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.
Sound of Philadelphia
Reef The Lost Cauze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
It's the sound of Philadelphia
Yo, yo
(Verse 1)
Welcome to the home of brotherly love
Brothers covered in blood
The youth dreams cut short, swept under the rug
Love for self is outweighed by the love for the drugs
Go Eagles, McNabb and T.O.
We ain't hard to find homey, just follow the weed smoke
We eat rolls of greased beef soaked, overweight and evil
A city of justice unequal
The shadow of New York we still under
So we gotta kill 'em every summer, walk a little tougher
Guns bustin' how we chose to fight
When you can go from bein' a star to a scumbag overnight
Streets often deserted on the coldest nights
All hair trigger thunderbirds show you're right
Cops don't ask if ya know your rights
Hopeless hypes smokin' pipes
Pavement gamblers rollin' dice
Short sentence describe your whole life
Low expectancy at a low price for a low life
The mind of many years shines, soul so bright
But they could give a fuck, in their crib no lights
Everybody rhyme and they claim they don't write--it down
Sit down, take it all in
Civilization, this is where it all ends
The city I call kin
Yo, so take caution
(Hook) (2X)
It's the sound of Philadelphia
Gun shots and pretty beats
Come along with me, hear my city speak
It's talkin' to ya, it's giving you a heads up
It's sayin' that niggaz 'round here is gettin' fed up
(Verse 2)
On stoops the fruits of my labor
Are made by moves that major
Hood gossip never news from the newspaper
Don't ask me for shit, we never do favors
The elders are now just a bunch of reclused neighbors
Tax dollars go to prisons, new judges, new chambers
Love it when you lose, kill ya if you came up
Niggaz passin' disease, fuckin' the same slut
You either cuttin' a demo or gettin' 'caine cut
Don't go to school, they'll treat you like a lame duck
You ain't my master, yeah it's a shame but
What do you expect from--kids who need respect
Cuz no one was at home for them to learn respect from?
We respect guns, we respect funds
Let's face it, my future don't look like the Jetsons
Don't ask the government for help cause we expect none
Our heroes get murdered and replaced with the next one
It's like a wild west done
On the way out I hope I get one
But I doubt that will happen
Cuz of crabs in a barrel
I'll probably end up in a cage
Cuz I had to let a blast from the barrel
The city of Philly {*echoes*}
(Hook) (2X)
It's the sound of Philadelphia
Gun shots and pretty beats
Come along with me, hear my city speak
It's talkin' to ya, it's giving you a heads up
It's sayin' that niggaz 'round here is gettin' fed up
The lyrics of Reef The Lost Cauze's song, Sound of Philadelphia, paint a picture of a city rife with violence, poverty, drugs, and crime. The artist describes Philadelphia as a city of injustice, where the youth dreams are cut short, and the love for drugs outweighs the love for self. The song is full of vivid imagery, portraying the city's streets as often deserted on the coldest of nights, with hair-trigger thunderbirds, and Pavement gamblers rolling dice. Reef also talks about the city's corrupt politics and the lack of hope felt by many.
The song's hook, "It's the sound of Philadelphia, gunshots, and pretty beats," sums up the core theme of the song. Reef describes the city as a place where gunshots are as common as pretty beats. The lyrics suggest that the city is swamped with violence and crime, where people are getting fed up with the situation's hopelessness.
Overall, Reef The Lost Cauze's Sound of Philadelphia gives listeners insight into the city's realities and paints a picture of the struggles of those living in Philadelphia.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the home of brotherly love
Welcome to Philadelphia, a city often referred to as the "City of Brotherly Love".
Brothers covered in blood
Violence is common in this city and people often get hurt.
The man's office is covered in bugs
There are a lot of problems with the government and bureaucracy in Philadelphia.
The youth dreams cut short, swept under the rug
Young people in this city often have their hopes and aspirations ignored or crushed.
Love for self is outweighed by the love for the drugs
Drug addiction is prevalent in the city and often consumes people's lives.
Go Eagles, McNabb and T.O.
The Philadelphia Eagles football team and some of their star players are admired and celebrated in the city.
We ain't hard to find homey, just follow the weed smoke
Marijuana use is common in the city and easy to locate.
We eat rolls of greased beef soaked, overweight and evil
The city’s cuisine is often unhealthy and the people can be cruel and selfish.
A city of justice unequal
The city’s justice system is not fair or balanced.
The shadow of New York we still under
Philadelphia is often overshadowed and compared to New York City.
So we gotta kill 'em every summer, walk a little tougher
People have to be strong and vigilant to survive the summer months, when violence is more prevalent.
Guns bustin' how we chose to fight
Gun violence is a common way for people to settle disputes or protect themselves in Philadelphia.
When you can go from bein' a star to a scumbag overnight
People's reputations and fortunes can change quickly in the city.
Streets often deserted on the coldest nights
People avoid going out when it is cold to avoid danger or harm.
All hair trigger thunderbirds show you're right
People in the city are quick to get into confrontations or fights over minor disagreements.
Cops don't ask if ya know your rights
Police officers often disregard citizens’ legal rights.
Hopeless hypes smokin' pipes
Drug addiction is often a sign of hopelessness and despair in Philadelphia.
Pavement gamblers rollin' dice
Gambling is also common in the city, and often occurs on the street.
Short sentence describe your whole life
People in the city can be judged harshly and quickly based on their behavior.
Low expectancy at a low price for a low life
The city can be hard on people and lead to a life of struggle.
The mind of many years shines, soul so bright
Despite the struggles and harsh realities of life in Philadelphia, some people still have a strong spirit and hope for the future.
But they could give a fuck, in their crib no lights
Despite this positivity and strength of spirit, many people in power or in wealthier areas of the city do not care about the struggles of others.
Everybody rhyme and they claim they don't write--it down
Music and poetry are popular forms of expression in the city, but some people claim to not rely on writing or practicing in order to create it.
Civilization, this is where it all ends
The struggles and harsh realities of life in Philadelphia represent the decline of civilization and society as a whole.
The city I call kin
Despite its flaws, the singer still feels a close connection to the city of Philadelphia.
On stoops the fruits of my labor
People often work hard and put in a lot of effort in Philadelphia.
Are made by moves that major
People have to make big and risky decisions in order to succeed in the city.
Hood gossip never news from the newspaper
Rumors and gossip from inside neighborhoods are often more accurate and informative than official news sources.
Don't ask me for shit, we never do favors
People in the city are often selfish and do not go out of their way to help others.
The elders are now just a bunch of reclused neighbors
The older generation in the city often keeps to themselves and does not engage with the community at large.
Tax dollars go to prisons, new judges, new chambers
The government often invests in the criminal justice system instead of community services or programs that could help people.
Love it when you lose, kill ya if you came up
People in the city often have a negative view of success and will try to bring others down if they succeed.
Niggaz passin' disease, fuckin' the same slut
There is a lot of promiscuity and sexual activity in the city which can contribute to cases of STIs and STDs.
You either cuttin' a demo or gettin' 'caine cut
People in the city are either trying to make it big in the music industry or selling drugs to make a living.
Don't go to school, they'll treat you like a lame duck
Some people in the city do not value education and view it as a negative thing.
You ain't my master, yeah it's a shame but
The government and other authority figures are often viewed as enemies or oppressors in the city.
What do you expect from--kids who need respect
Young people in the city often act out or behave badly because they feel disrespected or ignored.
Cuz no one was at home for them to learn respect from?
Some young people do not have positive role models or parent figures to learn from and look up to.
We respect guns, we respect funds
Money and weapons are highly valued in the city.
Let's face it, my future don't look like the Jetsons
The artist does not have a lot of hope for their own future or the future of the city.
Don't ask the government for help cause we expect none
People in the city feel let down or betrayed by the government and do not seek their assistance.
Our heroes get murdered and replaced with the next one
Even admirable or heroic figures in the city are often killed or replaced quickly.
It's like a wild west done
The city can feel like a lawless and dangerous place at times.
On the way out I hope I get one
The artist hopes to succeed or achieve something before they leave the city.
But I doubt that will happen
The artist does not have a lot of hope or optimism about their future in the city.
Cuz of crabs in a barrel
Other people in the city will try to bring you down or prevent you from succeeding.
I'll probably end up in a cage
The singer feels trapped or limited by their circumstances in the city.
Cuz I had to let a blast from the barrel
The artist has resorted to violence in order to protect themselves or their interests in the city.
The city of Philly {*echoes*}
The song is about the city of Philadelphia and its struggles and challenges.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ThabisoNtoahae-uz4xe
Only real hip hop fans feels this 🤘
@MITTEL.PUNKT_13
Greetings from germany
@michaelpottinger1912
Most underrated song. Sick beat
@battistaverardi1240
One of my favourite tracks of all time!
@InVinoVeratas
I was like 16 when I last bumped this, blazin like dog amongst the fog in the Northwest near Portland Oregon.
@AskisYo
I'm Portland too
@mecheliner
One of my favourite tracks, so dope
@andrewfoss728
Still bumping in 2020
@Cpt.Sav3aHoE
🔥🔥🔥👑👑👑
@dannymaguire8607
215