Featuring MCs Qwazaar, Qwel, and Denizen Kane, producer DJ Natural and media assassin Kid Knish, Typical dropped a self-titled full-length album, Typical Cats, on Galapagos4 Records in 2002, and began a relentless campaign to restore a fallen hip hop world to its former promise and glory. The talent assembled was unmistakable, the sound created was formidable. Firmly planted in tradition, unorthodox in invention and possessed of a strength only earned in the furnace of experience, their sound is the future that hip hop's past would have had if its present weren't held hostage by the uninspired and unrepentant. A flurry of solo projects later, Chicago's prodigal sons return. Hip hoppers rejoice. Suckers duck and cover. Typical Cats come to conquer. Battle champs, hotline legends, poetry circuit kings. Typical cats released their second album titled Civil Service in 2004.
Typical Cats return, the last of the great true school crews—bearers of transformed tradition, innovators par excellence, and heralds of an undying devotion to the science and magic of boom bap music. The latest installment in the TC saga is 3, their third studio full-length. It plays like a message in a bottle from Hip Hop’s timeless present to the bizarre post-physical, digital, viral world in which we live. DJ Natural’s production chops have only deepened with time, and the rugged loops of the self-titled “Orange Album” and the live instrumentation of Civil Service have melded to yield a mélange of soul, jazz, funk, roots, radical politics, and a sly refusal to bend to the dictates of current fashion. Kid Knish reprises his role as hip hop’s all-time greatest unseen crew member (sorry, Jarobi), serving up samples, historical references, and vinyl oddities for Natural to slice and serve as android slabs of production genius.
TC’s trio of MCs—Qwel, Denizen Kane, and Qwazaar—rhyme like men breathing from the soles of their feet. The basis of their legend is in full effect—crackling chemistry, unnerving flow, and true stories. The album plays like a jazz-era cutting session turned confessional booth, a stylistically freewheeling effort threaded together by moments of revelation, underpinned by fiercely focused production and dominated by stories of journey, moments of transformation, and warnings against coming catastrophe. For TC, the MC is a misunderstood figure, a musical seer, a minor prophet, and reluctant hustler, using words to outwit enemies, trump circumstances, and emerge from the belly of the beast with respect and rent money.
Highlights abound—Kane returning to his spoken word roots on “Denizen Walks Away,” Qwel giving his early battle rap classics a run for their money on nickel-plated platters like “My Watch” and “Gordeon Knock,” and Qwazaar flexing uncanny musical intuition, anchoring the record with meditative efforts on “Puzzling Thing” and “Reflections from the Porch” before pummeling tracks like “Better Luck” and “On My Square.” Although the LP is studded with solo shots, crew tracks are the soul of the record. “On My Square” opens with a flurry of horns before exploding into an array of signature styles—multisyllabic combinations from Qwel, laid-back but incisive chatting from Kane, and a classic Qwa verse full of declarations, threats, and witticisms, all cemented by a Qwel chorus imbued with requisite layers of meaning. Natural’s production evolves with each verse, sliding from Meters style guitars with knocking drums to moody keys with ease.
The first single, “The Crown” is a frenetic display of jagged guitars and style-shifting that makes it a perfect complement to the Orange Album’s classic “Reinventing.” The name, however, is something of a misnomer. TC have never been interested in being kings. They’ve been griots shouting from the village limits, stoning the village idiots, interrupting thieves, and solidifying sterling reputations as rappers’ rappers, smokers’ smokers, underground Gs, tribal chiefs. There will never be another Typical Cats. They leave the set like five men exiting a burning building, leaving wrecked stages and a catalog of classics in their wake. With their exodus, we find ourselves suddenly grown, having come of age with the culture, standing, as always, at the crossroads. With the music, we move like Gayle Sayers, howl like Magic Sam, see the city like a kid on the project bench, and mark it all down in a black book that will never close. It is what it is. Forever.
QWAZAAR - A native of Chicago's gritty Low End, Qwazaar strikes from hip hop's essence. Whether the subject matter is inner city or interplanetary, the flow remains untouchable - a percussive yet fluid attack that evokes South Side rain and helicopter blades in a single breath. The content is heavy-a holdover from days when this veteran MC (No Pity/Outerlimitz) had to lyrically slay rivals to earn his sterling rep. "After the dust settles, witness the blood puddles..." Lights out, kids. The Q-W-A is here.
QWEL - You first saw his name dangling a quarter mile up on a suspension bridge from your scratch-bombed window on the Orange line. You first heard that distinctive melodic/abrasive storm of syllables on old Nacro and Scam Artist tapes with inserts printed at the Kinko's. Now the heat's been perfected and this nasty North Side revelation music rebel is out to wake the sleepers. From Ted Turner's devil ass to the so-called competition, everyone and their mama gets dealt with when the kid laces up his boots.
DENIZEN KANE - From the rum and Coke rumble of Chicago's North Side flow spots to the celluloid veneer of Def Poetry Jam's main stage, Denizen Kane rips the party with a poet's heart and an outsider's eye. Journalistic, impressionistic, real-life and drastic, young Kane's late night Red Line revelations turn into heathen hymns on tape, capturing the moody face of the metropolis in color. How long can a lost one roam until he finds his way home? Listen to your city fall apart through the muddy mouth of an immigrant.
Cliché
Typical Cats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never got toys like Christmas in the projects
You rock sets is play this dude braggin' you ain't famous
Tighter than vacuums and gets looser than faggots anus
Doper emcees none existent like RuPaul's clit is
Can't tell if your dick or pussy like topless infants
Couldn't spit sick 'ish kid lickin' your cold sores
And leave you scared to drop shit like school stalls with no doors
Your fly like crippled Ostrich's I scare heads underground
And break it down like midget B-boys screamin' mathematics
When style switches faster than faggots rockin' their thongs backwards
Ask if I'll kill your career with one verse
You couldn't beat me to death if I let you jump first
He's a pussy on the low don't fuck with Philippine cuisine
Deeper than Mexican philosophy and Chevy submarines
What's he mean I think he means your whack beat
In fact I'm harder to catch than hailin' taxis with black peeps
Get in your ass so fast shit scabs when the cops come
Guilty as charged blowin' minds like Shanno with shotguns
Hold nuts like padded rooms whack raps can't plead insanity
Just cause I stand over you don't mean you understand me
Man please I'm way to fucking dope to be this humble
And knock you out the frame like Christmas pictures with your drunk uncle
Like fuck Qwel and his whole team those irrelevant flows
I'm diggin' in the crates and these (?????) on telephone poles
Hope I might choke your as whack as you white jokes
The only cat to drop lines like Samoans on tight ropes
Motherfuckers can't even respond what can he say
'Cause after the battle he's more like yo I ain't want to win anyway
And Qwel ain't shit like I ain't lose he ain't even rappin' right
Damn right I'm an asshole you pussies ain't even half as tight
To and fro fluid flow you know I'm splittin' speakers
Try pressin' promos on boomerangs them shits is cheaper
Punch lines
Now a days it's the ways of the underground
If I don't stay on the rest tell me who the hell will
When it really comes down to it two kids
Before braggin' how big my dick was this Bic-smudged note pad
Was dad to whip his ass and change his whole fad
Now its proud to be the loudest so what you damage mics
Battle cats claim to be deep just cause they seen Titanic twice
You can and might say something worthwhile you'd rather be wild
Huge dick liar's I'd rather teach with freestyles
Entertainment got played quick no thanks bitch dick
Fuck my kids don't need your playground education content not sayin' shit
Master the art of momma jokes while flippin' used beats
I'll teach your kids about god they'll kill you when you sleep
Don't be role models be honest using loose leaf loosely
The same cats that's hatin' Puffy they be chasin' Luci
You wasn't preachin' beat before tellin' lies in the street
Keep it rough neck I'll flip subjects success mean getting sleep
Don't take it out on us cause the love wasn't there
Hip-Hop will show you love but the world doesn't care
About you big dick sick shit lunatic drug abuse kid
I've got some herb and words to give now lets make some music
The song "Cliché" by Typical Cats is a rap that is filled with punch lines that discuss the art of rap and the underground scene. The song starts with Qwels boasting about his skills and how he is able to drop technical rhymes without any difficulty. He raps about how he never got any toys for Christmas while growing up in the projects. The lyrics also talk about how other rappers do not really have any substance in their music, and are just bragging about nothing at all. They are tighter than vacuums and looser than 'faggot's anus'; another insult aimed towards the meaningless boasting that surrounds the rap culture.
The song continues with other rapper, Qwel, replying, saying that he is too dope to be humble about his skills. He talks about how he is digging in the crates while the other kids are bragging about their non-existent skills. He makes reference to cats who claim to be deep just because they have seen the movie "Titanic" a couple of times. He thinks that rappers who spend a lot of time bragging about their skills should instead try to teach with their freestyles, instead of just trying to entertain people. He ends the song by saying that the world doesn't care about you, and that Hip-Hop will show you love, and how he's determined to make music.
Line by Line Meaning
See Qwels way past math to drop techs on future prospects
Qwel is highly skilled and experienced in using technology to create music that will appeal to people in the future.
Never got toys like Christmas in the projects
Growing up in the projects, Typical Cats did not have access to the same luxuries that other children had.
You rock sets is play this dude braggin' you ain't famous
The person boasting about their skill in rocking a crowd is not actually well-known or famous.
Tighter than vacuums and gets looser than faggots anus
Their skills are very tight and precise, but can also switch and change easily.
Doper emcees none existent like RuPaul's clit is
The group believes that there are no better emcees than themselves, similar to the idea that RuPaul does not have a visible, physical clit.
Can't tell if your dick or pussy like topless infants
The group is unsure of the gender and identity of the person they are addressing, similar to how a topless infant's gender may not be immediately identifiable.
Couldn't spit sick 'ish kid lickin' your cold sores
The person's rhymes are so weak that they can only insult someone by referencing their cold sores and implying that they have herpes.
And leave you scared to drop shit like school stalls with no doors
After the group's harsh criticism, the person may be hesitant to release any new music, similar to the feeling of using a bathroom with no privacy.
Wonder how this fucker whispers thunder sounds
Despite the person's quiet demeanor, they are still able to make a huge impact with their music.
Your fly like crippled Ostrich's I scare heads underground
The person's style is so unique and unusual that it has the power to shock and intimidate the listener.
And break it down like midget B-boys screamin' mathematics
The group's rhymes and beats are so precise and complex that they can only be compared to the precision of a midget B-boy's dance moves.
When style switches faster than faggots rockin' their thongs backwards
The group can effortlessly switch and adapt their style, much like how a gay man may switch between different fashion styles or preferences.
Ask if I'll kill your career with one verse
The group is confident in their ability to end someone's career with just one powerful verse.
You couldn't beat me to death if I let you jump first
The group is so skilled and talented that even in a physical altercation, the other person would not be able to defeat them, even with a head start.
He's a pussy on the low don't fuck with Philippine cuisine
The person is not as tough as they pretend to be, and they may also not be open to trying new things, such as Philippine cuisine.
Deeper than Mexican philosophy and Chevy submarines
The group's lyrics and music have a deeper meaning and complexity than even the most profound Mexican philosophical ideas or extremely advanced Chevy submarines.
What's he mean I think he means your whack beat
The person directing the question is confused by the other person's comment, but they believe that they are criticizing the quality of the music.
In fact I'm harder to catch than hailin' taxis with black peeps
The group is elusive and difficult to pin down, much like a taxi driver unwilling to stop for black passengers.
Get in your ass so fast shit scabs when the cops come
The group attacks their opponents quickly and relentlessly, to the point that it may cause physical injury or pain.
Guilty as charged blowin' minds like Shanno with shotguns
The group is admitting to their crimes of making music that is so good and inspiring that it blows people's minds, much like a person being guilty of using a shotgun to hunt.
Hold nuts like padded rooms whack raps can't plead insanity
The group has a firm grip and control on their music, similar to someone securely holding onto padded walls in a mental institution. They also believe that bad music cannot be excused or pardoned by insanity pleas in court.
Just cause I stand over you don't mean you understand me
The group is authority figures in the world of hip-hop, but that does not mean that the other person is able to fully comprehend or appreciate their music.
Man please I'm way to fucking dope to be this humble
The group believes that their music is too great for them to act modest or humble about it.
And knock you out the frame like Christmas pictures with your drunk uncle
The group can easily overshadow and outperform someone, much like how a drunk uncle may ruin a Christmas picture by being in the frame.
Like fuck Qwel and his whole team those irrelevant flows
The group is dismissive of Qwel and his crew's flow and rhymes, implying that they are outdated and no longer relevant.
I'm diggin' in the crates and these (?????) on telephone poles
The group is searching for and discovering amazing, rare music that has been forgotten or overlooked, much like how people may find lost items posted on telephone poles.
