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| 1. |
| 4:29 | 
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[Mos Def] Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem * If you can hear me ladies and gentlemen then I'm very happy that you came here.. Ooh-ooooooooooohhhh, ooh-ooooooooooooooohh-WHEEEEE!!! That was for Brooklyn.. Ha ha, we get it everytime You got me on? Ohh Shout out to all of my crew, East-West, North-South All the continent, Europe, all abroad international Bring it in, bring it in, bring it in, bring it in It's a lot of things goin on y'all 21st century is comin 20th century almost done A lot of things have changed A lot of things have not, mainly us We gon' get it together right? I believe that Listen.. people be askin me all the time, "Yo Mos, what's gettin ready to happen with Hip-Hop?" (Where do you think Hip-Hop is goin?) I tell em, "You know what's gonna happen with Hip-Hop? Whatever's happening with us" If we smoked out, Hip-Hop is gonna be smoked out If we doin alright, Hip-Hop is gonna be doin alright People talk about Hip-Hop like it's some giant livin in the hillside comin down to visit the townspeople We +are+ Hip-Hop Me, you, everybody, we are Hip-Hop So Hip-Hop is goin where we goin So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is goin ask yourself.. where am I goin? How am I doin? Til you get a clear idea So.. if Hip-Hop is about the people and the.. Hip-Hop won't get better until the people get better then how do people get better? (Hmmmm...) Well, from my understanding people get better when they start to understand that, they are valuable And they not valuable because they got a whole lot of money or cause somebody, think they sexy but they valuable caause they been created by God And God, makes you valuable And whether or not you, recognize that value is one thing You got a lot of socities and governments tryin to be God, wishin that they were God They wanna create satellites and cameras everywhere and make you think they got the all-seein eye Eh.. I guess The Last Poets wasn't, too far off when they said that certain people got a God Complex I believe it's true I don't get phased out by none of that, none of that helicopters, the TV screens, the newscasters, the.. satellite dishes.. they just, wishin They can't really never do that When they tell me to fear they law When they tell me to try to have some fear in my heart behind the things that they do This is what I think in my mind And this is what I say to them And this is what I'm sayin, to you check it All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm Fear not of men because men must die Mind over matter and soul before flesh Angels for the pain keep a record in time which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs Gunmen and stockholders try to merit my fear But God is sufficient over plans they prepared Mos Def in the flesh, where you at, right here on this place called Earth, holdin down my square Bout to do it for y'all, and y'all at the fair So just bounce, come on bounce B-b-bounce b-bounce b-bounce-bounce And just.. .. just step two three Just step two three and step two.. two three and.. One two three and four One two three and four Once again All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm Fear not of men because men must die Mind over matter and soul before flesh Angels for the pain keep a record in time which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs Gunmen and stockholders try to merit your fear But God is sufficient over plans they prepared Mos Def in the flesh, where you at, right here on this place called Earth, holdin down my square Bout to represent in your whole atmosphere Bout to represent in your whole atmosphere to your atmosphere, to your atmosphere Oh-ooooooohhhhhhhhhh! That was for you - and Brooklyn too! |
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| 2. |
| 3:16 |
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You say one for the trebble, two for the time Come on y'all let's rock this! You say one for the trebble, two for the time Come on! Speech is my hammer, bang the world into shape Now let it fall... (Hungh!!) My restlessness is my nemesis It's hard to really chill and sit still Committed to page, I write rhymes Sometimes won't finish for days Scrutinize my literature, from the large to the miniature I mathematically add-minister Subtract the wack Selector, wheel it back, I'm feeling that (Ha ha ha) From the core to the perimeter black, You know the motto Stay fluid even in staccato (Mos Def) Full blooded, full throttle Breathe deep inside the trunk hollow There's the hum, young man where you from Brooklyn number one Native son, speaking in the native tongue I got my eyes on tomorrow (there it is) While you still try to follow where it is I'm on the Ave where it lives and dies Violently, silently Shine so vibrantly that eyes squint to catch a glimpse Embrace the bass with my dark ink fingertips Used to speak the king's English But caught a rash on my lips So now my chat just like dis Long range from the base-line (switch) Move like an apparition Float to the ground with ammuntion (chi-chi-chi-POW) Move from the gate, voice cued on your tape Putting food on your plate Many crews can relate Who choosing your fate (yo) We went from picking cotton To chain gang line chopping To Be-Bopping To Hip-Hopping Blues people got the blue chip stock option Invisible man, got the whole world watching (where ya at) I'm high, low, east, west, All over your map I'm getting big props, with this thing called hip hop Where you can either get paid or get shot When your product in stock The fair-weather friends flock When your chart position drop Then the phone calls.... Chill for a minute Let's see whoelse tops Snatch your shelf spot Don't gas yourself ock The industry just a better built cell block A long way from the shell tops And the bells that L rocked (rock, rock, rock, rock...) *scratching* Hip Hop is prosecution evidence The out of court settlement Ad space for liquor Sick without benefits (hungh!) Luxury tenements choking the skyline It's low life getting tree-top high Here there's a back water remedy Bitter and tender memory A class E felony Facing the death penalty (hungh!) Stimulant and sedative, original repetitive Violently competitive, a school unacredited The break beats you get broken with on time and inappropriate Hip Hop went from selling crack to smoking it Medicine for loneliness Remind me of Thelonius and Dizzy Propers to B-Boys getting busy The war-time snap shot The working man's jack-pot A two dollar snack box Sold beneath the crack spot Olympic spnosor of the black glock Gold medalist in the back shot From the sovereign state of the have-nots Where farmers have trouble with cash crops (woooo) It's all city like phase two Hip Hop will simply amaze you Craze you, pay you Do whatever you say do But black, it can't save you |
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| 3. |
| 4:23 |
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[Mos Def] They say the goodness in life belongs to those who believe So, I believe...YES! [Chorus] 2x I start to think, and then I sink Into the paper, like I was ink When I'm writing I'm trapped in between the line I escape when I finish the rhyme (aiyyo) My pops said he was in love when he made me Thought about it for a second, wasn't hard to see I could hear he was sincere, was a game of promotion The entire affair's probably charged wit emotion But love call your heart, I guess you got to persue 12-11-73 my life is testament Praise the beneficent, element that rest Devoid in the form that make love manifest I spent my early years in Roosevelt Project It was a bright valley wit some dark prospects In '83, Venny C was the host wit the most I listened to the Rap Attack and held the radio close I listened to the Rap Attack and held the radio close This is far before the days of high glamour and pose Aiyyo power from the street light made the place dark I know a few understand what I'm talkin about It was love for the thing that made me wanna stay out It was love for the thing that made me stay in the house Spendin time, writin rhymes Tryin to find words that describe the vibe That's inside the space When you close yo' eyes and screw yo' face Is this the pain of too much tenderness To make me nod my head in reverence Should I visit this place and remember it? To build landmarks here as evidence Night time, spirit shook my temperment To write rhymes that portray this sentiment We live the now for the promise of the infinite We live the now for the promise of the inifinite And we believe in the promise (love, love *repeated*) Yes yes y'all and we don't stop because Chorus I got love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E I MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be The M-O-S-D-E-F-initely Check it out y'all, feel me out y'all Feel me out y'all, hear my out y'all Check me, out y'all Feel me out y'all, check it out y'all Now hear out (bounce) y'all Check me out y'all, feel me out y'all Check me out y'all, feel me out y'all Feel me out y'all (hear me bounce y'all) Check me out y'all, check it out y'all My folks said they was in love when they had me I take they love they made me wit to make rhymes and beats (Can you feel?) The raw deal, it's all wheel-driven Contemplate the essence of beats, rhymes and living Speech in line wit the rhythm, designed wit the rhythm Ears and eyes keepin good time wit the rhythm I shine wit the rhythm, the Black Star Gallactica Big number fleetin, we ancient like the Abbacca's After us, I see most proceed to be trees Sproutin leaves, given breeze to the we who believe I MC, which means I Must Cultivate the earth Back straight backs, hard beats and hard work I be the funky drummer to soften the hard earth (Amin) Pray Allah keep my soul and heart clean (Amin) Pray the same thing again for all my team This go out to Fort Greene and on out to Queens Uptown to Boogie Down, yo just look around AND SHOOK UP THE WORLD!, like Ali in 6-3 (right) I'm reachin the height that you said cannot be I'm bringin the light but you said we can't see Saw the new day commin, and it look just like me Some burst through the clouds, my photo ID I bring light to your day and raise yo' degree The Universal Magnetic, you must respect it From end to beginning, ? true and livin EVERY CHANGING, it was a state of magnificent Building it now for the promise of the infinite Building it now for the promise of the inifinite because Chorus I got love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be The M-O-S-D-E-F-initely |
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| 4. |
| 3:44 |
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(sung) I know, I can't afford to stop for a moment.. that it's too soon.. to forget I know, I can't afford to stop for a moment.. that it's too soon.. to forget [Mos Def] - speaking over sung vocals Man.. for real I was in love with this girl, y'know I was.. to' up dog! I'm tellin you man She was wild man.. f'real It's just too.. let me tell you about her [Mos Def] Yo, in she came with the same type game The type of girl givin out the fake cell phone and name Big fame, she like cats with big thangs Jewels chip, money clip, phone flip, the six range I seen her on the ave, spotted her more than once Ass so fat that you could see it from the front She spot me like paparazzi Shot me a glance in that catwoman stance with the fat booty pants Hot damn! What your name love, where you came from? Neck and wrist laced up, very little make-up The slims at the Rebok gym tone your frame up Is sugar and spice the only thing that you made of? I tried to play it low key but couldn't keep it down Asked her to dance she was like ‘yo, I'm leaving now' An hour later, sounds from Jamaica She sippin Crys straight up, shaking, winding her waist up Scene two: my fam throwin the jam For Reed is on the stand big things is in the plan The brother Big Moon make space for me to move in Hey, this my man Mos, baby let me introduce I turn around Say, you is the same pretty girl that I had priorly observed Trying to play me for the herb (yeah, that's her) Shocked as hell she couldn't get it together I just played it low and pretended I never met her ‘How you feelin', ‘oh I'm fine', ‘my name is Mos', ‘I'm Sharice' I heard so much good about you its nice to finally meet We moved to the booth reserved crew especially And honey love ended up sittin directly next to me I'm type polite but now I'm lookin at her skeptically Cause baby girl got all the right weaponry Designer fabric, shoes, and accessories Chinky eyes, sweet voice is *fucking* on me mentally We conversated, made a laugh, yeah you know me bro Even though I know the steelo, she wild sweet yo I'm about to merc, I say peace to the family She hop up like ‘how you gonna leave before you dance with me?' [hook] (sung) I know I can't afford this life For a moment That its too soon To forget x2 (spoken by Mos Def) She blew my whole habit, that girl I was like ‘what' I played it low though, I was like ‘yeah, aiight, c'mon then, let's go' Its mad, it was so sick, I tell ya Yo, honey was so blazin, she was just Yo, she was like J. Kennedy Word bond, to my mother man She was that ill man, she take me to the dance floor And she start whispering to me [Mos Def] Yo, let me apologize for the other night I know it wasn't right But baby you know what its like Some brothers don't be coming right I understand, I'm feeling you Beside, ‘can I have a dance?' ain't really that original We laughed about it, traced her arms across my shoulder blades They playing lovers' rock, I got the folded fingers on her waist He end my butt up like the Arizona summer song Finished then she whisper ‘honey, let's exchange numbers' Scene three: weeks of datin late night conversation In the crib heart racin, tryin to be cool and patient She touched on my eyelids, the room fell silent She walked away smilin singing Gregory Issac Like ‘if I don't, if I don't, if I don't' Showin me that tan line and that tatoo Playin Sade, "Sweetest Taboo" Burnin candles, all my other plans got canceled Man I smashed it like an Idaho potato She call my at my J.O., ‘come now', I can't say no Ginseng tree trunks, rockin the p-funk Cocking her knees up, champion lover not ease up Three months, she call ‘I feel I'm runnin a fever' Six months, I'm tellin her I desperately need her Nine months, flu-like symptoms when shorty not around I need more than to knock it down I'm really tryin to lock it down Midnight we hook up and go at it Burn is over, let her know, sweetheart I got to have it She tellin me commitment is somethin she can't manage Wake up the next morning, she gone like it was magic Ahh damnit! This all Harrison Ford frantic My 911 wasn't answered by my fly Taurus enchantress Next week, who hit me up, I saw Sharice at the kiddie club With some banging ass Asian playin lay it down and lick me up What!? |
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| 5. |
| 4:16 |
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[Watch it] Relax, pump the brakes You're speeding money You'll smash your whole shit up [slow down] Lights be changing fast on these streets money, slow down [slow down] Sleeping on the wrong cats Clear like a megaphone Pretty nigga heart skipped the metronome Rocked the Trump Tower to the terrordome Poor house to pleasure domes Soprano, alto, tenor to baritone MOS DEF one of the illest that you ever known Rock steady baby, you a stepping stone Smash your foundation into pebbles My words leave your nerves unsettled You take it to the next level down Looking like a circus clown Cats like you can't even get a pound Worldwide from the river to lakeside My stage show stay live, make the sound man stage dive I cut fat cats to eight lives with my eight ball lines I'm home 'fore I'm done with all nine Got you shook like a fault line Come all shine and get tarnished Brooklyn got your pay roll garnished They form a huddle Whisper like they want trouble I melt the ice grills into rainwater puddles Make the proud-hearted leave on the humble Black steel in the hour Assemble my skill form my power My poems crush bones into powder You mumble like a coward I'm Mos Def, you need to speak louder SUPER HEREOS! Get your power, your masks and capes snatched Brooklyn take what you can't take back I know a lot of cats hate that All I can say black There's a city full of walls you can post complaints at All the doubters and believers adjust your receivers "I feel it," you can taste it through the speakers The three six oh-riginal sketch lyrics so visual They rent my rhyme books at your nearest home video Tell them cats they need to sit back and observe where they at Brook-nahm Vietnam The heat is on Put your joint on cruise Try to rush you scuff your brake shoes, just cool and relax Take a breath, take ten paces back Stay on time Omegas Brooklyn patrol like interstaters Take their license and their registration papers My joint's so passionate Make you peal out and mash your shit Get wild cold crash your whip Front chassis wrecked, but ock you can't be too upset Tow truck got my tape in the deck I'm permanent like tattoos and birth marks Third degree burn marks Driving on tracks like Dale Earnheart Stay on the low like the earth spot Put a big loss on your earn chart Nice since the nurse signed my birth chart Seldom seen but often heard, while your jams is barely heard Just my name is a daily word )From avenues to streets, terraces and park places Stair wells, jail cells, penthouse to basements Arrangement basic, but still fans chase it Y2K can't delete the true ancient Apache war drum on the ranges Skill level dangerous Arrow head that killed all the cavemen They cry John-Blazing, but step on the pavement And get violated like a plaintiff I ain't shit to play with I give a Goddamn what your name is Delete it and make it so it never get repeated Believe it Tell the feds, tell your girl, tell your mother Conference call you wack crew and tell each other That they just ain't holding me I'm Mos Def, your hopefully Mush off or you get bust off like a ovary Tell them cats they need to ease back and observe where they at Brook-nahm Vietnam The heat is on Put your joint on cruise In a rush you scuff your brake shoes, just cool and relax Take a breath, take ten paces back Brook-nahm Vietnam The heat is on, no off-ramp or detour Make these gassed up jokers observe the speed law Make these gassed up clowns observe the speed law Make these gassed up clowns observe the speed law Cause they speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin, speedin Relax Slow down, you better chill money Lights be changing fast on these streets dude Smash your whole shit up You better cool out money It ain't like that out here Look at these cats man, it's funny man He probably just got that car About to fuck your whole shit up Speed laws out here money Knight riding cats In control like interstaters, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, state-ahs, Stay the.. FUCK off the road, money!! |
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| 6. |
| 3:50 |
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[Mos Def] Back up, back up, back up, back up Back up back up back up back up EASE off This goes out to all area crew (yes yes) To my BK crew (ooh-OOOOOOOH-WHEEE) to my QB crew My LI crew, my Shaolin crew My Dirty South crew (What cha'll niggaz about the Dirty South?) Atlanta, North Cakalak' For all my fam, all area crew (AOWWWWWWWWW) Yeah mon!! Yes, the first cut should be the deepest to penetrate beyond the muscle wall's inner regions First you was icin me, connect with the starin at the speakers Heard the rhyme, head high, what ya starin at ya sneakers You shy now, got a lot of things on your mind now You don't feel fly now, you huntin the exit sign down Fuck what you heard, cause I snatch the grapevine down (yea yeah) Don't understand how I ran the line down, rewind now [Busta Rhymes] YO!! We be the most magnetic, so athletic Leave your peeps on the side so they can watch you and your mans get it Take the arch rivalry stance up on the podium And give the flavor to niggaz but keep it low on sodium Posess shit that got you wonderin how we holdin em Things that'll lay you out like a piece of linoleum Bring who-ever you want, we bout to bug son and bounce down to Henry Hudson, after I bust one! [BR] Yo Mos Def! [MD] Alright okay [BR] How you feel? [MD] Feelin great [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] I wan' do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] What-a-gwan? [MD] How you feel? [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] I wanna do it to death, whattup wit you? [MD] You know my steez [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it loud [BR] Black and proud [MD] Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! [Mos Def] Hay dios mio, me and Bustarimo ?? The hottest negroes en Los Estados Unidos Hotter than Reno when discovered by Bugsy Siegal I'm black like Don Cheadle shoutin power to the people My rhymes dipping like the lifeline on the e-boat The raw sugar cane, NutraSweet, never Equal If you in a Benzito or your mother's Buick Regal I get up like Chino shoutin power to the people!! [Busta Rhymes] Yo, me and the Mighty Mos shine like a light post Live nigga shit be straight FUCKIN UP THE WHITE FOLKS That's why they with it now, because niggaz like me and you we did it now, brought it to that level so they GET IT NOW We graduated saturated the game now Infatuated with the fame now let me explain how we doin this, at any time or any place ready willin and able let's get the dough secure the FOOD ON THE TABLE [BR] Ay Mos Def [MD] Oh my God.. [BR] How you feel? [MD] I'm feelin great [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] Wanna do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] Rhymes Galore! [MD] What the deal? [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] Wanna do it to death, WHATTUP wit you?! [MD] You know my steez [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it loud [BR] Black and proud [MD] Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! [Mos Def] From East West North and South I got joints for all of those Heavy aquatic water flows keep them on they toes Tell them thugs that wanna be CEO's to be derobed 'Fore I wear your little dumb ass out like Easter clothes! [Busta Rhymes] Yo, yo-yo yo-yo It's like a freak show, soon as my heat blow Sometime I speak slow so people understand my street flow And while we keep it hot, we got the most shine up in this WHOLE SHIT, me and Mos spit and blow the show quick [Mos Def] WATCH OWT! Your pussy sound get bucked Souf Mos 'n Bussa Rhymes too bad man-a-shutout WATCH OWT! Give a damn whut fancy car ya hop owt Shut down your game like da NBA lockout [Busta Rhymes] Ya betta WATCH OWT! I'm bout to black on niggaz like I'm blowin on a sax, blowin my gats on niggaz Blowin my raps on niggaz - now let me mash out We fatter than the biggest ass chicks pokin they ass out! [BR] Hey Mos Def [MD] Magnetism [BR] How you feel? [MD] Feelin great! [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] I wan' do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] Woo-HAH! [MD] How you feel?! [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] I wanna do it to death, WHATTUP wit you?! [MD] You know my steez! [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it LOUD! [BR] Black and proud! [MD] Ain't no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! [Mos Def] What what, we got to do it, do it We got to do it, do it, make me do it, do it What.. wha-what-what, we got to do it, do it Make me do it, do it Do it do it do it now! What what, we got to do it, do it Do we do it, do it, do it, ah do it now! What what, we got to do it, do it Got to do it, do it Do it now! AOWWWWWWWWWWWW! |
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| 7. |
| 3:28 |
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Some cats really like to, you know... Profile and front. And then the jooks go down, all at once they like... Don't get mad Don't get mad Don't g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x) You're out on the block hustling at the spot... GOT, this is how you get Got... At the gamblin' spot and your hand is mad hot... GOT, this is how you get Got... Out in Brooklyn late night flashing all of your rocks... GOT, this is how you get Got... Some girl from pink house said "I like you alot"... GOT, this is how you get Got... This one goes to all them Big Will cats With ice on they limbs and big rims on they Ac You goin' around town with your system bump And your windows cracked low to profile and front Now I like to have nice things just like you But I'm from Brooklyn, certain shit you just don't do Like, high postin' when you far from home Or like, high postin' when you all alone Now, this would seem to be clear common sense But, cats be livin' off, sheer confidence Like "Fuck that, picture them tellin' me run that" But acting invincible, just ain't sensible It's nineteen ninety-now, and there's certain individuals Swear they rollin' hard and get robbed on principle 5 star general, flashin' on your revenue You takin' a ride on the Downstate medical, Like (whooooooo) Colorful sparks, yellow and blue A fool on attack and it's happening to you Wit' nothing you can do but bust back and cop a plea But five of them and one of you, that equals Got to me... Don't get mad Don't get mad Don't g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x) Come on ya'll now, let's be real Some jokers got a rough time keepin' it concealed I wonder what it mean, it's probably self-esteem They fiending to be seen, get hymned like Aberdeen Cats think it can't happen until the gats start clappin' They comin' down the wire spittin' fire like a dragon 'Cause while the goods glisten, certain eyes take position To observe your trick, and then catch that ass slippin' Like, come on now ock, what you expect? Got a month's paycheck danglin' off your neck And while you Cristal sippin', they rubbin' up they mittens With heat in mint condition to start the getti-gettin' They clique starts creepin' like Sandinistin guerrillas You screamin' playa haters, these niggas is playa killers Mr. Fash-ion, that style never last long The harder you flash, the harder you get flashed on There's hunger in the street that is hard to defeat Many steal for sport, but more steal to eat Cat's heavy at the weigh-in, and he's playin' for keeps Don't sleep, they'll roll up in your passengers seat There is universal law, whether rich or poor Some say life's a game, to more, life is war So put them egos to the side and get off them head-trips 'Fore some cats pull out them heaters and make you head-less... Don't get mad Don't get mad Don't g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x) |
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| 8. |
| 5:05 |
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I don't wanna write this down, [world... premiere] I wanna tell you how I feel right now [world... premiere] I don't wanna take no time to write this down, [world... premiere] I wanna tell you how I feel right now, hey [world... premiere] Tomorrow may never come For you or me Life is not promised Tomorrow may never show up For you and me This life is not promised I ain't no perfect man I'm trying to do, the best that I can, With what it is I have I ain't no perfect man I'm trying to do, the best that I can, With what it is I have Put my heart and soul into this song [yes yes] I hope you feel me )From where I am, to wherever you are I mean that sincerely Tomorrow may never come For and me Life is not promised Tomorrow may never appear You better hold this very moment very close to you [right now] Very close to you [right now] So close to you, So- close to you [your moment in history is right now!] Don't be affraid, to let it shine My Umi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see My Abi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see [I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] My Abi said shine your light on the world [Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] Shine your light for the world to see [Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] My Umi said shine your light on the world [Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] Shine your light for the world to see [Want black people to be free, to be free...] Sometimes I get discouraged I look around and, things are so weak People are so weak Sometimes, Sometimes I feel like crying Sometimes my heart gets heavy Sometimes I just want to leave and fly away [fly fly fly, like a dove] Sometimes I don't know what to do with myself [ow!] Passion takes over me I feel like a man Going insane Losing my brain Trying to maintain Doing my thang Hey hey hey hey hey Put my heart and soul into this y'all I hope you feel me Where I am, to wherever you are [ha ha ha ha] Sometimes I don't want to be bothered Sometimes I just want a quiet life, with Me and my babies, me and my lady Sometimes I don't want to get into no war [Black people to be free, to be free...] Sometimes I don't wanna be a soldier Sometimes I just wanna be a man, but Umi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see My Abi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see [I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] My dreamers(?) said shine your light on the world [Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free] Shine your light for the world to see [Want black people] My elders said shine your light on the world [Hey hey] Shine your light for the world to see I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free All my people to be free, to be free, to be free Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free That's all that matters to me (x7) Black people unite and let's all get down Gotta have what, Gotta have that love Peace and understanding One God, one light One man, one voice, one mic Black people unite come on and do it right Black people unite come on and do it right Black people unite come on and get down Gotta have what, Love, peace and understanding One God, one voice, one life One man, gon' shine my light Black people unite, now hop up and do it right Black people unite, now come on and do it right Yeah baby that's what I like Yeah baby that's what I like Yeah baby that's what I like... [Black people, my people....] |
