| Disc 1 | ||||||
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| 1. |
| 1:12 | 
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2. |
| 3:24 | 
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[Mos Def] Against the canvas of the night Appears a curious celestial phenomena called Black Star, but what is it? [Talib Kweli] Black people unite and let's all get down We got to have what? We got to have that love [Mos Def] What is the Black Star? Is it the cat with the black shades, the black car? Is it shinin from very far, to where you are? It is commonplace and different Intimate and distant Fresher than an infant [Talib Kweli] Black, my family thick, like they're striped molasses Star, on the rise, in the eyes of the masses Black is the color of my true love's hair Star's are bright, shining, hot balls of air [Mos Def] Black like my baby girl's stare Black like the veil that the muslimina wear Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared? Black like the slave ship that later brought us here Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears that leave black faces well traveled with years Black like assassin crosshairs Blacker than my granddaddy armchair He never really got no time to chill there Cause this life is warfare, warfare [Talib Kweli] Deep on the front lines, and blacks is all there Black like the perception of who, on welfare Black like faces at the bottom of the well I've been there before To bring the light and heat it up like "la cocina" Make without imagine happen but maybe I'm just a dreamer I love rockin tracks like John Coltrane love Naema [M] Like the student love the teacher [T] Like the prophet love Khadeja [M] Like I love my baby features [A] Like the creator love all creatures [Talib Kweli] Who acknowledge truth and peace seekers We on point like heat seekers Targettin the black marketing strategists Run up on em with the heaters Everybody followin with no leaders Feelin like we killin ourselves because I know they can't defeat us It don't stop til we complete this, keep this fly There's so much to life when you just stay Black and God [Mos Def] Blacker than the nighttime sky of Bed-Stuy in July Blacker than the seed in the blackberry pie Blacker than the middle of my eye Black like feh-lah man cry Some man wan ask "Who am I?" I simply reply, "The U.N.I., V.E.R.S.A.L. Magnetic" Work to respect the angelic, climb the mountaintop and tell it til the valley's enveloped You're full of big chat but you nah know me I'm dark like the side of the moon you don't see when the moon shine newly [M] You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me [T] You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me [A] You know who else is a Black Star, who we? (And we) [A] be shinin and shinin, when we rhymin and rhymin We be shinin and shinin, when we rhymin and rhymin [Mos Def] Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two It's the third eye vision, five side dimension The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight It's the third eye vision, five side dimension [T] You know the light [M] Go from the dark [T] The other way is ass-backwards [M] It's absurd [T] Make you wanna crow like a blackbird [M] That's right [T] You livin from your first day to your last night [T] Sometimes you show your ass like [M] Lint on your clothes [T] When you froze in [A] THE BLACK LIGHT [M] Dead that [T] Before you get your head wrapped [M] Like Badu [T] We see through your voodoo [T] Just like Eve's Bayou, you dealin with that black magic [M] Try to civilize you [T] Not walk on by you [M] Like civil-(lies do get you black listed) it'll [T] Be unlucky for you like a black cat [M] A panther [T] Revolution is the answer [M] That's what we need [T] Greed plague my people like the cancer [M] True indeed [Mos Def] Now black people unite, and let's ALL GET DOWN Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two It's the third eye vision, five side dimension The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight Everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two It's the third eye vision, five side dimension The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight It's the third eye vision, five side dimension Equalin up to eight, light shine bright |
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| 3. |
| 3:27 |
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[Mos Def]
Lawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwd, lawd have mercy All nice and peace and true, follow me now, we say Say Hi-Tek yes you're ruling hip-hop Say J. Rawls yes you're ruling hip-hop Redefinition say you're ruling hip-hop Say Black Star come to rock it non... Yo, from the first to the last of it, delivery is passionate The whole and not the half of it, vocab and not the math of it Projectile that them blasted with, accurate assassin shit Me and Kweli close like, Bethlehem and Nazareth After this you be pressing rewind on top your master disk Shining like an asterisk for all those that be gatherin Connectin like a roundhouse from the townhouse to the tenaments Cause all my Brooklyn residents, ? heavy regiments Don't believe, here the evidence, where Brooklyn WHAAAAAAAoohhhh See that? Bound to take it all kid, believe that From where they sellin tree at, to where the police be at Talib Kweli e-Kweli-ty yo tell them where we be at [Talib Kweli] Brooklyn New York City where they paint murals of Biggie In cash we trust cause it's ghetto fabulous, life look pretty what a pity -- blunts is still fifty cents, it's intense Tree scents is dominant can't be covered with incense My presence