Following the release of his debut album, Defari co-headlined with Xzibit & Phife (A Tribe Called Quest) on The Underdawgs of Hip Hop National Tour in April & May of 1999. He wasn't a newcomer when it came to performing live. Prior to this, he toured the underground circuit for years and received rave review for being one of the most charismatic emcees to hit the stage. His energetic and captivating performances led him to other national & international tours. Rocking a wide range of audiences with some of the major players of the game today. The most current recent N. American tour being the Anger Management Tour where he performed with Xzibit and performed his own material to 20,000 plus crowds each night. Many agree that Defari knows how to bring it like a true seasoned veteran.
It came to the point in 2000 that the fans were not going to be satisfied with just the 12” vinyl available from Defari. With ABB Records’ new initiative into the European markets, they released their first ABB Europe CD: Defari’s “LA Collexion” – a collection of all Defari’s vinyl only singles on ABB Records for the first time on CD. The whole pressing was sold out in France alone within 2 days!
An even more heightened profile in the US came after his featuring on Dr Dre’s “Chronic 2001” album and touring the world on the “Up In Smoke Tour” with Dre & Eminem. With fans around the world screaming for Defari to face them one to one in shows – Defari turned to Nicci Cheeks Management in the UK to formalise a new base for his operations outside of the USA, but this time for Europe.
High Times Records signed Defari for his 2003 sophomore album “Odds & Evens” featuring all the usual Likwit family: Dilated Peoples, Tha Liks (Tash, J-Ro & E-Swift) and the Barbershop MCs. This was an automatic VIP round trip ticket to the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup in 2002 and 2003, where Defari performed to a very packed out Melkweg every year alongside groups including: Tha Liks and De La Soul. The release of his new album coupled with a fantastic video for the single “Spell My Name” gave fuel to fire for his European management. This has resulted in a 300% increase in Defari’s press, radio and TV coverage (including a special feature documentary about Defari on VIVA TV’s “Mixery Raw Deluxe” show during May 2004)… and ultimately his touring capabilities as a solo artist.
I Can't Wait
Defari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't wait
I like good food on my plate
I can't wait
Aiyyo it's time to raise the stage
And by the way
L.A. city!
I hold it down every day in L.A
Don't start what you can't finish
Especially if you're not in shape you know a man with fitness
Bare witness, got my pop side from Venice
Reason why you can't find my cause I'm not listed
Don't get it twisted
The crew that I'm from is Likwit
Get a chance to see me live that's a hot ticket
Let you roam while I'm home and I'm not with it
You can pop this shit watch me suck another critic
That brother did it
Broke through with a new speak
That L.A. unicical Defari city stile technique
And I don't care what they say to me
I just knocked that real hip mate Joe P
Take it with me to the G.R.A.V.E
So much soul I'm feeling like Philip Bailey
God gave me a sound that you've never heard
Around the town I got to wattle every noun and verb
And that's my word
Communications makes me touch nations
Implication of my destiny's elevation
Complications when a man stops respiration
Blow to the throat
Fake hardcore imitations
High five touch fist for the black nation
My mother's maiden name is Kidd like that brother Jason
It's L.A.'s own Billy get your heart racing
Like Xzibit to the youth on the foundation
Brown space man
Are you kidding man, my cheese is hidden
From the fans from up shit, man you must be kidding
I'm starting to wonder now why would you even ask
Wanting to know how my circle circulate cash
You're too flash
You get smashed with this empty glass
I have to blast when you small talk, no class
Break God man my people we are enterprise
And goofy niggas definitely we don't recognize
I can't wait (can't wait)
Banging this street
I can't wait
The song "I Can't Wait" by Defari is a powerful and motivational track about his love for good food on his plate and his drive to perform on stage. The lyrics are delivered in a confident and assertive tone, as Defari talks about how he's from the Likwit crew and how he holds it down every day in L.A. He warns those who are not in shape or have no fitness that they should not start what they can't finish. Defari declares that he just knocked that real hip mate Joe P and has so much soul that he's feeling like Philip Bailey. He further adds that he has a sound that no one has ever heard, and he's out to wattle every noun and verb in town.
The lyrics also talk about Defari's communication skills and his ability to touch nations. His mother's maiden name is Kidd, like Jason, and he's L.A.'s own Billy who can get your heart racing. He's like Xzibit to the youth on the foundation and reminds us that we shouldn't confuse fake hardcore imitations for the real deal. Defari ends the song by saying that he can't wait to bang this street and perform on stage.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't wait
The artist is anticipating exciting events to come.
I like good food on my plate
The artist appreciates the simple pleasures in life, like enjoying delicious meals.
I can't wait
The artist continues to anticipate upcoming events with excitement.
Aiyyo it's time to raise the stage
The artist is ready to give a great performance.
And by the way
The artist is changing the subject to bring up a new topic.
L.A. city!
The artist is representing and giving a shoutout to Los Angeles.
By the way
The artist is changing the subject again to bring up another point.
