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.
West Savannah
Isaiah Rashad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Southernplayalistic banging through the night
(Fall in love, through the night)
And I ain't ever felt no type
Of way about this living do or die
(Type of way, do or die)
And when they see our age they say
We're young, I'll let you push me to the side
(Push me, to the side)
At least, we fell in love
With something greater than debating suicide
(At least, we fell in love)
How you feeling baby?
How you feeling baby?
I travel for you
I battle for you
Cause I love to call your name
I travel for you
Now can we fall in love while
Southernplayalistic banging through the night
And I ain't ever felt no type
Of way about this living do or die
And when they see our age they say
We're young, I'll let you push me to the side
At least, we fell in love
With something greater than debating suicide
Now can we fall in love while
Southernplayalistic banging through the night
(Fall in love, through the night)
And I ain't ever felt no type
Of way about this living do or die
(Type of way, do or die)
And when they see our age they say
We're young, I'll let you push me to the side
(Push me, to the side)
At least, we fell in love
With something greater than debating suicide
(At least, we fell in love)
Isaiah Rashad's song West Savannah captures the essence of young love in a gritty, southern landscape. The lyricist is making a plea for a love that can withstand the harsh realities of life in West Savannah. The opening line "Now can we fall in love while Southernplayalistic banging through the night" sets the stage for a romance that is rooted in the music and culture of the region. Southernplayalistic is a reference to Atlanta rap duo Outkast's debut album, which is often cited as an essential southern hip-hop album. The urgency of the request to "fall in love" while the music is playing creates a sense of urgency to seize the moment for an authentic experience.
The second verse speaks to the struggle of living in a neighborhood where life and death can be separated by a hair's breadth. The lyricist admits that he has no reservations about this kind of life because it is all he knows. The line "And I ain't ever felt no type of way about this living do or die" serves as a testament to the environment that shaped him. The following line acknowledges the fact that many outsiders view this lifestyle as callous and inhumane. The lyricist is aware of the judgment from others and the possibility of being overlooked, but he still allows himself to fall in love with something greater than just surviving. The last line "At least, we fell in love with something greater than debating suicide" speaks to the idea that love is an antidote for feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Overall, West Savannah is a song that beautifully captures a moment in time. It speaks to the resilience and strength embodied by many who grow up in tough inner-city neighborhoods where the stakes of life are high.
Line by Line Meaning
Now can we fall in love while Southernplayalistic banging through the night
Is it possible for us to fall in love while the music of Southern hip-hop pioneers OutKast plays in the background?
And I ain't ever felt no type Of way about this living do or die
I have never felt any particular emotion about the fact that we are living in a place and time where survival is not guaranteed and one must be prepared to fight to stay alive.
And when they see our age they say We're young, I'll let you push me to the side
Although people may discount our youth, I will let you disregard me if it means you will be able to accomplish great things.
At least, we fell in love With something greater than debating suicide
At the very least, we have fallen in love with something more meaningful than considering taking our own lives.
How you feeling baby?
How are you doing, my love?
I travel for you I battle for you Cause I love to call your name I travel for you
I am willing to go to great lengths and fight for you, because just the act of saying your name brings me joy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Isaiah Rashad, Solana Rowe, Tyran Levon Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind