Talib Kweli Album

[No lyrics]

Talib Kweli
Get wit it get wit it
Here we go here we go come on come on
Here we go here we go come on come on
Blacksmith
It's the movement
Keep it moving keep it moving
Here we go here we go come on come on
Here we go here we go come on come on
Blacksmith
Pay attention
Gutter rainbows

Watch me flip it like the Blacksmith logo
I shine a light through the darkness when the night is black as Yaphet Kotto
All these rappers looking mad in photos
Saddest player braggadocio quality make up for what a lack a promo
You say you blast a fo-fo you don't shoot
More like you shot me an email but forgot to attach the vocals
Call em a bastard like their dad a no show
I'm too fast for slow pokes running on the track with Yohji Yamamoto's
This ain't fashion rap I'm bringing the passion back
Find me where the trouble at that's my natural habitat
I take it with me in the booth
To delivery or respect to the dead we only owe the truth
So if somebody feeling disrespected even when his face is smiling
His heart rate escalate to violence
Look at them tremble juggling drugs
Using abusing beautiful struggling they were usually bubbling

It's the voice of the voiceless hope for the hopeless
Spit game way to real they don't promote it
Cause the way I approach it from another angle
I stay in the streets and notice the gutter rainbows
It ain't no pot o' gold it's where the products sold
It's where we lock and load and and cop that rock then roll
So turn it up loud and turn it up now
Turn it up loud turn it up now

Welcome to my hood where the rainbows is in the gutter
The pain that you will discover is making the angels shutter
There's sex in the city but we never claimed to love her
I know you heard of us we're more murderous than Cain famous brother
Living with death smoking blunts with the Grim Reaper
Snitch n****s known to blow the whistle like a gym teacher
This gum flapper swear he a gun clapper
Nah sum'n backwards he really a dumb rapper
The trap on the corner with the oil spilling
Mixed with the dirt and the water collected in the gutter til the colors brilliant
I paint pictures so legendary
I been doing this your history is as short as the month of February
In a leap year what do we fear
Dead bodies lying on the ground nothing to see here
Be clear don't ever cross me like police lines
Cause libertarians will be not invited to tea time

It's the voice of the voiceless hope for the hopeless
Spit game way to real they don't promote it
Cause the way I approach it from another angle
I stay in the streets and notice the gutter rainbows
It ain't no pot o' gold it's where the products sold
It's where we lock and load and and cop that rock then roll
So turn it up loud and turn it up now
Turn it up loud turn it up now

Saw that ???? whip around a building to form a corner tornado
Finding nature in the city we cover our feet in gators
Bugatti's to bodegas they selling rotten tomatoes
Stacking chips and I don't mean potato there go another one
Graduated from quarter waters and Butter Crunch
Tuxedo nice with a gun tucked in his cummerbund
He get it from his mama he ain't nothing but his mother's son
She used to get it popping like bubblegum
Peddling poison was often better employment
The ghetto destroying any sense of self she was enjoying
Survival of the fittest by any means necessary
Got us calling drug dealers revolutionaries
You say he kill his people he say I feed my family
And you ain't kickin in you'll never understand me
You just stand in my way now you an obstacle
And obstacles end up in the hospital

It's the voice of the voiceless hope for the hopeless
Spit game way to real they don't promote it
Cause the way I approach it from another angle
I stay in the streets and notice the gutter rainbows
It ain't no pot o' gold it's where the products sold
It's where we lock and load and and cop that rock then roll
So turn it up loud and turn it up now
Turn it up loud turn it up now

Adlibs out

I can go so low
I can feel the gravity that's in the world around me
I can go so low
I can feel the fire burning as it swirls around me
And I've been so low
I felt ice cold in hours at the bottom of the sea
Might have been so low
You might did low get low but you never been as low as me

I always speak for the struggle my people still hurting
I'm a name brand I'm a product but still a real person
I'm still flirting with death although I'm still certain
About my commitments in life although I'm still searching
I bet I find a way if not I bet I make a path
One thats seldom traveled by the masses
I never stuck in all the traffic I cut through all the plastic
Enemies of the enlightened like the government is fascist
I talk it how I live it yet I'm still considered a walking contradiction
Cause I'm breaking out of your artistic prison listen
I got my own demons what I'm supposed to do with yours
Times like this I gotta remind myself what I do It for
People I knew before celebrity swear they see the change in me
I tell em change is god you gotta let it be
How does it feel to come full circle
Still cursing still pursing my lips to pull purple but

I can go so low
I can feel the gravity that's in the world around me
I can go so low
I can feel the fire burning as it swirls around me
And I've been so low
I felt ice cold in hours at the bottom of the sea
Might have been so low
You might did low get low but you never been as low as me

Witness it the building of a legacy
So let us just pray cause the journey thats ahead of us
Got us facing a task that just might get the best of us
Thats why we gotta clash with the Titans like Pegasus
No Oedipus but it's like the beat is my therapist
When I let it in it get up in the cracks and the crevices
Of my memories what kind of treasure are you buried with
You fight when you die are you a soldier or a terrorist
Remember this there's no one else to blame when you're solo
Establish your fan base local before you take it global
Don't be scared spend your own dough
You gotta speak up be vocal sometimes you feel so low
Ain't nowhere to go but up go with us
We just getting started why you slowing up
But know enough to know by a collective we
Even if my name is on the record sleeve I ain't into brevity
What the f*** is a celebrity

I can go so low
I can feel the gravity that's in the world around me
I can go so low
I can feel the fire burning as it swirls around me
And I've been so low
I felt ice cold in hours at the bottom of the sea
Might have been so low
You might did low get low but you never been as low as me

[Intro - Talib Kweli - talking]
This feel like one of them TV shows from the '60's
Oh, oh, oh, you can try (when the flight come in)
Oh, you can, can certainly try (when the flight arrives)
Hey, murder, murder
Yes, ('cause what we do), classic version
(What we do), classic version
Yeah, we represent, yeah

[Verse 1 - Talib Kweli]
My music represent the change in powers
From now on this thing is ours, got 'em paintin war instead of paintin flowers
They shower they heroes with praises, while we hangin ours
We bring the drums to the battle 'cause we bang the loudest
You don't know a thing about it, if you mention King or Malcolm
Bet you that Kweli the outcome, album's so hot, that my ghetto chicks is bringin talcum
Whether you sing or shout it
They gave somebody else the crown but I'm the King without it
Your Queen is ridin with me, she's always slidin with me
You can't stop me like the bullets that's inside of 50
They try to diss me but whenever I say "bye", they miss me
You walkin with me or you alien like Mork & Mindy
You talkin with me if they often envy
Take it off the table and the Devil run a label 'cause the Lord is with me
Arrogance bring the fall of many
My name echo like the hall is empty, you don't wanna a war against me

[Chorus - Talib Kweli]
Hey, if this the cut, I'm the surg-a
Assassinate your character, cast of Sperger
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)

Hey, I know it hurts son
But you against me, a .50 Cal verse a squirt gun
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one

[Verse 2 - Talib Kweli]
Why? You and your man some palookas, you scared of my medulla
You see beyond the shadow of a doubt, I'm born ready, steady as the hand of the shooter
In the flesh, yes, the embodiment of man verse computer
I make all the women abandon they suitors
Do the math, you see you can't measure up to the ruler
Word, on behalf of all the fans and consumers
I'm buildin with Fred Hampton Jr., man we plannin a future
Not preachin, we do it different, we liftin the youth up
We spittin it too tough, too sick for these new thugs
Or goons, whatever they called, they softer than new bucks
Vampires in the club, sippin that "True Blood"
I'm a "Midnight Marauder" and a slaughter for the "Tribe"
Or mortal line, bustin at the cops like Mortal Kai
The sort of guy that mortify
These clown ass rappers since 45 live
And you know it man

[Chorus - Talib Kweli]
Hey, if this the cut, I'm the surg-a
Assassinate your character, cast of Sperger
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)

Hey, I know it hurts son
But you against me, a .50 Cal verse a squirt gun
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one

[Verse 3 - Sean Price]
Yo, Sean Price, mad nice, accept that
My worst verse sound like your best rap
Put on your bent plaque, I pay double on trips
I punch you, up in your face and double your lips
This be the dumbest shit I ever wrote
No Tupac Shakur, just two shots, ya floored
Listen, the gun clapper, the dumb rapper, the young rapper
Dig in your pockets and leave with your funds faster
F*ckin new rap rookies
Get beat to death, New Jack Pookie
Face f*cked with the H stuck in your grill
Play tough and get scrapped up in the 'ville
Afro-American minus the afro
Bald-headed American lettin the gat blow
Shut the f*ck up before you get hurt son
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one

[Chorus - Talib Kweli]
Hey, if this the cut, I'm the surg-a
Assassinate your character, cast of Sperger
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one (worst one)

Hey, I know it hurts son
But you against me, a .50 Cal verse a squirt gun
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one
You ain't got a verse better than my worst one

Hey how you doing
We all gonna be like a bunch of little Fonzi's
What's Fonz, he's cool

Meet Mr. International on the runway more than a fashion show, you know
It's all I love like McEnroe but sorry I have to go
One more time yo
Meet Mr. International on the runway more than a fashion show, you know
It's all I love like McEnroe but sorry I have to go

