Armed with an Ensoniq ASR-88, a few records, and a computer, Trackademicks … Read Full Bio ↴Armed with an Ensoniq ASR-88, a few records, and a computer, Trackademicks has begun to capture the attention of those who keep their ear to the beat, effectively articulating himself through sound to others. In a climate where producers and artists pride themselves on having a particular sound, he brings a tremendous amount of variety to the table. Hailing from Alameda, an island located off the coast of Oakland, CA, Trackademicks makes music driven by the same philosophy that made him; mix it up. Born to a Filipino father from the Bay Area and a Black mother from Richmond, VA, his cultural diversity inherently translates itself into the music. Like California Cuisine, I take ingredients and influences from all over to add to our local tastes and create something appealing to everyone.
Taking cue from his parents modest record collection, Trackademicks musical influences have always spanned the musical spectrum. Long before hip-hop became his creative point of reference, artists ranging from Sergio Mendes, The Doors, Sade, Bob James, to Tears For Fears, Wham!, and Cherelle made their impact on this grade school band student. It wouldnt be long, though, before the independent spirit of the thriving mid-90s Bay Areas rap scene would take its hold on Trackademicks. This interest in hip-hop would quickly grow beyond the local scene. With all of these different influences present in his music, Trackademicks is one of many helping to change the soundscape of popular culture by changing the way culture is presented in music.
Whether he's remixing artists across the international dateline or doing tracks for artists across the Bay Bridge, Trackademicks represents a progressive school of thought that is not held captive to preexisting musical boundaries. And in that school, Trackademicks is a star student. As member of the Honor Roll, an East Bay Area-based collective, he and his peers are building upon the foundation that was laid by artists such as the Neptunes, Andre 3000, and Kanye West, whove expanded the definition of what hip-hop can be on a mainstream level. In an industry where the streets are gridlocked with artists, Trackademicks has decided to take the freeway... and there seems to be no traffic at all.

Fool On The Hill
Trackademicks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Trackademicks:]
Yeah, people always seem to question me, asking me irrationally
Did I chose my destiny? Will money be my apogee?
End all, be all, nah that's a seesaw
Even when you balling, you can always hit the bottom
Every single morning's like a practice on how to get up
So I don't get my ass kicked, I'm doing mostly sit-ups
Supporters bout to tag this like writers doing hit-ups

With that "it" factor, now they all tryna get us
Or get with us like a bad chick with a body
Always acting kinda naughty like she handing out punani
And she ain't gagging like a lolly?
I must be popping if that's how bad you want me
Cause just a minute ago I had original flows
And exceptionally slap with professional tact
To keep the fresh on the map, but they weren't messing with that
But now they are, cause this emcee's a lesson in that

[Chorus: Trackademicks]
They always ask you, dude how you feel?
You look like you just found a two dollar bill
Is that right? Well who got the skrill'?
It couldn't be me, I'm just a fool on the hill
And the world keeps spinning round
Nothing y'all say could ever get me down
And the world keeps spinning round
For those who didn't feel me, bet you feel me now

[Phonte:]
Yeah, uh, yellow like caution, pause as your boy paint a portrait
Of the artist as a young man starving
Young man learning with so many turns and twists
In his flow that you might get carsick

Might be awarded for beefing
But you don't wanna beef hoe nigga, eat a parsnip
Might see niggas act bitch but then they wanna switch
And hitch they little red wagon to your starship
Please Mister Coleman, Phontigga beg your pardon
Don't mean to gloat, but I would love to float
Up on your love boat to get away from my hardship
Now I see why niggas be on that rockstar shit
Because the game will make you paranoid
And all your friends and your foes say it come with the territory
They wanna watch you die slow like Miss Evans voice
So when I do my own thing, I know I'm better for it, uh

[Chorus: Phonte]

[Trackademicks:]
I told her I'm a need some space now
She told me look up at the night sky, you won't find it face down
I can see she on the chase now
Don't she know no one's gonna take her place now?
She told me don't forget the little people grinding
Open your eyelids, where I live my time spent with giants
Mind states supersized, mine is the small fry's
Why underestimate the impact you had on mine?
I'm rolling with bosses who know what the cost is
Know what the work is, know how to bargain
Know how to work this
Know when to pause at the politics and nonsense that curse this
So when you catch me in traffic I'm passing
The gridlocking, shit-talking road rage for open lanes

And don't try to slow me down
Cause when they hold me down, that's when I float away

Overall Meaning

Trackademicks starts his verse by saying that people always question him irrationally about his destiny and if money will be his apogee. He responds by saying that success is like a seesaw, even when one is at the top, they can still hit rock bottom. Every morning feels like practice on how to get up and he's doing those sit-ups to avoid getting his ass kicked. The supporters tag him like writers doing hit-ups with an "it" factor, and now everyone wants to get with him like a bad chick with a body. He concludes that he must be popping if that's how bad they want him.

The chorus has Trackademicks saying that people always ask him how he feels and comment on how he looks. He doesn't have the money and is just a fool on the hill, but the world keeps spinning round, and nothing can get him down. Those who didn't feel him before will now feel him. Phonte comes in with his verse, talking about how he's learning and twisting with so many turns and twists that you might get carsick. The game will make you paranoid, and all your friends and foes will come with the territory. He tells Mr Coleman that he doesn't mean to gloat, but he wants to get away from his hardship like the Love Boat.

Trackademicks concludes the song by talking about a woman who told him to look at the night sky to find his space. She's on the chase now, and nobody's going to take her place. He's rolling with bosses who know what the cost of the game is and how to bargain. He knows how to work, pause the politics and nonsense that curse the game, and not let anyone slow him down because that's when he floats away. The lyrics seem to encourage a never-give-up, keep-moving mentality in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, people always seem to question me, asking me irrationally
People frequently ask nonsensical questions to me and question my choices.

Did I chose my destiny? Will money be my apogee?
Did I choose my fate? Will money be the height of my success?

End all, be all, nah that's a seesaw
The ultimate goal is constantly fluctuating and not fixed.

Even when you balling, you can always hit the bottom
Even when you're successful, you can still fall.

Every single morning's like a practice on how to get up
Every morning feels like practicing how to handle difficulties.

So I don't get my ass kicked, I'm doing mostly sit-ups
To avoid getting defeated, I am working hard to be prepared.

Supporters bout to tag this like writers doing hit-ups
My supporters are about to promote me just as writers would promote their work.

With that 'it' factor, now they all tryna get us
My success has attracted attention and now everyone wants a piece.

Or get with us like a bad chick with a body
People are trying to associate or collaborate with me due to my success, just as someone might try to date an attractive person.

Always acting kinda naughty like she handing out punani
People are eagerly trying to get involved with me, similar to someone who is promiscuous.

And she ain't gagging like a lolly?
Is she not pursuing me eagerly?

I must be popping if that's how bad you want me
I must be successful or popular if people are trying so hard to associate with me.

Cause just a minute ago I had original flows
My creative work was once ignored or overlooked.

And exceptionally slap with professional tact
My work is very good and done with skill and finesse.

To keep the fresh on the map, but they weren't messing with that
Although my work was good, it wasn't receiving attention or being recognized.

But now they are, cause this emcee's a lesson in that
However, now people have noticed and learned that I am talented.

They always ask you, dude how you feel?
People constantly ask me how I'm doing or feeling.

You look like you just found a two dollar bill
People often remark on my appearance or facial expressions.

Is that right? Well who got the skrill'?
Is that so? Well, who has the money?

It couldn't be me, I'm just a fool on the hill
I don't have the money or success people assume I have; I am actually not that important or successful.

And the world keeps spinning round
The world keeps turning and changing, regardless of my personal situation.

Nothing y'all say could ever get me down
Negative comments or criticism from others do not affect me or get me down.

For those who didn't feel me, bet you feel me now
For those who didn't understand or appreciate me before, they are starting to now.

Yellow like caution, pause as your boy paint a portrait
My tone is cautionary, as I describe a story or picture.

Of the artist as a young man starving
The story is about a young artist who is struggling financially.

Young man learning with so many turns and twists
The artist is still learning and experiencing many obstacles and setbacks.

In his flow that you might get carsick
The artist's creative work is so complex or intense that it might make you uncomfortable or dizzy.

Might be awarded for beefing
The artist might receive recognition or attention for starting drama or arguments.

But you don't wanna beef hoe nigga, eat a parsnip
But you don't want to fight or argue with me, instead you should try something pacifying or peaceful.

Might see niggas act bitch but then they wanna switch
People might act weak or cowardly but then want to switch and act tough.

And hitch they little red wagon to your starship
They are trying to associate or benefit from your success, wealth or achievements.

Please Mister Coleman, Phontigga beg your pardon
I apologize or beg forgiveness to Mr. Coleman.

Don't mean to gloat, but I would love to float
I don't mean to brag or boast, but I would love to succeed or be recognized.

Up on your love boat to get away from my hardship
I would like to escape or be free from my troubles and struggles.

Now I see why niggas be on that rockstar shit
Now I see why some people act like rockstars and indulge in hedonistic or extravagant behavior.

Because the game will make you paranoid
The industry or competition can make you become suspicious or excessively cautious.

And all your friends and your foes say it come with the territory
People might expect or accept the negative aspects of the industry or competition.

They wanna watch you die slow like Miss Evans voice
They want to see you fail or decline slowly, like a slow and painful death.

So when I do my own thing, I know I'm better for it, uh
Therefore, I know that doing what I want or creating what makes me happy is the better choice.

I told her I'm a need some space now
I told her that I need some distance or personal space.

She told me look up at the night sky, you won't find it face down
She encouraged me to be optimistic and look up towards the sky, as there is no benefit in being negative or feeling defeated.

I can see she on the chase now
I can see that she is motivated and determined now.

Don't she know no one's gonna take her place now?
Doesn't she realize that she is irreplaceable?

She told me don't forget the little people grinding
She advised me not to forget about the people who are working hard and struggling to succeed.

Open your eyelids, where I live my time spent with giants
Open your eyes and see where I am, surrounded by successful and influential people.

Mind states supersized, mine is the small fry's
The other peoples' mindsets are very large or successful, while mine is considered mediocre or unimportant.

Why underestimate the impact you had on mine?
Why should you underestimate or ignore the effect you had on my life or success?

I'm rolling with bosses who know what the cost is
I am collaborating or working with successful and influential people who know what they should spend money on.

Know what the work is, know how to bargain
They know what needs to be done and how to negotiate effectively.

Know how to work this
They know how to work the system or industry.

Know when to pause at the politics and nonsense that curse this
They know when to stop or delay the distractions or issues that plague the industry or work.

So when you catch me in traffic I'm passing
So, whenever you see me or encounter me, I am actively moving forward and surpassing others.

The gridlocking, shit-talking road rage for open lanes
I am avoiding or surpassing the congestion or negativity that plagues others.

And don't try to slow me down
Don't try to impede or obstruct my progress.

Cause when they hold me down, that's when I float away
Whenever someone or something tries to contain or limit me, I become even more independent and free.

Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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