1. Kaseem Ryan (born Aug… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name.
1. Kaseem Ryan (born August 11, 1972), better known by his stage name Ka, is an American rapper, producer, and firefighter from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.
He is a former member of the group Natural Elements. In 1998 he formed the group Nightbreed with his friend Kev. In 2008, he was re-introduced on GZA's album Pro Tools on the song "Firehouse" and in that same year he released his debut album Iron Works. In 2012, he released the follow-up Grief Pedigree on his label Iron Works. The album featured a guest appearance by Roc Marciano and was produced by Ka.
Ka has also worked under the names Dr. Yen Lo and Hermit and the Recluse, both as collaborations between him and Preservation for the former and Animoss for the latter.
2. KA is a Dutch rapper. He released his debut album in late 2020
Land of Nod
Ka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I live this vivid shit, I ain't that creative
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I live this vivid shit, I ain' that creative
Had to repel calm to get things clickin'
Pack back to Belmont with slim pickings
Said, "What up cuz? It's love" 'fore there was anything Crippin'
No arrests, just a few court summers
Got some on the low from me after known' my shortcomings
Death toll highest when hot, I'm wishin' for short summers
And trust is a must before he could talk numbers
I delete the doctrine if retreats an option
Must defend, if up to to them, we'd be locked, eatin' toxin
Flamin' tool in plain view, could never let the cops in
Least one foot in squares, what we revere is boxing
String of itchy trigger fingers, wehre there they act rash
Could tell I had a wack past
The opponent every walkin' moment tryin' stack cash
Come through, bricks, new whip, equipped for backlash
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I live this vivid shit, I ain't that creative
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I live this vivid shit, (I ain't that creative)
Fiends took grams as we shook hands, 'cause neither had a fair shake
Already livin' with prisoners, I couldn't be scared straight
Didn't invite friends over, 'cause never had a spare plate
Anyone who made it out of here, I wouldn't dare hate
Generally outgoing, but around the decoy
Malaise most days, be years before I speak joy
What they profess is estrogen, and I don't eat soy
And I can't party when they party, tryna kill each boy
Moses to the hoes, learned from burnin' bush
Had to have some pull, before I should turn and push
Was on the corner by night confirmed as rooks
But made more in the job than was earned as crooks
Put past of me in the art, like I'm pendin' an appendage
Invested since the beginning, in the end I want percentage
When night's over, might know, dependent with descendants
Was always the same one word when my family got the sentence
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I live this vivid shit, I ain't that creative
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I live this vivid shit, I ain' that creative
In the song "Land of Nod" by Ka, the lyrics delve into themes of identity, struggle, and the realities of life in the streets. The first verse begins with Ka asserting his authenticity and connection to his hometown by stating, "You can tell I'm in fact the native." He emphasizes that he doesn't need to rely on imagination or creativity to describe the world he lives in—it is vivid and real to him.
The next lines describe the hardships and challenges faced while growing up in his neighborhood. Ka mentions having to repel calmness in order to find opportunities, and returning to Belmont with slim pickings, indicating that resources were scarce. He recalls the early days, before gang activity, when he would greet others with love, showing a sense of community and friendship. Despite enduring difficult winters and not being young anymore, Ka has managed to avoid legal trouble, although not without acknowledging his own flaws.
The lyrics touch on the importance of trust in their world, where numbers talk and retreat might be an option. Ka implies that he is willing to defend his territory to ensure they aren't trapped or exposed to harmful substances. He mentions having one foot in squares, which could refer to being involved in the streets while still appreciating the art of boxing.
The second verse reveals a harsher reality. Ka describes encounters with drug addicts who would take what they needed and disappear, highlighting a lack of fairness in their circumstances. Growing up amidst incarcerated individuals, Ka couldn't afford to be intimidated into changing his ways. He reflects on not having enough to share with friends, as there were never extra plates. Despite this, Ka admits that he wouldn't envy those who managed to escape their surroundings. He portrays himself as generally outgoing, but internal battles often leave him in a state of malaise, distant from true happiness. He rejects societal expectations of conformity, pointing out that he doesn't consume soy products (an allusion to his individualism).
Continuing with biblical references, Ka compares himself to Moses, learning through personal experiences and applying that knowledge to lead others. He mentions having more success in legitimate jobs than in illegal activities, indicating a path of personal growth and escape from a life of crime. He aligns his art with his past as a criminal, implying that his music is an outlet for him to express and reflect on his journey. The final lines convey a deep sense of familial connection and loyalty, emphasizing the importance of unity and support in the face of adversity.
Overall, these lyrics from "Land of Nod" showcase Ka's introspective exploration of his roots, struggles, and the complexities of his environment. Through vivid imagery and personal experiences, he provides listeners with a raw and authentic perspective on the realities of urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
You can tell I'm in fact the native
I am undeniably from this place
I live this vivid shit, I ain't that creative
I experience the reality of life, I'm not fabricating it
Had to repel calm to get things clickin'
I had to overcome tranquility in order to make things happen
Pack back to Belmont with slim pickings
Returned to Belmont with limited options
Said, 'What up cuz? It's love' 'fore there was anything Crippin'
Expressed love and unity before gang affiliations existed
Did over forty-five winters, I ain't no spring chicken
Experienced many cold seasons, I'm not young anymore
No arrests, just a few court summers
No criminal charges, only a few court appearances
Got some on the low from me after known' my shortcomings
Received support discreetly after knowing my faults
Death toll highest when hot, I'm wishin' for short summers
Highest mortality rates during hot times, hoping for shorter summers
And trust is a must before he could talk numbers
Trust is essential before discussing financial matters
I delete the doctrine if retreats an option
I abandon the teachings if I have the option to retreat
Must defend, if up to them, we'd be locked, eatin' toxin
We must protect ourselves, otherwise, we would be trapped and harmed
Flamin' tool in plain view, could never let the cops in
Showing off a dangerous weapon, never allowing the police to intervene
Least one foot in squares, what we revere is boxing
Always keeping a connection to the streets, boxing is what we idolize
String of itchy trigger fingers, where they act rash
A group of trigger-happy individuals who act impulsively
Could tell I had a wack past
It was evident that I had a troubled history
The opponent every walkin' moment tryin' stack cash
Constantly battling against those trying to accumulate wealth
Come through, bricks, new whip, equipped for backlash
Arriving with drugs and a new car, prepared for any negative consequences
Fiends took grams as we shook hands, 'cause neither had a fair shake
Drug addicts took drugs as we greeted each other because we both had disadvantaged lives
Already livin' with prisoners, I couldn't be scared straight
I was already surrounded by individuals involved in crime, so I couldn't be intimidated into changing my ways
Didn't invite friends over, 'cause never had a spare plate
I never invited friends to my place because I never had extra food
Anyone who made it out of here, I wouldn't dare hate
I would never have any ill feelings towards anyone who managed to escape this place
Generally outgoing, but around the decoy
Usually sociable, but cautious around undercover individuals
Malaise most days, be years before I speak joy
Feeling unwell most days, it will be a long time before I experience happiness
What they profess is estrogen, and I don't eat soy
What they claim is weak, and I don't conform to their ways
And I can't party when they party, tryna kill each boy
I can't celebrate like they do, as they are trying harm one another
Moses to the hoes, learned from burnin' bush
Offering guidance to women, influenced by a significant experience
Had to have some pull, before I should turn and push
Had to gain influence before making a significant impact
Was on the corner by night confirmed as rooks
Spent nights on the street, established as novices
But made more in the job than was earned as crooks
However, I earned more money through legal work than illegal activities
Put past of me in the art, like I'm pendin' an appendage
Expressing my past experiences through my art, like a pending addition to my body
Invested since the beginning, in the end I want percentage
I have been dedicated from the start, and in the end, I want my fair share
When night's over, might know, dependent with descendants
When the dark times pass, perhaps we will have a better understanding, relying on future generations
Was always the same one word when my family got the sentence
I always had the same response when my family faced the consequences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kaseem Ryan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind