Musical career:
Savas' career began with the recording Warum rappst du? ("Why do you rap?"). He gained attention with controversial lyrics in songs like Schwule Rapper ("Gay Rappers"), LMS (Lutsch mein' Schwanz, "Suck my dick"), and Pimplegioneah. Initially Savas rapped in English in groups like the Basic Elements. He became more successful in bands such as M.O.R. und Westberlin Maskulin together with the underground-rapper Taktloss. In 2001 he left his recording firm Put Da Needle To Da Records and the group M.O.R. itself because of personal and artistic differences.
In 2002 he released his first solo album Der beste Tag meines Lebens (The best day of my life) with his own recording company begun in the same year, Optik Records. He worked with many German and international artists including Azad, Curse, Moses Pelham, Samy Deluxe, RZA, J-Luv, Lumidee, Bligg, Jadakiss, Xavier Naidoo, and Smut Peddlers.
With his recording firm, he sought to build up and promote a number of artists, including for example Eko Fresh whom he discovered. Currently the following artists are under contract: DJ Nicon, Melbeatz, Ercandize, Caput, and Amar. The contract with the rapper SD ended because of musical differences and he left followed by his friend Spontan. At the moment Savas' little brother Sinan is also under contract.
At the end of 2004, Eko Fresh released the song Die Abrechnung in which he dissed Kool Savas. In February 2005, Kool Savas answered with the track Das Urteil ("The judgement"). The track was available for free download on the hip hop website Mzee.com and was accompanied by a video clip that was voted twenty times for first place on the MTV TRL charts.
In March 2005 he participated in an advertising campaign for the animals rights organization PETA in which he spoke against the consumption of meat.
Private life:
As a baby Savas returned to Turkey with his family at one years old. His father was arrested for political activities, forcing his mother to return to Aachen. In 1987 the reunited family moved to Berlin where Savas first came in contact with rap music. In 1997, he acted in the film Geschwister – Kardesler in the role of Ahmed.
He lives with his long-time girlfriend Melbeatz (Melanie) in Heidelberg. The relationship is also one of artistic and business collaboration as she makes many of his beats. They also are both vegetarians. At the end of 2004, there was a rumor that they were no longer together. Savas responded in the song Was hab' ich dir angetan? (What did I do to you?) on the album ONE.
2 the Essence
Kool Savas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let' start the battle
I got the type of skills that make you wanna quit
We got that raw shit
Tajai
Gib mir das Mic
King S
Masta Ace
Yeah it's dark down here, when it spark down here
You just might get attacked by a shark down here
See we smart down here, we do it for the art down here
Make sure your shit is sharp down here
'Cause this ain't no stroll in the park when you walk down here
No, everybody's starving down here
Most can't survive, 'cause there's war down here
Extreme self-esteem getting torn down here
Life's full of drama but it's more down here
End up in a pool of blood on the floor down here
Everything you witnessed and you saw down here
Leave you permanently scarred to the core down here
Above ground great but it's raw down here
Your ass better abide by the law down here
'Cause one false step and you can fall down here
Best rappers in the world and we all down here yeah
Let' start the battle
I got the type of skills that make you wanna quit
We got that raw shit
Mas, Masta Ace
Tajai
Gib mir das Mic
King S
Brainiac dumb dumbs, was für 'ne Entwicklung
Opfata, jetzt ist der Prof am Start
Geht, schreibt mal euer Magister, entschlüsselt erst
Diese Hieroglyphen
Essah ist des Synonym für kein' Respekt
Diese MCs sind nur Parasiten
Wie Chlamydien, werd' nicht müde
Sie zu rügen, sprech' das offen aus
Hier, die Karrieren sind wie Nebel im Allgäu
Fischchen im Trüben warten auf 'nen Hit
Ich weiß die Wahrheit schmerzt, werd' wütend
Was für Star? Komm mir zu nah, ich lass' dich gern verglühen
Ich geb' ihnen Kügelchen, wie 'n Naturheiler, aus der BB Gun
Es reicht, pump', aber ich bin dir mit dem Kopf vorraus, wie Zidane
Sieh ihn an, 1,80 und doch ein Riese
Sie fragen mich was mit Beef ist, geht checkt Bello 3
Reagier' auf sie, wie 'ne Wand, schön für dich
Du machst deine Mucke zur Krone, ich zum Diamant
Setze mich gegen den Teufel zur Wehr und siege, nenn' mich Vietnam
Außen cool, aber innerlich führt es dich wie 'n Adler
Immer back zu dei'm Horst, Digga
That's when you lost, Ficker
Let' start the battle
I got the type of skills that make you wanna quit
We got that raw shit
Masta Ace
Gib mir das Mic, King S
Tajai
I got ears for the talent, hands for the hustle
Mind on militant, heart full of struggle
Watch the footwork you just might get hurt
Either you're with me or against me on life's adventures
So approach cautious, I'm known to stomp imposters
Unconscious, in a fresh pair of Adidaslers
Formatted lostless acts of lawlessness
In sue when I drop this, instant mosh pit uh
I did it to death from the dingiest depths where the apes at
In a skate straight to the apex
Scraped and scratched, still lamp with a great set
Bivvle wax trapped in a camp with a great set
Cut the hand of any scamp tryin' to take that
He's straight blaw, most you could do is imitate that
Brrat, rappers on their blat, riders on the set
Everybody walk, ready set, uh
Take it back to the essence
Let' start the battle
I got the type of skills that make you wanna quit
We got that raw shit
Masta Ace
Gib mir das Mic
King S
Tajai
The lyrics to Kool Savas's song "2 the Essence" speak of the harsh realities of life and the struggle to survive. The opening lines of the song call for a battle as Kool Savas boasts about the skills he possesses that can make others want to quit. The following lines speak of the dangers that exist in the underground world where one could be attacked by a shark or end up in a pool of blood on the floor.
