New Freestyle
Tall Black Guy Production.

Tor Cesay-Take This Time (Freestyle)

‘A Kind Of Biography’ is the first in a series of self-produced projects from Isatta Sheriff that provide a snapshot of the east London borough of Tower Hamlets and its surrounding areas. An industrial soundscape showcases inner city markets, transport services, eerie pathways and the overbearing commotion coming from building sites that engulf the gentrified area. Isatta’s debut production project is accompanied by a host of talented collaborators from the classical and jazz world. 

Isatta expresses, “I wanted to produce a project that sounded like east London and included hip hop. The association of grime and Tower Hamlets is common knowledge but I wanted to demonstrate that hip hop ran alongside this movement. My goal is to integrate slower hip hop tempos and the industrial soundscape of grime, while merging live instruments that represent my musical journey and the people I have met along the way”. 


Cover by Dharma77 

A 2 minute film by Isatta Sheriff on YouTube: 
Search 'A Kind of Biography - A Film About Tower Hamlets & Artwork'
credits
released May 7, 2021 

Written and produced by Isatta Sheriff 
Engineered by: Isatta Sheriff 
Mixed by: Isatta Sheriff & Jon Hockley 
Mastered by: Jon Hockley 
Artwork: Dharma77 
Sax: Xvygo (Track 2) 
Keys: Dominic McCannon (Track 1 & 2) 
Live Guitar & Bass: Luke Wynter (Track 3 & 4) 
Additional Guitar: Luke Wynter (Track 2) 
Live Volin: Lizzie Ball (Track (1 & 4) 
Harp: Eleanor Turner (Track 3) 
Scratches: DJ Bobafatt (Track 2)
license
all rights reserved

A Kind Of Biography

Ode To The Heads

Eerie Alleys

Rooftop Scenes

Produced and written during my study breaks. 

New music on the way. 

Much love - Isatta

Written and produced by Isatta Sheriff 
Engineered and mixed by: Isatta Sheriff 
Mastered by: Jon Hockley 
Copyright: Doctored Sound

Single

There You Are

Produced by Grays Kelly
Artwork by Lauren Messervey

twitter.com/TorCesay
www.torcesay.com


-Verse 1-

Now I see at every stop
Our children are getting lost
And I'm feeling quite unpopular
When I tell em to stop
It's hard to stand firm
My career might be the cost
But if I impact a life
Then they can never say I flopped
It might not be fashion 
Still I'm carrying my Cross
And I ain't talking bout a necklace
I don't feel the need to floss
You ain't even got a job
How can you call yourself a boss?
Cause it's about the heart
And not the man you top
This generation that we're raising's
Bound to bring a shock

-Chorus-

I'm just an outsider
I used to walk in a disguise 
As a dope rhymer
You know the way we do 
With good clothes and eyeliner 
How comes fakes 
Seem to be the ones we admire
Now I dropped the act
I telly feel a lot lighter
Just myself
And the future looks a lot brighter 
Cause I grow, I grow
I'm tryna help to change lives
Before I retire

Now music's over powerful 
But very underestimated 
We're lying 
If we say that our decline 
Ain't related
I know there other factors
And them things can be debated
Shall we promote poison
Just because it is creative? 
Some people they ain't feelin' me
Some say I'm underrated 
But I'm doing just fine
And this dream it hasn't faded
I do a 9-5
In studio other times
I keep me friends close
More cautious than most
I'm just like every other girl
I just don't my heart broke

-Chorus-

I'm just an outsider
I used to walk in a disguise 
As a dope rhymer
You know the way we do 
With good clothes and eyeliner 
How comes fakes 
Seem to be the ones we admire
Now I dropped the act
I really feel a lot lighter
Just myself
And the future looks a lot brighter 
Cause I grow, I grow
I'm tryna help to change lives
Before I retire

-Verse 3- 

Now I know most of the people 
That people say you should know
But when they throw events
I don't even feel to go
I don't feel to play the part
No I just don't wanna go
I prefer to flip the scriptures 
At my friends in Walthamstow 
Or my friend in Honor Oak
That's where we'll be catching joke
Cause more time 
I don't wanna go nod my head
To artists that feeding lies
And leaving kids brain dead
Can the blind lead the blind
They'll just fall over a edge
Got some painful memories
I'm tryna get out of my head