[Nigel Hall:]
I've been so many places in my life and time
And I know this for sure I'm a life that's worth living
I've seen a lot of faces made a lot of moves
I'm international cause of you
I've been so many places in my life and time
And I know this for sure I'm a life that's worth living
I've seen a lot of faces made a lot of moves
I'm international cause of you

Yo let me introduce you to the Blacksmith crew we making money
Go to sleep with a dream and we waking up hungry
It's a new day stomach is rumbling oh well
I'm like Lloyd Banks stumbling outta the hotel
Overseas show I'm catching the last flight
Really need to go I'm hangover from last night
Out with Gina and Mila Machenko we get silly
Had a ball bout to call a cab like Wet Willie's
When I'm in commuter traffic I'm never worried or panic
First class travel I'm flying Virgin Atlantic
I'm already checked in I'm ready to settle in
Going places I've never been I get my Rosetta in
Racking up the sky miles and getting them upgrades
And you hate the only place that you visit is upstate
Don't be mad cause I'm writing this rhyme on my iPad
Don't be sad cause tomorrow I'm catching the flight back

[Nigel Hall:]
I've been so many places in my life and time
And I know this for sure I'm a life that's worth living
I've seen a lot of faces made a lot of moves
I'm international cause of you

I'm a traveling man moving through places space and time
Thinking life hard working at your 9 to 5
No matter what you do you can't imitate my grind
24/7 love ain't that rough
When your career is you're passion no that ain't enough
So when you hear me rapping it's like I'm making love
Banging your eardrum slinging that good ugh
Taking over the planet you follow my footprints now you rolling with the greatest
I'm getting to know the neighbors I'm tasting the local flavors
Chicks from the ghetto were richer than Portobello
My life is like a movie a novel by Paulo Coelho
Or the Steely Dan song about a bottle of Cuervo
Colombian Gold take a hit for the road
It's given me a vision like I was licking a toad
Consider me so blessed like mama making a cake
And the kids licking the bowl

[Nigel Hall:]
I've been so many places in my life and time
And I know this for sure I'm a life that's worth living
I've seen a lot of faces made a lot of moves
I'm international cause of you
I've been so many places in my life and time
And I know this for sure I'm a life that's worth living
I've seen a lot of faces made a lot of moves
I'm international cause of you

[Talib]
Yeah.. my Lord.. yeah

[Verse 1: Talib]
We sell, crack to our own out the back of our homes
We smell the musk at the dusk in the crack of the dawn
We go through "Epidodes II," like "Attack of the Clones"
Work 'til we break our back and you hear the crack of the bone
To get by.. just to get by
Just to get by, just to get by
We commute to computers
Spirits stay mute while you eagles spread rumors
We survivalists, turned to consumers
To get by.. just to get by
Just to get by, just to get by
Ask Him why some people got to live in a trailer, cuss like a sailor
I paint a picture with the pen like Norman Mailer
Me and Willa raised three daughters all by herself, with no help
I think about a struggle and I find the strength in myself
These words, melt in my mouth
They hot, like the jail cell in the South
Before my nigga Core bailed me out
To get by.. just to get by
Just to get by, just to get by
We do or die like Bed-Stuy through the red sky
with the window of the red eye
Let the lead fly, some G. Rap shit, "Livin' to Let Die"

[Chorus: Background singers)
This morning, I woke up
Feeling brand new and I jumped up
Feeling my highs, and my lows
In my soul, and my goals
Just to stop smokin, and stop drinkin
And I've been thinkin - I've got my reasons
Just to get (by), just to get (by)
Just to get (by), just to get (by)

[Talib and background singers]
(ba ba ba, ba da bada, ba da bada, ba da bada, ba da badahh
Just to get (by), just to get (by)
Just to get (by by by by by by)
(ba ba ba, ba da bada, ba da bada, ba da bada, ba da badahh
Just to get (by), just to get (by)
Just to get (by by by by by by)

[Verse 2: Talib]
We keeping it gangster say "fo shizzle", "fo sheezy" and "stayin crunk"
Its easy to pull a breezy, smoke trees, and we stay drunk
Yo, I activism - attackin the system, the blacks and latins in prison
Numbers of prison they victim black in the vision
Shit and all they got is rappin to listen to
I let them know we missin you, the love is unconditional
Even when the condition is critical, when the livin is miserable
Your position is pivotal, I ain't bullshittin you
Now, why would I lie? Just to get by?
Just to get by, we get fly
The TV got us reachin for stars
Not the ones between Venus and Mars, the ones that be readin for parts
Some people get breast enhancements and penis enlargers
Saturday sinners Sunday morning at the feet of the Father
They need somethin to rely on, we get high on all types of drug
When, all you really need is love
To get by.. just to get by
Just to get by, just to get by
Our parents sing like John Lennon, "Imagine all the people watch"
We rock like Paul McCartney from now until the last Beatle drop

