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[Talib Kweli]
We fantastic, flippin on tracks like gymnastics Small brats get they ass kicked, me and Mos smash it Top gun like what comes after the, fist rockin' knife Check the keys that get played on the roads of life Yo the rhyme is so heavy like a load of my chest Travel on these mc's, leave 'em broken like house pets Priceless like the streets I'm on, my word is born You like Paula Abdul-ka-ka compared to Sarah Born? Sayin, what did I do to be so black and blue Mc's sayin damn what got it goin after you Slam my microphone and do just what I have to do Aiyyo, I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through You know I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through [Mos Def] I'm on my way back to Louis Avenue Inside Brooklyn the b-boy capital, lot of cats travel to black eratical Say, my response is invatically yes We invatically fresh, you dramatically stressed These mc's proceed to cease the presidential palace And burn Babylon like a ? Strive to maintain balance With the God given talent Articulate the article, eliminate the fossical Black Star Line shine remarkable, they style ain't even talkable These socalled criminals is fictional they make the party turn miserable We document the memorable Then break 'em up like syllables Straight down to earth like minerals Your style is foul like down? chemicals We five-dimensional, audio, visual, physical, spiritual, lyrical Another world Another world, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Black Star 'bout to shine from what [Talib Kweli] Yo Mos, ain't it a shame how these people treating life like a game Ain't gonna give you no fame by callin out your name Just explain how I do it and, lead by example Stay away from repetition don't wanna sound like no sample You can't handle this Messiah My shit is classical we get bug' like Umfufu, "You treat me like animal!" Just 'cus you got money, don't mean you made it Just 'cus you make it don't give you the right to be a ? Matter fact stay out my face I can't take it like them stupid big horse bills Your defense is nill, my chatter, shatter your forcefield Kweli and Mos Definition with more lines then a petition Yo my mission is to break shit in half, like intermission Then get missin' with Hi-Tech or anyone like that Costin' one million pounds 'cus it sound so fat Lay you flat like the carpet Take the tobacco out my spliff before you spark it The only tye I rock is chocolate Makin profits like Spacely Sprockets, you can't stop it The topic, we always gonna be black like markets From the underground, look around and tell me what you see Another picture painted perfectly by yours truly Another world, y'all Say what, another world Another world, y'all Say what, another world Travellin' through, time and space On the the Black Star galactica Yo, another world 'nother 'nother, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother world [Mos Def] Never never never soap opera Whether you, indian, dominican, jamaican or bolivian No matter what disc recorder or part of town you livin' in I recommend you listenin' to these distinguished gentlemen Who take the proper measurement to represent The solo's ? chrome is known to built on Gleam on the measurement Master mc carpentry Talib kwa, the Kweli in quality Put the groundation down properly You can't trespass the property Ain't takin' or breakin', robbery Got the whole owner blast-back policy Follow me, descendant of the grand master armery Where cats rock the Wallabe and Kangols, mc's exchange flows The same goes on, they'll be here when we gone Hope they heart stay strong for The other world The other world y'all Say what, another world Another, 'nother 'nother 'nother Say what, another world... 'nother 'nother 'nother.... |
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( INTRO: Mos Def )
Baba-baba-baba-baba-baba, you been so good to me When I was a little boy you were the only one I wanted to be To be like pa duke and ma duke How much I love the both of you I know all the strain we been through But it's of no consequence cause I'm comin through ( VERSE 1: Mos Def ) Check it I first stood ???? in the ??Brakalak?? In the center of ??Islam??, started ???? This had to be about ten years back Before I ever even heard of a 24 track Talkin about you was an MC was ??quite the?? move Cause if you said you had skill well then you had to show and prove And if there ever was a party, son, yo, I would set it And tell the deejay run the beat from (Ultra-magnetic) I grabbed the mic and then I leave the party buzzin Tellin all my honeys I was Slick Rick's cousin When they knew I wasn't, but I had no shame Pa, you know the name, the Mos always had game Back in the day ????? Brothers knew how to act before glocks and crack And Wendy C was doin radio shows And 'crossover' meant that you wore your mom's clothes When Sweet G was talkin about the games that people play I used to sit back and say: yeah indeed, someday And as I grew older my kung fu grew better Instead of shootin the humbles I was shootin ???? And now my time has come And now hip-hop's an industry polluted by bums Posin with guns they're puffin mad blunts Aiyo, brothers just started rhymin last month They gettin fat deals on any major label When they only see other people hold the mic cable Five years ago when peoples danced to house When the deejay played hip-hop then you walked out But now you're hard, talkin about you paid mad dues I used to see your ass ???? wearin platform shoes I ain't confused, who you think you're foolin with that get-up You ain't genuine, so don't waste your time Riffin over here cause here ain't no chance That you could break the sound, son, you ain't that advanced Times are gettin critical across the land ???? the b-boy, introduce the b-man, understand? The M-O-S D is who I am, now check it out, y'all ( CHORUS ) My kung fu is the style you haven't mastered ( VERSE 2: DCQ ) At the age of 18 made a little money And I needed some advice on how to live my life Was goin through strife, people couldn't understand That I was comin into my own, becomin a man I had to have a plan cause I know what I'm here for So I can't waste time, y'all Gotta be on the ball and represent for my peeps (Where?) in the streets I make beats and kick facts over fat tracks It's all of that from the ??Brakalak?? Goin through problems as a adolescent A lot of troubles and turmoils, there was persistence And I know that I stutter But it don't matter cause I'm a bad - I flip a verse either backwards, sideways I rocks my (edited) from here, Mondays, Fridays Saturdays and I get a weekend off My (edited) ain't soft (Well, excuse me, baby) You paid your dues cause I'm the boss So mother(edited) Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross Because they know what the time is I rock (edited) for the fly kids, b-men, bouncin ?? bombastics Kick it drastic, you get tossed like an ash, kid Youknowmsayin? ( CHORUS ) ( VERSE 3: Ces ) Well, I'm sleek and I freak a beat For you and your peeps to bump inside your jeeps Your Acura, Honda or whatever Bump it in the Benzi and get your head together Strollin down the F.D.R. Playin the microphone star Deep in your car With the thump-diddy-thump-da-thump-da-thump-thump Pop up the trunk and let the bass bump If you ain't got a ride, well, that's alright Let the U keep you company on your hike Trekin down the ave. with your headphones on Take em off for a sec, you still feel gone You're pressin rewind, many, many times I must rock the mic cause it's only right Comin right up offa Eastern ground This is how you get down, I hope you like the sound Thermo offering number one There's more in store, there's more to come We far from done, no, the show ain't over So when we comin through don't say I never told ya That ( CHORUS ) |
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Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind Same story, same target, different time Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind (black thought) Yo, talk about paying the ultimate price Hurricane been incarcerated all of his life Started out at like twelve Trapped in a belly of hell Grew into a man inside of a cell Yo, anger just swell up At a early age that develop Hot head and now it ain't shit y'all could tell him They said he's on a road to become a felon But instead he swung blows that'll spilt your melon He did his thing and was the king of the ring, undisputed Started making noise but they tried to mute it They put him through it For him to make the system look stupid, (yo) They rather look you in the face and shoot it And leave your spot looted (or what) Or leave your whole life blank futured and caught When you scream at it and do it With sweat leaking from the outline of your silhouette Don't understand the point that you at Or how the hell you came to it? Flashback to images of that night, out in patterson They pulled him over heading home from a gathering And when they told him the charge it kind of baffled him Murder in the first for the champ, we on that again? Chorus Hurricane Accuse a hurricane Ain't change a damned shame It's life for hurricane, hurricane (black thought) *overtop of sung chorus* Forever, imagine your locked down forever Could y'all stand the weather? Could you hold it together? You tell me that you know the pain Yo, imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane Forever, imagine your locked down forever Could y'all stand the weather? You built for that weather? Yo, know what'm saying? Know what'm saying? (common) You gotta fight for what you believe in Nobody knows the troubles seen This flick left me wondering 'what can become of kings and young kids? ' Summer dream deferred, incident occured, freedom blurred A freedom that would only be retrieved again in words, later on The cops, y'all know what they be on A nigga's life is like a field that they play upon, away and gone from Natural lifer, a soul he had to fight, Learn it himself, sleep days, stay up half the night Amongst dead man walking, he got afterlife exercising, Developing his knack to write Never leaving his cell, in this world he trapped himself What he loved on the outside world, detached himself You know the cards blacks get dealt by the system He drew a picture of freedom with many dimensions This picture proved to be bigger than black and white A young soul named lesra brought him back to life It's amazing to a man what a book could do And how certain books seem to look for you This is the story of a champion's fall and rise The story left me wiping my eyes Peace ru Chorus Hurricane Accuse a hurricane Ain't change a damned shame It's life for hurricane, hurricane (black thought) *overtop of sung chorus* Yo, yo, forever, imagine your locked down forever Could y'all stand the weather? Could you hold it together? You tell me that you know the pain Yo, imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane Forever and ever yo, locked down forever Could you stand the weather? Yo, yo I can't even explain the pain Just imagine if your life was like a hurricane (mos def) Yes, I am the inescapable, the irresistable, The unnegotiable, the unchallenged (who dat? ) I am time I scroll in measurements, control the elements, I hold the evidence, I tell the story (say what? ) I am time I know no prejudice, I bare no sentiments For wealth or settlement, I move forward (who you? ) I am time You can't recover me, conceal or smuggle me, Retreat or run from me, crawl up or under me, You can't do much for me besides serve Me well and have good dividends returned to you Or attempt to kill me off and have me murder you Many have wasted me but now they are facing me, Treated me unfaithfully and now endure me painfully Plaintively, I wait to see what history will shape to be, Who's hearts will never die inside the sake of me Angel's scribe the page for me, Keep