LP, Oneirology, was released in 2011. Guests included Big K.R.I.T., Tonedeff, Freddie Gibbs, and Anna Wise of Sonnymoon.
The group has toured worldwide, appearing onstage alongside acts like Nappy Roots, Cee-Lo Green, Bun B, Kanye West, Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian and more.
Kno, hailing from Georgia and currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky, has been described as "one of the top loop-miners east of the Mississippi" by URB. He produced the majority of Will Rap For Food and Southernunderground, all of A Piece of Strange, and has also recieved critical acclaim in The NY Times, Rolling Stone and other magazines for his remix of Jay-Z's Black Album, entitled Kno vs. Hov : The White Al-bu-lum in 2004. Kno released a solo LP in 2010 titled Death is Silent.
Born in Versailles, Kentucky, Deacon has also established himself as a producer. His beats have been rocked by the likes of KRS-One, King Tee as well as local Kentucky artists such as Rob Jackson and Bonafide Circle. The son of a reverend, his ear for melody and church trained voice have also landed him hook work for Ruff Ryders, Sean Price and more. Deacon released an album with Sheisty Khrist titled Niggaz With Latitude in 2010.
The duo has already begun work as a production duo under the name A Piece Of Strange, currently producing for Lil' Scrappy, Devin The Dude, D-12, Immortal Technique, Warner Brothers' rock and roll outfit Melee and others. They are managed by Lee "Skill" Resnick, whose only other clients are platinum producers Denaun Porter, Naughty By Nature's Kay Gee and Mr. Lee from Houston.
The group now officially counts emcee Natti as the third and final piece of the CunninLynguists' puzzle. After turning to music as a positive release after a 2 year prison stint in the early 2000's, Lexington, Kentucky native Natti's gravely drawl and streetwise lyrics give the group a decidedly interesting 3rd angle on the group's already broad range of subject matter.
Origin: Atlanta, GA
Year Formed: 2001
Members: Deacon The Villain
Kno
Natti
Former Member: Mr. SOS
Official Site: www.cunninlynguists.com
Falling Down
CunninLynguists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I was nearly crazy
And I was clearly crazy
[Deacon the Villain]
On I-85 North, going nowhere
Would hit the 400, but I ain't got money for the toll there
School bus on my right, kids laughin' with brown and gold hair
Replaying conversations in my head by my ex-wife
From the house work that I did, to the kids, even our sex life
She said I was crazy so I threatened to prove her dead-right
So she got court orders, restraining me, put on the red lights
Frustrated, thinking how the fuck could I clean it up
Traffic stopped, about 1000 degrees in my truck
Loosened my tie, wiped the sweat out of my eyes, mixed with tears
Mind thick with fears, I've lost everything that I done built for years
Bright yellow school bus fucking up my limbo
Kids bitchin', cussin', flickin' boogers upon my window
Start rolling it down for some air and the handle breaks
Kick my door open, dive out, feeling some escape
"We said vows and shit, that shits' for life right?!
Yeah, that shit's until death, death...
That shit can be mended
But that bitch don't be listening to me!
She'll prolly throw a fucking fit and shit!
I'ma go there that bitch is gonna listen to me
She'll see I'ma fix this shit, FUCK THAT!"
[White man in the background]: "Move your fucking car, maaaaan!!"
Motherfucker is my own car really haulting movement
I got some powerful shit in my trunk want me to use it?
I grabbed that shit, cocked it now talk like you're silly!
If you needed some release would I fuck with you, Billy?
"Look away lady, before I swiss cheese your Mazda"
Am I crazy for wanting my babies to have a father!
Gonna show my bitch of a wife she better work a little harder
Stop them kids from screaming, it's pushing me even farther!
It's my daughter's birthday, Billy, you like this gift?
Your name's not Billy? Really? Then why do you react to it?
If you're an actor, am I your fuckin' audience?
Kids, look how many different directions his body went
It's okay, I'm not crazy, I got kids your age
Don't be afraid, I said don't be afraid! Behave!
Now y'all be cool now, I'm leaving now, it's beyond hot
'Bout to visit my wife after hitting the pawn shop for more glocks
I got some shit to fix (sinister chuckle) I got some shit to fix
[Mr. SOS]
Today's about to be one of the biggest days of my life
'Cause I'm about to ask the women I love if she'll be my wife
I just know that she will, for this women, I'll KILL
I used to clean dishes at Micky D's, now I'm on GRILL
So I've been able to save up enough money for this necklace
Along with this ring for when I pop the big question
But my manager's been stressin' the way I been dressin'
Tellin' me I need new shoes but I can't afford to get them!
He's all about perfection and does shit that I hate!
Today he wrote me up and I was only five minutes late!
And then he threatened to take me off grill and make me scrub plates
And the toilet where people shit out all the food they just ate!
AW FUCK! I'm starting to hear my screws bust
Screw it, I'll do it, He gives me Windex and a toothbrush
Now I'm scrubbin the toilet like, FUCK MY BOSS and HE STINKS!
I'm asking my girl to marry me, fuck what everyone thinks
Let me look at the ring now to calm me down like my shrink
NOOOOOO! I JUST LOST IT AND NOW IT'S LOST IN THE SINK
And today on my lunchbreak my girl's supposed to come through
I want to ask her but without the ring what'll I do?
Dialogue:
[SOS]: Wassup baby. Listen I want to tell you something.
[GIRL]: "Yeah?"
[SOS]: Well, we've been together for a long time and...
[GIRL]: "Uh huh..."
[SOS]: ...I love you more than anything in this world... Will you marry me?
[GIRL]: "So where's the ring?"
[SOS]: I... I had one but... I dropped it in the sink...
my... my manager... he... he made me get off the grill and clean the toilets
and...(sob)
[GIRL]: Yeah... WHATEVER! I'm seeing somebody else anyway, loser!"
[SOS]: Grrrrrrrrrrr......
FUCK YOU FOR REAL! SNUFF TO YA GRILL! SMACK TO YA FACE!
FOOT TO YOUR CROTCH! Look at the cops...
THANKS FOR THE GAT! RAT-A-TAT-TAT! CRIME IN THE ACT!
BITCH, DO YOU WANT FRIES WITH THAT???
SICK cause my mind just snapped pretty hard!
Fatality... RIP YOUR TITTY OFF!
Pull out the gun that I got from the cop
And make her face look like Barbecue sauce.
Bite off her nipple like it's on the menu
And spit it out the drive through window inside a pinto and leave the driver
crippled
When I fire my pistol like it's a missile. (BLAOW!)
Start to hear sirens whistle I've lost my mind, it's official!
Grab my manager's pencil and stick it in his eye tissue
For having a time issue go to the bathroom and try to kick through
The sink. I made a mess and shot cops. Let off a couple of pop pops
ON THE CLOCK let me go before the alarm stops
I'ma take this damn ring to the pawn shop
To get my FUCKIN money back... (cries) fuckin bitch!
[Kno]
Ignition contact in my little compact
Nissan piece of shit and I need to quit
Funneling Night Train pummels my right brain
Feel the pain of a hangover, I smell the faint odor of piss
I need to lower my risk
Hittin my liver with this liquid deliverance
I'm fuckin laughin and stuck in traffic
As my 8-track tape deck pumps some wack shit
Its drastic
I walked in on my friend with his hand caught in my wife's panty elastic
While she was wearin em!
Started tearin em a new asshole verbally
I don't think I hurt em
Twisted off the MD and Bourbon
Got the straight vodka in my coffee thermos
Put on my game face and walk in the door
Of my job at the strip mall discount department store.
Dialogue:
[Boss]: Dan-O! Happy Birthday
[Kno]: Thanks!
[Boss]: Oh, before I forget uh, we're gonna have to let you go Dan-O.
[Kno]: What?!
[Boss]: Yeahh, we've been monitoring incoming packages for a while now, we
noticed you have a fetish for naked pictures of Janet Reno and Will Smith
CD's. Yeahh.
[Kno]: (crying)
[Boss]: Hey, uh...what's the machine gun in the paper bag for?
No, Mr. Johnson! YOUR ASS IS FIRED!
here's your pink slip get hit with six clips
Salepeople out front, I ain't forget ya'll
Split ya'll, and everybody in this strip mall
Walk in the Dollar Store and just let off
Now even the managers body is 50% off!
Hit up Toys are Us and bust my shit
(ratttatat) TRICK LUH DA KIDS!!
Music store massacre, cus they're trying to tell me
21.99 for a Nelly CD?!
Verizon fucked up my service so they ain't out of the woods
Can you hear me now? BIATCH!(gunshot) GOOD!!!
Shop owners, cashiers, even the patrons
This is punishment for gettin caught in my matrix
the chance for survival is miniscule
I see two dudes walking towards the pawn shop they bout to get it too
The song "Falling Down" by CunninLynguists is a narrative of three people who experience a moment of either a mental breakdown, an epiphany, or both. The lyrics highlight their inner struggles and frustrations. This song addresses different issues that lead to people's falls, such as mental health, relationships, and employment.
The first verse of the song, performed by Deacon the Villain, tells the story of a man who is going through a divorce, and feels as though he has lost everything that he has built for years. He is sitting in his car, lost in thought about his ex-wife, and his emotions are at boiling point. The second verse, performed by Mr. SOS, showcases the struggle of a man who can't afford to buy new shoes and is being unjustly treated by his boss. The strain on his relationship with his girlfriend reaches its peak when he loses the ring he saved up for to propose to her. These issues lead to him experiencing a mental breakdown. The third verse, performed by Kno, sets the stage for a man who is struggling with substance abuse and is working a dead-end job. After finding out he’s being fired, he goes on a shooting spree in his place of work and nearby stores.
The three verses in the song highlight one thing in common: the breaking point of individuals. This song addresses several issues that lead to the destruction of social constructs such as relationships, employment, and mental health. The song is a reminder of the things that could lead a person to a fall, whether it's mental health, relationships, or employment, and shows how quickly one's life can take a devastating turn.
Line by Line Meaning
But I was nearly crazy
I was on the verge of losing my mind
And I was clearly crazy
I have now lost my mind
On I-85 North, going nowhere
I am driving on I-85 North with no particular destination
School bus on my right, kids laughin' with brown and gold hair
There is a school bus to my right with laughing children who have brown and gold hair
Frustrated, thinking how the fuck could I clean it up
I am frustrated and wondering how I can fix my current situation
Loosened my tie, wiped the sweat out of my eyes, mixed with tears
I loosen my tie and wipe the sweat and tears off my face
Mind thick with fears, I've lost everything that I done built for years
My mind is filled with fear and I have lost everything that I have built over the years
Bright yellow school bus fucking up my limbo
The bright yellow school bus is ruining my ability to move freely
Start rolling it down for some air and the handle breaks
I open the window for some fresh air, but the handle breaks
We said vows and shit, that shits' for life right?!
We made a commitment when we got married, right?
She'll prolly throw a fucking fit and shit!
She will probably get angry and upset
Now y'all be cool now, I'm leaving now, it's beyond hot
Everyone needs to calm down, I'm leaving because it's too hot
'Bout to visit my wife after hitting the pawn shop for more glocks
I am going to see my wife after I purchase more guns from the pawn shop
Today's about to be one of the biggest days of my life
Today is going to be one of the most significant days of my life
But my manager's been stressin' the way I been dressin'
My manager has been bothering me about the way I dress
Did someone take my ticket and leave my ride null and void?
Did someone take my ticket and make my ride invalid?
I'm asking my girl to marry me, fuck what everyone thinks
I am going to propose to my girlfriend and I don't care what anyone else thinks
NOOOOOO! I JUST LOST IT AND NOW IT'S LOST IN THE SINK
No, I just lost the ring and now it's somewhere in the sink
I just know that she will, for this woman, I'll KILL
I am confident that she will say yes and I would do anything for her
I'ma take this damn ring to the pawn shop to get my FUCKIN money back... (cries) fuckin bitch!
I am going to the pawn shop to get my money back for the ring and venting my anger towards my ex-girlfriend
Ignition contact in my little compact Nissan piece of shit and I need to quit
I start my Nissan car and realize that I need to quit drinking
Hittin my liver with this liquid deliverance
I am damaging my liver by drinking alcohol
I'm fuckin laughin and stuck in traffic
I am laughing to myself while stuck in traffic
I walked in on my friend with his hand caught in my wife's panty elastic
I caught my friend with my wife in a compromising position
Started tearin em a new asshole verbally
I started verbally attacking them
He's all about perfection and does shit that I hate!
My boss is obsessed with perfection and does things that I despise
No, Mr. Johnson! YOUR ASS IS FIRED!
I am firing my boss, Mr. Johnson
Now even the managers body is 50% off!
The manager's body is on sale at a discount store
Music store massacre, cus they're trying to tell me 21.99 for a Nelly CD?!
I am attacking a music store because they are charging me too much for a Nelly CD
Can you hear me now? BIATCH!(gunshot) GOOD!!!
I am shooting people from Verizon and saying their iconic phrase
I'ma take this damn ring to the pawn shop
I am going to the pawn shop to sell the ring
To get my FUCKIN money back... (cries) fuckin bitch!
I am getting my money back from selling the ring and cursing at my ex-girlfriend
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANNY WILDE, JANE WIEDLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Passthekind
on 616 Rewind - Feat. Tonedeff, Sankofa, Kashal Tee & Celph Titled
They got too many ?s on the lyrics.
The first one, you're gone in 60 seconds, like Nicholas Cage is.
2nd one, In the stretcher you went into a physical rubix cube.
3 n 4 got me too, I gotta listen again.
5 What kind of man are you I bet you sit on a urinal too.