The Feathered Octopus

[Intro: Elucid]

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

I know the games you play

But I don’t know who you are

[Bridge:]

Let it all hang out

[Verse 1: Elucid]

I am I be

I trail I lead

I share we eat

This weed is gold

No like really gold

I push I pull

His hair like wool

I’m on my toes

I’m on my square

I’m scared of heights

I’m used to lows

I know I know

Don’t remind me

No short, please take the side streets

Had the same rap name since the 90’s

Nowadays I teach black kids how to sight read

If ya man shake hands like a Pisces

Nah I’m aight B

From the era of the 5X white tee

Sharing French Fries on a project bench with wifey

Nike check on the uptown

Show me love when I come round

Kinda buzzed, don’t want wanna come down

Doing what it does

I be thinkin bout what I’m thinkin bout

Tryna make a queer girl’s top 5

Tongues tied, here comes the sunrise

Revolution to be dead dropped on a thumbdrive

Zip file narrated by a Gil Scott-Heron hologram

In gentrified Harlem

Let’s hear it for the man

[Bridge: Open Mike Eagle]

One time

For redemption

One time

For the hero’s journey

One for the story

Or torn apart

One for the pain

For the glory part

Body broken down

What was in his heart?

New to the throne

Rain finna start

Took another fall

Nail on the head

Brow beaten

Y’all heard?

Never did

Black scorpion

Float leatherhead

Busted open

Lord bloodshed

Oh my God

[Verse 2: Open Mike Eagle]

We wanna follow and he wanna lead

He want the people to know when he bleed

Room recognition for what he achieved

They don’t believe

They think he done

Somebody said he was down for the count

Man what the fuck is they talking about?

Rested for two

How could they doubt?

Lifted it up and y’all thought he was out

He was a scorpion

They started to panic and thought he should hide

He coulda died

He coulda lost

Bought him a mask but what did it cost?

I heard a bell but they’re waving it off

Don’t interfere with it, they getting tossed

Don’t get involved when that brother is taken

It sticks cause ain’t nobody taking him off

He was the champion

He told them straight out the gate he would never submit

He too legit

Thought he was woofing?

Don’t ever look at him crooked

You wouldn’t believe

In spite of the book

And they pushing the clowns

Just look around

He somersault with a foot on the ground

Some of em talk but he puttin’ it down

Give that man his gold

Let it be told

Best on the globe

Look at his boots and his robes

Every opponent is shipped to his sole

Took the control

Holding the cage

His fingers is broken

The door wouldn’t open and stayed

Locked with a rope and a chain

Face split open

The puddle is starting to stain

His face is exposed

Ain’t nowhere to go

Everybody in the audience finally knows

They know

They can see now