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).
Make It Happen
Kardinal Offishall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, naughty and ready
Come to claim the party
Kardinal and Red-1 are gon' spark the mic
We massive from the West to the East side of Barn(?)
All the weak sounds can't come it
We sing, Oh Lord Mr. Kardinal style nice times twice
Red-1 on the mic device mice times two
Best in these politics called rap music
Abuse it like a pedophile on coke
Eighth wonder of the world, tallest freestyle structure
Flucuate a verb like Misfit
With that on my team I wouldn't risk it
That's the sound of my biscuit
Ready flip it
(Red-1)
Yo, actions speak louder than words, so lets do this
Don't know we business, don't know that we the rudest
The specialist yes we must progress
Gwan express manifest obtain and invest in self-interest
And watch the fly multiply, Red-1 and Kardinal
Yes you must recognize, to this I testify
By the ways of the Samurai
If I fail to make it happen, then I accept to die
'Cause, no progress, that is a problem
East vs. West, enough man are dead
Stay penniless, that not work again
Tell you what, we make it happen
Occupied by vibes and not gun clapping
Through rapping, we build foundations
With this brings levels of realization
If somebody got to rule, why can't we be the ones?
Like
CHORUS (Saukrates)
Chic-blow
Deform your structure with no problem
You thought you knew, but I am you times ten
You want some of this and brign your foundation
Seen, come again
(Kardinal Offishall)
Knock you out lilke my initials
Evil style like Proctor-Gamble, on your life like Suge Knight
(Red-1)
We check them gwan write, we a respect them
'Cause, them are our enemy we are dem no friend
(Kardinal Offishall)
When an MC lick hot, let them send them to the West
Make Chemo drop beats 'til them less palm's fist
Pump this a in your Beamer
(Red-1)
Yes we be the.. General Official
Pedophiles when it comes to the instrumentals
Combine styles, and commence with crackin'
Conquer the world and Trump girls make it happen
Rascalz in a dis with F-O-S specialist, no stress
Watch how we big up our chest
(Kardinal Offishall)
I'm a hip hop trackster running
Seen the other feet have a better chance of seeing the second coming of Christ the Lord
He's my light and salvation, Mr. Kardinal combine with Red-1
All de come down
Original gun yapper, put down your water gun
(Red-1)
Whoever your God is, say your prayer and bye
'Cause everybody a fin go, it your turn to die
So why why why?
Why must I be crucify, hey boy stop cry
And identify who's on your side
'Cause it ain't the Red-1 or the Kardinal
CHORUS
(Red-1)
Ayo, right now
Right and now, if a boy fi test, he gon get licked down
'Cause, that's how we like it
It's absolute niceness
(Kardinal Offishall)
They not ???? if they you know you walk straight
'Cause a man might debate, and if you really irate
Put in your style bait fate, chosen by the devil
While I reach the higher level, you steaming like a pale kettle
(Red-1)
So God sickle, let the big man handle this
Under pressure, the situation's delicate
Ready with the steadiness of a surgeon
We write the version, like the goods of a virgin
(Kardinal Offishall)
Yo, all naughty walk to a pumpkin belly
Jah lead enough niggas trying to buy Pelle Pelle
With no food a in your belly
Crip youth and smelly
But your clothes look crisp
Red-1 the lyricist
(Red-1)
And down the Offishall, when a shoot and miss
M-I-C twin clips is what we armed with
I check you a master of Kung-Fu
If you got verbs and nerves to try to dis our crew
(Kardinal Offishall)
Yo might dis you
If you try to run contest with our crew
While we running with the majors
Niggas going gold off their demos
Strength coming from your peeps, while I'm solo like a rolo
(Red-1) ** chanting **
CHORUS X2
The song "Make it happen" by Kardinal Offishall featuring Red-1 is a hip-hop track that speaks about taking action towards progress and success. The lyrics describe the two artists as massive from the West to the East side of Barn(?) and superior to weak sounds that can't come close to what they bring to the table. The song speaks to the changes sought in the rap music industry and the need to abuse it like a pedophile on coke. The lyrics also speak up for building foundations through music, rapping to make things happen, and the need for realization.
The lyrics assert that actions speak louder than words, and they back it up with their skills. The song urges people to invest in themselves as they watch fly multiply and the need for both East and West engagement. However, crucifying Mr. Kardinal and Red-1's efforts may lead to one's downfall. Additionally, the lyrics encourage combining styles, conquering the world, building foundations, and making things happen. Finally, the lyrics take a dig at anyone who may try to contest with their crew, running with the majors, or niggas going gold off their demos.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, naughty and ready
Come to claim the party
I am full of energy and ready to make this party mine.
Kardinal and Red-1 are gon' spark the mic
We massive from the West to the East side of Barn
All the weak sounds can't come it
Kardinal Offishall and Red-1 are going to set the stage on fire. We are a force to be reckoned with and no weak sounds can compete with ours.
