Their often politically-charged, culturally-introspective, and motivational lyrics find influence rooted in the early works of Nas, Public Enemy, Outkast and Common Sense. The production could be described as warm, soulful and organic -- born out of the school of producers that cite the likes of RZA, Pete Rock, Jay Dee, and DJ Premier. Cyne's "sound" is impacted by everything from Bad Brains to Krautrock, from Camp Lo to Kate Bush – it's a hybrid of emotional, historical, and challenging influences.
The group's debut release was a 12" entitled "African Elephants," released in 2001. Cyne has since released a number of EPs, singles, and two critically well-received albums. They have also collaborated on projects with internationally acclaimed artists Daedelus, Four Tet and Nujabes.
With previously released albums on Botanica Del Jibaro, P-Vine and City Centre Offices, Cyne has created a reputation as artists that stay true to the lyrical power and gritty cut-and-paste aesthetic of classic hip hop while managing to explore new sonic territory.
First Person
Cyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, God, you eva wonda what the fuck ya purpose is out here man, what you put on this earth for?
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Nah, for real man
Verse 1
A small black child of power you couldn't find me
Because I shyly, would hide away from the faces
They used to look me in the face, Baby you'll make it
And told me to stand strong, because you're gonna be
Gone beyond the darkest sunshine hard
A new day
So I pray I'm gonn make em right I fight for life and make sure my lifes right
I stand strong on my own two
SO what you gonna do? I hold you
In the web of my speech and mold you
Into my past cuz this verse is a looking glass
Silk past the evil, and serve my people
Forever...
Hook
To this night a child is born
A lone star commin out of the sky to lead the wise men
Come again? Tell me the truth, I wanna listen,
A heavy burden I carry for my people to live
Verse 2
Losin my mind one piece at a time
Rewind events in my life and I find
The hardships outnumber the good times
Still I stand tall and hold my head high
Leave the scenes; maybe things get better
But know they never did it I'm back to wear I started
Smoking packs a day and acting like alcoholics
No money in my wallet and feelin really retarded Fuck the bullshit so I hit the school shit
Got the degree and made these other motherfuckers see I am who I am
I stand tall like God, worked hard, [erected to some?], my name is Cise Starr
You wanna talk about, then you wanna be me now?
Fell outta the sky and rose outta the ground?
A new man, new plan so Goddamn
I got fans, they float to Ja-pan
Hook
To this night a child is born
A lone star commin out of the sky to lead the wise men
Come again? Tell me the truth, I wanna listen,
A heavy burden I carry for my people to live
Verse 3
Momma died so i had to get my own work done
I couldn't sit around and be a bitch and not do shit
Worked hard for everything that you see that i got you
Motherfuckers gettin mad but you walking the block
When i'll be up in my shop, writing my rhymes
Got a call from Akin and we formed the group CYNE (hello)
Now look at this now, a short time later
We devastating the area showin the local haters we are
Not just a trace untill we pause, 2 niggas right here for the 'cause'
Cise Starr survived divine universal bitch!
I hurt you if you ever call us commercial
We thirsty....
(background)
Educated gifted, my shrine trough out my ignorace
In the interlude, the singer is asking God about the purpose of human beings on the earth. The song then takes the perspective of Cise Starr, a person who grew up in the '80s and '90s facing discrimination because of his skin color. He is advised to hold on tight and persevere because he will overcome the adversity. Cise Starr then talks about some of the challenges he faced throughout his life, including mental health issues, addiction, and financial struggles.
Despite those setbacks, he worked hard and earned a degree, which made all the difference. He acknowledges that although he has fans now, he had to start from scratch and work tirelessly. Cise Starr also talks about the formation of his group, CYNE, and how it has helped him to connect with other like-minded people to work for a greater purpose.
The hook of the song talks about a child being born under a star, which serves as a metaphor for hope and new beginnings. The heavy burden Cise Starr carries refers to his responsibility to encourage and empower his community.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a child of the 80s, growin up in the 90s
I was born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s
A small black child of power you couldn't find me
I had a lot of potential as a kid, even if it wasn't immediately visible
Because I shyly, would hide away from the faces
I was shy and avoided being around people
They used to look me in the face, Baby you'll make it
People told me that I would succeed
And told me to stand strong, because you're gonna be
They advised me to be strong
Gone beyond the darkest sunshine hard
I should strive to succeed despite hardships
So I pray I'm gonn make em right I fight for life and make sure my lifes right
I pray that I will succeed and I work hard to make sure my life is on track
I stand strong on my own two
I am strong and independent
SO what you gonna do? I hold you
What are you going to do? I am confident
In the web of my speech and mold you
I can influence people with what I say
Into my past cuz this verse is a looking glass
This song is a reflection on my past
Silk past the evil, and serve my people
I want to move past bad experiences and help my community
To this night a child is born
A new beginning is happening
A lone star commin out of the sky to lead the wise men
Something majestic is happening and people are taking notice
Come again? Tell me the truth, I wanna listen,
Tell me more, I am engaged and interested
A heavy burden I carry for my people to live
I feel responsible for my community's wellbeing
Losin my mind one piece at a time
I feel like I am losing control
Rewind events in my life and I find
When I look back at my life, I see
The hardships outnumber the good times
There were more bad experiences than good ones
Still I stand tall and hold my head high
Despite everything, I am proud of myself and confident
Leave the scenes; maybe things get better
I try to move on from bad situations in the hope that things will improve
But know they never did it I'm back to wear I started
Things never really got better and I'm back where I began
Smoking packs a day and acting like alcoholics
I was self-destructive and abused substances
No money in my wallet and feelin really retarded
I was broke and felt down on myself
Fuck the bullshit so I hit the school shit
I focused on my studies and education to get ahead
Got the degree and made these other motherfuckers see I am who I am
I proved myself and showed others my true potential
I stand tall like God, worked hard, [erected to some?], my name is Cise Starr
I am proud of myself and my accomplishments, and people know me as Cise Starr
You wanna talk about, then you wanna be me now?
People want to be like me
Fell outta the sky and rose outta the ground?
Did I come from nowhere and become successful?
A new man, new plan so Goddamn
I am a new person and have a new direction in life
I got fans, they float to Ja-pan
I have fans and people know me in different parts of the world
Momma died so i had to get my own work done
After my mother died, I had to become independent and take care of myself
I couldn't sit around and be a bitch and not do shit
I couldn't just wallow in my sorrows and do nothing
Worked hard for everything that you see that i got you
I worked hard to achieve everything I have
Motherfuckers gettin mad but you walking the block
Some people get angry at me for my success
When i'll be up in my shop, writing my rhymes
I work hard on my craft, even when others are hating on me
Got a call from Akin and we formed the group CYNE (hello)
I joined CYNE after receiving a call from Akin
Now look at this now, a short time later
Now, after some time has passed,
We devastating the area showin the local haters we are
We are conquering the music scene and proving doubters wrong
Not just a trace untill we pause, 2 niggas right here for the 'cause'
We are dedicated to our music and our mission
Cise Starr survived divine universal bitch!
I have been through a lot and survived
I hurt you if you ever call us commercial
I take pride in being authentic and true to myself, and won't be called 'commercial'
We thirsty....
We are hungry for success and won't be satisfied easily
Educated gifted, my shrine trough out my ignorace
I have learned and grown despite my past ignorance
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Metz
CYNE - first person (lyrics)
Interlude
Yo, God, you eva wonda what the fuck ya purpose is out here man, whatchyou put on this earth for?
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Nah, for real man
Verse 1
I was a child of the 80s, growin up in the 90s
A small black child of power you couldn't find me
Because I shyly, would hide away from the faces
They used to look me in the face, "Baby you'll make it"
And told me to stand strong, because you're gonna be god
Beyond the dark, the sun shine hard
A new day
So I pray I'm gonn make em right I fight for life and make sure my lifes right
I stand strong on my own two
SO what you gonna do? I hold you
In the web of my speech and mold you
Into my past cuz this verse is a looking glass
Silk past the evil, here to serve my people
Forever
Hook
To this night a child is born
A lone star commin out of the sky to lead the wise men
Come again? Tell me the truth, I wanna listen,
A heavy burden I carry for my people to live
Verse 2
Losin my mind one piece at a time
Rewind events in my life and I find
The hardships outnumber the good times
Still I stand tall and hold my head high
Leave the scenes; maybe things get better
But know they never did it I'm back to where I started
Smoking packs a day and acting like alcoholics
No money in my wallet and feelin really retarded fuck the bullshit so I hit the school shit
Got the degree and made these other motherfuckers see I am who I am
I stand tall like God, worked hard, [erected to some?], my name is Cise Starr
You wanna talk about, then you wanna be me now?
Fell outta the sky and rose outa the ground?
A new man, new plan so god damn
I got fans, they float to Ja-pan
Hook
To this night a child is born
A lone star commin out of the sky to lead the wise men
Come again? Tell me the truth, I wanna listen,
A heavy burden I carry for my people to live
Verse 3
Momma died so i had to get my own work done
i couldn't sit around and be a bitch and not do shit
worked hard for everything that you see that i got you
motherfuckers gettin mad once you walking the block
when i'll be up in my shop writing my rhymes
got a call from the akin and we formed the group CYNE
now look at this now, a short time later
we devastating the area showin the local haters we are
not just a transitory pause, 2 niggah right here for the 'cause'
Cyse Star survived the fine universal
Bitch, I heared you if you ever call us commercial
we thirsty....
Brucee Mathers III
"Education gifted minds shine throughout the ignorance." One of the best lyrics I've ever heard of. Hands downb
Netbat63
I'm a metalhead...but dudes, this is one of the best songs i've ever heard arround... it's just beautifull, a work of art, inspirational, made me cry and i went zen mode for 2:53 minutes.
i love Rose Namajunas
Thats just telling u what ur missing.. metal sucks lmao
oxy
The instrumental is definitely great, the beat used can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfY63vpTnO8
And the original song here (where the beat came from):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDWb5u1hehI
Mairon
Both kinds of music are really great
Vaski
@i love Rose Namajunas very very dumb comment ...
Vaski
@i love Rose Namajunas not a smart comment
Roger Schneiter
One of the most underrated songs I've ever come across! Respect to you guys! Great song, great Inspriation, great music!
Shelby Jensen
This is one of those melancholy songs that really makes you think about everything for a while. It sure hits home for me that's for sure. People thought I had a great upbringing and got handed a silver platter with spoon. I have many stories and you pick a year in my life and I'll give you every detail that's ever happened to me. Lots of positives and lots of negatives but I still hold my head high and grateful everyday I'm still alive and kicking 🙏🏻
Dormouse Cat
Cyne...Nujabes introduced me to this lad...and the rest is history. Glad I know the hidden gem of hip-hop.