I hold it down every day in L.A
The artist is asserting that they are a consistent presence and influence in the Los Angeles music scene.
Don't start what you can't finish
The artist warns against beginning something that can't be completed, such as a challenge or a fight.
Especially if you're not in shape you know a man with fitness
The artist advises against challenging someone who is physically fit and strong.
Bare witness, got my pop side from Venice
The artist acknowledges their musical influences from Venice, California.
Reason why you can't find my cause I'm not listed
The artist explains that they are not prominently featured on a list or directory of musicians.
Don't get it twisted
The artist warns against misunderstanding or misinterpreting their words or actions.
The crew that I'm from is Likwit
The artist represents their group affiliation with the Likwit Crew.
Get a chance to see me live that's a hot ticket
The artist states that seeing them perform in person is a highly sought-after experience.
Let you roam while I'm home and I'm not with it
The artist is not comfortable with someone doing things without their supervision or knowledge.
You can pop this shit watch me suck another critic
The artist is confident in their ability to address criticism and turn it around.
That brother did it
The artist refers to a fellow musician who accomplished something notable or impressive.
Broke through with a new speak
The artist brought innovation and new ideas to their music.
That L.A. unicical Defari city stile technique
The artist describes their unique and distinctive style of music that is representative of Los Angeles.
And I don't care what they say to me
The artist doesn't let negative opinions or criticism affect their confidence or creativity.
I just knocked that real hip mate Joe P
The artist references a successful collaboration with another musician named Joe P.
Take it with me to the G.R.A.V.E
The artist will always cherish and remember their achievements in music.
So much soul I'm feeling like Philip Bailey
The artist feels deeply connected to their music and inspired by a fellow musician named Philip Bailey.
God gave me a sound that you've never heard
The artist attributes their unique and original sound to a divine source.
Around the town I got to wattle every noun and verb
The artist is confident that their music is being talked about and recognized by many people in the city.
And that's my word
The artist is affirming the truth and validity of their statements and assertions.
Communications makes me touch nations
The artist believes that their music has the power to connect with people all over the world.
Implication of my destiny's elevation
The artist is expressing their belief that their music will lead to greater success and upward mobility in their career.
Complications when a man stops respiration
The artist recognizes the dangers or complications that can arise when someone stops breathing.
Blow to the throat
The artist describes a violent act of attacking someone's neck or airway.
Fake hardcore imitations
The artist criticizes musicians who try too hard to present themselves as authentically hardcore or edgy.
High five touch fist for the black nation
The artist celebrates and supports the black community.
My mother's maiden name is Kidd like that brother Jason
The artist shares a personal detail about their family lineage and likens themselves to a fellow musician named Jason Kidd.
It's L.A.'s own Billy get your heart racing
The artist is describing themselves as the Billy Blanks of Los Angeles, meaning they have a powerful and energizing presence.
Like Xzibit to the youth on the foundation
The artist compares themselves to another musician, Xzibit, and their positive influence on young people.
Brown space man
The artist describes themselves as a person of color, occupying a unique space in society and culture.
Are you kidding man, my cheese is hidden
The artist is jokingly suggesting that people should not ask them about their personal finances or wealth.
From the fans from up shit, man you must be kidding
The artist is incredulous that fans would be interested in their financial situation.
I'm starting to wonder now why would you even ask
The artist is questioning why someone would have the audacity to ask such a personal question.
Wanting to know how my circle circulate cash
The artist is referencing a common desire to know how successful people make their money.
You're too flash
The artist is criticizing someone for being too showy or flashy about their wealth.
You get smashed with this empty glass
The artist is suggesting that someone could get physically hurt or attacked for boasting about their wealth.
I have to blast when you small talk, no class
The artist will respond aggressively or dismissively when someone talks about trivial, unimportant things.
Break God man my people we are enterprise
The artist recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit and drive within their community.
And goofy niggas definitely we don't recognize
The artist is dismissing or ignoring people who don't take their careers or goals seriously.
I can't wait (can't wait)
The artist is still anticipating exciting things to come.
Banging this street
The artist is confident that their music will be well-received and enjoyed by the masses.
Writer(s): Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, D. Connell
Contributed by Brayden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kai Anthony
People need to realize real hip hop artists like Defari need to be known more!
michael marek
18 years and still on heavy rotation! Leipzig, Germany.
Mr. Andy
michael marek unfassbar geflasht gewesen von der Vinyl. 😂 Gefühlte 100 Alben wurden auf dem Instrumental gefreestyled
wilton films
Braba👏🔥🔥
ZDF-6991
Great Beat ....Best Mix by Dj. REVOLUTION
Memories 2000 .....😎
Santa Monica Ca. ,Venice, Los Angeles Downtown. .213,& 310 ,323,626,....✔ My City
626SupremeLogic
Good ol' days in hip hop!!!
JulissaC08
defari is the ishh some real LA<3 shit;)<3
Sedu77
siiiick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ramona Böhm
Reel Hip Hop
Kesti 8z
hot sound