Panther Power

[Intro: Chuck D] Panther power Panther power [Verse 1: 2Pac] As real as it seems, the American Dream Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains To deny us of the future, rob our name Kept my history a mystery, but now I see The American Dream wasn't meant for me 'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me Promised me freedom, education, equality Never gave me nothin' but slavery And now look at how dangerous you made me Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told Promised me emancipation in this new nation All you ever gave my people was starvation Fathers of this country never cared for me They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me 'Cept lie about the facts in my history So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy When my people are down, so they can screw us around Time to change the government now [Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D] Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! [Verse 2: Ray Luv] Panther power from the strength that resides within Go toe to toe with a panther and you just can't win Self-proclaimed best, suppress the rest The rich get richer and the poor take less The American Dream was an American nightmare You kept my people down and refused to fight fair The Ku Klux Klan tried to keep us out With signs readin' and statin': "No blacks allowed" With intimidation and segregation We're still waitin' for our freedom, but now we're impatient Blacks, the other skin - dead or sell-outs 'Freedom, equality', then, I'll yell out: "Don't you never be ashamed of what you are It's your panther power that makes you a star [Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D] Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! [Verse 3: 2Pac] My Mother never let me forget my history Hopin' I would set free chains that were put on me Wanted to be more than just free Had to know the true facts about my history I couldn't settle for bein' a statistic Couldn't survive in this capitalistic Government 'cause it was meant to hold us back Usin' ignorance and drugs to sneak attack In my community, they killed the unity But when I charged them, tried to claim immunity I strike America like a case of heart disease Panther power is runnin' through my arteries Try to stop me, oh boy, you'll be clawed to death 'Cause I'll be fightin' for my freedom with my dyin' breath Do you remember? That's what I'm askin' you You think you're livin' free? Don't make me laugh at you Open your eyes, realize, you've been locked in chains Said you wasn't civilized and stole your name 'Cause some time has passed, seems you all forget There is no liberty for you and me, we all ain't free yet [Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D] Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! [Verse 4: 2Pac] As real as it seems, the American Dream Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains To deny us of the future, rob our name Kept my history a mystery, but now I see The American Dream wasn't meant for me 'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me Promised me freedom, education, equality Never gave me nothin' but slavery And now look at how dangerous you made me Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told Promised me emancipation in this new nation All you ever gave my people was starvation Fathers of this country never cared for me They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me 'Cept lie about the facts in my history So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy When my people are down, so they can screw us around Time to change the government now [Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D] Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power! Panther power on the hour from the rebel to you