king's crown

Lyrics

[Intro - dusty vinyl crackle, low-rider bass, laid-back spoken ad-libs]
Yeah...
From the city by the sea, where the palms lean low
Imperial in my veins, let the whole block know
Big fish, small pond, but I move like a shark
Class clown with a crown, still I light up the dark

[Verse 1 - G-funk bounce, funky synth lead, smooth but sharp delivery]
I’m from the itty-bitty city by the border line
Where the waves meet the street and the neon signs shine
Brown pride in my stride, got the whole town loud
Put it down for my people, make my mama proud
Class clown but I’m serious when the beat come in
Cash cow in the cut, yeah, I’m built to win
Imperial Beach rascal with a grin and a glare
Got that purple cow swagger, everybody stare
I been out by the fish bowl, where the tide stay mean
A shooter with a cool head, if you know what I mean
Not watered down, nah, I keep it raw and true
Big fish energy, I’m a problem for you

[Pre-Chorus - bassline lifts, snare rolls, background chants]
Hey Darla, hey Lil Kane, hear the whole block sing
I’m the hero in the story when the chrome doors swing
From the sand to the curb, let the speakers go boom
Little city, big pressure, I still make room

[Chorus - anthemic G-funk hook, stacked harmonies, heavy groove]
I’m the cash cow, I’m the big fish, yeah, I’m back on the rise
From the border to the beach, got that fire in my eyes
Imperial on my back, and I wear it like a crown
City by the sea, and I put that down
I’m the cash cow, I’m the big fish, in the low-rider glow
If you know, then you know, how the real ones roll
Little city, big heart, watch me move, watch me shine
1999 vibes, and the whole coast mine

[Verse 2 - darker funk groove, tighter drums, confident sneer]
Little squirrels on the branch, better mind your toes
I been climbing up the tree while the whole world froze
Sneak talk? Keep it tucked, I don’t need that mess
I’m from a place where the strong ones never second-guess
Bad boy energy, but I keep it clean with style
Still a menace in the mirror with a class-clown smile
From the 19 streets to the sand where I roam
If I’m out in the bowl, I’m the king of the foam
Purple cow homie with the bass-line sway
Got that old-school swing in the new-school day
I been putting it down for the brown all night
With a left coast bounce and a wicked spotlight

[Bridge - stripped-back keys, echoing vocals, tense but smooth]
I came from the edge where the ocean meets pain
Still I turned every loss into a gold-plated chain
If you doubt what I’m worth, let the speakers decide
I’m a big fish, baby, and I’m built for the ride

[Final Chorus - full band, horns, crowd chants, bigger and louder]
I’m the cash cow, I’m the big fish, yeah, I’m back on the rise
From the border to the beach, got that fire in my eyes
Imperial on my back, and I wear it like a crown
City by the sea, and I put that down
I’m the cash cow, I’m the big fish, in the low-rider glow
If you know, then you know, how the real ones roll
Little city, big heart, watch me move, watch me shine
1999 vibes, and the whole coast mine

[Outro - fading synths, bass rumble, whispered ad-libs]
Hey Darla... hey Lil Kane...
Imperial Beach rascals, yeah, we still remain
City by the sea... low and slow...
Big fish... little city... let the whole world know