On January 28, 2014, his first project was released, titled Cilvia Demo. The EP debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold 8,500 copies in the United States during its first week of release. On May 5, 2014, XXL revealed Rashad was included in their annual freshman class.
On September 2, 2016, Rashad released his debut studio album, The Sun's Tirade. The Sun's Tirade received critical acclaim from music critics, debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard 200 and sold 19,000 copies its first week.
Khaki
Isaiah Rashad Lyrics
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Far from a nigga, don't call me a nigga 'less you call me my nigga
I love niggas, I'm your only white friend
I bet you hate your own complexion, bet you wish you light skin
I dream a dream and write 'em like right then I bet you dreamed 'em before
But it's the hesitant the fear of all the shit you don't know
My momma told me not to listen to them bitches no more
It get me to my girlfriend house so I can bust it, I see potential
I feel it in my soul, kinda bitter with my father, tryna let that shit go
But I don't know
I wanna smoke the pain away but the weed'll get me fired
From a job that I need, where's the weed? (Man, fuck it)
I ain't tryna change the world, I just wanna change my own life
And transition a couple wrongs right, up
One of them long nights, contemplated suicide
In the mirror you and I, it's do or die
I love my poppa man
Them niggas without a father, hope the chopper jam
Big brothers and single mothers put they kids first
Bang bang, whoopty-whoop guess who was hit first, khaki
Bitch
In these lyrics from Isaiah Rashad's song Khaki, he touches on several themes that are personal to him as a Black man in America. The opening lines of the verse address the issue of the usage of the word "nigga". Rashad states that he would prefer that his friends only call him this term if they're prefacing it with "my", indicating that there is a sense of camaraderie and familiarity that comes along with it. Additionally, he expresses his love for his Black friends, stating that he's their "only white friend". This highlights the fact that as a biracial person in America, Rashad feels a responsibility to both his white and Black identity, but ultimately feels more drawn to the Black community.
Rashad also touches upon colorism within the Black community, stating that he betrays his Black friend secretly wishes they had lighter skin. This implies that his friend may feel as though lighter skin would afford them more opportunities in society. Rashad himself has discussed experiencing colorism, with some members of his family favoring his lighter-skinned siblings over him. He also discusses his strained relationship with his father, who he feels bitter towards but is trying to forgive.
The verse ends with Rashad discussing his desire to smoke marijuana as a way to cope with his pain and sadness, but acknowledging that it could negatively impact his job opportunities. He reiterates his personal desire to not change the world, but only to change his own life and make things right. The line "In the mirror you and I, it's do or die" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that he sees himself as a reflection of the Black community as a whole and that there is a sense of urgency in fixing the problems that they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Far from a nigga, don't call me a nigga 'less you call me my nigga
I am not just any ordinary 'nigga', I am someone who deserves respect and familiarity before you call me that term
I love niggas, I'm your only white friend
Despite being one of the only white people in this community, I deeply appreciate and respect the black people around me
I bet you hate your own complexion, bet you wish you light skin
I perceive that you have a lower level of confidence in your dark skin, wishing to have lighter skin instead
I dream a dream and write 'em like right then I bet you dreamed 'em before
I am confident in my ability to craft meaningful and creative songs that speaks to people's lives
But it's the hesitant the fear of all the shit you don't know
People tend to become hesitant and scared when they don't know something, even if it has the potential to benefit them
My momma told me not to listen to them bitches no more
My mother advised me to stop taking advice from deceptive women who may have harmful intentions towards me
And ever since I've been riding in my Honda solo, 4-door, it's kinda busted
Since that moment, I have been driving alone in my beat-up, 4-door Honda to avoid any negative influence from others
It get me to my girlfriend house so I can bust it, I see potential
Although my car is not perfect, it allows me to visit my girlfriend and still has the potential to transport me to other destinations
I feel it in my soul, kinda bitter with my father, tryna let that shit go
I have a strong intuition and passion towards my music, but I also struggle with my resentment towards my father who I am trying to forgive
But I don't know
I am still unsure of what the future holds for me
I wanna smoke the pain away but the weed'll get me fired
I am tempted to use marijuana to cope with my emotional pain, but I am aware that it could lead to losing my job
From a job that I need, where's the weed? (Man, fuck it)
I value my job and its stability, but at the same time, I am easily influenced to neglect it for the immediate pleasure of smoking weed
I ain't tryna change the world, I just wanna change my own life
Rather than trying to make a grand impact on the world, my main goal is to improve my personal life
And transition a couple wrongs right, up
Through my music and life choices, I hope to fix some of my past mistakes and move forward in a better direction
One of them long nights, contemplated suicide
During a particularly difficult night, I had thoughts of ending my own life
In the mirror you and I, it's do or die
Looking at myself in the mirror, I know that this is a critical moment where I need to make a decision for my own survival and wellbeing
I love my poppa man
Despite our strained relationship, I still have love and respect for my father
Them niggas without a father, hope the chopper jam
I sympathize with those who grew up without a father figure, and I hope that the weapon they carry to protect themselves would malfunction
Big brothers and single mothers put they kids first
I admire the sacrifice and dedication of siblings and single mothers who prioritize their children's needs above their own
Bang bang, whoopty-whoop guess who was hit first, khaki
This line is an abrupt shift in tone and an allusion to gang violence where the artist questions who was initiated the violent altercation first, while wearing khaki-colored clothing
Bitch
An exclamation of defiance or anger towards a perceived opponent or adversary
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.