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| 9. |
| 3:12 |
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[Mos Def] There's nothing more refreshing (that cool refreshing drink) Than a cool, crisp, clean glass of water On a warm summer's day (That cool refreshing drink) Try it with your friends New World Water make the tide rise high Come in and it'll make your house go "Bye" (My house!) Fools done upset the Old Man River Made him carry slave ships and fed him dead nigga Now his belly full and he about to flood somethin So I'ma throw a rope that ain't tied to nothin til your crew use the H2 in wise amounts since it's the New World Water; and every drop counts You can laugh and take it as a joke if you wanna But it don't rain for four weeks some summers And it's about to get real wild in the half You be buying Evian just to take a fuckin bath Heads is acting wild, sippin poor, puffin dank Competin with the next man, but how your playa rank? See I ain't got time try to be Big Hank, Fuck a bank; I need a twenty-year water tank Cause while these knuckleheads is out here sweatin they goods The sun is sitting in the treetops burnin the woods And as the flames from the blaze get higher and higher They say, "Don't drink the water! We need it for the fire!" New York is drinkin it (New World Water) Now all of California is drinkin it (New World Water) Way up north and down south is drinkin it (New World Water) Used to have minerals and zinc in it (New World Water) Now they say it got lead and stink in it (New World Water) Four carbons and monoxide Push the water table lopside Used to be free now it cost you a fee Cause all things fully loaded they roam cross the sea Man, you gotta cook with it, bathe and clean with it (That's right) When it's hot, summertime you fiend for it (Let em know) You gotta put it in the iron you steamin with (That's right) It's what they dress wounds and treat diseases with (Shout it out) The rich and poor, black and white got need for it (That's right) And everybody in the world can agree with this (Let em know) Consumption promotes health and easiness (That's right) Go too long without it on this earth and you leavin it (Shout it out) Americans wastin it on some leisure shit (Say word?) And other nations be desperately seekin it (Let em know) Bacteria washing up on they beaches (Say word?) Don't drink the water, son they can't wash they feet with it (Let em know) Young babies and professional neediness (Say word?) Epidemics hopppin up off the petri dish (Let em know) Control centers try to play it all secretive (Say word?) To avoid public panic and freakiness (Let em know) There are places where TB is common as TV Cause foreign-based companies go and get greedy The type of cats who pollute the whole shore line Have it purified, sell it for a dollar twenty-five Now the world is drinkin it Your moms, wife, and baby girl is drinkin it Up north and down south is drinkin it You just have to go to your sink for it The cash registers is goin to chink for it Four carbons and monoxide Got the fish lookin cockeyed Used to be free now it cost you a fee Cause it's all about gettin that cash (Money) Said it's all about gettin that cash (Money) (x9) Johny cash (Money) Roseland cash (Money) Give me cash (Money) Cold cash (Money) (Repeat to fade) Cash rules everything around me, Move! |
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| 10. |
| 5:03 |
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[Mos Def] Make me wanna HOLLA.. aowwWWWWWWWWWWWWW! "Ah.. ah-ah, ah-ah.. ah-ah, ah-lert the squad.." Rock and roll "Ah.. ah-ah, ah-ah.. ah-ah, ah-lert the squad.." Hehehe, rock and roll "Ah.. ah-ah, ah-ah.. ah-ah, ah-lert the squad.." Whoahhhhh-oh, oooh-weee-oooh "Ah.. ah-ah, ah-ah.. ah-ah, ah-lert the squad.." Whoahhhhh-oh (Huh) My grandmomma was raised on a reservation (Huh) My great-grandmomma was, from a plantation They sang - songs for inspiration They sang - songs for relaxation They sang - songs, to take their minds up off that fucked up situation I am... yes I am... the descendant (yes yes) of those folks whose, backs got broke who, fell down inside the gunsmoke (Black people!) Chains on they ankles and feet I am descendants, of the builders of your street (Black people!) Tenders to your cotton money I am.. hip-hop "It's heavy metal for the black people" I am.. rock and roll (rock and roll.. rock'n'roll) BEEN HERE FOREVER! They just ain't let you know.. (HA!) I said, Elvis Presley ain't got no soul (huh) Chuck Berry is rock and roll (damn right) You may dig on the Rolling Stones But they ain't come up with that style on they own (uh-uh) Elvis Presley ain't got no SOULLLL (hell naw) Little Richard is rock and roll (damn right) You may dig on the Rolling Stones But they ain't come up with that shit on they own (nah-ah) Guess that's just the way shit goes You steal my clothes and try to say they yo's (yes they do) Cause it's a show filled with pimps and hoes Tryin to take everything that you made or control (there they go) Elvis Presley ain't got no SOULLLL Bo Diddley is rock and roll (damn right) You may dig on the Rolling Stones But they ain't the first place the credit belongs Say whoahhhh-oh (don't take it) oooh-weee-ohhh (black music) whoahhhh-oh (don't take it) oooh-weee-ohhh (black music) whoahhhh-oh (Jimi Hendrix say) oooh-weee-ohhh (black music) whoahhhh-oh (Albert King and) oooh-weee-ohhh (and Motown) (huh) I ain't tryin to diss but I don't be tryin to fuck with Limp Bizkit "The fuck is on your mind?" When I get down in my zone I be rockin Bad Brains and Fishbone I ain't tryin to slow your groove But that ain't the way I'm tryin to move I don't turn on Korn to get it on; I be playin Jimi Hendrix 'til the dawn That's my word is bond Sittin up on my front lawn Got the volume turned to ten Playin Albert King the best again (black) When the mornin in the cooker Got to turn on some John Lee Hooker When I want some rock and roll Go to Otis Redding to get some soul Say, James Brown got plenty of soul James Brown like to rock and roll He can do all the shit fo' sho' that Elvis Presley could never know (black people) Said, Kenny G ain't got no SOULLLL John Coltrane is rock and roll (uh-huh) You may dig on the Rolling Stones but they could never ever rock like Nina Simone Say whoahhhh-oh (don't take it) oooh-wee-ohh (black music) whoahhhh-oh (don't take it) oooh-weee-ohhh (black music) whoahhhh-oh (don't take it) oooh-weee-ohhh (black music) whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh "ah-lert the squad.." {*MUSIC PICKS UP PACE AND GETS LOUDER*} Who am IIIIiiiiiiiiIiiiII, HUH! GET YOUR PUNK ASS UP! ELVIS PRESLEY AIN'T GOT NO SOUL JIMI HENDRIX IS ROCK AND ROLL YOU MAY DIG ON THE ROLLING STONES BUT EVERYTHING THEY DID THEY STOLE ELVIS PRESLEY AIN'T GOT NO SOUL BO DIDDLEY IS ROCK AND ROLL YOU MAY DIG ON THE ROLLING STONES BUT WE SEND THEY PUNK ASS HOME Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii (ROCK AND ROLL) Who am IIIiiiiiiiiiii!!! Say, rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! Who am I? Rock and ROLL! GET YOUR PUNK ASS UP!!!!!!! Company, MOVE!!! For Harlem, Fort Greene, Compton East St. Louis, Detroit (BO BO) Chicago (BO BO) Bed-Stuy (BO BO) Flatbush (BO BO) Brownsville (BO BO) East New York (BO BO) Newark New Jersey (BO BO) Illadelphia Cincinatti Atlanta the Dirty South All towns GET YOUR PUNK ASS UP!! "Rock and roll for the black people" Hi ma.. "Well that was just wonderful" |
