overseas Lyrics

overseas by Ken Carson

• Track: 25 on A Great Chaos (Deluxe)
• Producers: Lukrative, Nick Spiders, Esko, Lucian
• Release Date: April 11, 2024
• Label: Opium & Interscope Records
• Writers: Ken Carson, Lukrative, Nick Spiders, Esko, Lucian

Background:On December 2, 2023, Ken Carson shared a peek of overseas via Instagram Live. On December 10, 2023, rumored Opium signee L5 teased the song again, prompting fans to believe it was titled "Breathe." On January 7, 2024, Ken tweeted "LON-PAR-AMS" in reference to the statement "London, Paris, Amsterdam, yeah, I'm overseas," but promptly erased it. The track was formally published on Ken's birthday, April 11, 2024, following an earlier leak in an unmastered and edited version.

Annotations and Meaning

. Ken Carson's song overseas begins with a powerful chorus that mentions important European cities, including London, Paris, and Amsterdam. These sites are notable since they are the first stops on his 2023 European tour, underlining his global influence. The artist describes his hedonistic lifestyle with lines about a woman pleasing him and his use of marijuana. King Kenyatta refers to Ken Carson's relationship with his girlfriend, who is willing to give up everything for him. The lyrical interpolation of the song "Turn Your Phone Off" could be a reimagining of PinkPantheress & Destroy Lonely's catchy refrain. Ken Carson is referring to his speed and his ability to pass other rappers at his level. He is referred to as one of a kind and is in another league compared to the norma human being. He is also referencing Creed, a movie about boxing, and NyQuil, a medicine for drowsiness. Ken Carson is referring to his diamond chains and his iconic "A Great Chaos" chain. He wishes he could travel back to tell his past self that he should stay as he is and not succumb to outside pressure to be a different person. He wishes he could have met this person before, as right now isn't the right time in his life. Ken Carson is referring to basketball player Lebron James (my sunshine), who's number was 6 when he played for the Miami Heat. He references Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj's 2014 collaboration "Feeling Myself." A hickey is a red or brownish skin mark caused by blood vessels in the neck breaking down. Ken Carson is referring to the rapper OsamaSon, who is clearly influenced by Ken Carson's accent and beats. The lyric "I'm trollin', I just treat her like she no longer exists" could be Ken attempting to belittle his ex-girlfriend Tina Tonkin, who he separated from after cheating on her. Ken supports the gothic imagery sustained throughout A Great Chaos by highlighting how his ex-partner began to self-harm to cope with the loss of him and how, in reality, Ken is worried for her mental and physical wellbeing. Finally, as supported through the breakup, this could be Ken attempting to cut ties with his old music and self so that he can develop into a new sound, a metaphor for change within his work. The chorus also mentions escaping law enforcement ("12 ask me, 'What's that smell?' Yeah, weed"), indicating his careless attitude and desire to avoid leaving any damning evidence. He emphasizes his dominance in the rap game, declaring himself superior to others and comparing his abilities to those of a great boxer from the film "Creed." In the verse, Ken Carson explores personal concerns. He discusses converting a lady into a "freak" and used provocative metaphors, comparing his sexual skills to the drowsy effects of NyQuil. He brags about his influence in fashion, particularly with the Balenciaga brand, and reflects on his path to success, wishing he could comfort his younger self about his future fortune and accomplishment. References to cultural icons are plentiful. He compares himself to LeBron James in Miami and references Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj's collaboration "Feeling Myself." His lyrics also touch on the darker aspects of his relationships, mentioning one ex-girlfriend who self-harmed following their split. This part contrasts with his fun allegation of "trolling," indicating a complicated blend of real concern and nonchalance. Ken Carson also discusses the abundance of imitators in the music industry, comparing them to parrots who simply regurgitate what they hear. This concept emphasizes his originality and the distinct influence he has on his genre. In conclusion, overseas highlights Ken Carson's luxury lifestyle, personal reflections, and domination in the rap industry. The song blends braggadocio and introspection, creating a clear picture of the artist's world through evocative imagery and cultural references.