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First Impressions

by Kharisma

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1.
Note to Self 03:25
Written by Kharisma Produced by Kkaytoh Verse 1 They said to do something different, thats what they told me from the get-go break away from the status quote, let go and run, with groove that you are feeling in your soul untainted by the world, and everything you know Let it flow, don’t fight the current of your spirit if you hear it, you can feel it, influence your inner being just believe it, take a chance and trust your soul with it Embrace it with your heart and let your art flow through it Can you see it in their stares? Can you feel it in the air? It’s that feeling that you get, when you’re suddenly aware That the only one that cares, is you so take that dream that you are keeping, go ahead and make it true No one’s gonna do it for you, so tell me why you’re waiting There’s a world out there and it is yours for the taking So, go ahead and be the best you can be and I promise you the world will see Chorus It don't matter where we go now Even if we fall down Just remember we can turn it all around If we focus If the doors locked, kick it open Because if we try I know we'll get by I know you see The fire in my eyes and let it shine let it shine let it shine. Verse 2 I can’t count how many hours that I’ve wasted staying complacent, mistaking it with patience Thinking that everything happens in time It’s only true to a certain degree, you can take it from me Because while you sit and watch the clock, eventually you will stop, and count all the seconds, minutes and hours that you have lost and you will see that as the hands continue to press on you should’ve progressed too, onto something that’s beyond your reality, so I’m hoping that you’re hearing this o that you can take notes from my personal experience because really, I was wasting all my energy (wasting it on what) on a series of activities that wouldn’t get me anything Thinking about the money that I’m saving from the job I hate and trying to figure what I can take with me beyond the grave Not a cent, so if I died today I’d be pretty angry at the fact, that I had let my time go to waste In this rat race, I was moving at a snails pace Trailing in the dust, learning exactly how the Earth tastes in the worst way, and now shedding all the dead weight And now running down the last stretch gunning for that first place
2.
After 12 04:26
Written by Kharisma Produced by Seion Verse 1 It only happens when my head and pillow get accquainted And my mind travels off into the distance I'm thinking, of all things that get me through the day And the only thing I see, is a vision of your face Wow, what a sight to behold A true spectacle made from divinities mould Look, I'm not the most religious of folk But I think you're kinda like the angels in the stories they told. (it's true) You've got a smile that can only be concieverd in a dream You could probably make a blind man see Probably give hearing to the deaf and an asthmatic breath With every little sentence you speak I know it all sounds crazy But lately, I've been feeling so connected to a lady who resides on a plane that transcends what we know In a place where we go, when the moon says hello Chorus When I’m alone and I begin to fall asleep I take a look into my dreams and you’re the only one I see Ain’t no way, I would let the sun take you Ain’t no way, I can stay, but I’ll try to Ain’t no way Even when the morning comes creeping I’ll be counting down till the time we will be meetin Verse 2 I won’t deny that it bothers me Wishing I could stay asleep, knowing you are here with me Damn, I thinking of the things that I would say if I ever had the chance to really take you on a date I would compliment you on the dress you wear Say I love the style of your hair lean in for a kiss and right before we lock lips we would freeze in that moment when it all becomes clear That of all the people in all the towns in all the countries, the world around It’s so amazing, to think you share the same space with your soul mate, knowing you were once far away From each other But now in close proximity, Feeling so aligned, vibrating to a frequency that can only be defined as love That universal force, with no logic in it’s course it’s love Verse 3 It only happens when the sun begins to rise and its ray’s start to open up my eyes I’m brought back to a world where you don’t exist as the faint taste of your kiss lingers on my lips Damn, I could have sworn it was reality its hard to believe every moment was actually a scene, from a film that my mind had directed derived from a script that was written with intentions of Sending out a message to the cosmos An S.O.S signal to the person that I need most Hoping that you hear what I feel and reply with a letter that you made sure to seal With that same kiss, that I felt on my cheek on the eve of another mid summer nights dream and from there I will know where to go to place we all know, when the moon says hello.
3.
Written by Kharisma Produced by Larkz Verse 1 Sometimes I wanna quit Leave it all behind and let time break it down to bits But even if I did, I often wonder if I could Walk on without any regrets Searching for purpose for a long time Feeling like i've waited at the back of such a long line Maybe I read the wrong sign, thinking that I need the limelight to prove that I can shine bright. How foolish, since when did the recognition take priority over the need to share what I envisioned? Thinking that is what an artist should made of? Seeking validation in the approval of a stranger? I think its time that I face it Go back the way I came and return to the basics Re-learn all the lessons I had taken so can come back, refreshed and concentrated Chorus I’ve been trying so damn hard but I can’t find which way to go could help me on my travels down this very cold and lonely road if you look beneath the surface, I can promise you will see that I’m really not as strong as I have lead you to believe. Verse 2 Do you remember learning how to ride a bike and you kept falling down, struggling to get it right when suddenly, it felt like it came to you so naturally Balancing on your own, riding ever so happily You didn’t have a care in the world all that mattered, was you were so proud of, learning how to balance Now looking back, on those days, they were care free Wondering what changed, how it began to change me. In retrospect, there was only one objective, and if you made mistakes, you would work to correct them If you fell, you would get up and try again nowadays, I just keep wearing myself thin There’s so many things I want to do so I try to do them all, but its difficult to choose. what I focus on, because I always try to go beyond what my time allows, and now I don’t know the road I’m on.
4.
Chillin' 02:44
Written by Kharisma Produced by Slim The Chemist Verse 1 I’m sitting watching the stars, admiring how they shine thinking about the world, and how I will make it mine Eyes locked on my watch, anticipating the time That my soul will unlock, the potential I have inside You could try, to break my stride but I know that you can’t stop me, from getting to where I’ll go and I know this, thats why I never lose focus I’m overcoming obstacles I do not even notice Chorus That’s why, I’m chillin I’m chillin’ x3 Ain’t nothing in the world that could touch this feeling Verse 2 Insert generic bar here about the way that I flow and say I’m better than any rapper already know then add a simile, a metaphor, just to prove I’m lyrically iller than any emcee, that ever had the nerve to challenge me Said EVERY RAPPER EVER I want to prove that rap can be used for something better than inflating your own ego, to me that just sounds so evil I wanna show the world, that we’re all in this together I am, not the type to ever claim that I am better than all these other rappers that say they’re slaying veterans but, I can with confidence I’m different Just a simple guy, tryna make himself a better man Chorus That’s why, I’m chillin I’m chillin’ x3 Ain’t nothing in the world that could touch this feeling Verse 3 I’m so tired of the usual act of all these rappers claiming that they’re bringing it back Because believe me, they don’t really care about raps all they really care about's their social media stats Don’t get me wrong, I’ll admit that I was doing the same Trying everything I could to accumulate plays Until I realised, that really what I wanted to say couldn’t be framed by the songs I was trying make Now I’m awake, aware that I need that I do stay original and say, whats on my mind if really want to connect with you So, I can be sure that I’ll remember what i rap for and never lose touch with my roots like Black Thought
5.
Offbeat 03:48
Written by Kharisma Produced by BeNeVoLeNcE Verse 1 I’m going out of my mind every time you try to tell me I’m wrong wasting time writing songs, telling me to move on from this dream that I have and I keep so dear I would’ve thought I made it clear that I have nothing to fear because I, was always told from a very young age that I was always destined to be great I know it sounds typical of parents to say encouraging things optimistic about the gifts that the future will bring But I doubt they could see what was coming their son would chase a dream and refuse to stop running Thought at first it wasn’t worth it but they finally see that this dream is what their son was always meant to achieve However, not everybody sees it that way I’m tired of what everyone says Why chase music? There’s no money in that. Just find a job and keep your finances in tact I pity you people, I feel so liberated To know the way I think isn’t money orientated To know that I can find happiness in what I love It’s rather safe to say I make music all because Chorus I live my life by a simple rule of them I know it sounds crazy and I know it sounds dumb I’m marching to the beat of my very own drum X2 Verse 2 Don’t mistake this for hatred this is just a mission statement outlining what I aim to achieve when I make it I don’t mean to sound abrasive, I am just concentrating at looking underneath all the cracks in the pavement I’m tired of your egocentric raps over 808 kicks and synthetic claps saying you should do this and you should do that Do you have any idea where I’m mentally at? I’ve got my eyes set on something further off in the horizon Most people can’t see it, because the sun tends to blind them They see the bright lights and it seems so enticing unaware those fallacies won’t leave them enlightened Claim to be unique, but they can’t see for themselves that they are just doing the same thing as everybody else I know that hip hop was built on the spirit of competition but all you talk about is yourself, why should I listen? Flex raps one after another remix the next hit and get it featured on the front of your favourite video site, I refuse to be another Youtube artist, hiding under covers We were born to stand out, I realise it now so when you try to put me in a box, I will always smash it down Your vision of success is when the money comes in but I’ll only be content when I’m inspiring kids Chorus I live my life by a simple rule of thumb I know it sounds crazy and I know it sounds dumb I’m marching to the beat of my very own drum
6.
Written by Kharisma & Ehwhenkeem Produced by Elyon Verse 1 10am and I’m staring at the ceiling and I’m thinking, what is this chain of emotions that I’ve been feeling On my soul lately, its my job maybe the killer of creativity, messing with my ability To write raps and make songs that connect with the soul The shadow of my insecurities could swallow me whole and I know, that I’m sounding kinda melodramatic You can’t deny that when you want something you just gotta have it That aside though, I’m often in a position where I think I don’t deserve anything that I am given I feel grateful, I really do But who’s to say that what I get wasn’t actually meant for you I really hate the way I think, its no wonder I’m lacking confidence Constantly undermining the meaning of my accomplishments Honestly I just wish I could give myself more respect and tell the man in the mirror I deserve what I get Chorus Why not try to push And pull to figure out There might be something that blocks the road Maybe if I had a pen and paper Then I could paint a better picture. Verse 2 I wish that I could explain it, this mindset is outrageous I wish that I could shift, adjust and rearrange it I wish That I could stop over-thinking everything Because maybe then, I’d be able to appreciate the little things I’m blessed with Now tell me, can you relate? Too scared to enjoy something that could be taken away? But can you blame me? How am I to react? When the same thing has always happened to me in the past? Now just for once I would like to believe That something so amazing could be destined for me to think that Fate could be someone who was really on my side Instead of someone who was always gonna break my stride And I know I’m feeling really sorry for myself and all the over-thinking’s detrimental to my health But, in the midst of it I’m thinking I could only drown if I continue sinking and so Chorus Why not try to push And pull to figure out There might be something that blocks the road Maybe if I had a pen and paper Then I could paint a better picture. Verse 3 I met a girl the other day and she was beautiful No matter what I wanted to say, it felt unsuitable to speak my mind and tell her how she moved my soul Until she told me I was somebody she’d like to get to know Now am I dreaming? There’s no way that this is happening The universe is probably trying to have a laugh again Playing another joke by putting this girl in front of me Just so I could get to know her and he’ll take her away from me But what if this is all in my head? And she genuinely seems to be interested instead? I know its been a long time and it is so rare but who’s to say that possibility is not there? I mean I like to think this time will be different Maybe this timeline will lead to a better end I’m trying to calm this feeling in my chest Fingers crossed, now I’m just hoping for the best.
7.
Written by Kharisma Produced by BeNeVoLeNcE Featuring Christian Joseph Verse 1 I see it so vividly let me take you back to a childhood memory I don’t know if you remember me but I remember you, and the way I felt that evening We were young, I was 9 years old you were 12, we were lying out in the cold on a trampoline, staring at the stars in the night sky talking about anything we could, watching time fly As you lay by my side I got lost in the moon that was reflected in your eyes and I felt something strange, something brand new Never had I seen a girl as beautiful as you Butterflies in my tummy, as I listen to you speak In my head, all I wanted was to kiss you on the cheek but instead, I was quiet, silently enjoying it treasuring this moment with my very first crush Singing Chorus If I never see you again Would there be a chance? that you'd remember me? ‘cause even if you don’t recall my name I just hope that you would say its nice to see you again Verse 2 Whoever thought that we would meet again two people locked in a beautiful coincidence I want to ask if you remember when we first met, back in those early times of innocence Through the years I used to wonder where you were, how you’ve been, and if at times you’d tend ever wander down that little street, that people call memory lane and you’d pass by a window where you could maybe see my face I know its unlikely, and I don’t really expect you to consider as special as I did when I was there with you because honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing I was just happy knowing that it wasn’t all a dream To experiencing something so very beautiful Even though I know, that it probably isn’t mutual So from me to you, sincerely I want to say thank you for the memory
8.
Clarity 04:10
Written by Kharisma Produced by Joseph Jacobs I want to change the world, from the inside out So I’m starting with me It took a little time, to try and clear my doubts but now I finally see That every issue that I had, and every battle I fought was just another line of irrational thoughts conjured up, by my conscious to deal with the fear that my plans for the future were never really clear But I see it now I’m saying good bye to the doubts that I had and I’m setting out to the world of the unknown, on my own taking in the scenic route I’m thinking of the things that I could see with my own two eyes wondering if they could be, as beautiful as they seem when I see them in my dreams For the longest time, I’ve been fighting with myself Screaming at the stars, for the cards that I was dealt Begging for a chance, but I didn’t understand that the universe was tryna make me a better man I can’t promise that I won’t fall. But I can swear on my life, that I will give it my all I’m not perfect, but as long as I’m alive and I am breathing I’ll strive to be somebody that you truly can believe in Because I know how it feels when you’re down and out, tired from the endless ordeals Questioning your purpose, wondering if its all worth it Searching everywhere you can, for something that is real Something beyond what they say you should aspire to Something meaningful, something to inspire you I believe, there’s gotta be a happiness beyond material possessions And so I always ask the question Is it worth it? Can I find it? How do I search for it when I can't seem to define it? Some say turn to God for direction But we've spoken many times, and it's always the same lesson He says... It's all on you. I gave you the potential, you just have to see it through Don't believe when they tell you, you should put nothing above me Do right by your fellow man, that's how I know you love me So I’m taking his word for all it’s worth and setting off in search of my purpose here on Earth I don’t know how long it will take but I’ve realised that, for as long as I am afraid There’s nothing to be achieved There’s nothing that can be earned and nothing that can be taught unless I’m willing to learn No progress that can be made No destination to set Unless I try to be brave In order to take that step Outside the home that everyone can recognise And see the world through the scope of a different lens See the world through a set of very different eyes if I even hope to make the slightest l difference I grew up in a house full of people that love me in a country, where we never go hungry So in this land of opportunity, the only thing that’s stopping me is myself, and honestly, I’m done with it So I’m taking a leaf out of MJ’s book Saw the man in the mirror, and with just one look I knew That to change the world, I gotta look within Beneath the clothes and body that I’m existing in Start from there and the people that you know Stay positive, stand back and watch it all grow Realize it's all a gradual change After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day We are all... Living pieces of infinity drifting through a universe of endless possibilities And in your obscurity You hold the very power that you need to pave the way towards your very own destiny I don’t want to be a preacher, I just want to be teacher to inspire everyone to always be free thinker. In a world that is always trying to tell you, you are weak I want to tell you now, you’re the most important piece.

about

Hey!

This little piece was done as a side project while I worked on my next EP. After Elyon and I had finished "Mirrors" I had wanted to take a break away from rapping to focus on learning new things. Lo and behold, it had led me to wonderful, wonder-filled world of beat production! However, no matter how much focus I directed towards beat-smithing, I would still feeling hunger pangs for lyrics.

So here it is. A compilation of songs that were made between "Mirrors" and now. Some were made as a result of just mucking around, but there are also some that are very dear to me.

Hope you enjoy them!

credits

released October 7, 2014

A massive thank you to my family over at Roots of Society Records. A lot of my talented label mates have kindly allowed me to use their work on this project, therefore it would literally not have been possible without them. Also, I have utmost gratitude to the people whom also featured on the songs as well. Words cannot express how grateful I am to work with such talented people.

All Songs written by Kharisma (except chorus on "Why Not Me", written by Ehwhenkeem)


01. Note to Self (Prod by Kkaytoh)
02. After 12 (Prod by Seion)
03. Beneath the Surface (Prod by Larkz)
04. Chillin' (Prod by Slim the Chemist)
05. Offbeat (Prod by BeNeVoLeNcE)
06. Why Not Me? (Prod by Elyon)
07. See You Again (Prod by BeNeVoLeNcE)
08. Clarity (Prod by Joseph Jacobs **Additional Strings by Kharisma**)
09. Bonus Track (Prod by BeNeVoLeNcE)

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Kharisma Melbourne, Australia

Hi, I'm Kharisma.

Low-level beat smith and competent song-write.

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