Using only his homemade studio and personal credit card, Kero One pressed and released his first 12” record Check the Blueprints in 2003 on his own imprint, Plug Label. Without any experience as to how he should distribute his new record, Kero One spent endless hours researching, cold calling, and seeking help from friends. Of the 50 copies that were eventually distributed around the world, one landed in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. A few weeks later, it was found by a Japanese DJ who played it at a club that night and received dozens of inquires, including a Japanese label executive who immediately contacted Kero One and asked for 3,000 copies of the record. The record, “Check the Blueprints” became an underground Hiphop classic in Japan, and Kero One was invited to tour the country just a few months after. He performed in cities throughout Japan where he was greeted by hundreds of fans waiting to take photographs and autographs, much to his surprise. It was at this point that making a career out of music became a reality.
Kero One went on to finish his first album, Windmills of the Soul, in 2005, handling everything from playing instruments, rapping, and sound engineering. Without a strong label backing or a street team, Kero One handled almost all the business himself. From promotions and marketing, manufacturing, finances, art direction and web design, Kero One personally handed out promos to tastemakers anywhere he could find them. Eventually the hard work paid off, and Windmills of the Soul garnered respect in many circles for Kero One’s thought provoking lyrics and musical soundscapes which fused live instruments with dusty analog samples. It wasn’t long before Kero One quit his job as a web designer in 2006 to pursue music full time. Since 2006, Kero One has been awarded the title of Best HipHop Album of 2006 from Remix magazine Japan, topped iTunes hiphop charts, received praise from artists all over the world like multi Grammy award winning producer Will.i.am of Black Eyed peas, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Emmy nominated jazz singer Jaime Cullum, and multi award winning Korean Hiphop groups Epik High and Dynamic Duo. Kero One has also performed with artists like Stevie Wonder, Blu + Exile, Far East Movement, KRS 1, Dougie Fresh, Epik High, Jay Park, Dynamic Duo & Simon D. Kero One’s Music has been heard in Printemps Mall in Paris, Takashimaya mall in Tokyo, Hyatt hotels, and Tv Shows like Anthony Bourdain Layover and Fuse TV. Additionally, Kero One has collaborated with artists from all over the globe like Talib Kweli, Aloe Blacc, Epik High (KOREA), Ben Westbeech (UK), Dj Deckstream (JAPAN), David Choi, Fashawn, Shing02, Dumbfoundead, The Sound Providers, Dj Mitsu, Dynamic Duo (KOREA) and many others.
As of 2012, Kero One has released four full length solo albums. His fourth solo album “Color Theory”, raised over $10,000 from fans who wanted to help fund it on Kickstarter. Kero One is a full time rapper, producer, and DJ. Check out his work on his youtube channel (www.youtube.com/keroonetv).
I Never Thought That We
Kero One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never thought that we would ever see this day
Of the billion people that could’ve took your place
You found your way, somehow someway
I still remember the first time I heard it, at least in a sense
not one particular occasion but a series of events
That somehow, in the long run, guided my way
And then I knew I'd never leave it,
keep it beneath the surface
hidden in my decisions, I'm certain I found my purpose
So I became a soul searching individual
my main focus in life was really quite spiritual
But it was music that opened up my eyes
a sound so profound like a voice in the sky
Speaking in ways, amazed at this message inside
over time I realized that those voices were mine
And there was something alive,
but couldn't quite get it right
something in the vibe of my soul I just didn't like
I spit it tight at times at other times my rhymes felt wrong
until I found you my one perfect song
Beat and words and melodies combined
inside the thought of you makes a perfect rhyme
feel the love in mine.
I never thought that we would ever get this way
I never thought that we would ever see this day
Of the billion people that could’ve took your place
You found your way, somehow someway
and I remember, when they use to ask me
what you want to be when you grow out of your acme?
lawyer, doctor or maybe an athlete?
PhD? Masters? live forever happily? Well.
“I never thought that we would ever get this way”
from b.s.’n professions on resumes
to using textbooks as pillows to rest my brain
plus, entertained me when class was lengthy
plenty you brought me when kids did mock me
saying, “Kero's a nerd, straight introvert”
now irony's eying me all over the earth
reciting my words from third worlds to suburbs
country sides where the vibe's preferred
to big city living where the pace is absurd
traveling places, I never ever thought I’d see
who would have thought you'd be
a part of my life the two of us you and me
I never thought that we would ever get this way
I never thought that we would ever see this day
Of the billion people that could’ve took your place
You found your way, somehow someway
Sometimes I wonder about our future and all
We find ourselves fighting, when monies involved
I wish it were care free like when we were small
Enjoying your company comfortably without faults
But those bills keep punching me, constantly
Knocking my wind, caught in a pinch, haunting me
So I had to prostitute you
You stood strong, Game face on I salute you
But look what happened, clients refused to
Pay for your play and this way they got use to
But it was good promoting your ass though
They saw you had curves while it hurt our cash flow
A starving artist with your heart in my lasso
Free ninety nine or a dime we’ll last yo
You stuck around even when I was asshole
I gave you my all, ‘cause you were so special
Massage you melodies without getting sexual
No need to cuss at ya, I keep it professional
Check my decibels, no need to yell
Spit it smooth, it ain’t hard to tell.
I never thought that we would ever get this way
I never thought that we would ever see this day
Of the billion people that could’ve took your place
You found your way, somehow someway
In Kero One's song "I Never thought that We," the lyrics express gratitude and appreciation towards a special love interest that has made a significant impact in the artist's life. The artist reminisces about the journey that has led him to where he is today, grateful for the timeless support and inspiration his love interest provided him. The first verse acknowledges the significance of the love interest and their journey so far, and how they've managed to create something special despite the odds. The second verse paints a picture of the artist discovering his true calling and purpose, and how music helped him realize his potential in the world. The third verse focuses on the challenges the couple faces as they encounter money problems, but the love interest remains faithful through thick and thin.
The song reflects the artist's appreciation for his love interest, even when things aren't always easy between them. He recognizes the love interest's support, love, and companionship that have helped him get to where he is today. The artist expresses his gratitude towards this special person by stating that there are a billion people who could have taken their place, but no one could have filled those shoes as they did.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought that we would ever get this way
I couldn't have imagined that we would be where we are now
I never thought that we would ever see this day
I never thought we'd experience what we are experiencing now
Of the billion people that could’ve took your place
Out of all the potential candidates, you were the one who made it
You found your way, somehow someway
You achieved what you did against all odds
And then I knew I'd never leave it, keep it beneath the surface
Once I discovered my passion, I was committed to it and kept it hidden from others
hidden in my decisions, I'm certain I found my purpose
I knew my purpose was tied to the decisions I made
So I became a soul searching individual
I turned inward to find my true self and purpose
my main focus in life was really quite spiritual
My primary concern in life was of a spiritual nature
But it was music that opened up my eyes
Music was the thing that helped me see the world in a new light
a sound so profound like a voice in the sky
The music had a deep impact on me, like a divine voice
Speaking in ways, amazed at this message inside
The music communicated a message that amazed me
over time I realized that those voices were mine
Eventually, I recognized that the voices in the music were my own
And there was something alive, but couldn't quite get it right
There was a sense of life and energy, but I couldn't harness it correctly
something in the vibe of my soul I just didn't like
There was something about my inner self that was not to my liking
until I found you my one perfect song
Until I found the one piece of music that was perfect for me
Beat and words and melodies combined
The music was a combination of rhythm, lyrics, and melody
inside the thought of you makes a perfect rhyme
Thinking of the person made everything fit together perfectly
feel the love in mine.
The person inspired a sense of love in me
sometimes I wonder about our future and all
I worry about what the future holds for us
We find ourselves fighting, when monies involved
Money causes conflicts between us
I wish it were care free like when we were small
I yearn for the simplicity of our childhood interactions
Enjoying your company comfortably without faults
I miss the ease with which we used to enjoy each other's presence
But those bills keep punching me, constantly
The burden of bills is always challenging me
Knocking my wind, caught in a pinch, haunting me
The pressure of bills is suffocating me and causing me stress
So I had to prostitute you
I had to exploit what you could provide
You stood strong, Game face on I salute you
You remained strong and resilient despite the challenges
But look what happened, clients refused to
Unfortunately, people didn't appreciate what you had to offer
Pay for your play and this way they got use to
People got accustomed to not paying for your services
But it was good promoting your ass though
However, promoting your assets was successful
They saw you had curves while it hurt our cash flow
Highlighting your physical attributes helped business but harmed our finances
A starving artist with your heart in my lasso
As an artist, you suffered while I held your heart in my grasp
Free ninety nine or a dime we’ll last yo
Whether free or for a fee, we'll remain together
You stuck around even when I was asshole
You stayed with me even when I was acting poorly
I gave you my all, ‘cause you were so special
I invested everything in you because you were unique
Massage you melodies without getting sexual
I crafted the music with care and sensitivity
No need to cuss at ya, I keep it professional
I am respectful of you and keep things professional
Check my decibels, no need to yell
I don't need to shout to make my point
Spit it smooth, it ain’t hard to tell.
I express myself in a smooth manner that is easy to understand.
Contributed by Elena C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@WilmoTheBear
The man behind the synth should be awarded with lots and lots of recognition and appreciation.
@Danfrombackhome
I believe thats kero himself
@starcominfinity
It's difficult not to like Kero One. Beautiful, old school soul in the form of new school, underground music.
@Weedwax
Every time one of his songs comes out on Pandora... Everybody asks me "Hey, who is that?!" One of the greatest musicians I have had the pleasure of hearing.
@chunglist
Great tune. Really chilled out and jazzy.
@moralesxyz
Kero One: Much Respect from Cudahy California!
@FlightlessCoyote
I think the like/dislike buttons should be on opposite sides of the video. There is no reason to take the chance that somebody might accidentally hit thumbs down on a great song like this.
@Stretchwreckedem469
who needs flo rida when you got this guy?
@comeup0902
this is my first day hearing about him i stumbled upon this guy and i must say this is hot!!! I dont listen to a lot of so called rap or hip hop music but he is now on my short list of hip hop music to jam to.
@tresdivine
one of the little rapper with this kind of vibe. great tunes, great rap. nice!