Kam (female singer):
Kam was born in Brooklyn, New York City on October 11th,1990 and then later moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2000. KAM is a descendent of Jamaican and Chinese ancestry. Her father, Lone Ranger, is a reggae recording artist (Deejay) in Kingston, Jamaican who recorded over 9 albums between the 70’s & 80’s. Although her father was the star of the family, she learned most of her musical influence from her mother who carried an amazing voice and passed down great influences of music.
Growing up, KAM never really had a home. She bounced from home to home since she was 5 years old; in and out of the care from her mother, relatives, group homes, and foster care. During high school, she began a deep depression, and being that she couldn’t keep any attachments to sports or extra curricular activities, she discovered a stronger passion for music. Music was something she could hold on to eternally, and nothing unstable could keep her from it.
Growing up some of KAM’s musical inspiration came from the majority of artist in her childhood era. Artist like Aaliyah, Beyonce, Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Tank, Tamia, Toni Braxton, Joe, TLC, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson.
The message in her music is transparent, it conveys strength, pure love, dance and soulful relationships. KAM desires to share with the world to “Love what you do, always do what you love… because if you don’t you will never truly be happy.” She is simply an urban classy, sexy, sensual young educated woman - who’s love for people and music is evident.
...
Kam (male rapper):
With his overt sociopolitical stance, somewhat rare for a West Coast rapper, Kam's angst-ridden brand of hardcore rap helped set the mark by which other socially-conscious emcees would be (and still are) judged.
Originally affiliated with Ice Cube, Kam's releases appeared sporadically, initially debuting on the Boyz N the Hood soundtrack, and then releasing his first solo album, Neva Again (1993, Atlantic). His powerful sophomore release, Made in America was released to critical acclaim in 1995, although a lack of commitment due to his political stance by his label at the time, East West Recordings, eventually led to his departure.
He took some time off in the late '90s to pursue other interests before returning in 2001 with his indie release Kamnesia, an ambitious album that found him further engaging street audiences with a slight club-friendly appeal to his insightful rhymes.
Now Kam finds himself aligned with Guerrilla Funk Recordings, arguably the musical home best suited for him, and a long overdue official pairing with Paris, whose political leanings mirror his own almost identically.
Trust Nobody
Kam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People make the world go around
They ask me what's up, I tell em what's goin down
Talk to me real if you feel you got a point to push
Then trick, make it quick, don't beat around the bush
I know we all lookin out for number one
That's why brothers sell dope and girls get they nails done
Tryin to get the same thing everybody else got
So I keep my guard up and I read between the lines
If we kick it long enough I can see the signs
If your motives is righteous or wicked
Do you want the knowledge or do you see me as a free meal ticket?
I keep my eyes open and my mouth closed
In a world full of white men, niggas and hoes
Everybody want somethin from you, but ain't nothin free
I do for people, but what can people do for me?
Except lock me down or sell me out
But anyway, what you say you had to tell me bout?
Yeah, all that talk sounds good
But rule number one when you come from the hood
Is: don't trust nobody
[CHORUS]
No one's gonna trust you
So don't you trust nobody
[VERSE 2: KAM]
I came into this world alone
Ain't no doubt that's how I'm goin out, so let me get my live on
Top of that I'm black in this white man's world
Believe me, they don't care if your hair is jherri curled
Especially for a male
They can't kill me, they wanna put me under the jail
You know my record's clean cause you just checked
But to them I'm just another 'male negro suspect'
A threat to the powers that be
You got sweet talk for my sister, but it sours at me
Cause you see the black man as a rival
But this is anybody killer and it's all about survival
So go for what you know from your country hick college
This is '94 and I'm up on your trick knowledge
Watchin devils like a hawk
Excuse me, mister, why do white men whisper when they talk?
Because that's a man snake hidin in that handshake
Who won't hesitate to lie, cheat and take
I know you think they act nice
But you be wise and just take this advice
And don't trust nobody
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 3: KAM]
Ain't no shame in my game, I got a lot to learn
But I'm learnin trust is somethin you got to earn
You might be able to rap or make the fans mob
But never send a boy out to do a man's job
Cause you really couldn't handle it
You be at they memorial tryin to keep a candle lit
Though they was fit, it don't matter if you muscle-bound
Out here it's all about who can put they hustle down
So I kick it with the O.G.'s
They say experience cost as we floss on the gold D's
You gotta work for your milk and honey
Second rule in the hood: all money ain't good money
Don't get excited and don't be emotional
Never run your mouth in front of none of them hoes you know
Bro, because fools and they money soon part
You might know they name but you never know they heart
It's a cold game, but somebody gotta play it
You probably wouldn't know if I didn't say it
So all it really boils down to is respect
Just like the tat on his neck, it said 'trust nobody'
Kam's song "Trust Nobody" highlights the central theme of not trusting anyone in life. In the first verse, Kam talks about how people are always trying to get something from you, and no one does anything without having a selfish motive. He emphasizes the importance of being cautious around people and reading their intentions. Kam highlights the differences between people from different backgrounds and how everyone is looking out for themselves.
In the second verse, Kam talks about the challenges he faces as a black man in a white man's world. He talks about the prejudice he faces and how he is perceived as a threat by the authorities. Kam believes that it is important always to be aware of the situation and not blindly trust what people say. He advises listeners not to trust anyone easily and be mindful of their surroundings.
Finally, in the third verse, Kam acknowledges that he has a lot to learn but emphasizes the importance of earning trust. He emphasizes the importance of working hard and not taking any shortcuts. Kam advises against getting emotional and not talking in front of anyone. He emphasizes the importance of respecting others and the fact that the central theme of his life is "trust nobody."
Line by Line Meaning
People make the world go around
People are essential to society's functions
They ask me what's up, I tell em what's goin down
People ask me how I'm doing, and I tell them the truth
Talk to me real if you feel you got a point to push
Speak honestly and directly if you have something important to say
Then trick, make it quick, don't beat around the bush
If you're trying to manipulate or deceive, do it efficiently and without wasting time
I know we all lookin out for number one
We're all primarily concerned with our own interests
That's why brothers sell dope and girls get they nails done
Some people resort to illegal activity or vanity in order to achieve their desired lifestyle
Tryin to get the same thing everybody else got
People aspire towards the same material or social status as their peers
If you a big name oh they'll be runnin game like snot
If you're successful or powerful, people will try to manipulate or use you to their advantage
So I keep my guard up and I read between the lines
I stay cautious and attentive to potential deception or hidden agendas
If we kick it long enough I can see the signs
Over time, I can assess someone's true intentions and character
If your motives is righteous or wicked
I'm assessing whether someone has good or bad intentions
Do you want the knowledge or do you see me as a free meal ticket?
I'm questioning whether someone is genuinely interested in learning from me or just using me for their own benefit
I keep my eyes open and my mouth closed
I observe and stay vigilant, but don't say too much
In a world full of white men, n****s and hoes
The world is divided into different races and genders, often with negative connotations
Everybody want somethin from you, but ain't nothin free
People always want something from you, and there's usually a catch or cost
I do for people, but what can people do for me?
I help others, but also consider what they can do to assist me in return
Except lock me down or sell me out
The only things people seem to do for me are harm me or betray me
But anyway, what you say you had to tell me bout?
What did you need to talk to me about, regardless of whether it will benefit me or not?
Yeah, all that talk sounds good
What you're saying sounds nice, but I'm skeptical
But rule number one when you come from the hood
The primary rule when growing up in an impoverished area
Is: don't trust nobody
Don't trust anyone, because they will likely try to use or deceive you
I came into this world alone
I was born and will die independently
Ain't no doubt that's how I'm goin out, so let me get my live on
I know I will die alone, so I will live my life to its fullest
Top of that I'm black in this white man's world
Being black in a society dominated by white people creates challenges
Believe me, they don't care if your hair is jherri curled
Even with attempts to appear more white, black people are still discriminated against
Especially for a male
Being a black man presents particular challenges and prejudices
They can't kill me, they wanna put me under the jail
Racism manifests in different ways, including unjust incarceration
You know my record's clean cause you just checked
My criminal record is clean, as you just confirmed
But to them I'm just another 'male negro suspect'
To the authorities, I'm simply a black man who's likely guilty of something
A threat to the powers that be
As a black man, I'm perceived as a threat to those in power
You got sweet talk for my sister, but it sours at me
White people may act friendly towards black women, but hostile towards black men
Cause you see the black man as a rival
Black men are seen as enemies by some white men
But this is anybody killer and it's all about survival
In a violent world, anyone can become a victim and it's all about staying alive
So go for what you know from your country hick college
Use the knowledge and skills you have from your rural upbringing and education
This is '94 and I'm up on your trick knowledge
It's 1994 and I'm aware of your deceitful ways
Watchin devils like a hawk
I'm watching out for harmful, deceitful people
Excuse me, mister, why do white men whisper when they talk?
I'm questioning the secretive and possibly sinister motives of some white men
Because that's a man snake hidin in that handshake
They're being deceptive or manipulative, and I'm not falling for it
Who won't hesitate to lie, cheat and take
They're willing to do whatever it takes, even if it's immoral or illegal
I know you think they act nice
You may perceive them as friendly or helpful
But you be wise and just take this advice
Be cautious and listen to my advice
And don't trust nobody
Don't trust anyone, particularly those who are deceitful or manipulative
Ain't no shame in my game, I got a lot to learn
I have a lot to learn, but I'm not ashamed of my current knowledge
But I'm learnin trust is somethin you got to earn
I'm realizing that trust must be earned, not automatically given
You might be able to rap or make the fans mob
You may have musical talent and a following of fans
But never send a boy out to do a man's job
Don't send someone who's inexperienced or unprepared to do a difficult task
Cause you really couldn't handle it
You wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility or challenge
You be at they memorial tryin to keep a candle lit
You would end up mourning the dead person, struggling to cope with their loss
Though they was fit, it don't matter if you muscle-bound
Even if you're physically strong, it doesn't necessarily matter in every situation
Out here it's all about who can put they hustle down
Success often requires hard work and an ability to navigate challenging situations
So I kick it with the O.G.'s
I spend time with older, wiser people who can provide guidance and support
They say experience cost as we floss on the gold D's
The older, wiser people say that learning from experience is valuable, as we show off our flashy gold cars
You gotta work for your milk and honey
Success requires effort and perseverance
Second rule in the hood: all money ain't good money
In impoverished areas, it's important to be careful about how you make money
Don't get excited and don't be emotional
Stay calm and level-headed
Never run your mouth in front of none of them hoes you know
Don't gossip or say anything unnecessary in front of women you know
Bro, because fools and they money soon part
Unwise people will eventually lose their money through bad decisions or scams
You might know they name but you never know they heart
You may be familiar with someone's reputation, but you don't know what's in their heart
It's a cold game, but somebody gotta play it
Life is difficult and challenging, but we have to navigate it anyways
You probably wouldn't know if I didn't say it
You may not have been aware of these challenges and lessons if I didn't bring them up
So all it really boils down to is respect
Ultimately, everything comes down to treating others with respect
Just like the tat on his neck, it said 'trust nobody'
Similar to a tattoo that says 'trust nobody', it is important to be cautious and skeptical of others
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.