Georgia

Roughly 3 weeks ago I become an uncle to my beautiful niece Georgia. When you think of a song titled Georgia instantly Ray Charles pops into your head, but for me I think about the most prolific southern rappers. So here is to you Georgia there is no better way to honor your birth than with this.

When your clique is called Cunninlynguists confidence and a dash of cockiness are attributes you definitely possess. With the exception of the Dungeon Family, Outkast included, there are no southern hip-hop artists that even get close to rivaling the Cunninlynguists. Wonderful wordplay mixed with production that is tighter than Richard Simmons pants, these guys are truly the best. The group was originally made up of Kno and Deacon the Villan, but in 2005 Natti was added and the rest really is history.

In the words of Tunji (a member of the up and coming hip-hop duo, Inverse) he simply states, “Kno you are a fucking genius!” Kno has production that puts Timberland and his thieving ways to shame, I actually think he can contend with Kanye for being on forefront of beat making. In this song Kno discusses the disgusting racial hatred that plagues many southern states. He sets his grandparents racial prejudice straight with lyrics like:

Used to be followed by souls that are hollow
But had too much love to ever get swallowed
By the dark hearted people that threatened my kin
Spit on my friends for the color of they skin
So when I think back to the clay that raised me
I thank god for the strong man it made me

Natti follows this up with giving us a glimpse of some of the hardships he personally has had to conquer. Pain is part of life, but to express it in such a eloquent way gives some perspective to real life grit. You can read the lyrics over and over again, but without listening to song you will never truly grasp the emotion these guys are trying to portray. So lap it up and enjoy. The Cunninlynguists are the Artists of the week so starting this Monday I will detail a number of their songs. Until then have a safe weekend and go NINERS!!!!!

[hook]
Georgia, the clay is runnin red from the blood that done been shed down in
Georgia, now we weepin to the sound
From the color of the ground down in

Kno: Georgia, my state, my home
For seventeen years learned right from wrong
Cried saline tears when I write these poems
As i made these fears give flight to song
The red clay stains the soles of my shoes
Red clay stained the soul of a fool
My grandparents told me the goal that you choose
When you realize the world's only open to few
Will measure your worth, tether your hurt
It's the same search that can lead you to church
But if they have time to hate a whole race
How do y'all have the mind to tell me bout my faith?
Do y'all have time to discuss god's grace
If you're too busy studyin the color of a face?
I don't follow man to avoid the disgrace
Of the closeminded culprits of southern mistakes
Glass houses built out of empty coke bottles
Throwin rocks at statues of southern role models
Used to be followed by souls that are hollow
But had too much love to ever get swallowed
By the dark hearted people that threatened my kin
Spit on my friends for the color of they skin
So when i think back to the clay that raised me
I thank god for the strong man it made me

Natti: I'm not talkin about a state
I'm talkin about the state my life was left in
See, years ago when this pain was fresh on me
I couldn't have did this verse
I'ma do it for y'all now
Georgia Lee Andrews, raised a man wearin dad's pants plus her shoes
Never wavered in faith in her lovin embrace
That Garnett Lamar Bush would find a way to be great
Even after plenty meals off juvy hall plates
Calls at prison rates, pushed back release dates
Only to come home to mere months of your smile
While the nigga you married to give me a dad behave foul
Your massive stroke, one of luck for him
Kept the house, bought a car and a truck for him
Loved my brother too much to go and orphan him
So his daddy walks the earth the only man i hate
With the bitch he moved in a week after your wake
Sure as georgia birthed me, in kentucky my state
Seem empty without you holdin your grandson
Who smiles at your picture, not a tooth in his mouth
So handsome, you'da had him like milk left out
You'da swore i had asthma as my breath came out
Missing you, feelin like the lord did me bad
But somewhat greater later when he made me dad
Bittersweet symphony simply played in my pain
Encored by the tears that i strain to contain
But sometimes i can't help it, sometimes i'm so selfish
Feelin like god don't love you like i do
Georgia