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
Up Against Goliath
Ka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
The gifted narrator
Gunmetal gray rhymes, your scripts is lavender
Wise civilized, don't make me flip to savage ya
The proven wizard that move deliberate
Way of tools exhibit the rules are rigid
Reside and abide, or lose your gizzards
Block hot and hearts cold from heat waves through the blizzards
I'm from Grief Pedigree where they beef heavily
And tag the walls, thinking that was at least legacy
Even when removed from the block, I'm streets mentally
And shown it, for every good moment it's bleak memory
Never had weak tendency, from the heat embassy
Did it malignant, now I seek remedy
Played in the lots with weeds and rocks
And couldn't rest my knot cause niggas squeezing shots
Took on winters in goose downs and long johns
Lifting them four-fifths, I got strong arms
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
From the hardest forest, no fangs and claws
Slanging wars, we large and garbage niggas banging for us
Pressing labor with the razor, it gave me finger sores
Camouflaged behind large rings that bring in broads
Never was a boss, or part of the dons
But did settle mid-level, I'm sergeant-at-arms
Guns since young's how I guarded my moms
Parade with .380 Davis, y'all march with batons
Some feel sick, did real shit to live fantasy
When niggas serve stems, to those in their family tree
Trying to get it where it's at: air, land, and sea
Get nabbed, judge don't budge to show amnesty
The hammer's key.
If you stack notes from packed coke
Don't get aired out, can't ball when you flat broke
All that white powder was touted as Black hope
I spoke, asked fiends that rate it, they say "that's dope"
Not kids in church, we did dirt like we lacked soap
Still not trying to get soaked with the Mac scope
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
The first verse of Ka's song "Up Against Goliath" talks about his struggles and challenges, comparing himself to the biblical figure of David who defeated the giant Goliath. Ka sees himself as the underdog, facing obstacles and adversity but refusing to back down, just like David used his slingshot to bring down Goliath. Ka uses this metaphor of David and Goliath to describe his own battles, saying that he is "David on pavement, sling another stone" and that he is up against Goliath to bring butter home, meaning to achieve success or financial stability.
In the second verse, Ka describes his background and life experiences. He talks about growing up poor but rich in character, and how he had to learn to navigate the harsh realities of his surroundings. He talks about the violence and danger of his neighborhood, where people beef heavily and tag the walls as a form of legacy. Ka describes himself as mentally connected to the streets, even when he is no longer physically there. He also talks about how he had to arm himself with guns to protect his family and how he played in the lots with weeds and rocks because it was the only safe place he had. Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on the struggle to overcome obstacles and triumph in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
Fighting against insurmountable odds to provide for oneself
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
Using creativity and resourcefulness to overcome obstacles
The gifted narrator
Referring to oneself as a skilled storyteller
Gunmetal gray rhymes, your scripts is lavender
Boasting about superior lyricism compared to others
Poor all my life, but rich in character
Growing up financially disadvantaged but possessing inner strength and resilience
Wise civilized, don't make me flip to savage ya
Choosing to be mature and level-headed, but warning against pushing one's buttons
The proven wizard that move deliberate
Referring to oneself as a skilled practitioner who operates with intention and purpose
Way of tools exhibit the rules are rigid
Hinting at a structured approach to navigating the world
Reside and abide, or lose your gizzards
Implying that those who do not follow a strict code of conduct will face dire consequences
Block hot and hearts cold from heat waves through the blizzards
Enduring harsh conditions in tough urban environments
I'm from Grief Pedigree where they beef heavily
Referencing a neighborhood with a history of conflict and violence
And tag the walls, thinking that was at least legacy
Describing youths who strive for recognition and honor through graffiti art
Even when removed from the block, I'm streets mentally
Having a mindset shaped by a difficult upbringing
And shown it, for every good moment it's bleak memory
Reflecting on a life that has been marked by both positive and negative experiences
Never had weak tendency, from the heat embassy
Claiming to be a strong and resilient individual, even in challenging environments
Did it malignant, now I seek remedy
Acknowledging past mistakes and striving for redemption
Played in the lots with weeds and rocks
Describing a childhood filled with simple and improvised forms of entertainment
And couldn't rest my knot cause niggas squeezing shots
Feeling constantly on guard and unable to relax due to real dangers in the neighborhood
Took on winters in goose downs and long johns
Enduring through harsh winters with warm clothing
Lifting them four-fifths, I got strong arms
Bragging about physical strength and ability to handle firearms
From the hardest forest, no fangs and claws
Describing oneself as coming from a difficult background but lacking natural aggression
Slanging wars, we large and garbage niggas banging for us
Implying involvement in gang activity and having others do the dirty work
Pressing labor with the razor, it gave me finger sores
Acknowledging a history of violence and physical injury inflicted on oneself
Camouflaged behind large rings that bring in broads
Using flashy jewelry as a means of impressing women
Never was a boss, or part of the dons
Never being a top figure or leader in the criminal underworld
But did settle mid-level, I'm sergeant-at-arms
Occupying a position of authority within a lower tier of the criminal underworld
Guns since young's how I guarded my moms
Having to resort to violence and weaponry to protect one's family
Parade with .380 Davis, y'all march with batons
Comparing the potency of one's weapon to those of law enforcement
Some feel sick, did real shit to live fantasy
Acknowledging a life of crime as both exciting and damaging to one's health
When niggas serve stems, to those in their family tree
Alluding to the spread of drug addiction within families and communities
Trying to get it where it's at: air, land, and sea
Attempting to pursue financial success by any means necessary
Get nabbed, judge don't budge to show amnesty
Expecting little to no leniency from the justice system
The hammer's key.
Referring to the importance of firearms in certain circles
If you stack notes from packed coke
If one accumulates a large amount of cash from drug dealing
Don't get aired out, can't ball when you flat broke
Advising against drawing too much attention to oneself, as it can lead to negative consequences
All that white powder was touted as Black hope
Referencing the notion of drug dealing as a means of achieving financial success and overcoming societal injustices
I spoke, asked fiends that rate it, they say "that's dope"
Acknowledging the widespread use and popularity of drugs in certain communities
Not kids in church, we did dirt like we lacked soap
Reflecting on a life of crime and antisocial behavior
Still not trying to get soaked with the Mac scope
Striving to avoid gun violence and other negative consequences of the criminal underworld
Contributed by Isaac D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Seth Jones
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
[Verse 1: Ka]
The gifted narrator
Gunmetal gray rhymes, your scripts is lavender
Poor all my life, but rich in character
Wise civilized, don't make me flip to savage ya
The proven wizard that move deliberate
Way of tools exhibit the rules are rigid
Reside and abide, or lose your gizzards
Block hot and hearts cold from heat waves through the blizzards
I'm from Grief Pedigree where they beef heavily
And tag the walls, thinking that was at least legacy
Even when removed from the block, I'm streets mentally
And shown it, for every good moment it's bleak memory
Never had weak tendency, from the heat embassy
Did it malignant, now I seek remedy
Played in the lots with weeds and rocks
And couldn't rest my knot cause niggas squeezing shots
Took on winters in goose downs and long johns
Lifting them four-fifths, I got strong arms
[Hook x2]Verse 2: Ka]
From the hardest forest, no fangs and claws
Slanging wars, we large and garbage niggas banging for us
Pressing labor with the razor, it gave me finger sores
Camouflaged behind large rings that bring in broads
Never was a boss, or part of the dons
But did settle mid-level, I'm sergeant-at-arms
Guns since young's how I guarded my moms
Parade with .380 Davis, y'all march with batons
Some feel sick, did real shit to live fantasy
When niggas serve stems, to those in their family tree
Trying to get it where it's at: air, land, and sea
Get nabbed, judge don't budge to show amnesty
The hammer's key. If you stack notes from packed coke
Don't get aired out, can't ball when you flat broke
All that white powder was touted as Black hope
I spoke, asked fiends that rate it, they say "that's dope"
Not kids in church, we did dirt like we lacked soap
Still not trying to get soaked with the Mac scope
[Hook x2]
Bg Bbgg
This man is possibly the most talented lyricist of all time
Ryan Samuels
Once I heard this song and the rest of the album, I have had a difficult time listening to anything else. KA reminds me of an elder sage. Full of wisdom achieved through years of pain and anguish. Alot of rappers can attest for those similar struggles, but don't speak it in a way that KA does. Aside from the likes of MOP, Heltah Skeltah, Smooth the Hustler and Trigga the Gambler, KA gave me a more somber, poetic aspect of Brownsville. I can't wait for his next solo album.
triggateammilitia
Ryan Samuels have u heard his work with Roc Marciano?
DavidsonLoops
I had the same feeling Ryan, I thought the beat gave me the feeling but I dunno, he definitely has that laid back wisdom we would only have seen in the 80s and 90s.
Jole Milic
Even though it's been 7 years since this comment was posted, it's still so relevant today. Iv'e never been more moved by an album. I can't stop listening to Grief Pedigree. I was blessed to first come across this during a really dark time in my life, this helped so much. I'm a white Australian, I was never going to able to relate to "Gangsta Rap," but Ka was able to give a vision of a reality that so many people have suffered. So gritty, evil, painful, violent combined with hope and the longing for a better life. It literally doesn't get better than this. Thank you Ka, shit like this has changed my life.
Jesse Steele
@Jole Milic That's why Ka is so profound. His lyricism appeals to all people. He's rapping about his experience and the pain associated to his hardships, which is what we as humans each experience on our own level. His word is relatable. Each struggle we all experience is relative. But right now in 2020 we are all experiencing a profoundly difficult time in history: a pandemic. We need more Ka 🔥
Jersey Mcgee
"Don't get aired out, cant ball when you flat broke", this dude is a library of quotable s KA much respect from jersey keep the real coming ..
Seth Jones
Up against Goliath, to bring butter home
I'm David on pavement, sling another stone
[Verse 1: Ka]
The gifted narrator
Gunmetal gray rhymes, your scripts is lavender
Poor all my life, but rich in character
Wise civilized, don't make me flip to savage ya
The proven wizard that move deliberate
Way of tools exhibit the rules are rigid
Reside and abide, or lose your gizzards
Block hot and hearts cold from heat waves through the blizzards
I'm from Grief Pedigree where they beef heavily
And tag the walls, thinking that was at least legacy
Even when removed from the block, I'm streets mentally
And shown it, for every good moment it's bleak memory
Never had weak tendency, from the heat embassy
Did it malignant, now I seek remedy
Played in the lots with weeds and rocks
And couldn't rest my knot cause niggas squeezing shots
Took on winters in goose downs and long johns
Lifting them four-fifths, I got strong arms
[Hook x2]Verse 2: Ka]
From the hardest forest, no fangs and claws
Slanging wars, we large and garbage niggas banging for us
Pressing labor with the razor, it gave me finger sores
Camouflaged behind large rings that bring in broads
Never was a boss, or part of the dons
But did settle mid-level, I'm sergeant-at-arms
Guns since young's how I guarded my moms
Parade with .380 Davis, y'all march with batons
Some feel sick, did real shit to live fantasy
When niggas serve stems, to those in their family tree
Trying to get it where it's at: air, land, and sea
Get nabbed, judge don't budge to show amnesty
The hammer's key. If you stack notes from packed coke
Don't get aired out, can't ball when you flat broke
All that white powder was touted as Black hope
I spoke, asked fiends that rate it, they say "that's dope"
Not kids in church, we did dirt like we lacked soap
Still not trying to get soaked with the Mac scope
[Hook x2]
Young Merkules
Shit is heat rock...
micpriestdabeast
"up against goliath to bring butter home, i'm david on pavement sling another stone" that right there fellaz is one of my favourite hooks in hiphop