The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two NAACP Image Award nominations. They won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2003 and have collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Don Henley, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Marcus Miller and Gordon Goodwin.
In 1980, Claude McKnight formed an a cappella quartet, The Gentlemen's Estate Quartet, at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, a Seventh-Day Adventist College, where he was a freshman. He auditioned fellow students for the hobby group. The Gentlemen were rehearsing in a campus bathroom (later said to be in Peterson Hall), getting ready for a performance, when Mark Kibble walked by and heard them singing. He joined the harmonizing, adding a fifth part, and ended up singing with them onstage that very night.[1] Mark later invited Mervyn Warren to join the group. The group performed under the moniker "Alliance".
The group performed in local churches and on campus over the next years, with members changing due to college's inevitable comings and goings. In 1985, the lower half of the group (bass, baritone, and second tenor) left upon graduating. At that time, Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, and David Thomas joined.
The group was signed to Warner Brothers in 1987, and quickly changed its name to "Take 6" after a name search revealed that "Alliance" was already being used. Their eponymous debut album, released in 1988, won them two Grammy Awards and resulted in top ten appearances on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6's swinging, harmony-rich gospel sound attracted a flurry of attention, and the group went on to record or appear with a number of luminaries, including Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder.
In 1991, after the release of their second album, So Much 2 Say, Mervyn Warren left the group to pursue a career as a producer. Joey Kibble, Mark's younger brother, was invited to round out the vocal lineup. The group added instrumentation to their purely a cappella sound beginning with the record He Is Christmas; Join The Band and Brothers continued their streak of success, and Take 6 amassed a total of seven Grammys and eight Dove awards, as well as topping the Downbeat Magazine's Reader's and Critic's poll for seven years' consecutively.
Take 6's 1998 release, So Cool, brought the group back to its a cappella origins.
In 2006 the group launched Take 6 Records and the 2006 release Feels Good was released on that label.
The group currently lists Nashville, Tennessee as its home.[2] All members grew up Seventh-Day Adventist.[
So Cool
Take 6 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me conductor, I lead the way for ya
Underground vibe, status self-employed
R-A-H aka Harriet Thugman
Carry out the legacy with seed and husband
Now off with the head thingy
Watch flip to a genie
And I be a Mac like Beanie
With rhymes that'll make ya have to settle for Movado
The dirtiest getting all the way live
Steady tappin' my shit, tryin' to eat while I drive
Speeding to a function to play the little actress
Three hours late and don't even know the address
Madness with the ill sexy flow
And the label spendin' g's not tryin' to let me go
Rockin' on the stage after me, you fool!
Cause I am so cool
[Carl Thomas(Rah Digga)]
Cause she's so cool, yeah oh
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
[Rah Digga]
I aim high beat date in December
A million motherfuckers whose face I don't remember
Next to fall with the be -girl ball
Tight gear little cousins
The store from the mall
Rockin' hardcore to some R&B shit
Kickin' rhymes for the round-the-way heads
That I'm at peace with
Love the ice rock silver as a preference
Taking writer's credit so offer a suggestion
So bust them heads who ain't real wit it
Who don't want shit in life and can't deal with it
I see you
Frontin' like you on my side
Switch sides thanks for the ride bitch
See me on the cover, (Say what?) strike a pose
Just know after that I'm making off with the clothes
Underground rule for real, so what's the haps?
Take it back like kids who fight in playing caps
Or Jacks ?N' Ball, freestyle off the wall
Tell em don't forget the stones when they make the Digga dome
Do away with styling you ain't even found yet
Blow the mic out and ain't nothing but a sound check
Writing rhymes like you wish you could
Tight breaking em down on behalf of sisterhood
Spittin' every time use my looks as a tool
Cause I am so cool
[Carl Thomas](Rah Digga)
Cause she's so cool
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
Cool
Money baby can't you see
(Can't you see, can't you see)
She's so cool
And you can't be as fly as she
(Never be as fly as me)
She's so, so
You can't be as fly as she, oh
The song "So Cool" by Take 6 featuring Rah Digga is a celebration of swagger and self-assuredness, with Rah Digga asserting her supremacy as an underground rapper. In the first verse, she refers to herself as a conductor who leads the way, with an underground vibe and the status of being self-employed. She then alludes to the legacy of Harriet Tubman, the African American abolitionist and political activist who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom, and how she aims to carry on that legacy with her husband and children. The next lines are about transformation, with Rah Digga comparing herself to a genie and a Mac (presumably a reference to Beanie Sigel, a rapper known for his grittiness and street credibility). She then talks about how she transforms into a "thug supermodel" with rhymes that make listeners settle for a Movado (a luxury watch brand). The next lines are about her hectic schedule as a performer, with fans constantly clamoring for her attention and the label trying to hold on to her. Despite all this madness, Rah Digga exudes a sense of coolness and confidence that sets her apart from everyone else.