felt my name is Kweli from the Eternal Reflection People thinkin MC is short hand for Mis Conception Let me meditate, set it straight, came to the conclusion that most of these cats is featherweight, let me demonstrate Walkin the streets is like battlin, be careful with your body You must know karate or think your soul is bulletproof like Sade Stop actin like a bitch already, be a visionary And maybe you can see your name in the column of obituary Third rate teacher readin and talkin about, "I knew he'd amount to nothin" Neighbors like, "He was the quiet type, who'd have thought they was frontin?" Talkin +Loud+ like you in RCA, get carted away with body parts and treys, what a way to start your day Yo it's like Chorus: Mos Def and Talib Kweli One two three Mos Def and Talib Kweli We came to rock it on to the tip-top Best alliance in hip-hop, wyahhhhh I said one two three It's kind of dangerous to be a emcee They shot Tupac and Biggie Too much violence in hip-hop, wyahhhhh [Mos Def] I said Manhattan keep on makin it (Bo!), Brooklyn keep on takin it (Bo!) So relax we're takin it back, Redhook where we're livin at Plenty cats be strugglin not hustlin and bubblin It ain't about production and -- what else we discussin? When the cock crows, my crop grows, enable me to rock flows Strivin for perfection ever since I was a snot-nosed COLOSSAL, true original b-boy apostle Standin on the rooftop with the, Zulu gestapo [Talib Kweli] You think you the shit somebody in the wings'll force you to quit It could be your crew or click or some random kid you smoked buddha with Consider me the entity within the industry without a history of spittin the epitome, of stupidity -- livin my life expressin my liberty, it gotta be done properly My name is in the middle of e-Kweli-ty People follow me and other cats they hear him flow And assume I'm the real one with lyrics like I'm Cyrano [Mos Def] Still sippin wishin well water, imported, from Pluto Three hundred and sixty milliliters for all our believers In miles or kilometers, most cats, cannot proceed us in the jungle with the leaders we the lions you the +cheaters+ A cypher, will complete us if we come through your receivers You can play us and repeat us and then take us home and read us (line for line) Good Jesus, Mos Def and Kweli just make a pussy freeze up, thinkin we will ease up Chorus |
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| 4. |
| 3:03 |
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What what what, what what, what what, what what Woaaaahhhhhhh! One two three, Mos Def and Talib Kweli We came to rock it on to the tip-top Best alliance in hip-hop, wayohh I said, one two tree, Black Star shine eternally We came to rock it on to the tip-top And Hi-Tek make the beat drop, wayohh [Talib Kweli] RE:DEFinition, turning your play into a tragedy Exhibit level degree on the mic, passionately Niggaz is sweet so I bet if I bit I'd get a cavity Livin to get high, you ain't flyer than gravity We Die Hard like the battery done in the back of me by the mad MC who think imitation is the highest form of flattery, actually Don't be mad at me, I had to be the one to break it to you You get kicked into obscurity like judo, no Menudo cause you pseudo, tryin to compete with reality like Xerox Towards destruction you spiraling like hairlocks, wipe them teardrops Chasing stars in your eyes, playing games with your lives Now the wives is widows soakin up pillows, weepin like willows Still mo' blacks is dyin, kids ain't livin they tryin _How to Make a Slave_ by Willie Lynch is still applyin Regardless, the Mos is one of my closest partners Rockin ever since before Prince was called The Artist Rocker before Funkmaster Flex was rockin Starter When 'Pac and Biggie was still cool before they was martyrs Life or death, if I'm choosin with every breath I'm enhancin Stop, there comes a time when you can't run [Mos Def] What, lyrically handsome, call collect a king's ransom Jams I write soon become the ghetto anthem Way out like Bruce Wayne's mansion, move like a phantom You'll talk about me to your grandsons Cats who claimin they hard be mad fag so I run through em like, flood water through sandbags Competition is mad, what I got, they can't have Sinkin they ship, like Moby Dick, did Ahab Son I'm way past the minimum, it's a verb millenium My rap's the holy gas in your bag, like Palestinians Ancient now descend the year, try to whole the Gideon Official b-boy gentlemen won't turn off at the interim Born inside the winter wind, day after December 10 These simpletons they mentionin the synonym for feminine Sweeter than some cinnamon the danish brings rotten to men Rush up on adrenaline, they get they asses sent to them (Gentlemen) without a tenament more than a ?sibilant? Leave your unit tremblin like herds of movin elephant Intelligent embellishment, follow for your element from Flatbush settlement, kid posseses melanin Hotter than tales of crack peddlin, makin em WOOP like blue gelatin, swing like Duke Ellington Broader than Barrington Levy, believe me The hot oppresion rent who burn down your chief teepee You see me? One two three, Mos Def and Talib Kweli We came to rock it on to the tip-top Best alliance in hip-hop, wayohh I said, one two tree, Black Star shine eternally We came to rock it on to the tip-top Because we rulin hip-hop, yes we is rulin hip-hop Talib Kweli is rulin hip-hop Say we Black Star we rule hip-hop-ah-ahh-ah-ahh-ahh Whoahhhh! |
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| 5. |
| 3:33 |
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(Child #1) ...and then Jackie Chan just started kickin em
