Title: “Cruel As Shit”
Artist: Kara Romero
Album: The Legacy Pt. I
Release Date: May 24, 2020
Length: 4:53
Format: CD Single, Digital Download, Weekly Airplay, 7” Single
Recorded: December 2019 – Basement Studios, Brooklyn, New York
Genre: Rap, Hip-Hop, RnB
Label: Just Record
Written: November 2019
Writer(s): Kara Amelie Romero
Producer(s): Kara Romero, Orion
“Cruel As Shit” is a song from the Spanish-American musician/rapper 'Kara Romero'. The first official release from the artist since 2017, following an unexpected break from the spotlight. The track comes with the expectation that this will be the first of a number of releases in anticipation of a future album release which is as yet undecided. As stated, this song comes following a break from the industry for what was one of the rising stars of 2016/2017, the reasons for the break were due to personal issues with Kara recently stating online, “In an ideal situation I'd already be on the third or fourth album now, but life doesn't always go according to plan. It's been a challenging few years, but I do think that I'm on the other side of that now and I'm looking forward rather than looking back. A lot of the music that I put out will probably say more about the past few years than I could in any statement.”
The track was written in November 2019 by Kara and produced by Kara alongside the production group called, 'Orion' whom will also be serving as her backing group for her next album and subsequent touring alongside the album. The group is primarily a rap group that also works as a production team and have provided the backing music to much of the work that she's been creating for her next album. The trio grew up with Kara during her teenage years and she recently spoke of her relationship with them, “We became close friends at a time when the four of us were all in a messy place in our lives, trying to figure out how to make it in a cut-throat industry as teenagers essentially. It makes me proud that the four of us are still even around. It got pretty dark but it could have gotten so much fucking darker. I'm proud of myself and the boys for just still being here.”
Featuring a heavy drum and bass combination with minor guitar and electronic additional instrumentation the songs tone gives off a darker and heavier sound than we have previously heard from Kara as her lyrics depict a failing relationship but more prominently two lives not being lived to their fullest potential.
The song was recorded at Basement Studios in Brooklyn, New York where Kara has recorded for the majority of her career and will be released as a CD Single, Digital Download and 7” Single marking the next chapter of her career following her extended break. The track will be released on May 24, 2020 through Just Record.
“Cruel As Shit”“You look around the room and you don't feel a fuckin' thing
Like shit don't matter and love is no longer filled with all the joy it's supposed to bring
Just looking at each other from across the room with empty eyes
Instead of leaving forever, we just stay together and play along with all the lies
Big happy family is all I ever wanted in my life
But happiness has gone from this relationship
And the certificate says that our names are husband and wife
What the fuck happened to the pair of us
This shit just ain't right
And this just ain't the life
Ain't the life we were both supposed to lead
Manhattan king and his Brooklyn queen
Supposed to be running this shit like we both did dream
Nobody would have ever questioned it
This world can be cruel as shit
We wake up everyday
Sweeping floors and serving food
Wasting all that potential away
We wake up everyday
Sweeping floors and serving food
Wasting all that potential away
You finish your shift and come home to a cold glass
Whiskey ain't enough to heal from all the labour that's kicked your ass
No pictures on the wall, it's just the coldest place to call home
And even when we're fucking, we feel no love at all
Potential wasted, life unfulfilled
I remember when every night used to bring a new kind of thrill
Dancing on the tables, friends and enemies
Have long since turned into fables
What's gotten into you and me
Did we really make it?
Yeah, we're still together
But are we truly happy, stuck in this shit forever
We wake up everyday
Sweeping floors and serving food
Wasting all that potential away
We wake up everyday
Sweeping floors and serving food
Wasting all that potential away
Sometimes I get so pissed, I just wanna kill myself
I know that ain't the option but I fear for my mental health
Have you ever been in love
And seen it go away
But had to be reminded of it
Every fucking day
Yeah, we're supposed to be running this shit like we both did dream
Nobody would have ever questioned it
This world can be cruel as shit”
Credits & Personnel;CREDITSProduced by Kara Romero, Orion
Engineered by Augustine Francis
Recorded at Basement Studios, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Production Manager: Ignacio Santos
Mixing: Augustine Francis
PERSONNELKara Romero - vocals, lyrics, production
Brayton 'Bellows' Carter - keyboards, backing vocals, production
Jadyn 'Boa' Ghalen - guitar, backing vocals, production
Jamal 'Circuit' Ghalen - drum machine, backing vocals, production
Ignacio Santos - bass, percussion, programming, production manager
Augustine Francis – engineering, mixing
Rebecca Lowell - photography, art direction
