RJD2 is Ramble John Krohn, a hip-hop producer. RJD2 was born in Eugene, Ore… Read Full Bio ↴RJD2 is Ramble John Krohn, a hip-hop producer. RJD2 was born in Eugene, Oregon, and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Until recently, he was part of the Definitive Jux label and produced tracks for many of its artists, as well as having a solo career. In 2006, RJ "ditched hip-hop" for the indie-rock label XL, releasing The Third Hand in March 2007.

From 1998 to 1999, he saw success blossom as DJ/producer for the Columbus-based group the Megahertz, with two twelve-inch singles on Bobbito Garcia's legendary NY label, Fondle 'Em Records. This explosive entrance to the underground hip-hop scene gave way to shows from Europe to Japan, not to mention garnering mention in Vibe magazine's "History of Hip-Hop" historical volume. Opening doors outside of the east coast, the MHz went on to appear on the Bay Area's ABB records compilation, Always Bigger and Better, Volume 1. Their contribution (entitled "This Year") was voted best track on the ABB website, while competing against major label heavyweights such as Dilated Peoples and Defari.

In 2000, the praise only continued for RJD2, producing Copywrite's debut single "Holier Than Thou" on Rawkus Records. The work certainly didn't stop there; spring of 2001 was RJD2's formal introduction to hip-hop as a solo artist on Def Jux Presents, a compilation showcasing the roster of his record label, Definitive Jux Records. Having to hold his own next to NYC underground legends such as Company Flow, Cannibal Ox, and Aesop Rock, RJD2 did no less. That summer he followed up this string of releases with his own twelve inch entitled June, which featured fellow MHz member Copywrite laying down two incredible book-end verses. Melding the hip-hop tradition of raw, gritty samples with a more classical approach to song structure, he has concocted a style of production that pleases the most discerning hip-hop scholar without compromising that old dance floor aesthetic.

2002 saw RJD2 release the critically acclaimed debut Dead Ringer, which not only solidified his spot as one of the underground's top producers, but also caught the ears of Grammy-man ?uestlove of The Roots who called the album one of his favorites of the year. Not to mention even landing the track Ghost Writer in a Saturn ad, with juggling solo ventures, producing rappers, and DeeJaying, the man is certainly in the hot seat at the moment. It has been said by many legendary producers that the ultimate goal is to move a crowd-not just to dance, but sometimes also to feel and think. In this vein, RJD2 is only continuing a time-honored tradition.

In 2003, RJD2 released The Horror, and the landmark Since We Last Spoke in 2004. A track from his 2006 release Magnificent City Instrumentals, "A Beautiful Mine," is the theme song of the AMC television drama Mad Men.

In 2007, RJD2 released The Third Hand which, if nothing else, showcased his ability to evolve beyond the hip-hop genre. Around this same time RJ created a compilation album with fellow underground DJ's Mick Boogie and DJ Flash for their A.B.B. compadres Little Brother entitled AND JUSTUS FOR ALL.

In 2010, RJD2 released The Colossus on his own label, RJ's Electrical Connections. The album could be described as RJD2's meshing of Since We Last Spoke's grittier tracks with The Third Hand's Moby-esque pop. The album contains a variety of recording methods, with most songs featuring an amalgam of sampled, programmed, and recorded sounds.

RJD2 has participated in numerous collaborations with artists such as Aceyalone, Ric Ocasek, and Goapele. RJD2 is also part of the group Soul Position with Blueprint. They have released two full length studio albums, 8 Million Stories and Things Go Better with RJ and Al.

Caged Bird
RJD2 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus: Aceyalone]
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Bein locked up is worse than the grave
I live by the words on the page - I know!
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Bein held down is worse than the grave

I live by the words on the page - I say!

[Aceyalone]
I jumped on the planet and I landed on both feet
Tippy-toed across the continent, on the dope beat
Settled in the mainland ghetto by the sand trap
Rocked to a handclap until I got my band back
Thoughts came thick in a ball of confusion
A wall of belusion it's all so amusin
I laughed at the pain sometimes with a straight face
Just another hate case, you control your fate Ace!
Long walks down the lonely road turned path paved
Bask in the cascade, grey clouds circle me
Tuned to the channel so their energy will work on me
All in the cut like surgery and burnt to the third degree
Internally, avoid an away story
40 and slip of tongue, tryin to bring the poison noise
Step in the spot like I'm not that popular
Eyes like binoculars, I'm so Hip-Hopular
Been on the air since Greg had a Mac attack
Now they all CrackerJack, that's a fact, smell me
How can you tell me what I haven't already heard
Forty-three, 43rd, listen and observe
First flew the coop when they tried to cage a rocking bird
Lookin for the truth in the booth when I serve
Never clip the wings if they seem a little out of touch
Let 'em fly free please, don't try to box 'em up