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| 11. |
| 4:04 |
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[Mos Def] Hey, hey, heyyy man I Strike the Empire Back.. I Strike the Empire Back.. Fuck the Empire!! High flyin like the Millenium Falcon, piloted by Han Solo I never roll for dolo, frontin on me's a no-no Understand? Doin this for my family Ha ha, check it out y'all Yo I'm tryin to make a dollar out of what makes sense Add it up, told my daddy I'd be a rich man You never know when your fate gon' switch hand Get today's solid ground out of yesterday's quicksand I was a young boy -- who dreamt about being a big man on small looseleaf sheets I sketched a big plan Gotta handle business properly, boost up my economy Store it up and get my mom some waterfront property Yesterday was not for me but nowaday it's time for me The streets is watchin me, I watch back, that's the policy Movin along my oddesey like blood through the artery Navigate the treacherous and make it seem effortless Let those who make the exodus seekin the North beacon from beatin and hog-eatin, from punishment all season from hands cracked and bleedin -- cotton thorns in your palms It's for y'all that I sketch these songs, and it goes.. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow I fear no man, because faith is the aarow My vocal chord travel worldwide to block narrow We can blow with the ammo or go mano-a-mano Kweli is you wit me? (Whattup whattup?) Let's make it happen I *BURN* through your argument with action My eyes stay fastened to tomorrow lookin for a brighter day When y'all wanna leave y'all? Right away Shout it out from East-West (from South to Northern) From Cakalak' (to California) From the coldest (to the warmest) To the borders ('cross the waters) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." We got love in the place Shout out to all the Queens (all the Seeds) To all the teams (that's gettin cream) From outlaw (to emcee's) Make it happen (do your thing) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen [Talib Kweli] Guess who? The illest MC in the atmosphere, yeah the Soul Controller who roam the frontier like a Buffalo Soldier I follow the code of honor like a real man gonna Never disrespect no women cause I love my momma These cats be givin us praise but it ain't that accurate I give it up to God, all that, love and attachment, get scary well-prepared with the shears when it get hairy like how these niggaz is lookin like some fairies and singin like canaries to the beast and anybody who will listen to em clearly Y'all don't hear me though, even when I'm comin through in stereo You make a mockery of what I represent properly Yo why you startin me? I take that shit straight to the artery Intellectual property I got the title and the deed I pay for rent, with the tears and sweat, and what I bleed MC's imitate the way we walk, the way we talk You cats spit lyrical pork with no spiritual thought Plus your flow a little bit off, you come across soft Back in the days, niggaz like that on stage got tossed off Need to get crossed off the guestlist It's like you gotta be disrespected and thrown out the exit to get the message Sometimes your sunshine get snatched like a necklace when you get too drunk on power and your drive get reckless Check it, MC's in my face after I slug you then I hug you If I gotta dead you know it's only cause I love you [Mos Def] Shout it out from East-West (from South to Northern) From the richest (to the poorest) To the elders (in the coffins) Livin native (dyin for it) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." Yea, yea, we got love in the place Shout out from up top (to the middle) To black bottom (SKY HIGH) Whether you colder than December or hotter, than July It don't stop 'til we complete this (".. and know that I love you..") keep this fly It's so much to life when you just stay black (10X) My people, my people, my people people p-people (8X) My PE-ople, oh-oh-OH-oh-OHH, oh-OHH... |
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| 12. |
| 4:02 |
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La La La [humming...] People climbed into the night like space suits People stepped into the night like moon boots Marching like moon troops In their zoot colored zoot suits People climbed into the night like cool wells Shiney bottles in their hands Drinking their new selves They say it's their true selves People climbed up in the night like green trees They were hanging from the night like green leaves Buzzing like queen bees People climbed into the night like space suits People stomped inside the night Stomping and stomping and stomping and stomping and stomping Where are they going? What's the rush? Everybody's embraced but so out of touch Hey Night-time is when the things get heavy You feel alone and you want somebody Loneliness whispers desperate measures And your frantic all by yourself Night-time is when the things get heavy You feel alone and you want somebody Loneliness whispers desperate measures Baby don't make no fast moves Baby don't make no fast moves Baby don't make no fast moves Baby don't make no fast moves- Tonight La La La [humming...] People stomped inside the night Let me climb into the night... Let me climb... [vamp to fade] |
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| 13. |
| 5:10 |
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*part one* [Mos Def] Hey hey, ha ha say what say what Ha ha bust it yo Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner Sometimes I feel like my only friend Is the city I live in, is beautiful Brooklyn Long as I live here believe I'm on fire hey Cuz it's the B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K L-Y-N is the place where I stay The B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K Best in the world and all USA It's the B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K L-Y-N is the place where I stay The B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K Place where I rest is on my born day Bust it, sometimes I sit back and just reflect Watch the world go by and my thought connect I think about the time past and the time to come Reminesce on Bed-Stuy when I was pride and young I used to try and come, to the neighborhood function Throw on my Izod, say a little something When I was just a youngin, before the days of thuggin How me and Charlie Chims (aiyyo what?) I'm only buggin Fast forward, Nine-Now I gotta team my seed I must proceed at God's speed to perform my deed Livin the now space and time, round the nine to five For as long as I'm alive, paw I got to strive I ain't sittin roadside, that ain't harder to plan I'm out here for my fam doin all that I can I love my city, sweet and gritty in land to outskirts Nickname Bucktown cuz we grown to outburst Philosophy redefine us, touch mines I touch back Walk the streets like a sweet and get beat like drum tracks Catch no shakes over jakes (boomp-boomp!) we bust back Bring the marty to your face wit no place to run back I'm from the slums that created the bass that thump back This ain't a game clown, play ya James Brown and jump back What you want, Jack? Young cats stash they jums at Draw they guns back, momma screams where she sons at Tryin to hunt that, recurring dream of high stakes The fourth largest, first artist, Brooklyn is the place Settled by the judge many years ago Three billion strong and here we go *part two* [Mos Def] GOOD MORNINNNNNNNNNGG VIETNAM!!! Ha (back up back up back up back up back up)*repeated in background* Yo sometimes I sit back, reflect on the place that I live at Unlike any place I ever been at The home of big gats, deep dish hammer rim caps Have a mishap, push ya wig back Where you go to get the fresh trim at Four on the jake got the Timb rack Blue collars metro carding it Thugs mobbin it, form partnership Increase armorment, street pharmacist Deep consequence, when you seek sleek ornaments You get caught, rode the white horse and can't get off Big dogs that trick off just get sent off They shoebox stash is all they seeds gotta live off It's real yo but still yo, it's love here And it's felt by anybody that come here Out of towners take the train, plane and bus here Must be something that they really want here One year as a resident, deeper sentiment Shoutout "Go Brooklyn!", they representin it Sittin on they front stoop sippin Guinesses Usin native dialect in they sentences )From the treeline blocks to the tenaments To the Mom & Pop local shop menaces Travel all around the world in great distances And ain't a place that I know that bear resemblance That's why we it The Planet Not a borough or a prov, it's our style that's uncalm )From ?sun? to the ? to the Lafayette Gardens White ?coff guawinas? in they army jacket linings Yo this goes out to my cats in Coney Isle Friday night out in front The Himalaya goin wild This goes out to Crown Heights and Smurv Village The nighties, and all my ?yarda trenny? Brown's Village Parkside tennants caught, thirties, forties, and the fifties The cats out in Starite City gettin busy To the Hook, to the East, to the Stuy Bushwick and Kanarcy, Farraget, Fullgreen, and Marcy My Flatbush posse, generals of armies When it's time to form, just call me And let this song be, playin loud in Long B If you love Bucktown STRONGLY! RAISE IT UP! *part three* [Mos Def] Brooklyn my habitat, the place where it happen at Live sway and the sharp balance of the battle axe Irons is brandished at, thugs draw they hammer back It's where you find the news tool crew cameras at It's where my fam is at, summertime jame is at They play Big and get you open like a sandal back Hotter than candle wax, hustlin you can't relax The crack babies tryin to find where they mama's at It's off the handle black, wit big police scandals that Turn into actions screenplays sold to Miramax The type of place where they check your appearance at And cats who know where all the high low gear is at The stompin grounds, where you find a pound, smoke is that Be blazin charm that have your wave cap floatin back The doorstep where the disposessed posted at Dope fiends out at Franklin Ave sellin zovarax You big ballin better keep your money folded back Cuz once the young guns notice that it's over, black Brooklyn keep on takin it, worldwide we known for that Flossy cats get it snatched like the local tax The place I sharpen up my baritone vocals at Where one of the greatest MC's was a local cat |
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| 14. |
| 4:39 |
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(Chorus) We all got to have, a place where we come from This place that we come from is called home We set out on our travels, we do the best we can We travel this big earth as we roam We all got to have, a place where we come from This place that we come from is called home And even though we may love, this place on the map Said it ain't where ya from, it's where ya at (verse one) I come up in the street around some real wild brothers With more than one name and more than one baby mother More than one chase, been on more than one run Got more than one enemy and more than one gun *Speaks foreign language* While these cats that's less privileged is just more raw Less space cause the projects laced with more flaws Less sleep cause the nights ain't peace, it's more war The can is raw like thirsty, rainy season thunder claps On the block with your old pop pleading number act To the spot with the red top fiends is huddled at To the crib where the little kids spend their summers trapped With the jungle cats, lions and tigers, leopards and cheetahs For gazelle you get chased like a zebra, they blaze cheeba- cheeba And dominate the weaker on the street Hungry bellies only love what they eat and it's hard to compete When they smile with your heart in they teeth And the odds is stacked high beyond and beneath Son i been plenty places in my life and time And regardless where home is, son home is mine (chorus) Some people live out in-New York City Some people live out in-Atlanta Some people got to live-Chicago Some people do live-Miami All my people at-California And other people got to live-London And everybody got to live in the whole big world Together just you and me (verse two) When i think of home, my remembrance of my beginning Laundromat helping ma dukes fold the bed linen Chillin in front my building with my brother and them Spending nights in Bushwick with my cousins and them Wise town and Beat Street, federal relief Slowly melting in the morning grits we used to eat Sticking to your teeth and teeth is hard to keep With every flavor Now & Later only a dime apiece Old timers on the bench playing cards and thangs Telling tales about they used to be involved in things Start to drinking, talking loud, cussing up and showing out On the phone, call the cops, pick'em up, move'em out And it's all too common to start wildin I'm a pirate on an island seeking treasure known as silence And it's hard to find Block parties in dark lobbies Funeral homes packed but only dark bodies I can't sleep hardly, stirred up like Bob Marley Marley Marl played the symphony, remember we recall Son i been to many places in my space and time and whatever my home is, son home is mine. (chorus) |
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| 15. |
| 5:13 |
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Say ho, everybody say ho bop-po quay yo I said shake your soul like way back in the day-yo bop-po quay yo, everybody say ho Everybody say hooooo- hooo Everybody say ho And check it out now Who is cat eating out on the town And make the whole dining room turn they head around Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga He got the speakers in the trunk With the bass on pump(?) Who be riding up in the highrise elevator Other tenants who be praying they ain't the new neighbor Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga They try to play him like a chump Cause he got what they want He under thirty years old But already he's a pro Designer trousers slung low Because his pockets stay swoll' Could afford to get up and be anywhere he go VIP at the club, backstage at the show (Yes y'all) the best crib, the best clothes Hottest whips on the road Neck and wrists on froze (say word) Checks with O's o-o-o-o-ohs Straight all across the globe Watch got three time-zones Keep a digital phone up to his dome Two assistants Two bank accounts, two homes One problem Even with the O's on his check The po-po stop him and show no respect "Is there a problem officer?" Damn straight, it's called race That motivate the jake (woo-woo) to give chase Say they want you successful, but that ain't the case You livin large, your skin is dark They flash a light in your face Now, who is cat dining out on the town Me'tradie wanna take a whole year to sit him down Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga He got the speakers in the trunk With the bass on pump(?) Now, who is the cat at Armani buying wears With the tourists who be asking him, do you work here? Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga Nigga Nigga Yo, the Abstract with the Mighty Mos Def White folks got it muffled across beneath they breathe "I didn't say it.." But they'll say it out loud again When they deal with their close associates and friends You know Sneak it in with they friends at the job Happy hour at the bar While this song is in they car And even if they've never said it, lips stay sealed Their actions reveal how their hearts really feel Like, late night I'm on a first class flight The only brother in sight The flight attendent catch fright I sit down in my seat, 2C She approach officially talking about, "Excuse me" Her lips curl up into a tight space She don't believe that I'm in the right place Showed her my boarding pass, And then she sort of gasped All embarrassed put an extra lime in my water glass An hour later here she comes by walking past "I hate to be a pest but my son would love your autograph" They stay on Nigga patrol on american roads And when you travel abroad they got world Nigga laws Some folks get on a plane go as they please But I go over seas and I get over siezed London-Heathro, me and my people They think that illegal's a synonym for Negro Far away places, customs agents flagrant They think the dark face is smuggle waiting in cases Bags inspected, now we arrested Attention directed to contents of our intestines Urinanalyis followed by X-rays Interegated and detained to damn near the next day No evidence, no appology and no regard Even for the big american rap star For us especially, us most especially, A Mr Nigga VIP jail cell just for me "If I knew you were coming I'd have baked a cake Just got some shoe-polish, painted my face" They say they want you successful But then they make it stressful You start keeping pace, they start shaking up the tempo Now, who is cat riding out on the town State trooper want to stop in his ride, pat him down Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga He got the speakers in the trunk With the bass on pump(?) Now, who is the cat with the hundred dollar bill They gotta send it to the back to make sure the shit is real Mr Nigga, Nigga Nigga Nigga Nigga Nigga You can laugh and criticize Michael Jackson if you wanna Woody Allen, molested and married his step-daughter Same press kicking dirt on Michael's name Show Woody and Soon-Ye at the playoff game, holding hands Sit back and just bug, think about that Would he get that type of dap if his name was Woody Black? OJ found innocent by a jury of his peers They been fucking with that Nigga for last five years Is it fair, is it equal, is it just, is it right? Do they do the same shit when the defendent face is white? If white boys doing it, well, it's success When I start doing, well, it's suspect Don't hate me, my folks is poor, I just got money America's five centuries deep in cotton money You see a lot of brothers caked up, yo straight up It's new, Y'all living off of slave traders paper But I'm a live though, yo I'm a live though Putting up the big swing for my kids yo Got my mom the fat water-front crib yo I'm a get her them pretty bay windows I'm a cop a nice home to provide in A safe environment for seeds to reside in A fresh whip for my whole family to ride in And if I'm still Mr Nigga, I won't find it suprising |
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| 16. |
| 4:06 |
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[Mos Def] Booka-booka-booka-booka-booka-booka Ha hah You know the deal It's just me yo Beats by Su-Primo for all of my peoples, negroes and latinos and even the gringos Yo, check it one for Charlie Hustle, two for Steady Rock Three for the fourth comin live, future shock It's five dimensions, six senses Seven firmaments of heaven to hell, 8 Million Stories to tell Nine planets faithfully keep in orbit with the probable tenth, the universe expands length The body of my text posess extra strength Power-liftin powerless up, out of this, towerin inferno My ink so hot it burn through the journal I'm blacker than midnight on Broadway and Myrtle Hip-Hop past all your tall social hurdles like the nationwide projects, prison-industry complex Broken glass wall better keep your alarm set Streets too loud to ever hear freedom sing Say evacuate your sleep, it's dangerous to dream but you chain cats get they CHA-POW, who dead now Killin fields need blood to graze the cash cow It's a number game, but shit don't add up somehow Like I got, sixteen to thirty-two bars to rock it but only 15% of profits, ever see my pockets like sixty-nine billion in the last twenty years spent on national defense but folks still live in fear like nearly half of America's largest cities is one-quarter black That's why they gave Ricky Ross all the crack Sixteen ounces to a pound, twenty more to a ki A five minute sentence hearing and you no longer free 40% of Americans own a cell phone so they can hear, everything that you say when you ain't home I guess, Michael Jackson was right, "You Are Not Alone" Rock your hardhat black cause you in the Terrordome full of hard niggaz, large niggaz, dice tumblers Young teens and prison greens facin life numbers Crack mothers, crack babies and AIDS patients Young bloods can't spell but they could rock you in PlayStation This new math is whippin motherfuckers ass You wanna know how to rhyme you better learn how to add It's mathematics Chorus: scratched by DJ Premier (repeat 2X) "The Mighty Mos Def.." "It's simple mathematics" -) Fat Joe "Check it out!" "I revolve around science.." "What are we talking about here?" .. "Do your math" -) Erykah Badu (2X) .. .. "One.. t-t-two.. three, four" -) James Brown .. .. "What are we talking about here?" .. [Mos Def] Yo, it's one universal law but two sides to every story Three strikes and you be in for life, manditory Four MC's murdered in the last four years I ain't tryin to be the fifth one, the millenium is here Yo it's 6 Million Ways to Die, from the seven deadly thrills Eight heroes gettin found with 9 mill's It's 10 P.M., where your seeds at? What's the deal He on the hill puffin krill to keep they belly filled Light in the ass with heavy steel, sights on the pretty shit in life Young soldiers tryin to earn they next stripe When the average minimum wage is $5.15 You best believe you gotta find a new ground to get cream The white unemployment rate, is nearly more than triple for black so frontliners got they gun in your back Bubblin crack, jewel theft and robbery to combat poverty and end up in the global jail economy Stiffer stipulations attached to each sentence Budget cutbacks but increased police presence And even if you get out of prison still livin join the other five million under state supervision This is business, no faces just lines and statistics from your phone, your zip code, to S-S-I digits The system break man child and women into figures Two columns for who is, and who ain't niggaz Numbers is hardly real and they never have feelings but you push too hard, even numbers got limits Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret: the million other straws underneath it - it's all mathematics Chorus {closing scratch} "Mathematics.." |
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| 17. |
| 3:29 | 
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