Kollegah started rapping in 2004 under his first alias "T.o.n.i."
He released his first mixtape "Zuhältertape Vol. 1" (Zuhälter = german for "pimp") in 2004 for free over the internet which caused a rather great hype in the german underground rap scene. Kollegah fascinated the listeners with lightspeed double or even tripple time rap, incredibly funny and complex punchlines and ruthless drug dealer stories which had never been before in Germany.
He then would start rapping in the german "RBA" (Reimliga Battle Arena, an online platform for german Mcs to battle each other via mp3s) and caused a great hysteria aswell because alot of people could not believe that such a good and verbally gifted player would attend their small community.
In 2005 the "Selfmade Records" Label, home to Artists like Favorite or Shiml signed him and immediately re-released his Zuhältertape as an "X-mas edition" with 6 bonus tracks.
A year after, he released his highly anticipated follow-up mixtape called "Boss der Bosse" (german for boss of the bosses).
2007 finally marked the release of his first Album, "Alphagene" (german for alpha genes) which sold surprisingly well for a purely independently released album, peaking at #51 in the german album charts. The successor "Kollegah" in 2008 even topped this remarkable chart entry with a stunning #17 entry in it's first week.
Donlife
Kollegah Lyrics
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Alpha Music
See, your man crossed sea's, right?
Araab, what up, boy? (Uh)
My life’s a open book and there ain't much that I wouldn't write
My car's German, God bless me, kids are tight
Marihuana, high as a sauna
My persona, to be around is a honor
Cash's cool, but I be countin' the commas
I’m the outlet, fuck the plug, don’t deal with middle men
Flee god, 'bout to cop my own island, Gilligan
Oh Lord, here we go talkin’ mills again
Ten is on my neck, I'm about to enter Wimbledon
Used to drive the heroin down to Wimbledon
Adrenalin rush, feels good to see the villains win
I'm on a bank tour, washin' money
Switzerland, Monaco, Frankfurt, you know what I came for
This that cocaine war in Off-White
Short days, long nights, Dom P., don life
Leben im Donlife (Dipset, nigga)
Zwei-vier-sieben Vollzeit, Handy nie offline
Trage das Goldweiß (wooh)
Schmerz geht, Stolz bleibt, nur Gott weiß
Donlife, Donlife, Donlife
Trage das Goldweiß
Donlife, Donlife, Donlife (Boss, yeah)
Nur Gott weiß
Nutte, buch mir Charter-Flüge (Charter-Flüge, Charter-Flüge)
Ich destabilisier' mit einer Transaktion komplette Staatsgefüge (yeah)
Was ich im Jahr verdiene (tzhe), hat nicht mal Adam Riese (Donlife)
Ein Mix aus Carpe diem und Savoir-vivre
Yeah, yeah, cold-blooded wie Blutkonserven (Ice)
Will ich selbst überleben, heißt das, du musst sterben (sterben)
Siegen können nur die Stärksten (yeah)
Haben sie'n Messer, ziehst du Knarren, Bruder, haben sie Knarren, ziehst du Sturmgewehre
Weiche nie dem Feind (yeah)
Wenn man den Don mal mit Zweifeln sieht, dann weil ein Pelz ihm nicht reicht
Ihr kommt mit High-Fashion, ich komm' mit Haifischen
Aquarien, Terrarien, all green wie Nightvision (Boss)
Über mir nur noch Zigarrenqualm-Schwade
Business läuft im Hintergrund wie 'ne Sinatra-Schallplatte
Ich trink' die Tränen von Feinden aus 'ner Kristallglas-Karaffe
Story of my life, 'ne rot markierte Mafia-Fallakte (yeah)
Leben im Donlife
Zwei-vier-sieben Vollzeit, Handy nie offline (Gang)
Trage das Goldweiß (weiß, wooh)
Schmerz geht, Stolz bleibt, nur Gott weiß
Donlife, Donlife, Donlife (yeah, yeah)
Trage das Goldweiß
Donlife, Donlife, Donlife (Boss, yeah)
Nur Gott weiß
Leben oder sterben im Donlife
Ich zähl' Geld im Schein der Nachtclub-Lichter
Und zwar nur noch mit der Hand wegen Training meiner Abzugsfinger
Für den Magnum-Trigger (tschk-tschk, ah, yeah)
Drittes Auge aktiviert, Kronenchakra, Zirbeldrüse
Schutzgebete, denn sie machen Auge, so wie Wirbelstürme
Öffentlich lasse ich den G nie raus wie Aladdin
Doch check, wie ich die Fäden aus dem Background wie der Pate zieh'
Pate zieh', Pate zieh', Pate zieh', Pate zieh'
Pate zieh', Pate zieh', Pate zieh', Pate zieh—, Pate zieh', Pate zieh' Pate zieh', Pate zieh'
The song "Donlife" by German rapper Kollegah featuring American rapper Cam'ron is a braggadocious track that highlights the pair's luxurious and high-flying lifestyles. Over a beat produced by AraabMuzik, both rappers rap about their wealth, power, and status in the rap game. Kollegah starts off the song by asserting that his life is an open book and that there's nothing he wouldn't write. He boasts about his German-made car, his drug use, and his fearsome personality. He also brags about counting commas instead of cash, indicating that he's more focused on financial success than having a flashy lifestyle. Cam'ron's verse on the song is also filled with braggadocio and he raps about his ability to destabilize entire countries with his transactions, his cold-blooded mindset, and the fact that he can count money even in the dim light of a nightclub.
The chorus of the song, which features a sample from a Dipset song, reinforces the idea of living life like a don. They chant "Donlife, Donlife, Donlife" and talk about their pride and the fact that only God knows what they're truly capable of. The song ends with a sample of Al Pacino's famous speech from the movie "Scarface" where he talks about the dangers of getting too caught up in the drug game.
Overall, "Donlife" is a song that celebrates wealth, power, and status in the rap game. It's a song that's meant to be played in the club or in your car when you're feeling yourself and want to flex on the haters.
Line by Line Meaning
My life’s a open book and there ain't much that I wouldn't write
I am an open book and I am not afraid to share my experiences with the world.
My car's German, God bless me, kids are tight
I am blessed with a German car and happy family.
Marihuana, high as a sauna
I smoke marijuana and feel as relaxed as if in a sauna
I'm a piranha, ever seen a piranha that wouldn't bite?
I am like a piranha in life, always ready to seize every opportunity.
Cash's cool, but I be countin' the commas
Having money is great, but I always count my wealth to keep track of it.
Used to drive the heroin down to Wimbledon
I used to be involved in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking.
This that cocaine war in Off-White
I am involved in a cocaine war and wear Off-White clothing while doing so.
Nutte, buch mir Charter-Flüge
Book me a private jet, hooker.
Ich destabilisier' mit einer Transaktion komplette Staatsgefüge
I can destabilize entire countries with one financial transaction.
Über mir nur noch Zigarrenqualm-Schwade
I am surrounded by nothing but cigar smoke.
Leben im Donlife
Living life like a Don (Boss, Godfather).
Zwei-vier-sieben Vollzeit, Handy nie offline
I work 24/7 and never take a break from my phone.
Schmerz geht, Stolz bleibt, nur Gott weiß
Pain fades away, but my pride will always remain and only God knows the truth.
Ich zähl' Geld im Schein der Nachtclub-Lichter
I count my money while sitting in the glow of nightclub lights.
Drittes Auge aktiviert, Kronenchakra, Zirbeldrüse
I have activated my third eye, crown chakra, and pineal gland.
Öffentlich lasse ich den G nie raus wie Aladdin
I never let my guard down and stay tough like Aladdin.
Doch check, wie ich die Fäden aus dem Background wie der Pate zieh'
But see how I control everything from the background like the Godfather does.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Felix Antoine Blume
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind