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)
Still Rising
Lowkey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I'm still rising
Blud, I'm still rising
Iller than ill, but still rhyming
My skills thriving
The odds are stack but I'm still rising
Feeling violent but I'm still shining
Blud I leave your home boy in a wheel chair
Make you experience real fear
the real here
The fake don't listen
17 spittin' age old wisdom
Before they die if you escape those prisons
I remain with the same goal, vision and aim
But hope the fame goes missing
Cause I need my space
For Jesus' sake
Sometimes I wanna leave this place
People dyin' for nothing
What a needless waste
What the fuck are them sayin'?
Battling me
You're better off running away
Cause I'm stressed and pissed, depressed and sick
Vexed and shit
Sometimes I think I need an exorcist
Man like me only dreams of a Lexus whip
While 50 cent is rich with as many as he wants
I could've written any other song
But I' chose to write this
Out to any foes that might diss
Cause I'm known for a flow that's righteous
They wanna overthrow the throw where I sit
On beef, if you overdose you won't like it
Leave you in a coma close to your home and lifeless
Rappers are crazy, can't believe what's been happening lately
Labels cat'in' to rape me
People acting passive and shady
I dedicate this to any backpacking faggot that hates me
Cause I got a track in the mainstream
Mad World remix, motherfucker
Mad World Remix
In Lowkey's song "Still Rising," the artist admits that he is struggling with feelings of violence, stress, and depression, but despite these challenges, he is still dedicated to his passion for rhyming and music. He acknowledges that the odds are stacked against him and that he has experienced real fear in his life, yet he remains resilient and keeps pushing forward. Lowkey also addresses the issue of people dying needlessly and expresses frustration with the world's systems of power and oppression.
One of the most striking things about this song is Lowkey's use of vivid and confrontational imagery. He talks about leaving someone in a wheelchair and the possibility of leaving someone in a coma close to their home and lifeless. These lines allow the listener to imagine the physical and emotional tolls of violence, and Lowkey uses this imagery to underscore his point about the needless waste of life.
Another key aspect of this song is Lowkey's commitment to his own artistry. He notes that he could have written any other song, but he chose to write this one. He believes that he has a flow that is righteous and that he is dedicated to his craft, even as he faces challenges and opposition from others in the music industry.
Overall, "Still Rising" is a powerful and socially conscious piece of music that highlights the struggles and triumphs of a committed artist who refuses to give up on his dreams and his vision for a better world.
Contributed by Scarlett L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.