The alias "k-os" is pronounced "chaos" and is an acronym for "Knowledge of Self," although in a later interview he also said that it stands for "Kheaven's Original Sound." His music incorporates a wide variety of music genres including but not limited to rap, funk, rock, and reggae. The lyrics frequently focus on promoting a "positive message" while at times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture's obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence. A musician as well as a producer, k-os has written and produced a large portion of all four of his albums. k-os usually performs with a live band, something that is uncommon in the hip hop genre. He sometimes plays guitar and keyboard both during live performances and in the studio.
k-os received his first musical exposure with the single "Musical Essence," released in 1993. After the release of his second single "Rise Like The Sun" in 1996 he withdrew from the industry because he was dissatisfied with his musical style. He reappeared briefly in 1999 and released his debut album Exit in 2002. The album received positive reviews but sold relatively few copies. He released his second album Joyful Rebellion in 2004, which received platinum status in Canada. Joyful Rebellion received positive reviews, but at times was criticized for speaking extensively on the state of hip hop. k-os's third album, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco, was released in 2006, and his fourth album entitled Yes! was released in April of 2009.
AquaCityBoy
K-OS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's over here!
Check it
We ice cold, rap Siberia North Pole
"This ain't rock'n roll, cause the rapper's in
control"
I'm like a blacksmith, forgin' the mic into gold
I spent alot of time, perusin' the T. Dot
Maybe a beats hot, but syllables bleeped *out*
Many men turn to mice when searchin' for cheese, auk
Pick up these guitars, not negative heat knocks, now
I'm like an rangular angular rhyme strangular
Bangin' the beats from here to Hallie
And I'm manning a "Microphone"
You best respect Canada
In this musical famine
so here's some manna you can't examine
I'm staggerin'
Drunk amongst style
"Offishal" like "Kardinal"
Big up to Red Won
Misfit, they put me up in the mix
Zeb Rock's ghetto's comin' with a bag of tricks
Sick!
Yo!
It's over here!
It's over here!
And we blow the spot
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
Here
It's over here!
And we blow the spot
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
Oh oh oh
Ya don' know?
Corrup and Whippy, that's East of Toronto
Used to take the Jetta downtown to check the sound
Of DJ X and Mastermindin' the underground
Now I'm grown up but I feel stuck
Hip-hop head forever, tryin' to keep it together
Sometimes I think I'm goin' insane
Pressure bring, pressure flowin' on my head like rain
But fame can bring pain
That's why I got game and a rude attitude
that I call Emily *hay*
So you can get the Prozak if you claim to know that
What I'm livin', I break it down like long division
A mathematician, with inner vision like Stevie
No wonder, I make a move-a from one street to Vancouver
Lookin' for philosopher stone
It's over there-no? It's over here-what?
It's over here!
Yo!
It's over here!
It's over here!
And we blow the spot
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
Here
It's over here!
It's over here!
And we blow the spot
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
Ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhhh
The opening lines of k-os's AquaCityBoy, "It's over here! Check it," sets the tone for this track, which speaks to the rapper's love and dedication to Toronto, the city he calls home. K-os refers to himself as an "AquaCityBoy," a nod to Toronto being located on the shores of Lake Ontario. He asserts himself as part of the new wave of hip-hop, one that takes control and doesn't rely on the rock and roll tropes of the past. He likens his craft to that of a blacksmith, who hammers and refines tools into gold.
The main theme is one of passion and love for hip-hop and the city of Toronto. He acknowledges the struggles of being a musician and the pressure that comes with fame, but remains grounded and devoted to his craft. K-os proudly represents Canada and wants his fellow Canadians to embrace and respect the musical talent emerging from their country. The lines "Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot," serve as both a call to action and a declaration of his city's importance in the hip-hop world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's over here!
The action/thing being referred to is in this direction/spot.
It's over here!
Reiterating that the action/thing is in this direction/spot.
Check it
Pay attention or listen closely.
We ice cold, rap Siberia North Pole
We are very skilled at rapping and are tough like the cold regions of Siberia and North Pole.