[Chorus: Background singers]
This morning, I woke up
Feeling brand new and I jumped up
Feeling my high's, and my low's
In my soul, and my goals
Just to stop smoking, and stop drinking
And I've been thinking - I've got my reasons
Just to get (by), just to get (by)
Just to get (by), just to get (by)

[Talib: repeat 2X - with background singers]
Yoyoyo, yo
Some people cry, and some people try
Just to get by, for a piece of the pie
You love to eat and get high
We decieve when we lie, and we keepin it fly

Yoyoyo, yo
When, the people decide, to keep a disguise
Can't see they eyes, see the evil inside
But there's people you find
Strong or feeble in mind, I stay readin the signs
Talib Kweli Get By

[Hook:]
Better get it while the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name
While the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name

[Verse 1: Talib Kweli]
What are you doing with your life your time on earth is sacred
The time you spend at your plantation is it worth the paper
It's like you working for Nathan the money's circulating
Can't pay your mortgage but you buying bottles perpetrating
Chill with them threatening raps
You sound lame you a snake you made the plane with your venomous acts
They call me Gentleman Sav because I back Miss Congeniality like Benjamin Bratt
Attracting chicks like [?]
While you only deal with the b*tches I deal with the realest women
And still how they feel the rhythm in they mid section
When they blessed with the child bearing hips
Softest pair of lips is when they hair get flipped
I love my culture and heritage keep me from being derelict
Invested in myself like this was Merrill Lynch
Been waiting for my second coming like I'm heaven sent
Even though I'm not your savior I grace you with my benevolence

[Hook:]
Better get it while the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name
While the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name

[Verse 2: Talib Kweli]
My style is unfadeable and hater proof I'll slay the proof
I'm known to interrupt the program like late breaking news
Some say it's only egg heads that I cater to
Then wait a few in order to make an omelet I gotta break a few
My plate is full I wasn't suppose to be here but I made it through
My reputation grew I left blood on the stage for you
How dare you say that my commitment is debatable
I'm married to the music you rhythm then I'm a slave to you
Commercial artist so relatable consumer appetite is insatiable
I could do what they could do easily
But then they say Kweli be seeming fake to you
Record sales ain't making you money is motivating you
The artist gotta lead I hope the fan base stay with you
The products shoddy if you rush it for the paper true
D'Angelo and Shade they take a decade or two
Keep that good music coming and they'll wait for you

[Hook:]
Better get it while the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name
While the getting is good you do what you do
No hesitation ain't no time for playing games
Go 'head and take all you can and grab with both hands
Do it big or they won't even know your name

Once upon a time in a land far far away
I tried to play but my heart in the way
This part a little harder to say
It's like a white girl trapped in a well
Help is coming but it's scary as hell
But very well here go the fairy tale
Now Cinderella want a fella who is not so ghetto
So she follow bread crumbs like Hansel & Gretel
Hello that'll make her drop her underwear
Dough longer than Rapunzel hair
Everyone stare when she walk in she like

What you want
Yo I'm not in the front I be blunt my make that ass bump
I know that's what they want
Me too with my hands up she turn around like man, nothin' like
Here I am
But I know her from work she pass by like he ain't that fly you got
One more chance
To fall down the rabbit hole
Let me take you to Wonderland or I'm making some other plans

I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you, waiting for you
I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you waiting for you

Everybody say oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Waiting for you waiting for you
Say oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Waiting for you waiting for you

I made you a star your light was shining it's so right
So right that it dwarfed the chicks like Snow White
So nice got down with the team and now you one of us
Got me singing like prince you sexy motherfuh
You could be my princess bride call you my buttercup
I love when you letting me be the man
Let me take you by the hand like Wendy in Petter Pan
If you fly by night that's right I'll let you make a wish
That's right eat you up like a favorite dish
Man I pray you not the wicked witch

Made it through
A situation where I broke my promise now I'm tryna be honest love
So can you
Sometimes people evolve but that involves knowing exactly
What you want
And right now I wanna [?]
What they want
My life is an open book you had a chapter but will it end happily ever after

I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you waiting for you
I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you waiting for you

Everybody in the house say oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Waiting for you waiting for you
Oh oh oh oh oh
Say it with me oh oh oh oh oh
Say it with me oh oh oh oh
Waiting for you waiting for you

Life ain't a fairy tale
Now they say sister's bitter and the brothers is grim
Time to let the story end and let another begin
I spun straw into gold like Rumpelstiltskin
Still a hole in my soul that love won't fill in
She Sleeping Beauty cause her eyes is closed
Tried to sleep on your boy like Brian Rose
Get you wide like the coke in your nose
And I'm lying like Pinocchio
Gotta know when it's time to go gotta know when

Here we are
We had some good times had some Little Red Riding Hood times but
Once again
I'm the big bad wolf don't hit me with the sad look love
Here I am
I'm still the same old me but I don't know if we should give it
One more chance
To add another chapter life ain't always happily ever after

I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you waiting for you
I don't wanna spend the night
Trying to figure out how to spend my life
I don't wanna spend my time
Waiting for you waiting for you

[Intro]
Lets try something new
It's been a long time coming!
Let me try something brand new
Hey yo Ski!
What you ever do, man?
Come on!
Yo, what we doing it for?

[Talib Kweli - Verse 1]
This is for all the day-trippers and the hipsters
Whores and the fashionistas
Spiritual leaders practicing all the laws of attraction
The teachers who read the passages
From the back of a G?
That be bustin off Dalai Lama's or flashing heaters
the last of the boosters
With the shooting, the thugging and all the booning and spooning
and all the crooning, and cooning and auto-tuning, alive
You be tellin, peddlin' to consumers I'm helping them to see through it
get with this new movement,
Let's move it!

[Hook]
Feel the cold rain
Still I'm standing right here
Even the winter summer days

[Talib Kweli - Verse 1]
Yeah I'm a product of Reaganomics
From the blocks where he rocking a feds like J Electronica
drop and make this a lock
if he promises where the heart is
whether Jesus or Mohammad
regardless of where the Mosque is (word)
They hope for the Apocalypse like a self-fulfilling prophecy
Tell me when do we stop it?
Do they ask you your religion before you rent an apartment?
Is the answer burning Korans
So that we can defend Islamics?
The end upon us with a hash tag, a trending topic
You take away the freedoms that we invite in the game
Then you disrespect the soldiers; you ask them to die in vein
In a desert praying for rain
The music's like a drug, and they tend to take it to vein
It ain't for the well-behaved
The soundtrack for when you're great but its more for when you've felt afraid
More than your average rapper
So you sort of felt the way
The brain is like a cage, you a slave, that's why they lovin' you
This is the book that Eli that start with a K-W.

[Hook]

[Talib Kweli - Verse 2]
I do it for the trappers, other rappers
the Backpackers, the crackers
the n-ggas, the metal-packers
the victims of ghetto factories
I do it for the families, citizens of humanity
Emcee's, endangered species like manatees
I do it for the future of my children!
They the hope for the hopeless
Karma approaches, we gon' be food for a flock of vultures
The end of the World
Ain't nothing left but the cockroaches
and the freedom fighters
We're freedom writers like Bob Moses
the chosen, freedom writers like ?
For my block, my borough, my hood, my city, my state, yeah
My obligation is to my community is so clear!
yeah, we gotta save them, this opportunity so rare!
We do it so big over here that it's no bare
To the punks, bitches, the chumps, the snitches, the sneak in the game
We let them live with all they're weak and they're lame
The bozo's and joker's, promoting when they're speaking my name

[Hook]

You are now witnessing the demise of the music business
I say demise of the music business cause people always gonna need music in they life
You know what I'm saying
I can't do music with people I'm uncomfortable with
You know what I'm saying
I can't be on stage with you, pouring out my soul, if I don't like you
So with that said, shout out to Strong Arm Steady
Shout out to Jean Grae
That's my Blacksmith family you dig

I just heard a song that reminded me of times when you was finding me
Rhyming in Greenwich Village circa 1993
Yeah those were the salad days my careers appetizing
The main course a casserole a jambalaya
Different influences that led me where the music is
A student is only as good as his teacher's tutelage
Paying for college, not learning was straight foolishness
So I stopped going to school but this was hard to tell my parents
So I now try to get through to them
Thought of no one daily and traveled to different places
Freestyled with Clef and Forte in the Booga Basement
With Rubiks and JuJu on Flatbush my hood amazing
Platinum Island recording with Duro and Just Blaze
And that was right next door to Rawkus, what's up Jarret and Brian
Relax y'all, I'm African, miss Kendra Ross you got the soul of a Stax singer
I love how you always bring it back sister
You and Reesy making every record
I got classics with Hi-Tek and Mos Def that are so respected
Shout out to Corey Smith shout out to Dave Chapelle
I went on tour with The Roots they played so well
Writing rhymes with Mike and Nine, me and Pharoahe Monch were sound-bombing
Me and Lonnie Lynn got a lot in Common
Mystic Journeyman introduced me to Top Ramen
On the bus Kanye West would never stop rhyming
Ain't no mountain high enough for him he never stopped climbing
That's why when the homies win I never stop smiling
See I'm smiling right now

Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt that's how it's gotta be
This is my odyssey it's just the god in me
Yup they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
That's right and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up it's like you all my fam
Like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin, thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

It started with a blast now I'm a iconoclast
Promise to be honest in my craft and make the promise last
I do this for myself but the song for you
Once I put it out for sale then it belong to you
This for Amani Fela plus Diani Eshe
Your daddy love his girl your mommy never far away
This is for Eque, this for Kierra Paul
We wanna ride like Ciara and we will never fall
Headquarters and Guru is love forever y'all
Make it plain cause it's too strong for a metaphor
Simile your legacy will always be remembered for forever or
Til the end of time whichever come first
Big love to my mom and dad you could have done worst
Jamal and I the way we are cause you put your sons first
Many black parents lose they sons to the gun burst
Mommas drowning in they own tears til they lungs burst
Voice cracking like Michael Stipe cause everyone hurts

Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt that's how it's gotta be
This is my odyssey it's just the god in me
Yup they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
That's right and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up it's like you all my fam
Like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

My first record was with Mood back in '96
In fact it was pretty fresh Google that find that shit
It sound good I was showing you what timeless is
You couldn't catch what I was saying without rewinding it
Believe me every fan is special
You hear me now but I got fans from Lyricist Lounge and "Manifesto"
So much wack rap I know it's hard to tell
The difference but when I heat it up I make the garbage smell
I'm resurrected but I'm no savior
I know the game I can ball a little bit I'm an OK Player
Double meaning cause the flow is layered
We love to say it but it's easier than it sound to ignore the haters
To snap back like the jaws of gators

[Intro]
I'm just wondering what the heck is in our water supply
What the heck is in our oxygen supply
that creates a rainbow effect in the sprinklers?
What is oozing out of our ground
that allows this type of effect to happen?
It's not just around our sun and our moon any more
Everywhere we look, the visible spectrum, is rainbows
This can not be natural
We as a nation have got to ask ourselves
what the hell is going on?
What is oozing out of our ground?

The day that I enlisted
was the result of a prior visit with Jesus Christ felt like I was lifted
Then I got injured and the hospital was like a prison
Fell out of touch with my faith I was nihilistic
They call me Cyclops, cause I was blind in one eye
I'm out the army now I'm tryin to decide
how to properly fit in with civilians I'm used to killin
Got me feelin all confused who the hero and who the villain
Hopped in my red Camaro, shot down the street like lead in a barrel
Decked out in my veteran apparel
I drove aimlessly for miles until I saw this
country that'd want me to kill; I took a bullet for this muh'fucker
Thousand miles later finally made a stop
Small town restaurant, God damn the waitress hot
Ordered tater tots, got her number, later that night
We was at the bar, takin shots 'til we fell in love
I said let's go Las Vegas and do this
Knew this wasn't made for my soul
Drove all night and was awakened to cold
She wanna play the slots, nicknamed her Tater Tot
cause of how we met, cool I need a shower, bet
Found a motel on the strip, I'm checkin in
when out the blue some Mexicans came in the lobby like they 'bout to shoot
some Asians that was runnin down the hall with they guns brazen
Now e'rybody pullin out they shit like it's an invasion!
The Mexicans let them Asians have it; Asians had to fire back
'til they was outta bullets and the blood splattered everywhere
Deal gone bad or somebody robbin
Either way somebody's rotten all I hear is bodies droppin
I jump behind the front desk in the nick of time
The crook is on the floor, his blood made me slip and slide
But I'm the last man standin
A reflex made me grab a cannon out a dyin man's hand
Then I noticed that a car was runnin
Sack of guns on the floor plus unmarked bills by the hundreds
Driver comin at me gunnin
Sirens blarin in the distance cause the caps are comin
I spun around and I hit the deck
Heard the bullets whiz by my ear I let off, hit him in the chest
Quicker than the bullets left the chamber
I grabbed the sack off the floor hit the door with the bangers
Lookin for my lady at the casino, she was in the zone
I said "We gotta go" she like "Why?" and I'm like "C'MON!"
No need to gamble baby, here the lick
Put the chips down we gotta go right now, this little shit
Now we speedin down the I-15
First time I noticed that her eyes were green
gave her a gun and a magazine
I made her count the loot
But when she saw the score she pointed the gun at me
Now she about to shoot {blam, blam blam}

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 1]
When are we gonna grow up?
Why do I love you so much we so touched
Excited by the drama we like when it show up
The fighting don't slow up I light you like close ups
And I call you my Calamity Jane, you like my fantasy
Love cause the same chemical reaction in the brain as insanity
Holidays, drinking with your family, passionate folks
Imagine if they had their own reality show, actually no
Desires like fire quit playing or get burned
Or give it away on camera like Montana Fishburne
A presence is a gift, a gift is a presence
Breakup text call her a b*tch under my breath
And then the makeup sex she forgive me in a session
I know she love me she sending a mixed message though

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 2]
You need a chick with some fire
I mean unless you want a wife cold as ice
Living life with the biggest debutante
Me and you we considered the upper echelon
The only one I come out my fitted for in a restaurant
You can get it huh remember I was taking your digits
Same night I was making the visit
Make it the mission to make you cum when we done
Sometimes you hate to admit it
You a little numb from the toys
And love the noise that you make when you run from the boys
And comfort your man insane how we go so crazy with it
This the asylum so we call relationships committed
You ain't a bird I ain't them others guys that get lost in the name
You the butterfly and I'm the moth to your flame
Love is dying while the mothers crying
Big brother eyeing me, imposing their reality to Shutter Island

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 3]
Our love is like a Psycho or a trilogy the drama is killing me
I'm grown but the little boy is still in me
We discuss monogamy polygamy the I's the probability
Your momma ain't feeling me, it stung like a killer bee
How far from the tree do the apple fall
The things I said was it how I felt was it the alcohol
Or do I really hate her after all
I apologize for the statements that I made to her
First I swallowed my pride then I ate my words
I tried to pass it off, acted like it was nothing
The fact is I was discovering my appetite for destruction
Everything else is bland once you tasted filet mignon
When I'm full I'm taking you home, you're a plate for later on
I'll eat it up or beat it up
Til your love runneth over you, I need a cup

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Intro: Jean Grae]
That is great
Good for you! Okay, get out of the way though
Ehehe, thankyou
Excuse me, excuse me

[Jean Grae]
Been a long time (yes) shouldn't have left you
Without a dope beat to step to
Say - uhh, shouldn't have left you
without a dope beat to step to, sayin
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) C'mon, the word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Yeah, y'know you heard of that
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Ohh! Uh, you know the word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Yes, I know you heard of that

Psychopath, ride a tricycle in a biker's club
Mike Tyson face tatted addict, like it tough
Hey scatterbrain, don't get your grey matter punched up
'til you hunched, talk-talkin like you punch drunk
One love - two maybe if I'm drunk enough
Naked watchin three, painted ladies do the bump and grub
Mean muggin Jean - the Heebs call meshugenah
Bookin her in the Catskills like "Look at her rap skills!"
He's rockin a backpack, a nerd in the rat pack
Jean Martine de Begerac, you heard of her murder rap
I murder rap, you learn it, confirm it and burn its audio
Music for your convertible, music for burnin cardio!
Don't use it for burners - they'll find me in your stereo
and blame me for the murder sock me up and get me carried off
I know I said murder befo' - murder murder, FUCK IT murder
Make it fo', insert a learning curve
Mine is so high you get vertigo, assertive girl a-fern to blow
Eternally superlative, blindfolded learn to drive
at night up on a girder bridge, heard a "NO!"
Talib dirty nervousness, yes the boys are back
Oh yes the boys in black, the boy's a {motherfuckin} rap star
Teeny rock star, minus the f'real and all the cop cars
Rocks off, lock bars with the realest (hach-too) in the spot
Really y'all should get on your knees and just pray for forgiveness sayin

[Chorus: Jean Grae]
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) I said the word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Uh oh, you heard of that
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) I said the word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Uh oh you heard of that ohh
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) I said uh oh
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Oh yeah you heard of that ohh
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) I said uh oh
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Oh yeah you heard of that, ohhhh

[Talib Kweli]
I'm a, man of God who asked the Devil for some face time
It's shade time you never see him comin cause you fake, blind
The mainline, Bloods are wavin flags like K'Naan
The Crips throwin gang signs, the Beast in the street
there to keep like a canine, and low like the bassline
Jean and Kwe' think alike like great minds
The crown is on my head, what makes you think that you can take mine?
They know they'll never win but still they racist like a hate crime
Runnin track like Tyra in (Higher Learning)
We bleeding gasoline so we keepin the fire burnin
We speedin like Valvoline and we speak fo' a higher purpose
You believe in magazines that deliver entire sermons
Give me some Vasoline cause your shit is dryer than deserts
You never fired a weapon in your life! So
picturin yourself as a gangster the only way that you shootin
My intelligent design is a product of evolution
Psychotic, erotic, catch phrases just to, get at your girl
Create solutions for a digital world
So baby even when I'm spittin game I'm addin on
Rappers goin hard pure for the dope, I got an acronym for Capricorn
{?} And Prepared, Rigorous, Innovative
Captivatin, Ordinary, Regular, Nigga just
throwin daily your chick goin crazy yo
Handle her like Chelsea Lately
Rockin the fresh kicks like you felt her baby
We'll wait until you done bein whack
We got every hand up from the front to the back
If you wonderin why you just dressin funny in rap
You need attention dog, there ain't no more, money in rap
So if you're mixin with GarageBand, videos on the Flip cam
I'm a big fan - you got more (Hart) than (Bret - The Hitman)
But shit damn, it's the pinnacle, it gets no better
I'm boastin, but still stay humble
Never spinnin, I'm always coastin

[Chorus - first half with ad libs]

[Jean Grae]
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) I said uh oh
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Oh yeah the word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) The word is back
(UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!) Yessir the word is back

[fades out: "Yes, the word is back..."]

[Intro]
New Chace Infinite, Talib Kweli, yeah
Music courtesy of, Maurice 'Mo Betta' Brown
Mo Betta, makes it mo' better, yeah

[Chorus]
Preacher's playing foul in the system now listen now
It's more hate in the religious now ain't it foul
Gotta be a better way to figure out
how to be a self savior plus help my niggaz out
These pigs playin foul in the system now listen now
Every poor person is a nigga now
There's gotta be a better way to figure out
how to get this paper cause they lockin all my niggaz down

[Chace Infinite]
How do expect to live? Dealin with savages is damagin
Somebody gotta lose although you play to win
You know these niggaz hate, despite the color of your face
When I say nigga I'm just speakin on your mental state
Life ain't a game if it is I can't participate
Maybe I've changed but my mind is in a different state
Cause now it seems more like a plan
I'm strivin for perfection, so that's where I'll begin
Your tallies and peaks and valleys can't describe who I am
This music is therapeutic, I define who I am
Through the actions I portray as a man - in combination
with impressions I leave on people through things that I've said
I've had it up to here with the bullshit
So when I rap I sound like I'm in the pulpit
Yeah; they say that I be preachin too much
But I know that through the music's how you teach it to us
It's all real

[Chorus]

[Talib Kweli]
True indeed Chace; they tried to get rid of me (say word)
But they can't write me off, I'm not a charity
That's a parody right? You kiddin me
There really ain't no challenge, my authenticity
virtually guarantee me a flawless victory, you kiddin me?
I'm lethal, I'm from a people who was forced into captivity
Original man, there was often a facsimile
I give a little more than your metaphors and wack similes
Thousand yard stare, say a prayer for my enemy
I'm international, half of these rappers laughable
It's tragic how the other half so vaginal
They put the style over substance, they counsel bother me
My style married my substance and now they livin in harmony
But any substance can be abused
Especially when the style is so seductive the substance consider leaving you
You gotta get back to your essence
Use your gifts and share your presence
Don't count your dollars 'til you count your blessings

[Chorus]

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 1]
When are we gonna grow up?
Why do I love you so much we so touched
Excited by the drama we like when it show up
The fighting don't slow up I light you like close ups
And I call you my Calamity Jane, you like my fantasy
Love cause the same chemical reaction in the brain as insanity
Holidays, drinking with your family, passionate folks
Imagine if they had their own reality show, actually no
Desires like fire quit playing or get burned
Or give it away on camera like Montana Fishburne
A presence is a gift, a gift is a presence
Breakup text call her a b*tch under my breath
And then the makeup sex she forgive me in a session
I know she love me she sending a mixed message though

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 2]
You need a chick with some fire
I mean unless you want a wife cold as ice
Living life with the biggest debutante
Me and you we considered the upper echelon
The only one I come out my fitted for in a restaurant
You can get it huh remember I was taking your digits
Same night I was making the visit
Make it the mission to make you cum when we done
Sometimes you hate to admit it
You a little numb from the toys
And love the noise that you make when you run from the boys
And comfort your man insane how we go so crazy with it
This the asylum so we call relationships committed
You ain't a bird I ain't them others guys that get lost in the name
You the butterfly and I'm the moth to your flame
Love is dying while the mothers crying
Big brother eyeing me, imposing their reality to Shutter Island

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[Verse 3]
Our love is like a Psycho or a trilogy the drama is killing me
I'm grown but the little boy is still in me
We discuss monogamy polygamy the I's the probability
Your momma ain't feeling me, it stung like a killer bee
How far from the tree do the apple fall
The things I said was it how I felt was it the alcohol
Or do I really hate her after all
I apologize for the statements that I made to her
First I swallowed my pride then I ate my words
I tried to pass it off, acted like it was nothing
The fact is I was discovering my appetite for destruction
Everything else is bland once you tasted filet mignon
When I'm full I'm taking you home, you're a plate for later on
I'll eat it up or beat it up
Til your love runneth over you, I need a cup

[Hook]
Everyday since we first met
Can't even eat a bit
I can't seem to think straight
When I think about how you love me
Everyday is like a holiday
Something like Christmas Eve
My worst day is carefree
When I think about how you love me

[No lyrics]