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.
Start Me Up
K-OS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The popkree out there
And he is going to be in demand
The father chooch
Be realistic
Sick and tired of your bumbaklatt
You don't
Shut your fuckin' booty
Basically sick and fuckin' tired of your darling
Bumbaklatt
Love you
Turn it on a rate of 24
Bumbaklatt
Dear darling
I love you
Bumbaklatt
Aman sing...
Sing for the almighty
Rasclkatt
Loving woman
Bumbaklatt
From the the moon to the bumbaklatt star
I'm stick and tired still?
Bumbaklatt
See?"
Lyrical lovechild
In my hotel in SoCal
Married to rap and she's so foul
Whoa now
I'm hitting when I'm loving
I'm bringing it
I'm ducking
Buggin' it
I'm bringing I'll...
Why test Wyclef
I'm like the fourth Fugee
Doing my duty
Or like the fifth black Beatle
Evil Kenevil
Says she loves you
And you know that can't be bad
Get off the block
Offer of luther is shock
On to what you is and off of what it is not
Planet is gettin' hot
With earthquakes in the T=Dot, yeah
I take it back the day with chili-chali-cho
Ichchi ban yes the people I dem know
When I grab the mic indeed it starts to blow
'St-start me up"
"Yeah!"
"Who think they test me now? Run through your town I shut it down..."
Peace to all the people who love real hip hop
We can live forever and just don't stop
Rockin' in the alleys and from block to block
You started it at the bottom
Now ya made it to the top
Yo, living the beat y'all
Living the code
Commentate
Delivery dominate
The mystical magistrate
Droppin' bombs
To laminate
Fates I'm in paint thinner
Rap is the blackboard
Stopped it
Drop hits
Lyrical stock tips
Copped it, from the twelfth planet called the arctic
These fibre optics
Will not be diluted
Or hijacked
I drop it on any topic
I'm like a man in plain
Observing my brain to gain to
Pertain
Using the flame
For fame
The game
Driving you insane
Put you all to shame
EmmmmCEE!
"St-start me up"
"Yeah"
"Now this could be the big story of the summer, network is going to want plenty of coverage."
"St-st-start me up"
"They test me now"
"St-st-start me up"
"They test me now"
"Who think they test me now? Run through this town I shut it down... "
The lyrics to K-OS's song "Start Me Up" appear to be somewhat abstract and lacking in a clear theme or narrative. There are repeated mentions of "bumbaklatt," a Jamaican slur for a rude or obnoxious person, but it's unclear what the overarching message is. There are plenty of references to other musical artists, such as the Fugees, the Beatles, and Wyclef Jean, and some acknowledgement of the rapper's own place in the hip-hop world. He asserts his dominance and proclaims that he can't be tested or beaten by other rappers.
One interpretation of the lyrics might be that K-OS is frustrated with the state of contemporary pop music and the many "popkre" artists who are in high demand despite their lack of substance or musical talent. He may feel that his own form of hip-hop is being overlooked or marginalized in favor of this more mainstream style. Additionally, there may be a sense of K-OS trying to assert his own power and influence within the rap world, challenging other artists to compete with him and hoping to be recognized as one of the greats.
Overall, it seems that the song is meant to be a bold and aggressive statement of K-OS's artistic vision and skill. Through various metaphors and cryptic lyrics, he expresses a desire to be taken seriously as a rapper and a musician, and to be seen as someone who can stand up to any challenge. The repeated reference to "start me up" suggests a readiness and eagerness to take on any challenge, no matter how daunting.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to kill
I'm going to compete with and surpass
The popkree out there
The existing pop music landscape
And he is going to be in demand
And my music will be highly sought after
The father chooch
The father of creation
Be realistic
Come back to reality
Sick and tired of your bumbaklatt
Tired of hearing nonsense
You don't
You don't understand
Shut your fuckin' booty
Be quiet
See?
Understand what I'm saying?
Basically sick and fuckin' tired of your darling
Essentially tired of hearing your same old song
Bumbaklatt
Nonsense
Love you
Appreciate you
Turn it on a rate of 24
Play it at maximum volume
Dear darling
Addressing the music with affection
Aman sing...
Continue singing, amen
Sing for the almighty
Sing for a higher power
Rasclkatt
People who stir up trouble
Loving woman
Appreciation for the music
From the the moon to the bumbaklatt star
From everywhere
I'm stick and tired still?
Am I still tired?
See?
Understand what I'm saying?
Lyrical lovechild
A product of poetic creativity
In my hotel in SoCal
In a hotel in Southern California
Married to rap and she's so foul
Committed to the genre, even if it's controversial
Whoa now
Hold on
I'm hitting when I'm loving
Performing with passion
I'm bringing it
I'm delivering my best
I'm ducking
I'm avoiding confrontation
Buggin' it
Excited and enthusiastic
I'm bringing I'll...
I'm delivering heavy lyrics
Why test Wyclef
Why challenge an established artist like Wyclef Jean
I'm like the fourth Fugee
I'm like a member of the successful group The Fugees
Doing my duty
Fulfilling my responsibilities
Or like the fifth black Beatle
Like a member of the legendary band The Beatles
Evil Kenevil
A reference to the famous daredevil
Says she loves you
A woman professes her love
And you know that can't be bad
It's always positive to receive love
Get off the block
Regain control
Offer of luther is shock
Receiving shocking news
On to what you is and off of what it is not
Focus on what is factual
Planet is gettin' hot
The world is becoming more intense
With earthquakes in the T=Dot, yeah
With natural disasters in Toronto
I take it back the day with chili-chali-cho
A nostalgic reference to the past
Ichchi ban yes the people I dem know
Positive acknowledgment from fans
When I grab the mic indeed it starts to blow
When I start to perform, it becomes powerful
'St-start me up"
Encouragement to begin performing
"Yeah!"
Expressing excitement
"Who think they test me now? Run through your town I shut it down..."
Challenging other artists to compete
Peace to all the people who love real hip hop
A shout out to fans of genuine hip hop music
We can live forever and just don't stop
Hip hop culture is eternal and constantly evolving
Rockin' in the alleys and from block to block
Performing in a variety of settings
You started it at the bottom
Starting from a humble beginning
Now ya made it to the top
Achieving a high level of success
Yo, living the beat y'all
Embracing the rhythm
Living the code
Following the values of hip hop culture
Commentate
Providing commentary
Delivery dominate
Performing in a commanding way
The mystical magistrate
A metaphorical term for the artist as an influential figure
Droppin' bombs
Delivering powerful lyrics
To laminate
To coat with a protective covering
Fates I'm in paint thinner
A metaphor for being vulnerable
Rap is the blackboard
The artist uses music to express themselves
Stopped it
Stopped the negativity
Drop hits
Release successful songs
Lyrical stock tips
Creative advice
Copped it, from the twelfth planet called the arctic
Received inspiration from a faraway place
These fibre optics
The channels of communication
Will not be diluted
Will not be weakened
Or hijacked
Or taken over by someone else
I drop it on any topic
The artist can rap about anything
I'm like a man in plain
The artist is like a superhero, standing up for justice
Observing my brain to gain to
Thinking to understand
Pertain
To relate to
Using the flame
Using creativity
For fame
To become well-known
The game
The music industry
Driving you insane
Pushing to the limit
Put you all to shame
Making the competition look bad
EmmmmCEE!
The artist self-identifies as an MC, or rapper
"St-start me up"
Encouragement to begin performing
"Yeah"
Expressing excitement
"Now this could be the big story of the summer, network is going to want plenty of coverage."
Anticipating a successful song that will receive significant attention
"St-st-start me up"
Encouragement to begin performing
"They test me now"
Challenging other artists to compete
"St-st-start me up"
Encouragement to begin performing
"They test me now"
Challenging other artists to compete
"Who think they test me now? Run through this town I shut it down... "
Being confident in abilities and willing to compete against others
Contributed by Leah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keizer Soze
START ME UP & LOVE IS A LOADED GUN are tight ...meaning all together beat wise also but K-OS is nice on all songs