[Chorus]

[Aceyalone]
I open a lot cause I smash it with brute force
Flew over the roof, headed North on a crash course
Eagle eyes spot 'em all, groundhog peekin out
Stickin out against the whack world while they freakin out
Wasn't 'sposed to go but I just didn't wanna wait
Been had a ticket but the Chattanooga's runnin late
Hate never had a lover good as I been to her
Couldn't put an end to her, cause she got followers
Whole flock of spitters and swallowers, wow
Intregrity didn't have a home 'til I gave him one
{?} and diamonds, God said say no more
Find a piece of mind like a needle in the haystack
Grind on the real on the playback, ready for the at-tack
Seatack, cry me a riverboat
If I don't fly back, still gotta give 'em hope
Stand and delivery, first class rain or shine
Pain of mine in a pantomime glass chilled
Where was your genie when you needed her for real
Buildin my art from the parts that they overlooked
Fuse lit from the last match in the book
Stand in adrenaline, pumped through the reservoir
Plucked out the air cause he didn't sit duck
Pretty as the peacock who can't even leave the ground
Let the heart glide on, don't buy the muck

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Caged Bird" by RJD2 featuring Aceyalone is a complex and thought-provoking piece of rap music. The lyrics in the chorus and verses convey a sense of freedom and the desire to break away from the constraints of society. Aceyalone refers to birds that don't deserve to be caged, a metaphor for human beings who should be free to fly away and search for their own truths. The imagery of being held down being worse than the grave is powerful and evokes a sense of urgency and the need for personal liberation.

Aceyalone's verses explore the human experience of living in a world that is often harsh and unforgiving. He describes his own journey of self-discovery, from jumping on the planet and landing on both feet to settling in the mainland ghetto by the sand trap. He reflects on the pain and confusion that he has endured, but also on the moments of joy and laughter that have sustained him. The final lines of the song urge listeners to never clip their wings, to let them fly free and avoid boxing them up.

Overall, the song presents a powerful message about the importance of personal freedom and self-discovery, delivered through RJD2's evocative beats and Aceyalone's insightful lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Some birds don't deserve to be caged
Being confined in a cage is unacceptable for certain birds.

They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Those birds should explore other parts of the world and embrace new opportunities.

Bein locked up is worse than the grave
Being locked up inhibits a bird's ability to live and enjoy life.

I live by the words on the page - I know!
The artist lives by the philosophy written on the page.

Bein held down is worse than the grave
Being held down is an even more oppressive fate.

I live by the words on the page - I say!
The singer's adherence to the written philosophy guides their actions.

I jumped on the planet and I landed on both feet
The singer arrived on this Earth and immediately stood firm and ready to tackle life.

Thoughts came thick in a ball of confusion
The artist's mind was overwhelmed with jumbled, disorganized thoughts.

A wall of belusion it's all so amusin
The artist found the chaotic mess of thoughts amusing.

I laughed at the pain sometimes with a straight face
The artist found humor in their own struggles, even while maintaining a stoic expression.

Just another hate case, you control your fate Ace!
The singer acknowledges their struggles and their part in determining their destiny.

Long walks down the lonely road turned path paved
The artist endured difficult journeys that ultimately led to smoother, better-paved paths.

All in the cut like surgery and burnt to the third degree
The singer has been hurt so deeply that it feels like they've been burned and cut with surgical precision.

Never clip the wings if they seem a little out of touch
It's important to let individuals who appear unconventional or different roam free and explore their own paths.

Let 'em fly free please, don't try to box 'em up
It's vital to let those individuals fly freely and not confine them in physical or metaphorical cages.

I open a lot cause I smash it with brute force
The artist uses their force and energy to open locked doors or create new opportunities.

Stickin out against the whack world while they freakin out
The artist stands out against the norm in a world that's falling apart.

Find a piece of mind like a needle in the haystack
The singer is searching for peace of mind in a world that's chaotic and difficult to navigate.

Stand and delivery, first class rain or shine
The singer is committed to delivering their message with the utmost quality and excellence, no matter the conditions or circumstances.

Pain of mine in a pantomime glass chilled
The artist is experiencing internal struggles that are hidden behind a cold exterior.

Buildin my art from the parts that they overlooked
The artist is creating their own form of expression from elements of themselves that society typically ignores or undervalues.

Pretty as the peacock who can't even leave the ground
Just like a peacock who can't fly, the artist has been prevented from reaching their full potential.

Let the heart glide on, don't buy the muck
The singer is determined to focus on their passions and let their heart lead them, without getting caught up in negativity.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWIN M. JR. HAYES, RAMBLE JON KROHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS