Background
Lowkey was born to mixed heritage, his father being British from Dover, while his mother is an Iraqi born in Baghdad. He began attending the open mic sessions which took place at the Deal Real record shop on Carnaby Street, Central London. The first time he went he introduced himself as Lowkey and was told there was already a regular there by that name; the two had a battle rap over the use of the name which Lowkey won. It was at Deal Real that he met Doc Brown, who invited him to feature on his first notable single 'Donnie's Lament', a song which was based on the film Donnie Darko.
Career
The success of 'Donnie's Lament (Mad World Remix)', which was played on Capital FM and Radio One led to a mixtape entitled Key To The Game Vol 1, released independently in 2003. Within a year and a half he had released a second and third volume, all of which gained critical acclaim from UK hip hop circles. Despite releasing the third mixtape in 2005, it would be another three years until he released his album proper preferring instead to explore other aspects of his career until then.
In July 2008 the Theatre Royal, Bath put on a production of 'Max and Beth', a contemporary adaptation of Macbeth by William Shakespeare written entirely in rhyme.
Collaborations
He joined a hip-hop group called Poisonous Poets that released one mixtape (Poisonous Poetry). Poisonous Poets a.k.a Double P was founded by Doc Brown, Reveal, Tony D and Therapist. He is part of another group called Catch 22 created by Kool G Rap. Lowkey also records duets with Logic as part of their non-profit organisation The People's Army, aimed at raising awareness of infant fighting in Israel and Palestine. His work with Logic saw the pair record a song exclusively for the NSPCC, in support of their "Don't Hide It" campaign.
In 2008 news broke of a supergroup that had been created with Jon McClure of the band Reverend and The Makers. Also in the band is Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders and ex-bassist Andy Nicholson alongside bassist of Babyshambles Drew McConnell and a revolving set of other musicians. They have had trouble coordinating their busy careers to perform live dates and their debut album has already been pushed back from October to some time in early 2009 along with a February tour.
Lowkey's highly anticipated (100% independent) album: Soundtrack To The Struggle is estimated to hit the streets in January 2011.
(from the wiki-page biog of Lowkey)
EveryThing Must Change
Lowkey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not some kinda superman
I'm just tryna find who I am
And get my future plan
Don't know where I'm from
Don't know what my aim is
Don't know where I'm going
Don't wanna be that guy
I need privacy but can't be low-key 'cause it isn't me
Get pulled both ways and it tears me apart
Seems for years I've been wearing this mask
One to myself, another to the multitude
Now I'm confused with which one of those is true
In bed alone lyin myself
I realise I was lying to myself
Now I'm here, finding myself
The truth's out there Ima find it myself
Forget going on a holiday bruv
I just wanna change
Everything...
I wish that I could make a happy song
But I'm depressed and I don't wanna carry on
I don't know what you've been told G
But no one alive truly knows me
Forget rapping I should find a job
I need direction, maybe a sign from God
I'm tortured, the pain's tormenting my soul
Got friends but I just can't pretend, I'm alone
I'm haunted, by regrets and mistakes
And everyday I'm just testing my fate
Like a boxer that loves throwing rights at them
But doctors warned him, he'll die if he fights again
Sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders
But that's just the way of the world
It's getting colder, it's too cold
Don't know much but I do know
Everything must change...
Must change...
Must change...
Must change...
So I've made music that made my mum cry
Bruv told me what happens when a loved dies
Don't even recognise my own face sometimes
Don't wanna stay around now, but I must try
Someone, somewhere might understand
I just don't wanna give my life to the fans
I'm tryna do more than just be real
In order to rebuild
Everything must change...
I'm just tryna survive today
And live my life in a righteous way
So I gotta watch what I decide to say
My pride's at stake
Don't wanna be described as fake
My mind states, I rate
And I'm wide awake
But I need sleep and it's kind of late
Don't wanna give them a reason to despise and hate
So I'm tryna change
Everything...
All around me, my people's dying
All being controlled by evil tyrants
Lives lost due to needless violence
Look to the sky, 'cause I need some guidance
But it feels like nothing helps
Gotta watch for my sister and my mum as well
Everyday it feels like I'm stuck in hell
I guess this is sort of how my brother felt...
See...just gotta hold on
Hope for the best...
Prepare for the worst...
'Cause nothing is promised...
All I know is...
Everything must change...
In Lowkey's song Everything Must Change, he expresses his struggles with self-discovery and finding his place in the world. He acknowledges that he is not a superhero, but someone who is just trying to figure out his identity and what he wants for his future. He laments the pressure he feels to conform to the expectations of the public and the music industry, but also recognizes that he needs to change and find a new direction for his life. He talks about the weight of the world on his shoulders and how he is haunted by mistakes and regrets. Lowkey also touches on the state of the world, with his people dying and being controlled by evil tyrants.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not some kinda superman
I am not invincible or immune to struggle
I'm just tryna find who I am
I am searching for my own identity
And get my future plan
I want to create a clear path for my future
Don't know where I'm from
I lack knowledge of my roots or background
Don't know what my aim is
I do not have a clear objective or goal
Don't know where I'm going
I do not have a clear sense of direction in life
Don't wanna be famous
I am not seeking fame or recognition
Don't wanna be that guy
I do not want to conform to societal expectations or stereotypes
I need privacy but can't be low-key 'cause it isn't me
I desire personal space, but I cannot hide my true self
Get pulled both ways and it tears me apart
I feel conflicted and overwhelmed by competing pressures
Seems for years I've been wearing this mask
I have been pretending to be someone I am not for a long time
One to myself, another to the multitude
I have different personas for myself and for others
Now I'm confused with which one of those is true
I am uncertain which version of myself is authentic
In bed alone lyin myself
I am alone and honest with myself
I realise I was lying to myself
I have been deceiving myself
Now I'm here, finding myself
I am now on a journey to discover my true self
The truth's out there Ima find it myself
I am optimistic about discovering the truth for myself
Forget going on a holiday bruv
I do not desire a vacation or temporary escape
I just wanna change
I am motivated to make a personal transformation
I wish that I could make a happy song
I desire to create more positive music but struggle with my own depression
But I'm depressed and I don't wanna carry on
I am struggling with depression and consider giving up
I don't know what you've been told G
I am unaware of what others may say about me
But no one alive truly knows me
No one fully understands me as a person
Forget rapping I should find a job
I consider giving up music for a more conventional profession
I need direction, maybe a sign from God
I am searching for guidance and purpose, possibly from a higher power
I'm tortured, the pain's tormenting my soul
I am suffering deeply and in great emotional pain
Got friends but I just can't pretend, I'm alone
I feel isolated and alone despite having friends
I'm haunted, by regrets and mistakes
I am plagued by past failures and errors in judgement
And everyday I'm just testing my fate
I feel as though my life is a gamble or experiment
Like a boxer that loves throwing rights at them
I am prone to making aggressive or risky decisions
But doctors warned him, he'll die if he fights again
I am aware that my choices may have severe consequences
Sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders
I feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and pressures of my life
But that's just the way of the world
Such struggles are a natural part of existence
It's getting colder, it's too cold
The world can be harsh and inhospitable
All around me, my people's dying
I am surrounded by the suffering and death of others
All being controlled by evil tyrants
Oppressive and malevolent forces hold great power over society
Lives lost due to needless violence
People are dying unnecessarily due to violent acts
Look to the sky, 'cause I need some guidance
I am searching for divine inspiration or guidance
But it feels like nothing helps
I feel helpless and alone despite my efforts
Gotta watch for my sister and my mum as well
I feel responsible for the well-being of my family members
Everyday it feels like I'm stuck in hell
I feel as though I am trapped in a state of suffering
I guess this is sort of how my brother felt...
I empathize with my brother's past struggles
I'm just tryna survive today
I am taking life one day at a time
And live my life in a righteous way
I aim to live a moral and ethical life
So I gotta watch what I decide to say
I am cautious about my words and actions
My pride's at stake
My sense of self-worth is on the line
Don't wanna be described as fake
I value authenticity and honesty
My mind states, I rate
I am confident in my thoughts and opinions
And I'm wide awake
I am highly alert and attentive
But I need sleep and it's kind of late
I am tired but still focused on my goals
Don't wanna give them a reason to despise and hate
I do not want to give others a justification for disliking me
All I know is...
Despite my uncertainties, there are a few clear truths in my life
Everything must change...
I recognize the need for personal growth and transformation
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.