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.

Don't Stop
Kidz in the Hall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I stepped up from projects steps and step towards the unknown
Side step mediocrity, I'm gone
Basically back to basics
Walking a fine line like a fresh pair of Asics
Face it in the presence of a mastermind
From Chicago Southside
Cooking food for thought
Open your mouth wide

Rocking tide on the way for the flow
Where your mind goes nobody knows
When you reach that bridge pay your fare
And trust me nigga like CC I'm going take you there
And like a glass cutter let me make this clear
Kidz in the Hall will rise this year
I want all eyes this year
Bare witness with the quickness
As I enter this stretch run
Fond of fitness
Relentless in the search of freedom
Crook, y'all judge by the cov of wild knowledge freedom
Some work for change others work for change
Chase dreams to the last drop drips out the veins
On my j ob I remain majestic
Not a replica jersey
Y'all not worthy
It feels like Wayne's World
Not ready for the revolution nigga, it'll pass you by
And you can't keep running away like Pharcyde
Ain't much to shoot for when living on off sides
Play ball or rap, can't do that
Then move crack...lines in the pavement
Niggaz talking out they ass
Still not saying shit

[Chorus]

You can bullshit with Rec if you want
But I'm going make more niggaz want me then the 1st of the month
A presence in the hood call me transmission
Sun and sunlight mashing the transition
Man listen, this is more then words on the beat
This is inner city life on the streets
Of the second city the windy that never sleeps
And niggaz love to knock you down when you rise to your feet
Welcome to fantasy island where niggaz put grills in there mouth to hide the pain when they smiling
Steady but violent
N@##%s put there work of balling old rims
And nigga I ain't talking about hoop dreams
I'm talking loose schemes, diamond chains, and thousand dollar blue jeans
On board for some new things
Never really hunt for the stunt
A credit card comes with an empty soul
Mama always told me all that glitters and gold
And even if you wearing gold it ain't making you whole
Cuz money never ever fill the hole in your soul
But it can make the hoes want to blow, robbers want to chill
N@##%s play sick we can all get ill
No thrills I deliver like Domino's
Rap style honorable
Head of the class
Matter of fact, head of my time
Revolutionary that just happens to rhyme
Like Kweli I rock with a better design
You ain't check that you need to press rewind
For all intents and purposes
My intent is to be intense
Every word, phases, inquisition
Metaphors and similes, is prosecuted
Put on the track and prostituted
To turn tricks get intimate
With the sentiments of a genius
Brain fa [fades into chorus]

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

In "Don’t Stop" by Kidz in the Hall, the lyrics describe the struggles and obstacles the artist has faced, and the determination to rise above them. They speak of leaving behind the mundane life, taking risks, and stepping towards the unknown. Their aim is to reach the top and achieve greatness through hard work and perseverance. They draw inspiration from their hometown of Chicago, and describe that their journey is merely a quest for freedom and knowledge.

The Kidz in the Hall emphasize the importance of facing challenges head-on and taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. The lyrics encourage listeners to rise up and take action against the injustices and obstacles of the world, rather than running away from them. The chorus depicts the artist's confidence in their ability to become successful, despite those who doubt them, as they assert their worth and value as a musician.

Overall, "Don’t Stop" is a song of empowerment and the pursuit of one's dreams. The lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to push themselves towards success, no matter what the odds may be.

Line by Line Meaning

I stepped up from projects steps and step towards the unknown
Leaving my familiar environment, I took a step towards opportunities and risks

Side step mediocrity, I'm gone
I'm avoiding being average and moving forward

Basically back to basics
Returning to the fundamentals

Walking a fine line like a fresh pair of Asics
Balancing life decisions carefully, like new sneakers

Face it in the presence of a mastermind
Acknowledging the superior intelligence of someone present

From Chicago Southside
Referring to their origins in a specific part of Chicago

Cooking food for thought
Creating something intellectually stimulating

Open your mouth wide
Encouraging listeners to receive and consume their ideas eagerly

Rocking tide on the way for the flow
A metaphor for indicating the direction of their music

