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 pageβtheir 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."
Roll Call
The Cool Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll call
Arrive and state your name
It's like bust that (bust that), what was that (what was that)?
It's Mike Rocks, take a look at the top
I had the Iceberg sweaters and the jeans
Back in '01
Cargo get-up, inside all leather
Point a loud bitch if you know one
Talking about shopping sprees
Damn, now we on one
I'm just kidding, ain't gonna be
No bag-getting, casino
Throwaways, throw their chips in
Throw it in the bag, like
The bag that the chips in
Bag after bag of that cabbage we twisting
Thinking about our existence
And sticking to the mission
You could get a lot off top
Or you could get that pot
That you been pinching
If you was listening
We've been to Michigan Ave
With bag handlers on hand
And sandals on sand
Put 20 on the game, man
That's plenty in the tank
But never scratch
Let me battle back
This for all y'all
Roll call
Arrive and state your name
It's like bust that, whose that?
It's Charles Chop and it
Don't stop. The governor, the mayor
The president, the Westerner
I'm dressing in some Guess jeans
Pocket buzzing text messages
Left hand roll it, pass me the lighter
Right hand jab job to your face
Like we're fighting. Uppercutting
Feeling tougher than a leather seat
To the ground like I threw you down
From a couple stories
Don't drop it, don't look it mommy
I got the key in the ignition
We at the corner store kicking it, this is it
This that shit, the ? rhymes that'll
Stick to your ribs, kid
Bite this homie, that's bad for
Your wellness. Health insurance coverage
Couldn't cover regardless
You looking like us and we ain't even
Get started! That's why we don't believe you
Power to the people
This for all y'all
Roll call
Arrive and state your name
It's like bust that, whose that?
Now what you know about a cold winter
In the middle of Chicago?
Sitting 20 inches up, precipitation
On the pavement, I've been waiting for
The warm weather, this sweater's getting
Heavy on me, getting sweaty while I'm getting
Ever-ready, like a wrestler, mentally in shape
I train about 5 times a day for like
9 hours straight. Tied tight on my waist
Run a mile under 3 it's a breeze
I can do it all angles: 90 degrees
Gotta keep your knees up, Young Buck
Never ease up, kids take a seat
It's time to meet teach. Mike rock
Economics while I be on physics
JP engineers while Chuck instructs English
We up in this, don't think for one minute
I'll play dumb, you dumbs, you come
Sit front and center. Pay attention
To the lessons of professors
Speaking to our generation: now or never
This for all y'all
Roll call
Arrive and state your name
It's like bust that, whose that?
Chip 216, it only take about an hour
For a young G to get ready. How long it's gonna
Take you lightweights to get heavy?
A lot of niggas got rock, but my rock's steady
System, a couple misfits with some 'fetti
Ride round LA blowing them trees
I need a soccer mom like that MILF off Weeds
Who sell trees so I can pay rent for her
With this, she says she needs a Raging Bull
Husband must be fired and
Paypal's the new-new
No need to wire that invoice balance
Sweat is the challenge
Hop on turnpipes, smoke out in palace
? Benz, Lez, whatever I decide to
? don't own foreign cars, but I do!
? eyes with your Piru
And shut these corny rapping ?
This for all y'all
Roll call
Arrive and state your name
It's like bust that, whose that?
James Jones from the drug zone
The simley happy ?
And the black troops
I had to grab more ? with react juice
Started with the ? gun on my belt loop
The black-on-black Force Ones with the black swoosh
Like a box of Chex Mix
Triple fat Goose, rocking Goretex
And Air Max boots
My CD 3/4 Charles Barkley
Had me dunking on my teachers in ?
Took me running from police on the concrete
Without scuffing my Timberland or Nike
Team Wolverine, you have been ?
They call me King of the concrete
And I'm Jimmy Dean: high top beat
With this ? team on my ? sport team
? get some courtside seats
The lyrics of the song Roll Call by The Cool Kids, feat. Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, and Boldy James, is about introducing themselves while reflecting on their past experiences. The first verse talks about having Iceberg sweaters and cargo get-up with inside leather in the early 2000s. They also reference shopping sprees and casino trips. The second verse features Charles Chop's bragging about his Guess jeans and left-hand rolling while dishing out jabs like they're fighting. The third verse is about Chicago's cold winter and a young person's physical training. The fourth verse is Chip Tha Ripper talking about his preparations and his fancy cars. Lastly, Boldy James, describes his past experiences running from the police and sneakers.
Overall, the lyrics reflect on the past and the present lives of the artists. They talk about how they got into fame and celebrate their achievements. They also show their personalities in playful ways.
Line by Line Meaning
This for all y'all
This is for everyone listening
Roll call
Introduce yourself and state your name
Arrive and state your name
Come here and tell us who you are
It's like bust that (bust that), what was that (what was that)?
It's like getting things started, what just happened?
It's Mike Rocks, take a look at the top
It's Mike Rocks, pay attention to his skills
I had the Iceberg sweaters and the jeans
I used to wear Iceberg sweaters and jeans
Back in '01
Back in 2001
Daffy Duck running on the stomach of that sweater
The sweater had a Daffy Duck design on the front
Cargo get-up, inside all leather
I wore a cargo outfit, made of leather on the inside
Point a loud bitch if you know one
If you know someone who is obnoxious, point them out
Talking about shopping sprees
Discussing extravagant shopping trips
Damn, now we on one
Wow, now we're in an excited, energetic state
I'm just kidding, ain't gonna be
I'm only joking, won't actually happen
No bag-getting, casino
No getting money from the casino
Throwaways, throw their chips in
People throw their chips in the bag
Throw it in the bag, like
Put it in the bag, just like that
The bag that the chips in
The bag that holds the chips
Bag after bag of that cabbage we twisting
Countless bags of money that we're accumulating
Thinking about our existence
Contemplating about our purpose in life
And sticking to the mission
Staying focused on our goals and objectives
You could get a lot off top
You can receive a lot of benefits upfront
Or you could get that pot
Or you can get that money
That you been pinching
The money you've been saving
If you was listening
If you were paying attention
We've been to Michigan Ave
We've been to Michigan Avenue
With bag handlers on hand
With people ready to handle our bags
And sandals on sand
Wearing sandals on the beach
Put 20 on the game, man
Bet 20 dollars on the game, man
That's plenty in the tank
That's a sufficient amount of money
But never scratch
But never lose
Let me battle back
Let me make a comeback
It's Charles Chop and it
It's Charles Chop and he's here
Don't stop. The governor, the mayor
Don't stop. Talking about important figures like the governor and the mayor
The president, the Westerner
Including the president and Westerners
I'm dressing in some Guess jeans
I'm wearing Guess jeans
Pocket buzzing text messages
My pocket is buzzing with text messages
Left hand roll it, pass me the lighter
Using my left hand, I roll whatever it is and hand me the lighter
Right hand jab job to your face
Using my right hand, I punch you in the face
Like we're fighting. Uppercutting
Like we're in a fight, using uppercuts
Feeling tougher than a leather seat
Feeling strong and resilient
To the ground like I threw you down
Knocking you down to the ground
From a couple stories
From a multilevel building
Don't drop it, don't look it mommy
Don't drop it, don't overlook it, mommy
I got the key in the ignition
I have the key in the car ignition
We at the corner store kicking it, this is it
We're hanging out at the corner store, this is the place
This that shit, the ? rhymes that'll
This is that dope music, the clever rhymes that will
Stick to your ribs, kid
Stay in your mind, resonate with you, kid
Bite this homie, that's bad for
Copy this, my friend, that's harmful for
Your wellness. Health insurance coverage
Your well-being. Health insurance protection
Couldn't cover regardless
Couldn't provide adequate coverage
You looking like us and we ain't even
You look similar to us, and we haven't even
Get started! That's why we don't believe you
Begun yet! That's why we don't trust you
Power to the people
Empowerment to the people
Now what you know about a cold winter
What do you know about harsh winters
In the middle of Chicago?
In the heart of Chicago?
Sitting 20 inches up, precipitation
Sitting 20 inches above the ground, referring to snowfall
On the pavement, I've been waiting for
On the ground, I have been patiently waiting for
The warm weather, this sweater's getting
The warmer climate, this sweater is becoming
Heavy on me, getting sweaty while I'm getting
Heavy on me, causing me to sweat
Ever-ready, like a wrestler, mentally in shape
Constantly prepared, like a wrestler, mentally fit
I train about 5 times a day for like
I train about 5 times a day, for around
9 hours straight. Tied tight on my waist
9 consecutive hours. Securely fastened around my waist
Run a mile under 3 it's a breeze
Run a mile in under 3 minutes, it's easy
I can do it all angles: 90 degrees
I can do it from any direction: at a 90 degree angle
Gotta keep your knees up, Young Buck
You have to keep your knees elevated, Young Buck
Never ease up, kids take a seat
Never relax, kids listen up
It's time to meet teach. Mike rock
It's time to meet the teacher. Mike Rock
Economics while I be on physics
Studying economics while I am also focused on physics
JP engineers while Chuck instructs English
JP engineers while Chuck teaches English
We up in this, don't think for one minute
We're here, don't underestimate us for a single moment
I'll play dumb, you dumbs, you come
I'll pretend to be ignorant, while you, who are ignorant, approach
Sit front and center. Pay attention
Sit in the front and center. Listen attentively
To the lessons of professors
To the teachings of the professors
Speaking to our generation: now or never
Addressing our generation: it's now or never
Chip 216, it only take about an hour
Chip from Cleveland, it only takes about an hour
For a young G to get ready. How long it's gonna
For a young gangster to prepare. How long will it take
Take you lightweights to get heavy?
How long will it take you weak individuals to become strong?
A lot of niggas got rock, but my rock's steady
Many people have drugs, but my drug supply is consistent
System, a couple misfits with some 'fetti
System, a couple of outcasts with some money
Ride round LA blowing them trees
Driving around Los Angeles, smoking marijuana
I need a soccer mom like that MILF off Weeds
I want a soccer mom similar to the attractive mother from the TV show 'Weeds'
Who sell trees so I can pay rent for her
Who sells drugs so I can provide the rental payment for her
With this, she says she needs a Raging Bull
With this money, she says she wants an expensive car model
Husband must be fired and
Her husband must be unemployed and
Paypal's the new-new
Paypal is the new popular/effective method
No need to wire that invoice balance
No need to send a bank transfer for the invoice balance
Sweat is the challenge
Overcoming difficulties and working hard is the challenge
Hop on turnpipes, smoke out in palace
Get on a private plane, smoke marijuana in luxury
? Benz, Lez, whatever I decide to
Mercedes-Benz, lesbians, whichever I choose to
? don't own foreign cars, but I do!
Others don't own luxury cars, but I do!
? eyes with your Piru
Red eyes from smoking, representing your affiliation with the Piru gang
And shut these corny rapping ?
And silence these untalented rappers
James Jones from the drug zone
James Jones from the area known for drug dealing
The simley happy ?
The smiling, happy face
And the black troops
And the black soldiers
I had to grab more ? with react juice
I had to grab more money with quick reflexes
Started with the ? gun on my belt loop
Started with the gun on my belt loop
The black-on-black Force Ones with the black swoosh
Wearing all-black Nike Air Force Ones with a black swoosh
Like a box of Chex Mix
Similar to a box of Chex Mix
Triple fat Goose, rocking Goretex
Wearing a triple fat Goose jacket, rocking Goretex
And Air Max boots
And Air Max boots
My CD 3/4 Charles Barkley
My CD of Charles Barkley's 3/4 basketball shot technique
Had me dunking on my teachers in ?
Enabled me to dunk on my teachers in my imagination
Took me running from police on the concrete
Made me run from the police on the streets
Without scuffing my Timberland or Nike
Without damaging my Timberland boots or Nike shoes
Team Wolverine, you have been ?
Team Wolverine, you are selected
They call me King of the concrete
They call me the ruler of the streets
And I'm Jimmy Dean: high top beat
And I'm like Jimmy Dean: rhythm on top
With this ? team on my ? sport team
With this skilled team on my competitive sports team
? get some courtside seats
Provide me with some seats close to the court
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, INGROOVES MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC C/O SOVEREIGN MUSIC
Written by: ANTOINE AMARI REED, ASHER PAUL ROTH, CHARLES WORTH, EVAN ARMAN INGERSOLL, JAMES CLAY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeremy Ryals
dope. been listening to the cool kids since 06.. toast to nearly 10 years of giving us awesome music #chuckinglish #sirmichaelrocks
EclecticSoul
This joint still rocks
Canadian Amateur Film Dude
needs to go viral!
SCRU SOBA
is this underrated or what
Chuck Inglish
probably
Nab
Forever motivates me.
rey Dot47
Just now realizing Boldy beeeeen cold!!!
DEVINE
This beat sound like they wanted mac Miller on it but settled with ash Roth
Gaylord Faulker
Lmao funny but I like Asherβs verse
Jive Talk
I need this instrumental