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