15 Mar 18: Bankrobber - Caleborate

Song: Bankrobber

Artist: Caleborate

Album: Real Person (2017)

Notable Lyric: "To make it big in this world you can't be in your sorrows // Fuck what happened yesterday, you could blow up tomorrow"

This is just a snippet of an artist who will soon feature on my Artist of the Week. I've really enjoyed listening to his album, Real Person, since I came across it the other month.

What I appreciate the most is the honesty and modesty in his words. I can think of a number of examples where I've started listening to an artist and really enjoyed their early stuff but when they eventually "blow up" their music and messages change (for better or worse). The gift and curse of that type of career is that you the music that's released is a reflection of what they're going through during that time.

This album is full of references of times he's struggled and had to persevere when things haven't gone well. It's probably safe to say that he hasn't "blown up" per-se so the content of the songs reflect that. He raps as if he's just another person like you and me. Realistically this appeals to a wider audience because it's where most people are at in life. Of course the designer clothes, million-dollar cars, and lavish lifestyle is wonderful to fantasise about if people are brutally honest with themselves, only a select few enjoy that luxury. In my opinion, Caleborate's lyrics are a welcomed change and are great to keep you grounded (more on this when I speak about his song Wanna Be)

"I'm self conscious bout my size and how i look with clothes on"

This song in particular is one of my Top 3 of the album and I was certainly excited when the video was released almost a month ago. I've interpreted the song as a message to himself to keep himself grounded and remember the sacrifices people make in order to care for others. Admittedly there are probably less illegal ways to try and provide for any dependants but if things get desperate how far would you go? From the song you'd presume he's not had the easiest of upbringings which is where this dream of getting out of that situation to live a better life stems from.

(whether or not his father was in fact a bank robber I cannot confirm although I am aware that he was in jail as mentioned here)

The notable lyric is really jumped out to me. When things aren't going well, holding onto that bit of hope that things can turn around get better is what can get you through. This message is universally relatable - it's a bad day, not a bad life. As an artist or athlete or in any profession sometimes what you need is that one break that propels you forwards and makes all those difficult days worth it.

At this moment in time I'm not going to express my political views (of which I have many) so I'm not going to comment on the opening line of the second verse.