like POW! POW! POW! (Child #2) Whaaaaa??! (Mos Def) Alright y'all, alright y'all enough of that it's time to go to bed y'all Time to go to bed -- I don't wanna hear that You know what time it is, you know what time it is (Children) Uncle Mos? (Mos Def) Yeeesss? (Children) Would you read us a bedtime story please? (Mos Def) Okay, okay. Ya'll tucked in? (Children) Yeessss... (Mos Def) Heeeere we go... Once upon a time not long ago When people wore Adidas and lived life slow When laws were stern and justice stood And people was behavin' like hip-hop was good There lived a little boy who was misled By a little Sha-tan and this is what he said "Me and you kid we gonna make some cash, Jackin' old beats and makin' the dash..." They jacked the beats, money came wit' ease But son, he couldn't stop, it's like he had a disease He jacked another and another, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder Set some R & B over the track for 'Deep Cover' (187!) The kid got wild startin' actin' erratic He said "Yo, that presidential I got ta have it..." With liquor in his belly son, he made up the track But little did he know that his joints was wack The shiny A & R said "Great new hit G!" "Whenever you need a loop, yo come get me..." The kid got amped and he starts to figure "I'm-a get dough like all-a these otha niggaz!" So, he's in the studio workin' 'round the clock For pop radio, jacked the beat to 'Planet Rock' Was out in the street when he met this sister Who couldn't sing for shhhh but the mix wit' her sister Hooked up the track and in excitation He decided he'd head for the radio station But (But!) he was runnin' and he made a left Was skeezin' at top speed and ran into Mos Def I slowed the young man down and I started: "Yo money, Yo, why you sellin' lies to our wives and children?" He ran upstairs up to the top floor Opened up the door then guess what he saw? (Who?) JANE the chickenhead radio host Who be yappin' 'bout beef between east and west coast He said "This one's a bullet, you got ta give it run!" The chicken said "Thanks." and spanked it #1 He went outside, was gettin' props all over Then he dipped into his ride, the 4-point Rover Raced up the block doin' 83 Some cats with Hennessey saw him at a R-E-D He winked his eye like his star status mattered They rat-a-tat-tatted to make his blood splatter "You rockin' crazy ice and all you do is cling static And rollin' down to Brooklyn late night is problematic..." His eyes was bloody red, he hung on every word they said They told the kid "Back down, that playa shit is dead." Deep in his heart, he knew he was gone But he grabbed his 45 and decide to blaze on Wit' shades on founded had him astounded an' Before long, the young man got surrounded Those grabbed the guns, so goes the glory And that is the way I got ta end this story He was out chasin' cream and the American dream Tryin' to pretend the ends justify the means This ain't funny so don't you dare laugh It's just what comes to pass when you sell your ass Life is more than what your hands can grasp Good Night! (kids talking) Knock 'em out the box Mos, knock 'em out Mos Knock 'em out the box Mos, knock 'em out Mos (3x) Knock 'em out... A-nother...Mos Def...Black Star MOVEMENT... presentation... CRUUUMBS! |
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| 6. |
| 5:47 |
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(Mos Def)
Be like yo, let me ask you somethin I wanna know, I wanna know who you are *Mos Def singing* (Mos) Brown skin lady, hey hey (Talib) Yes (Mos) Where you goin (Talib) This goes to the brown skin ladies (Mos) Brown skin lady (Talib) Yo, indigineous women of the planet Earth (Mos) What you doin? (Talib) Givin birth to the brown skin ladies first (Mos) Brown skin lady (Talib) For what it's worth, from me to you (Mos) How do you feel? (Talib) From me to you, watchin you I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, yes, I live the way you move (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like the WAY you move (Talib) I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, please, won't you do that dance (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like you baby (together) And everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing Everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing, there she is (Talib) Fresher than Tony Rebel's vestibules at African street festivals My incredible women is, plentiful Over the years I met a few, none of them compare to you Preparin you to make food bearable, somethin terrible, let's see: you fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable Doable like art, suitable to be part of my life, Coppertone, oh you copyright infringement Pay you bidness ten cents, way back in the day It's like I'm standin there you know appreciatin God's design and then you showed up, it's like you read my mind DAMN SHE'S FINE, I think I add the R-E, in front of that and see if she D, to get, with a cat like me (Talib) I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, yes, I live the way you move (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like the WAY you move (Talib) I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, please, won't you do that dance (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like you baby (together) And everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing Everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing, there she is (Mos Def) Ooooh! Daring me girl, look at you! Comin on the block lookin fresh and brand new Ooooh! Headwrap cover your hairdo Pretty feet peekin through open-toed shoe Ooooh! No limit to what I would do Make love to you like long interview Whooh! Is she for real, me like you Good look champion, win the title True, many man try invite you Shot down lyric each time they cyph you Jewel, what man you get all insides you Feet they walk way and just that sheik posture Ooooh! Can't be a next one like you Famous like tapes made by DJ Clue I tighten up my game as I approach you Yo check her she the nectar the bee get close to ... (Talib) I don't get many compliments, but I am confident Used to have a complex about, gettin too complex You got me, willin to try, looked me in the eye My head is still in the sky, since you walked on by I'm feelin high, got my imagination flickerin like hot flames it's how it seems, you make me wanna ride the coal train to A Love Supreme My brown lady, creates environments, for happy brown babies, I know it sounds crazy but your skin's the inspiration for cocoa butter You provoke a brother we should get to know one another I discover when I bring you through my people say TRUE, all I can say is all praise due I thank you God for a beauty like you *Mos Def singing* (Mos) Brown skin lady (Talib) Yes (Mos) Where you goin (Talib) This goes to the brown skin ladies (Mos) Brown skin lady (Talib) On the planet Earth today, yes (Mos) What you doin? (Mos) Brown skin lady (Mos) How do you feel? (Talib) I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, yes, I live the way you move (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like the WAY you move (Talib) I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the way you walk, yes, please do that dance (Mos) I like the way you walk, when you walk on by I like the way you move, I like you baby (together) And everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing Everybody on the avenue, I know, when they see you sing, there she is (Mos) There she is, she's a brown skinned lady Such a brown skinned lady She's a brown skinned lady She's a brown skinned lady She's a brown skinned lady She's a brown skinned lady (Talib) You know what some people put themselves through to look just like you? Dark stocking, high heels, lipstick, alla that You know what? Without makeup you're beautiful Whatcha you need to paint the next face for We're not dealin with the European standard of beauty tonight Turn off the TV and put the magazine away In the mirror tell me what you see See the evidence of divine presence Women of the, Carribean, they got the, golden sun I know women on the continent got it Nigeria, and Ghana, you know they got it Tanzania, Namibia and Mozambique and Bothswana, to let it speak about latinas, columbianas ... Tallenas, of course the Brooklyn women walk that walk And the Bronx women walk that walk Honies from Queens walk that walk, NYC, ATL, LA Cincinnati, the Bay Area... |
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| 7. |
| 2:36 |
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[Mos Def] Yo yo, yo, whassup, yo yo Yo yo, we gonna, we gonna slow it down so we can speed it up y'all Right now I want everybody come to the front That's right, move forward I want all the poppers and the breakers, to form this circle I want all the poppers and the breakers The writers and the exciters, to get in this circle and make it real live yo Cause I'm seein too many stars up in here tonight yo I'm seein the Rock Steady Crew I'm seein Ken Swift, I'm seein Mr. Wiggles I'm seein Modesho, I'm seein Crazy Legs Man I'm seein the Zulu Nation up in here I'm seein the Rawkus family, Shabaam Shadeeq, Company Flow Menelik, I'm seein G-ology, Shawn J. Period Man this the Black Star movement Mos Def, Talib Kweli we gon' keep it live for the b boys and b girls universally Rock Steady Japan, Rock Steady Europe Rock Steady New York, yo we just gonna keep it live all over the world -- get live [Talib Kweli] Party people, in the place to be My name is Talib Kweli Yo, I got my man on the side of me Mos Def-initely, and we, are (Fresh) Black Star (Fresh) G Young (Fresh) Hi-Tek (Fresh) Native Tongue (Fresh) Shawn J. (Fresh) Eighty-eight (Fresh) Ninety-eight we bout to motivate, come on y'all [M] [T] Here's a little story that must be told About two young brothers who was put on hold They tried to stop the goal We on a spiritual plane Tried to kill the pride And destroy the name We just two bad brothers Who will never quit I'm Mos Def Kweli (WE THE ULTIMATE) Make sure that you tell Everybody you know To get on line Take a ride To the Black Star show! Black Star Shinin Shinin, we in the house Shinin Shinin, we in the house y'all Black Star Shinin Shinin, we in the house Shinin Shinin, we in the house y'all Black Star Shinin Shinin, we in the house Shinin Shinin, we in the house y'all Black Star Shinin Shinin, we in the house Shinin Shinin, we in the house y'all |
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| 8. |
| 4:49 |