We sing, Oh Lord Mr. Kardinal style nice times twice
Red-1 on the mic device mice times two
Original imperial lyrical manifestations of freshness
Best in these politics called rap music
Abuse it like a pedophile on coke
Eighth wonder of the world, tallest freestyle structure
Flucuate a verb like Misfit
With that on my team I wouldn't risk it
That's the sound of my biscuit
Ready flip it
Our style is unique and fresh. We are the best in the rap music genre. We are not afraid to push boundaries and take risks. We are a tall freestyle structure that is a wonder to behold. We can manipulate verbs like no other and there's no way we can be stopped. We are ready to flip the script and show what we are made of.
Yo, actions speak louder than words, so lets do this
Don't know we business, don't know that we the rudest
The specialist yes we must progress
Gwan express manifest obtain and invest in self-interest
And watch the fly multiply, Red-1 and Kardinal
Yes you must recognize, to this I testify
By the ways of the Samurai
If I fail to make it happen, then I accept to die
'Cause, no progress, that is a problem
East vs. West, enough man are dead
Stay penniless, that not work again
Tell you what, we make it happen
Occupied by vibes and not gun clapping
Through rapping, we build foundations
With this brings levels of realization
If somebody got to rule, why can't we be the ones?
Like
Actions speak louder than words, so let's get to work. We are the rudest and the best at what we do. We must progress and invest in ourselves and watch our success multiply. If we fail, we will accept the consequences. We are determined to make it happen because we are tired of seeing people die and go penniless. We build a foundation through our music and bring awareness to the world. Why can't we be the ones to rule?
Knock you out lilke my initials
Evil style like Proctor-Gamble, on your life like Suge Knight
We check them gwan write, we a respect them
'Cause, them are our enemy we are dem no friend
When an MC lick hot, let them send them to the West
Make Chemo drop beats 'til them less palm's fist
Pump this a in your Beamer
Yes we be the.. General Official
Pedophiles when it comes to the instrumentals
Combine styles, and commence with crackin'
Conquer the world and Trump girls make it happen
Rascalz in a dis with F-O-S specialist, no stress
Watch how we big up our chest
I'm a hip hop trackster running
Seen the other feet have a better chance of seeing the second coming of Christ the Lord
He's my light and salvation, Mr. Kardinal combine with Red-1
All de come down
Original gun yapper, put down your water gun
Whoever your God is, say your prayer and bye
'Cause everybody a fin go, it your turn to die
So why why why?
Why must I be crucify, hey boy stop cry
And identify who's on your side
'Cause it ain't the Red-1 or the Kardinal
We are here to take the rap game by storm and knock out all the competition. We have an evil style and don't take any prisoners. We respect our enemies, but we will not befriend them. We want other MCs to send their best our way, so we can show them what we are made of. We want to conquer the world and have a good time doing it. We are not afraid of anyone, and we will stand up for ourselves. We run the hip hop game. Our God is our guide. It's your turn to die, so don't cry. Figure out who's on your side, and it certainly isn't us.
Ayo, right now
Right and now, if a boy fi test, he gon get licked down
'Cause, that's how we like it
It's absolute niceness
They not ???? if they you know you walk straight
'Cause a man might debate, and if you really irate
Put in your style bait fate, chosen by the devil
While I reach the higher level, you steaming like a pale kettle
So God sickle, let the big man handle this
Under pressure, the situation's delicate
Ready with the steadiness of a surgeon
We write the version, like the goods of a virgin
Yo, all naughty walk to a pumpkin belly
Jah lead enough niggas trying to buy Pelle Pelle
With no food a in your belly
Crip youth and smelly
But your clothes look crisp
Red-1 the lyricist
And down the Offishall, when a shoot and miss
M-I-C twin clips is what we armed with
I check you a master of Kung-Fu
If you got verbs and nerves to try to dis our crew
Yo might dis you
If you try to run contest with our crew
While we running with the majors
Niggas going gold off their demos
Strength coming from your peeps, while I'm solo like a rolo
(Red-1) ** chanting **
If anyone tests us, they will be severely defeated. We like to keep it nice and professional. A person can see through someone else's lies if they are walking straight. We don't want to deal with people who are irate or have chosen the wrong path. We are ready to handle any situation with surgical precision. Our lyrics are fresh and original, like the goods of a virgin. Our clothes might look good, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. The bottom line is our rapping skills and we will not be defeated. We are ready to take on anyone, but we are not afraid to stand alone.
CHORUS X2
The chorus represents the idea that we are confident and ready to take on the world. We are not afraid to go against the odds and win.
Contributed by Sophie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@martinchannel1355
Dis song is underrated
@seanoneil5811
Blaooooow!!!! Super classic, and it would be dope if Kardi and Red One made an album or ep together man.... Enough f***in around lol! 🇨🇦
@Kaknelson
red1 vancity finest without a doubt, bigup a legond, bigup kardi
@zodiacmartnio7256
This song hella underrated
@milsap
murda!! im a big kardi fan...been ill from time!
@drillahmon
this song is so sick
@manuelrealhiphop7125
booom booom
@stebanmoya9130
manuel Real Hip Hop vhkku
@musiccartel7854
Sick shit
@eldridgemartin2986
awesome