Hope I might choke your as whack as you white jokes
The group hopes that the other person's music will be so bad that they will choke on it, similar to how some jokes can fall flat and be uncomfortable, especially in regards to race.
The only cat to drop lines like Samoans on tight ropes
The group is the only one to deliver rhymes with such precision and skill, much like how Samoan warriors may walk on tight ropes with ease.
Motherfuckers can't even respond what can he say
The other person is unable to respond to the group's powerful rhymes and criticism.
'Cause after the battle he's more like yo I ain't want to win anyway
The other person may try to save face and downplay their loss by claiming that they did not care about winning in the first place.
And Qwel ain't shit like I ain't lose he ain't even rappin' right
The group believes that Qwel is not talented and is not rapping correctly.
Damn right I'm an asshole you pussies ain't even half as tight
The group is unapologetic for their harsh criticism, and they believe that the other person's rhymes are not nearly as impressive or tight as theirs.
To and fro fluid flow you know I'm splittin' speakers
The group's music and lyrics flow smoothly and effortlessly, and can even cause speakers to distort or break.
Try pressin' promos on boomerangs them shits is cheaper
The group is implying that some people will try to promote and sell their music in unconventional, ineffective ways, such as using boomerangs, which can be cheaper than traditional methods.
Now a days it's the ways of the underground
Currently, the underground hip-hop scene is becoming more popular and mainstream.
If I don't stay on the rest tell me who the hell will
The group is concerned that if they do not continue to push the boundaries of underground hip-hop, then no one else will.
Before braggin' how big my dick was this Bic-smudged note pad
Before boasting about their success and skill, the group had to start with humble beginnings and create music on cheap, low-quality materials like a smudged notepad.
Was dad to whip his ass and change his whole fad
The group's upbringing and discipline helped them to mature and improve their skills, unlike someone who may stubbornly refuse to change or adapt.
Battle cats claim to be deep just cause they seen Titanic twice
Some hip-hop artists claim to be profound and intellectual based on shallow experiences, such as watching the movie Titanic multiple times.
You can and might say something worthwhile you'd rather be wild
The other person has the potential to create meaningful music, but they prefer to prioritize their wild or rebellious image instead.
Huge dick liar's I'd rather teach with freestyles
The group believes that some artists may exaggerate or lie about their skills and accomplishments, whereas they prefer to showcase their talent through their freestyle rapping.
Entertainment got played quick no thanks bitch dick
The group does not want to participate in shallow or gimmicky entertainment, and they refuse to engage with people who try to offer them that kind of content or experience.
Fuck my kids don't need your playground education content not sayin' shit
The group does not want their children exposed to shallow or crass entertainment or education that does not provide any real value or insight.
Master the art of momma jokes while flippin' used beats
The group has mastered the art of humor and wit, as well as the ability to create something new and amazing from recycled or used music beats.
I'll teach your kids about god they'll kill you when you sleep
The group believes that their music has an important message and value, and that it may even have the power to inspire people to act, even violently, in order to defend their beliefs and values.
Don't be role models be honest using loose leaf loosely
The group wants to be genuine and authentic in their music and persona, and they do not want to be forced into being role models or positive examples for others to follow.
The same cats that's hatin' Puffy they be chasin' Luci
The group is criticizing those who claim to hate or reject mainstream music artists like Puff Daddy, but are actually still interested and invested in their lifestyle and fame, similar to the biblical character Lucifer.
You wasn't preachin' beat before tellin' lies in the street
The other person has not been consistent in their messages or values, and they may have even been hypocritical or dishonest in their music and persona.
Keep it rough neck I'll flip subjects success mean getting sleep
The group prefers to be raw and unfiltered in their music and message, and they believe that true success comes from hard work and dedication, not necessarily from fame or fortune.
Don't take it out on us cause the love wasn't there
The group is not responsible for the lack of love or support that some people may feel, and they should not direct their anger or frustration towards the group.
Hip-Hop will show you love but the world doesn't care
Hip-hop culture and music can be a source of love and acceptance for some people, but in general, the rest of the world may not care or show the same level of respect or appreciation.
About you big dick sick shit lunatic drug abuse kid
The group is criticizing the other person for being crude and offensive, as well as possibly engaging in dangerous and harmful behaviors like drug abuse.
I've got some herb and words to give now lets make some music
The group is ready to create and collaborate with others, and they have a positive and peaceful attitude towards their craft and artistry.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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