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
What'll You Do?
CunninLynguists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What'll you do when the show is all done
I can't
I won't
I, no
I'm 25 now, yeah I told my pops I'd toss the towel in
Though, "Wow's" from the crowd's ain't end yet
Them smiles and back pats still ain't helping the rent checks
Ain't far from crack packs if I hursh these verses
Flippin' words shit for an empty purse feels worthless
Listen, word of mouth done been a blessin' and a curse
We reach heads but the only bread we see's off shirt sales
Tours and shows spread all over the earth, well
Recoup gas and hotels, back to this dirt, Hell's
Far away though, believe I ain't complaining
Rather explaining, that unless this southern rain end
We'll show proof we's as real as you
Needing a roof, some shoes, dolla bills and food
Two from The Dirty met with mismatched skin
Acknowledged first that one day this track may end
When there's no more steam in that engine
Yet hopefully clean streams be an astringent
But needs outweigh cheese tryna stay in contention
"For the love" is a hard reason to keep my life in suspension
"For the love" is a hard reason to keep my life in suspension
"For the love" is a hard reason to keep our lives in suspension, yeah
What do you do when the people go home
And what do you do when the show is all done
I know what I'll do in the alone of my time
But what will I do with the leftover wine
What'll you do, lay it down
What'll you do, lay it down, lay it down, lay it down again
The song "What'll You Do?" by CunninLynguists poses a poignant question about the struggles and sacrifices that come with pursuing a career in music. The lyrics revolve around the idea of what happens when the applause and recognition fades away, and the artist is left alone with their thoughts and doubts. The first two lines in each verse ask the titular question, emphasizing the sense of uncertainty and fear that comes with the end of a performance. The singer acknowledges the harsh realities of trying to make a living off of music, noting that even though they have received praise from audiences, it isn't enough to pay the bills. The line "Ain't far from crack packs if I hursh these verses" illustrates the desperation and temptation that the artist might feel when faced with financial hardship.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of loneliness and doubt that many artists feel when they are left alone after a performance. The themes of money, success, and passion are all touched upon, creating a complex and emotional narrative about the difficulties of pursuing a career in music.
Line by Line Meaning
What'll you do when the people go home
How will you occupy your time when the crowd disperses?
What'll you do when the show is all done
What activity will you engage in after the concert ends?
I can't
I am unable to continue making music as I have been
I won't
I refuse to continue making music under these circumstances
I, no
I would rather not explain my reasons for stopping the music
I'm 25 now, yeah I told my pops I'd toss the towel in
I am now 25 years old and have informed my father that I am quitting music
Making music no longer easily makes my smile bend
I no longer derive pleasure from creating music as I once did
Though, "Wow's" from the crowd's ain't end yet
Despite my misgivings, I still receive positive feedback from my audience
Them smiles and back pats still ain't helping the rent checks
However, compliments and gestures of support are not enough to pay the bills
Ain't far from crack packs if I hursh these verses
If I resort to desperate measures, I am not far from selling drugs to make ends meet
Flippin' words shit for an empty purse feels worthless
It is discouraging to put so much effort into lyrical wordplay without earning a living wage
Listen, word of mouth done been a blessin' and a curse
Positive word-of-mouth about my music has been both a benefit and a drawback
We reach heads but the only bread we see's off shirt sales
Although our music has a devoted following, we only make substantial revenue from merchandise sales
Tours and shows spread all over the earth, well
We perform concerts and events in numerous locations
Recoup gas and hotels, back to this dirt, Hell's
However, after covering expenses such as travel and lodging, we return to our difficult financial situation
Far away though, believe I ain't complaining
Despite the challenges, I am not seeking sympathy or pity
Rather explaining, that unless this southern rain end
My intention is to clarify my situation and point out that my financial difficulties will continue unless something changes
We'll show proof we's as real as you
However, I am confident that our music and authenticity are genuine and authentic like our audience
Needing a roof, some shoes, dolla bills and food
But despite being genuine, we need the basic necessities of shelter, clothing, finances, and sustenance like everyone else
Two from The Dirty met with mismatched skin
Despite the obstacles we have experienced, we have still managed to come together and create music
Acknowledged first that one day this track may end
We are aware that our time in the music industry may be limited
When there's no more steam in that engine
When our creativity runs out and we can no longer produce music
Yet hopefully clean streams be an astringent
One possible outcome is that our time in the music industry may come to a natural end, but we will still have a positive impact
But needs outweigh cheese tryna stay in contention
Despite our passion for music, our basic needs must be met, making it difficult to stay competitive
"For the love" is a hard reason to keep my life in suspension
Passion alone is not enough to justify putting my life on hold for music
"For the love" is a hard reason to keep my life in suspension
Passion alone is not enough to justify putting my life on hold for music
What do you do when the people go home
What is your plan once the audience has left?
And what do you do when the show is all done
How will you fill the void left by the end of your performance?
I know what I'll do in the alone of my time
Although there is uncertainty surrounding my music career, I am sure of how I will spend my free time
But what will I do with the leftover wine
However, there are still unanswered questions, such as what to do with leftover resources
What'll you do, lay it down
What is your course of action to address these issues?
What'll you do, lay it down, lay it down, lay it down again
What further steps will you take to resolve these challenges?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Willis Polk II, Ryan Wisler
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.