"This ain't rock'n roll, cause the rapper's in control"
Rapping is a different genre than rock music because the rapper has more control.
I'm like a blacksmith, forgin' the mic into gold
I am skilled like a blacksmith, turning the microphone and my words into something valuable and beautiful.
The game gets old, when the game gets sold
The music industry loses its authenticity and creativity when it prioritizes making money.
I spent alot of time, perusin' the T. Dot
I have spent a lot of time observing and studying Toronto.
Maybe a beats hot, but syllables bleeped *out*
The beat may sound good, but the rhymes/lyrics are censored or muted.
Many men turn to mice when searchin' for cheese, auk
People become weak and cowardly when seeking success or money.
Pick up these guitars, not negative heat knocks, now
Focus on playing instruments and creating music, not starting conflict or violence.
I'm like an rangular angular rhyme strangular
I have an innovative and unique style of rapping.
Bangin' the beats from here to Hallie
Creating amazing music that is being heard everywhere.
And I'm manning a "Microphone"
I am controlling the microphone and performing.
You best respect Canada
Show appreciation and admiration for Canadian culture/music.
In this musical famine
There is a lack of good music.
so here's some manna you can't examine
Here is some amazing music that you cannot fully comprehend.
I'm staggerin'
Feeling unsteady or confused.
Drunk amongst style
Being surrounded by creative and unique fashion/music.
"Offishal" like "Kardinal"
Authentic and real like other Canadian artists.
Big up to Red Won
Shout-out and appreciation for Red 1.
Misfit, they put me up in the mix
I am a misfit or outsider, but they included me in the music scene.
Zeb Rock's ghetto's comin' with a bag of tricks
Zeb Rock and his crew are coming with creative and new ideas.
Sick!
Amazing or awesome!
Oh oh oh
Exclamation sounds.
Ya don' know?
You don't know?
Corrup and Whippy, that's East of Toronto
Referring to places east of Toronto.
Used to take the Jetta downtown to check the sound
I used to drive to the city to listen to music.
Of DJ X and Mastermindin' the underground
Referring to underground/indie music artists.
Now I'm grown up but I feel stuck
I am older now but feel like I am not progressing.
Hip-hop head forever, tryin' to keep it together
I will always love hip-hop and am trying to stay true to it.
Sometimes I think I'm goin' insane
Sometimes I feel like I am losing my sanity.
Pressure bring, pressure flowin' on my head like rain
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed like rain falling on my head.
But fame can bring pain
Being famous can have negative consequences.
That's why I got game and a rude attitude
I have skill and confidence to handle the negative side of fame.
that I call Emily *hay*
Referring to feeling like I have two personalities - the confident/rude one (called Emily) and the normal one.
So you can get the Prozak if you claim to know that
You can understand the intense and complex thoughts/feelings by claiming to know what I've experienced.
What I'm livin', I break it down like long division
I break down my life experiences and emotions in a detailed and analytical way.
A mathematician, with inner vision like Stevie
I have a unique way of seeing the world, like Stevie Wonder.
No wonder, I make a move-a from one street to Vancouver
It's no surprise that I am able to move around and take on new things like moving from one place to another.
Lookin' for philosopher stone
Searching for something valuable and elusive.
It's over there-no? It's over here-what?
Over there? No, over here!
Yo!
An expression to get someone's attention or start speaking.
It's over here!
The action/thing being referred to is in this direction/spot.
It's over here!
Reiterating that the action/thing is in this direction/spot.
And we blow the spot
We make a big impact on this music scene.
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
We elevate and make Toronto's music scene known and recognized.
Here
In this spot/direction.
It's over here!
The action/thing being referred to is in this direction/spot.
It's over here!
Reiterating that the action/thing is in this direction/spot.
And we blow the spot
We make a big impact on this music scene.
Put ya' city on the map and it's called the T.Dot
We elevate and make Toronto's music scene known and recognized.
Ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhhh
Exclamation sounds.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: J. GAHUNIA, KEVIN DERON BRERETON, RAY GARRAWAY, RUSSELL KLYNE, SANTOSH NAIDU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind