[Intro: Dave East]
A man who stands for nothing'll fall for anything, you know?
Final call (Tokyo)
[Verse 1: Dave East]
Life started at Omaha, son of Louise and Earl Little
Racism was rampant, don't panic, can't bring this world with you (You know what I mean? Don't panic)
Pops died at six, I blamed them white boys with hooded tops
What good is cops? The color of your skin just meant they wouldn't stop (They won't stop)
Mommy had a nervous breakdown that split the family up
Foster homes I stayed in, no information, this can't be us (Can't be us)
Prison time for burglary, got put on to the nation then
Cleaned my state of mind and stayed natural, not tryna straighten my hair
And know why I stood on that, Chicago and they let me out (Uh)
I praised Elijah Muhammad, thankful for how he kept me out
Time movin', minister now, I got me a followin'
Temple numbеr seven, that's Harlem, thе town was proud of him (Harlem)
Jealousy apparent from brothers, the fame was botherin' (I see you)
Slandered JFK and went national, said don't talk to him (Go wherever)
'64, my pilgrimage to Mecca was refreshin' (Sweet)
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, new name, impressive (Yeah)
Driven queens they firebomb, my kids and wife was in there 'sleep
Death threats, the phone won't stop ringin', this shit done got deep (Deep)
Still, I gotta make this speech (Got to), can't complain 'bout how I teach (At all)
Take a ride up to the Heights all by myself, it's time to preach (Dolo)
Everything is real I speak, clothes is fittin', lookin' neat (Neat)
3940 Broadway where they know we 'posed to meet (Audubon)
Sincerity through my teeth, approach the podium with wisdom (Wisdom)
Couple brothers think I could count on, you scopin' out for mischief (Watchin')
Get your hand up out my pocket, relax, my brother, just stop it
All my daughters sittin' up front, they with Betty, you know they watchin' (They watchin')
Couple shots entered my body (Boom, boom), they probably named me a prophet (Damn)
They'll name avenues and schools in my memory, it's a lot to process
We didn't land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us (On us)
The truth is on the side of the oppressed, make sure you stand with us, by any means
[Verse 2: Ransom]
Spit venomous scriptures behind these podiums
Nobody's cold as him, he sings the coldest hymns, let go your sins
The devil has no limits, his business got all my soldiers slim
Behold the Grim Reaper who sinks his teeth into souls of men
Y'all niggas out of pocket like Malcolm X at the Audubon
(Get your hand out of my pocket)
They take a pound of flesh when the slaughter's on
Meetings at the mosque, be prepared to die when the war is on
Trust me, you are blessed if you hear the cry when your daughter's born
Shotguns and shell casings, blood soaks in the wood of the floor
Would you do more if you finally knew that your hell's waitin'?
Or in front of Heaven's gates with a juicy steak, tailgatin'?
Your sanity is fantasy, I'm in tune with the anarchy
The chaos got 'em panicky, I'm best friends with calamity
The prison's in your mind and they locked you in with no amnesty
Why look to a celebrity to lift you up with integrity?
Puppets without sincerity, you could never fathom the levity
There's no way you can measure me, my energy
Blood of kings, my ancestry
I give you these jewels and pray that you treasure me
Verses by Frankie Beverly, these melodies
Got me thinkin' my people happy with crumbs, but it's worthless to thank your enemies
They use pawns to pander, puppet masters who lust disaster
Movie star tell you vote for him, tell me, why would you trust an actor?
Rap stars and ball players, pop singers and famous folks
Sellin' you pain and hope, they ain't drop the noose, they just changed the rope
Different time, same approach, don't look down at me for sellin' cocaine and dope
The blood's on the wall, just look for the stains to soak
I've given y'all enough of me
(Get your hand out of my pocket)
My brother, please, brother, please, no, no
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