The members of The Cool Kids met in 2005 when Reed found a beat on the internet that Ingersoll had produced. The two met to discuss terms of the beat's sale, and eventually ended up recording for two hours. They were inspired by hip hop in the 1980s and artists like Eric B. & Rakim. Ingersoll began promoting the new duo's material, and it was eventually booked by Josh Young of Flosstradamus for a DJ performance. At this performance (in a venue called Town Hall Pub), the duo met the electronic musician Diplo who offered to release a mixtape of their unreleased tracks titled Totally Flossed Out on his label Mad Decent, though it was eventually released on C.A.K.E. Recordings. They also received an offer from the DJ A-Trak to sign to his Fool's Gold label, which they did, but only for one single.
Up until recently, all material had been released solely on the band's MySpace pageโtheir recording contract came after performances at the CMJ Music Festival and Pitchfork Music Festival, on July 15, 2007. Eventually, The Cool Kids signed to Chocolate Industries, another independent label, which had previously been the label of rapper Lady Sovereign. Ingersoll has been the producer for tracks released thus far, but both work in rapping and production.
They have been and currently are on tour, opening for M.I.A. One of the duo's singles, Black Mags, is featured in a late 2007 Rhapsody TV commercial, along with Sara Bareilles. In the same year, the group collaborated with Lil' Wayne and DJ Benzi through the internet on a track entitled Gettin' It, which will reportedly appear on the DJ's future album "Get Right." The band has been featured in the video game "NBA Live 08" with the song 88, and they have been featured in the video game "NBA 2K9 with the song 2k pennies, and in the episode "The First Cut Is the Deepest" from HBO's TV series Entourage with the song I Rock. They were listed in Rolling Stone's Ten Artists to Watch in 2008.
Their debut LP, When Fish Ride Bicycles, was released on July 12, 2011.
On April 25, 2015, member Mikey Rocks took to Twitter to address the consistent questions about a possible reunion, saying they were "never coming back."
88
The Cool Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bop it
Niggas beat-boxin'
[Verse 1:]
I do what I do like I do it for TV
I guess what I'm doin' I'm doin' to keep the
Shoes on my feet sweeter than sweet peas
I grab 'em like I rock 'em from 9-5
Self employed, kickin' puppies is my hobby and job
Easy rock be's with bass, ladies callin' me Rob
Bass, bass, bass, bass
I'm on my '88 shit
Cuban link chains and Gezel frame lens
Guess Jeans, stone-washed
Rockin' top 10 beats
Flickin' on my fit
I got my foot lookin' like a '88 draft pick
Is that sick? It gets sicker than the flu
And sir, you came to pretend I'm you
Attain you a class on how to be cool
And in fact, I'm the superintendent of the school
Uh, yeah and I'm back on my job
I press and twist knobs
Just to make your head nod
All you wack rappers need to keep your day job
And my work here is done, I'm a take the day off
[Chorus:]
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
[Verse 2:]
We know who this be, it's me, no secrets
Stuck to the beat and glued to the sequence
Igloos freezin' less than we is
You can catch us walkin' on the weekend
While you awkwardly breathin'
From all the second hand smoke
Nigga, you a square
Lit you at the tip, blow it in the air
We don't play fair
And that's a fact
Separate the people from the squares
Like a nicotine patch
Lookie here, quite honestly
You're gonna have to pardon me
I'm a modern day fly machine
Yes sir, that's absurd
But the best word to describe would be "ah"
Piffed, mad as me
Which hand is free?