a full account of all the names for me And make a special mark for hurricane who (? ) patiently Chorus Hurricane Accuse a hurricane Ain't change a damned shame It's life for hurricane, hurricane (black thought) *overtop of sung chorus* Yo, yo, a hurricane forever, Imagine your locked down forever Could you stand the weather? Could you hold it together? I can't even explain the pain Imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane Forever, imagine your locked down forever and ever, ever Could you hold it together? Yo, can't explain the pain with words, know'm saying? Just imagine if your life was like a hurricane (verse 4) The clouds clashed and the heaven's gave birth to star God placed it in a man on the day he was born Convicted minutes after, a true natural disaster Framed for manslaughter, the hurricane carter rising From out the south water, like torrential rains In the ring no opponent escaped unscathed You can't believe the world we live in's injust All I see is more proof, there's no place for us They had my man carter locked in a cage, like an animal Drive him to the point where the mind work mechanical Or works by remote control It was done to all of us, they tapped directly into our soul Either it's sing-sing, or it's bars around your mind There's no where to run, no where to hide In a six-by-six a guilty man cries For repentance and lost is what innocence is Same story, same target, different time Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind Same story, same target, different time Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind Chorus Hurricane Accuse a hurricane Ain't change a damned shame It's life for hurricane, hurricane (black thought) *overtop of sung chorus* Your locked down forever Could you stand the weather? Could you hold it together? I can't even explain the pain, know'm saying? Your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane Forever, imagine behind bars forever Could you stand the weather? You built for that? is you cut for that? Don't be telling me that you know the pain Your life was like a hurricane, yo Same story, same target, different time Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind Same story, same target, different time Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind |
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[Mos Def]
Aight, uhh, alright y'all slow down I'm tryin ta Aight, yo I I only took a little bit of Spanish you gotta Aight I hear what you're sayin but yo, aight okay Alright okay, alright okay okay Alright okay, I'm feelin you, okay Alright okay, alright okay okay Alright okay, I'm feelin you yo All my people in Brooklyn and you know we're hot, I say We don't stop, the Body Rock All my people in Queens and the land in between say we Don't stop, the Body Rock Shaolin and L-I say you know we're fly, say we Don't stop, the Body Rock From the East to the West son we take it to the chest say we Don't stop, the Body Rock Check me out y'all I'm in the lab with Ab, I got the band they're fat My man T-A-S-H take it to your breastplate It's the Mighty Mos Def, complete the trilogy Just shot myself a dime, see are you feelin me? Son I'm wicked and nice when I'm on facility Let me take a sec to review what I wrote.. *paper rustling* .. "Mos Def and I sound par fresh" OK it's dope let's record this ('cord this) they gonna want dis (want dis) And all area crew is gonna flaunt this *clapping* And when we step to the plate Pah it's flawless My man T-A-S-H with styles glory great Great, great great, great great uh uhh uh uhh uh uhh uh [Tash] Up next we got CaTash with that West coast rhymin Bombin niggaz with the style that's dangerous as mountain climbin (ahhhh!) Cause the Alkie words I'm spittin be twistin while you listenin Plus I'm in this motherfucker with the Likwit coalition Gotta leave you in position, twist it backwards like dough go While you starin down my throat like, "Is he drunk or is he sober?" WHO KNOWS, all I know is Tash got flows and got the technique to get the ladies out of they clothes I been overly exposed to the forty-oh's and chickens So I'ma keep it pumpin til the beat stop kickin or til the plot thickens, cause this is how we do CaTashTrophe, Mos Def, and the brother man QUE!!!! [Q-Tip] What's up Tash, hey yo, Tip can't call it Sure as Mos is Def and you Alkaholik I'ma be surfin at, thing that's worth dealin Hypodermically, shoot up your feelin Figuratively, speakin of course now old and greedyness, seekin it's course now what we gonna do, eradicate them Shoot them from the jam, they fear disease [Mos Def] Tash Love... are you ready to rock the mic? Q-Tip... are you ready to rock the mic! Mos Def... are you ready to rock the mic? We got the universal style that you got to like! And ain't nobody steppin up when we got the mic So turn the A.C. up cause it's hot tonight! And til the bright early morn' we be rockin you all Don't stop, the Body Rock! [Tash] Cause I'm next to flex, and I'm technically advanced to turn you on like cybersex, so in less than two sec's I blind MC's like Thomas Dolby with the Science that'll leave they braincells fryin slowly (FIRE!) so slowly I flow and express written consent, from the undergroundin niggaz Coast II Coast I represent cause gettin bent, I do but I'm doper than sherm plus the way I put it down could burn the perm off Big Worm, so peace and pipe this greeting of the Last Action Hero that be freezin rappers dead in they tracks like Sub Zero (Zero), cause Rico ain't no joke I eat your flows and yo' beat up rappers even feel my presence when I'm home with my feet up [Mos Def] for what you skied up or treed up Relax and pull a seat up, make your landlord turn the heat up Got the opposition shook like Tiger Woods about to tee up So niggaz no competition with the clear Mos Definition MC's screamin now for years can't rhyme without they mom's permission You just a young'un comin out, gettin gassed to run your mouth Wildin on the Runabout, Baby Pah you comin out Barkin that you want a bout but son you know the comeabout when Mos Def blow up and, you don't, nuttin Don't you know nuttin? My crew go huntin We keep it on the norm then we transform som'in And while, we do it, you bounce to it The cops wanna stop the Body Rock but don't do it [Q-Tip] DY-NO-MITE!!! Like Jimmy J.J. Swap down pen-ny, somewhere in L.A. (A) Now we got to bond like Voltron (tron) Tash you the bomb, Mos you the won ton (ton) Q will pick the lead, I must drop on thee (thee) A-B-S, I bust down, facility (ty) T-R-A-C-T is the MC (cee) It's the LL, inside the place to be (be) [Mos Def] Tash Love... are you ready to rock the mic? Q-Tip... are you ready to rock the mic! Mos Def... are you ready to rock the mic? We got the universal brothers that you got to like! Now ain't nobody steppin up when we got the mic So turn your A.C. up cause it's hot tonight! And til the bright early morn' we'll be rockin you all Don't stop, the Body Rock! All my people out in Queens that know you're hot, you say Don't stop, the Body Rock! All my people out in Brooklyn and you know we're hot, say Don't stop, the Body Rock! Shaolin to L-I and you know we're fly, said Don't stop, the Body Rock! All the people on the Greens and the land in between said Don't stop, the Body Rock! ... no stoppin ... no stoppin Out in Jersey ... no stoppin Philadelp-i-I ... no stoppin Chi Town gettin down ... the playgrounds Detroit you say ... no stoppin In Cali ... no stoppin And the great V-A ... no stoppin Cause in the Brooklyn town ... no stoppin And the Boogie Down ... no stoppin L-I and Queens ... no stoppin And you see Medina Greens ... no stoppin You know we, Lyricist Lounge ... no stoppin And my man Abstract ... no stoppin Cause see we never the wack ... no stoppin Don't stop, the Body Rock D-dah, don't stop |
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Yes yes yes yes
(Whoo woo woo woo woo woo woo WHOO!) Light up the sky like the 4th of July Everything in this life son they've got two sides It's part one (part one) part two (part two) Get together with my crew and we gon' do Feast for Hi Teknological neurological whatever we've got to do uh huh UH! It's unstoppable check it out.. I'm fantastic FURIOUS like the Five from B'lawn Brooklyn phenom' Diss all peons, flow for eons Mos Def is beyond, in fact most cats can agree on Cause we on the same frequency, if not then the re-bonics keep heat like, Hamid's weed speech change your dial and get on it, I flip on this here beat Hit the deep street sonnets, who want it? Hoppin dancin so sonic, you need tonics Don't get yours from your schoolboy comets, all blazin on your man chronic, I twist the hard caps back to blue bonnets, I repeat WHO WANT IT? The principle, YOUR academics inadmissiable Daytime on the list of time on the tradition, of combustion Ignition, propulsion, put MC's on expulsion You're indefensible, my style is so comprehensible You temporary like a weather pattern Forgot I'm like you never happened Cats take it to heart like a ventricle North and South both, cause it sound DOPE Don't never say whatever happened to Mos? My light shine boast from the East to the Left Coast.. Boy your boy sound CHOKED with the next man's style between your teeth tongue and throat like *SOUND EFFECT* Got to wash your mouth out with soap My penstroke, is leavin other men broke It controls the soul of your foes and kinfolk Maintainin my scope from beginnin to end quote What I invoke is never asleep, ever woke Like ba-biti-dabi-dida-da-dah-dah Pretty High Noon riders get clipped and shot down Unstoppable, title wave in this shit, we powerful Reach behind, Teknological, neurological Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it! The Universal, Magnetically So raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it The Universal, Magnetically You see I'm comin to the party in the b-boy stance I rock on the mic.. on the mic, yo Son it's in my chromosomes to rock this, I got this Watch this! Assemble mo' raps, tap your pockets Knock this, stimulate nerve ends and shock wrists Smart art breakin apart hearts in darkness Down for the longest, son peep the songlist Radiate enormous, pure peak performance Vocal chords the strongest, acapella or cordless WHOO! How Def flow we gone and Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches Brooklyn New York make the world moonwalk like John Glenn Son I'm sendin it out, for the short to long haul Earth sky, left right inbetween it and all y'all Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it The Universal, Magnetically B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it! So raise your hands in the air everybody get with it B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop The Universal, Magnetically You see I'm comin to the party in the b-boy stance Fly like a dove, that come from above I rock on the mic make your girl wanna dance From rockin on the mic and you can call me Mos Love |
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'Now listen'
[Mos] ..doin this song for you. All my little brothers.. out in the street. Strugglin to survive.. keep your eyes on the prize, you know [Kweli] Yeah, the revolution will not be televised Or broadcast live on the net My man Mos said it's personal.. knamsayin? It's gotta start from right up in here, you know [Mos & Kweli] You can't stop, you know [3x] You can't stop when we rep [Kweli] We rep the ain't-gots Ain't nobody can't start no party like us, we crush the faint hearts From Hallsey to St. Mark's, walk in the main blocks Painted with blood that's still hot, so deep it stain socks The pain spark frustration, situations lead to hatin Some deal with drug distribution, others walk the plantation Some know the code a' the streets, some got a college education Come down on the weekend, and peep the conversation [Mos] Yo On the corner, units stormed out Ghetto lookin bombed out Police waited to roll, for those who walk the wrong route Shorties goin all out, they got they swords drawn out Ready to brawl out, gettin fought til they fall out Black like Morehouse, 40 o'z is tossed out For brothers that they mourn bout, get wrecked til it's dawn out Whether they broke or flossed out, honeys pass they draws out Lookin for a ticket out the poor-house A jungle out here Lions keep they claws out, fangs and jaws out Weak just get forced out Names is called out, ghetto-fame is sought out You wanna be the man that they talk bout I walked out I had some things on my mind to sort out I thought bout the wild circumstance we born out Remember myself at your age, when I was just like you If that was now, I don't know what I would do My answer's? closest to me So what I say to you is goin for me Son we both still growin indeed But where you at, I was, and where you been, I left Utilize my experience to guide your step Some people get love but don't command respect It's somethin that you can't ride with a check Over-rollin your lex or icy links that hang from your neck If it's real, who need to deal with the special effects? [Kweli] Come here, come here, yo Lemme drop this on ya, look they gotchu cornered The corner of the block is hot, I ain't got to warn ya 'Cause I see you every day, trapped in every way 'Shit, I'm a thug, and that's all that I can say' Who are you anyway? Mary J.? I spend, many nights awake, watchin you while you sleep Tryin to figure out how to be the example, 'cause talk is cheap As you walk the streets, study cats on the real In a convo, just make your point to relax and chill [Niggas] wanna destroy each other in a cypher instead a' build Be a- man of will, don't be- standin still If you- don't plan ahead, then you- plan to fail Do ? in a daze when the ways reveal Like they funny style but I'm not laughin Serious [niggas] makin money while the police is passin Can't wait for opportunity to knock, you gotta make it happen It ain't about no spectacular ways a' rappin Just immaculate ways a' action.. dig? [Mos sings] Little Brother I know that times is hard Keep your mind on guard Stay clear of things that are harmin You'll get along I sing my song For little brothers Out there in the street Strugglin to make ends meet Gotta hold the heat Strugglin so hard to compete Stay clear of things that harm Do it for y'all Try to stay strong Keep movin on [6x] [shoutin out Little Brothers all over the area, simultaneous singing] |
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(Ces)
You are about to enter the manifestation of a family cipher The Urban Thermo Dynamics is about to hit you right about now (VERSE 1: Ces) I'm just here to let you all know I got the flow and the locks that grow I love the nappy heads, the braids and afros Kicks Adidas, jeans Girbaud This is how we go and this is how we do This how we be, we are the big U You don't know me and I don't know you But if you wanna set it, do what you gotta do I keep my flow with the one and two That equals three, first letter C Second letter e, last joint s Styles manifest from Key West to Budapest Nevertheless don't need no S on my chest "Yo, why Ces?" Cause I'm superblessed Save all the stress 'fore I clean up the mess And if it ain't no, then it must be yes And if it's the bomb, then it must be Ces And if it's the bomb, then it must be Ces I got the exposure to keep my composure I'm meetin quotas from Minnesota to Dakota Takin no shit from the rap promoter Cause if they ever try to, they shit is over Murky mixture, what's goin on? I leave the party bumpin till the break of dawn Break of dawn, break ya down Yo Mister (Name), I like that sound Put on the weight cause it's more than a pound So if you want some of what I have Meet me on (Name) or Fulton Ave Or Albee Square, a hop from the D Manifest Destiny, it must be (What?) Manifest Destiny, it must be (What?) So check it out (VERSE 3: Mos Def) Well if it ain't red, then it must be blue And if it ain't false, then it must be true And if it ain't day, then it must be night And if it ain't left, then it must be right And if it ain't (?) then it must be hype And if it ain't loose, then it must be tight And if it ain't off, then it must be on If it ain't here, then it must be gone If the shit ain't proper, then it must be wrong Whatever don't fit does not belong Sunrise to sunset, that's dawn to dusk The big U, a name that you can trust The big U, a name that you can trust The big U, a name that you can trust Lay around on the middle ground, kid, you could die It's game time, son, you better choose yo side Half-measure will no abide If you ain't all the way live, then step aside The deep Medina Green is where I reside And it's about time that this Brooklynite Took the mic and made the world get hype You wanna be hardcore, try livin right Man, niggas be puttin up a hell of a fight Many times I stumble off the righteous path But (?) on my ass But I promise on high plains I take the rocks I got the (?), I will not be stopped I gotta manifest des', what ock, you think not? The verbal juggernauts will make a party lick shot I tread a road more narrow than a (?) Comin from the bottom, so I'm risin to the top What, and you don't stop (CHORUS: Ces, DCQ) Self-actualize and realize, do what you got to do If you can see it, you can be it, manifest, it's up to you Everbody self-actualize and realize, do what you got to do If you can see it, you can be it If your mind can go there, then why can't you? If your mind can go there, then why can't you? If your mind can go there, then why can't you? (VERSE 3: DCQ) Nowadays heads be makin me mad Talk a good game but they legs is bad Yappin at the mouth with the wish I had Hops, do yourself a favor and get off your ass You (?) in between Runnin round town sellin dreams and beans Screamin word is bond, but what's your word worth? Before you indict yourself, fool, think first And if it's my word, then it must be bond And if it's my word, then it must be bond And if it's my word, then it must be bond And the word is, the big U got it goin on Cause in the (?) we takin down vultures Peace to all those who represent the culture To the kings and the queens of the universe Aiyo, we gotta shine the light, aight? Aiyo, we gotta shine the light, aight? Aiyo, we gotta shine the light, aight? (CHORUS) |
