He released the critically-acclaimed Corner Store Classic mixtape in 2007, and released a remixed version, including some new material, as a digital download album in 2008. Corner Store Classic was rated 'XL' (4/5) by XXL Magazine. In 2007, he stated that he had a second album ready, called The Salvation, but was waiting for a major record deal before releasing it.
He cites as influences hip hop artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, N.W.A., Big Daddy Kane, and Kid 'n Play, as well as artists such as Sade, Nirvana and John Coltrane, and cites Coltrane's A Love Supreme as his favorite album. He credits J Dilla as his biggest inspiration and favorite producer. He has been critical of the direction that Hip Hop has taken, stating "People are taking the 'whetever we gotta do' method, resulting in gimmick records. I'm about making money but it has to be with dope records".
Eyes Wide Shut
Skyzoo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Verse:
Yo the time was wasting, but we saw it as ventilation,
call it what you wanted but we just called it a day spent,
shit you couldn't learn in the crib but was always saved with,
or saved by, so say bye and hit the pavement,
Rules of engagement, don't ever rule out the amazement
boats in abundance, shipments in corner containers,
locally funded, literally foreign exchanges,
Know the occasion, on occasion I had to stay in,
but most of the time I was outside where the play is,
difference was, I understood what all of the issues was, s
ame way I understood a pistol run,
such a dichotomy, all on the sides of me,
wasn't much room left, so nothing else got to me,
from John Coltrane to Danny Simmons to Richard Wright
to friends with a brick of white, nothing was outta reach,
but fuck it be proud of me, this could've went wild left,
the key to it is never leaving it where denial's left,
I knew what I was gunning for, and who was fixing my aim so when the gun go off,
shit'll be one shot, told there's only one top, but that the bottom got wild space,
regardless of how many people is on that ground chase,
circling around base, opinions in the kitchen how they circling around base,
way too many cooks, but I was raised by a crook who found his way through a book
and another one and another one, and changed the way you look
at his son and at his two other sons, my brothers and me,
swear to God I put my arm up over what they could see,
So may Jehovah or Allah or Buddah bless us,
or whoever else you're calling like par can you protect us?,
I zip up my Colombia jacket while my man is beeping Colombians
like yo this shit ain't locking at all, fuck it I'm done with them,
contracts voided over pay phones,
I'm there for moral support but need to make my way home
My pops got tickets for Bring in The Noise, Bring in The Funk,
and BBQs after that yo this shit is a jump,
all my men's in the front as we load up inside the Wrangler,
same one like the one I went and bought where the roof change up,
And all of that do change us, could've been a different view,
never know the bags under your view until they stick with you,
but sleep is the cousin of the death, so never sleep,
my pop said I've been up since you was born, best believe,
best believe you're gonn' believe it all when you get to be,
and I been up since December 20th, 2017, do believe
In "Eyes Wide Shut" by Skyzoo, the lyrics present a reflection on the passing of time and the experiences that shape us. The opening lines suggest that while time may have been wasted, it was also seen as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. The singer acknowledges that there were invaluable lessons learned outside the comfort of home, saved and cherished throughout their journey. The verse also touches upon the theme of duality, comparing the amazement and dream-like state found in never sleeping due to a night shift job, with the harsh reality of a life surrounded by questionable activities and influences.
The lyrics continue to explore the contrast between different aspects of life. The singer mentions the abundance of opportunities, both locally and internationally, and the occasional necessity to stay indoors instead of experiencing the vibrant world outside. They widely absorb various influences, from John Coltrane to Danny Simmons to Richard Wright, encompassing a range of artistic expressions and connections. The lyrics paint a picture of a life that could have easily gone astray, but through the guidance of a father figure, the singer is able to stay focused on their goals and maintain a clear aim. The closing lines reveal a sense of determination and perseverance, with the singer stating that they have been awake and actively pursuing their dreams since December 20th, 2017.
Overall, "Eyes Wide Shut" delves into themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the choices we make along the way. It showcases the influence of various cultural and artistic expressions on the singer's journey and highlights the importance of perseverance in pursuing dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo the time was wasting, but we saw it as ventilation
Although we were wasting time, we saw it as a way to escape and breathe
call it what you wanted but we just called it a day spent
Others may label it differently, but for us, it was just a day well spent
shit you couldn't learn in the crib but was always saved with
There were things we couldn't learn at home, but they were always there to save us
or saved by, so say bye and hit the pavement
We were saved by those experiences, so bid farewell and face the challenges ahead
Rules of engagement, don't ever rule out the amazement
There are rules to follow, but never ignore the incredible experiences that may come
of better dreaming from never sleeping due to a grave shift
We experienced better dreams because we never slept during the night shift
boats in abundance, shipments in corner containers
There were many boats and shipments in containers positioned in corners
locally funded, literally foreign exchanges
These exchanges were funded locally, but were truly foreign in nature
Know the occasion, on occasion I had to stay in
Understand the circumstances; sometimes I had to stay inside
but most of the time I was outside where the play is
But most of the time, I was outside where the action and excitement took place
difference was, I understood what all of the issues was
The difference was that I comprehended the complexity of all the problems
same way I understood a pistol run
I understood the workings of a gun just as well
such a dichotomy, all on the sides of me
There was such a contrast, with all these opposing elements within me
wasn't much room left, so nothing else got to me
There was hardly any space for anything else to affect me
from John Coltrane to Danny Simmons to Richard Wright
I appreciated artists like John Coltrane, Danny Simmons, and Richard Wright
to friends with a brick of white, nothing was outta reach
Even friends involved in illicit activities made nothing seem unattainable
but fuck it be proud of me, this could've went wild left
But don't worry, be proud of me, as this situation could have turned chaotic
the key to it is never leaving it where denial's left
The key is to never leave it in a place where denial and ignorance prevail
I knew what I was gunning for, and who was fixing my aim
I knew my target and who was guiding and adjusting my focus
so when the gun go off, shit'll be one shot
So when I take action, it will be a decisive and impactful move
told there's only one top, but that the bottom got wild space
They said there's only a limited number of successful positions, but the lower levels have plenty of opportunities
regardless of how many people is on that ground chase
No matter how many people are competing for success at that level
circling around base, opinions in the kitchen how they circling around base
They revolve around the foundation, opinions in the kitchen going in circles
way too many cooks, but I was raised by a crook
There were too many people trying to influence, but I was raised by someone with a criminal background
who found his way through a book and another one and another one
He found his path to redemption through reading multiple books
and changed the way you look at his son and at his two other sons, my brothers and me
And he changed the perception of himself, his son, and his other two sons, which includes me
swear to God I put my arm up over what they could see
I promise, I shielded them from what they couldn't handle or shouldn't witness
So may Jehovah or Allah or Buddah bless us
May we receive blessings from various religious entities like Jehovah, Allah, or Buddah
or whoever else you're calling like par can you protect us?
Or whoever else you believe in, can you protect us, just like a patron saint?
I zip up my Colombia jacket while my man is beeping Colombians
I close my Colombia jacket as my friend is contacting people from Colombia
like yo this shit ain't locking at all, fuck it I'm done with them
Like, hey, this situation is not going well at all, I'm done dealing with them
contracts voided over pay phones
Contracts are canceled through payphones, indicating a lack of trust and reliability
I'm there for moral support but need to make my way home
I'm present to provide emotional support, but I also need to find my own way home
My pops got tickets for Bring in The Noise, Bring in The Funk
My father obtained tickets for the theatrical production 'Bring in The Noise, Bring in The Funk'
and BBQs after that yo this shit is a jump
And barbecues following that, man, it's going to be a great time
all my men's in the front as we load up inside the Wrangler
All of my friends are in the front as we get into the Jeep Wrangler
same one like the one I went and bought where the roof change up
It's the same one I purchased, where you can change the roof configuration
And all of that do change us, could've been a different view
All those experiences transform us, things could have turned out differently
never know the bags under your view until they stick with you
You never realize the burdens you carry until they become a permanent part of your life
but sleep is the cousin of the death, so never sleep
Sleep and death have a close relation, so one should never rest or become complacent
my pop said I've been up since you was born, best believe
My father told me he has been working tirelessly since the day I was born, you better believe it
best believe you're gonn' believe it all when you get to be
When you grow older, you will truly understand and believe everything that has happened
and I been up since December 20th, 2017, do believe
And I have not rested since December 20th, 2017, you can trust that
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Skyler Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind