Naledge (Jabari Evans) and Double O (Michael Aguilar) are Kidz in the Hall.… Read Full Bio ↴Naledge (Jabari Evans) and Double O (Michael Aguilar) are Kidz in the Hall.

In the spring of the year 2000, two students who met at a University of Pennsylvania talent show realized they had tremendous musical chemistry and decided that they wanted to make music together.

When Chicago native Jabari Evans began developing his literary gift in elementary school, he'd write short stories, poems, and things of the like. As Evans drew toward hip-hop, a fateful meeting convinced him that he had a bright future as an MC. During a recruitment visit to the University of Pennsylvania he decided to enter a talent competition and perform a freestyle rap. Afterwards, many of the students urged Evans to introduce himself to Michael Aguilar aka DJ Double-O, a track star from New Jersey who had honed his DJing skills in high school and at the time was starting to get into producing beats. Evans, then known as J-Naledge, impressed Aguilar during their time together, and before Evans entered for his freshman year at Penn, Naledge and Double-O formed a partnership that eventually spawned the Kidz in the Hall.

“The reason why we make dope music is because our music isn't forced or filtered. Musically, we are two like minded individuals and we strive to make a unique sound that is unordinary but portrays the lives of ordinary people,” says the 20 year old Naledge while lounging in a studio chair. “Hip Hop is like literature and not everybody is interested reading the same things. The rap game is full of either cheap comic books or people pretending to be Shakespeare no one is providing “A Raisin in the Sun” –like shit anymore. To me, ordinary people provide some of the most masterful and relatable stories.”

After the summer of 2000 Naledge and Double-O began to put their resources together in efforts to begin to record songs together. After creating a makeshift studio inside of an off-campus apartment, The duo began making demo CD's together and performing local shows on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey underground hip hop scene. After building a strong buzz they are now poised to not only resurrect hip-hop that they grew fond of growing up as children of the late 80's and early 90's, but create what they perceive to be the “perfect album”.

“The most critical part of this album is going to be the sound of the beats,” says Double-O. “If I cannot provide the perfect landscapes for his (Naledge's) words, no one will pay attention. His sound and my sound somehow became the same sound. That's what makes our group different. I am assured we will be successful for that reason.”

Although the Kidz were poised to get a record deal on their own, once Super-Producer Just Blaze publicly laid his claim on the group industry heads turned. “Not only does he dig the music but he understands us ,” says Double O. “He's the most forward thinking music producer that I know and for us to be around him and get his stamp on our music is a blessing. When the right deal is presented we will do a joint venture with Fort Knocks (Just's label imprint).”

Kidz in the Hall are looking to become one of hip-hop's most admired acts ever, destined to leave a legacy of artistic brilliance. Double O and Naledge, the producer/DJ and lyricist/MC, are reviving a format that Gangstarr, Pete Rock and CL Smooth and Run DMC established as the set standard in early-'90s hip-hop. With their debut release, “ The Broke Diaries ” (Executive Produced by Just Blaze), they hope to wow both listeners and critics alike with DJ-style beatmaking and jazzy sounds, and insightful, conscious lyrics that aim to touch upon the everyday struggles of life.

DAY BY DAY
Kidz in the Hall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Niggaz want me to help 'em
I can't help myself
Want me to support them
I can't support myself
Want me to know you
I barely know myself
I might got a little fame
I ain't got no wealth

I'm just one man and one sinner
Living on big gulps and healthy choice dinners
You can tell that I'm stressed
Hear it in my voice
But this is my life man
Rapping is my choice
And I bet you that I make it
Put my life on it
Unborn seed, my crib, and my wife on it
My mics on it w/ bodies of dead friends
That I lost as a child and never will see again
Unless it's at the crossroads
Where heaven and hells home
And niggaz that give you that call
Don't mean the cell phone
Do your research like stem cell clones
And the odds are stacked
Just like Ida B Wells Home

[Chorus]