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[Talib Kweli] So many emcees focusin on black people extermination We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations C'mon let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what they writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin No question, bein a black man is demandin The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3X) With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 4X* [singer] Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin [Talib Kweli] Yes yes come on, yes yes Knowledge Of Self is like life after death With that you never worry about your last breath Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage At exactly which point do you start to realize That life without knowledge is, death in disguise? That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident Voices and drums original instruments In the flesh presently presentin my representation With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 6X* these two parts overlap Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* [Talib Kweli] The most important time in history is, NOW, the present So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence But you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendar These people enter Cona like Gattaca, you can bet they tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human Cause and effect, effect everything you do and that's why I got love in the face of hate Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight The thought you had don't even contemplate Infinite like figure eight there's no escape.. From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 4X* Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* .. Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin... |
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| 9. |
| 4:09 |
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[Kweli] People keep askin me, where's the underground? There's mad talented cats underground with that raw shit. Ya know what'm sayin? Bringin the raw skills. Ya know what I'm sayin? Really... To me, It's a Small Wonder, like Vicki, why I'm picky These niggas suck like kitty, and still get the shit they slip in like Mickies I'm sick of the hater-players, bring on the regulators With the flavors like a farm team fucking with the majors Like a river how I run through it, I do it so cold Freezin up your bodily fluids, your style is old You runnin your mouth, but don't really know what you be talkin about You should retire, get that complimentary watch, be out! Yo, with the quickness, so swift you miss this lyrical fitness Now get this, these emcees wanna test me like litmus, bear witness I'm like shot clocks, interstate cops, and blood clots My point is, your flow can stop! By all means, you need more practice, take that ass home Everybody lookin at you, fish tanks and drome In full effect, I stay catchin lyrical rep And keep it blacker than the back of your neck What you expect, that shit's hollerin Cause we developin the followin gettin played like ?stones? off tapes and ?dollar vans? I'll reverse you, universal, your demise is first Before your rise gets worse You need a night nurse like Gregory, beggin me Stop it hurts, what you say to me? Like thats supposed to mean something You don't wanna scene, frontin in the club Your actin, I don't buy it, I got the Dub Come on everybody, come on and show your love *repeat 4X* Chorus: *chanted in background* Wo-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-uh-oh *repeated 4X* [Mos] Visions occupy my semantic's space Command and shake, to illustrate my mind's landscape The tall grass, the low plains, the mountanous ridges Thickets among the forests, rivers beneath the bridges Presence of hilltops, lit up with tree tops Eavesdrop; and hear the incline of sunshine, nine Stones in orbit, refuse to forfeit They all form a cipher, and they came to observe it I follow suit, and face it, embrace it Shinin bright, but still I'm careful not to waste it Destined to rise, because I'm basement adjacent Spirit is still so just chill and be patient Some heads approach like I'm the one to base with Clowns about, screamin but don't say shit I ain't your student so I ain't to be tested I'm majestic, I represent my strength without ?Epitmass? Method is unorthodox, but of course it rocks My serious synopsis will drop kick, my topics Run the gauntlets and galvanize the audience I must represent, I don't come off with no corniness I'm all luminary, despite commentary Some people say, Mos how you get so? My sign will make you jump around like calypso And murmur to yourself like a schizo There ain't no bottom on the ??? Chorus [Talib Kweli] Come on, come on, come on, come on. Here we go. Blackstar, hop on the Blackstar line. We bout to take y'all home. Ya know what I mean? Here we go... We got all markets on lock From meat to stock Blackstar, what? throwin like head rock in bars Men flock to where we are, cause its the place to be I grab my pay, jump on-stage and deface emcees We sell our souls like Spawn and come for the drone I sit upon Freestyle or written songs so we can get it on! Going back and forth, fallin back, all across the track Passin the mic's like quarterbacks of course its phat, get off of that! Reverse psychology got em scared to say when shit is whack Got fear of being called a hater, imagine that! We ain't havin that We just passed the star status that your grabbin at My battle raps blast your ass back to your natural habitat So floss, cause what it costs ain't worth it to me Cause I'm the one these Spice Girl emcees Wanna Be But they can't, ain't no points forever, so why bother? Cause your girl calls my name out like Claerance Carter, Claerance Carter, Claerance Carter!?! (I be strokin, thats what I be doin) Aiyyo, as we rock harder And always drop the bonified head nodders Aiyyo, later for the hater-players Yo-yo, yo-yo, later for these hater-players Chorus Blackstar keeps shining Chorus Blackstar keeps shining |
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| 10. |
| 1:11 |
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| 11. |
| 6:05 |
