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
the light
CunninLynguists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We see through people, but we don't look in ourselves like we should
We try to grow in the cold, so busy shoveling snow
That we tend to forget about the light that's warming our soul
The evil, the good, legal, illegal, what's hood?
We see through people, but we don't look in ourselves like we should
We try to grow in the cold, so busy shoveling snow
That we tend to forget about the light that's warming our soul
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Is it clearer in the mirror when you look at your exterior
In fear of your interior voice
Some who's the one with good game that cook 'caine proper
And offer it up to junkies as a choice
Seems to whisper to sistas to switch they mista
Simply to get that financial support
Then turn and make that same supporter beat 'em and
Mistreat 'em and leave 'em after breaking em for the sport
Got a married man licking his lips at ladies of leisure
Loins feelin the fever, rather cheat her than leave her
Love his money too much so it's cheaper to keep her
'Cause she's a Teenage Love like beepers and reefer
Ain't nobody on this earth been perfect since birth
Sinning and doin the erk and jerk in Church
Then the next minute be back to puttin' in work
Jumpin' into them holes not lookin in first
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth
Reveal
Reveal the truth
Reveal, reveal, reveal the truth
You gotta reveal the truth, reveal the truth
Reveal the truth
You, you, you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
CunninLynguists's song "The Light" is a profound commentary on human nature and the human condition. The first two lines of the chorus introduce the theme of the song - the dichotomies between good and evil, legal and illegal, and what is perceived as "hood." The song highlights how we tend to be judgmental of others but fail to reflect on ourselves. We become so obsessed with "shoveling snow" (i.e., focusing on our daily chores and duties), that we forget to bask in the "light" that warms our soul - the light that represents hope, joy, love, and positivity.
The second verse examines various moral dilemmas and hypocrisies of human existence. For example, some people offer drugs to others - something that destroys their lives - to gain financial support, while others chase after money so much that they choose to cheat on their loved ones rather than letting them go. The song also critiques the religious and moral institutions that contradict themselves by preaching against sin only to engage in it themselves.
The recurring phrase "If you wanna be healed, then you got to reveal the truth" highlights the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. It's only by embracing and expressing one's true self without fear that one can heal and grow.
Line by Line Meaning
The evil, the good, legal, illegal, what's hood?
The contrast between good and evil, legal and illegal, and what society considers righteous.
We see through people, but we don't look in ourselves like we should
We are good at judging others but not very good at introspection.
We try to grow in the cold, so busy shoveling snow, That we tend to forget about the light that's warming our soul
We are so busy dealing with life's struggles that we forget about the good things that bring warmth and light into our lives.
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
To be healed and grow as a person, you must tell the truth about yourself and your experiences.
Set your eyes on the sun, What has brought you this far?
Encouragement to look towards positivity and find the motivation to succeed by reflecting on what got them where they are now.
Is it clearer in the mirror when you look at your exterior, In fear of your interior voice
We often focus on our physical appearance, ignoring our inner thoughts and feelings that need attention.
Some who's the one with good game that cook 'caine proper, And offer it up to junkies as a choice
A person who is good at manipulating people and selling drugs to the most vulnerable members of society.
Then turn and make that same supporter beat 'em and, Mistreat 'em and leave 'em after breaking em for the sport
Some people habitually exploit others, damaging them physically and emotionally, just to find pleasure in their suffering.
Got a married man licking his lips at ladies of leisure, Loins feelin the fever, rather cheat her than leave her
A married man who is tempted to cheat on his partner than leave her because he does not want to lose his luxuries.
Love his money too much so it's cheaper to keep her, ...She's a Teenage Love like beepers and reefer
The married man values financial stability over his commitment to the relationship. References to teenage love - fleeting and superficial relationships - are made in comparison.
Ain't nobody on this earth been perfect since birth, Sinning and doin the erk and jerk in Church
No one is perfect, and everyone has their flaws, whether they are religious or not.
If you wanna be healed Then you got to reveal the truth
Repeated as a reminder that if you want to grow and heal, you must be honest and truthful about yourself.
Reveal, reveal, reveal the truth, You gotta reveal the truth, reveal the truth
The chorus repeats the importance of telling the truth to gain personal growth and self-insight.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ryan Wisler, Willis Polk II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Coma Toast
The evil, the good, legal, illegal, what's hood?
We see through people, but we don't look in ourselves like we should
We try to grow in the cold, so busy shoveling snow
That we tend to forget about the light that's warming our soul
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Is it clearer in the mirror when you look at your exterior
In fear of your interior voice
Some whos the one with good game that cook caine proper
And offer it up to junkies as a choice
Seems to whisper to sistas to switch they mista
Simply to get that financial support
Then turn and make that same supporter beat em and
Mistreat em and leave em after breaking em for the sport
Got a married man licking his lips at ladies of leisure
Loins feelin the fever, rather cheat her than leave her
Love his money too much so it's cheaper to keep her
Cause she's a Teenage Love like beepers and reefer
Ain't nobody on this earth been perfect since birth
Sinning and doin the erk and jerk in Church
Then the next minute be back to puttin in work
Jumpin into them holes not lookin in first
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth (x4)
Reveal
Reveal the truth
Reveal, reveal, reveal the truth
You gotta reveal the truth, reveal the truth
Reveal the truth
You, you, you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Coma Toast
The evil, the good, legal, illegal, what's hood?
We see through people, but we don't look in ourselves like we should
We try to grow in the cold, so busy shoveling snow
That we tend to forget about the light that's warming our soul
If you wanna be healed then you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Is it clearer in the mirror when you look at your exterior
In fear of your interior voice
Some whos the one with good game that cook caine proper
And offer it up to junkies as a choice
Seems to whisper to sistas to switch they mista
Simply to get that financial support
Then turn and make that same supporter beat em and
Mistreat em and leave em after breaking em for the sport
Got a married man licking his lips at ladies of leisure
Loins feelin the fever, rather cheat her than leave her
Love his money too much so it's cheaper to keep her
Cause she's a Teenage Love like beepers and reefer
Ain't nobody on this earth been perfect since birth
Sinning and doin the erk and jerk in Church
Then the next minute be back to puttin in work
Jumpin into them holes not lookin in first
If you wanna be healed
Then you got to reveal the truth (x4)
Reveal
Reveal the truth
Reveal, reveal, reveal the truth
You gotta reveal the truth, reveal the truth
Reveal the truth
You, you, you got to reveal the truth
Set your eyes on the sun
What has brought you this far?
Emile Nurgaleev
Thank you! Love from Russia
David Aldridge
Underrated album
French20cent
Damn that's the perfect song for a road trip, with the sun going down and still hundreds of miles to go...
It also makes me sad, dunno why
French20cent
Update : Cannonballed 3000km in 48 hours this weekend with this song blasting, from Paris to Central France, Munich and then Paris again, it was epic !
French20cent
@EternallySecureInChrist oh... Nevermind.
Could be worse
French20cent
@EternallySecureInChrist actually Mikhaïl is as much into cars as me
Hunter Scythe
In MY mind, it´s the PERFECT song to LICK.. ♡♡♡ ..in endless loop.. ;oP
Mattkillsall
dude i feel you, reminds me of that too and makes me sad
Casey
how has this got so little views?! This us 0ne of my favourite songs!