Back to Basics

[Verse 1: Kanye West] Uh, uh, let's take it back to basics When shit gets worse, we converse How we need a new balance Before the lines get crossed like Asics Just look at what we got; if we don't shoot, then rebox This is a beat that no flow can detox, so the respect is due Like my Louie bag, I don't wanna have to check you I'm Chi as Buck-Fiftys and Pelle Pelle leathers Some say my beats made the Bulls play better I say, black on black is the hate that hate made Sara Lee with the dough, I'm talkin' bout the cake maid McDonald's with the flow, served over a billion You've seen the video, words over the building Uh, I wish I could give you this feeling I wish I could give you this feeling And when the Workout Plan ain't work out, man Me and Common is back on the corners again On the corner [Verse 2: Common] Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, uh-uh, uh-uh I open my eyes, the corner is like African tribes The black is subsidized, the black enterprise, the passion arise The youth fantasize, who got some cash in they eyes If youth dies, mamas askin' rationalize Tryna build a spot where ghetto bastards could rise The ghetto has been bastardized by those that capitalize Wonder if it's a plan that the master devised To bring his people to a land where the blacks are despised? On the corner