The Roots - Things Fall Apart Album Lyrics

And you are all
But we don't even come to see our own, man (take it from us)
Listen, Freddy, listen (I shall, whoa)
You know if we had to depend upon black people to eat
We would starve to death (everybody wake up, it seemed easy)
I mean, you've been out there, you on the bandstand
You look out there, what do you see? (There is no pretenders)
You see Japanese, you see, you see West Germans
You see, you know, Slobovic, anything but (go ahead with yourself)
Except our people, man it makes no sense
It incenses me that our own people don't realize our own heritage, our own culture
This is our music
That's bullshit
Why? That's all bullshit
Everything, everything you just said is bullshit
You're complaining about- I'm talking about the audience
That's right, the people don't come
Because you grandiose motherf*ckers don't play (then distort up in your face like)
Shit that they like
If you played the shit that they liked then the people would come
Simple as that
Inevitably, hip-hop records are treated as though they are disposable
They are not maximized as product even, you know, not to mention as art

Is this fast or normal speed?
Yea, knawsayin?, yea, Table of Contents
F*ckin wit it, one two, it's the Table of Contents, come on
Uh yea, uh huh, yo

Check it out, you're now intuned to the sounds of the
R to the, double-O to the, T-S and I stretch limit to this profession
My voice physically fit, tracks I'm bench-pressing
The mic chord is an extension of my intestine
Delicate MC's sliced in my delicatessan
My mind state is that of the S-P
Connection, Pennsy a part of me, South Philly through my arteries
Thought the dark one, fearsome, slump son
My vocal just a knuckle that sucker punched the drum
Hip-hop yo that's my hustle and it kill a kingdom
That Fall Apart to drastic propor-tion
Lost ones out there, you better stand clear
The Fifth Dynasty, it be a world premier
Cuttin' through like attorneys at law that's car chasin'
You star gazing, the force y'all facin' is the
R-to the, double-O to the, T-S an'
Y'all niggaz in the mix, keep guessin'
The world traveler in the flesh without question
Last seven years on tour without restin'
Yo the kind of rapper you should reconsider testin'
Supreme simply, o-fficial Dundee
What I bring'll motivate to move your whole country
Throw your hands up if y'all want me to proceed wit
And carry out strategic plans to leave wit
The title that I'm watchin, Roots we run-ting
My Dundee atire for MC hunting
Step up and out the ring
Y'all niggaz on some other, y'all loud as Don King
But wine drink within the danger zone lounging
You need to be more aware of your surroundings
Reality at times is astounding enough to get your heart pounding
It's safe to assume, in all confidence
That I'm one of the illest in the seven continents
Yo, you on my dick, thanks for the compliments
You be f*cked up by my Table of Contents (begins fading)
Bad Lieutenant, you I been rhymin' since
The f*ckin past tense, f*ck no delayin'
Or playin' taking your wing way back in the day of yo
Motherf*ckin' mind

It' the R-to the, double-O to the, T-S an'
Yo yo, it's the R to the, double-O to the, T-S an' yo
When I strike to excite, I just aim, I never miss
Embrace you wit a hug of death, give your ass a slight kiss
Toxic words that spill over pages, for ages
Impacts like M-16's to twelve gauges
The rage is still in me, never act too friendly
Scully down creepin' while you tilted off Henny
Many man begin pure but in this world of sin your
Holdin' tight my mor-al by in-jure
We scramble, because this game life is the gamble
Vandalize your terrain, go against the grain
Invade your brain wit the collision causing division
Sweep your sector, leavin' you niggaz for stool-pigeons
Sweep your sector, leavin' you niggaz for stool-pigeons
Sweep your sector, leavin' you niggaz for stool-pigeons
My religion is a way of life, but the trife replays
Cuz niggaz actin' shiest these days
Wagin' wars, usin' dynamics cuz I'ma slam it
You talkin' all this out out your mouth, you satanic
Roam the planet, always takin' bullshit for granted
Just a cool type of cat but you still can't understand it
You told to sit back, stand still and chill
Niggaz bound to clap shots cuz they all act ill
Wit a sour-ass taste smilin' up in your face
I'm like trust, never leavin' no trial or no trace
Disappear wit the wind, ? shows the discipline
Twenty-five years of my life I learned to miss amend
Peep the structure of a whole empire
Smuggled sealed tai, pack lyrics like Kya
Verbal messiah, when I cross I set a fire
Wacker MC went in doubt cuz I'm for hire

[Black Thought]
C'mon.. and yes y'all
You are now in tune to the sounds..
of the legendary.. foundation

Yeah, you go
Hey you listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement
You listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement

Word up, we got the HOT-HOT music, The HOT MUSIC [1X]
The HOT-HOT music, the HOT music [3X]

Yo, one, two, one-two one-two
That's how we usually start, once again it's the Thought
The Dalai Lama of the mic, the prime minister Thought
This directed to whoever in listening range
Yo the whole state of things in the world bout to change
Black rain fallin from the sky look strange
The ghetto is red hot, we steppin on flames
Yo, it's inflation on the price for fame
and it was all the same, but then the antidote came
The Black Thought, ill syllablist, out the Fifth
This heavyweight rap shit I'm about to lift
LIKE, a phyllum lift up it's seed to sunlight
I plug in the mic, draw like a gunfight
I never use a cordless, or stand applaudless
Sippin cholorophyll out of ill silver goblets
I'm like a faucet, monopoly's the object
There ain't no way to cut this tap, you got ta get wet
Your head is throbbin and I ain't said shit yet
The Roots crew, the next movement, c'mon!

And yes y'all
You are now in tune to the sounds
of the legendary, foundation, check it out, uh

Testin, yo, you go
Hey you listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement
You listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement

Word up, we got the HOT-HOT music, the HOT music [1X]
The HOT-HOT music, the HOT music [3X]

Word up, the formation of words to fit
That's what I usually disturb you with
A lot of rappers never heard of this, or know half the time it is
You doubt the Illa-Fifth, what could you accomplish?
Whether they skywriting your name, or you anonymous
You be speechless, with stinging sinuses
The Roots royal highnesses through your monitors
I tilt my crown, then blow down a diamond kiss
You need to buy a CD and stop rewindin this
I'm the finalist, shinin like a rugged amethyst
And at your music conference, I'm the panelist
Listen close to my poetry, I examine this
like an analyst, to see if you can handle this
Check it out
You, got the groove, emcees
freeze, stand still, nobody move
unless you dealin with The Next Movement
The P-Phi-D we be the mon-u-ment
I live my life nice, but I'm not too bent
You theatrical as a Broadway play, this ain't Rent
One hundred percent, straight out the Basement
Spreading this across a planet on some next shit
How many people feelin this love music? C'mon

