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 page—their 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."
Dinner Time
The Cool Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What up niggas, how ya'll? It's Mikey, the villain.
I'm still writin' rhymes but besides that I'm chillin.
I'm just posted in the drivin seat of a car in the plane
That's flyin by and I need a guy to come and pilot me because
I'm still in my lane. I'm drivin and the tires beat buried under the frame.
They rollin' I'm a do the same. I gotta keep goin man.
I'm on a top tank in a tank top. Top billing. Can't stop.
Cause it's water drip droppin from the floor to the ceiling.
So, to watch they're show, I'm a have to get a boat.
It's people tryna switch ships but my ship's full.
Homie and I know wool
So if you try to put it over my eyes and pull.
I can't have that. I learned that from drivin school.
[Chorus: x2]
We walk around with our hands in our pockets
Then we rock boxes like three guys from Hollis.
And if you got hands then put 'em up.
Wave 'em around like you just don't give a fuck.
[Verse 2: Chuck]
Yeah, big fish in a small pot.
Pam spray oil. Pan fry, bake, broil.
Grill it if you feel it. I'll deliver if you tippin'
Get it, got it, great. Great job. Wrong business.
Paper towel wrappers. Aluminum foil packages.
On the corner of the shelf to the left of the cabinets.
Made me a sandwich. Poured me a glass of this.
Spelled out CHUCK with the refrigerator magnets.
If it's gon' land on it. Put a bit of cash on it.
Then I'm gon' stand on it.
Probably fly a flag on it.
Hands high if you feelin this shit right.
Right by the book. Two boys on the hook.
[Chorus: x2]
We walk around with our hands in our pockets
Then we rock boxes like three guys from Hollis.
And if you got hands then put 'em up.
Wave 'em around like you just don't give a fuck.
The first verse of The Cool Kids's song Dinner Time is delivered by Mikey, the villain, who provides an overview of his life as a rapper. He brags about still writing rhymes, but also chilling in the driver's seat of a car in a plane that needs a pilot. However, Mikey claims he is still in his lane and keeps driving, with the tires buried under the frame. He compares his drive to those watching paint dry in a room that cannot dry as water drips from the ceiling. To watch their show, they would have to get a boat. Mikey implies that he cannot be fooled, having learned from driving school, implying that he is always moving forward and cannot be swayed.
The second verse is delivered by Chuck, who compares himself to a big fish in a small pot, cooking with Pam spray oil, pan-frying, baking, broiling, or grilling. He is willing to deliver food if people tip him, although he believes he is in the wrong business. Chuck describes the various packaging materials for food, such as paper towel wrappers and aluminum foil, which are found in a corner of the shelf to the left of the cabinets. He also mentions making himself a sandwich and drinking from a glass, which he spelled out with refrigerator magnets. Chuck is willing to gamble on anything and stand on what he believes in, even if it means flying a flag. The two rappers conclude the song with the chorus, where they urge the audience to wave their hands around like they do not care.
Line by Line Meaning
What up niggas, how ya'll? It's Mikey, the villain.
Mikey greets his associates and refers to himself as the villain.
I'm still writin' rhymes but besides that I'm chillin.
Mikey is currently relaxing while still engaging in his passion for songwriting.
I'm just posted in the drivin seat of a car in the plane
Mikey is occupying the driver's seat of a car that is traveling on a plane.
That's flyin by and I need a guy to come and pilot me because
Mikey requires a pilot to assist with flying the car.
I'm still in my lane. I'm drivin and the tires beat buried under the frame.
Mikey is staying in his lane while driving, and the tires are well-worn.
They rollin' I'm a do the same. I gotta keep goin man.
Mikey is determined to continue progressing forward.
I'm on a top tank in a tank top. Top billing. Can't stop.
Mikey is wearing a tank top while riding a motorcycle and has a top position.
Watchin them's like watchin paint dry in a room that can't dry.
Observing others is dull and uneventful.
Cause it's water drip droppin from the floor to the ceiling.
A leak is causing water to drop from the ceiling to the floor.
So, to watch they're show, I'm a have to get a boat.
Mikey needs a boat to watch their show due to the water leak.
It's people tryna switch ships but my ship's full.
Others are attempting to join Mikey's success, but he no longer has room for them.
Homie and I know wool
Mikey and his friend are aware of dishonest behavior.
So if you try to put it over my eyes and pull.
If someone tries to deceive Mikey, it won't work.
I can't have that. I learned that from drivin school.
Mikey's driving school taught him to remain vigilant.
Yeah, big fish in a small pot.
Chuck is highly successful in a small industry.
Pam spray oil. Pan fry, bake, broil.
Chuck is a skilled chef that uses different cooking techniques.
Grill it if you feel it. I'll deliver if you tippin'
Chuck will cook anything if properly incentivized.
Get it, got it, great. Great job. Wrong business.
Chuck is happy with his work, but believes he's not in the right profession.
Paper towel wrappers. Aluminum foil packages.
Chuck has kitchen supplies scattered around his home.
On the corner of the shelf to the left of the cabinets.
Chuck knows the location of his kitchen supplies.
Made me a sandwich. Poured me a glass of this.
Chuck is enjoying a meal his partner made for him.
Spelled out CHUCK with the refrigerator magnets.
Chuck added a personalized touch to his refrigerator with magnet letters.
If it's gon' land on it. Put a bit of cash on it.
Chuck is willing to bet on almost anything.
Then I'm gon' stand on it. Probably fly a flag on it.
Chuck will proudly show off his successes.
Hands high if you feelin this shit right.
Chuck wants his music to be enjoyed actively.
Right by the book. Two boys on the hook.
Chuck is sticking to the rules, alongside his partner.
Contributed by Benjamin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.