Shake the one that is and I gotta handle my biz
Until I got the achin' ribs
Salute to all them scally-wags and fresh kids, yes
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
We can dance if you wanna
We can leave your friends behind
Cause if your friends don't dance
And if they don't dance
Then they ain't no friends of mine
Yo, it just hit me
I'm the fresh prince
And that means I'm Will
And I chill with the chicks in the back
On the real in my ville
I get kick in the back
From gorillas, but chill that's the skill that I pack
Sonny, you need to rottweiler to do the wop
Old schoolers bop cooler while we movin' through the spot
Cruisin' through the roof '88 frames on Adidas track suit
Ask who? Be quiet when the game's on
Cause I'm in champion ship
And I going through time in my championship
We cannot fall
So I'm leaving you with these 3 words
Yes, yes ya'll
[Chorus:]
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
The Cool Kids' song "88" pays homage to the year 1988, a time when hip-hop was at its peak and the duo's signature style started to take shape. The song has an energetic beat and playful lyrics that showcase their clever rhyming skills, with references to popular dance moves of the time such as the Smurf and the Wop, and also nods to the fashion and culture of the era. The first verse contains several witty lines, like "Kickin' puppies is my hobby and job" and "Bass, bass, bass, bass," which show the duo's sense of humor and confidence.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Do the smurf, do the wop, baseball bat, rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back," which reinforces the theme of nostalgia for the golden age of hip-hop. The second verse introduces the idea of separating "the people from the squares" and the brandishing of cigars, creating an image of coolness and swagger. The final verse includes a reference to Will Smith a.k.a. the "Fresh Prince," who was a leading figure in popularizing hip-hop in the late 80s and early 90s.
Overall, "88" captures the spirit and energy of hip-hop during its heyday, and pays tribute to the influences that shaped The Cool Kids' music.
Line by Line Meaning
Break it
Begin the song or the dance routine.
Bop it
Move to the rhythm of the song in a cool way.
Niggas beat-boxin'
People are making beats with their mouth in the background.
I do what I do like I do it for TV
I am a performer who is always at their best, even if it's just for TV.
I guess what I'm doin' I'm doin' to keep the Shoes on my feet sweeter than sweet peas
I am working hard to maintain my style and look good all the time.
So you sucker MC's really can't out-step me
No one can beat me at my craft, especially not amateur rappers.
Cuban link chains and Gezel frame lens Guess Jeans, stone-washed
I'm wearing expensive designer clothes and accessories to look fashionable.
I'm on my '88 shit
I am referencing the year 1988 when rap music was prominent and using it as a sign of my coolness and swag.
All you wack rappers need to keep your day job And my work here is done, I'm a take the day off
I am mocking bad rappers and saying that they should not quit their day job, while I am so good I can take the day off.
We can dance if you wanna We can leave your friends behind Cause if your friends don't dance And if they don't dance Then they ain't no friends of mine
We can dance and have fun together, but if your friends are not cool enough to join, they are not really your friends.
I'm the fresh prince And that means I'm Will
I am referencing the TV show 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and implying that I am Will Smith's character and therefore a cool, fresh prince.
I get kick in the back From gorillas, but chill that's the skill that I pack
I may face troubles or hindrances, but I can handle it and still be cool.
Old schoolers bop cooler while we movin' through the spot Cruisin' through the roof '88 frames on Adidas track suit
Old-schoolers have their unique style, but we are cruising through with our new style wearing Adidas track suits from 1988.
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
Repeating the chorus, encouraging people to dance and beatbox.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EVAN INGERSOLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Moynan
Break it
Bop it
Niggas beat-boxin'
I do what I do like I do it for TV
I guess what I'm doin' I'm doin' to keep the
Shoes on my feet sweeter than sweet peas
So you sucker MC's really can't out-step me
I grab 'em like I rock 'em from 9-5
Self employed, kickin' puppies is my hobby and job
Easy rock be's with bass, ladies callin' me Rob
Bass, bass, bass, bass
I'm on my '88 shit
Cuban link chains and Gezel frame lens
Guess Jeans, stone-washed
Rockin' top 10 beats
Flickin' on my fit
I got my foot lookin' like a '88 draft pick
Is that sick? It gets sicker than the flu
And sir, you came to pretend I'm you
Attain you a class on how to be cool
And in fact, I'm the superintendent of the school
Uh, yeah and I'm back on my job
I press and twist knobs
Just to make your head nod
All you wack rappers need to keep your day job
And my work here is done, I'm a take the day off
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
We know who this be, it's me, no secrets
Stuck to the beat and glued to the sequence
Igloos freezin' less than we is
You can catch us walkin' on the weekend
While you awkwardly breathin'
From all the second hand smoke
Nigga, you a square
Lit you at the tip, blow it in the air
We don't play fair
And that's a fact
Separate the people from the squares
Like a nicotine patch
Lookie here, quite honestly
You're gonna have to pardon me
I'm a modern day fly machine
Yes sir, that's absurd
But the best word to describe would be "ah"
Piffed, mad as me
Which hand is free?
Shake the one that is and I gotta handle my biz
Until I got the achin' ribs
Salute to all them scally-wags and fresh kids, yes
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
We can dance if you wanna
We can leave your friends behind
Cause if your friends don't dance
And if they don't dance
Then they ain't no friends of mine
Yo, it just hit me
I'm the fresh prince
And that means I'm Will
And I chill with the chicks in the back
On the real in my ville
I get kick in the back
From gorillas, but chill that's the skill that I pack
Sonny, you need to rottweiler to do the wop
Old schoolers bop cooler while we movin' through the spot
Cruisin' through the roof '88 frames on Adidas track suit
Ask who? Be quiet when the game's on
Cause I'm in champion ship
And I going through time in my championship
We cannot fall
So I'm leaving you with these 3 words
Yes, yes ya'll
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
Statikcitten9
This song just popped in my head and made my drive to work with my raggedy ass coworkers Soooo much better ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
Lefty southpawofdetttth
I've been a hiphop fan since 89. These guys criminally underrated
Lslice
Howโs it feel to know that you have been a fan of them longer then I have even been alive๐คฃ
Auntoneyo Funtease
What the hell? 11 years ago. This song is super dope.
HI
Dope ass beat
Jesse Moynan
Break it
Bop it
Niggas beat-boxin'
I do what I do like I do it for TV
I guess what I'm doin' I'm doin' to keep the
Shoes on my feet sweeter than sweet peas
So you sucker MC's really can't out-step me
I grab 'em like I rock 'em from 9-5
Self employed, kickin' puppies is my hobby and job
Easy rock be's with bass, ladies callin' me Rob
Bass, bass, bass, bass
I'm on my '88 shit
Cuban link chains and Gezel frame lens
Guess Jeans, stone-washed
Rockin' top 10 beats
Flickin' on my fit
I got my foot lookin' like a '88 draft pick
Is that sick? It gets sicker than the flu
And sir, you came to pretend I'm you
Attain you a class on how to be cool
And in fact, I'm the superintendent of the school
Uh, yeah and I'm back on my job
I press and twist knobs
Just to make your head nod
All you wack rappers need to keep your day job
And my work here is done, I'm a take the day off
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
We know who this be, it's me, no secrets
Stuck to the beat and glued to the sequence
Igloos freezin' less than we is
You can catch us walkin' on the weekend
While you awkwardly breathin'
From all the second hand smoke
Nigga, you a square
Lit you at the tip, blow it in the air
We don't play fair
And that's a fact
Separate the people from the squares
Like a nicotine patch
Lookie here, quite honestly
You're gonna have to pardon me
I'm a modern day fly machine
Yes sir, that's absurd
But the best word to describe would be "ah"
Piffed, mad as me
Which hand is free?
Shake the one that is and I gotta handle my biz
Until I got the achin' ribs
Salute to all them scally-wags and fresh kids, yes
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
We can dance if you wanna
We can leave your friends behind
Cause if your friends don't dance
And if they don't dance
Then they ain't no friends of mine
Yo, it just hit me
I'm the fresh prince
And that means I'm Will
And I chill with the chicks in the back
On the real in my ville
I get kick in the back
From gorillas, but chill that's the skill that I pack
Sonny, you need to rottweiler to do the wop
Old schoolers bop cooler while we movin' through the spot
Cruisin' through the roof '88 frames on Adidas track suit
Ask who? Be quiet when the game's on
Cause I'm in champion ship
And I going through time in my championship
We cannot fall
So I'm leaving you with these 3 words
Yes, yes ya'll
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
(Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and)
(Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin')
Do the smurf, Do the wop, Baseball bat
Rooftop, like I'm bringin' '88 back
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
Smurf it, Wop it, at the bus stop and
Break it, Bop it, Niggas beat-boxin'
M. D. G
Funny how you just posted this less than an hour ago...I've beeen going through my 'The Cool Kids' & 'Sir Michael Rocks' library. Respect!!! you're a real hip-hop head!!!
Jesse Moynan
@M. D. G my man
Joe Shiz
So many gs in the comments feels good knowing there still people who know what the best hip hop is
CJ
The original OG mixtape version