Tayyib Ali is an 18 year old artist from Philadelphia, P.A. Music was insti… Read Full Bio ↴Tayyib Ali is an 18 year old artist from Philadelphia, P.A. Music was instilled in him from a very young age. Ali began to hone his rap skills at the tender age of 10. He spent the majority of his teenage years perfecting his trade. For Ali a hobby quickly turned into a burning passion. He had the talent and drive to succeed.

Through focus and hard work some doors began to open for the young Ali. Performing in front of a sellout audience at the Kamikazz Festival in Greenwhich, Connecticut. Opening for the likes of Shwayze, Sam Adams, and Super Smash Bros. It all came full circle when Ali found himself on that same stage a year later. Only this time he was the headliner. Throughout his young career Ali has been influenced by a few artists. Many whom have reached out and taken the young MC under their wing.

With creative lyrics, catchy vocals, and a variety of original beats Ali began to develop a following. Upon releasing his singles, “Cold World”, “PA Chillin’”, “What My Father Told Me”, and “Kid Again” Ali’s fan base has stretched throughout the New England area. In early 2010 Tayyib started to build a dedicated team with a main objective of reaching the next level. He has developed a very young and passionate fan base. You can hear many of Ali’s tracks blaring from dorm windows and frat parties throughout New England. This leading to a growing sense of anticipation and excitement for his debut EP entitled “Eighteen.”

California Love
Tayyib Ali Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cali, Cali, Cali, California
Cali, Cali, Cali, California
Cali, Cali, Cali
Cali, Cali, Cali
Cali, Cali, Cali

Uh
Gotta go, gotta go, gotta get out

Cause cold days feeling nice with the in out
Green leave grind and I never took the stem out
Back-to-back in out, porsche in the drip out
Unlike you I'm kinda different with my style
I'm walking down Walnut and they're kicking it in Cali
So tell your girlfriend that idol is my homeboy
I'm stuck in Louis Vuitton, you on the low boy
These people hate but I'm really on my *grizzy* hair
Lyrical palm box, 9 shots, 50 here
I'm trying to shine like Lebron in his rookie year
And you a dope boy, sugar with the cookie here
From skateboard city where the wheels spin
My Keystone State of Mind said I will win
I looked hard at the stars above and one touch yeah I knew that was (California Love)

I will fuck with them industry heads
I just tell them "I don't wanna talk, just give me the bread"
Yeah I'm here to spit crack, ain't shit to be said
And I gave the rap game a drop kick of a ledge
Uh, drumroll hear the bass in the snare come
It's california love blowing out your ear drum
It's the new kid, killin, I'm the champ son
So if you chilling on the beach put your hands up
This the anthem, and I ain't acting fly
But I'm the baller out of Philly like Allen I
I'm on the turf going hard 'till the plaque arrives
Bringin quarterback, Warren Sapp, how I sack a God
Wanted to bring the girls out like a prize show
But I was born real hit with the Nas flow
I won't stop though, I'm so hot yo
I make it rain here you better wear your poncho
I'm 18 ya'll, come get to know me
I'm straight from that Keystone State like I'm Kobe
But I'm a Laker now, I hit the west one touch
Yeah I knew that was (California Love)
Yeah, Yeah, Uh, Yeah, Yeah
Uh, California, that's what I want, California

Yeah, uh new life, I want that
Miami now, hitting Cali by the sunset
Eat palm trees, put them on my lunch at
Golden rolls, I'm never coming home
Wanna skateboard live it up
Just chilling on the beach, I don't really give a fuck
West side where the hippies is
So raw, in my heart I'll forever be a Philly kid
Catching flights to the shows I be ripping up
You can't go cause your flow sounds similar
These other rappers dropped it and let me pick it up
Overtime grind and sold the money getting up
I used to dream everyday for this
Real hard, young star in the making bitch
I looked hard at the stars above and one touch yeah I knew that was (California Love)

Uh, Yeah
Still on my Keystone State of Mind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tayyib Ali's song "California Love" are about the rapper's desire to leave his hometown of Philadelphia and pursue success in California. The repetition of "Cali, Cali, Cali, California" throughout the song emphasizes his longing to be in the West Coast state. He talks about his aspirations to make it big in the music industry and his confidence in his abilities as a rapper. He also references other successful figures, such as Lebron James, Allen Iverson, and Warren Sapp, in order to assert his own potential for greatness. The chorus, "I looked hard at the stars above and one touch yeah I knew that was California Love," portrays California as a place of endless possibilities and opportunities for success.