-Chorus-

I'm just an outsider
I used to walk in a disguise 
As a dope rhymer
You know the way we do 
With good clothes and eyeliner 
How comes fakes 
Seem to be the ones we admire
Now I dropped the act
I really feel a lot lighter
Just myself
And the future looks a lot brighter 
Cause I grow, I grow
I'm tryna help to change lives
Before I retire


03 Tor Cesay: Eyeliner

© Isatta sheriff 2023

Produced by Isatta Sheriff & J.Ar.J

Verse 1
These words are eternal 
And no single word is irrelevant
So I drop a legion of bars 
for the evidence 
More time I’m pointing all my verbs 
At the Elephant 
Everyday I spit it with the flames 
Or the eloquence
Kids spitting venom 
Cause they grew up 
round developments 
I work hard don’t insult my intelligence 
I’m out here
you can see I’m in my element 
I get fiery 
I’m working on my temperament 
It’s hard when they take advantage 
I’m the eveidence 
How many times 
Can I have the same argument 
Honestly for us 
It’s really disheartening
Pay themselves 
When they used and do our ting
Brother cat too
Cause here we struggle in the margins
I been rappin’ 
since the days I went Barking
These days
We ain’t even thinking bout charting
But these days I’m charging 
Tripples from Sheriff that’s a bargain 
Used to spray lyrics in the garden
Just to keep the skills sharpened 
If I’m honest with myself 
I think I’ve hardened 
So I bring fire, call it arson 
Burning them bridges 
when they’re asking 
Stance like woman king 
Heritage, guarding 
Nod to my troops on this Hill 
This is our ting
We’re marching

Hook
Ow ow ow ow
I’ve seen stranger things 
Ow ow ow ow
My thoughts travel like 
Ow whoooooooo
They’re going round like 
Ow whoooooooo

Verse 2
Words yeah they twist em
Tryna say that we play the victim
To block out their lies
I get lost in the mixing 
It’s better that 
Than get on set 
And start switching 
(90.6)
Them days I miss em
Seems I’m still the villain
‘Cause I ain’t playing with em
So you can keep all your features 
You nerds and you leeches 
You’re all self seekers 
Preying on all us Diva’s 
But now the doctor will see ya
Sophomore album to your speaker 
Never got them beats from them either 
So I’m making tunes for myself 
Like my name is Misdemeanour 
Side note J.Ar.J made this heater 
Met him at the Beeb
Now speaker we’re beating up
Speaker 
It all could have been easier 
And deep down 
They didn’t care to make a tune for ya
From a yout 
I always thought I was a leader
Might have been a black panther 
Like Lupita 
We shout Olive Morris,
We still see ya
I’m so glad these times
They’re shooting scenes about ya
Reserved but when I touch mic 
I’m eager 
I have to say it in my songs 
I’m not a tweeter
And I’m not welcome in music or academia 
But that’s where I put myself 
So I’ll be seeing ya

Hook
Ow ow ow ow
I’ve seen stranger things 
Ow ow ow ow
My thoughts travel like 
Ow whoooooooo
They’re going round like 
Ow whoooooooo
credits

Rhyme Traveller

11th Mat 2023

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYRoi_CiFco&feature=youtu.be

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TorCesay
Intsagram: http://instagram.com/torcesay

TOM MISCH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tom_Misch
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tom-misch

Enjoy

Tor Cesay: Can't Explain It (Tom Misch Cover)

Tor talks about the EP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-ydlUwyis&feature=youtu.be

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TorCesay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torcesaymusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/torcesay

--Lyrics--

Wishful thinking

My friends now listen to me diligently 
Now lease don't go on cynically
I could drop a million metaphors 
Or I could say it simply 
Syllables that intricatly
Symbolise the intimacy
Of a man ability 
To rap on beats so skilfully
The difference between backing From pianos or a symphony  
The difference between 
Showing that you love me
Not just telling me 
Not tryna play the field
or thinking cheating is hereditary
that makes you insecure about yourself
now drop the jealousy
It's changing up my energy
And loving all my enemies 
Instead of deep complexities 
It brings relief mentally
Just give a simple answer 
because that's the ways it's meant to be
Show those mourning empathy
They'll be no tension when you meet
You might think your life's complete 
If you fall in love this week
tell people how you feel 
instead of saying it don’t bother me
You can use 100 dancers 
When you plan your choreography
but it’s a solo thats got them on their feet

Chorus 
The complexity of simplicity 
Yeah you know it
It's that one word remedy 
It's not everyday
We have to think technically 
One day we’ll get there eventually
I’m tryna do the best I can
And one day I will understand
 
It’s like reading a heavy book
Not overdosing on celebrities
Switching off the TV 
And just living in reality
Hearing words that said to me
Not answering aggressively 
Especially when their stressing me
I’m tryna show the best of me
A walk in the park will make my Mum smile
Thats more valuable than money from her last child
She won’t say no and now I’m no longer a wild child
I’ll sell some record
Fill her Kitchen with some new tiles
Ask me a thoughtful question
Don’t just drop a freestyle
A conversation face to face
Forget your mobile
A pensioner that people often see as senile
I’ve just learnt a lesson from them
And meanwhile 
A simple hello to that guy
Because it's been a while 
Instead of blanking him
And scrolling through his profile
Cause we just make it complicated so in-tactile 
Lets make life simple for a while

Chorus 
The complexity of simplicity 
Yeah you know it
It's that one word remedy 
It's not everyday
We have to think technically 
One day we’ll get there eventually
I’m tryna do the best I can
And one day I will understand
 

See I could rap in double time
By no I'd rather rap simply 
I do it all on purpose 
So that you hear every inch of me 
Treat everybody well
Not just because their in the industry
In of  Glastonbury
I’d rather have my nephew sing to me
In the cafe and drinking tea
Instead of manic shopping sprees
I'm learning bout apologies 
And how to talk in modesty 
Not forcing what I wanna see 
Stay loving in theology 
Down on bended knee 
That's all a girl needs 
It's cool to flash mob
But Na it's not compulsory 
Your sentiments the key 
And like the Grand Prix 
Forget the show 
Just Ask her marry me 
And if you'd really like to know this MC
Got happy memories of living in the 90s
I'm tryna leave a big effect
Like auxiliaries 
These word saint in a page
But you can read... 

Chorus 
The complexity of simplicity 
Yeah you know it
It's that one word remedy 
It's not everyday
We have to think technically 
One day we’ll get there eventually
I’m tryna do the best I can
And one day I will understand
 


Tor Cesay: Remedy

Tor talks about the EP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-ydlUwyis&feature=youtu.be

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TorCesay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torcesaymusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/torcesay

--Lyrics--

Drifting 

He said he'll never go through this again
Give his heart 
Think again
Hit him deep
That was when this boy 
Treated girls like friends 
Raised by his mother
So was quick to say he loves her
She was creeping undercover
Plus was with his younger brother 
What a double way to suffer
What made it even tougher 
Is he couldn't get her out of his brain 
His feeling dumber 
And that Sumer felt the longest
All this for being honest 
His bedroom was his solace
and that day he made a promise 
Said he'll never go through this again
Hit the gym
Pushing tens
Knows a few players from the streets
He'll just copy them 
He still knows how to complement 
Still can make a female friend
But holds them all in low esteem
So he just pull away again
deeply insecure he creep around to be onto
he likes the quiet girls
the ones less likely to run off
This situation ain't a shock
but really what will make him stop
is knowing that He’s somebody to God
and thats a lot

-Hook-
I don’t know how
This thing is circling my mind again
What was that
Man I thought we were friend
I can see it now
Well don’t look back
It’s just another way in life that we’re taught
tell em...

She said she'll never go through this again
Keep me far
Who needs friends
Blamed herself
Cause when she dropped her guard 
They did the same again
They wore clothes like Benetton
She'd try
They'd call her beg a friend 
At least she had one friend at school
And they were tight
Just chillin out 
They talked about the boys they liked one night
She made her confession
Now watch how quick it's spreading
She’s said I’ll never tell a girl another secret
learned my lesson
she was more comfortable with girls
and boys were definitely a no no
Was desperate to achieve in life
her drive would leave her solo
still she could buy the clothes 
And the cars
And the house
from inside she would should 
At work was quiet as a mouse 
She said I'll never go through this again
Been private since the age of 10
I'll keep myself out
Then I doubt
flashbacks of her Hi-Tek 
That got her beats like Hi-Tek
So she chased a high check
And a body with toned biceps 


-Hook-
I don’t know how
This thing is circling my mind again
What was that
Man I thought we were friend
I can see it now
Well don’t look back
It’s just another way in life that we’re taught
tell em...


I said I'll never go through this again 
I'm never getting used again
Times past 
Still I've noticed 
It was leaving bitter steams
Hugging me a show for them 
When they relax you'd move to them
Don't ever call me phone again
I thought we were friends 
Just adolescents 
Learning lessons 
What's the essence 
Every second 
Pursue unassuming friends 
Forcing questions
This thing that in addressing 
Is one of life's lessons
So your guessing 
That I got my heart broke
One second 
Well I'll tell you guess again 
cause complexities exist with friends 
We're young and can't discern 
It's like we've gotta learn
Had big implications 
I gave too much information
Now you know what going on
Inside our heads 
I ain't hating or mistaking
I can see what's happening 
And while your massaging your ego
Abandonment I'm battling
You are now a woman's dream
Became the friend 
And everything 
They thought they need
How naive could I be
Sorry girls 
Blame me 

-Hook-
I don’t know how
This thing is circling my mind again
What was that
Man I thought we were friend
I can see it now
Well don’t look back
It’s just another way in life that we’re taught
tell em...

Tor Cesay: Drifting

Tor talks about the EP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-ydlUwyis&feature=youtu.be

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TorCesay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torcesaymusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/torcesay

--Lyrics--


This girl she walks in the barbers gets his head shaved
The boy that's sitting next to her
He gets some head braids 
She's tryna deal with all her issues
Looks for best ways 
This boy he always grows his hair
To hide his head shape
The boys they holla from the back
But she ain't listening 
You see cause she's just split up with her X
But she's still missing him
And she don't like to hang around 
With girls
She's never fitting in
The boy who right beside her's
Wearing shades 
His eyes a watering 
Watering
Talk to him she can't 
Experience has told her 
That he'll use it to advance 
Her heart is telling her
To never give a guy a chance 
That's why she shaved her head
From boys don't want another glance 
She's pretty and she knows it
But honestly she not big headed
And she's distressed 
Because the mount to times
That others have said it
She's relocating all her actions cause she really don't get it 
She got a gentle mind 
Bit these days you really can't tell it
The boys stylish
His wet iris 
Are hidden from the rest of them
Except for the girl
I got my own problems
She's saying oh well 
What will happen to them both
Well the future will tell

Hook
Don't be a hard rock
When you really are a gem x8

Now they tell the girl 
What do you think your a celebrity
Shaving off your head
She thinks
Why do the even bother me 
She's tired of misogyny 
Surrounded by poverty 
Why'd they go online 
Just to hate
Just unfollow me
She tries to live responsibly 
Bit what's that 
You could mistake her for a boy
In her SnapBack 
She's still in love with her X
People know that
But does her best to pursade them
And squash that
Her clothes are full of colour 
Bit you see her minds black
Thoughts from the past 
And neglect seem to claw back
She feels trapped 
We've all got a friend like that
Look in the mirror 
Does this girl look back
She feels attacked 
Always proving herself 
You don't know me
Look watch how you're speaking 
Flashbacks of beatings
counselling meeting
Felt justified at the barber shop
Why should I have to speak to him 
Trust her to see him
At therapy a sinking Feeling
Sitting in reception 
After a while they started speaking 
He told the girl his story
Then he started weeping 
His Mum had passed away
That day she saw him he saw grieving 
Had no one to talk to
And his heart was bleeding 
Looking like a fly guy 
Looks can be deceiving
His stepdad used to beat him
Call him big head
And treat him like nothing 
Pain wasn't getting better
It was getting worse 
She felt bad 
That she couldn't see that all at first 
He was like her
Still tryna find his worth

Hook
Don't be a hard rock
When you really are a gem x8

Tor Cesay: Identity

Tor Cesay ft Lowkey 'Still Strivin'

Twitter: @isattasheriff 

Buy on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/album/isatta-sheriff/id1168593476

Dedication

Heartbeat

Fighting Time

Twitter: @isattasheriff 

Buy on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/album/isatta-sheriff/id1168593476

--Lyrics--
Copyright: Isatta Sheriff 

Yeah I had it hard 
But I ain't had it like this
I sit and jog my memory 
As I try and reminisce 
I was only 17 and my life took a dip
Family suicide 
I felt like I wanted to quit 
Fast forward 
See another version of me opposite 
We're so similar 
That in my gut I felt sick
Except I'm on the other side now
That child calls me miss
I said I understand 
While not letting the tears drip
As we sit 
On top of that
It seems their home life is a myth
I know mine weren't the best
I'll admit but my mum never quit 
These days it's so much harder 
Just to fit 
Their gotta find themselves a clique
At a click 
And their fight net drama 
And pornograpy pics
The sensation leaves a dip
When their emotions hit 
But why resist huh?
It's seems that Facebook’s 
Tryna disprove Christ 
So now their just deleting God 
From their life
Is that right? 

-Hook-

Hey little brother
Hey little sister
Do you know your ready?
Try to remember 
When they're looking heavy 
Don't feel the pressure 
Your skills are many 
We'll pull together 
Hey little brother 
Hey little sister 
Do you know your ready
Try to remember
They can't tell you different 
You can be whatever 
I see the way your thinking
Your mind’s really clever 

It seems like every kid that I've met
at some point has been bullied 
He might be estranged 
Then again
His dad might be at the bookies 
Or his mum might be pushy 
Put herself first rookie 
You might just see a hoodie 
He's a sheep in wolves clothing really 
I see them 
souls that will make your heart melt 
Sitting their 
I can't tell you how I felt 
He's a product of society 
And now he needs our help 
If he could only see the skills 
In himself 
He's got a heart full of wealth 
Your talented
Don't kill you mind with Cannbis 
I know you've seen calamity 
Through sweat and tears 
You've managed it 
Articulated analyst 
Just use it as a catalyst 
The makings of an activist 
Yeah you can beat the challenges 
You got big tracks 
And spit game 
But sometimes you don't come in 
Because you can't afford the train
It's ok young Donny 
Theirs no need to be ashamed 
No need to overcompensate 
When you talk of Cash 
And big chains 

-Hook-

Hey little brother
Hey little sister
Do you know your ready?
Try to remember 
When they're looking heavy 
Don't feel the pressure 
Your skills are many 
We'll pull together 
Hey little brother 
Hey little sister 
Do you know your ready
Try to remember
They can't tell you different 
You can be whatever 
I see the way your thinking
Your mind’s really clever 

I ain't tryna knock you
I see you got that hood fame 
You can spit a sick verse 
Create a picture 
No frame
I see you got it in your veins
Some of your tracks are insane
No I don't want you detained 
So I don't back it 
when you rap 'bout cocaine (Na man)
My little friend 
I ain't seen him in a while 
Give him praise 
He'll light up the whole room 
With his smile   
Now his missing 
I know you got our problems 
Yeah I feel frustrated 
Cause I can't cure any of them 
Plus 
I'm Aunty Tor 
I'm thinking bout 
My nieces and my nephews 
There's dramas 
And I'm tryna think of ways 
That I can rescue 
Its hurts so much 
Be need to see that God 
He is the refuge
It's not what I do
You're gonna be incredible 
You're reaching for the stars 
Leave behind all your baggage 
You won't even need a car 
I ain't talking bout the riches 
When I say you'll go far 
Free your mind and you'll be higher
Than The shard 
You're large 

-Hook-

Hey little brother
Hey little sister
Do you know your ready?
Try to remember 
When they're looking heavy 
Don't feel the pressure 
Your skills are many 
We'll pull together 
Hey little brother 
Hey little sister 
Do you know your ready
Try to remember
They can't tell you different 
You can be whatever 
I see the way your thinking
Your mind’s really clever

Burning An Illusion

Heart To Art

Crucial Conversations

Forget About The Fame

Coasting (feat. Terri Walker)

Train Of Thought

Moving On

City

Buy on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/…/album/isatta-sheriff/id1168593476

Redefined

Written  and produced by: Isatta Sheriff
Guitar: Jason Reichert aka JJ Boogie
Mixed by: Jason Reichert aka JJ Boogie

Let me tell you about my last two weeks.....⁣a vibe.
⁣
In short, I was unwell (with suspected you know what but surprise surprise, no test but antibiotics for a chest infection). During the last couple days while I was recovering I produced and wrote this track, cause thats what us lot do lol).  JJ Boggie literally finished mixing this 30 mins ago.⁣
⁣
Created my own little world in my room, go explore it.
⁣
I’m fine now btw

Isatta Sheriff

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