Yo, you go
Hey you listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement
You listeners, stop what you're doin and
set it in motion, it's the next movement

Yo, we got the HOT-HOT music, the HOT music [1X]
The HOT-HOT music, the HOT music [7X]

Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart

Yo, I walk across this world that's deceptive
Beats are perfected, the ghetto's infested
With more destruction, my vocal eruption
Was speakin' 'bout corruption with no introduction
Approach me with caution 'cause I spark losses
M-illitant the rap arson, marchin'
Leavin' niggas stiff like I'm starchin', departin'
Hollywood Sambos and jokes just like Martin
I'm the type of nigga that belongs in a war
With a mic and a cord, to hold your head with a sword
Some proclaim lames, callin' theyselves bold
They shall be flawed when the claps applaud
If this a point of life, one I can't afford
Then I have to get shiest and I deal in fraud
Now back to the topic of the rap philosopher
With more drama than a soap opera
Who stops the propaganda, the hot block commander
Puttin' a halt to all the backtalk and slander
Warn every challenger about the silencer
Muzzle in your mouth for the days that's on the calendar

Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart

I'm from the valley of the heavyheads, watch the ghetto pre-medical
Undergrads and steady red faces of stone
Eyes are crevices, life like a double negative
Philly criminal, I rhyme my dirt Tariq already did
Buildin' this Fifth foundation in the wilderness
Thought-less, trespass and enter Thought's fortress
Limitless entrance paid to the order of the
Cypher slaughterer, my mic slappin' you senseless
Defenseless, niggas never movin' me inches
The beat Fifth, invisible in the trenches
Afficiando, awesome hip-hop drug problem
F*ck stardom, and chickens up in Gotham
Poltergeist, slit or choke the mic 'til it scream to me
Stop that, cash we conveniently got that
I stroll through your scenery cocked back
Me and Hot Mack, the nine-eight, El Dorado Cadillac Jacks

Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart

["You'll soon depart.." echoes from the last track]

[Chorus: Malik B (2X)]

Yo, the feet that I walk with
The ears that I hear with, the eyes that I see with
The mouth that I talk with, the terror that I stalk with
Now it's time to spark shit

[Malik B]
Look God, I walk around a little edgy already
Y'all MC's come into my face, but my aim's steady
M-illitant is skilled in most strategic plan
I float across seas and, breezed across land
Standin, in these thoughts of murder within
The structure of this world that's corrupted with sin
I'm always hittin, to leave MC's guessin
For any transgression, in my perimeter
there will be a blessing, and your explicit intoxicated
buddha session, to stop stressin
me with the madness, puttin niggaz on my had list
No sadness is felt, you shuffled and your cards get dealt
Jim Carrey ass niggaz start to melt
Impact like a buckle bein swung from off a belt
Any help for shelter, when in the realms of a welter
My weight will tilt ya, hold alignments and change your filter
My attitude a product of society
So sometimes for gratitude, you know you can't rely on me
Niggaz eyein me, with looks of they anxiety
Wonderin what's in my heart, velocity or piety
Yo, it depends on which one, you bring to surface
At times I get trife, but what to worship is my purpose
Malik B blend with the tree, to spot an enemy
You cloggin me up cat, now vacant the vicinity

[Chorus]

[Malik B]
I'm symbolic to a ballot, it's Abdul Malik
Don't approach with bullshit, I'm quick to call it invalid
Route through your district, we keep it simplistic
No need for the rapper to talk, put it on halt
Show me the vault, or the safe, cause I'm on the paper chase
Wade through route states for bout thirty down my waist
I'm tryin to get it, these rain bottlin thoughts become acidic
With one in the chamber, ready to aim and spit it
A girlfriend and team made nigga cash just splintered
I take what you got to give, cause I got to live
The last hour, I bet your ass ?
Might act up, but I still can pass dowa
I'm usin new ways to try to reach these better days
Instead of tryin to take you under I just make you wonder
I still fast, make salaat, and pay zakaat
I didn't make Haj yet, but that's my next project
Livin two lives, one of turn and one with true lies
Keepin a hoe, knowin these hands into my du'a
In the quarters livin modest with my nigga Trotter
I circle my foes, like tawaf around the kaba
I used to live life, like there was no manana
Now I'm treatin every breath, like it was your honor
I'm Mill-itill-itant with the Fifth that stand firm
like a pillar, I'm I and T-L like Manilla

[Chorus 2X]

This is what it's all about [7X]

[Black Thought]
Uh uh, come on, S-P in the
Up north into the NYC and the out West
And to niggas in Cali and the Down South type dynamite
What, yo yo come on dynamite dynamite
Uh check it out, uh uh
Yo yo yo yo yo check it out

[Chorus]
Eve-ry bo-dy, touch this Illa-Fifth Dynamite
C'mon, touch this Illa-Fifth Dynamite
C'mon, touch this Illa-Fifth Dynamite
Check it out, eve-ry bo-dy
Touch this Illa-Fifth Dynamite
C'mon, touch this Illa-Fifth Dynamite
C'mon, touch this Illa-Fith Dynamite

Yo, check it out
In in tro tro duc ducing
The sole missin link, what could MC's who listen think
It's Black Thought, open your eyes and don't blink
Yo, to rock this mic is like a basic instinct
But yo in-in-tro-tro-duc-ducing

[Elo]
Behind thee, the mic champ-ion
More than a step-ion
Mothaf*ckers sweatin me, beggin me just to get me on
Macro-cosmic, micro-master

[Black Thought]
Aiyyo I'm all the way way, Phil Phil-lay-lay
People wanna see the way the Illadel play
Yo, look in the mirror, watch what yourself say
I'm from S-P, no mortal man can test me
Thought, I keep a lin-e in, upper eschulone-in
Heineken, hold the rhymin in, flows remindin em
Cats that hear me up, some shit from back in the past
Your half-steppin ass, could never fathom a grasp because

[Elo]
Yo we got a doctrine, in cold-rockin it
Bringin this apocalype, nigga you mad topical
[Bitch] my raps trick your optical
Mister superficial, I'm rippin apart your heart tissue
This is your official, dismissal
I don't study the artificial, who f*ckin wit the dark crystal
Yo where are is you? I'm movin like a smart missle
Aimed and guaranteed to hit you

[Black Thought]
Word up, but when the Fifth do get on and perform, you in for it
It ain't no way to cen-sor it, my style metaphoric
To bricks and ten tons stacks hard to lift
The artist, comin out the Fifth darkness

[Elo]
We go back like ancients, while you ain't shit
Sub-terrainean, never against the grain-ean
Afro-American slash half-blade-ean
In your universe, my star's the most radiant

[Chorus]

[Black Thought]
Aiyyo it's all the way live, from 2-1-5
Plus admission is denied so just wait outside
Two extremes collide like Jekyl and Hyde
And I provie you wit the swerve you need, but take heed
You travellin like speed
Iller than adventures you might read
O-fficial original breed, the just-ice league, yo it's the P-5-D
Style fashionist, other MC's they actresses

[Elo]
Yo it's the high-opposed, you bout to get shot down
Tryin to fly above this Illa-Fifth compound
You've known since the get-go, I rock your disco
Ain't nobody badder, but yo you get my gist so
I represent so you gotta squint
As far as how I do it you ain't compen-sate
We causin nui-sance and get in-decent so save your two cents
Don't come in my district, kickin that *bullshit*

[Black Thought]
Yo it's all simplistic, limited click get
Lyrically lifted, touchin the Fifth shit
Trenches of the mentally twisted, you enlisted
5 was the emblem on the mic you got hit wit

[Elo]
And I stomp ya, till you call me conqueror
Back-slappin all the niggas that slept
Thinkin that Elo could ever disappear
I'm strippin they vi near
Wit this non ether reefer, quiet frequent premiere

[Chorus 2x]

Hey, hey, hey hey
Hey, yes, yes I
C'mon, c'mon uh, uh.. uh

[Lady B] Another one of those Saturday Nights y'all

Yo y'all, take heed
Yeah, check it out, c'mon
You're now rockin with the best.. uh

[Lady B] Without a doubt, take heed y'all

C'mon, yeah, uh
Uh, yo, about to give you what you need y'all

[Lady B] Without a doubt

[Black Thought]
Check it out now, it's the type cerebral
World renowned, illustrious, ille-gal
My musical affection, bubblin within your zone
like champagne, known as the Fifth campaign
Thought be doin his damn thang
Bent like, a boomerang, tryin to maintain
I'm both yin and yang from Mi Kan Lang
What your lady gettin me up? I'm never answering
Let her miss me, see me then she off tryin to kiss me
Talkin bout, "I dig you Tariq, the way you twist me"
Meanwhile, she comin home tipsy, all grinnin
And what you used to fit em before, you now swimmin
Just take a dive P-5 deep, the team winnin
Takin hip-hop back to, the beginnin
Cause MC's are pretendin, I slap your sound
out the sky like I'm goaltendin, bring your career
to an endin, enter the next era trascendin for real
Knahmsayin? If not, then man listen
For you to try to f*ck with the Fifth, that's ambition
I let y'all know the time indeed, y'all need to
take heed y'all

[Lady B] Get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt

[Lady B] Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt

[Black Thought]
Yo, I control the stadium like the law long arm
Warn, ring the alarm, cause here The Roots come
The funk's all ready for whoever want some
Your album get split like, a lump sum
No doubt, under this influencin of outcome
Millenium spaceship, totally wasted
Schoolly D classic, though I vocally laced it
Taste this swerve on a regular basis
Servin y'all whatever the place is
Blowin conniseur quality in my competitor's faces
This is without doubt, your lady pass out
This Illa-Fifth Twilight Zone, you ass out
Shout, to my brothers on back route
Whippin the short that's smacked out, dig it
Strump this in your casette deck, hip-hop has not left yet
I sent a verse in the mail like, a death threat
The critically acclaimed composer, stand over
whichever mute miniscule mic holder
You never knew the real before, yo I show ya
You need to make your thoughts more sober, think it over

[Lady B] Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt [repeat 4X]

[Black Thought - amidst ad libbing voices]
What the f*ck, what what what?
Nuttin new, nuttin new..
What? Nuttin new.. check
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
I represent the legendary Fifth Dynasty crew
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin, check shit out
It's nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Nuttin new, nuttin new...

Ghetto related with this hit the whole world awaited
Y'all Dorito-head cats that yak and stagnated
Black Thought, The Doug E. Most war vete-ran
Crown ruler, soul controller of this lyrical land
Spliff wizard kid, who is it?
Fifth Dinosaur Ghetto, beat detonator
Apex my level, NEXT, my complex pattern of speech is like sex
I mastered the art of makin you snap the necks
And Chase Manhattan endorse my mic checks
Upset, poet threat
Just collectin my debt, yo I'm overpaid in dues
blood tears and sweat, when you f*ckin with The Roots
that's as good as it get, Ultramagnet
We pull you in a Drag-net then brainwash your click
and extort your assets, then roadie all your homies
on some old school shit, Roots crew represent

[Dice Raw]
Life's a gamble, step up and place your bets
I drift through space, then make my escape on through the 'net
With CD's, cassettes, no C.O.D.'s or checks
Straight from the old school, aiyyo Raw's in full effect
I'm like, Lex Luthor with rifles filled with kryptonite
When you grip the mic it's like -- c'mon kids, let's say goodnight!
You don't like me?! But don't even know why should you hate me
You scared to face these so I still remain safely
confidin, North Phil' where I'm residin
Never let an outside nigga slide in
This ain't home plate, I dunk on you once inside the paint
Flow like this you cain't, take me you out, you ain't!

[Black Thought]
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Nuttin new, nuttin new, tell me what you could do
Yo we drop the funk, and do the shit

Yo, head lost, sippin this Lambic Framboise
Spittin it for like whoever demand the answer
What's the cure for this hip-hop cancer? Equivalent
to this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
to get my people thinkin mo', we at the brink of war
What does it all mean? What's it all for?
With knowledge of yourself, then you're through the first door
My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
It's heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
So what you think The Roots get the world respect for?
The splendid authentic hip-hop that's raw core
Severe, world premier, a superior sophomore
No doubt, wherever you dwell, that's where the bomb fell
Explodin from the imperial en-sem-ble, for real
From the ven-ue to the avenue
We truly only got respect for a few, y'all ain't sayin nuttin new

[Black Thought]
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Represent the legendary Fifth Dynasty crew
Roots crew comin through, tell me what you could do
Yo you lookin for me? Nah we lookin for you
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Represent the legendary.. with nuttin to do
For you.. yo, lyrical one two
Blow up y'all, it's nuttin new, nuttin new

[Dice Raw]
Look at y'all you just a army ant, I'm a gi-ant, arm fist
King of my city, runnin this shit, just like a ty-rant
Y'all clowns know what I meant, that's if we at war
Then my henchmen, will be at your back door, uhh
WAITIN, wise at debatin; trippin over Legos
Runnin up the steps and lookin for a weapon
But you come out wavin a white flag; that's why
I just backslap that ass like Shaq did Ostertag
Either take me or be taken, you think I'm goin down?
PSYCH, the jury, they're still deliberatin
I got half of they kids, tied up in a basement
Nah I'm just playin yo but that's how I'm playin doe
Dig what I'm sayin yo? D-I-C-E
Shove a mic in your mouth, like Ted DiBiase
When you come sloppy, f*ck is y'all tryin to do?
Y'all into, some wack shit, and ain't sayin nuttin new

[Black Thought]
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Represent the legendary Fifth Dynasty crew
Roots crew comin through, tell me what you could do
One two, one two, yo.. we lookin for you
One two, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Represent, Fifty Dynasty crew
Check it out, what? Well one-two one-two, one-two
Knahmsayin yo? It's nuttin new
Nuttin new, nuttin new, y'all not sayin nuttin new
Represent the legendary.. Fifth Dynasty crew
Roots crew, tell me what you could do
You lookin for me.. we're lookin for.. one-two, one-two
Ha hah HAH! Y'all ain't sayin nuttin new
Wha-wha-one-two, one-two
Represent the legendary Fifth.. knahmsayin?
Blowin your vent, yo, content yo, it's like that

[about 35 seconds of ad libs]

[Black Thought]
We go wow, ba-da-da-dow-da-dah-ow
Either stand tall, just sit the f*ck down
All the way from the 2-1-5th to Bucktown
Brace yourself, it's about to go down

[Mos Def]
Runnin one on one and only hip-hop bound
Yo Tariq (whassup) how your micraphone sound
(It sound tight) well aight, show em what it's about

[Black Thought]
We got to blow up the spot, because they must have forget
We double (trouble) bubble (bubble) bubble (bubblin hot)

Well it's like smack the track up and leave dents in it
The vocalist, bustin this blunt, instrument spit
The magnificent, rapper's run from it
All fly girls, nipples and toes, numb from it
MC's in my circumference, is confronted son
Get your growth stunted from this, you don't want it
(What nigga?) The Black Thought and M-O-S Def done it
Who the ultimate? Yo my man speak upon it

[Mos Def]
Aiyyo I stop fools and drop jewels but never run it
Rock mics so nice I make you stock price plummet
All you high noon riders better rally at the summit
It's me and Tariq and your fleet outnumbered
Cross the membrane barkin big game and get hunted
Eyewitness account, say it happened so sudden
Just slid off to the side, didn't really say nuttin
Then BLAOW, blew away the 1900th

[Black Thought]
You better get your rest cause the next day comin
Oh yes, and MC's they scared to say sum'tin
Stop frontin, I'm in the cut just onlookin
Your get your kings, your rooks, rings and pawns tooken

[Mos Def]
Aiyyo, keep your tape rollin so you catch every bar
of the Black Thought and the black man from Black Star
Illadelph and Vietnam we conference, accomplish
Even with stakes inclined, I get mine, regardless

[Black Thought]
Yo, a lot of Smurfette MC's carry purses
And rock, uniforms, that's made for nurses
I burst your verses, your words is worthless
Only touchin surface, the F*CK's the purpose?

[Mos Def]
I shot the sherriff, the deputy, and head of bank treasury
So mounties in the county got a BIG bounty stressin me
But tell 'em to hold off, they too short to measure me
Mos and Black Thought blast forth with the weaponry

[both interwined]
Like blaow-ba-dow-da-da-dow-da-dah-ow
Either stand tall or sit the f*ck down
All the way from the 2-1-5th to Bucktown
Brace yourself, it's about to go down

[Mos Def]
Yo Tariq (whassup) how your micraphone sound
(It sound tight) well aight, show em what it's about

[both intertwined]
We got to blow up the spot, because they must have forget
We double (trouble) bubble (bubble) bubble (bubblin hot)

[Mos Def]
Yeah, now check your stove top before you take a listen
And make sure beans don't burn in the kitchen
These gassed-up niggaz just ain't fuel efficient
I play the winter breeze to choke hold your piston
(eh-eh-eh-eh) Now you niggaz can't make pole position
Class E chassis can't hold the transmission
Crew pit, useless, they got they tools missin
Watch me, grand prix, champy for wealth driven

[Black Thought]
Yo, you go one for my hustle (hustle)
Two to rock rhyme (two to rock rhyme)
From the muscle kid I'm one of the illets of all time
I swing from chandeliers and wall climb
And specialize in warfares of all kind
A lot of MC's said I'm a run it down rhyme
But half the time, they run it down one of mine
Thought suffocatin em with yet another stunnin line
You dumb and blind kid, it's enlarged and underlined

[Mos Def]
What I memorized leave your whole staff pressurized
Melt down all of your artificial lies
Y'all niggaz is faker than Yellow No. 5
Swine like mono and diglyceride
My vocals got texture, you just texturized
I'm nicer than your writtens even when I'm improvised
Step into my zone get flown like fly
by the b-boy Lazarus who just won't die

[Black Thought]
Yo, me and Kamal and Leanord Hubbard, ?uestlove and Malik
We go back to dollar hoagies and Tahitian Treat
Or like toast in the oven with government cheese bubblin
Me and Dante like Marvin, The Troublemen travellin
Give me the mic, we on that again
b-boy business, off the top actin and battlin
Servin them cats that forgot
But don't get too close, because you might get shot

[both interwined]
Like blaow-ba-dow-da-da-dow-da-dah-ow
Either stand tall or sit the f*ck down
All the way from the 2-1-5th to Bucktown
Brace yourself, it's about to go down

[Mos Def]
Yo Tariq (whassup) how your micraphone sound
(It sound tight) well aight, show em what it's about

[both intertwined]
We bout to blow up the spot, because y'all must have forget
We double (trouble) bubble (bubble) bubble (bubblin hot)

We go blaow-ba-dow-da-da-dow-da-dah-ow
Either stand tall or sit the f*ck down
All the way from the 2-1-5th to Bucktown
Went from _Do You Want More?!??!!_ to what you want now?

[Mos Def]
Yo Tariq (whassup) how your micraphone sound
(It sound tight) well aight, show em what it's about

[both intertwined]
We bout to blow up the spot, because y'all must have forget
We double (trouble) bubble (bubble) bubble (bubblin hot)

[Mos Def]
Say here's a little story that must be told
About two young brothers who got so much soul
They takin total control, of the body and brain
Flyin high in the sky, on a lyrical plane
It's just two bad brothers who will never quit
Mos Def and Tariq from the 2-1-5th
They rock beginnin to end, on a spiritual blend
And everybody who forgot then baby tell em again
It's just me and Tariq, with Ahmir on the beat
The Roots crew baby yo we got to make it unique
We got the soul-shockinest, body-rockinest
Non-stoppinest, _Fortified Live_ survive the apocalypse
Rhymes we say, the perfect blend
Because we know how to rock when the beat come in
Like zen-zen-zen-zen-zen
Zen-zen-zen-zen-zen, zen-zen, zen-zen
Zen zen-zen, ZEN zen zen ZEN zen zen
Zen zen, ZEN zen zen-zen
Zen-zen-zen, ZEN zen ZEN zen
Here we go, here we here we here we go
Zen zen-zen, ZEN zen zen ZEN zen zen
Zen zen, ZEN zen zen-zen
Zen-zen-zen-zen-zen, zen-zen, zen-zen
Let the poppers pop, and the breakers break
Then zen-zen-zen-zen-zen
Zen-zen-zen-zen-zen, zen-zen, zen-zen
Two years ago, a friend of mine
Zen zen, ZEN zen, zen-zen zen-zen... [fades]

What? Hip-hop y'all, to the top y'all
Hip-hop check it out
It's like that uh and it sounds so nice
Hip-hop, you the love of my life
We 'bout to take it to the, to the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the, to the, check it out
Yo, what, and it sounds so nice
Hip-hop, you the love of my life
I'm 'bout to take it to the top, what
Hip-Hop, hip-hop love
To the top hip-hop, check it out
It's like, word up, and it sounds so nice
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life, of my life

The anticipation arose as time froze
I stared off the stage with my eyes closed and dove
Into the deep cosmos
The impact pushed back, the first five rows
But before the raw live shows
I remember I's a little snot-nosed
Rockin' Cazal goggles and Izod clothes
Learnin' the ropes of ghetto survival
Peepin' out the situation I had to slide through
Had to watch my back, my front, plus my sides too
When it came to gettin' mine I ain't tryin', to argue
Sometimes I wouldn'ta made it if it wasn't for you
Hip-hop, you the love of my life and that's true
When I was handlin' the shit I had to do
It was all for you, from the door for you
Speak through you, gettin' paper on tour for you
From the start, Thought was down by law for you
Used to hit up every corner store wall for you
We ripped shit and kept it hardcore for you
I remember late nights, steady rockin' the mic
Hip-hop you the love of my life
So tell the people like that y'all
And it sounds so nice
Hip-hop, you the love of my life
We 'bout to take it to the top

I was speakin', to my guy 'Riq and
How she was desperately seekin' to Organize in a Konfusion
Usin' no protection, told H.E.R. on Resurrection
Caught up in the Hype Williams, and lost H.E.R. direction
Gettin' ate in sections where I wouldn't eat H.E.R
An under the counter love, so silently I treat H.E.R
Her Daddy'll beat H.E.R., eyes all Puff-ed
In the mix on tape, niggas had her in the buff
When we touch, it was more than just a f*ck
The Police
In H.E.R. I found peace
Like Malcolm in the East
Seen H.E.R. on the streets of New York, trickin' off
Tried to make a hit with H.E.R. but my dick went soft
Movin' weight, losin' weight
Not picky with who she choose to date
To confuse the hate with her struggle I relate
Close to thirty
Most of the niggas she know is dirty
Havin' more babies than Lauryn
She started showin' early
As of late I realized, that this is H.E.R. fate
Or destiny that brin's the best of me
It's like God is testin' me
In retrospect I see she brought life and death to me
Peace to us collectively, live and direct when we perform
It's just coffee shop chicks and white dudes
Over H.E.R. I got into it with that nigga Ice Cube
Now the fight moved to in life, makin' the right moves
Besides God and family, you my life's jewel
Like that y'all, hip-hop

It's like, word up, and it sounds nice
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life, what
'bout to take you to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the, yo
Fifth Dynamite, and it sounds so nice
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life
I'm 'bout to take you to the top, love
Hip-Hop, word up, to the top (to the top)
Hip-Hop, check it out
It's like that, what
And it sounds alright
Hey, 'cause you the love of my life
I'm 'bout to take you to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the, check it out
What, yeah and it sounds so nice
Hip-hop, you the love of my life
'bout to take you to the top love
Hip-hop, hip-hop to the top (to the top) hip-hop (hip-hop)
Fifth Dynamite, and it sounds alright
Hey, cause you the love of my life
I'm 'bout to take you to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the, check it out, yo
Ye-yeh-yo, yo, and it sounds so nice
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life
We 'bout to take you to the top love
Hip-hop, hip-hop
To the top, to the top
Hip-hop, hip-hop
Check it out, it's like, yeah, and it sounds alright
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life
We 'bout, take it to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the
To the, to the, to the, to the

One one one one two
P-P-5-D
Yeah, yeah, P-P-5-D
I'm sayin, yo
Touch this yo, knahmsayin what?
Yo-yo, yo, 100%..

[Black Thought]
Yo! On these seventy-three keys, of ivory and ebony
I swear solemnly that I'll forever rock steadily
People wanna know where Malik? He right next to me
The weaponry, the secret recipe
Hard to peep this, deep shit, shows I eat with
Contaminated thoughts I walk the street with
I bayonnet cassettes and chop beats with
this olympic lyricism you can't, compete with
Globe travellin, throwin your verse like a javelin
Things Fall Apart and MC's unravellin
Backstage whisperin to management like
"change the order, it's no way that we can rock after them"
My man sport the 'fro like _What's Happenin?_
From the latest hi-atus, The Roots back again
Your crew practicin to catch this natural blend
They packages read "care when handlin"
It's all soft shit, batteries not included with
Matter of fact, your whole front's a re-enactment
I blow your ba-tty ass into fragments, P-5-D
The new testament, mic specialist, what?

Yeah
Check it out, yo [3X]
Yo yo, Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

[Black Thought]
Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

The Milli-illitant-tant, 'pon cock, ready to rock
Power out, in the clout, it seems out, all through your block
Posse don't play the cut, but what, you get sheist
Got the personality named trife, ready to heist
Smashin 'graphs, snatch the ice, crush your mental device
Thought twice, shoulda thought once, got played for the dunce
Dialogues I moderate, cool out, we outta state
Just blendin in the great, give me room to ventilate
Most niggaz is fraudulent, the rap seargeant
Bargin, through your regiment, call your president
Hittin all targets cuz it's a cause that's lost
Between the killers when they probably Teddy Ruxpin talk
Droppin tears of steel, two drops up in the bucket
Facin three ? and a cop so yo f*ck it
If I get abducted, trapped up in the belly
Wacked up my celly, get known like Dawn Stanley
You know the deally on the daily in the ?
If I sense you got a bend to your kite, then send it up
We press up on your corner with windows they're tinted up
Lay our props face down on the ground and get it up, what?
Face on the ground and get it up

[Black Thought]
Yo yo, Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

[Black Thought]
Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

[Black Thought]
Check it out
While you pose for pictures, I'm the invisible enigma
Down low, scope you off the roof like the fiddler
Cage you up in the vocal booth, you're held prisoner
Watch, while I'm bangin out this hot shit from Sigma
Illa-del-P-A, live without a DJ
And it's been that way, since Sergio Vallente
Yo, The Roots holdin it down, is all you can say
Plus the Black Thought em-cey, professional-lay
Push pen to paper like Chinua Achebe
Thumpin, what was your assumption
I lace your function, make it a Black Thought production
Word up I'm on somethin, stellar hold off course
I'm gone bluntin, travel light and broadcast
via satellite, Illa-Fifth Dynamite
Lyrically calculus in this arithametic hip-hop metropolis
But loyal fiends coppin this hot shit
Yaknahmsayin? Hot shit, word up
Illa-Fifth hot shit y'all

Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

[Black Thought]
Black Thought, I represent the Fifth Dynasty
Lyrical click, 100% Dundee

[Malik B]
Malik B, I represent the P-5-D
Guerilla click, 100% Dundee

[Dice Raw]
Yo, look at all the scavengers
All wannabe contenders
Dismember, wack niggaz I intend ta
Y'all ain't shit but sticky shit
on the bottom of Timber-lands
I know you clam heads wanna surrender
Don't even act like the battlefield the place you wanna enter
Yo niggaz is hopeless, you really need to focus
On who's the f*ckin dopelist or wind up hopeless
Lookin for some soup, tryin to recoup
some f*ckin loot, only thing you get is the boot
To me these punk MC's is nothin but fruit
Cakes, shake they booty on stage and get head
with lyrics that I kick, talkin that bullshit
You might get lit like a front of a spliff
for runnin, off at the lips talkin that nonsense
Raw get on stage, take your confidence
Break you off since powerful defense [fades]

[Scratch intro]

[Chorus: Black Thought and Scratch 2x]
Once again 'gain
Once again 'gain
Once again 'gain 'gain ladies and gentlemen
Once again 'gain
Once again 'gain
Once again 'gain 'gain
Yo, Adrenaline

[Black Thought]
Yo I'm in the eye of the storm, where the pressure's on
And MC's is dressed funny like a leprechuan
I chop rappers up like chicken seczuan
Sells a squads off like a slave auction
Aiyyo my zodiac sign read caution
On stage, I make your seed to an or-phan
Yo, my age an algebraic equation
Niggas want some? I hit em wit a portion
Son, The Fifth foursome, armed at the door son
M-illi-tilla, Dice Raw, quick draw son
You don't want no more son? That's when more come
And drag a nigga Eerie Avenue to Oregon, you're all done
Ladies and gentlemen
Select the weapon at the gate upon entering, The Roots instrumentaling
Spark shit, them niggas try to talk shit
We hit em like the L at 60th and Market
South Philly clip a hold into a nigga park it
Take sneaks, chains and rings and bracelets
Split back this like we the therapist
Adrenaline, Fifth mic terrorist, once again

[Chorus]

[Malik B]
Zigga zigga zigga tryin to get a grip but still slip, so lift me up
Ever since I was a pup I was designed to errupt
You get to know me, you poke me slowly, when caught puzzin
Some niggas thought they was, when of course they wasn't
Punked em wit a dozen of pellets all in they skelet
Transform, from the norm, start to brainstorm
Yeah Malik B from The Roots, he ain't gone
I took the wrong exit, the sign said Langhorne
I'm trapped up in about five worlds wit live pearls
Shouts to Armour Akquan who's name is Jalil
The moat is deep water so let your hand expand it
Demandin, takin you back like Knotts Landing
I'm Ralph Cramdon, we out, you'll see in Hampton
Yo what the what the what the, what the what the what the
Pivot on this concrete earth until I rot
Didn't figure how to conquer it yet but still I plot, once again

[Chorus]

[Dice Raw]
Beans passed the mack and we held em, like hostages
Rappers see me, hide they face like ostriches
Dice'll grind your brain into little sausages
Underwater rap, you know who the bosses is
North Philly baby, that's where that Raw shit is
You'll get blown out the sky once you get talkative
A-D devise rise, I fathered it
So when you see me on the street, don't bother kid
Just be on your merry way, or you might get slit
Ask around, wonderin what Dice Raw did
Lay you on floors like ya gettin carpeted
You need a special kind of mic for retarded kids
Me against you's like Kane verse the Partridges
You wanna battle, change your name to The Forfeiters
Cuz that's what you do, face to face wit raw niggas
I give you a bad case of the f*cked-up jitters, once again

[Chorus]

[Beanie Siegal]
They used to talk shit, but I'ma quiet them
Kick in the door wit my boys stick to riotin
First nigga that flinch, I'ma fire em
Tape em up, grip his hands, and plyer em
Know the bricks is in here, where you hidin em?
Don't die in the shit that you lyin in
Used to get fronted bricks, now I'm buyin em
Used to cop off my man, now I'm supplyin him
Paid the front row seat watchin Iverson
First class air crafts what I'm flyin in
To L.A., Shaq, Eddie, Kobe Bryant and them
Save the jokes for Chris Tucker, Richard Pryor and them
Used to shotgun in cars, now I'm drivin em
Used to hustle 'round bars, y'all was robbin them
Ran up in y'all spot wit Rob and them
Grew up, two-four, wit Pie and em
But do my dirt, 21st, wit Kyle and them
Nigga Pop, nigga Buzz, little Mark and them
Brother news, nigga schooled Marley Park and them
Nigga jump, pull a pump, low sparkin em
I know shit right now gettin dark to them
Tore they body all up, ain't no chalkin em
Too sharp for them, move out in the dark on em
These Illadel foul streets what I'm stompin in once again

[Chorus]

[Scratch outro]

[Instrumental]

[Chorus: Erykah Badu (repeat 2X)]

If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
what club I went to with my homies
baby don't worry you know that you got me

[Black Thought]
Somebody told me that this planet was small
we use to live in the same building on the same floor
and never met before
until I'm overseas on tour
and peep this ethiopian queen from philly
taking classes abroad
she studying film and photo flash focus record
said she workin on a flick and
could my click do the score
she said she loved my show in paris
at Elysee Montmartre
and that I stepped off the stage
and took a piece of her heart
we knew from the start that
things fall apart, intentions shatter
she like that shit don't matter
when I get home get at her
through letter, phone, whatever
let's link, let's get together
shit you think not, think the Thought went home and forgot
time passed, we back in philly now she up in my spa
tellin me the things I'm tellin her is makin her hot
startin buildin with her constantly round the clock
now she in my world like hip-hop
and keep tellin me

[Chorus]

[Black Thought]
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin a flight
and sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
and that's when she flip and get on some 'ol

[Eve]
Another lonely night
seems like I'm on the side you only loving your mic
I know you gotta get that paper daddy keep that shit tight
but yo I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me
while politicin with my sister from new york city
she said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Psych, I'm playin boo, you know it's just wit you I'm stayin boo
and when cats be poppin game I don't hear what they sayin boo
when you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
with all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
so when you sweatin on stage think of me when you rhyme
and don't be listenin to your homies they be leavin you blind

[Black] Yeah, so what you sayin I can trust you?
[Eve] Is you crazy, you my king for real
[Both] But sometimes relationships get ill
[Eve] No doubt

[Chorus]

[Black Thought]
Thet snake could be that chick
and that rat could be that cool cat
that's whispering "she tryin to play you for the fool Black"
if something's on your chest then let it be known
see I'm not your every five minutes all on the phone
and on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
that people bite back and fracture what's intact
and they'll forever be I ain't on some "oh I'm a celebrity"
I deal with the real so if it's artificial let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
listening to they squads and listening to girlfriends
that's exactly the point where they whole world ends
lies come in, that's where that drama begins, she like

[Chorus: repeat until fade]

[Black Thought]
Uh, what what, yo yo P-5-D uncut
Check it out, yo yo, S-P uncut
Yo yo, what P-5-D uncut, yeah yeah it's that Philly shit
Yo yo, check it out, yo yo

[Chorus 2x]

[Chorus: Malik B]
You Don't See Us, but we see you
You stuck on sleep, get on your P's and Q's
Cuz you will get crept, wit no discrept
You know the rep, we keep the flows in check

[Black Thought]
Mesmerizing, state of the art caffeine
It's over head like Omniverse screen
I'm not the average savage that curse queens
I'm something from his worst dreams
First we handling first things, I'm subsurface un-seen
Grat'll hold planet by purse strings
MC's are earthlings, not built to hurt things
Speakin the words of weaklings, nothin but sweet things

[Malik B]
Man each world, it ain't no time to recline
Act up, get clapped up, my mind is the nine
Shine like jewels that spark, swimmin wit sharks
Never caught speakin to NARC's, that's weak in the parks
I'm the type to sit back and analyze the prize
Grip it up and flee the scene wit a different disguise
Take a detour, I be all that I can be whore
Talkin to this (bitch) life, had to make her my wife
Live twice, got seven more lives to live
I'm all out, takin things to the fullest extent
Help me get it down and we can split one-hundred percent
Run a rapper through a maze like a experiment
Word up, you know the legendary Roots crew, yo

[Chorus 2x]

[Dice Raw]
The Raw Dice rise like a creature from out the swamp
Wit my blood-thirsty clergy that's on the hunt for conk
Who pumps your heart, I made you wanna rhyme from the start
You should be more alert, then you wouldn't get hurt
Get off your horse and on your P's and beware
Of images you seein, did deceiving, you're scared
And even more shook up than the scenes that's near
I'm Dice Raw, sting the inside of your mouth like a cold sore
Who wanna piece, well it's Round One, let's begin
I got a gun that's don't bust, it just suck niggaz in
I got shit that'll have you beggin me to shoot ya
I'm the professor, you rock a dunce cap, go get a tutor

[Black Thought]
Yo, Okay Computer, Radiohead's knock to the
Future Shock like Kurtis, at your service
None other than, the Fifth governing playin the cut again
Y'all clueless to what the f*ck is up again
Yo, hard times and sufferin
What, my peoples in the crevices strugglin
'Nuff of them ?untie? soldier thespian
But I'm from the next e-on, supreme being that's unseen for MC'n

[Chorus 2x]

[Malik B]
Yo, they all around me 'round me
On my head, they got a bounty
I'm tryin to get this bell up so I can flee your county
Triple-six, come in my mix, flood it wit tricks
I'm sharper than rough spoons for icepicks
Niggaz price bricks till dawn, if the money is long
Cats who play strong will inhale, then go play bong
You wrong son, you thought I wasn't droppin a ton
Sit and think about the way I wanna tally a sum

[Dice Raw]
Aiyyo I sneakfully snuck up from behind and got you
From over there in them bushes, I chilled and watched you
Dancin all dolly as you pussy for them folly
I knock you out wit one punch from me you been Ali-ed
I float like hovercrafts and sting like vaccinations
WHen my name said out loud, you'll lose your concentration
Dice Raw, D-I-C-E-R-A-W, you wanna take it
Otherwise, f*ck you gon' do?
That's what I thought, nada, nothing, caput, zero
Rough as sandpaper but still smooth as a tiptoe
Raw's takin over, baby don't tell me you ain't know
A lot of kids can rap but you f*ckin wit the pros

[Black Thought]
Namsayin, y'all know the legendary Roots crew, it's like

[Chorus to fade]

[Ursula Rucker]
Muffled sound of fist on flesh
Blows to chest
No breath
Air gasps
You ain't nothing but white trash, bitch!
With each hit, each kick, each...broken rib
Crack, Crack!
Bones are crying
Mommy's crying and bleeding
And pleading
And then...
Daddy wants to f*ck
Dick hard, swelled with power rush
And as if all that wasn't enough
Mommy's seven months heavy with birth
As...Daddy grunts and cursed drunk nothings in her bloodied ear

[singing softly]
First...lullaby
First...Son...will...ever...hear
And never forget

Mommy almost bled to death when she have him...finally
She'd already lost...three
Uterus-bruised, shredded, and weak
From being daily beat
And Friday nights were the worse and...
Daddy never came with flowers
Instead he spent hours at some corner spot
With some bar pop named Cookie
Putting his thing down
Soiling Mommy's sheets with...
Sweet...talk shit,
Cookie's cheap lipstick,
Hair grease, sperm, and jezebel juice

To hell with the good news that...
He was a father for the first time
His thirst for wine and women
Clouded his vision...
No warm welcome for mother and son
Just...
The rank smell of ass-crack, funk, and cum
But Mommy's prayerful strength-her best defense
She...burned the dirty linens
Made a fresh bed
Laid sleeping First Son down
And never made a sound
As she purged her scourge
With birth-blood and quiet tears
Watching as her fears and love and sacrifice
Lie there in his soft skin and new life
Breathing, dreaming, fresh from God's eye
Mommy's little survivor
Like...her

