Earlier this year, Reef's Philly crew JuJu Mob released the album Black Candles to a wealth of praise from critics. Reef is preparing to release his own mixtape for the streets this August, in conjunction with the release of the first single, Fair One featuring Sean Price, from his upcoming Feast Or Famine LP. Needless to say, Reef The Lost Cauze is on the path to becoming one of Hip Hops true greats.
Having spent a great deal of his childhood acting in plays and performing, Reef fell in love with Hip Hop at the age of eight and has been rhyming ever since. By the time he reached high school, he had earned a reputation as a deadly battle emcee, jumping in any and every cipher he came across. It was not until he was accepted into Philadelphias University of the Arts on a film scholarship that he began to visualize a serious career on the mic. He began to hone his songwriting skills, and worked on perfecting his stage shows.
Realizing that he had found his true calling, Reef dropped out of college at age 19 to focus on his music. He linked up with Philadelphia producer Sleep E early in 2002 to begin recording his first solo project, The High Life. The 10-track album opened doors for Reef, and he began performing at area clubs, generating praise from fans and media alike.
In February 2003 Reef released Invisible Empire, an 18-track album that he distributed himself by way of a national schedule of shows. He won the Mic Check Battle in Philadelphia in 2003, after which he traveled to Oakland, California to take 2nd place in the Blaze Freestyle Battle. Titles and accolades aside, Reef describes the first year of his recording career as a time of growth, both professionally and personally. Life experience really came about in my writing, he says. I was comfortable with reaching beyond being simply an emcee and becoming a musician. I really wanted to take chances and play around with rhythm and flow - I lost all fear. The High Life was very basic as far song concepts, whereas with Invisible Empire I was very aware of the importance of dope, full beats. The second album brought out my thoughts and observations, and it erased a lot of things I had pent up inside.
Reef took his freestyle skills to another level early in 2004 with a rousing performance at the Beat Society production competition in New York, and a fierce win in the Riddle Records Mic Check Battle. He was also the End Of The Weak Challenge Champion at the Rock Steady Crew 27th Anniversary in July 2004, and went on to take the EOW Grand Championship title in 2005.
Mindful of his stunning battle prowess, Reef places a determined emphasis on balance with his songwriting and performance abilities. I love the rush of the crowd, he explains. I love to be on stage and have a place full of strangers be amazed at what Im saying, but battling doesnt excite me as an artist. Its a part of the culture, and it was always a way to get your reputation up and sharpen your skills. If you compare me in a battle to my being on stage at a show, it is two different energies. I'm much more at home and relaxed on stage performing my music.
Reef has put a lot of his life and business experiences into his Feast Or Famine project, and his range of expression will allow fans the opportunity to truly identify with him. This album is me at the top of my game, says Reef. I know who I am as a person, but more importantly as an artist - I feel like a pro this time around. The beats are more sonic, and although the mood is a little darker than my first two projects, the songs have a universal appeal that everyone will be able to relate to.
Reefs talent can easily take him back to his roots of film and acting, and he has plans to forge ahead into career management for the generation of artists after him. As he grows in the world of entertainment, it is certain that Reef The Lost Cauze wont get lost in the shuffle.
I WONDER
Reef The Lost Cauze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You can smile every smile for the man
Who held your hand 'neath the pale moonlight
But don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me, mmm
Oh, I know that the music's fine
Like sparkling wine go and have your fun
Laugh and sing but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me, mmm
Baby, don't you know I love you so?
Can't you feel it when we touch?
I will never, never let you go
I love you, oh, so much
You can dance, go and carry on
Till the night is gone and it's time to go
If he asks, if you're all alone
Can he take you home, you must tell him, no
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arm's you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arm's you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me, mmm, mmm
Save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me
The song "Save the Last Dance for Me," originally performed by The Drifters in 1960, has been covered by several artists over the years. Reef The Lost Cauze's version of the song, titled "I Wonder," is a modern take on the classic tune. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is unable to attend a dance with his partner and asks her to save the last dance for him. He acknowledges that she may dance and enjoy herself with others, but he wants her to remember that he is the one who loves her and will be taking her home at the end of the night.
The lyrics are filled with nostalgia and a sense of longing. They capture the feeling of missing someone and wanting to be with them even when you cannot be physically present. The chorus, "Save the last dance for me," is repeated throughout the song and serves as a reminder that no matter what happens during the night, she is his and he is hers. The lyrics are heartfelt and emotional, and they communicate a depth of feeling that is often absent in modern music.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight
You can dance with anyone who shows interest in you, but remember who will be taking you home.
You can smile every smile for the man
Who held your hand 'neath the pale moonlight
You can give your attention to anyone who's sweet to you, but remember who truly cares about you.
But don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me, mmm
Remember who will be there for you at the end of the night, and save the last dance for the one who truly loves you.
Oh, I know that the music's fine
Like sparkling wine go and have your fun
Laugh and sing but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
Enjoy the music and have fun, but be cautious with your heart while we're apart.
Baby, don't you know I love you so?
Can't you feel it when we touch?
I will never, never let you go
I love you, oh, so much
I love you deeply and will never let you go. Can't you feel it when we're together?
You can dance, go and carry on
Till the night is gone and it's time to go
If he asks, if you're all alone
Can he take you home, you must tell him, no
You can dance and have fun, but remember to say no when someone offers to take you home.
'Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arm's you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me
Remember who you'll be going home with and save the last dance for the one who truly loves you.
Save the last dance for me, mmm, mmm
Save the last dance for me, mmm
Save the last dance for me
Save the last dance for the person who truly loves you and will take care of you at the end of the night.
Contributed by Elijah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wolfhart MC
This shit is incredible. The beat, bars, video... I'd like to hear an album from these two.
Sinumatic
Had the pleasure of talking to Reef on multiple occasions and got to chill with him a few times also ..Great guy and great Emcee!!!!
WeeLittleBeasty
I've never been huge on rap. I like the genre, but I still prefer rock/alternative as my main music. However, when I come across artists like Reef who truly SAY something in their music, that is some pretty legit stuff. Unlike the sad excuse for hip-hop where they talk about money and sex, i.e. Lil' Wayne. (I hate to reference him, but it's a good example.) Keep the beat going Reef!
David Shinker
Marco Polo banging that beat as usual and Reef doing his thing. Fucking flawless!
AndrƩ Skjoldal
Marco Polo has really grown on me as a producer. He's already one of my favorites, along with Preem, Pete Rock, Large Pro, Stoup, Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist and more. Keep it up! Love from Norway.
Brendan M
Great list! You guys in Norway sure seem to know good hip hop!!
deez nuts
How could ANYONE hit the dislike button on a track as sick as this?
RT & J
damn.....i am LITERALLY gettin high off of this.....reef is amazing. just...amazing. the beat, the lyrics. the video EVERYTHING xD this is an instant classic.
Gre Boy
such an inspiring song reef, your music reaches my soul man
Matty Cosgrove
In this one I think Reef comes into his element, in this he shows deepeness and his rhyming ability is brilliant. I would love to meet him and smoke an L with him and talk Hip Hop not enough artists bout that would sit with a fan and chill but I bet he would.