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So many emcees focusin on black people extermination |
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We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination |
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It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations |
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C'mon let's smooth it out like soul sensation |
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We in the house like japanese in japan, or koreans in korea |
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Head to philly and free mumia with the kujichagulia true |
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Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what |
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They writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin |
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No question, bein a black man is demandin |
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The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3x) |
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With that what? (knowledge of self) determination |
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*repeat 4x* |
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[singer] |
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Things i say and do, may not come quite through |
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My words may not convey just what i'm feelin |
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[talib kweli] |
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Yes yes come on, yes yes |
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Knowledge of self is like life after death |
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With that you never worry about your last breath |
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Death comes, that's how i'm livin, it's the next days |
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The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page |
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Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age |
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I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage |
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At exactly which point do you start to realize |
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That life without knowledge is, death in disguise? |
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That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death |
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Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest |
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Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this |
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Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light |
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Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident |
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Voices and drums original instruments |
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In the flesh presently presentin my representation |
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With that what? (knowledge of self) determination |
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*repeat 6x* |
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- - - - these two parts overlap - - - - |
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Things i say and do, may not come quite through |
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My words may not convey just what i'm feelin |
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*repeat 2x* |
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[talib kweli] |
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The most important time in history is, now, the present |
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So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence |
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But you stressin over time and you follow the roman calendar |
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These people enter cona like gattaca, you can bet |
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They tryin to lock you down like attica, the african diaspora |
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Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever |
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I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever |
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Aiyyo i heard you twice the first time money, get it together |
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You must be history, you repeatin yourself out of the pages |
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You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth |
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That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention |
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Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention |
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Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left |
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The young, gifted and black are sprung addicted to crack |
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All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here |
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And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear |
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With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration |
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You get out of jail with that knowledge of self determination |
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Stand in ovation, cause you put the hue in human |
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Cause and effect, effect everything you do |
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And that's why i got love in the face of hate |
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Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight |
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The thought you had don't even contemplate |
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Infinite like figure eight there's no escape.. |
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From that what? (knowledge of self) determination |
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*repeat 4x* |
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Things i say and do, may not come quite through |
|
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin |
|
*repeat 2x* |
|
.. |
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Things i say and do, may not come quite through |
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My words may not convey just what i'm feelin |
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*repeat 2x* |
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What i'm feelin, what i'm feelin, ooooh, what i'm feelin... |
