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[Talib Kweli]
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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
|
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
|
|
[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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
In the flesh presently presentin my representation
|
|
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
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*repeat 6X*
|
- - - - these two parts overlap - - - -
|
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
|
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
|
*repeat 2X*
|
|
[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
|
These people enter Cona like Gattaca, you can bet
|
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
|
Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together
|
You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
|
You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
|
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
|
or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
|
The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack
|
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
|
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
|
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
|
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
|
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
|
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
|
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From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
|
*repeat 4X*
|
|
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
|
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
|
*repeat 2X*
|
|
..
|
|
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
|
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
|
*repeat 2X*
|
|
What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin...
|
|
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-----------------
|
K.O.S. (Determination)
|
| Black Star |
