Elzhi spent years paying dues, writing songs, entering battles, and recording demos until he finally made his international debut on "Come and Get It", a standout track from J Dilla's album, Welcome 2 Detroit. The acclaimed song drew massive attention to the mysterious artist, and made his unfinished EP, Out of Focus, a highly sought after recording.
In 2001, Slum Village asked Elzhi to be a part of the group to elevate their reputation, and allowing him to reach new levels of lyricism. He recorded multiple albums with his former group, sold hundreds of thousands of records, and toured the world performing his hit singles "Tainted", (featuring Dwele)” and "Selfish", (featuring Kanye West and John Legend)” in cities as distant as Tokyo and Amsterdam.
In 2004, Elzhi released Witness My Growth, a 2-disc mixtape featuring many of his lost or unfinished solo songs, which has come to be considered an underground classic by hip hop fans all over the world. Embarking on his first European solo tour in 2008, Elzhi released Europass as a merch-table exclusive. Upon his return to the United States, he promptly released the The Preface, his solo debut on Fat Beats Records. The album helped to solidify his reputation as one of the most respected and inventive lyricists in the world, earning acclaim from legendary artists and fans alike. In 2009, responding to the demands of his passionate fan base, Elzhi released The Leftovers Unmixedtape, mixtape, a collection of rare tracks and unreleased exclusives featuring the hit single "Deep".
In 2010, due to complications with his former label and no longer content with being “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” Elzhi signed with Jae Barber and The JAE.B Group, an Artist Relations and Management firm, drafting them to help launch his career to the next level. Moving past the relationship with his former group, Elzhi has reinvented himself as a solo artist and reignited his buzz.
In 2011 Elzhi released Elmatic, an homage to Nas' classic debut, Illmatic. A labor of love for Elzhi, the project finds the Detroit emcee creating new songs out of Nas’s original titles while rapping over the Will Sessions Band’s interpretation of the original beats.
After the overwhelming success of Elmatic, Elzhi is in the beginning stages of writing his new album using beats provided by an exciting roster of producers, and is embarking on a tour to reintroduce himself to the world. More than 12 years after he finished recording the legendary collection of songs, he has finally released the Out of Focus EP exclusively through www.elzhi.com.
Cloud
Elzhi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day I'm trying to dodge a rain drop
Until I'm drained or when the pain stop
It came around when I train hop
With my chain popped
When I was cuffed by a train cop I missed a main opportunity
Back when all I had was my mom to raise a spoon at me and
Couldn't call my dad cuz there were no more days of unity
Showed up at my doorstep
With a bunch of problems and more kept
Coming every week
It was a heavy leak
Hourly above, my head
But instead I wish it showered me with love
It was there when my moms passed
When they cut my Comcast
When I witnessed the crime last
And on the day of prom
Even at the playground when I was getting teased
Which is why I never sit and think of quitting hitting trees
I be up nights, why?
It was really ever white eyed
It was in the way too much for me to see a bright side
And still I wonder, would it ever strike me down?
Cuz it most likely sound like it just want to steal my thunder
All it do is rain rain
Rain rain on me
So I try to maintain and keep the same brain
Wishing I could leave it all behind
On a train, plane, automobile
But I ought to know the water gon' spill
Elzhi's song "Cloud" delves into the struggles of experiencing relentless adversity, both external and internal, and the toll it can take on an individual. The opening lyrics, "Just leave me alone, damn/Every day I'm trying to dodge a rain drop/Until I'm drained or when the pain stop," evoke a sense of exhaustion and frustration with the constant barrage of challenges one faces. Elzhi touches upon missed opportunities, such as when he was "cuffed by a train cop" and couldn't take advantage of a potential chance, and the absence of a supportive family dynamic. This is revealed through lines like "Back when all I had was my mom to raise a spoon at me and/Couldn't call my dad cuz there were no more days of unity."
The title "Cloud" may symbolize the metaphorical haze that surrounds Elzhi, constantly raining down on him and impeding his ability to see clearly. The lyrics also mention the different instances where the cloud appeared, "It was there when my moms passed/When they cut my Comcast/When I witnessed the crime last/And on the day of prom/Even at the playground when I was getting teased." Essentially, the cloud never leaves, it follows Elzhi wherever he goes. Despite this, he acknowledges that he must try to "maintain and keep the same brain" in order to persevere.
Overall, "Cloud" is a contemplative, introspective piece that illustrates the burden of adversity and the importance of resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Just leave me alone, damn
I am expressing my need for solitude and asking for space.
Every day I'm trying to dodge a rain drop
I am actively avoiding hardships and struggles in my daily life.
Until I'm drained or when the pain stop
I am exhausted by my efforts to avoid pain and suffering.
It came around when I train hop
I encountered difficulties when taking risks and making impulsive decisions.
With my chain popped
I was vulnerable and exposed to danger.
When I was cuffed by a train cop I missed a main opportunity
I lost an important chance due to my past mistakes and reckless behavior.
Back when all I had was my mom to raise a spoon at me and
I was raised in a single-parent household and faced hardships growing up.
Couldn't call my dad cuz there were no more days of unity
I was unable to rely on my father because of family issues and a lack of unity.
It came to my community
Challenges and struggles affected my entire community and not just me.
Showed up at my doorstep
Life's difficulties often catch us off-guard and arrive unexpectedly.
With a bunch of problems and more kept
I have been overwhelmed by the amount of problems that keep coming my way.
Coming every week
I have been facing new challenges on a consistent basis.
It was a heavy leak
The weight of my problems has been overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Hourly above, my head
My problems have been consuming and constantly on my mind.
But instead I wish it showered me with love
I desire more positivity and love in my life instead of constant hardships and struggles.
It was there when my moms passed
I faced significant difficulties and pain when I lost my mother.
When they cut my Comcast
I experienced financial difficulties and challenges in accessing basic needs.
When I witnessed the crime last
I was traumatized by an experience of witnessing a crime.
And on the day of prom
Even on special occasions and moments of celebration, I faced difficulties and challenges.
Even at the playground when I was getting teased
Challenges and difficulties have affected me since childhood and continue to do so.
Which is why I never sit and think of quitting hitting trees
I cope with stress and hardships through substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors.
I be up nights, why?
I struggle with sleeplessness and anxiety due to my overwhelming problems.
It was really ever white eyed
My problems have been all-consuming and difficult to see past.
It was in the way too much for me to see a bright side
My problems have made it difficult for me to see any positive outcomes or solutions.
And still I wonder, would it ever strike me down?
I fear that my challenges and hardships will be too much for me to bear and will result in my downfall.
Cuz it most likely sound like it just want to steal my thunder
My challenges feel like they are trying to undermine my success and accomplishments.
All it do is rain rain
My life is characterized by constant difficulties and challenges.
Rain rain on me
These hardships are affecting me on a personal level and are not letting up.
So I try to maintain and keep the same brain
I am coping with my challenges by striving for consistency and stability in my mindset.
Wishing I could leave it all behind
I long for escape and relief from my problems.
On a train, plane, automobile
I have thought about escape methods but have not found a solution.
But I ought to know the water gon' spill
I am aware that escaping my problems is not a solution and that they will continue to affect me regardless of where I go.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Brandon Turpeau
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind