Santogold is the former name of Santigold (born Santi White on September 25… Read Full Bio ↴Santogold is the former name of Santigold (born Santi White on September 25, 1976), a singer, songwriter and producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. She is perhaps best known for her 2008 single L.E.S. Artistes, which became a hit in the UK and on American alternative radio.

Previously, White was the lead singer of the Philadelphia-based punk rock/ska band Stiffed, but, while in the band, she was offered a solo contract. Working with fellow Stiffed member, John Hill, as co-producer, she recorded her debut album, Santogold, which was released in April 2008. Her style has been defined as a mix of dub, electronica, hip hop & new wave
In February 2009, she officially changed her stage name to Santigold as a result of infomercial jeweller Santo Gold, who threatened legal action against White and her record label Downtown Records. However, despite the dispute, the title of her debut album remains Santogold. Upon the change of her stage name, Downtown Records issued a press release which stated:

“Change the graffiti on the bathroom wall, get your tattoo fixed, get your T-shirt airbrushed and change the name on your year-end list: Santogold is now Santigold. She’s not telling you why, that’s just how it is.”

http://www.myspace.com/santigold

Les Artistes
Santogold Lyrics

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What I'm searching for
To tell it straight, I'm trying to build a wall
Walking by myself
Down avenues that reek of time to kill
If you see me keep going
Be a pass by waver
Build me up, bring me down
Just leave me out you name dropper

Stop trying to catch my eye
I see you good you forced faker
Just make it easy
You're my enemy you fast talker

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

What am I here for
I left my home to disappear is all
I'm here for myself
Not to know you
I don't need no one else
Fit in so good the hope is that you cannot see me later
You don't know me
I am an introvert an excavator
I'm duckin' out for now
A face in dodgy elevators
Creep up and suddenly
I found myself
An innovator

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe

Change, change, change,
I want to get up out of my skin
Tell you what
If I can shake it

I'm 'a make this
Something worth dreaming of

Overall Meaning

Santogold's song "L.E.S. Artistes" is a commentary on the music industry and the pressures she faces as an artist. The song starts with her stating that she is looking for something, and that something is to create her own wall or identity against the industry. She walks down avenues that reek of "time to kill," which refers to the fast-paced, cut-throat nature of the music industry.

The next verse speaks about alienation and how she is here for herself, not to know anyone else. As an introvert and excavator, she is not interested in name-droppers or "forced fakers." She wants to innovate and create something worth dreaming of, before she shakes off the expectations of the industry.

The chorus speaks about the trade-offs she is willing to make for her art, and how she hopes it will be worth it in the end. She wants to be able to stand up for what she believes in and not compromise her art for anyone.

Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the music industry and the pressures artists face to conform to what is expected of them. Santogold is determined to create something original and true to herself, even if it means going against the norm.

Line by Line Meaning

What I'm searching for
I'm trying to find my purpose in this world.

To tell it straight, I'm trying to build a wall
I'm trying to protect myself from the negativity and superficiality of society.

Walking by myself
I prefer to be alone rather than surrounded by people who don't understand me.

Down avenues that reek of time to kill
I'm wandering through empty streets that represent the monotony and unfulfilling nature of life.

If you see me keep going
Don't try to engage with me because I'm not interested in superficial connections.

Be a pass by waver
Just ignore me and move along like everyone else.

Build me up, bring me down
Don't pretend to like me one day and then tear me down the next, I can see through the fakeness.

Just leave me out you name dropper
I don't care about your connections or status, so don't bother trying to impress me with them.

Stop trying to catch my eye
I'm not interested in being a part of your crowd, so don't try to get my attention.

I see you good you forced faker
I can see that you're trying too hard to be someone you're not, and it's not working.

Just make it easy
Stop trying so hard to impress me, it's not necessary.

You're my enemy you fast talker
Your superficiality and insincerity make you my enemy in this world.

I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up
I hope that the sacrifices I make to protect myself and stay true to myself will be worth it in the end.

If I could stand up mean for the things that I believe
If I had the courage to stand up for what I believe in and not let society's expectations sway me, I would be unstoppable.

What am I here for
I'm questioning my purpose in life.

I left my home to disappear is all
I left my previous life behind to start fresh and escape the pressures of society.

I'm here for myself
I'm not here to please other people or live up to their expectations, I'm here for myself.

Not to know you
I'm not here to make connections with people who don't understand me or my values.

I don't need no one else
I don't need anyone else's validation or approval to live my life on my own terms.

Fit in so good the hope is that you cannot see me later
I try to blend in so well that people don't remember me, hoping to avoid the superficiality of social interactions.

You don't know me
People may think they know me, but they don't understand the real me.

I am an introvert an excavator
I'm introspective and constantly digging deep to find the truth within myself.

I'm duckin' out for now
I'm withdrawing from society for the time being to focus on my own growth and well-being.

A face in dodgy elevators
I'm just a face in a sea of people, trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.

Creep up and suddenly
Sometimes insights and realizations about myself come when I least expect it.

I found myself
Through the ups and downs of life, I found my true self and am proud of who I am.

An innovator
I'm forging my own path in life and creating a unique and authentic existence.

Change, change, change,
I'm constantly evolving and changing as a person, and that's okay.

I want to get up out of my skin
Sometimes I feel like I don't fit in with the expectations of society, and I wish I could shed that skin and be someone else entirely.

Tell you what
Let me express how I feel.

If I can shake it
If I can break free from the constraints of society and live life on my own terms.

I'm 'a make this
I'm going to create something unique and authentic out of my life.

Something worth dreaming of
I want to create a life that is worth waking up for every single day, and inspires others to do the same.

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