Where your mind goes nobody knows
Encouraging listeners to be free-thinking and creative

When you reach that bridge pay your fare
Telling others to be prepared and face their obstacles

And trust me nigga like CC I'm going take you there
Assuring the audience that they will be taken to a positive place

And like a glass cutter let me make this clear
Using a tool as a metaphor for clarity in their message

Kidz in the Hall will rise this year
Predicting future success

I want all eyes this year
Expressing a desire for widespread recognition

Bare witness with the quickness
Asking for audience attention and participation

As I enter this stretch run
During the final phase of their project and/or musical path

Fond of fitness
Admiration for health and well-being

Relentless in the search of freedom
Constantly seeking a liberated life

Crook, y'all judge by the cov of wild knowledge freedom
Specifying that others judge them by the unconventional freedom that they possess

Some work for change others work for change
A play on words to say that some work for money while others work for societal improvement

Chase dreams to the last drop drips out the veins
Pursuing their aspirations until the last drop of effort

On my job I remain majestic
Maintaining an impressive and dignified presence

Not a replica jersey
Refusing to be a duplicate of someone else

Y'all not worthy
Others are not deserving of the same status or recognition

It feels like Wayne's World
Matching the free-spirit style of the famous movie scene

Not ready for the revolution nigga, it'll pass you by
Explaining that if one cannot handle major changes, they will miss out

And you can't keep running away like Pharcyde
Urging others not to avoid challenges, like the hip-hop group's famous song

Ain't much to shoot for when living on off sides
There is little to aim for when living outside of the mainstream

Play ball or rap, can't do that Then move crack...lines in the pavement
Suggesting that musicians or athletes have other options besides criminal activities

Niggaz talking out they ass Still not saying shit
Not tolerating empty statements that lack substance or importance

You can bullshit with Rec if you want But I'm going make more niggaz want me then the 1st of the month
Directing their attention to trivial rapper Rec while promising to gain more fans

A presence in the hood call me transmission Sun and sunlight mashing the transition
A double entendre that symbolizes the power of their influence in their community

Man listen, this is more then words on the beat This is inner city life on the streets Of the second city the windy that never sleeps
Explaining how their music represents more than entertainment, but also their daily lives in Chicago

And niggaz love to knock you down when you rise to your feet
Referring to the negative attitude of others when they see one succeed

Welcome to fantasy island where niggaz put grills in there mouth to hide the pain when they smiling Steady but violent
Describing the superficial attitudes of some and their underlying aggression

N@##%s put there work of balling old rims And nigga I ain't talking about hoop dreams
Rejecting the idea that driving old cars is cool or desirable

I'm talking loose schemes, diamond chains, and thousand dollar blue jeans On board for some new things
Acknowledging the existence of luring materialism while looking forward to new ideas and trends

Never really hunt for the stunt A credit card comes with an empty soul Mama always told me all that glitters and gold
Disregarding the desire for attention and status through flashy tactics and valuing one's character over material possessions

And even if you wearing gold it ain't making you whole Cuz money never ever fill the hole in your soul But it can make the hoes want to blow, robbers want to chill
Contrasting the fact that wealth cannot fulfill one's true needs with the fact that it can attract certain types of attention

N@##%s play sick we can all get ill No thrills I deliver like Domino's
Saying that people often pretend to be worse than they are so they can receive attention Knowing their abilities and comparisons to a fast delivery service

Rap style honorable Head of the class Matter of fact, head of my time Revolutionary that just happens to rhyme Like Kweli I rock with a better design
Praising their own approach to music and acknowledging their unique style and social position

You ain't check that you need to press rewind
Insisting that others listen to their message again

For all intents and purposes My intent is to be intense Every word, phases, inquisition Metaphors and similes, is prosecuted Put on the track and prostituted To turn tricks get intimate With the sentiments of a genius Brain fa [fades into chorus]
A stream of consciousness flow that describes their creative process and usage of metaphors and wordplay, with a hint of criticism towards commercial exploitation of their art

Chorus
Repeating the refrain of the song

Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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