Curry left Raider Klan in 2013, releasing his debut studio album, Nostalgic 64, in September of that year, while still in high school. He has since released three extended plays: 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms in 2015, 13 in 2017, and UNLOCKED (a collaboration with Kenny Beats) in 2020, and four studio albums: Imperial in 2016, Ta13oo in 2018, Zuu in 2019, and Melt My Eyez See Your Future in 2022. TA13OO, ZUU, and Melt My Eyez debuted at numbers 28, 32, and 51 on the Billboard 200 chart, respectively, with Melt My Eyez returning at number 17 after the release of an extended edition. All of his projects have garnered significant critical acclaim.
In 2012, he released his second mixtape, titled King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996, which caught the attention of fellow American rapper Earl Sweatshirt and other members of Odd Future label.
Curry's third mixtape, titled Strictly for My R.V.I.D.X.R.S., was released after the death of Trayvon Martin, who also lived in Carol City and went to the same high school as Denzel Curry. His rap style on this mixtape was inspired by 2PAC. On June 9, 2015, Curry released his first double EP, titled 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms. His first release in 2016 was the single "Flying Nimbus".
His second full-length album, titled Imperial, was released on March 9, 2016, then re-released later on Spotify as the deluxe version on October 14, 2016. In June 2016, Curry was featured on a cover as one of the XXL's 2016's Freshmen Class.
On May 13, 2017, Curry uploaded a track entitled "Hate Government [demo]" to his SoundCloud account. In the weeks that followed, he released two more demos for songs entitled "Equalizer [demo]" and "ZELTRON 6 BILLION ft. Lil Ugly Mane." After these releases as well as a series of cryptic posts on social media (seemingly portraying another alter ego called Zeltron), he released an EP entitled 13 on June 25, 2017. All of the demo tracks were included on the EP as well as two other new songs. On August 18, 2017, Curry released another song called "Skywalker." Later that year, on September 22, a remastered version of 32 Zel was released, including a remix of "Ultimate" featuring Juicy J.
On April 2, 2018, Curry released the lead single off of Ta13oo titled, "Sumo" on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show. On May 24, 2018, Curry released the second single off the album titled, "Percs". Curry then released the third single titled, "Clout Cobain", on July 13, 2018, and announced that his album TA13OO, would be released in three acts: The first act, Light, was released on July 25, followed by Gray on July 26, and Dark on July 27. Each previously-released single represents one of the album's acts, as "Sumo" represents Light, "Clout Cobain" represents Gray, and "Percs" represents Dark, which comes together cohesively to form TA13OO. TA13OO features guest appearances from GoldLink, JID, JPEGMAFIA, ZillaKami and more.
On January 5, 2022, the official trailer for Curry's fifth studio album, titled Melt My Eyez See Your Future, was uploaded to his YouTube channel. It was revealed that the album would contain guest appearances from artists such as T-Pain, 6lack, Slowthai, Rico Nasty, J.I.D, and Thundercat, among others. Curry said the project would feature a new, more mature sound, different from his previous works: "Y'all are not going to hear the same type of Denzel anymore." On January 24, a single titled "Walkin", along with a Western-inspired music video directed by Adrian Villagomez, was released. Curry also said the album "is made up of everything that I couldn't include on Ta13oo or Imperial because I was going through depression and anger issues", and would take inspiration from traditional hip-hop, drum and bass, trap, poetry, and jazz. The same day, a North American and European tour promoting the album (with guest acts Kenny Mason, Mike Dimes, Redveil, and PlayThatBoiZay) was announced. On February 24, Curry released another single from the upcoming album, "Zatoichi" featuring Slowthai. It was accompanied by a music video also directed by Adrian Villagomez. On March 18, Curry announced the album would be released on March 25. On March 21, a third single, "Troubles" featuring T-Pain, was released along with a music video. The album was released on March 25, 2022. It debuted at number 51 on the Billboard 200 chart, and at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Curry recorded a song featuring rapper Reason, "1st Quarter", as a contribution to Apple Music's "collection of exclusively commissioned new songs from Black creatives", titled Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs. He commented: "It's an accomplishment to make it through the first quarter of my life. Especially as a Black man in America".
Curry's song featuring PlayThatBoiZay, "Let It All Hang Out", was included in Elvis—a biographical movie about Elvis Presley that premiered in June 2022—as well as on the movie's soundtrack album.
On June 24, 2022, a collaboration between Dot da Genius, JID, Curry, and Kid Cudi, titled "Talk About Me", was released, along with a music video directed by Cole Bennett. On June 29, 2022, Curry performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. On July 21, he performed "Walkin" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
On September 30, 2022, Curry released Melt My Eyez See Your Future (The Extended Edition). The album features reimagined versions of songs from the original album with live instrumentation performed by the Cold Blooded Soul Band, which performed with Curry on his NPR Tiny Desk Concert and The Tonight Show performance.
Knotty Head
Denzel Curry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck karate, I got me a shotty
Jumpin' in the door, kamikaze
Origami, if the neighbors saw me
But I won't fold, oh no
That's how the young boy's ass got smoked
But they got jacked like MK4
Sub-zero, put a nigga on salt, iced out
Have them lookin' at my face as they tellin' me lights out
Sleep is the 'cause of the death, no a NY not my state of mind
211's broad day, I had to live a life of crime
Get the product then we out the door
Mama, I've been twistin' weed
And now it's time to lock the fro, blowin' dro
Call me knotty head, 'cause I don't give a fuck
I was raised off in the projects
Know this life ain't meant for us
Bitch, I can't be touched
Get the product then we out the door
Mama, I've been twistin' weed
And now it's time to lock the fro, let it go
Call me knotty head and if I ever go
Tell my Mama, that I love her 'cause tomorrow not for sure
I would never know
Tote a 4 and pour some liq'
I'ma tote that stick until they send me to the pen
This the way it is, I gotta get it how I live
Knotty headed niggas
Tote a 4 and pour some liq'
I'ma tote that stick until they send me to the pen
This the way it is, I gotta get it how I live
Knotty headed niggas
Hair is nappy, knotty, pack a pistol when I'm in the party
Life is melancholy, sellin' flock when they think it's molly
Bitches be givin' me sloppy
My pockets on Andy Milonakis
Bumpin' Speaker Knockerz
Rico's Story when I see the coppers
Gem golds in my mouth and my dreads lookin' like a palm-tree
Plus you know what a nigga's skin tone is
So that's why they fuck with me
Opposition we made obsolete when aimin' and targetin'
Monday to Sunday, all of you niggas, we slangin' like Pistol Pete, peace
Get the product then we out the door
Mama, I've been twistin' weed
And now it's time to lock the fro, blowin' dro
Call me knotty head, 'cause I don't give a fuck
I was raised off in the projects
Know this life ain't meant for us
Bitch, I can't be touched
Get the product then we out the door
Mama, I've been twistin' weed
And now it's time to lock the fro, let it go
Call me knotty head and if I ever go
Tell my Mama, that I love her 'cause tomorrow not for sure
I would never know
Tote a 4 and pour some liq'
I'ma tote that stick until they send me to the pen
This the way it is, I gotta get it how I live
Knotty headed niggas
Tote a 4 and pour some liq'
I'ma tote that stick until they send me to the pen
This the way it is, I gotta get it how I live
Knotty headed niggas
Yeah, uh
Maybach Music
Found another body in the lake (huh)
Same day another tattoo on his face (huh)
Obituary on his mother's fireplace
Baby mother fuck another sucker on a blind date (woo)
Shots fired every night I'm tryna mind mine
Dolphin Gang, Bello cigars on the sideline (yeah)
Pussy niggas you can see it on his timeline
Hatin' on his dawg, shit I'm tryna find mine (woo)
Calm nigga, when I'm lit up I get Von Miller (huh)
Rich niggas, if you real then you can run with us (let's get it)
Educated reading books I'm talkin Art of War
Whippin' yoda yayo residue on the marble floors
I wanna see my niggas with the flyest clothes (woo)
Came to put my city on that's if I'm right or wrong (what?)
Pulling into Risco Park in the richest cars (woo)
And I'm thinking of my dawgs since I'm livin' wrong
Jehovah's witness swear to God I done seen it all (bang)
Picking up the pistols every time the dogs bark (ugh)
You pointing fingers but them choppers cutting arms off
D.C.C.C. we came to warn y'all
Mothafucka damn right we came to warn y'all (woo)
Mothafucka damn right we came to warn y'all (huh)
Curry what's up! Double M (uh)
It's futuristic shit
The song Knotty Head by Denzel Curry featuring Rick Ross on its entirety is a narrative on one's journey to survive, make it big and gaining acceptance despite cultural differences (as alluding to his knotty hair). The opening lyrics "Hair is nappy, knotty. Fuck karate, I got me a shotty." suggest a young person who has grown up in less-than-favorable circumstances amidst violence, drugs, and gang activity like many young people before him, sees no sense in involving himself in martial arts because his solution comes from within the end of the barrel of a gun. He's a young man who survives by staying alert in hostile surroundings, warping his mentality and sense of reality to cope with his harsh environment. He'll jump in the door kamikaze-style, playing battleship in the hope to dominate the neighborhood. It's about survival, and nobody is innocent in this regard. No one wants to be taken advantage of, robbed, or killed. It's a lesson to be learned to find a way to succeed or get left behind.
Curry goes on, "Get the product then we out the door mama I've been twisting weed and now it's time to lock the fro, blowing dro, Call me knotty head, cause I don't give a f*ck," It looks like he's putting in the work to get out of the squalor, but it's all in vain. He's caught in a cycle and painfully aware that this life wasn't meant for him. He is forced to be a part of this life because of the hardships he has been born into. He also has moments of vulnerability, singing of the love he has for his mother and his hope to be remembered if he ever dies.
Line by Line Meaning
Hair is nappy, knotty
My hair is unruly and tangled
Fuck karate, I got me a shotty
I don't need karate skills, I have a shotgun for protection
Jumpin' in the door, kamikaze
I enter with reckless abandon like a kamikaze
Origami, if the neighbors saw me
I move stealthily and quietly like an origami master
But I won't fold, oh no
But I won't give up or back down
That's how the young boy's ass got smoked
That's how young people end up getting killed
But they got jacked like MK4
They got robbed and taken advantage of
Sub-zero, put a nigga on salt, iced out
I am cold as Sub-zero and leave people shaken and frozen with fear when I'm iced out
This the price I gotta pay because I wanna be iced out
This is the risk and cost I must bear to achieve a flashy, expensive lifestyle
Have them lookin' at my face as they tellin' me lights out
I am to be executed, and I will have no control or escape
Sleep is the 'cause of the death, no a NY not my state of mind
I won't die in my sleep because I'm always alert and cautious, especially in New York
211's broad day, I had to live a life of crime
I had to commit armed robbery in broad daylight to make a living
Get the product then we out the door
We quickly acquire what we need and make a swift escape
Mama, I've been twistin' weed
Mom, I've been rolling joints
And now it's time to lock the fro, blowin' dro
Now it's time to put my hair in its usual style and smoke marijuana
Call me knotty head, 'cause I don't give a fuck
I embrace my unruly hair and don't care what others think
I was raised off in the projects
I grew up in low-income housing developments
Know this life ain't meant for us
I know this life of poverty and danger is not what we were meant for
Bitch, I can't be touched
You can't harm or intimidate me
And now it's time to lock the fro, let it go
It's time to put my hair in its natural state and relax
Call me knotty head and if I ever go
If I die, remember me as Knotty Head
Tell my Mama, that I love her 'cause tomorrow not for sure
If I die, tell my mom that I love her because I may not have another chance
I would never know
I won't know if I'll see tomorrow or not
Tote a 4 and pour some liq'
Carry a handgun and drink some alcohol
I'ma tote that stick until they send me to the pen
I'll carry a gun until I get arrested and go to prison
This the way it is, I gotta get it how I live
This is how things are, and I must make a living in whatever way works
Hair is nappy, knotty, pack a pistol when I'm in the party
My hair is unruly, and I bring a gun to parties for protection
Life is melancholy, sellin' flock when they think it's molly
Life is depressing, and I sell fake drugs instead of real ones to make money
Bitches be givin' me sloppy
Girls offer me oral sex without much effort
My pockets on Andy Milonakis
My pockets are very small and insignificant
Bumpin' Speaker Knockerz
Listening to music by the late Speaker Knockerz
Rico's Story when I see the coppers
When I see the police, I think of Rico's Story
Gem golds in my mouth and my dreads lookin' like a palm-tree
I have gold teeth and long dreadlocks that resemble a palm tree
Plus you know what a nigga's skin tone is
You know exactly what my skin color is
So that's why they fuck with me
That's why they target and discriminate against me
Opposition we made obsolete when aimin' and targetin'
We eliminate our opposition when we have a clear target
Monday to Sunday, all of you niggas, we slangin' like Pistol Pete, peace
Every day of the week, we are engaging in drug dealing and violence like Pistol Pete
Maybach Music
This is a Maybach Music production
Found another body in the lake (huh)
Another dead body was discovered in the lake
Same day another tattoo on his face (huh)
The same day, someone got a new tattoo on their face after someone else was found dead
Obituary on his mother's fireplace
The deceased person's obituary is displayed on their mother's fireplace
Baby mother fuck another sucker on a blind date (woo)
The mother of the deceased's child had sex with someone else on a blind date
Shots fired every night I'm tryna mind mine
Gunshots are fired every night while I try to stay out of trouble
Dolphin Gang, Bello cigars on the sideline (yeah)
I am part of the Dolphin Gang, and we smoke Bello cigars on the sidelines
Pussy niggas you can see it on his timeline
Weak men are easily identified on social media
Hatin' on his dawg, shit I'm tryna find mine (woo)
Someone is hating on my friend, and I'm trying to find my own success
Calm nigga, when I'm lit up I get Von Miller (huh)
I am a calm person, but when I am high, I become like Von Miller, who is known for his intense gameplay
Rich niggas, if you real then you can run with us (let's get it)
If you're rich and authentic, you can join us and be a part of our group
Educated reading books I'm talkin Art of War
I am educated and read books, specifically Art of War
Whippin' yoda yayo residue on the marble floors
I am cooking cocaine and the residue is on my marble floors
I wanna see my niggas with the flyest clothes (woo)
I want my friends to have the most fashionable clothing
Came to put my city on that's if I'm right or wrong (what?)
I came to make my city famous, whether it's a good or bad thing
Pulling into Risco Park in the richest cars (woo)
We are driving the most expensive cars to Risco Park
And I'm thinking of my dawgs since I'm livin' wrong
I'm thinking of my friends, as I am living a dangerous and reckless lifestyle
Jehovah's witness swear to God I done seen it all (bang)
I've seen everything, and even a Jehovah's Witness couldn't change my views
Picking up the pistols every time the dogs bark (ugh)
I'm always ready to arm myself when I hear suspicious noises or barking dogs
You pointing fingers but them choppers cutting arms off
You're accusing us of wrongdoing, but our guns can actually cut your limbs off
D.C.C.C. we came to warn y'all
We represent D.C.C.C. and we came here to warn you all
Mothafucka damn right we came to warn y'all (woo)
Yes, we definitely came here to warn you all
Mothafucka damn right we came to warn y'all (huh)
Yes, seriously, we came to warn you all
Curry what's up! Double M (uh)
Denzel Curry and Rick Ross are greeting each other
It's futuristic shit
This is cutting-edge and forward-thinking music
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Denzel Curry, Isaac Deboni, Michael Mule, Rick Ross, Ronald Spence Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind