Krizz Kaliko began his musical career in the late 1990s when he began working with a local producer by the name of IcyRoc Kraven. Another local rapper by the name of Tech N9ne was also collaborating with IcyRoc at the time, which led to the two rappers meeting. Tech N9ne was currently working on a song titled "Who You Came To See" and Krizz made a comment that the song could have a better hook. Tech offered up the opportunity to prove his case, and Tech was blown away when Kaliko proved just that. Tech would bring Kaliko into his "inner circle" which would eventually result in Kaliko signing to the label co-owned by his new found friend.
Since then, Kaliko has often contributed to albums put out by Tech N9ne, be it being featured as a rapper or simply providing background vocals for the tracks on the album. Although the largest portion of his work is that of his collaborations with Tech, he has also performed similar tasks for fellow labelmates Kutt Calhoun, Skatterman & Snug Brim, and Prozak. Other collaborations include tracks with the Kottonmouth Kings, Potluck, E-40, and Twiztid.
His debut album, Vitiligo released in May 6, 2008, charted on several Billboard charts including peaking at number 19 on the Top Independent Albums in the week of May 28, 2008. In the same week, he peaked at number 167 on the Billboard 200.
His second studio album, Genius, was released on July 14, 2009.
Krizz has chosen the title Shock Treatment for his third studio album. Other titles he considered were "Son of Sam" and "Walk on Water."
Krizz Kaliko is married and has a son, both are mentioned in his music.
He also suffers from the disease, Vitiligo, a skin disorder characterized by smooth, white patches on various parts of the body caused by the loss of natural pigment. Several of these patches are clearly visible on his face. He would later use the name of the disease he suffers from as the title for his debut album. Krizz has also been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. On his second album, he titled one of the tracks after the disorder.
Vitiligo
Krizz Kaliko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I grew up a young choir boy
Christian like Krizz, is like the last you ever think to pick a fight
Kids used to throw rocks at me
When the bus stops at me
How sis would come running out
"Leave my brother alone! ", she would tell em
"I'm a kill em momma, if they send him home again yellin'
I hated they make fun of him cause his face"
Go on and on, traveling on through adolescence
Teach em a lesson, carry a weapon
Cause that's the only way to keep em off of me
They teasin me awfully bad
Wish I could take of my mask and I'm asking my momma,
"Why you think the Lord seen it fit to hit me with this? "
He could make a different Krizz, if he wanted to
Here's what I'm gonna do... I'ma tattoo my face and erase this:
This is Vitiligo
[Hook:]
What kind of life is that for a boy who looks like this? (Famous)
Wanting to fit in this world, but it's just a wish
Pointing fingers, people whisper. Silhouette, of a lonely figure
(Where can he go?) Where can he hide? Livin' inside, of his Vitiligo
[Bridge:]
Save this... freak of... nature songbird... make his way from...
[Verse 2:]
From the bottom all the way to the top
Even though he hated the way he painted, momma told me I can't stop
Cause no one cares, if anyone's watching
People stare, at Mr. Watson
But that never stopped him from coppin' the,
Vodkas, and was popular
It's over and shit
Colder the older it get
Sorry pop never made it to see his son be the great one
Escape from the place that definitely made him
Look what I did, I made a life, a wife, and a kid
People know me wherever I go:
This is Vitiligo
[Hook:]
What kind of life is that for a boy who looks like this? (Famous)
Wanting to fit in this world, but it's just a wish
Pointing fingers, people whisper. Silhouette, of a lonely figure
(Where can he go?) Where can he hide? Livin' inside, of his Vitiligo
This, is Vitiligo... hold on...
[Tech N9ne:]
"Here comes the drop! Here comes the drop! Oh shit! "
[fades into "What's Sizzlin'"]
The song "Vitiligo" by Krizz Kaliko is a reflection on the difficulties of growing up with a skin condition that sets one apart from others. Vitiligo is a condition that causes the loss of skin color in patches and can be a source of ridicule and discrimination, especially during adolescence. Krizz Kaliko opens the song by sharing his experiences growing up as a Christian choir boy who was constantly teased and harassed by his peers because of his face. His sister would come to his aid and even threaten his bullies with violence. As he grows older, Krizz Kaliko realizes that the only way to protect himself is to carry weapons, which is a sad reality for many who feel vulnerable and targeted.
Krizz Kaliko goes on to express his frustration with his skin condition and questions why he was chosen to have Vitiligo. He considers tattooing his face to erase the patches of skin that make him different from others. However, he eventually accepts his condition and becomes successful despite the challenges he faced growing up. He acknowledges that he is now famous and well-known wherever he goes but is still haunted by the memory of being a misunderstood, lonely figure.
The song's lyrics are powerful and poignant, exploring themes of bullying, discrimination, and the struggle to belong. It's a reminder that our differences should be celebrated and embraced, rather than ridiculed and shunned.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up a young choir boy
I had a religious upbringing and sang in a choir as a child
Christian like Krizz, is like the last you ever think to pick a fight
Being raised to be Christian, I was not someone people would expect to fight
Kids used to throw rocks at me
As a child, other kids would throw rocks at me for being different
When the bus stops at me
Even on the bus to school, I was not safe from being harassed
How sis would come running out
My sister would come to my defense when I was being bullied
"Leave my brother alone! ", she would tell em
My sister would demand that the other kids stop bullying me
"I'm a kill em momma, if they send him home again yellin'
My sister was so protective of me that she was willing to fight back against my bullies
I'm a erase at least one of em from this place
My sister's anger towards my bullies made her want to retaliate with violence
I hated they make fun of him cause his face"
I resented the way people tormented me for the way I looked
Go on and on, traveling on through adolescence
Despite the bullying, I kept going through my teenage years
Teach em a lesson, carry a weapon
I felt like carrying a weapon was the only way to protect myself from my bullies
Cause that's the only way to keep em off of me
I believed that violence was necessary to keep my bullies from hurting me
They teasin me awfully bad
The bullying was intense and overwhelming
Wish I could take of my mask and I'm asking my momma,
I wished that I could be someone different or escape my situation
"Why you think the Lord seen it fit to hit me with this? "
I questioned why God would make me look different and subject me to such hardship
He could make a different Krizz, if he wanted to
I felt like God could have made me look like someone else if he wanted to
Here's what I'm gonna do... I'ma tattoo my face and erase this:
I decided to tattoo my face to cover up my Vitiligo and change my appearance
This is Vitiligo
My skin condition is called Vitiligo
What kind of life is that for a boy who looks like this? (Famous)
Being famous with a different appearance is not an easy life
Wanting to fit in this world, but it's just a wish
I wanted to fit in, but felt like it was impossible
Pointing fingers, people whisper. Silhouette, of a lonely figure
People judged me, talked about me behind my back, and made me feel isolated
(Where can he go?) Where can he hide? Livin' inside, of his Vitiligo
I felt like there was nowhere I could go to escape my condition or the way people treated me
From the bottom all the way to the top
Despite my hardships, I worked hard to become successful
Even though he hated the way he painted, momma told me I can't stop
Although I didn't like the way I looked, my mother encouraged me to keep going
Cause no one cares, if anyone's watching
In the end, I realized that no one was really paying attention to my appearance or my struggles
People stare, at Mr. Watson
People would stare at me and my skin condition, but I learned to accept it
But that never stopped him from coppin' the, Vodkas, and was popular
Despite my appearance, I was still able to enjoy life and be popular
It's over and shit
Looking back on my struggles, I realize that it's all in the past
Colder the older it get
As I've gotten older, I've become more accepting of my skin condition and have learned to embrace it
Sorry pop never made it to see his son be the great one
My father passed away before he could see me become successful
Escape from the place that definitely made him
I left the place where I grew up and faced so much hardship
Look what I did, I made a life, a wife, and a kid
Despite everything, I was able to build a happy life for myself and my family
People know me wherever I go:
I am now well-known and respected for my success and talent
This is Vitiligo
My skin condition is a part of me, but it does not define me
Contributed by Camilla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
WPH15
It's good to know there are famous people like Krizz Kaliko who have my disorder and are brave enough to talk about it. Much respect.
Darius Jeezy
I have Vitiligo too..I got much respect and love for Krizz for that album!! Feel this shit
Kat V
Thanks! He's awesome. I first heard him b/c I'm a big Tech N9ne fan. I had no idea that Krizz had vitiligo until this album came out..and I have it to so I like him even more now :)
xXJohnIzWhiteOutXx
KRIZZ KALIKIO BEEN KILLIN IT SINCE VITILIGO!!
YOUNGAMP1102
Love having vitiligo.... it makes us all different from other people. It was awesome meeting krizz an telling him about my vitiligo.... strange music 4 life!!!!
papahefe
i love this album. i wonder why it's not on spotify.
Joseph Prince
It is
Ash
thesvc2006 it might be a mixtape
Mike Leonardo
THATS HARD DIESEASE FOR BLACKS AND BROWNS... i have vitiligo as well but i dont feel it becouse my skin is white like andres iniesta so i barely see the spots.... but i feel your pain guys
Mike
Yeah bro I feel the same way. I feel bad about it sometimes but everyone close to me thinks it's cool lol. Maybe it's because it turns my hair white.