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.
Shawshank
Denzel Curry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Anything I ever do is top rank
Got more bars than a Shawshank
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Got more bars than a Shawshank
I don't wear Balmains, all I ever do is ball man
I am not a rapper, they all lame
I am not dope, I'm hard, wait
I can power up and level up at any moment
Spitting like a semi, only get me semicolon
Couple zeroes like I'm Stanley Yelnats
Every flow is unmatched and I better get set, inhale
Finish 'em, finish 'em
Mess around with me and I diminish 'em all
Even if I ever did minimum all
Even in Arizona, better killin' them all
Rogue one but I got a team wit' me
Bad man one got a ting wit' me
I get mean, I get green
Show the whole game what's never been seen
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Anything I ever do is top rank
Got more bars than a Shawshank
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Anything I ever do is top rank
Got more bars than a Shawshank (ay)
Designer sneakers hurt my feet now
Every beat is gettin' beat down
Couldn't eat, watch I eat now
Like how you couldn't pay the freestyle?
Different cities every week now
Every woman is a freak now
What state, probably lookin' bleak now
I was homeless, sleep designer sheets now
Thirty different missions, when I speak they listen
Couldn't find a soul she fishin'
Who the crew? It wasn't you, I know it's true
'Cause you look like the opposition
Run it up, run it up, greatest ever, sums it up
I ain't have a lot when I was comin' up
Kinda made my stomach turn when I brought it up, wait
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Anything I ever do is top rank
Got more bars than a Shawshank
Cook it up, gourmet
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
Anything I ever do is top rank
Got more bars than a Shawshank
The lyrics for Denzel Curry ft. Tate Kobang's song Shawshank present a confident and self-assured rapper who knows his worth and place in the rap game. The line "Anything I ever do is top rank," establishes this, and the following line "Got more bars than a Shawshank" cements it, as it references the popular movie The Shawshank Redemption which is about a man who uses his intelligence to escape from prison. Curry implies that he uses his lyrical abilities to escape from the limitations of society, and he is not afraid to boast about it.
The chorus of the song focuses on the idea of "cooking it up" like a gourmet meal, with a reference to the anime Dragon Ball Z when Curry says "I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks." This promotes the idea that his music is a high-quality creation that is unique and unmatched, which is why "anything I ever do is top rank."
In the verses, Curry reflects on his success, rapping about his journey from being homeless to living in designer sheets. He also calls out other rappers who he feels are beneath him, referencing lines like "I am not a rapper, they all lame" and "Who the crew? It wasn't you, I know it's true, 'cause you look like the opposition." In the second verse, he delivers a message of empowerment, mentioning that he can "power up and level up at any moment." The song's overall message is one of triumph in the face of adversity, and having the ability to rise above it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Cook it up, gourmet
I prepare top-quality work like a gourmet chef.
I go Super Saiyan, Gotenks
I have the power to level up and exceed expectations like a Super Saiyan from Dragon Ball, specifically like the character Gotenks.
Anything I ever do is top rank
Everything I do is ranked highly, whether it be my music or other endeavors.
Got more bars than a Shawshank
I have more powerful lyrics and flows than the characters in the movie Shawshank Redemption, which is known for its incredible dialogue and writing.
I don't wear Balmains, all I ever do is ball man
I don't need expensive clothing to showcase my success and wealth; my skills alone speak for me.
I am not a rapper, they all lame
I don't try to fit the mold of a typical rapper because I strive to be unique.
I am not dope, I'm hard, wait
I'm not just good; I'm amazing and impressive, and people need to wait to realize that.
I can power up and level up at any moment
I have the ability to unexpectedly improve to new heights at any time.
Spitting like a semi, only get me semicolon
My flow is like a shotgun, spreading rapidly and intensely, but I only need a semicolon to end my rhymes.
Couple zeroes like I'm Stanley Yelnats
I have stacks of cash like the main character Stanley Yelnats from the book/movie Holes, who finds treasure worth millions of dollars.
Every flow is unmatched and I better get set, inhale
All of my different rhythms and styles are unbeatable, and when I get ready to perform, I take a breath and focus.
Finish 'em, finish 'em
I can finish off any competition or challenges with ease.
Mess around with me and I diminish 'em all
If someone tries to challenge me, I can ruin and defeat them all.
Even if I ever did minimum all
Even if I don't try my hardest, I'll still succeed more than others.
Even in Arizona, better killin' them all
I excel and triumph over others even in a difficult environment like the extremely hot and dry state of Arizona.
Rogue one but I got a team wit' me
Like the movie Rogue One from the Star Wars franchise, I have a team of supporters and companions with me.
Bad man one got a ting wit' me
I'm accompanied by a tough, capable associate.
I get mean, I get green
When I get serious and focused, I become unstoppable and legendary, like the Incredible Hulk.
Show the whole game what's never been seen
I will reveal new techniques and styles in the rap game that have never been witnessed before.
Designer sneakers hurt my feet now
Although I can afford expensive shoes, they no longer provide comfort and cause pain.
Every beat is gettin' beat down
I conquer every beat I rap on with ease, making them sound weak in comparison.
Couldn't eat, watch I eat now
I struggled with hunger in my past, but now I can afford to eat as I please.
Like how you couldn't pay the freestyle?
Just like you couldn't afford to pay for an improvised freestyle, I now have monetary success.
Different cities every week now
I travel and perform in various places every week, showcasing my success and talents all over the world.
Every woman is a freak now
I attract many women due to my success and confidence, who are interested in my lifestyle and skills.
What state, probably lookin' bleak now
I show others up and shine in any state or situation, even if it may seem unfavorable or unpromising.
I was homeless, sleep designer sheets now
Despite once being homeless, I now sleep on luxurious sheets, showcasing my dramatic rise to success.
Thirty different missions, when I speak they listen
I have accomplished many tasks and goals, and when I speak, others pay attention and take me seriously.
Couldn't find a soul she fishin'
Even though he once searched everywhere, he could not find a suitable partner.
Who the crew? It wasn't you, I know it's true
I surround myself with a trustworthy and effective crew who have helped me achieve my success.
'Cause you look like the opposition
I can tell you're not a part of my successful and supportive team because you resemble and act like the competition and those who try to bring me down.
Run it up, run it up, greatest ever, sums it up
I constantly increase my wealth, success, and achievements and can be summed up as the greatest artist and person ever.
I ain't have a lot when I was comin' up
I faced many struggles and lacked resources when I was growing up and working towards success.
Kinda made my stomach turn when I brought it up, wait
Thinking back on my difficult past makes me feel uneasy and upset, but I know that it was a necessary part of my journey towards success.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Denzel Curry, Isaac Deboni, Joshua Goods, Michael Mule
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BlackySpeakz
Denzel’s vocal range on this one.. Goddamn bro
@kendoesgaming164
bro your on here?
@eggnokio
Denzel invokes SkiMaskSlumpGod AND Eminem🤯
@knifeymcstab7779
Don’t use the LORDS name in vein
@Spectre0799
@@knifeymcstab7779 Be quiet
@Tactical_Nuke0
@@Spectre0799 he is right
@StarFlameGT
OH DAMN is quickly becoming one of my favorite ad-libs
@YoungAlienBoy
Yall Dislike This Music Video & Leave A Rude Comment Lol🏳️🌈🙏🏽 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I--rRfdoWEI
@d00m19
lmao
@jesusislord1210
@@YoungAlienBoy gtf outta here lol