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).
Ill Eagle Alien
Kardinal Offishall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to milk the game like my label made of Similac
Lyric bunks are similar to semi automatic paperback
Flip through the pages watch bullets givin' you heart attacks
I want the paper stacked, keep my liquidity
Blend out time inna different type of liberty
Family proud of me so I don't need your validity
Tongue change the ecosystem, flood it with humidity
You don't have no credit much less any credibility
Liar, lie down you're just a liability
Don't need them new friends with unpredictability
Falsing on my business find a piss in your vicinity
Konvict conquering your conscious facility
Watch me prophesize for a piece of the profitability
Doin' this my only disabilititity
I am an alien
I'm an ilegal alien
I'm a rude boy with rude boy talk
I'm an alien
Sometimes I feel like an alien
I'm a rude boy that's from T Dot
I approach my life with a certain sensibility
Tell it like it is I don't cover with gentility
Hand full of fam so we move with mobility
Hand full of grands so there is no availability
Livin' with no sin is an impossibility
But don't let the good life cloud your visibility
Lettin' me in the game was an inevitability
Don't follow them cats with no identity
Kardinal steppin' up on your territory
See me civil or wrestle you inside the cemetary
Looking up, don't believe in luck, I believe in love
And you get stung, if you stop me before my time done
Associate of Cannon the son of a big gun
African at heart when I do my bank run
My man Chuck D said my Uzi weighs a ton
Heavy thoughts weigh nothing, each one teach one
I am an alien
I'm an ilegal alien
I'm a rude boy with rude boy talk
I'm an alien
Sometimes I feel like an alien
I'm a rude boy that's from T Dot
Huh, dangerous bustin' every hater caught the vapors
I don't watch no face bredren let's get papers
I call it a fade Kobe oh call it a taper
Feelin' like Al Capone goin' on a caper
Never would I harm a girl never even drape her
Let my sister treat her like Chris Rock and shake her
Mayday, mayday, Mr. Morgan break her break her
We get money in an instant like shareholders of Quaker
Just a trouble joiner I am not a trouble maker
From the days of the real sweet love Anita Baker
I'd rather have a real home sittin' on an acre than
Owing about a hundred grand to my jewelry maker
Kardinal call me the immigrant translator
Or the poor people's permanent position vindicator
Kardinal call me the immigrant translator
Or the poor people's permanent position vindicator
Ay
I am an alien
I'm an ilegal alien
I'm a rude boy with rude boy talk
I'm an alien
Sometimes I feel like an alien
I'm a rude boy that's from T Dot
Kardinal Offishall's song "Ill Eagle Alien" is about the artist's life and experiences as an immigrant in Canada. In the first verse, Kardinal discusses his desire for success and money, but also highlights the dangers and violence that come with the music industry, comparing it to a semi-automatic gun that can cause heart attacks. He asserts that he does not value the approval of others, such as his critics or new friends, and instead focuses on his own success. Kardinal also talks about his alienation and feeling like an outsider, both as an immigrant and as an artist.
In the second verse, Kardinal reflects on the challenges he has faced as an immigrant, particularly in relation to sin and temptation. He also acknowledges the inevitability of his success, attributing it to his identity and uniqueness as an artist. He references other Black artists, such as Chuck D and Anita Baker, as inspirations for his music.
The chorus of the song repeats Kardinal's self-proclaimed identity as an "illegal alien" and a "rude boy." He uses these labels to assert his individuality and to reclaim them as sources of pride rather than shame.
Overall, "Ill Eagle Alien" is a commentary on Kardinal's experiences as an immigrant and a Black artist navigating the music industry in Canada. He highlights the violence, temptations, and struggles he has faced, but also celebrates his unique identity and non-conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh, I want it like hey girl gimme that
I desire success and wealth, just like a man desiring a woman.
Tryin' to milk the game like my label made of Similac
I aim to exploit the music industry just like a baby being fed milk powder.
Lyric bunks are similar to semi automatic paperback
My rhymes are like a weapon, with pages that flip fast and give the listener a heart attack.
Flip through the pages watch bullets givin' you heart attacks
My rhymes are like a weapon, with pages that flip fast and give the listener a heart attack.
I want the paper stacked, keep my liquidity
I want financial success and the freedom to move around with liquid assets.
Blend out time inna different type of liberty
I live my life freely and unimpeded, without conforming to societal norms.
Family proud of me so I don't need your validity
My family supports and validates me, so I don't need anyone else's approval.
Tongue change the ecosystem, flood it with humidity
My words impact the music industry and change it, creating a new environment.
Hot, second guessing me is just stupidity
It is foolish to question my abilities and success.
You don't have no credit much less any credibility
You have no credibility or reputation to speak of.
Liar, lie down you're just a liability
You are a liar and a burden, so you should just leave.
Don't need them new friends with unpredictability
I don't want new friends who are unreliable or unpredictable.
Falsing on my business find a piss in your vicinity
If you interfere with my business or lie about me, you will find trouble nearby.
Konvict conquering your conscious facility
My talent and success will dominate and impress others.
Watch me prophesize for a piece of the profitability
I predict and claim financial success for myself.
Doin' this my only disabilititity
The only thing that could slow me down is my own limitations.
I am an alien
I feel like I don't fit in with the norm.
I'm an ilegal alien
I feel like my way of thinking and living is not accepted or legal.
I'm a rude boy with rude boy talk
I am an aggressive and confident person who speaks bluntly.
Sometimes I feel like an alien
At times, I feel like my way of living and thinking is strange or foreign to others.
I'm a rude boy that's from T Dot
I am a confident and aggressive person from Toronto.
I approach my life with a certain sensibility
I have a practical and realistic perspective on life.
Tell it like it is I don't cover with gentility
I am honest and blunt, and don't sugarcoat things.
Hand full of fam so we move with mobility
I have a close-knit family and we are able to move around easily.
Hand full of grands so there is no availability
I have a lot of money, so I am not easily accessible to others.
Livin' with no sin is an impossibility
Living without making mistakes or doing wrong is impossible.
But don't let the good life cloud your visibility
Don't get lost in your success and lose sight of what's important.
Lettin' me in the game was an inevitability
It was only a matter of time before I became successful in the music industry.
Don't follow them cats with no identity
Don't follow people who have no clear sense of who they are.
Kardinal steppin' up on your territory
I am asserting myself and my success in your area.
See me civil or wrestle you inside the cemetary
I can be friendly or violent, depending on how I am treated.
Looking up, don't believe in luck, I believe in love
I am optimistic and believe in the power of love, not luck.
And you get stung, if you stop me before my time done
If you try to prevent me from achieving my goals, you will face consequences.
Associate of Cannon the son of a big gun
I am associated with Nick Cannon, who is famous and influential.
African at heart when I do my bank run
I am proud of my African heritage, even when I am handling my finances.
My man Chuck D said my Uzi weighs a ton
Chuck D, a famous rapper, acknowledged my talent and potential to make an impact.
Heavy thoughts weigh nothing, each one teach one
Despite having deep thoughts, they don't weigh me down, and I believe in the power of teaching.
Huh, dangerous bustin' every hater caught the vapors
My success and talent are a threat to those who hate on me and make them feel inferior.
I don't watch no face bredren let's get papers
I focus on my own business and want to achieve financial success.
I call it a fade Kobe oh call it a taper
I have a fresh haircut and call it a fade, like Kobe Bryant's hairstyle.
Feelin' like Al Capone goin' on a caper
I feel like a gangster going on a crime spree, just like Al Capone.
Never would I harm a girl never even drape her
I would never hurt a woman or disrespect her.
Let my sister treat her like Chris Rock and shake her
I have confidence in my sister's ability to entertain and make people laugh.
Mayday, mayday, Mr. Morgan break her break her
I am making a joke and pretending to call for help, while referencing a famous pirate.
We get money in an instant like shareholders of Quaker
We make a lot of money quickly, just like shareholders of a successful company.
Just a trouble joiner I am not a trouble maker
I am not a troublemaker, but I do attract drama and conflict.
From the days of the real sweet love Anita Baker
I remember and appreciate the music of Anita Baker, a famous R&B singer.
I'd rather have a real home sittin' on an acre than
I value having a real home with land, more than material possessions.
Owing about a hundred grand to my jewelry maker
I would rather have a home than owe a lot of money to a jewelry maker.
Kardinal call me the immigrant translator
I am often seen as a go-between or translator for immigrants and people from different cultures.
Or the poor people's permanent position vindicator
I am a voice for the poor and oppressed, helping to validate their experiences and struggles.
Ay
An exclamation of excitement or approval.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jason Harrow, Dominick Lamb, Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind