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.
Gatekeeper
Kool Savas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wegezoll – ihr wollt an die Spitze und müsst an mir vorbei
Strafen wie im Mittelalter, Rapper werden viergeteilt
Der Kammerjäger, Schutzanzug in weiß
Jage Wack-MCs mit Pestiziden, bis ich mir sicher bin, Rap ist—
Wegezoll, ihr wollt an die Spitze und müsst an mir vorbei
Strafen wie im Mittelalter, Rapper werden viergeteilt
Jage Wack-MCs mit Pestiziden, bis ich mir sicher bin, Rap ist virenfrei
Was für Stand in der Szene? Jetzt mach mal langsam, du Penis
Du stirbst und ich eskalier' wilder als Hans Entertainment
Sind es Hieroglyphen für dich, kleiner Bruder?
Lass mich dir erklären: Wir kamen als Flüchtlinge nur mit Salz und Pfeffer hierher
Unter 'nem schwarzen Mond, die Wurzeln gekappt
Suchte 'ne Heimat wie verlorene Jungs, ich fand sie, während ich in den Kisten grub
Wurd' der Lord des Untergrunds, 'n Führer der neuen Schule
Guck, der Ausgestoßene setzt hier jetzt den Trend der Kultur
Nie von Natur aus ungezogen, doch betrittst du mein Schlachthaus
Werde ich zum Totengräber, Fete mit der Motorsäge
Ich bin ein Meister des Fachs, du nur ein Meister der Illusion
Jedi-Gedankentricks, Manipulation
Platzier' die Reime abnormal, passgenau auf radikale Art
Professor Essah, er hat irre Pattern, hundert over-krasse Parts
Des Resultat aller Parameter, Rap und ich
Höllisch intensive Partnerschaft, sie hetzen ohne Plan, doch können nix
Reagieren augenblicklich panisch, wenn sie hören, ich platziere jetzt
Haben offensichtlich Probleme zu bejahen, dass es noch wächst
Die Pandemie der Schwanz-MCs, sie ersetzen Ratten als Plage Gatekeeper
Essah, die Schranke bleibt unten, wenn sie nicht zahlen, nenn es—
Wegezoll, ihr wollt an die Spitze und müsst an mir vorbei
Strafen wie im Mittelalter, Rapper werden viergeteilt
Der Kammerjäger, Schutzanzug in weiß
Jage Wack-MCs mit Pestiziden, bis ich mir sicher bin, Rap ist virenfrei
Was für Stand in der Szene? Jetzt mach mal langsam, du Penis
Du stirbst und ich eskalier' wilder als Hans Entertainment
Sind es Hieroglyphen für dich, kleiner Bruder?
In Kool Savas's song "Gatekeeper," the lyrics portray him as a dominant figure in the rap industry, asserting his authority and establishing himself as the gatekeeper of success. He opens the song by stating that in order to rise to the top, aspiring artists must surpass him, comparing the obstacles they face to medieval punishments where offenders were quartered. He refers to himself as the exterminator, wearing a white protective suit, and hunts down weak MCs with pesticides until he is certain that rap is free from any detrimental elements.
The lyrics also criticize those who claim to have a significant presence in the music scene, particularly addressing individuals who lack talent and rely on gimmicks for attention. Kool Savas compares himself to the wild and untamed personality of a controversial entertainer named Hans Entertainment, stating that his own impact is even more intense. He uses the metaphor of hieroglyphs to represent the complexity of his words, suggesting that smaller or inexperienced artists may struggle to comprehend his lyrical prowess.
Kool Savas further delves into his personal journey, referring to himself and others as refugees who arrived with limited resources and struggled to find their place. He describes his own discovery of a home within the underground rap community, becoming a leader of the new school and setting trends. The lyrics emphasize his mastery of the craft, contrasting it with the illusionary skills of others who rely on mind tricks and manipulation. He highlights his ability to craft impactful and radical rhymes, attributing it to his partnership with rap as an intense and fiery combination.
Overall, the song "Gatekeeper" showcases Kool Savas's confidence, authority, and the challenges he has overcome to establish himself in the rap industry. It reflects his determination to set high standards and maintain the integrity of the genre while critiquing those who lack the same passion and talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Was für Stand in der Szene? Jetzt mach mal langsam, du Penis
What kind of status do you have in the scene? Slow down, you fool!
Du stirbst und ich eskalier' wilder als Hans Entertainment
You will die and I will escalate more intensely than Hans Entertainment
Sind es Hieroglyphen für dich, kleiner Bruder?
Are these hieroglyphics for you, little brother?
Lass mich dir erklären: Wir kamen als Flüchtlinge nur mit Salz und Pfeffer hierher
Let me explain to you: We came here as refugees with only salt and pepper
Unter 'nem schwarzen Mond, die Wurzeln gekappt
Under a black moon, the roots were severed
Suchte 'ne Heimat wie verlorene Jungs, ich fand sie, während ich in den Kisten grub
I was searching for a home like lost boys, I found it while digging in the crates
Wurd' der Lord des Untergrunds, 'n Führer der neuen Schule
I became the lord of the underground, the leader of the new school
Guck, der Ausgestoßene setzt hier jetzt den Trend der Kultur
Look, the outcast is now setting the trend of the culture
Nie von Natur aus ungezogen, doch betrittst du mein Schlachthaus
Never naturally disobedient, but if you enter my slaughterhouse
Werde ich zum Totengräber, Fete mit der Motorsäge
I will become the gravedigger, partying with the chainsaw
Ich bin ein Meister des Fachs, du nur ein Meister der Illusion
I am a master of the craft, you're just a master of illusion
Jedi-Gedankentricks, Manipulation
Jedi mind tricks, manipulation
Platzier' die Reime abnormal, passgenau auf radikale Art
I place the rhymes abnormally, precisely in a radical way
Professor Essah, er hat irre Pattern, hundert over-krasse Parts
Professor Essah, he has insane patterns, a hundred over-crazy parts
Des Resultat aller Parameter, Rap und ich
The result of all parameters, rap and me
Höllisch intensive Partnerschaft, sie hetzen ohne Plan, doch können nix
Hellishly intense partnership, they rush without a plan, but can't do anything
Reagieren augenblicklich panisch, wenn sie hören, ich platziere jetzt
They react instantly panicking when they hear that I am placing now
Haben offensichtlich Probleme zu bejahen, dass es noch wächst
Obviously have trouble acknowledging that it's still growing
Die Pandemie der Schwanz-MCs, sie ersetzen Ratten als Plage Gatekeeper
The pandemic of weak MCs, they replace rats as the plague gatekeeper
Essah, die Schranke bleibt unten, wenn sie nicht zahlen, nenn es—
Essah, the barrier stays down, if they don't pay, call it—
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andre Schmidt, Savas Yurderi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind