I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive my images reflect in the enemies eye and his images reflect in mine the same time I-ya, I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive
Right here is where the end gon′ start at conflict, contact ′n′ combat fighters stand where the land is marked at settle the dispute about who the livest 3 word answer Whoever survive this only one of us can ride forever so you and I cant ride together can′t live or cant die together all we can do is collide together so I skillfully apply the pressure won′t stop until I′m forever... one! A door step where death never come spread across time til my time never done and I′m never done walk tall, why ever run? when they move if I ever come? bad man never fret the war, tell′em come general we have the stock, the mad fire burn
I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive my images reflect in the enemies eye and his images reflect in mine the same time I-ya, I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive
survive [x16]
Reign supreme in your U-N-I V-E-R-S-E with the sharpness narrow row building no space for partners no space for drivers, no space for walkers no space regardless your on my path then get off it hardheaded and unresponsive get they lives put on target with harshness come with the canons sparkin′ they darken who am i? one man squadron Ma stir the fire this time that′d snatch your tomorrow the thousand yard spear that′ll pierce through your armor you can get it on right now if you want to but when ya front 9 get marched through I warned you You know who forever belong to
I-ya, I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive my images reflect in the enemies eye and his images reflect in mine the same time I-ya, I-ya I against I flesh of my flesh and mind of my mind two of a kind but one won′t survive my images reflect in the enemies eye and his images reflect in mine, survive
[Mos Def] Hey, hey, heyyy man I Strike the Empire Back.. I Strike the Empire Back.. Fuck the Empire!! High flyin like the Millenium Falcon, piloted by Han Solo I never roll for dolo, frontin on me′s a no-no Understand? Doin this for my family Ha ha, check it out y′all
Yo I′m tryin to make a dollar out of what makes sense Add it up, told my daddy I′d be a rich man You never know when your fate gon′ switch hand Get today′s solid ground out of yesterday′s quicksand I was a young boy -- who dreamt about being a big man on small looseleaf sheets I sketched a big plan Gotta handle business properly, boost up my economy Store it up and get my mom some waterfront property Yesterday was not for me but nowaday it′s time for me The streets is watchin me, I watch back, that′s the policy Movin along my oddesey like blood through the artery Navigate the treacherous and make it seem effortless Let those who make the exodus seekin the North beacon from beatin and hog-eatin, from punishment all season from hands cracked and bleedin -- cotton thorns in your palms It′s for y′all that I sketch these songs, and it goes.. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow I fear no man, because faith is the aarow My vocal chord travel worldwide to block narrow We can blow with the ammo or go mano-a-mano Kweli is you wit me? (Whattup whattup?) Let′s make it happen I *BURN* through your argument with action My eyes stay fastened to tomorrow lookin for a brighter day When y′all wanna leave y′all? Right away
Shout it out from East-West (from South to Northern) From Cakalak′ (to California) From the coldest (to the warmest) To the borders (′cross the waters) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." We got love in the place Shout out to all the Queens (all the Seeds) To all the teams (that′s gettin cream) From outlaw (to emcee′s) Make it happen (do your thing) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen
[Talib Kweli] Guess who? The illest MC in the atmosphere, yeah the Soul Controller who roam the frontier like a Buffalo Soldier I follow the code of honor like a real man gonna Never disrespect no women cause I love my momma These cats be givin us praise but it ain′t that accurate I give it up to God, all that, love and attachment, get scary well-prepared with the shears when it get hairy like how these niggaz is lookin like some fairies and singin like canaries to the beast and anybody who will listen to em clearly Y′all don′t hear me though, even when I′m comin through in stereo You make a mockery of what I represent properly Yo why you startin me? I take that shit straight to the artery Intellectual property I got the title and the deed I pay for rent, with the tears and sweat, and what I bleed MC′s imitate the way we walk, the way we talk You cats spit lyrical pork with no spiritual thought Plus your flow a little bit off, you come across soft Back in the days, niggaz like that on stage got tossed off Need to get crossed off the guestlist It′s like you gotta be disrespected and thrown out the exit to get the message Sometimes your sunshine get snatched like a necklace when you get too drunk on power and your drive get reckless Check it, MC′s in my face after I slug you then I hug you If I gotta dead you know it′s only cause I love you
[Mos Def] Shout it out from East-West (from South to Northern) From the richest (to the poorest) To the elders (in the coffins) Livin native (dyin for it) understand.. ".. and know that I love you.." Yea, yea, we got love in the place Shout out from up top (to the middle) To black bottom (SKY HIGH) Whether you colder than December or hotter, than July It don′t stop ′til we complete this (".. and know that I love you..") keep this fly It′s so much to life when you just stay black (10X) My people, my people, my people people p-people (8X) My PE-ople, oh-oh-OH-oh-OHH, oh-OHH...
If you can hear me ladies and gentlemen then I′m very happy that you came here..
Ooh-ooooooooooohhhh, ooh-ooooooooooooooohh-WHEEEEE!!! That was for Brooklyn.. Ha ha, we get it everytime You got me on? Ohh Shout out to all of my crew, East-West, North-South All the continent, Europe, all abroad international Bring it in, bring it in, bring it in, bring it in It′s a lot of things goin on y′all 21st century is comin 20th century almost done A lot of things have changed A lot of things have not, mainly us We gon′ get it together right? I believe that Listen.. people be askin me all the time, "Yo Mos, what′s gettin ready to happen with Hip-Hop?" (Where do you think Hip-Hop is goin?) I tell em, "You know what′s gonna happen with Hip-Hop? Whatever′s happening with us" If we smoked out, Hip-Hop is gonna be smoked out If we doin alright, Hip-Hop is gonna be doin alright People talk about Hip-Hop like it′s some giant livin in the hillside comin down to visit the townspeople We (are) Hip-Hop Me, you, everybody, we are Hip-Hop So Hip-Hop is goin where we goin So the next time you ask yourself where Hip-Hop is goin ask yourself.. where am I goin? How am I doin? Til you get a clear idea So.. if Hip-Hop is about the people and the.. Hip-Hop won′t get better until the people get better then how do people get better? (Hmmmm...) Well, from my understanding people get better when they start to understand that, they are valuable And they not valuable because they got a whole lot of money or cause somebody, think they sexy but they valuable caause they been created by God And God, makes you valuable And whether or not you, recognize that value is one thing You got a lot of socities and governments tryin to be God, wishin that they were God They wanna create satellites and cameras everywhere and make you think they got the all-seein eye Eh.. I guess The Last Poets wasn′t, too far off when they said that certain people got a God Complex I believe it′s true I don′t get phased out by none of that, none of that helicopters, the TV screens, the newscasters, the.. satellite dishes.. they just, wishin They can′t really never do that When they tell me to fear they law When they tell me to try to have some fear in my heart behind the things that they do This is what I think in my mind And this is what I say to them And this is what I′m sayin, to you check it
All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm Fear not of men because men must die Mind over matter and soul before flesh Angels for the pain keep a record in time which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs Gunmen and stockholders try to merit my fear But God is sufficient over plans they prepared Mos Def in the flesh, where you at, right here on this place called Earth, holdin down my square Bout to do it for y′all, and y′all at the fair So just bounce, come on bounce B-b-bounce b-bounce b-bounce-bounce And just.. .. just step two three Just step two three and step two.. two three and.. One two three and four One two three and four Once again All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm Fear not of men because men must die Mind over matter and soul before flesh Angels for the pain keep a record in time which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs Gunmen and stockholders try to merit your fear But God is sufficient over plans they prepared Mos Def in the flesh, where you at, right here on this place called Earth, holdin down my square Bout to represent in your whole atmosphere Bout to represent in your whole atmosphere to your atmosphere, to your atmosphere Oh-ooooooohhhhhhhhhh! That was for you - and Brooklyn too!
People climbed into the night like space suits People stepped into the night like moon boots Marching like moon troops In their zoot colored zoot suits
People climbed into the night like cool wells Shiney bottles in their hands Drinking their new selves They say it′s their true selves
People climbed up in the night like green trees They were hanging from the night like green leaves Buzzing like queen bees
People climbed into the night like space suits People stomped inside the night Stomping and stomping and stomping and stomping and stomping
Where are they going? What′s the rush? Everybody in the place was so out of touch Hey
Night-time is when the things get heavy You feel alone and you want somebody Loneliness whispers desperate measures And your frantic all by yourself
Night-time is when the things get heavy You feel alone and you want somebody Loneliness whispers desperate measures Baby don′t make no fast moves Baby don′t make no fast moves Baby don′t make no fast moves Baby don′t make no fast moves- Tonight
La La La [humming...]
People stomped inside the night Let me climb into the night... Let me climb... [vamp to fade]
[Mos Def] They say the goodness in life belongs to those who believe So, I believe...YES!
[Chorus] 2x I start to think, and then I sink Into the paper, like I was ink When I′m writing I′m trapped in between the line I escape when I finish the rhyme (aiyyo)
My pops said he was in love when he made me Thought about it for a second, wasn′t hard to see I could hear he was sincere, was a game of promotion The entire affair′s probably charged wit emotion But love call your heart, I guess you got to persue 12-11-73 my life is testament Praise the beneficent, element that rest Devoid in the form that make love manifest I spent my early years in Roosevelt Project It was a bright valley wit some dark prospects In ′83, Venny C was the host wit the most I listened to the Rap Attack and held the radio close I listened to the Rap Attack and held the radio close This is far before the days of high glamour and pose Aiyyo power from the street light made the place dark I know a few understand what I′m talkin about It was love for the thing that made me wanna stay out It was love for the thing that made me stay in the house Spendin time, writin rhymes Tryin to find words that describe the vibe That′s inside the space When you close yo′ eyes and screw yo′ face Is this the pain of too much tenderness To make me nod my head in reverence Should I visit this place and remember it? To build landmarks here as evidence Night time, spirit shook my temperment To write rhymes that portray this sentiment We live the now for the promise of the infinite We live the now for the promise of the inifinite And we believe in the promise (love, love *repeated*) Yes yes y′all and we don′t stop because
Chorus
I got love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E I MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be The M-O-S-D-E-F-initely
Check it out y′all, feel me out y′all Feel me out y′all, hear my out y′all Check me, out y′all Feel me out y′all, check it out y′all Now hear out (bounce) y′all Check me out y′all, feel me out y′all Check me out y′all, feel me out y′all Feel me out y′all (hear me bounce y′all) Check me out y′all, check it out y′all
My folks said they was in love when they had me I take they love they made me wit to make rhymes and beats (Can you feel?) The raw deal, it′s all wheel-driven Contemplate the essence of beats, rhymes and living Speech in line wit the rhythm, designed wit the rhythm Ears and eyes keepin good time wit the rhythm I shine wit the rhythm, the Black Star Gallactica Big number fleetin, we ancient like the Abbacca′s After us, I see most proceed to be trees Sproutin leaves, given breeze to the we who believe I MC, which means I Must Cultivate the earth Back straight backs, hard beats and hard work I be the funky drummer to soften the hard earth (Amin) Pray Allah keep my soul and heart clean (Amin) Pray the same thing again for all my team This go out to Fort Greene and on out to Queens Uptown to Boogie Down, yo just look around AND SHOOK UP THE WORLD!, like Ali in 6-3 (right) I′m reachin the height that you said cannot be I′m bringin the light but you said we can′t see Saw the new day commin, and it look just like me Some burst through the clouds, my photo ID I bring light to your day and raise yo′ degree The Universal Magnetic, you must respect it From end to beginning, ? true and livin EVERY CHANGING, it was a state of magnificent Building it now for the promise of the infinite Building it now for the promise of the inifinite because
Chorus
I got love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be Love, L-O-V-E to MC Get love, L-O-V-E and I be The M-O-S-D-E-F-initely
We all got to have, a place where we come from This place that we come from is called home We set out on our travels, we do the best we can We travel this big earth as we roam
We all got to have, a place where we come from This place that we come from is called home And even though we may love, this place on the map Said it ain′t where ya from, it′s where ya at
(verse one) I come up in the street around some real wild brothers With more than one name and more than one baby mother More than one chase, been on more than one run Got more than one enemy and more than one gun *Speaks foreign language* While these cats that′s less privileged is just more raw Less space cause the projects laced with more flaws Less sleep cause the nights ain′t peace, it′s more war The can is raw like thirsty, rainy season thunder claps On the block with your old pop pleading number act To the spot with the red top fiends is huddled at To the crib where the little kids spend their summers trapped With the jungle cats, lions and tigers, leopards and cheetahs For gazelle you get chased like a zebra, they blaze cheeba-cheeba And dominate the weaker on the street Hungry bellies only love what they eat and it′s hard to compete When they smile with your heart in they teeth And the odds is stacked high beyond and beneath Son i been plenty places in my life and time And regardless where home is, son home is mine
(chorus)
Some people live out in-New York City Some people live out in-Atlanta Some people got to live-Chicago Some people do live-Miami All my people at-California And other people got to live-London And everybody got to live in the whole big world Together just you and me
(verse two) When i think of home, my remembrance of my beginning Laundromat helping ma dukes fold the bed linen Chillin in front my building with my brother and them Spending nights in Bushwick with my cousins and them Wise town and Beat Street, federal relief Slowly melting in the morning grits we used to eat Sticking to your teeth and teeth is hard to keep With every flavor Now & Later only a dime apiece Old timers on the bench playing cards and thangs Telling tales about they used to be involved in things Start to drinking, talking loud, cussing up and showing out On the phone, call the cops, pick′em up, move′em out And it′s all too common to start wildin I′m a pirate on an island seeking treasure known as silence And it′s hard to find Block parties in dark lobbies Funeral homes packed but only dark bodies I can′t sleep hardly, stirred up like Bob Marley Marley Marl played the symphony, remember we recall Son i been to many places in my space and time and whatever my home is, son home is mine.
[Mos Def] Hey hey, ha ha say what say what Ha ha bust it yo Sometimes I feel like I don′t have a partner Sometimes I feel like my only friend Is the city I live in, is beautiful Brooklyn Long as I live here believe I′m on fire hey Cuz it′s the B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K L-Y-N is the place where I stay The B-the-R-the-O-the-O-K Best in the world and all USA It′s the B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K L-Y-N is the place where I stay The B-to-the-R-the-O-the-O-K Place where I rest is on my born day Bust it, sometimes I sit back and just reflect Watch the world go by and my thought connect I think about the time past and the time to come Reminesce on Bed-Stuy when I was pride and young I used to try and come, to the neighborhood function Throw on my Izod, say a little something When I was just a youngin, before the days of thuggin How me and Charlie Chims (aiyyo what?) I′m only buggin Fast forward, Nine-Now I gotta team my seed I must proceed at God′s speed to perform my deed Livin the now space and time, round the nine to five For as long as I′m alive, paw I got to strive I ain′t sittin roadside, that ain′t harder to plan I′m out here for my fam doin all that I can I love my city, sweet and gritty in land to outskirts Nickname Bucktown cuz we grown to outburst Philosophy redefine us, touch mines I touch back Walk the streets like a sweet and get beat like drum tracks Catch no shakes over jakes (boomp-boomp!) we bust back Bring the marty to your face wit no place to run back I′m from the slums that created the bass that thump back This ain′t a game clown, play ya James Brown and jump back What you want, Jack? Young cats stash they jums at Draw they guns back, momma screams where she sons at Tryin to hunt that, recurring dream of high stakes The fourth largest, first artist, Brooklyn is the place Settled by the judge many years ago Three billion strong and here we go
*part two*
[Mos Def] GOOD MORNINNNNNNNNNGG VIETNAM!!! Ha (back up back up back up back up back up)*repeated in background* Yo sometimes I sit back, reflect on the place that I live at Unlike any place I ever been at The home of big gats, deep dish hammer rim caps Have a mishap, push ya wig back Where you go to get the fresh trim at Four on the jake got the Timb rack Blue collars metro carding it Thugs mobbin it, form partnership Increase armorment, street pharmacist Deep consequence, when you seek sleek ornaments You get caught, rode the white horse and can′t get off Big dogs that trick off just get sent off They shoebox stash is all they seeds gotta live off It′s real yo but still yo, it′s love here And it′s felt by anybody that come here Out of towners take the train, plane and bus here Must be something that they really want here One year as a resident, deeper sentiment Shoutout "Go Brooklyn!", they representin it Sittin on they front stoop sippin Guinesses Usin native dialect in they sentences >From the treeline blocks to the tenaments To the Mom & Pop local shop menaces Travel all around the world in great distances And ain′t a place that I know that bear resemblance That′s why we it The Planet Not a borough or a prov, it′s our style that′s uncalm >From ?sun? to the ? to the Lafayette Gardens White ?coff guawinas? in they army jacket linings Yo this goes out to my cats in Coney Isle Friday night out in front The Himalaya goin wild This goes out to Crown Heights and Smurv Village The nighties, and all my ?yarda trenny? Brown′s Village Parkside tennants caught, thirties, forties, and the fifties The cats out in Starite City gettin busy To the Hook, to the East, to the Stuy Bushwick and Kanarcy, Farraget, Fullgreen, and Marcy My Flatbush posse, generals of armies When it′s time to form, just call me And let this song be, playin loud in Long B If you love Bucktown STRONGLY! RAISE IT UP!
*part three*
[Mos Def] Brooklyn my habitat, the place where it happen at Live sway and the sharp balance of the battle axe Irons is brandished at, thugs draw they hammer back It′s where you find the news tool crew cameras at It′s where my fam is at, summertime jame is at They play Big and get you open like a sandal back Hotter than candle wax, hustlin you can′t relax The crack babies tryin to find where they mama′s at It′s off the handle black, wit big police scandals that Turn into actions screenplays sold to Miramax The type of place where they check your appearance at And cats who know where all the hot ′lo gear is at The stompin grounds, where you find a pound, smoke is that Be blazin charm that have your wave cap floatin back The doorstep where the disposessed posted at Dope fiends out at Franklin Ave sellin zovarax You big ballin better keep your money folded back Cuz once the young guns notice that it′s over, black Brooklyn keep on takin it, worldwide we known for that Flossy cats get it snatched like the local tax The place I sharpen up my baritone vocals at Where one of the greatest MC′s was a local cat
[Mos Def] Back up, back up, back up, back up Back up back up back up back up EASE off This goes out to all area crew (yes yes) To my BK crew (ooh-OOOOOOOH-WHEEE) to my QB crew My LI crew, my Shaolin crew My Dirty South crew (What cha′ll niggaz about the Dirty South?) Atlanta, North Cakalak′ For all my fam, all area crew (AO Yeah mon!!
Yes, the first cut should be the deepest to penetrate beyond the muscle wall′s inner regions First you was icin me, connect with the starin at the speakers Heard the rhyme, head high, what ya starin at ya sneakers You shy now, got a lot of things on your mind now You don′t feel fly now, you huntin the exit sign down Fuck what you heard, cause I snatch the grapevine down (yea yeah) Don′t understand how I ran the line down, rewind now
[Busta Rhymes] YO!! We be the most magnetic, so athletic Leave your peeps on the side so they can watch you and your mans get it Take the arch rivalry stance up on the podium And give the flavor to niggaz but keep it low on sodium Posess shit that got you wonderin how we holdin em Things that′ll lay you out like a piece of linoleum Bring who-ever you want, we bout to bug son and bounce down to Henry Hudson, after I bust one!
[BR] Yo Mos Def! [MD] Alright okay [BR] How you feel? [MD] Feelin great [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] I wan′ do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] What-a-gwan? [MD] How you feel? [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] I wanna do it to death, whattup wit you? [MD] You know my steez [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it loud [BR] Black and proud [MD] Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now!
[Mos Def] Hay dios mio, me and Bustarimo ?? The hottest negroes en Los Estados Unidos Hotter than Reno when discovered by Bugsy Siegal I′m black like Don Cheadle shoutin power to the people My rhymes dipping like the lifeline on the e-boat The raw sugar cane, NutraSweet, never Equal If you in a Benzito or your mother′s Buick Regal I get up like Chino shoutin power to the people!!
[Busta Rhymes] Yo, me and the Mighty Mos shine like a light post Live nigga shit be straight FUCKIN UP THE WHITE FOLKS That′s why they with it now, because niggaz like me and you we did it now, brought it to that level so they GET IT NOW We graduated saturated the game now Infatuated with the fame now let me explain how we doin this, at any time or any place ready willin and able let′s get the dough secure the FOOD ON THE TABLE
[BR] Ay Mos Def [MD] Oh my God.. [BR] How you feel? [MD] I′m feelin great [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] Wanna do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] Rhymes Galore! [MD] What the deal? [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] Wanna do it to death, WHATTUP wit you?! [MD] You know my steez [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it loud [BR] Black and proud [MD] Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now!
[Mos Def] From East West North and South I got joints for all of those Heavy aquatic water flows keep them on they toes Tell them thugs that wanna be CEO′s to be derobed ′Fore I wear your little dumb ass out like Easter clothes!
[Busta Rhymes] Yo, yo-yo yo-yo It′s like a freak show, soon as my heat blow Sometime I speak slow so people understand my street flow And while we keep it hot, we got the most shine up in this WHOLE SHIT, me and Mos spit and blow the show quick
[Mos Def] WATCH OWT! Your pussy sound get bucked Souf Mos ′n Bussa Rhymes too bad man-a-shutout WATCH OWT! Give a damn whut fancy car ya hop owt Shut down your game like da NBA lockout
[Busta Rhymes] Ya betta WATCH OWT! I′m bout to black on niggaz like I′m blowin on a sax, blowin my gats on niggaz Blowin my raps on niggaz - now let me mash out We fatter than the biggest ass chicks pokin they ass out!
[BR] Hey Mos Def [MD] Magnetism [BR] How you feel? [MD] Feelin great! [BR] Whatcha want? [MD] I wan′ do it to death, whassup wit you? [BR] You know my steez [MD] True indeed [BR] Say it loud [MD] Black and proud Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now! Bus-a-Bus [BR] Woo-HAH! [MD] How you feel?! [BR] Feelin GREAT! [MD] Whatchu want? [BR] I wanna do it to death, WHATTUP wit you?! [MD] You know my steez! [BR] True indeed [MD] Say it LOUD! [BR] Black and proud! [MD] Ain′t no time to hesitate at the gate Do it now!
[Mos Def] What what, we got to do it, do it We got to do it, do it, make me do it, do it What.. wha-what-what, we got to do it, do it Make me do it, do it Do it do it do it now! What what, we got to do it, do it Do we do it, do it, do it, ah do it now! What what, we got to do it, do it Got to do it, do it Do it now! AO
You say one for the trebble, two for the time Come on y′all let′s rock this! You say one for the trebble, two for the time Come on!
Speech is my hammer, bang the world into shape Now let it fall... (Hungh!!) My restlessness is my nemesis It′s hard to really chill and sit still Committed to page, I write rhymes Sometimes won′t finish for days Scrutinize my literature, from the large to the miniature I mathematically add-minister Subtract the wack Selector, wheel it back, I′m feeling that (Ha ha ha) From the core to the perimeter black, You know the motto Stay fluid even in staccato (Mos Def) Full blooded, full throttle Breathe deep inside the trunk hollow There′s the hum, young man where you from Brooklyn number one Native son, speaking in the native tongue I got my eyes on tomorrow (there it is) While you still try to follow where it is I′m on the Ave where it lives and dies Violently, silently Shine so vibrantly that eyes squint to catch a glimpse Embrace the bass with my dark ink fingertips Used to speak the king′s English But caught a rash on my lips So now my chat just like dis Long range from the base-line (switch) Move like an apparition Float to the ground with ammuntion (chi-chi-chi-POW) Move from the gate, voice cued on your tape Putting food on your plate Many crews can relate Who choosing your fate (yo) We went from picking cotton To chain gang line chopping To Be-Bopping To Hip-Hopping Blues people got the blue chip stock option Invisible man, got the whole world watching (where ya at) I′m high, low, east, west, All over your map I′m getting big props, with this thing called hip hop Where you can either get paid or get shot When your product in stock The fair-weather friends flock When your chart position drop Then the phone calls.... Chill for a minute Let′s see whoelse tops Snatch your shelf spot Don′t gas yourself ock The industry just a better built cell block A long way from the shell tops And the bells that L rocked (rock, rock, rock, rock...)
*scratching*
Hip Hop is prosecution evidence The out of court settlement Ad space for liquor Sick without benefits (hungh!) Luxury tenements choking the skyline It′s low life getting tree-top high Here there′s a back water remedy Bitter intent to memory A class E felony Facing the death penalty (hungh!) Stimulant and sedative, original repetitive Violently competitive, a school unacredited The break beats you get broken with on time and inappropriate Hip Hop went from selling crack to smoking it Medicine for loneliness Remind me of Thelonius and Dizzy Propers to B-Boys getting busy The war-time snap shot The working man′s jack-pot A two dollar snack box Sold beneath the crack spot Olympic spnosor of the black glock Gold medalist in the back shot From the sovereign state of the have-nots Where farmers have trouble with cash crops (woooo) It′s all city like phase two Hip Hop will simply amaze you Craze you, pay you Do whatever you say do But black, it can′t save you
Some cats really like to, you know... Profile and front. And then the jooks go down, all at once they like...
Don′t get mad Don′t get mad Don′t g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x)
You′re out on the block hustling at the spot... GOT, this is how you get Got... At the gamblin′ spot and your hand is mad hot... GOT, this is how you get Got... Out in Brooklyn late night flashing all of your rocks... GOT, this is how you get Got... Some girl from pink house said "I like you a lot"... GOT, this is how you get Got...
This one goes to all them Big Will cats With ice on they limbs and big rims on they Ac You goin′ around town with your system bump And your windows cracked low to profile and front Now I like to have nice things just like you But I′m from Brooklyn, certain shit you just don′t do Like, high postin′ when you far from home Or like, high postin′ when you all alone Now, this would seem to be clear common sense But, cats be livin′ off, sheer confidence Like "Fuck that, picture them tellin′ me run that" But acting invincible, just ain′t sensible It′s nineteen ninety-now, and there′s certain individuals Swear they rollin′ hard and get robbed on principle 5 star general, flashin′ on your revenue You takin′ a ride on the Downstate medical, Like (whooooooo) Colorful sparks, yellow and blue A full on attack and it′s happening to you Wit′ nothing you can do but bust back and cop a plea But five of them and one of you, that equals Got to me...
Don′t get mad Don′t get mad Don′t g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x)
Come on ya′ll now, let′s be real Some jokers got a rough time keepin′ it concealed I wonder what it mean, it′s probably self-esteem They fiendin to be seen, get hemmed like Gaberdeens Cats think it can′t happen until the gats start clappin They comin′ down the wire spittin fire like a dragon Cause while the goods glisten, certain eyes take position To observe your trick, and then catch that ass slippin′ Like, come on now ock, what you expect? Got a month′s paycheck danglin′ off your neck And while you Cristal sippin′, they rubbin′ up they mittens With heat in mint condition to start the getti-gettin′ They clique starts creepin′ like Sandinistin guerrillas You screamin′ playa haters, these niggas is playa killers Mr. Fash-ion, that style never last long The harder you flash, the harder you get flashed on There′s hunger in the street that is hard to defeat Many steal for sport, but more steal to eat Cat′s heavy at the weigh-in, and he′s playin′ for keeps Don′t sleep, they′ll roll up in your passengers seat There is universal law, whether rich or poor Some say life′s a game, to more, life is war So put them egos to the side and get off them head-trips ′Fore some cats pull out them heaters and make you head-less...
Don′t get mad Don′t get mad Don′t g-g-g-g-g-get mad (repeat 3x)
I don’t read the newspaper is because they all have…ugly prints
Bring it ON! Bring it ON! Bring it on cuz therez gon be shit tonight!
[DJ Shadow] At the starting of the week At summit talks you′ll hear them speak It′s only Monday Negotiations breaking down See those leaders start to frown It′s sword and gun day
Tomorrow never comes until it′s too late
(Come come come come come with it)(x2)
You could be sitting taking lunch The news will hit you like a punch It′s only Tuesday(What time is it?) You never thought we′d go to war After all the things we saw It′s April Fools′ day(What time is it?)
Tomorrow never comes until it′s too late Tomorrow never comes until it′s too late
[Mos Def] Tomorrow is another day Today is another boom Tomorrow is another day Today is another…boom Tomorrow is another day Today is another boom Tomorrow is another day Today is another (boom boom ba ba ba ba boom ba ba ba ba boom ba ba ba ba ba)(x4)
(Slow it down….) SHOT! Escalation Never Station Generation Separation Situation Dissipation Shot! Another shot another shot the tender is to(?) The heart is cold the gun is hot(Shot) Im not sure if they feeling that Im not sure if they wanna stop The gun is cold the blood is hot(Shot) (Sha Sha Sha Sha Sha Sha Shot) The hearts are weak the guns are not
[DJ Shadow] You hear a whistling overhead Are you alive or are you dead? It′s only Thursday(What time is it?) You feel the shaking on the ground A million candles burn around Is it your birthday?(What time is it?)
Tomorrow never comes until it′s too late(Get tomorr’ on the phone…Tryna be smart…Get tomorr’ on the phone) Tomorrow never comes until it′s too late(I need to see tomorr’…Tryna reach tomorr’) Think tomorrows come I think it′s too late
[Mos Def] ANOTHER DAY!!!!!!!
Till the end boom boom ba ba ba ba boom ba ba ba ba boom ba ba ba ba ba
(Tomorrow is another day)(x2)
Bring it ON! Bring it ON! Bring it on cuz theres gon be shit tonight!