The song also touches on the self-esteem issues that many people face as they try to survive in a world where most are starving and at war. The harshness of life leads to permanent scars that affect the core of one's being. Despite the difficulties, Kool Savas declares that the best rappers in the world are all down there, which suggests that it is in the underground world where true talent lies.
The verse from Masta Ace expresses a similar theme, where he refers to himself as a professor who can decode hieroglyphics that others cannot understand. He speaks of the disrespect shown towards him by other MCs who are mere parasites. He also mentions how careers in the industry are like fog in the Allgäu, which is a reference to the German Alps. In essence, he means that careers are fleeting and difficult to grasp, just like a fog.
Overall, the song speaks of overcoming struggles and believing in oneself despite the odds. It references the harshness of life in the underground world and the need to stay sharp and focused to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, come on!
Let's begin!
Let's start the battle
Let's compete with each other.
I got the type of skills that make you wanna quit
My skills are so impressive that you might feel discouraged.
We got that raw shit
We have an unrefined, authentic sound.
Tajai
This is a reference to the artist Tajai.
Gib mir, gib mir, gib mir, gib mir das Mic
Give me the microphone.
King S
This is a reference to the artist King S.
Masta Ace
This is a reference to the artist Masta Ace.
Yeah it's dark down here, when it spark down here
Things are dangerous and unpredictable here.
You just might get attacked by a shark down here
You could face sudden and unexpected danger.
See we smart down here, we do it for the art down here
We are intelligent and value the artistic side of things.
Make sure your shit is sharp down here
You need to be on your game in this environment.
Cause this ain't no stroll in the park when you walk down here
This is not an easy place to navigate.
No, everybody's starving down here
Many people are struggling to survive.
Most can't survive, cause there's war down here
People are so desperate that they will do anything to get ahead.
Extreme self-esteem getting torn down here
People's confidence is frequently shattered.
Life's full of drama but it's more down here
The level of drama and chaos is heightened in this environment.
End up in a pool of blood on the floor down here
Things often end in violence.
Everything you witnessed and you saw down here
This is a first-hand account of what happens in this environment.
Leave you permanently scarred to the core down here
The trauma that is experienced here can change a person forever.
Above ground great but it's raw down here
Things may seem good on the surface, but the reality is harsh.
Your ass better abide by the law down here
You need to follow the rules to stay safe.
Cause one false step and you can fall down here
One mistake could lead to serious consequences.
Best rappers in the world and we all down here yeah
Despite the tough environment, the artists here are talented.
Brainiac dumb dumbs, was für 'ne Entwicklung
These people are smart in some ways, but clueless in others.
Opfata, jetzt ist der Prof am Start
The master is now in control.
Geht, schreibt mal euer Magister, entschlüsselt erst diese Hieroglyphen
Try to understand these complex lyrics.
Essah ist des Synonym für kein' Respekt
The rapper Essah is associated with a lack of respect.
Diese MCs sind nur Parasiten
These other rappers are just parasites.
Wie Chlamydien, werd' nicht müde
Like chlamydia, they won't go away.
Sie zu rügen, sprech' das offen aus
I'm not afraid to call them out.
Hier, die Karrieren sind wie Nebel im Allgäu
Careers are fleeting and uncertain.
Fischchen im Trüben warten auf 'nen Hit
Some artists are just waiting for their big break.
Ich weiß die Wahrheit schmerzt, werd' wütend
The truth can be painful and angering.
Was für Star? Komm mir zu nah, ich lass' dich gern verglühen
I'll take down anyone who gets too close.
Ich geb' ihnen Kügelchen, wie'n Naturheiler, aus der BB Gun
I'll give them shots with my BB gun like a natural healer.
Es reicht, pump', aber ich bin dir mit dem Kopf vorraus, wie Zidane
Back off before I headbutt you like Zidane.
Sieh ihn an, 1,80 und doch ein Riese
Despite his relatively average height, he stands tall.
Sie fragen mich was mit Beef ist, geht checkt Bello 3
If you want to know about beef, go listen to Bello 3.
Reagier' auf sie, wie 'ne Wand, schön für dich
I won't let their words affect me.
Du machst deine Mucke zur Krone, ich zum Diamant
You're trying to be king, but I'm aiming to be a diamond.
Setze mich gegen den Teufel zur Wehr und siege, nenn' mich Vietnam
I'll fight the devil and come out victorious, call me Vietnam.
Außen cool, aber innerlich führt es dich wie 'n Adler
I may seem calm on the outside, but inside I'm soaring like an eagle.
Immer back zu dei'm Horst, Digga
You always end up back where you started.
That's when you lost, Ficker
That's when you've been defeated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andre Schmidt, Duval Clear, Savas Yurderi, Tajai Masey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind