Kansas City, MO rapper, Steven Cooper, wants to make one thing clear: he won’t let the world’s stereotypes define him. His hard hitting, yet upbeat song, “Stereotype” reminds us all to stay true to ourselves.
Background:
This was the first song I wrote for my album, which I later titled “Stereotype”. I think this song summed up what this project was about and the message I was trying to portray throughout it. Even though “Stereotype” is a fun upbeat song, I actually wrote it from a place of frustration.
For most of my life I’ve been stereotyped. I’ve been stereotyped for being from a small a town in Missouri, growing up homeless, or being a white rapper. No matter what I do the stereotypes always seem to follow me. People imagine that I’m angry and write violent lyrics. I don’t. They imagine that I have a chip on my shoulder from my childhood. I don’t. This song is not only a reminder to myself, but also a challenge to my fans not to be defined by other people’s views and to stay true to themselves. Don’t let the world’s stereotypes define who you are.
Lyrics
I won’t be your average rapper
I won’t be whatever you call it
‘cause this is my art, I won’t stop
‘till you get it, you got it, it’s ever so polished
they say I don’t look like I sound
they say I should find common ground
they say I should change who I am, for the fans
I’ll be damned, if I’m hearing that sound
I’ll stick with my suit and my tie on
Ready for business, so quickly they ride on
Skin thicker like nylon, Let it all pile on,
Guess I’ll be the target for people to fire on
Can’t be someone different, believe me I’ve tried
You think that you know me but look in my eyes
I’m not what you think take a minute and break
Down these walls that divide us, I’m cleaning the slate
You think you know me so well
You think you know what I’m like
You think you’ve figured me out
But that’s a stereotype
I won’t be your little puppet
I won’t be your man with strings
I won’t be somebody who follows
Somebody hollow, take it or leave
They want to just come as they please
They want you quick down on your knees
Begging for mercy, artist so thirsty
Another thing coming if running with me
You know my belief and behaviors
Just ‘cause you follow me steady on facebook
Don’t mean a thing if you don’t know my life
Not one to be walked on, ain’t telling you twice
I can be good, yeah I can be nice
But if you just see money, than just take a hike
Box you right in, my back on the wall
Most of you here, don’t know me at all
They think they know what’s best
They think they know what’s good
I guess I’ll always be
Misunderstood
