He gained attention because his lyrics were both witty and honest, and addressed the daily struggles that the average working person goes through, and not the over-glorified life of a drug dealer or clubgoer. He returned to Scribble Jam in 2003, where he defeated Yo Momma's Pimp to capture the title. Rhymefest was born July 6, 1977 on the south side of Chicago in Jeffrey Manor. Although he dropped out of South Shore High School, he would go on to earn his GED and even enroll in college at Columbia College in Chicago to study radio broadcasting at night school. He also worked as a substitute teacher to inner-city preschoolers at the time. In addition to all this, he was also building a reputation as one of the better known freestyle battle rappers in the Midwest. After enrolling at Columbia however, he learned his girlfriend was pregnant. He married her and moved to Indianapolis because she had been attending Purdue University in nearby West Lafayette. His son, Solomon, was born in 1998 and Rhymefest was forced to work various low-paying jobs, including one as a janitor at a university, to support his family while his wife went to school. When his wife graduated and went on to get a job as a chemical engineer, Fest was then able to devote his time to his true passion, music.
While living in Indiana with his cat named Greshy, Rhymefest was introduced to Mark Ronson by then manager Ron "DJ Indiana Jones" Miner. Greshy was later the inspiration for the hit single "Brand New" because Greshy only likes stuff that is brand new, and you would occasionally see Greshy in a whip that is brand new. In February 2003, Rhymefest signed his record contract with producer and DJ Mark Ronson's Allido Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's J Records, managed by Clive Davis. This was despite an offer on the table from long-time friend and producer Kanye West to sign with his own record company, GOOD Music. Fest attributes this decision to having a better musical relationship with Ronson and also not wanting to be in an "employer-employee" relationship with West[citation needed], where difficulties in business could lead to a disruption of their musical relationship and even friendship. Fest had a great admiration for Ronson's ability to mesh music of different genres.
Rhymefest was featured on the track "Bout to Get Ugly" on Ronson's album "Here Comes the Fuzz" in 2003 along with Anthony Hamilton. He was also featured on the official soundtrack to the films The Rundown, Take The Lead, and Big Momma's House 2 with the track Private Dancer along with We Got Action. Fest was also a part of the Marc Eckō video game, "Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure" in 2005 and was most recently featured on the Kanye West track, "We Can Make It Better", on "Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now", a tribute CD for Hurricane Katrina.
A mixtape released in 2001 entitled "Raw Dawg" was largely produced by the then relatively-unknown producer, West. More recently and most notably, he collaborated with West on the record "Jesus Walks", from the ground-breaking album The College Dropout. On February 15, 2005, Rhymefest earned the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song, along with West, for co-writing the song. Rhymefest had the initial idea for the song and discovered the sample used in the song, Arc Choir's "Walk with Me." Rhymefest played the song for West and then gave it to him to use for the album West was working on at the time, The College Dropout. Fest didn't have a record contract at that time and he knew that if West could produce it and become famous, he would be able to gain some notoriety from it as well. Fest co-wrote the chorus and first verse with West and even wrote and performed a third verse that did not make the final cut, but is performed on his mixtape, "A Star is Born".
Rhymefest's much-anticipated first album "Blue Collar" was released July 11, 2006. On the album he works closely with long-time collaborator and producer Mark Ronson, as well as with producers Kanye West, No I.D., Just Blaze and Cool and Dre. The first single off the album is entitled, "Brand New", and is produced by and features West with a video featuring renowned Hip hop model Bria Myles. Artists he collaborates with on "Blue Collar" are Citizen Cope, Carl Thomas, Mario and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. Rhymefest's second album is scheduled to be released Spring 2009. The album titled "El Che" is expected to show growth and dynamic talent.
In January 2008, Rhymefest released a mixtape album dedicated to the pop star Michael Jackson. Produced by Mark Ronson, the album was called Man In The Mirror after the Jackson song of the same name. During the course of the album, which features samples of Jackson's music interspersed with humorous mock-up conversations between Jackson, Ronson and Rhymefest, the latter proclaims himself to be "the world's biggest Michael Jackson fan".
Sister
Rhymefest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, this song right here
Is about a lot of different - people, women I know
Family members, things we go through, why'know?
And, it just means that, sister I understand
You can't have trials without tribulations
And umm, sometimes we just need God to work that out
I'm a kick it like this, look
This beat reminds me of a lounge, on a Wednesday night
Shorty chillin' at the bar ain't have no friends in sight
I rolls up like, "Damn girl, what you in tonight?"
