His first tracks were produced by The Unknown DJ who also produced Ice T's earliest gangsta rap tracks. He has collaborated with artists such as Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Rappin' 4-Tay, B-Legit, Ice-T, and Masta Ace. He also worked with other producers such as DJ Pooh, Marley Marl, Ant Banks, E-Swift of Tha Alkaholiks and Madlib.
Although he helped launch the career of Tha Alkaholiks, who became popular in their own right, Tee's own career didn't fare quite so well. His highest charting album, Tha Triflin' Album, peaked at #95 on the Billboard 200 while his other albums scraped the bottom of the chart.
Dr. Dre tried to help revitalize Tee's career by signing him to Aftermath Records. He appeared on Dre's albums, Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath and 2001, and recorded his own album. But Tee was eventually dropped from the label. Nevertheless, the album he recorded for Aftermath, Thy Kingdom Come was released in 2002 on a German independent label. It featured guest appearances by Dre, Ice T, Too $hort, MC Ren, DJ Quik, Kool G Rap, Shaquille O'neal, Kid Frost, El DeBarge, and others.
Those that have followed gangster rap since its roots will credit King Tee with being one of the leading founders helping gangster rap build credibility and eventually helping to open doors for some of today's biggest names in hip-hop. He is also cited as being one of the biggest inspirations for popular East Coast rapper The Notorious B.I.G., whose early style bore a striking resemblance to that of King T.
The Coolest
King Tee Lyrics
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Yes yes y'all, it's not a secret no more
The King b-boy Tee has been washed ashore
And I'm back I'm here to say if I'm a King then I should rule
I'm the best for the job, you know why?
(Why?!) Cause I'm cool..
... See I'm
Rough like a bully, I'm rollin like a bicycle
Fresh like a virgn calculates like a math wiz
You think you're bad? I'ma show you what bad is
Microphone magician, it's the end when I start
A confidential differential, I'm the state of the art
Crowned King be -boy, the elite rap reverand
Master of the Ceremony twenty-fourseven
MC's don't fear me, I come in peace, ha
Drapped in Fila, or either Elise
'Cause I'm the cool wop dancer, girlies romancer
Suckers stay away I'll mess you up like cancer
My style is original, not a subliminal
You say to yourself there's no one better, than him you know
Bustin' all bustas, killin' all killers
Tacklin' MC's like a Pittsburgh Steeler
I'm bolder than bold, I wear a lot of white gold
The supreme King Tee, I've got things in control
Skeezers want to clock me while I'm on my way to school
You don't, have to ask why, you know the reason..
... he's cool!
[DJ scratches]
I got a white gold crown, white gold ropes
Sleep on white sheets, ski on white slopes
Supreme to be exact you know I'm cooler than most
When God gave out coolness, I took a whole dose
I won't bother or nag you, to rhyme I'll be glad to
You thought I couldn't get you but I already had you
I know you heard my DJ, is he good or what?
Keith Cooley is a killer, your DJ's a mutt
I wouldn't try to take him on he'll cut you up like a biologist
King Tee's song "The Coolest" is an ode to his own coolness, as he proclaims himself to be the King of B-Boys who is back and ready to rule. He asserts his superiority through his smooth demeanor, calling himself "smoother than silk, cooler than an icicle," and his skills as a rapper, labeling himself a "microphone magician" and "master of the ceremony." Tee also emphasizes his fashion sense and material possessions as indicators of coolness, proclaiming that he wears "a lot of white gold" and sleeps on "white sheets, ski on white slopes."
However, Tee's coolness is not just about his image and bravado. He also showcases his intelligence and skill as a lyricist, boasting that he "calculates like a math wiz" and is an "original" rapper with a unique style. He also acknowledges that his coolness is not for everyone, warning "suckers" to stay away or risk being messed up "like cancer."
Overall, "The Coolest" is a self-affirming anthem that celebrates King Tee's own brand of coolness and establishes him as a formidable force in the world of rap music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes yes y'all, it's not a secret no more
Acknowledging that everyone knows who he is now.
The King b-boy Tee has been washed ashore
King Tee has arrived and he's ready to rule the rap game.
And I'm back I'm here to say if I'm a King then I should rule
Asserting his status as a king and deserving to rule the game.
I'm the best for the job, you know why?
Asking rhetorically why he is the perfect candidate for ruling the rap game.
(Why?!) Cause I'm cool..
Declaring that his coolness is what sets him apart from other rappers.
Smoother than silk, cooler than an icicle
King Tee is super smooth and cool as ice.
Rough like a bully, I'm rollin like a bicycle
King Tee is tough like a bully but just as nimble as a bicycle.
Fresh like a virgin calculates like a math wiz
King Tee is always fresh and sharp, with the smarts of a math genius.
You think you're bad? I'ma show you what bad is
Asserting his superiority over all other actors who believe they are bad.
Microphone magician, it's the end when I start
King Tee is a master of the microphone, and when he starts rapping, it's game over.
A confidential differential, I'm the state of the art
King Tee is unique and unmatched, the peak of modern rap.
Crowned King be-boy, the elite rap reverand
King Tee is the ultimate king of rap, an elite rapper with religious zeal.
Master of the Ceremony twenty-fourseven
King Tee is in charge of every rap event, all day, every day.
MC's don't fear me, I come in peace, ha
King Tee is not here to intimidate other rappers, but instead, to show off his skills.
Drapped in Fila, or either Elise
King Tee is always dressed to impress, wearing Fila or Elise clothing.
'Cause I'm the cool wop dancer, girlies romancer
King Tee is a slick, cool dancer who always charms the ladies.
Suckers stay away I'll mess you up like cancer
King Tee warns others to stay away if they are not worthy, as he can defeat them easily like cancer.
My style is original, not a subliminal
King Tee's rap style is unique and his own, not influenced by other rappers.
You say to yourself there's no one better, than him you know
King Tee is confident that he is the best rapper out there.
Bustin' all bustas, killin' all killers
King Tee defeats all other rappers, no matter how good they think they are.
Tacklin' MC's like a Pittsburgh Steeler
King Tee is aggressive when taking down other rappers, like a Pittsburgh Steeler football player.
I'm bolder than bold, I wear a lot of white gold
King Tee is confident and daring, and he likes to wear flashy white gold jewelry.
The supreme King Tee, I've got things in control
King Tee is the ultimate rap king, with everything under control.
Skeezers want to clock me while I'm on my way to school
Groupies are trying to flirt with King Tee while he's running errands.
You don't, have to ask why, you know the reason..
King Tee's coolness and swag attracts people without any explanation.
I got a white gold crown, white gold ropes
King Tee has a sparkling, flashy white gold crown and chains.
Sleep on white sheets, ski on white slopes
King Tee loves luxury, and he sleeps on white sheets and skis on pristine white slopes.
Supreme to be exact you know I'm cooler than most
King Tee is extremely cool, surpassing even other cool people.
When God gave out coolness, I took a whole dose
King Tee was born cool, and he has always embraced his cool demeanor.
I won't bother or nag you, to rhyme I'll be glad to
King Tee is not here to harass other rappers, but instead, he offers to collaborate on a track.
You thought I couldn't get you but I already had you
King Tee already has a hold on other rappers, even if they don't realize it yet.
I know you heard my DJ, is he good or what?
King Tee is proud of his DJ, Keith Cooley, and his skill on the turntables.
Keith Cooley is a killer, your DJ's a mutt
Keith Cooley is the best DJ around, while other DJs pale in comparison.
I wouldn't try to take him on he'll cut you up like a biologist
King Tee advises other rappers not to challenge Keith Cooley, as he will defeat them easily like a biologist dissecting a specimen.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: D.J. POOH, JAZZIE REDD, KING TEE, MARK S JORDAN, ROGER MCBRIDE P
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind