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).
R.I.P.
Kero One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s my homie from church, an ex dope fiend
A little older, wore his heart on his shoulder
A hiphop head so we connected on the totem
Back then I'd kick verses and he′d be on the scrotum
I wish he were around to hear these verses that I wrote Him
Just to clear the air, confusion and misquotings
A good kid with black clouds following his motions
The headline I've read for the tenth time, its eerie
"Three dead, including Sunday school teacher
An ex dope fiend, turned extroverted church leader"
Is this real? my hairs raised suddenly
I′m drowning in emotion while shivers swim subtly
I read on "an affair that ends tragic
Teachers pleads for life down the barrel of a magnum
Then point blank shot dead together with his lover
Before the lovers husband took his own life from him"
My eyes turned red, welled up a watered gaze
From hurt, fear, and let down in lots of ways
God! Why would you allow this if you save?
When evil lurked within, why did my homie disobey?
We got one life, is it ok to be afraid?
At least we got that option stomping through this maze
Its ok to be afraid, many don′t have that option, that's
So we mourn today
Here one day, then gone away, things will never be the same
The song R.I.P. by Kero One is a reflection on the death of a friend. The lyrics describe a phone call received by the singer from his friend, an ex dope fiend who had turned his life around and became an extroverted church leader. The sudden death of the friend, along with two others in a tragic affair, leaves the singer questioning his faith and struggling to come to terms with why his friend, who was on the path of righteousness, could meet such an untimely end. The lyrics touch upon themes of grief, loss, faith, and fear, and raise questions about the role of God in our lives.
The singer's emotional turmoil is reflected in the raw and heartfelt lyrics, where he questions God's intentions and wonders why evil exists in the world. The use of imagery, such as "black clouds following his motions" and "shivers swim subtly," highlights the overwhelming sense of sadness and despair felt by the singer. The lyrics also reflect on the fragility of life, how we are here one day and gone the next, and how death can leave a permanent mark on those left behind.
Overall, the song R.I.P. is a poignant reflection on the death of a friend, delivered in a raw and emotional manner that is sure to leave a deep impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I was 16, when the bell on the phone rings
At 16 years old, I received a phone call that changed my life.
It′s my homie from church, an ex dope fiend
The call was from a former drug addict whom I had met at church.
A little older, wore his heart on his shoulder
My friend was older and always expressed his emotions openly.
A hiphop head so we connected on the totem
We bonded over our shared love for hip hop music.
Back then I'd kick verses and he′d be on the scrotum
I used to rap and he would provide ad-libs and support.
I wish he were around to hear these verses that I wrote Him
I regret that he passed away before he could hear my new music.
Just to clear the air, confusion and misquotings
I want to clarify any misunderstandings about his life and death.
A good kid with black clouds following his motions
Despite being a good person, he struggled with darkness and negativity.
Like "hear ye hear ye" but they don't hear me
I feel like my message is falling on deaf ears.
The headline I've read for the tenth time, its eerie
The news of his death is haunting and surreal.
"Three dead, including Sunday school teacher
Three people, including my friend who had become a church leader, have died.
An ex dope fiend, turned extroverted church leader"
Despite his past struggles with addiction, he had turned his life around and become a respected member of the church community.
Is this real? my hairs raised suddenly
I can't believe that this tragedy has actually happened.
I′m drowning in emotion while shivers swim subtly
I am overwhelmed with emotion and my body is reacting with chills.
I read on "an affair that ends tragic
The news article reveals that there was a tragic love affair involved in the deaths.
Teachers pleads for life down the barrel of a magnum
My friend begged for his life before being shot.
Then point blank shot dead together with his lover
Both my friend and his lover were killed.
Before the lovers husband took his own life from him"
The husband of the woman involved in the affair also committed suicide.
My eyes turned red, welled up a watered gaze
I began to cry and my eyes became red and puffy.
From hurt, fear, and let down in lots of ways
I am experiencing a myriad of emotions including pain, fear, and disappointment.
God! Why would you allow this if you save?
I question why God would let such a terrible thing happen.
When evil lurked within, why did my homie disobey?
Despite his religious faith, my friend made choices that put him in dangerous situations.
We got one life, is it ok to be afraid?
Given that we only have one life, is it normal to feel afraid sometimes?
At least we got that option stomping through this maze
Even though life can be challenging, we have the option to keep going and navigate our way through it.
Its ok to be afraid, many don′t have that option, that's
Some people don't have the luxury of being able to feel or express fear.
So we mourn today
We grieve and honor the memory of those who have passed away.
Here one day, then gone away, things will never be the same
Life is unpredictable and fleeting, and the loss of loved ones changes everything.
Writer(s): Mike Kim
Contributed by Charlotte H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ariunaaari2210
[Verse 1: Kero One]
I was 16, when the bell on the phone rings
It's my homie from church, an ex dope fiend
A little older, wore his heart on his shoulder
A hiphop head so we connected on the totem
Back then I'd kick verses and he'd be on the scrotum
I wish he were around to hear these verses that I wrote Him
Just to clear the air, confusion and misquotings
A good kid with black clouds following his motions
Like "hear ye hear ye" but they don't hear me
The headline I've read for the tenth time, its eerie
"three dead, including Sunday school teacher
An ex dope fiend, turned extroverted church leader"
Is this real? my hairs raised suddenly
I'm drowning in emotion while shivers swim subtly
I read on "an affair that ends tragic
Teachers pleads for life down the barrel of a magnum
Then point blank shot dead together with his lover
Before the lovers husband took his own life from him"
My eyes turned red, welled up a watered gaze
From hurt, fear, and let down in lots of ways
God! Why would you allow this if you save?
