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 Kid Knish reprises his role as hip hop’s all-time greatest unseen crew member (sorry, Jarobi), serving up samples, historical references, and vinyl oddities for Natural to slice and serve as android slabs of production genius.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 lyrics of "Cliche" by Typical Cats are full of punch lines and metaphors that criticize the rap scene at the time. The first verse describes Qwel's superior skills, and the inability of others to match his ability. The line "tighter than vacuums and gets looser than faggots anus" juxtaposes the phrases "tighter than vacuums" and "gets looser than faggots anus" which are both representations of extremes. The second verse, delivered by Denizen Kane, speaks about his self-confidence and his mastery of the art of rap. The last lines of the verse "Don't be role models, be honest using loose leaf loosely, the same cats that's hatin' Puffy they be chasin' Luci" criticize the hypocrisy of rappers who criticized Puffy for his lack of authenticity, while chasing after record deals themselves. The final verse, delivered by Qwel, talks about his struggles in the past and how he has overcome them to become successful. The line "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" is a poignant reflection on the poverty and lack of opportunity that many rappers face.
Line by Line Meaning
See Qwels way past math to drop techs on future prospects
Qwel is skilled at using technology to create music that will be popular in the future.
Never got toys like Christmas in the projects
The singer did not have a lot of material possessions growing up in a low-income neighborhood.
You rock sets is play this dude braggin' you ain't famous
A person who plays music at small venues is boasting even though they are not well-known.
Tighter than vacuums and gets looser than faggots anus
The music's rhythm can be very strict or very loose and fluid.
Doper emcees none existent like RuPaul's clit is
There are no talented rappers around, similar to how RuPaul does not have a clitoris.
Can't tell if your dick or pussy like topless infants
The gender of the person being addressed is unclear.
Couldn't spit sick 'ish kid lickin' your cold sores
The person's rapping ability is so weak that they are metaphorically licking cold sores.
And leave you scared to drop shit like school stalls with no doors
The person is too afraid to release any music because it will not be well-received.
Wonder how this fucker whispers thunder sounds
The person's rapping is so loud and powerful that it sounds like they are thundering even when they are whispering.
Your fly like crippled Ostrich's I scare heads underground
The person is strange or uncool, causing others to be embarrassed to be seen with them.
And break it down like midget B-boys screamin' mathematics
The person is breaking down the music and rapping with great skill, similar to a midget breakdancing and shouting math equations.
When style switches faster than faggots rockin' their thongs backwards
The person changes their rapping style quickly, comparable to how quickly a gay man might switch the direction of their thong.
Ask if I'll kill your career with one verse
The singer is so talented that they could potentially destroy someone else's music career with just one rap verse.
You couldn't beat me to death if I let you jump first
The person is so skilled that it would be impossible for someone else to defeat them even if they had the first strike.
He's a pussy on the low don't fuck with Philippine cuisine
The person being addressed is a coward and avoids trying new things like Filipino food.
Deeper than Mexican philosophy and Chevy submarines
The person's lyrics and raps are very profound and deep, comparable to Mexican philosophy and a Chevy submarine's depth.
What's he mean I think he means your whack beat
The artist is insulting someone else's music production.
In fact I'm harder to catch than hailin' taxis with black peeps
The singer is elusive and difficult to find or catch, similar to trying to hail a taxi in a predominantly black area.
Get in your ass so fast shit scabs when the cops come
The singer is defeating someone else in a rap battle so quickly and thoroughly that it is causing discomfort and painful injury to the person being addressed.
Guilty as charged blowin' minds like Shanno with shotguns
The person's music is very impressive and mind-blowing, comparable to Shannon with her impressive shotgun skills.
Hold nuts like padded rooms whack raps can't plead insanity
The person is very confident and in control, and weak rapping cannot be blamed on insanity.
Just cause I stand over you don't mean you understand me
The person may have power over others, but that does not mean that others truly understand them.
Man please I'm way to fucking dope to be this humble
The singer is very talented and knows it, but they do not want to appear overly modest.
And knock you out the frame like Christmas pictures with your drunk uncle
The person is so good that they will completely overshadow others, similar to how a drunk uncle may ruin a Christmas photo.
Like fuck Qwel and his whole team those irrelevant flows
The singer is insulting another rapper and their entire group, saying that their music is not significant.
I'm diggin' in the crates and these (?????) on telephone poles
The singer is finding inspiration from older, more obscure music and is seeing flyers promoting shows on telephone poles around the city.
Hope I might choke your as whack as you white jokes
The rapper hopes they can insult someone else's music just as effectively as they make negative jokes about white people.
The only cat to drop lines like Samoans on tight ropes
The rapper is very skilled at dropping impressive raps, similar to how Samoans are known for their strength and balance on tight ropes.
Motherfuckers can't even respond what can he say
The person being addressed is unable to respond to the other rapper's impressive skills.
'Cause after the battle he's more like yo I ain't want to win anyway
The person who lost the rap battle is pretending that they did not care about winning.
And Qwel ain't shit like I ain't lose he ain't even rappin' right
The singer is insulting another rapper, saying that they are not good at rapping.
Damn right I'm an asshole you pussies ain't even half as tight
The rapper knows that they may come across as rude or abrasive, but they are very talented and others cannot match them.
To and fro fluid flow you know I'm splittin' speakers
The rapper's music flows smoothly and powerfully, capable of vibrating speakers across the room.
Try pressin' promos on boomerangs them shits is cheaper
The rapper is not interested in promoting their music through cheap and ineffective methods.
Punch lines
The rapper is about to deliver a clever and impactful line.
Now a days it's the ways of the underground
Music that is not mainstream is becoming more popular these days.
If I don't stay on the rest tell me who the hell will
The singer is dedicated to continuing to create interesting new music, even if others are not.
When it really comes down to it two kids
When all is said and done, the most important thing is the music itself.
Before braggin' how big my dick was this Bic-smudged note pad
Before boasting about their skills, the rapper had to focus on writing good lyrics on a worn-down notepad.
Was dad to whip his ass and change his whole fad
The rapper had to work hard and improve their skills before they could succeed in the music industry.
Now its proud to be the loudest so what you damage mics
It is now common for rappers to try to be the loudest and most attention-grabbing, even if it damages microphones.
Battle cats claim to be deep just cause they seen Titanic twice
Other rappers think they are deep and profound just because they watched the movie Titanic multiple times.
You can and might say something worthwhile you'd rather be wild
The rapper could say something meaningful and worth listening to, but they would rather stay true to themselves and be wild.
Huge dick liar's I'd rather teach with freestyles
People who brag about their sexual prowess are probably lying, and the rapper would rather express themselves through freestyle rapping.
Entertainment got played quick no thanks bitch dick
The entertainment industry moves quickly and the rapper is not interested in playing by its rules.
Fuck my kids don't need your playground education content not sayin' shit
The rapper's children do not need to listen to mainstream music or engage in meaningless entertainment.
Master the art of momma jokes while flippin' used beats
The rapper has honed their skills at making fun of someone's mother, along with creating music by using recycled beats.
I'll teach your kids about god they'll kill you when you sleep
The rapper may teach children about God, but they will also be able to stand up for themselves and possibly turn on their parents.
Don't be role models be honest using loose leaf loosely
The rapper does not want to be a traditional role model, but instead to be truthful and expressive through their rap lyrics.
The same cats that's hatin' Puffy they be chasin' Luci
People who criticize Puff Daddy (now known as Diddy) for being superficial or fake are hypocritical because they still seek fame and fortune.
You wasn't preachin' beat before tellin' lies in the street
Other rappers did not care about the music until they started lying and bragging on their songs.
Keep it rough neck I'll flip subjects success mean getting sleep
The rapper prefers a gritty, authentic style and feels that true success is being able to rest well at night.
Don't take it out on us cause the love wasn't there
The artist is not responsible for other people's apathy or lack of love towards their music.
Hip-Hop will show you love but the world doesn't care
Hip-hop music will appreciate and support the artist, but the rest of the world may not.
About you big dick sick shit lunatic drug abuse kid
The person being addressed is a wild and potentially dangerous individual who may abuse drugs.
I've got some herb and words to give now lets make some music
The rapper is ready to use their skills and creativity, aided by some marijuana, to make great music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christopherhayden3556
Qwel is so underrated. Lyrically he is a monster. That's a song you have to keep rewinding just to try and understand what he said. So many dope metaphors in this track.
@noebaumann2493
Yo I don't think people fully understand how fucking crazy this track is I've never heard anything even close to this!
@killaq2715
This will always be one my favorite tracks, Qwel was foreseeing the bad path hip hop was on back then with the no talent mofos coming up popular with the teeny bop crowd, others were onto it too but he was one of the more outspoken ones trying to basically warn everyone... unfortunately he was right
@adamfabino46
Real Cats fans know Qwel was dead ass joking and making fun of battlerap this whole track
@ClusiveC
That first verse is godlike.
@nabihhirani8895
ClusiveC all of the verses are
@22apex1987
This is just pure nostalgia. Today's kid will never understand
@svnsnt
it’s supposed to be passed down
@siviwemadiya8004
Typical Cats are the most complete emcees in history
@Askiwal420
since highschool bumping this shit