Kardinal started rapping at the age of eight, and was winning competitions by the time he was 12. Also at the age of 12, Kardinal performed live and on stage for the first time, with Nelson Mandela in attendance during his first visit to Toronto.[2] By 1993, he decided to drop his alias "KoolAid", and went by the moniker Kardinal Offishall after being inspired by the great 17th century French politician Cardinal Richelieu.
Kardinal was signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada at the age of 20. In 1996, he released his first single "Naughty Dread", which was featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One compilation and earned him a Juno Award nomination for Best Rap Recording. In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album Eye & I on Capitol Hill Music. The only single from the album, "On Wit Da Show", had considerable video play on MuchMusic. Kardinal was also credited as a major contributor to the late 90's renaissance of Canadian hip hop. In 1998, he was featured on the Juno-winning single "Northern Touch" with the Rascalz, Choclair, Checkmate and Thrust.
In 2000, Kardinal signed with MCA Records. He released the album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 in 2001, which spawned the hits "BaKardi Slang" and "Ol' Time Killin'". The album earned a gold certification in Canada. After MCA folded in 2003, Kardinal's highly anticipated follow up album Firestarter Vol. 2: F Word Theory was shelved along with the single/video for "Belly Dancer" featuring Pharrell, and Kardinal eventually found himself without a label. Had the album been released, there would have been production from Timbaland and The Neptunes among others. He released an independent mixtape titled Kill Bloodclott Bill in 2004 with his production company, The Black Jays, and he also released his second major-label album titled Fire and Glory in 2005, through Virgin Records in Canada only. Hits on Fire and Glory include "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" and "Heads Up".
Kardinal has also produced many songs, including the hit single "Let's Ride" by Choclair, whose album Ice Cold went gold in 35 days and would win them a Juno in 2000. However, it was with the Black Jays team when Kardinal received notoriety for his production work. In 2004, Kardinal and Solitair of the Black Jays created a remix version of Jay-Z's The Black Album and called it The Black Jays Album. Kardinal also did some production on Kill Bloodcott Bill and produced 9.5 out of the 14 tracks on Fire and Glory.
He is one of the few Canadian hip hop artists that have an international audience and has collaborated with artists such as Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Sean Paul, Spragga Benz, Bounty Killer, Little Brother, Stat Quo, Pharoahe Monch, Vybz Kartel, Rihanna, Snow, Pete Rock, Lil Wayne and Akon. A-List producers, The Neptunes requested Kardinal appear on the remix to their smash hit production “Grindin'” with Clipse. The remix was well received across North America, particularly in New York City.
To date, Kardinal is the only Canadian urban act to appear on BET’s Rap City (even freestyling in the booth with Big Tigger), and on MTV’s Advance Warning (which introduces the world to artists on the verge of breaking big, like former guest Kanye West). Kardinal has made brief guest appearances in Rihanna's "Pon De Replay" music video, and Sean Paul's "Get Busy" video, which was shot in Woodbridge, Ontario (a Toronto suburb). He has also appeared on mixtapes from Clinton Sparks and DJ Green Lantern.
In 2006, Kardinal collaborated Akon, Cipha Sounds, DJ Whoo Kid, and various members of the Black Jays family among others. At the 2006 MuchMusic Video Awards, Kardinal walked away with 3 awards for "Everyday (Rudebwoy)", including Best Video, Best Director (RT!) and VideoFACT Award. At the MMVA's, he announced that he had an upcoming collaboration with the Canadian Reggae Band Bedouin Soundclash, now known as the single "Last Standing Soldier" (Remix).
Bad Like We Bad
Kardinal Offishall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reaching out to di people dem
Who know seh dem got it
Dem have a clean heart and a firm meditation
Who nuh have dat, drop asleep
And dem a get back up later
Yo!
We nah hold back nuh talk neither
Work wi a work
Live and direct pon unnuh case
A so di ting go, weh wi seh now?
Yo
Being twenty-one and alive is not an accomplishment
Where I come from yo that's a prerequisite
F etiquette check the T-Dot consulate
Any bad talk outta ya mout y'affi cancel it
Niggas wanted to be the king but they couldn't handle it
Too busy tryna sell a ki and a gram for it
Get a likkle success and they sell out they man for it
Mr. Kardinal's coming now 'cause the streets are in demand for it (woo)
Weh dem man dem feel like when the rappers are rappin' again
Niggas are tryna get that money and they scrappin' again
All dem likkle punks who couldn't flow they trappin' again
Or they back to Burger King, or they back inna di pen
(Ayo where di Ras yout'?)
Light close in again
If you're looking for me I'm three hours from Michigan
Tall like Goliath and black like Michelin
All hands dash dem up!
Di Kardi on a mission and we
Bad like we bad, like we bad, aye
Buss up di place Brooklyn to Bagdad, aye
Money deh ya but we act like we ain't never had it
Ro' pass di handles t'war and let me get hardcore, aye yo!
(Ah weh dem feel?) aye, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) aye, ah weh ya feel like?
(Ah weh dem feel?) cha, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) een, ah weh ya feel like?
Yo!
Hello out there can anybody hear me?
Here I am here I am!
I know my ego will cheer me
I'm five steps from insane, one line from your girl
I'm one hit away from destroying the whole world
My name's Kardinal listen here, they want you to live in fear
Programming your brain like a P-V-R listen clear
Some ah dem a likkle queer, tell dem fi come outta here
Bad man nuh revere, press record Mr. Engineer!
In the air I will appear, ah nuh nothin' yes mi dear
Kardinal is here to save ya, jump around nuh, shed a tear
Some niggas are brigadiers, they better disappear
I will call the cavalry and come runnin' like cavalier
Whatever ya overhear, listen wit a bigga ear
Sometime what ya heard is not di word it ain't nothin' sincere
This is a world premiere, shout it from the auctioneer
Block, stop talk di ting deh pon cock!
And yo we
Bad like we bad, like we bad, aye
Buss up di place Brooklyn to Bagdad, aye
Money deh ya but we act like we ain't never had it
Ro' pass di handles t'war and let me get hardcore, aye yo!
(Ah weh dem feel?) aye, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) aye, ah weh ya feel like?
(Ah weh dem feel?) cha, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) een, ah weh ya feel like?
Bad like we bad, like we bad, aye
Buss up di place Brooklyn to Bagdad, aye
Money deh ya but we act like we ain't never had it
Ro' pass di handles t'war and let me get hardcore, aye yo!
(Ah weh dem feel?) aye, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) aye, ah weh ya feel like?
(Ah weh dem feel?) cha, ah weh dem feel like?
(Ah weh ya feel?) een, ah weh ya feel like?
Ya mon a mi Tasha Rosez
Guns and Roses, how ya mean?
We deh ya!
Live and direct pon unnuh case, a suh di ting go
Ah weh wi seh now all hands set it's, how ya mean?
Kardinal Offishall to di world
A bun wi a go bun dem, pon dem chune ya yo
Come wi a come fi dun out some a di fucka dem ya nah
Some ah di pussy dem weh di out a road a watch people
Bloodclaut business yo!
In the song Bad Like We Bad by Kardinal Offishall, the artist reaches out to the people and talks about how they have a clean heart and a firm meditation. He says that they don't hold back from talking and are ready to work hard. He also talks about how being twenty-one and alive is not an accomplishment, where he comes from, it's a prerequisite. He mentions that the streets are in demand for his music and that he's coming to deliver his message. He talks about the programming of the brain and how some people are misinterpreting what they hear.
The song is full of witty, intelligent language and well-crafted rhymes. It speaks to Kardinal Offishall's roots and the experiences he's had growing up in Toronto. It shows how he's come from humble beginnings to be a voice for his community and a symbol of hope for those who are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Reaching out to di people dem
Trying to connect with the people
Ounno seh dem got it
They have what it takes
Dem have a clean heart and a firm meditation
They are pure at heart and have a strong focus
Ounno have dat droppa sleep
You have that restlessness
And dem a get back up later
And they always rise back up
Yo! Dat wi seh, hold on,
We say, hold on
We nah hold back nuh talk
We do not hold back
Need a work wi a work
We need to work to succeed
Live and direct pon a new case
We are taking on a new challenge
A so di ting go, a weh wi seh now
This is how things are and what we say now
Being twenty-one and alive is not an accomplishment
Being alive at a young age is not an achievement
Where I come from yo that's a prerequisite
Where I come from, being alive at a young age is a given
Eff etiquette check the T-Dot consulate
Forget propriety, check out the Toronto consulate
Any bad talk outta ya mout y'affi cancel it
If you speak ill of others, you have to take it back
Niggas wanted to be the king but they couldn't handle it
People wanted to be in charge, but couldn't handle the responsibility
Too busy tryna sell a ki and a gram for it
They are too preoccupied with drug dealing
Get a little success and they sell out they man for it
They betray their friends for a small amount of success
Mr. Kardinal's coming now cause the streets are in demand for it
Kardinal Offishall is popular because the streets want it
Weh dem man a feel like when the rappers are rappin' again
How do they feel when rappers are back to rapping?
Niggas are tryna get that money and they scrappin' again
People are trying to get money and are fighting again
All dem likkle punks who couldn't flow they trappin' again
Those who can't rap are back to drug dealing
Or they back to Burger King, or they back inna di pen
Or they are back to working at Burger King or in jail
(Aiyyo where di Ras yout'?) Light closing again
Where are the Rastafarians? Darkness is approaching again
If you're looking for me I'm three hours from Michigan
I can be found three hours away from Michigan
Talk like Goliath and black like Michelin
Speaking boldly and being black like a tire
All hands dash dem up! Di Kardi on a mission an we
Let's go! Kardi is on a mission and we are alongside him
Buss up di place Brooklyn to Bagdad-eh
Causing chaos from Brooklyn to Bagdad
Money deya but we act like we ain't never had it
We have money, but we act like we have never had it
Ro' pass di handles t'war and let me get hardcore hey yo!
Pass me the microphone and let me get intense
(A weh dem feel?) Ay, A weh dem feel like?
What do they think? What do they feel?
(A weh ya feel?) Eh, A weh ya feel like?
What do you think? What do you feel?
(A weh dem feel?) Cho, a weh dem feel like?
What do they think? What do they feel?
(A weh ya feel?) Eh, A weh ya feel like?
What do you think? What do you feel?
Hello out there can anybody hear me?
Is anyone out there listening to me?
Here I am here I am! I know my ego will cheer me
Here I am! I know my ego will boost me
I'm five steps from insane one line from your girl
I'm nearly crazy and one pickup line away from getting with your girlfriend
I'm one hit away from destroying the whole world
One mistake could ruin everything for me
My names Kardinal listen here, they want you to live in fear
My name is Kardinal, listen up. They want you to be afraid
Programming your brain like a P-V-R listen clear
They are trying to control your mind
Some a dem a likkle queer, tell dem fi come outta here
Some people are acting strangely. Tell them to leave
Bad man nuh revere, press record Mr. Engineer!
The bad guys don't have respect. Press record, Mr. Engineer!
In the air I will appear, a nuh nothin' yes mi dear
I will appear in the air, don't worry my dear
Kardinal is here to see ya jump around nuh shed a tear
Kardinal is here to see you dance, don't cry
Some niggas are brigadiers, they better disappear
Some people are causing a disturbance and need to leave
I will call the cavalry and come runnin' like cavalier
I will call for backup and arrive bravely
Whatever ya overhear, listen wit a bigga ear
Listen closely to whatever you hear
Sometime what ya heard is not di word it ain't nothin' sincere
Sometimes what you hear is not true, it is not sincere
This is a world premiere shout it from the auctioneer
This is a world premiere, let everyone know
Block, stop talk di ting deh pon cock! And yo we
Block and stop talking about that, it's over. And let's go
Come wi a come fi dun out some a di fucka dem ya nah
We're coming to take out some of those bad people
Some a di pussy dem weh di out a road a watch people
Some of the cowards out there watching people
Bra-business yo!
Mind your own business
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jason Harrow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind