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
SouthernUnderground
CunninLynguists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're back for another round, southernunderground
we ain't following that traditional cookie-cutter sound
those that act like punks, treat 'em like trunks and shut-em-down
riding sound waves without sails, orrs, or rudders now
[SOS]
Other clowns suck worse than funnel clouds
I've come to Earth to hunt em down, spit linguistics, pick up bitches
jizz on big tits and get your mistress to do my dishes
[KNO]
Cannibalistic, intangible mechanical misfit
scandolous dipshit who's beats are too clean
So I'm back with some dirty tracks that were dubbed and played
Through an 8-Track and my grandma's hearing aid
[DEACON THE VILLAIN]
I'm afraid, though, we rap for food, we're still hungry
in cyphers eatin up every muh'fuckah amongst me
people try to ax stupid and stump D (HOT!)
so much proof in me that i'm drunk and stumbling
[KNO]
Mmmmmumblin some thuggin shit is not a sin to me
but doesn't hip-hop need a little positivity?
It's all guns and slangin caine
We need some upliftment in the streets, somebody call David Blaine
[SOS]
Fuck positivity. I'll bang David Blaine's favorite dame
make her say my name and hog her hedge like a SEGA game
stay insane, take her chain to sell on ebay for change
and use the money for weed to ease her labor pains
[KNO]
I'm offended!
[DEACON THE VILLAIN]
Why? Cause she's pregnant and smoking weed?
[KNO]
No, cus he let her toke for free, that's not how its supposed to be
but fuck it, you can find me at home lonely
Praying to my Eminem shrine holding a rosary
[SOS]
I can battle rappers for cash or sell trees
but I feel like Will High, cause I just want to drop an LP
Respect when it drops, if not I'll make your girl put her breath on my cock
by tellin her it tastes like peppermint schnapps
[DEACON THE VILLAIN]
And after doing the grown-up, sit with her in soap suds
roll up, some wack distribution and smoke BUDS
for fuckin' with my paper, getting me hype as a coke rush
it's Cunninlynguists bitch, loving this since Cold Crush
The song "SouthernUnderground" by CunninLynguists is the opening track of their 2003 album with the same title. This song showcases the trio's lyrical prowess and their refusal to conform to the industry's traditional sounds. Through their music, the group aims to call out those who stick to the cookie-cutter sound and ride on sound waves without sails or rudders. The lyrics are rapped by Deacon the Villain, SOS, and Kno, each delivering their own verse that touches on various themes.
The first verse by Deacon the Villain emphasizes the group's resistance to conform to society's expectations. They aim to break the mold and create a unique sound that is not bound by the traditional sound that others follow. The second and third verses by SOS and Kno touch on topics such as lyrical prowess, dirty tracks, uplifting hip-hop, and even a little humor. The group's sense of humor is evident in their lyrics, making their music more relatable to the fans.
Line by Line Meaning
We're back for another round, southernunderground
We are returning for another run at Southernunderground, our unique style that breaks away from the traditional sound
we ain't following that traditional cookie-cutter sound
We refuse to conform to the standard, predictable style of music that is prevalent in the industry
those that act like punks, treat 'em like trunks and shut-em-down
We won't tolerate anyone who tries to put on a fake persona, we'll take them out like we would an old trunk and get rid of them
riding sound waves without sails, orrs, or rudders now
Our music is propelled by pure talent and passion, we don't need any external aids or gimmicks to make it great
Other clowns suck worse than funnel clouds
Many other rappers are terrible and make the same noise as a tornado forming
One verse and your lungs are drowned with much dirt and rubble now
After hearing our rap, you'll be left breathless from the impact and intensity of our lyrics
I've come to Earth to hunt em down, spit linguistics, pick up bitches
I've arrived to weed out the subpar rappers, spit my lyrical talent, and pick up women along the way
jizz on big tits and get your mistress to do my dishes
Engaging in sexual acts with well-endowed women and having your significant other clean up after me is how I'm living my life
Cannibalistic, intangible mechanical misfit
My demeanor is savage, unfathomable, and robotic
scandalous dipshit who's beats are too clean
My behavior is questionable and my beats are too polished to epitomize my true character
So I'm back with some dirty tracks that were dubbed and played
I'm returning with some raw, uncut songs that were recorded and edited in a dirty environment
Through an 8-Track and my grandma's hearing aid
The production quality of my music is so low that it could only be played through outdated technology like my 8-track and grandma's hearing aid
I'm afraid, though, we rap for food, we're still hungry
Even though we rap to make a living, we are still eager to succeed and hungry for more recognition
in cyphers eatin up every muh'fuckah amongst me
In freestyle rap battles, we easily destroy anyone who dares to compete against us
people try to ax stupid and stump D (HOT!)
Others try to challenge us with foolish questions or stump us with difficult riddles to test our intelligence and wit
so much proof in me that i'm drunk and stumbling
I have so much talent and skill in my craft that it can be overwhelming, making me feel as if I am intoxicated and unsteady
Mmmmmumblin some thuggin shit is not a sin to me
Mumbling and talking about gangster activity is not seen as wrong in my eyes
but doesn't hip-hop need a little positivity?
Isn't it important for hip-hop to have a change in subject matter towards something positive?
It's all guns and slangin caine
Hip-hop is dominated by lyrics about firearms and selling drugs
We need some upliftment in the streets, somebody call David Blaine
We need some inspiration brought to the inner cities or ghettos, who can perform magic like David Blaine?
Fuck positivity. I'll bang David Blaine's favorite dame
Forget being positive, I'll have sex with David Blaine's favorite woman
make her say my name and hog her hedge like a SEGA game
I will have her chanting my name and have sex with her like a hog does with a hedge in a video game
stay insane, take her chain to sell on ebay for change
I'll continue with my wild behavior and then sell her jewelry for some quick cash online
and use the money for weed to ease her labor pains
I'll spend the money on marijuana to help relieve pain during childbirth
I'm offended!
I am hurt and upset
Why? Cause she's pregnant and smoking weed?
Are you mad that she is pregnant and smoking weed?
No, cus he let her toke for free, that's not how its supposed to be
No, because he allowed her to smoke for free, which is not how it should be
but fuck it, you can find me at home lonely
Regardless, you can still locate me at home feeling isolated
Praying to my Eminem shrine holding a rosary
I am religiously praying to my own handmade shrine dedicated to Eminem while holding a rosary
I can battle rappers for cash or sell trees
I can get into rap battles for money or sell marijuana
but I feel like Will High, cause I just want to drop an LP
I am content with making music like Will Smith because I just want to release a completed album
Respect when it drops, if not I'll make your girl put her breath on my cock
If you don't approve of my album, I'll have sex with your girlfriend to spite you
by tellin her it tastes like peppermint schnapps
I'll convince your girlfriend that the flavour of my penis is similar to peppermint schnapps
And after doing the grown-up, sit with her in soap suds
After having sex with her, I'll relax with her in the bathtub
roll up, some wack distribution and smoke BUDS
I'll roll up some poorly made counterfeit CDs and smoke marijuana
for fuckin' with my paper, getting me hype as a coke rush
If someone hinders my success or interferes with my money, I'll become as agitated as someone high on cocaine
it's Cunninlynguists bitch, loving this since Cold Crush
It's the Cunninlynguists, and I've been listening and enjoying rap since the early days of Cold Crush Crew
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
oliv doe
The album that Made me love this band... Love ain't ! Even though I prefer the remix, which is on the sloppy seconds mixtape vol 2 if I'm right. Also Classic material for me.
Brian Gessner
NY here saying these dudes are KINGS. 👑 Petit Lou what up where you from Ny ?
Michal Matuš
slovakia here
Hendrik Steller
U right Greetz from Germany
lil sleepy
best guess is quebec
oliv doe
AND the only album with mr. SOS which Is great
Hendrik Steller
Thx