The chorus features Carl Thomas singing about Rah Digga's coolness and how nobody can be as fly as her. In the second verse, Rah Digga continues to flex her lyrical muscles, talking about how she aims high and doesn't remember the faces of the million people she's met. She then goes on to talk about her fashion sense, her love for ice and silver, and her willingness to take writer's credit for her rhymes. She also takes a jab at people who front and switch sides, thanking them for the ride before ditching them. She then talks about how she's making moves in the underground scene, taking it back like kids who fight in playing caps and Jacks. She encourages other women to find their own style and blow the mic out, using their looks and talent as powerful tools. The song ends with Carl Thomas repeating the chorus, emphasizing Rah Digga's coolness and flyness.
Overall, "So Cool" is a dope song that highlights Rah Digga's lyrical prowess and confidence. It celebrates individuality and encourages women to pursue their dreams with style and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
(That cool shit)
This song is about how cool and confident the singer is, and how they embrace their own unique style and persona.
Call me conductor, I lead the way for ya
The singer is a leader and guides others toward success and greatness.
Underground vibe, status self-employed
The singer is independent, creative, and operating outside the mainstream with their music.
R-A-H aka Harriet Thugman
The artist's stage name is a play on the historical figure Harriet Tubman, and suggests they are a powerful and fearless force to be reckoned with.
Carry out the legacy with seed and husband
The artist is continuing a legacy of strength and perseverance, passed down through generations.
Now off with the head thingy
The singer is dismissive of those who try to bring them down or doubt their ability to succeed.
Watch flip to a genie
The singer is confident in their ability to transform or adapt to any situation, like a genie granting wishes.
And I be a Mac like Beanie
The artist is as cool and stylish as the rapper Beanie Sigel, who was known for his flashy outfit choices.
Out the bottle, I turn thug super model
The artist is both tough and glamorous, and fully embodies a unique and daring persona.
With rhymes that'll make ya have to settle for Movado
The artist's rhymes are so impressive and top-notch, that even the finest watches (like Movado) will have to settle for second place in comparison.
The dirtiest getting all the way live
The singer is boldly claiming their throne as the best and most dynamic performer, even amidst competition.
Steady tappin' my shit, tryin' to eat while I drive
Other musicians are trying to copy or take inspiration from the artist's unique style, while they continue to produce great music and excel in their career.
Speeding to a function to play the little actress
The singer is headed to a performance or event where they will take on a new persona or persona, like an actress taking on different roles.
Three hours late and don't even know the address
The singer is so confident in their ability to be cool and charismatic, that they sometimes forget about the logistics or technical aspects of their work.
Madness with the ill sexy flow
The singer has a talent for delivering impressive, sophisticated, and sexy musical performances.
And the label spendin' g's not tryin' to let me go
The record label is investing large sums of money in the artist's career, because they believe they are a rare and valuable talent who is worth keeping around.
Rockin' on the stage after me, you fool!
No one can follow up the artist's performance, since they are so unique and commanding on stage.
Cause I am so cool
The singer is emphasizing the idea that they are incredibly cool and confident, which sets them apart from others and allows them to excel in their career.
Cause she's so cool, yeah oh
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is cool and confident.
Money baby can't you see
The artist is emphasizing the fact that their artistic talent and creativity is worth investing in, due to their potential to succeed.
And you can't be as fly as she
No one can match the coolness or talent of the artist.
Never be as fly as me
The artist is confident in their abilities and unique style, and doesn't believe anyone can match them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: DAVID REGINALD THOMAS, MARK WINSTON KIBBLE, HALLERIN H. HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Freeman Swan
One of my all time favorite songs, albums, and group. The anointing was in the booth this day though! Flawless.
Titan General
Their harmonies are unmatchable!!
The Enemy's Public:
This is what you get when have 6 very skillful lead singers!! These brothers have been my favorite since 87.
Detrick Phelps
Best vocal group, alive!
Leah Worthy
Oh man how this brings back memories! This album (plus so much to.say) will forever remind me of the time my mommy got saved.. So much to say was the first (of many) gospel albums she bought & we played it ooooouuut Lol.. Its been over 10 years since I've heard it and I remember every verse. Till this day there's been nothing like this group. You can really hear/feel the presence of the Lord, its like a "spiritual incense" giving the whole place a sweetness that comes only from the Lord. I believe the Holy Spirit has truly blessed them because they are perfectly in sync, unlike anything I've ever heard.
LaChele
They were singing this song especially near the end. I like how they harmonized and said THAT WOULD BE SO COOL at 3:15. That's my part. Mark knew he could sing!
Willam Patmon
This is really cool ! This album came out in 1998, I compare this to their first album wh by 1988!
Block Boy
"If they could just see , the things that I've seen , if they could just see , what love really means , if they could know joy , like they've never known and you know that you are never alone" ,,, brings tears to my eyes everytime and not from sorrow but because "God" is the truth!!! Love this song , peace and blessings😊
Naomi
One day, I wanna sing like they do. There voices just blend together My command I always sing this song in her car. This song is ''So Cool''.
Savvynlady
Past cool. Love that whole cd.