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".
get down
Rhymefest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need to get down
You need to get down (and I'm gon' get down)
You need to get down (and I'm gon' get down)
(D-down d-down down) He need to get doww-OWWW-owwwn
[Rhymefest]
Yeah, I aim to spit, and maim your clique
Down I came to get, up to claim my shit
Raw like 'caine and gettin brain from brainless chicks
It's, yo', party - dowutchyalike
Dis, my, mission - gon' fuck tonight
Up in the club and like see what the buzz is like
Niggaz who pop shit gon' feel what crutches like
The slugs is like; I keep the whole hood fiendin
I don't smoke but I know what drugs they like
I'm the man to see, livin the fantasy
Pocket full of Stones like Sly and the Family
Lift your shirt girl, show me the mammaries
Next week I'll still have good memories
All, I, Do, the clique with me
Sign the check nigga don't say shit to me
This is history; what rapper you know
Before his record drop is a Grammy winner G?
Me I came to get, down surround the sound
Bounce from town to town, 'Fest gon' put shit (down)
[Chorus One]
[Chorus Two: female singer + (male voice) + {'Fest}]
(And I'm gon' get down) {Now here I am now}
We came to get down (And I'm gon' get down) {Doin my thing now}
We came to get down (And I'm gon' get down) {I'm on the floor yup!}
He came to get (D-down d-down dow-owwwn) He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn
[Rhymefest]
You dangerous (yeah) but I'm game for this (yeah)
And I don't kiss cause that can get kankerous
White girls be claimin the sun is cancerous
Pull my dick out and I done caused a damn eclipse!
I'm on some shit, heh, you want some shit? (what?)
This my town dawg, watch what tone you get
This Windy City nigga, don't get blown to bits
Archaeologist nigga I stay with a bone to pick
Goin tit for tat, black aristocrat
Born with a gift to mack anywhere chicks is at
Malaysians, Haitians, Asians mixed with black
Bring 'em back to the block like yeah nigga, get with that
Fuck raisin the bar, man I MADE the bar
Went to Harvard Law like Cochran, I aced the bar
Just in case I get faced with a case tomorrow
Look in my face and they race to get Che disbarred
Nah I'm chillin baby, now make it poke child
With meditate I help you bring your inner hoe out
We'll regulate and get it crackin like a coke house
Pretty panties with some fanny I'ma make her go (down)
[Chorus One]
[Rhymefest + {female singer}]
You got somethin to prove? (Get down baby)
Oh she ready to move (Get down baby)
You got to stay in the groove (Get down baby)
{He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn}
You got somethin to prove? (Get down baby)
Now she ready to move (Get down baby)
You got to stay in the groove (Get down baby)
{He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn}
[scratched: "Get down!"]
{He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn}
In Rhymefest's song "Get Down," the chorus sung by a female singer urges the listener to "get down," which likely means to dance or let loose. Rhymefest jumps in with his verse, in which he boasts about his skills and his ability to "put shit down." He also mentions how he doesn't kiss because it can be detrimental to his love life, and white girls who claim the sun is cancerous. In the end, he is content with "making it poke" with a girl and bringing out her "inner hoe."
The lyrics of the song appear to celebrate excess and the pleasure of being alive. The chorus speaks of needing to "get down," which could mean anything that brings pleasure or joy. Rhymefest's verse also seems to celebrate excess, as he boasts about his skills and his sexual exploits. Overall, the song seems to be about living life to the fullest and enjoying oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
You need to get down
The singer is encouraging someone to dance and unwind.
You need to get down (and I'm gon' get down)
The singer is not only encouraging others to dance but to participate herself.
You need to get down (and I'm gon' get down)
The singer is not only encouraging others to dance but to participate herself.
(D-down d-down down) He need to get doww-OWWW-owwwn
The singer emphasizes that this person needs to dance by repeating 'down' and adding dramatic emphasis.
Yeah, I aim to spit, and maim your clique
Rhymefest boasts about his rap skills and his ability to beat out other competitors.
I bang your bitch, bitch I'm dangerous
Rhymefest claims that he is a dangerous man who is capable of sleeping with others' girlfriends.
Down I came to get, up to claim my shit
Rhymefest explains that he is willing to have a good time while also securing his position as a successful artist.
Raw like 'caine and gettin brain from brainless chicks
Rhymefest likens himself to a drug and brags about his sexual exploits with women who are not very intelligent.
It's, yo', party - dowutchyalike
Rhymefest encourages anyone at this party to do what they please.
Dis, my, mission - gon' fuck tonight
Rhymefest explains that his mission is to have sex tonight.
Up in the club and like see what the buzz is like
Rhymefest wants to explore the party and see what is going on.
Niggaz who pop shit gon' feel what crutches like
Rhymefest warns that anyone who talks badly about him will suffer the consequences.
The slugs is like; I keep the whole hood fiendin
Rhymefest has a large amount of power and influence over his neighborhood, even if he doesn't participate in drugs.
I don't smoke but I know what drugs they like
Rhymefest doesn't partake in smoking drugs but is familiar with the preferences of others.
I'm the man to see, livin the fantasy
Rhymefest believes himself to be the best artist around and is living his dream.
Pocket full of Stones like Sly and the Family
Rhymefest has a pocket full of money, similar to a theme in a movie.
Lift your shirt girl, show me the mammaries
Rhymefest requests that a woman show him her breasts.
Next week I'll still have good memories
Rhymefest will have fond memories of this night long after it's over.
All, I, Do, the clique with me
Rhymefest only associates with his crew.
Sign the check nigga don't say shit to me
Rhymefest is owed money for his art and needs it back.
This is history; what rapper you know
Rhymefest believes that his current art will go down in history with other famous rappers.
Before his record drop is a Grammy winner G?
Rhymefest has already won a Grammy before releasing any new music.
Me I came to get, down surround the sound
Rhymefest is at this party to dance and enjoy the music.
Bounce from town to town, 'Fest gon' put shit (down)
Rhymefest will travel to different places to perform and will do so in an impressive manner.
We came to get down
The group reiterates their desire to dance and have fun.
And I'm gon' get down
The group intends to be active in dancing.
We came to get down
The group reiterates their desire to dance and have fun.
He came to get (D-down d-down dow-owwwn) He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn
The group emphasizes that they are actively dancing by repeating 'down' and adding dramatic emphasis.
You dangerous (yeah) but I'm game for this (yeah)
Rhymefest acknowledges that he is up against a formidable opponent but is still confident in his abilities to compete.
And I don't kiss cause that can get kankerous
Rhymefest chooses not to kiss because of the risk of contracting oral cancers.
White girls be claimin the sun is cancerous
Rhymefest has heard rumors that white women believe the sun is dangerous.
Pull my dick out and I done caused a damn eclipse!
Rhymefest is implying that he has a large penis that can cause an eclipse, or possibly that he has had sex so much that it has become routine.
I'm on some shit, heh, you want some shit? (what?)
Rhymefest is at a party and having a good time, and asks if anyone else is too.
This my town dawg, watch what tone you get
Rhymefest is the most powerful person in his town and warns others to be careful.
This Windy City nigga, don't get blown to bits
Rhymefest is from Chicago, also known as the Windy City, and warns people to avoid getting hurt or killed.
Archaeologist nigga I stay with a bone to pick
Rhymefest is always ready to argue or disagree with someone.
Goin tit for tat, black aristocrat
Rhymefest is a well-educated, wealthy black man who is willing to argue with anyone.
Born with a gift to mack anywhere chicks is at
Rhymefest is good at meeting and seducing women wherever he goes.
Malaysians, Haitians, Asians mixed with black
Rhymefest's romantic interests are diverse and include people from different races.
Bring 'em back to the block like yeah nigga, get with that
Rhymefest takes women he meets back to his neighborhood to show off and assert his dominance.
Fuck raisin the bar, man I MADE the bar
Rhymefest is not interested in simply meeting expectations. He wants to exceed them.
Went to Harvard Law like Cochran, I aced the bar
Rhymefest is boasting about his education and intelligence by referencing a famous lawyer and his expertise in law.
Just in case I get faced with a case tomorrow
Rhymefest knows that a legal battle could arise at any moment and is prepared to handle it if it does.
Look in my face and they race to get Che disbarred
Rhymefest's rivals look for ways to get his legal accreditation taken away from him.
Nah I'm chillin baby, now make it poke child
Rhymefest is calming down and wants to have a good time with a woman.
With meditate I help you bring your inner hoe out
Rhymefest helps women realize and express their inner sensual sides.
We'll regulate and get it crackin like a coke house
Rhymefest and his partner will work together to have a good time similar to a bustling drug den.
Pretty panties with some fanny I'ma make her go (down)
Rhymefest is going to have sex with a woman.
You got somethin to prove? (Get down baby)
Rhymefest is challenging the people at the party to show off their dance moves.
Oh she ready to move (Get down baby)
A woman is willing and able to dance.
You got to stay in the groove (Get down baby)
The people at the party must continue dancing and having fun.
{He came to get doww-OWWW-owwwn}
Rhymefest is excited to dance and enjoy himself, making sure he emphasizes 'down' for dramatic effect.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WALLACE WILSON, THOMAS FINDLAY, JULIE MCALPIN, ANDY CATO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Mocello
Red, how is there no love for this album...