She looked up said, "This ain't how I wanna spend my life"
Tears in her face, fear in her face
Man this ain't about love, she was feelin' disgraced
She said, "In five years I got three kids, two different dads
I'm pregnant now and I don't know who the father is"
Heavy thing, she was tellin' me everything
Her mother became a widow before she got the wedding ring
Shorty was locked in a prison, I wanted to set her free
But I couldn't, so I sat and listened
With no intermission, I didn't interrupt her
To tell the truth, originally I just wanted to fuck her
But, heh, I was like damn girl, you gon' be okay?
She turned around and said
[Chorus: Mike Payne]
Yeah, sister, I know that sometimes
This world don't treat you, right, yeah
And sister, I know that he left you
With too many, responsibilities, yeah
[Rhymefest]
Look, love don't love nobody
Drugs don't love nobody, so why you put that shit in your body?
Now we can't have a decent conversation
Cause she always shakin'
I tried to deny it at first, it bothers me now
Don't ask for money, you done ten dollar'd me out
I even took yo' kids when they put you out the last house
But I will not babysit while you in a crack house!
And I would hate, to turn 'em over to the state
Look what I did, I let they bad-ass stay and just tear up my crib
While you hurt me child, horribly
He asked me why my momma love drugs more than me
I couldn't answer, I sat back and peered in the sky
I thought it was rainin, but damn, there was tears in my eyes
He was like you gon' be alright Uncle Che?
I'm like man, look
[Chorus: Mike Payne]
Yeah, sister, don't you know
You're worth, more than gold (way more than gold) yeah
And sister, don't you know
I sew what's in your, soul, yes I do yes I do
[Mike Payne]
And I know daddy did you wrong
But you gooo-hooot to be strong
Cause you will see...
The sun shine... the sun gonna shine
Yes you will see (you will see, you will see, you will see)
The sun shine... (yeah yeah oh yeah)
The sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine)
The sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine)
The sun's GON' shine (the sun's GON' shine)
I said the sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine)
Ohh, mmm
Oh sister I know
Sister I know that it gets so hard for you babe
(You don't understand) And that's why I'm here
Baby you should have no fear (that's why I need ya)
Sister sister sister sister sister
Rhymefest's song "Sister" is a tribute to the women he knows, women who are struggling with different issues and obstacles in life. In the song, he talks about a woman who he meets at a bar who is in distress. She opens up to him about her life and the issues she is facing, which include being a single mother to three children from two different fathers, being homeless, and pregnant with no idea who the father of her unborn child is. Rhymefest listens to her as she pours out her heart, and his initial intention to seduce her fades away. The lyrics are full of emotion, empathy, and love.
One of the themes of the song is that life is hard, and everyone faces trials and tribulations. Rhymefest encourages the women he meets to be strong and to know that they are loved and valued. He acknowledges that drugs and the absence of a father can make things worse, but he always reminds them that they can overcome their circumstances. The chorus is sung by Mike Payne, who adds a soulful dimension to the song with his powerful voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, this song right here
The meaning of this song is about the difficult and complex lives of people Rhymefest knows, particularly women in his life.
Is about a lot of different - people, women I know
Rhymefest's song is about many different people who he knows and are women.
Family members, things we go through, why'know?
The lyrics relate to the experiences that Rhymefest and those close to him go through.
And, it just means that, sister I understand
Rhymefest relates to the struggles of women he knows.
You can't have trials without tribulations
Life will always include hardships and difficult situations to overcome.
And umm, sometimes we just need God to work that out
Sometimes, it is God who helps people overcome their hardships and tribulations.
This beat reminds me of a lounge, on a Wednesday night
Rhymefest sets the scene with the beat, like he is in a dimly lit bar listening to music.
Shorty chillin' at the bar ain't have no friends in sight
Rhymefest noticed a woman sitting alone at the bar with no friends.
I rolls up like, "Damn girl, what you in tonight?"
Rhymefest approached the woman and tried to start a conversation.
She looked up said, "This ain't how I wanna spend my life"
The woman expressed that her current situation was not what she had hoped for in life.
Tears in her face, fear in her face
The woman has tears and appears afraid.
Man this ain't about love, she was feelin' disgraced
The situation did not involve love and the woman was feeling ashamed and embarrassed.
She said, "In five years I got three kids, two different dads
The woman revealed that she has three children with two different fathers in the space of five years.
I'm pregnant now and I don't know who the father is"
The woman revealed that she is pregnant and does not know who the father is.