Mommy called crazy and scorned
'Cuz she two more born
One boy soon after
The girl much later and...
Although they were both sung the same lullabies of hate
Her...First Son, the first one
Whose...womb-world was profaned
Came of age playing street games
With Stewie, Rezzie, and Little Brother
'Till his heart start to wither
In pain and shame
Blamed Mom for the wrong she let Daddy do to her
And him...
Let...sins of the Father cause his Innocence to wander
Found out amongst thieves
Chose to squander his dreams
Stopped believing in himself
Become prodigal with his life
Make impossible shit right with...
Gang-ties, crime, lies
Erase wise, woeful words of Mother
Replaced them with absurdities of others
Who had also lost their way

Played a different kind of street game now
First Son plunged deep
Speak street-family vows
Espouse no causes but his own
See, he couldn't protect Mommy's neck from Daddy's grasp
Or...protect Mommy's ass from Daddy's wrath
Couldn't shield her ears from...
Daddy's foul-mouthed, liquor-breath jeers
His only defense-served be confidence
Brown bottles housed his swift descent
Phones called cops on block frequent for his shenanigans
Now...Daddy and him twins in addiction
Driven to false-hearted heavens and friends
By liquefied demons
Had become what he despised from Conception 'til End
Destined for a demise
Survived nine lives of staying high
Conning, jewelry-pawning, arrests, theft
Womanizing...only for money, never for sex
Bullet in chest, baseball bat to the head
Left for dead
So, eyes wide and glassy
Speech...slowed and slurred
Lips twitched with caked-up codeine candy
And mouth corners one December 24th
Mr. Hide and False Friend
Took final ride to suburban supplier
Shots were fired by the gray man
With shaky hand
But not shaky enough to miss...
Hit...Lost Boy in back
So-called Friend runs for door
Leaves First Son blood-born
Lying alone in blood on cold floor

Death was the cause of...
Returning to Innocence Lost...

Baby 'Sis awake for dawn on Christmas morn
To Mommy's sobs and shakes
Daddy's silhouettes of regret
All past, omitted, and absolved by lost
As they clung to each other
Knowing...

Scratch
Scratch, wake up, man
My bad, my bad, my bad
Something's really bothering me, man, it's like
You know, we did this album from start to finish
It's, you know, five in the morning
And, uh, something doesn't feel right
Like I thought it was bangin', but something's not right
I'm just tryna figure out what I should do
What do you mean you're?—
What you talkin'?—
Do another one?
A hidden track?
Yo, man, it's five in the morning, a hidden track? Why? Why?
You think they wanna hear some more?
You think it's gon' work?
You don't have to spit on me like that, I'll do it

[Black Thought]
Yo, yo
Yeah, yeah, yeah, come on (Yes I)
No doubt, yes, I (P-5-D)
Check it out, yo, yo

Arigato to all my people in Japan
Whether you rockin' Cartier or Pierre Cardin
I'm bargin' in like excuse, I beg your pardon
To crush carbon-copy emcees with clone jargon
Move the crowd to leave the microphone sparkin'
Leave you caught inside the lines of my page beneath the margin
Now we could mud-sling to cease the foul-talkin'
I personally'd rather keep things peace, but it's your option
I hit the block with hip-hop, it's like oxen
Stampede with lyrical heavyweight boxing
Yo, just give thanks, it's the new shit
For y'all to ever try to sleep on this is stupid
My thought's deep like the upright acoustic
Bass, Cold Crush like Charlie Chase
To keep the ladies grindin' like a slow jam
You just a sloe gin fizz, kid, get with the program
My style hundred proof, I pause for no man
The Fifth Dynasty, that's the slogan (Yeah)
From SP to West P to Logan
The planet is a parachute, I got 'em open (Word up)

Ayo I'm out there, ayo, I'm still out there
Worldwide, yo, I'm still out there
Roots Crew forever out there
Ayo, I'm still out there
SP to the, out there, ayo
You know I'm out there, what? I'm still out there
Check it out, yo, I'm still out there, come on
Ayo, I'm out there, ayo, I'm still out there
Roots Crew to the, to the, to the, to the

Y'all know the name, I got game like an Evangelist
Relax to my man D'Angel-ist, who could ever cancel this?
Music growth, it's cancerous, not glamorous, yo
The lifestyle I embrace, to some, scandalous
I chop joke emcees like choke sandwiches
And backslap the snare drum open-handed
With my vocal, so I'm far from local
My peoples got to keep me in they focal
Perform Al Jarreau style (What?), now act like you know now
Surf the internet, inspect my profile
Return to menu if you miss this
Your girlfriend said my music is futuristic
Then kissed me on my neck, left marks of lipstick (Uh-huh)
Then came to the spot and we got lifted
I rip shit on the solo unassisted
Or with Malik and the Fifth clique, so y'all should keep your lips zipped
Y'all don't know what it's about, get en route
I hold it down with no doubt and sip Stout
And got the hot record out
Y'all need to let your necks snap back, check it out, word up

Ayo I'm out there, ayo, I'm still out there
Worldwide, said, I'm still out there
Roots Crew forever out there
Yo, I'm still out there
What-what-what? Out there, you know what I'm sayin'?
Tariq out there, P-5-D out there
What-what? SP out there, know what I'm sayin'? (SP forever)
Philly out there, ayo, I'm still out there
SP to the, to the, to the, to the

Ayo, so what's the Fifth then? The million-dollar question
We veterans, lyrically threatenin' freshmen
Y'all lookin' at next year, I see the next ten
In front of me strategically, plan positionin'
Out there, steppin' into your world, I'm visitin'
Discography timeless, you keep listenin'
Within the crevices, these clones is missin' in action
Mysterious magnetic attraction with that thing
My melody like Nat King, and emcees is so uninteresting
Forever givin' y'all the next best thing
I give it to you like Pink Champale and Ink Bing
I drink Yuengling, JaRoots and ginseng
You testin' me, ock? Yo, what was you thinkin'?
You're buggin' off the energy the king bring
A delivery that you're forever remembering

Ayo I'm out there, ayo, I'm still out there
Worldwide, what? Out there
It's The Roots, yo, we out there
Ayo, I'm still out there
Roots Crew, check it out, out there
Ayo, ayo, I'm out there, we infinitely out there
Worldwide, son, out there, check it out (SP)
Ayo, I'm out there (Ayo, we out there), ayo, I'm still out there (It's P5D)
What-what-what? Uh, uh (Roots Crew out there)
Check it out, it's like—