From the small talk, my words
It's only meant for big things
So I settle for nothing less then the big screen
I got dreams but I ain't Dr. King
Want to make freedom ring
Wouldn't mind a pinky ring
What's wrong with having nice things
Shit, back in Africa wearing the gold was a sign of a king
Naledge just a sign of the times
Every line in my rhyme define off the top of the mind
I'm one of a kind
Southside's finest
A.k.a. your Heiness
Like airport laboratories
I keep fly shit
16 bars if you wanted to try shit
Microphone Mike Vick, I'm a game breaker
Wack mc's shake sorta like a salt shaker
Y'all niggaz just fakers
I'm singing Anita Baker
In the background is the rapture
Y'all niggaz actors

[Chorus]

I remember back when we used to cipher in the basement
It was me, Bradley, and Fooch, Woody, and little David
And nobody ever thought that we would make it
Now them same people hitting me saying my joints they favorite
I ain't going rub it in
But I can't lie, cuz I'm loving it
Sorta like the burger commercials
Niggaz home keep asking if I'm turning commercial
I said nah, I'm trying to turn to underground universal
And I meant a couple A&R's from Universal
Shady, def jam, sent a nigga walking like Hershel
I understand, it's nothing personal
But personally I don't give a flying fuck if Halle had a set of wings
To my favorite? filled dreams
On stage I vent steam
Show money, got money in European jeans
In Japan
We're just eating on sushi
Waiting to hear cut swimmer like it's a movie

[Chorus: followed by talking]

My words run deep like a skinny girls cut
From a habitat to battle raps, 40 ounces, and blunts
Deep dish pizza, chicken wings, public transportation
Through raps I receive emancipation
I used to get teased like you wouldn't believe
Black kids called me white just because I could read
White kids called me strange cuz of my African name
Now they say my rhymes flame
It's funny how times change
Money makes the world go round
Hustle make the hoes come round
Turns a snakes frown upside down
Eyes on the prize keep my ears low to the ground
Head to the sky like my words came from the clouds
Life's a bitch
Shacking like I play for the Heat
Put a mattress in a snare how I lay in the beat
And it's oh so serious, oh so delirious
Nigga turn this up fuck is you hearing this

[Talking]

Clutching a beer
Wishing my nigga Raleigh was here
Feeling like Jermaine Taylor as I'm fighting the tears
Wishing I could speak to 'em
Throw a beat to 'em
Now I just look to the sky I think I speak through him
18 years 18 years
Now I'm looking at his momma pour his ash in the pier
Life moving too fast
And I'm losing my peers
That's why I rap so hard, there's nothing to fear
Drinking hard liquor even when there's nothing to cheer
Here comes a brand new flavor in your ear
Not Craig Mack but pro black
My flow is on Prozac
Like Cuba boy in the hood but never go back
That's how I know that
A nigga got to stay strong
Just got to make it like Twista and Trey Songz
Too many times in my life seen niggaz stray wrong
Now I'm determined to never play the same song

[talking]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kidz in the Hall's song Day by Day capture the internal struggle of a rapper trying to make it in the music industry while grappling with personal issues. The opening lines express the frustration of being unable to help others due to one's own struggles, as well as the pressure to maintain a public persona. The singer acknowledges his fame but has no substantial wealth, emphasizing his humble beginnings. He refers to himself as a sinner trying to make a living on fast food and healthy choice dinners, signifying his journey through different phases of life.

In the chorus, the lyrics describe the singer's aspirations for the future, including a desire to make it to the big screen and make freedom ring. The singer acknowledges his desire for material possessions, but also recognizes the historical significance of wearing gold, which was a sign of royalty in Africa. The rapper boasts of being a one-of-a-kind talent and the pride of his Southside community. He then adds a reference to an airport laboratory, keeping things fresh and on point -- a metaphor for his impeccable flow.

Further along in the song, the lyrics recount the rapper's journey from ciphering in the basement with his friends, to struggling with the prospect of becoming commercial, to finally making his mark in the game as an underground artist. The song concludes with a poignant tribute to a friend who has passed away and a powerful message about staying true to oneself while carving out a unique path in life. Overall, Day by Day combines the struggles and triumphs of the rap game with deep introspection and a message of overcoming adversity through staying true to oneself.

Line by Line Meaning

Niggaz want me to help 'em
People expect me to assist them

I can't help myself
But I can't even help myself

Want me to support them
They want me to provide for them

I can't support myself
Yet, I struggle to support myself

Want me to know you
They desire for me to understand them

I barely know myself
But I barely know myself

I might got a little fame
Maybe I have gained some fame

I ain't got no wealth
But I possess no wealth

I'm just one man and one sinner
I am just a single individual, flawed and imperfect

Living on big gulps and healthy choice dinners
Surviving on large drinks and nutritious meals

You can tell that I'm stressed
It is evident that I am under pressure

Hear it in my voice
You can hear it in my voice

But this is my life man
Yet, this is my own life

Rapping is my choice
Choosing to rap is my decision

And I bet you that I make it
I am confident that I will succeed

Put my life on it
I am willing to stake my life on it

Unborn seed, my crib, and my wife on it
My future child, home, and spouse are dependent on it

My mics on it w/ bodies of dead friends
My microphone is dedicated to my deceased friends

That I lost as a child and never will see again
Friends whom I lost during my childhood and can never be with again

Unless it's at the crossroads
Unless we reunite in the afterlife

Where heaven and hells home
Where both heaven and hell coexist

And niggaz that give you that call
And the individuals who contact you

Don't mean the cell phone
Are not referring to a cellphone

Do your research like stem cell clones
Conduct thorough investigations like studying stem cells created in a laboratory

And the odds are stacked
And the chances of success are against us

Just like Ida B Wells Home
Similar to the circumstances in Ida B. Wells' housing project

From the small talk, my words
My words extend beyond mere conversation

It's only meant for big things
They are intended for significant achievements

So I settle for nothing less then the big screen
Hence, I only strive for success in the film industry

I got dreams but I ain't Dr. King
I have aspirations, but I am not Martin Luther King Jr.

Want to make freedom ring
I desire to bring about a sense of liberation

Wouldn't mind a pinky ring
I wouldn't object to having a luxurious ring

What's wrong with having nice things
Why is it frowned upon to enjoy material possessions?

Shit, back in Africa wearing the gold was a sign of a king
In Africa, wearing gold symbolizes royalty

Naledge just a sign of the times
Naledge, my stage name, represents the current era

Every line in my rhyme define off the top of the mind
Every line in my lyrics is spontaneously created from my own thoughts

I'm one of a kind
I am unique and unparalleled

Southside's finest
Acknowledged as the best artist from the Southside

A.k.a. your Heiness
Also known as your highness

Like airport laboratories
Similar to the highly advanced laboratories found in airports

I keep fly shit
I consistently produce impressive and stylish content

16 bars if you wanted to try shit
I challenge anyone to attempt to match my skills in a 16-bar verse

Microphone Mike Vick, I'm a game breaker
Just like Michael Vick on the microphone, I disrupt the game

Wack mc's shake sorta like a salt shaker
Poor-quality MCs tremble like a salt shaker

Y'all niggaz just fakers
Your kind are nothing but imposters

I'm singing Anita Baker
I am performing and expressing myself similarly to Anita Baker

In the background is the rapture
In the background, the powerful change and transformation is occurring

Y'all niggaz actors
You are all pretenders and actors in this industry

I remember back when we used to cipher in the basement
I recall the times when we would freestyle rap in the basement

It was me, Bradley, and Fooch, Woody, and little David
Myself, Bradley, Fooch, Woody, and small David were present

And nobody ever thought that we would make it
Nobody believed we would achieve success

Now them same people hitting me saying my joints they favorite
Now those very same individuals are reaching out to say they love my music the most

I ain't going rub it in
I won't boast about it

But I can't lie, cuz I'm loving it
But I must admit, I am thoroughly enjoying it

Sorta like the burger commercials
Similar to the advertisements for burgers

Niggaz home keep asking if I'm turning commercial
People in my neighborhood keep questioning if I am selling out to mainstream success

I said nah, I'm trying to turn to underground universal
I respond no, I aim to become famous in the underground scene globally

And I meant a couple A&R's from Universal
And by that, I mean I have had discussions with a few A&R representatives from Universal Records

Shady, def jam, sent a nigga walking like Hershel
Not only Shady but also Def Jam offered me deals that convinced me to leave just like Hershel, a character who left the show 'The Walking Dead'

I understand, it's nothing personal
I comprehend that it's just business and not a personal rejection

But personally I don't give a flying fuck if Halle had a set of wings
But personally, I don't care at all about Halle Berry having a pair of wings

To my favorite? filled dreams
Instead, I am dedicated to fulfilling my own cherished aspirations

On stage I vent steam
When performing onstage, I release built-up tension

Show money, got money in European jeans
I earn money from my performances and keep it in European designer jeans

In Japan
While I am in Japan

We're just eating on sushi
We are simply enjoying sushi meals

Waiting to hear cut swimmer like it's a movie
Waiting for the sound engineer to mix the audio like it's a movie production

My words run deep like a skinny girls cut
My lyrics are profound like a thin girl's self-inflicted wound

From a habitat to battle raps, 40 ounces, and blunts
From my upbringing to competing in rap battles, drinking 40-ounce beers, and smoking blunts

Deep dish pizza, chicken wings, public transportation
Deep-dish pizza, chicken wings, and the use of public transportation

Through raps I receive emancipation
Through my rap music, I experience freedom and liberation

I used to get teased like you wouldn't believe
I used to be bullied in ways that you wouldn't comprehend

Black kids called me white just because I could read
Black children mocked me for being able to read, thinking it was a trait associated with whiteness

White kids called me strange cuz of my African name
White children found me peculiar because of my African name

Now they say my rhymes flame
Now they acknowledge the brilliance of my rap lyrics

It's funny how times change
It's ironic how circumstances can evolve

Money makes the world go round
Money is what fuels the world and drives society

Hustle make the hoes come round
Hard work and determination attract people, especially women

Turns a snakes frown upside down
Success can even change the mood of someone deceitful

Eyes on the prize keep my ears low to the ground
I remain focused on achieving my goal while staying aware of my surroundings

Head to the sky like my words came from the clouds
I maintain a confident and optimistic mindset, as if my words originated from the heavens

Life's a bitch
Life is challenging

Shacking like I play for the Heat
I am constantly on edge, as if I am a player for the Miami Heat basketball team

Put a mattress in a snare how I lay in the beat
I relax and lay comfortably in the rhythm of the music, as if it were a mattress

And it's oh so serious, oh so delirious
And it's incredibly serious and somewhat chaotic

Nigga turn this up fuck is you hearing this
Listen to this song, why aren't you paying attention?

Clutching a beer
Holding tightly onto a beer

Wishing my nigga Raleigh was here
Longing for my friend Raleigh to be present

Feeling like Jermaine Taylor as I'm fighting the tears
Experiencing emotions similar to Jermaine Taylor, a boxer, while struggling to hold back tears

Wishing I could speak to 'em
Desiring to have a conversation with them

Throw a beat to 'em
Give them a musical instrumental to create to

Now I just look to the sky I think I speak through him
Now, all I can do is gaze at the sky and believe I am communicating through a higher power

18 years 18 years
18 years, exactly

Now I'm looking at his momma pour his ash in the pier
Now I am observing his mother scatter his ashes into the water

Life moving too fast
Life is progressing too quickly

And I'm losing my peers
And I am losing my friends

That's why I rap so hard, there's nothing to fear
That is why I rap with such intensity and passion, because there is nothing to be afraid of

Drinking hard liquor even when there's nothing to cheer
Consuming alcohol excessively even when there is no reason for celebration

Here comes a brand new flavor in your ear
Now, prepare yourself for a fresh and exciting sound

Not Craig Mack but pro black
I am not Craig Mack, but I am extremely supportive of the African-American community

My flow is on Prozac
My musical style is soothing and calming, like the anti-depressant medication Prozac

Like Cuba boy in the hood but never go back
Similar to a character from the movie 'Boyz n the Hood', Cuba Gooding Jr. never returns to the neighborhood

That's how I know that
That is how I understand

A nigga got to stay strong
I, as an individual, must remain resilient

Just got to make it like Twista and Trey Songz
I simply have to achieve success like Twista and Trey Songz

Too many times in my life seen niggaz stray wrong
I have witnessed countless occasions where individuals have made poor choices

Now I'm determined to never play the same song
Now, I am committed to never repeating the mistakes of others

Contributed by Aaron I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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