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[Talib Kweli]
We fantastic, flippin on tracks like gymnastics Small brats get they ass kicked, me and Mos smash it Top gun like what comes after the, fist rockin' knife Check the keys that get played on the roads of life Yo the rhyme is so heavy like a load of my chest Travel on these mc's, leave 'em broken like house pets Priceless like the streets I'm on, my word is born You like Paula Abdul-ka-ka compared to Sarah Born? Sayin, what did I do to be so black and blue Mc's sayin damn what got it goin after you Slam my microphone and do just what I have to do Aiyyo, I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through You know I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through [Mos Def] I'm on my way back to Louis Avenue Inside Brooklyn the b-boy capital, lot of cats travel to black eratical Say, my response is invatically yes We invatically fresh, you dramatically stressed These mc's proceed to cease the presidential palace And burn Babylon like a ? Strive to maintain balance With the God given talent Articulate the article, eliminate the fossical Black Star Line shine remarkable, they style ain't even talkable These socalled criminals is fictional they make the party turn miserable We document the memorable Then break 'em up like syllables Straight down to earth like minerals Your style is foul like down? chemicals We five-dimensional, audio, visual, physical, spiritual, lyrical Another world Another world, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Black Star 'bout to shine from what [Talib Kweli] Yo Mos, ain't it a shame how these people treating life like a game Ain't gonna give you no fame by callin out your name Just explain how I do it and, lead by example Stay away from repetition don't wanna sound like no sample You can't handle this Messiah My shit is classical we get bug' like Umfufu, "You treat me like animal!" Just 'cus you got money, don't mean you made it Just 'cus you make it don't give you the right to be a ? Matter fact stay out my face I can't take it like them stupid big horse bills Your defense is nill, my chatter, shatter your forcefield Kweli and Mos Definition with more lines then a petition Yo my mission is to break shit in half, like intermission Then get missin' with Hi-Tech or anyone like that Costin' one million pounds 'cus it sound so fat Lay you flat like the carpet Take the tobacco out my spliff before you spark it The only tye I rock is chocolate Makin profits like Spacely Sprockets, you can't stop it The topic, we always gonna be black like markets From the underground, look around and tell me what you see Another picture painted perfectly by yours truly Another world, y'all Say what, another world Another world, y'all Say what, another world Travellin' through, time and space On the the Black Star galactica Yo, another world 'nother 'nother, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother world [Mos Def] Never never never soap opera Whether you, indian, dominican, jamaican or bolivian No matter what disc recorder or part of town you livin' in I recommend you listenin' to these distinguished gentlemen Who take the proper measurement to represent The solo's ? chrome is known to built on Gleam on the measurement Master mc carpentry Talib kwa, the Kweli in quality Put the groundation down properly You can't trespass the property Ain't takin' or breakin', robbery Got the whole owner blast-back policy Follow me, descendant of the grand master armery Where cats rock the Wallabe and Kangols, mc's exchange flows The same goes on, they'll be here when we gone Hope they heart stay strong for The other world The other world y'all Say what, another world Another, 'nother 'nother 'nother Say what, another world... 'nother 'nother 'nother.... |
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[Talib Kweli]
We fantastic, flippin on tracks like gymnastics Small brats get they ass kicked, me and Mos smash it Top gun like what comes after the, fist rockin' knife Check the keys that get played on the roads of life Yo the rhyme is so heavy like a load of my chest Travel on these mc's, leave 'em broken like house pets Priceless like the streets I'm on, my word is born You like Paula Abdul-ka-ka compared to Sarah Born? Sayin, what did I do to be so black and blue Mc's sayin damn what got it goin after you Slam my microphone and do just what I have to do Aiyyo, I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through You know I'd like to stop and chat but I'm just passing through [Mos Def] I'm on my way back to Louis Avenue Inside Brooklyn the b-boy capital, lot of cats travel to black eratical Say, my response is invatically yes We invatically fresh, you dramatically stressed These mc's proceed to cease the presidential palace And burn Babylon like a ? Strive to maintain balance With the God given talent Articulate the article, eliminate the fossical Black Star Line shine remarkable, they style ain't even talkable These socalled criminals is fictional they make the party turn miserable We document the memorable Then break 'em up like syllables Straight down to earth like minerals Your style is foul like down? chemicals We five-dimensional, audio, visual, physical, spiritual, lyrical Another world Another world, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Another World, y'all We transmit another world Black Star 'bout to shine from what [Talib Kweli] Yo Mos, ain't it a shame how these people treating life like a game Ain't gonna give you no fame by callin out your name Just explain how I do it and, lead by example Stay away from repetition don't wanna sound like no sample You can't handle this Messiah My shit is classical we get bug' like Umfufu, "You treat me like animal!" Just 'cus you got money, don't mean you made it Just 'cus you make it don't give you the right to be a ? Matter fact stay out my face I can't take it like them stupid big horse bills Your defense is nill, my chatter, shatter your forcefield Kweli and Mos Definition with more lines then a petition Yo my mission is to break shit in half, like intermission Then get missin' with Hi-Tech or anyone like that Costin' one million pounds 'cus it sound so fat Lay you flat like the carpet Take the tobacco out my spliff before you spark it The only tye I rock is chocolate Makin profits like Spacely Sprockets, you can't stop it The topic, we always gonna be black like markets From the underground, look around and tell me what you see Another picture painted perfectly by yours truly Another world, y'all Say what, another world Another world, y'all Say what, another world Travellin' through, time and space On the the Black Star galactica Yo, another world 'nother 'nother, 'nother, 'nother, 'nother world [Mos Def] Never never never soap opera Whether you, indian, dominican, jamaican or bolivian No matter what disc recorder or part of town you livin' in I recommend you listenin' to these distinguished gentlemen Who take the proper measurement to represent The solo's ? chrome is known to built on Gleam on the measurement Master mc carpentry Talib kwa, the Kweli in quality Put the groundation down properly You can't trespass the property Ain't takin' or breakin', robbery Got the whole owner blast-back policy Follow me, descendant of the grand master armery Where cats rock the Wallabe and Kangols, mc's exchange flows The same goes on, they'll be here when we gone Hope they heart stay strong for The other world The other world y'all Say what, another world Another, 'nother 'nother 'nother Say what, another world... 'nother 'nother 'nother.... |
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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) (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 & 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 & 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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"1, 2, 3, 4" 10x
(88 Keys) Yo, this is 88... This is for Amadou Diallo Rest in peace, you still here (Fre) Yo, I'm in a brownstone singin like Brownstone Bird's eye view wit the bodega Know Omega like Rakim Thinkin about brother Diallo I find it hard to swallow Cuz 41 is a hard act to follow Who is it, it can happen tomorrow Goes down all the time in some African community This one just hit closer to home Cuz it happen it in our backyard This that *shit* bring us closer to home They ask "What you writin fo'? What you writin on that paper fo'?" Don't ask me nuttin, just tell me How is safer got me safe, that's why my raps sour My peoples screamin "Black power!" and la razah From the Bronx, police bustin, it's redemption time (J-Live) Now in the squad car, CPR's supposed to be the motto But in they minds, they be like "Yo, I'ma do Diallo" I guess master's noose was a bitter pill to swallow Cuz nowadays, tips ain't the only things that's hollow Constitution, 41 more holes in it And cops swingin sticks like they tryin to win the pennant And stickin sticks places where they ashamed to admit it But that's the straw that broke the camel's back THEY GON' GET IT!! (Rubix) Possessed by a nervous twitch and itchy writin finger 41 strokes through the barrel of pen for Amadou More than a few of my personal friends Since the beginning, it seems like it never ends The story, ancient as lyrical allegory and it's all gory The Little Shop of City Hall Horrors Who bakes infiltrate, agent, provocator mission statement Assassinate the Senate candidate, heavenly mandate (Chorus: Mos Def) We proceeded on a country road His mother's eyes withered swoll Her child was never comin home Said a prayer for his soul As the coffin had closed, committed to the earth below First seed she would sew, would be a tree never grown Shade that was never known Who controls the Terrordome, the member hearts made of stone Who love only what they own (Invincible) Stay on your toes for a true bruise description Match blue suits, walkin round wit a stick and *edit* Ready to blast wit the wrath of a hollow tip And the fact is my task is a scholarship I feel it in my chest cavitity The only death's apathy, so I change it for who's next after me And that's the fullest reward Keep the face of the lost on my bulletin board (Wordsworth) Yo yo, it's blue uniform, sirens, names, and badge numbers Clubs, walkie-talkies, recipies for bad summers Frisked, pissed after I tuck in my stuff I really think they just like touchin my *nuts* What's real stain they thoughts Swear, but they won't say it in court All they do is change the report Riots, tryin to keep the crowd under control They even got shows, Cops, LAPD, Highway Patrol yo yo (A.L.) From the cradle to the grave, they made you a slave Brainwash to kill each other, that's the plague that they made I search em like readin scripts that could save you today White is right, black is wrong, that's the label they gave Fryin in hell, applyin jails, they got you dyin in cells Triple six in the mix, Levine to ?spell? Prepare for the worst, and try to hope for the best I take a stare at the hearse, can we cope wit the stress? (Kofi Taha) I live in the land of punches Illegal chokeholds and excessive gunshots Where there's one millionaire for every billion empty pot And Adolf Guily think we static but he's in for a shock They come wit automatics but we flip it Use the one, create the four glocks and while stocks get washed While school doors get locked and when jobs get blocked The confi-dence get's rock And when the welfares drop into the jails we stock now After Amadou wrestlin wit freedom tacks my mind into a headlock But *fuck* H&R, I'm a true cat Refundin power back to our Blocks Chorus (Tame One) Good life, you can bubble or struggle Use your brain muscle if you hustle Don't let nobody touch you Don't even trust the ones that trust you Cuz the ones you showin love to might bust Seekin as a cancer, my man got shot by Haitians or Jamaicans ? wit confrontations and school my mind's racin I pride these sensations over this, now I'm hopin this We shine for, I never got a chance to rhyme for My role models sold bottles and stole cars And when they got locked, I accepted all the phone calls That's when *niggas* was real Back before I had a deal Back when people called Villsburg Hooterville ILL!!! (Jane Doe) My mind wonders on melodic jams An exotic bird, caged wit the rage and the violence of my words The same things I down I turn around and do The white cops say *Fuck you* but I say *Fuck you too!* Truth be totally hypocrites And materialistic society, spirituality shunned or While young kinds get gunned on Hibernatin in projects, which you project-ing The pigs is crucifyin but Africans is resurrectin, Jane Doe (Grafh) Battacky, sends cops to come and catch me He better send a runnin back to run and track me When I'm runnin through the back streets The rat teeth of beast lovin to black me Eatin brothers like a picinic color cuz that's sweet To lock a man up in prison, the standard of livin Thinkin they make a better bred of man Than the man when he went in Rub up a man for sinnin Handcuff his hands to the system, banned from his wisdom Wit insanity in him, his mind roams wit like a cyclone Damagin victim, his eyes hold savage within him Wrath wit the venom, poison his life No ointment to boisten the might If it's on the left, walk to the right Until death, do your part do your life Like a boyfriend and wife, because the day times shorter than night You know? Chorus (88 Keys) Yo, black is fragile remember that Cherish everyday Live life to the fullest, aight? |
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Yo, this is to the entire critical mass, my nigga Ty Shawn (?), Jah Born and
Big 2. This how we do, check it out: Yeah Day light disappears from sight, sun bleeds on the bricks, and brings forth the night, the red serenade, give shade to backstreets, heads adjust the EQ, for the bass in they jeeps, sound like the drum of a neighboring tribe, absorb the vibe, feels good close my eyes, and swept out the loot by the crisp night air, I gotta stay aware, God there's demons out here, adjust the headset, 'fore I begin this trip, insert the cassette, press play on the deck, the horns echo, and I slip back in the zone, it's time for the high plains man to roll, yo I be dealing with men but, some say mellowdramat, linguilly acrobat, staying fluent in style, I work my way through your town as the day goes down, I got observatory view of the sight and sounds, I feel completely out of place, in this wack rap race, I'm the type of black man, that need color and space, heads be dealing with waste, they be moving in haste, heard there's something to prove, want to stare in ya face, brothers want to compete, when there aint shit to win, they playing high post now, unprepared for the end, they wanna profile they style, like they got it so sweet, it ain't about what ya earn, it's about what you keep, man passes by, in an aimless stroll, barefoot in the street, as the night grows cold, in reply to our sorrow, he begins to dance, he claps his hands, share an awkward glance, CHORUS Mos Def: Sun is Falling. . . Moon is rising. . . Ces (in Background): A yes yes ya'll. . . a break a break ya'll . . a feel free ya'll . . . and ya don't stop VERSE Mos Def: Keep leaning to myself Aint got too many friends, while they be lookin' for rocks, I be searchin' for gems, I got nothin' to lose, might as well be a winner, try to radiate the light, as the world get dimmer papa haven't ya heard. there is power in words, I contemplate to elevate the average man on the curb, who be slingin' his rock, catchin' hell from the cop, got the world on his back, being male being black, and it's crazy mad stress, the city don't rest, can't maintain ya poise for the goddam noise, so I'm watching my clock until the day drifts off, at night I reason with myself so I can get shit off, might be reading a book, I might be drinking the stout, I might be thinkin' it over, might just need to be out, I might be tryin' to get money, I might be dealing with honeys, might be geekin' off these devils, cause they so fuckin' funny, smokin' a stoge on the D-train chillin', checkin' the skyline off the watchtower buildin', images of black in the hills and the valleys, from the tight business men to the gods in the valley (peace God), a basehead with the moldy shades, a little girl with pretty eyes and her hair in braids, a mother rests on her seat, rubs her feet, pulls back into sleep, thousand fathoms deep, (bah bah bah bah) CHORUS VERSE Ces: As the night time falls I creep through the dark I check out the scenes, in Fort Green park, lost souls in empty memory lanes, no life to live, and no goals to gain, there's negatory provisions thats all around us, it's systematic and frantic, the devil hounds us, set to prevail I take back the night, wake up my soul, take back my life, I sit back, and I wait for the right time, but I'm already here, its in the night time, CHORUS VERSE Mos Def: Moonlight starts to fade away, sun creeps up the bricks, and brings forth the day, sun is high and it's AM again, a time for the killers to slay men again, I'm real short and brisk, doing business things, I want this shit to be over, got no time to play, so if you want to help, then do me this favor, cut the nonsense and let me handle this paper, time is money, and money is time, ain't a damn thing free so I must get mine, it's 10 to closin, yo son got to jettin', headed back to the Brack to watch the sun set. CHORUS |
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