One interesting fact about the song is that it samples the iconic track "California Love" by Tupac and Dr. Dre. The chorus is a direct reference to the hook of that song, indicating Tayyib Ali's admiration for those who came before him in the rap game. Additionally, the music video for "California Love" was shot in Los Angeles and features footage of the city, showing Tayyib Ali's appreciation for the landscape and culture of California.

Another fascinating aspect of the song is its use of regional slang, such as "grizzy hair" and "sugar with the cookie." These phrases are unique to Philadelphia and add a sense of authenticity to Tayyib Ali's music. Additionally, he talks about wanting to "bring the girls out like a prize show," indicating his desire to both succeed in the rap game and attract the attention of women.

The chords for "California Love" are not publicly available as the song does not have a traditional chord progression. Instead, it relies on electronic beats and samples to create its unique sound.

Line by Line Meaning

Cali, Cali, Cali, California
Repetitive emphasis on California as the desired destination

Gotta go, gotta go, gotta get out Cause cold days feeling nice with the in out Green leave grind and I never took the stem out Back-to-back in out, porsche in the drip out Unlike you I'm kinda different with my style
Leaving behind the mundane routine of the past, seeking new experiences, without compromising one's roots and individuality

I'm walking down Walnut and they're kicking it in Cali So tell your girlfriend that idol is my homeboy I'm stuck in Louis Vuitton, you on the low boy These people hate but I'm really on my *grizzy* hair
Comparing the hustle in Philly with the laid-back charm of Cali, boasting of connections and luxury goods, while acknowledging haters

Lyrical palm box, 9 shots, 50 here I'm trying to shine like Lebron in his rookie year And you a dope boy, sugar with the cookie here From skateboard city where the wheels spin My Keystone State of Mind said I will win
Utilizing rap skills and street smarts to succeed, aspiring to greatness like a rookie LeBron, rejecting easy money and embracing the freedom of skating culture

I looked hard at the stars above and one touch yeah I knew that was (California Love)
Manifesting one's dreams into reality, feeling a cosmic connection with Cali

I will fuck with them industry heads I just tell them "I don't wanna talk, just give me the bread" Yeah I'm here to spit crack, ain't shit to be said And I gave the rap game a drop kick of a ledge
Asserting dominance in the music industry, demanding compensation for talent and effort, confidently delivering quality rhymes

Drumroll hear the bass in the snare come It's california love blowing out your ear drum It's the new kid, killin, I'm the champ son So if you chilling on the beach put your hands up This the anthem, and I ain't acting fly But I'm the baller out of Philly like Allen I
Paying homage to California's rich music history, asserting supremacy as a newcomer, encouraging listeners to celebrate life, and comparing oneself to a basketball legend

I'm on the turf going hard 'till the plaque arrives Bringin quarterback, Warren Sapp, how I sack a God Wanted to bring the girls out like a prize show But I was born real hit with the Nas flow
Working tirelessly until achieving mainstream recognition, likening oneself to a pro football player, aspiring to attract female attention, and drawing inspiration from Nas

I won't stop though, I'm so hot yo I make it rain here you better wear your poncho I'm 18 ya'll, come get to know me I'm straight from that Keystone State like I'm Kobe
Promising to continue making hits, making it rain in the club, inviting fans to learn more about oneself, and relating oneself to a basketball great

But I'm a Laker now, I hit the west one touch Yeah I knew that was (California Love) Yeah, Yeah, Uh, Yeah, Yeah Uh, California, that's what I want, California
Embracing change and taking advantage of opportunities, returning to the theme of craving California as a transformative location

Still on my Keystone State of Mind
Acknowledging one's roots and perspective in life

Writer(s): JAMES SMITH, SAVAN KOTECHA, RICKARD GORANSSON, MARTIN MAX, ALI PAYAMI, TORI KELLY

Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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