She was tellin' me everything her mother became a widow before she got the wedding ring
The woman opened up to Rhymefest about her mother who became a widow before marriage.
Shorty was locked in a prison, I wanted to set her free
Rhymefest describes the woman's situations as like being in prison and he wishes he could help her escape her problems.
But I couldn't, so I sat and listened
Rhymefest could not change the situation, so he just offered a listening ear instead.
With no intermission, I didn't interrupt her
Rhymefest listened without interrupting the woman's story.
To tell the truth, originally I just wanted to fuck her But, heh, I was like damn girl, you gon' be okay?
Rhymefest initially approached the woman with other thoughts in mind but instead became concerned for her welfare.
Yeah, sister, I know that sometimes This world don't treat you, right, yeah
This chorus empathizes the hardships women face in the world.
And sister, I know that he left you With too many, responsibilities, yeah
Rhymefest recognizes the woman being left with too much responsibility by her partner.
Love don't love nobody Drugs don't love nobody, so why you put that shit in your body?
Rhymefest implores people to realize that substances do not have love for its users, so why put oneself through it?
Now we can't have a decent conversation Cause she always shakin'
Rhymefest describes how drugs have affected the woman physically and make it difficult to have a meaningful conversation.
I tried to deny it at first, it bothers me now Don't ask for money, you done ten dollar'd me out
Rhymefest came to terms with the effect drugs have on the woman and stopped giving her money as it has become a pattern of behavior.
I even took yo' kids when they put you out the last house But I will not babysit while you in a crack house!
Rhymefest tried to help the woman and her children before, but he won't be able to help if the woman continues to use drugs.
And I would hate, to turn 'em over to the state
Rhymefest would hate if the children had to go into state custody due to the mother's drug use.
Look what I did, I let they bad-ass stay and just tear up my crib
Rhymefest allowed the kids to stay once before, but they ended up damaging his property.
While you hurt me child, horribly He asked me why my momma love drugs more than me
Rhymefest describes how he was hurt by the incident and how the child questions why his mother chooses drugs over him.
I couldn't answer, I sat back and peered in the sky I thought it was rainin, but damn, there was tears in my eyes
Rhymefest sits silently, looking to the sky to fight back tears as he couldn't answer the child's question.
He was like you gon' be alright Uncle Che? I'm like man, look
The child comforts Rhymefest and asks if he will be okay.
Yeah, sister, don't you know You're worth, more than gold (way more than gold) yeah
Dedicated to women, the song emphasizes their self-worth to be more than material things.
And sister, don't you know I see what's in your soul, yes I do yes I do
Rhymefest has insight into women's souls and recognizes their struggles.
And I know daddy did you wrong But you gooo-hooot to be strong Cause you will see...
Encouraging the women to be strong despite the wrongs of men.
The sun shine... the sun gonna shine Yes you will see (you will see, you will see, you will see)
Assuring women that there is hope, the sun will shine in their life.
The sun shine... (yeah yeah oh yeah) The sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine) The sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine) The sun's GON' shine (the sun's GON' shine) I said the sun's gon' shine (the sun's gon' shine) Ohh, mmm
The song ends with a repeated assurance that the sun will shine again.
Oh sister I know Sister I know that it gets so hard for you babe (You don't understand) And that's why I'm here Baby you should have no fear (that's why I need ya) Sister sister sister sister sister
The song ends with Rhymefest speaking directly to his 'sisters' and assuring them that he is always there for them in times of hardship without judgment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD ALLEN SMITH, DANIEL TROHA, TIERRA BROWN, NRACA BUTTS, CLAIRE DOROTHEO, KARA MASTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kylemachado1770
2023 still loving this song!!!
@MyAssStings
one of those golden songs that no one really knows
@millennialmindsetter7343
This song makes me cry. Gets me Everytime. I love it so much.
@truewilliam4156
I watched Rhymefest open up for a tribe called quest in Berkeley in like 2004. Bought this album when it was released and have listened to it at least 30 times. Fire
@Feelin2nice
Real lyrics, real music. If you don't feel this U ain't lived the life I've lived, known the people/family I've known. God heals. Stay strong.
@Carrotss101
"While you hurt me child, horribly He asked me why my momma love drugs more than me I couldn't answer, I sat back and peered in the sky I thought it was rainin, but damn, there was tears in my eyes" damn thats deep..
@bodaciousbruin3003
When I see strong men cry I cry.
@SebbySenpai
The definition of real.
@sebbyvancity
Eddie Kendricks - intimate friends
@CatalystProductionNW
I swear i listened to this like 100 times