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"What'd you do last night?" "We did umm, two whole cars It was me, Dez, and Main Three right? And on the first car in small letters it said 'All you see is..' and then you know big, big, you know some block silver letters that said '..crime in the city' right?" "It just took up the whole car?" "Yeah yeah, it was a whole car and shit..." [spanish speaking woman] Escuchela.. la ciudad respirando (translation of spanish: Listen to it.. the city breathing) * woman repeats 3X * [spanish speaking woman] Escuchela.. [Mos Def] The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis Shinin, like who on top of this? People was tusslin, arguin and bustlin Gangstaz of Gotham hardcore hustlin I'm wrestlin with words and ideas My ears is picky, seekin what will transmit the scribes can apply to transcript, yo This ain't no time where the usual is suitable Tonight alive, let's describe the inscrutable The indisputable, we New York the narcotic Strength in metal and fiber optics where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips for profits, thirsty criminals take pockets Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin class watches Skyscrapers is collosus, the cost of living is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options No Batman and Robin, can't tell between the cops and the robbers, they both partners, they all heartless With no conscience, back streets stay darkened Where unbeliever hearts stay hardened My eagle talons STAY sharpened, like city lights stay throbbin You either make a way or stay sobbin, the Shiny Apple is bruised but sweet and if you choose to eat You could lose your teeth, many crews retreat Nightly news repeat, who got shot down and locked down Spotlight to savages, NASDAQ averages My narrative, rose to explain this existance Amidst the harbor lights which remain in the distance So much on my mind that I can't recline Blastin holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathin Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening Sigh before we die like the last train leaving [Talib Kweli] Breathin in deep city breaths, sittin on shitty steps we stoop to new lows, hell froze the night the city slept The beast crept through concrete jungles communicatin with one another And ghetto birds where waters fall from the hydrants to the gutters The beast walk the beats, but the beats we be makin You on the wrong side of the track, lookin visibly shaken Taken them plungers, plungin to death that's painted by the numbers with Krylon applied pressure, cats is playin God but havin children by a lesser baby mother but fuck it we played against each other like puppets, swearin you got pull when the only pull you got is the wool over your eyes Gettin knowledge in jail like a blessing in disguise Look in the skies for God, what you see besides the smog is broken dreams flying away on the wings of the obscene Thoughts that people put in the air Places where you could get murdered over a glare But everything is fair It's a paradox we call reality So keepin it real will make you casualty of abnormal normality Killers Born Naturally like, Mickey and Mallory Not knowing the ways'll get you capped like an NBA salary Some cats be emceeing to illustrate what we be seeing Hard to be a spiritual being when shit is shakin what you believe in For trees to grow in Brooklyn, seeds need to be planted I'm asking if y'all feel me AND THE CROWD LEFT ME STRANDED My blood pressure boiled and rose, cause New York niggaz actin spoiled at shows, to the winners the spoils go I take the L, transfer to the 2, head to the gates New York life type trife the Roman Empire state [Mos Def and crew] So much on my mind I just can't recline Blastin holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Yo don't the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathin Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening Sigh before we die like the last train leaving [spanish speaking woman] Escuchela.. respirando ?? [Common] Yo...on The Amen, Corner I stood lookin at my former hood Felt the spirit in the wind, knew my friend was gone for good Threw dirt on the casket, the hurt, I couldn't mask it Mixin down emotions, struggle I hadn't mastered I coreograph seven steps to heaven And hell, waiting to exhale and make the bread leavened Veteran of a cold war It's Chica-I-go for What I know or, what's known So some days I take the bus home, just to touch home From the crib I spend months gone Sat by the window with a clutched dome listenin to shorties cuss long Young girls with weak minds, but they butt strong Tried to call, or at least beep the Lord, but didn't have a touch-tone It's a dog-eat-dog world, you gotta mush on Some of this land I must own Outta the city, they want us gone Tearin down the 'jects creatin plush homes My circumstance is between Cabrini and Love Jones Surrounded by hate, yet I love home Ask my God how he thought travellin the world sound Found it hard to imagine he hadn't been past downtown It's deep, I heard the city breathe in its sleep Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep Deep, I heard my man breathe in his sleep Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep [Mos Def and crew] So much on my mind I just can't recline Blastin holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Yo how the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathing Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening Kiss the Ide's goodbye, I'm on the last train leaving |
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| 12. |
| 5:17 |
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[Talib Kweli]
Yo Dee (What?) Come on (Yeah..) What? What? Come on (Yeah) "Give me the fortune, keep the fame," said my man Louis I agreed, know what he mean because we live the truest lie I asked him why we follow the law of the bluest eye He looked at me, he thought about it Was like, "I'm clueless, why?" The question was rhetorical, the answer is horrible Our morals are out of place and got our lives full of sorrow And so tomorrow comin' later than usual Waitin' on someone to pity us While we findin' beauty in the hideous They say money's the root of all evil but I can't tell You know what I mean, pesos, francs, yens, cowrie shells, dollar bills Or is it the mindstate that's ill? Creating crime rates to fill the new prisons they build Over money and religion there's more blood to spill The wounds of slaves in cotton fields that never heal What's the deal? A lot of cats who buy records are straight broke But my language universal they be recitin' my quotes While R&B singers hit bad notes, we rock the boat of thought, that my man Louis' statements just provoked Caught up, in conversations of our personal worth Brought up, through endangered species status on the planet Earth Survival tactics means, bustin' gats to prove you hard Your firearms are too short to box with God Without faith, all of that is illusionary Raise my son, no vindication of manhood necessary [M.D.] Not strong [T.K.] Only aggressive [M.D.] Not free [T.K.] We only licensed [M.D.] Not compassionate, only polite [T.K.] Now who the nicest? [M.D.] Not good but well behaved [T.K.] Chasin' after death so we can call ourselves brave? [M.D.] Still livin' like mental slaves [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [Mos Def] Yo, I'm sure that everybody out listenin' agree That everything you see ain't really how it be A lot of jokers out runnin' in place, chasin the style Be a lot goin' on beneath the empty smile Most cats in my area be lovin' the hysteria Synthesized surface conceals the interior America, land of opportunity, mirages and camouflages More than usually -- speakin' loudly, sayin' nothin' You confusin' me, you losin' me Your game is twisted, want me enlisted -- in your usary Foolishly, most men join the ranks cluelessly Buffoonishly accept the deception, believe the perception Reflection rarely seen across the surface of the lookin' glass Walkin' the street, wonderin' who they be lookin' past Lookin' gassed with them imported designer shades on Stars shine bright, but the light -- rarely stays on Same song, just remixed, different arrangement Put you on a yacht but they won't call it a slave ship Strangeness, you don't control this, you barely hold this Screamin' brand new, when they just sanitized the old shit Suppose it's, just another clever Jedi mind trick That they been runnin' across stars through all the time with I find it's distressin', there's never no in-between We either niggaz or Kings We either bitches or Queens The deadly ritual seems immersed, in the perverse Full of short attention spans, short tempers, and short skirts Long barrel automatics released in short bursts The length of black life is treated with short worth Get yours first, them other niggaz secondary That type of illin' that be fillin' up the cemetery This life is temporary but the soul is eternal Separate the real from the lie, let me learn you Not strong, only aggressive, cause the power ain't directed That's why, we are subjected to the will of the oppressive Not free, we only licensed Not live, we just excitin' Cause the captors.. own the masters.. to what we writin' Not compassionate, only polite, we well trained Our sincerity's rehearsed in stage, it's just a game Not good, but well behaved cause the ca-me-ra survey most of the things that we think, do, or say We chasin' after death just to call ourselves brave But everyday, next man meet with the grave I give a damn if any fan recall my legacy I'm tryin' to live life in the sight of God's memory Like that y'all [Mos Def] A lot of people don't understand the true criteria of things Can't just accept the appearance Have to get the true essence [Talib Kweli] They ain't lookin' around [M.D.] Not strong [T.K.] Only aggressive [M.D.] Not free [T.K.] We only licensed [M.D.] Not compassionate, only polite [T.K.] Now who the nicest? [M.D.] Not good but well behaved [T.K.] Chasin' after death so we can call ourselves brave? [M.D.] Still livin' like mental slaves [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [both] Hidin' like thieves in the night from life Illusions of oasis makin' you look twice [Mos Def (singing)] Stop hidin', stop hidin', stop hidin' yo' face Stop hidin', stop hidin', 'cause ain't no hidin' place |
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| 13. |
| 5:39 |
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[Talib Kweli] Yo, we been through this before right? (Word, word...) So we figurin', if we gonna do it, we gotta freak it, y'know what I'm sayin? (True, true, true...) Cuz everything gotta go up from here, right? So Hi-Tek, turn it up a notch... [Jane Doe] Hail Mary, 'matta fact hail Jane Niggaz take my name in vain/vein like I was cocaine My affirmations kill emcees like assasination Bringin' you pain until you wish you had a vaccination Or vaccine, I shine like Vaseline Gas plays like petroleum, walk over them like linoleum My vocab expand like a rubber band Walkin' nekkid through the motherland, give the finger to my brotherman Niggaz just don't understand my reasons, I transcend like season And scar these rappers like legion It's treason, my suspension attract attention I'm ventin', givin' these chickenheads detention Did I mention my name, yo, go by the Jane Doe Drenched in Polo, chill downtown in Soho You don't know, this is just half my potential Check my credentials, come harder than sequential It's essential, you listen, I drive, you a pedestrian They bless me on the track cuz I attack wit' the estrogen Rhyme against the best a men, Jane burn it up When you hear it in the whip, tell your man to turn it up! [Wordsworth] Yo...get it...yo Yo, we fortified live, supportin' allies The wack is tryin' to shorten our lives, it sorta waters my eyes But here is some'n the cryin' talk about The verse on that cassette you and cousin fought about That led to God and Satan's fallin' out Encourage the liquor for those who ain't here that you pourin' out On 3-way, your parents, preacher and spouse called my house Revive or ruin, my theories of mics Sony or Aiwa, black or white, I fit in all stereotypes Search for a cast to plot, I make you a laughin' stock So shook, I could walk a half a block and feel the aftershocks Rain of acid drops, seek some help Now don't rewind, get it the first time, Shouldn't have to repeat myself Eternally verbally, I have numbers, succumb to time outs In rhyme bouts you'll dial 9, just to get a line out Known fact or factors and non-rappers fractured Results in more cast appearances than a hundred actors Emcees I'm testin' like diseases injected in gerbils Wordsworth, Kweli, Hi-Tek, Reflection Eternal..what... [Talib Kweli] My style high life like Fonz when I burn heads like a conk Cuz niggaz front, when their chances get slim like Pharoahe Monch Thinkin' they shits is heavy when they light like ilumination Intellectual masturbation with premature ejaculation I'm comin' cleaner than vaccinations My fascination with character assassination, Got these niggaz burnin' like sensation We keep it hot like matches and on lock like latches Wack emcees get they microphones snatched like Lee patches So YOU GO! To every wack muthafucka that you know (Scram...) My lyrics they get up in your genes/jeans like Parasucos So there's no mystery about the father, niggaz is hot and bothered Like the bitches that they are, takin' pictures with stars And got 'em open, but after they little hopes and dreams get broken Me and Hi-Tek, we live long and prosper like Vulcans Think I'm jokin'? We both got sons, we make cream and break dreams See through the fake schemes, wipin' your slate clean Like a squeegee, we be lightin' shit up like phosphorus Turnin' flamboyant niggaz anonymous, depressin' to optimus You stoppin' us is preposterous, like an androgenous masohganist You pickin' the wrong time, steppin' to me when I'm in my prime like Optimus Transformin', from rookie of the year to veteran Hip-hop is big business like Con Edison or medicine But fuck it, they gonna let us in, or else we rush the door I got to many reasons, save your 'whys' and 'what fors' CHORUS: [Kweli] This is twice inna lifetime so I'm lettin' you know (let 'em know, yo!) Blackstar, Wordsorth, Punchline and Jane Doe (yo!) [Mos] Lyrical com-pete and WE emcee We got the fortified five, exhibit level degree [Punchline] Check it... I keep dough in my pocket while you follow the false prophet Get deep like Islamics wrapped in a white garment I touch topics that try to open up your optics Vacate in the Tropics, you dodgin' bullets in the projects Cut the nonsense, I'm hotter than alot a men Start honorin', got more wifeys than Solomon Fuck the squad you in, a-yo we be the biddomb Regardless what I spit on, you worse with the tracks I shit on Once you get on, it's fair you can't trust (Yes!) Words & Punch, make rappers march like the third month I build with friends, lyrically spit gems Call me diamond, cuz I'm your girl's best friend Emcees are born losers, alcoholic abusers I'll go on the radio and start a gay rumor And then I'll talk about how the crowd tried to boo ya Label shoot ya, stressed out with brain tumors My gat claps, 50% of the wack Take it back to real rap, Krylons wit' the fat cap Get robbed for your ASCAP, leave you inside Fortified live, reppin' NY 'til I die! [Mos Def] Black body radiation situation that we workin' wit' My verb exists enlisted by the bogeys campin' services The purpose is, make you go and purchase this, no nervousness We are, hot like black tar, Black Star with emergerence Superlative, you fabricated like the word absurditive I'm rockin this from here to where the purges live To Brooklyn where the merchants live Next door to the murderers And bourbon is a elder man's medicinal alternative My memory is furnished with, back streets to back seats to fat Jeeps Legendary athletes who play by the trash heap My crew wasn't that deep, but beef we didn't act sweet Treadin' on these stompin grounds you better catch some black feet Flashy, it was between DeKalb and Pulasky Off the meter like an out of borough taxi They run your pockets fastly, black and nasty, nappy and crafty And SWAT are either sittin' in Clinton or Kaksaki Man Rudolph can screw off! You too soft to stop us You and your coppers should see some foot doctors Got your burnt chest popped up, but keep your guns cocked up Cuz all them cats that you knocked up and always gon' be locked up Hide yaself like Donna Summer, another number one And comin' from the underground, this is how it's comin' down Baby let me run it down, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jane Doe, Punch, Wor.. umm..E! Excuse me! Just ate another emcee! Sometimes that's just how it be Partner wash you down with green tea and some lime We like the five on the fist, fortified organized like DIS! |
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