When evil lurked within, why did my homie disobey?
We got one life, is it ok to be afraid?
At least we got that option stomping through this maze
Its ok to be afraid, many don't have that option, that's
So we mourn today
[Hook: Suhn]
Here one day, then gone away, things will never be the same
[Verse 2: Kero One]
I remember her soft skin and her caress
The mistakes that I made and her grace when I confessed
Like politics me and her it was complex
But all the stains would wash away, each time our minds
Connect
We had history, old school like a cassette
Together we opened doors, explored, she knew me best
I imagined us forever, ever, ever
But now I wish I never met her
Why won't this feeling letup
I can't forget her staring at our empty bed
The silence is screaming at me, so I stay awake instead
And in the sheets, there's rooms for extra legs
On my phone no SMS, missed calls, or messages
From tying the knot , to farewell goodbyes and
My stomach twisted up in knots like Bear Grylls tied them
The start and end, it comes full sphere
From the cradle to the grave, I wish you were here..
[Hook: Suhn]
Here one day, then gone away, things will never be the same
[Outro: Suhn]
It's been a little while since I seen your face, getting kinda hard to move on
But the pain is motivation, though its frustrating you don't know what you have until it's gone...
@IamFatcat.
Lyrics:
(Kero One)
I was Sixteen, when the bell on the phone rings
It's my homie from church, an ex dope fiend
A little older, wore his heart on his shoulder
A hiphop head so we connected on the totem
Back then I'd kick verses and he'd be on the scrotum
I wish he were around to hear these verses that I wrote him
Just to clear the air, confusion and misquotings
A good kid with black clouds following his motions
Like "hear ye hear ye" but they don't hear me
The headline I've read for the tenth time, its eerie
"Three dead, including Sunday school teacher
An ex dope fiend, turned extroverted church leader"
Is this real? my hairs raised suddenly
I'm drowning in emotion while shivers swim subtly
I read on "an affair that ends tragic
Teachers pleads for life down the barrel of a magnum
Then point blank shot dead together with his lover,
Before the lovers husband took his own life from him"
My eyes turned red, welled up a watered gaze
From hurt, fear, and let down in lots of ways
God! Why would you allow this if you save?
When evil lurked within, why did my homie disobey?
We got one life, is it ok to be afraid?
At least we got that option stomping through this maze
Its ok to be afraid, many don't have that option, that's
So we mourn today
Rest in Peace...
(Suhn Chorus)
Here one day, then gone away, (Forever, ever, ever, ever) things will never be the
same (it'll never be the same no)
Here one day, (Here one day) then gone away, (Forever, ever, ever, ever) and all that remains is the pain
(Kero One)
I remember her soft skin and her caress
The mistakes that I made and her grace when I confessed
Like politics me and her it was complex
But all the stains would wash away, each time our minds connect
We had history, old school like a cassette
Together we opened doors, explored, she knew me best
I imagined us forever, ever, ever
But now I wish I never met her
Why wont this feeling letup
I can't forget her staring at our empty bed
The silence is screaming at me, so I stay awake instead
And in the sheets, there's rooms for extra legs
On my phone no SMS, missed calls, or messages
From tying the knot, to farewell and crying
My stomach twisted up in knots like Bear Grylls tied them
The start and end, it comes full sphere
From the cradle to the grave, I wish you were here...
(Outro)
Here one day, yeah, then gone away, (Forever, ever, ever, ever) things will never be the
same (it'll never be the same no)
Here one day, (Here one day) then gone away, (Forever, ever, ever, ever) and all that remains is the pain
It's been a little while since I seen your face, getting kinda hard to move on
But the pain is motivation and doing my job drowning in an emotional song, yeah
It's been a little while since I seen your face, getting kinda hard to move on
But the pain is motivation though it's frustrating you don't know what you have until it's gone.
Yeah, yeah
Oh, when it's gone
When it's gone away (away)
Gone away
So follow away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
@Itsanthonytalking
This dude is so Talented! His beats are dope a true essence of hip hop!
@shellhoang2005
his voice and the way he raps <3 both are beautiful
@imsoohoo
Meaningful rap with a dope beat. I love it
@johnpaulalmarioo
Kero One makes the cleanest songs. That's why I love him as an artist.💯
@djrockpup
oh god... right in the feels. Dude, Kero, you seriously make the dopest music.
@kirtonos
great song on repeat
@focuslife
Man this dude makes MUSIC, not just songs....
@greentimz
This was exactly how i felt when one of my friends passed. This is brilliant
@BearLoveSound
Heartfelt lyrics Kero, keep on! Looking forward to more of your music
@briankocher9611
Good Job Kero, nice flow and the special effects is sick. Good Job.