1. |
Alchemy
04:09
|
|||
Never learned the alchemy
If Stevie couldn’t save us, how can we?
Somebody teach us how to die
If Marley couldn’t save us, how can I?
Quit trying to be the calvary
If Lauryn couldn’t save us, how can we?
Everybody makes it out alive
If Michael couldn’t save us...
How come every record on the radio's feel good
But nobody feels good
We used to wanna be alive
Surely we still should
Burying ourselves
Indebted in variants of wealth
Lord we pray this bloody paper weigh heavy on scale
The undertaker love a faker just as much as a real one
No one gets away ain’t no extra minutes to steal from
You ain’t gotta be real slum for you to feel something
You could have all ya lil wants and it’s gon still come
That’s how I know my name will be engraved with the greats
Cuz we all goin to the grave
don’t you pour me a thing
Ain’t no poor me, its sobering to soak in this pain
(No man copes with fame)
Yet we all remain next
And it was success, til access became excess
The game is to gain interest to gain entrance
(Come with people like you
Stay if people like you)
I got the bag...same cycle
Got the bad chick...same cycle
Ima savage...insane white folk
...it’s madness, yeah same psycho
Then imagine when you finally get that platform
Everybody think those last four was talking bout a rap song
So they gon cheer and they gon clap on
Act strong, act norm
I ain’t on this track to spit, I’m on to ask forgiveness
From snatched women, Mac Miller, Flint, the Palestinians
Blacks, indigenous
Cuz we’re enraptured in it
It’s rapture
And they’d rather that I can rap, you serious?
Take a hip hop beat and take that to Syria
Does master lyricism matter in mass hysteria
Lord,
But we gon cheer and we gon clap on
Cuz we still think this talking bout a rap song
Bad form
Never learned the alchemy
If Stevie couldn’t save us, how can we?
Somebody teach us how to die
If Marley couldn’t save us, how can I?
Trying to be the calvary
If Lauryn couldn’t save us, how can we?
Everybody makes it out alive
If Michael couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Marvin couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Chuck couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Nina couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Kobe couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Martin couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Malcolm couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Isa couldn’t save us, how can I?
If Muhammad couldn’t save us...
Who’d have thunk it’d be me on EBT
But then my Hooyo was a refugee
So picture me being pressured to impress who thinks less of me
When I’m the one with the legacy
So who’s a victim
The use of its reduced to euphemism
Was so scared you’d never hear me
Now I’m fearing all you’d do is listen
The truth is the truth is missing
Abuse is vicious
Alcohol and accolades, they act the same
Got us attending award shows in a war zone
The promise is commas don’t conquer your karma
So who’s really going broke
What’s really good?
What’s really ghetto?
What’s really hood?
Somebody gotta explain what’s been misunderstood
There’s no such thing as nothing to something, that’s sustaining Hollywood
And this won’t save you
Won’t medicate you
No better aid
This ain’t the safe route for you to escape to
This is strength for the shaken
This how we break through
Just breathe
And this rappers can’t save you
Breathe
These entertainers can’t save you breathe
You waiting for the chorus ain’t you?
Just breathe
|
||||
2. |
How To Speak
07:36
|
|||
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
In ways they have not heard
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
It’s just that I know every word
Consider this inspiration
For the pain and frustration we are faced with
We’ll get there, know that we will make it
Even in anguish
Its bitter, still we can taste it
Living is such a sweet sensation
That’s why when life gives us nectarines we savor
All it’s flavors, recipes, arrangements
From this angle see everything seems adjacent
Ah! But there’s this other side where nothing comes aligned
Some people come alive
Other’s want to die
I just write, I only summarize what someone’s eyes
Couldn’t disguise though their mind wanted otherwise
Life is a code
The perfect combination deciphers your soul
We see it in your face that it lightens your load
That we can take this stage, your pain, a smile and with it
Unlock an algorithm to your heart
How to speak, ah!
How to speak, ah!
How to speak, ah!
How to speak, ah!
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
In ways they have not heard
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
It’s just that I know every word
So pardon us as we do intrude
The one digging the deepest tends to lose his tools
It’s a sequence of cue and clues
It’s...it’s mathematical, its rubix cube
And there’s no rubric
No rules to rule with
Just who produces, who consumes it
So we get why humans feel in tune
As these grooves can move
And we maneuver through them
But I’m not gonna lie, there’s little special here
Just trying to survive and for that we’re endeared
So every word you hear comes from many years of dying to exist
And you finally let it live
So yeah,
Here’s your story, all its gain and glory
As we exhaust all your possibilities performing
Forgive me for all of your secrets I leak
See I know how to talk, I’m still learning how to speak
I know how to talk, I’m still learning how to speak
I know how to talk, I’m still learning how to speak
I know how to talk, I’m still learning how to speak
I know how to talk, I’m still learning how to…
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
In ways they have not heard
This is your story, story, story
Don’t let them take your glory
This is your story, story, story
It’s just that I know every word
|
||||
3. |
Glory (feat. Cecily)
04:19
|
|||
(Diabate)
C’est ça
Leftist,
Est de retour
D’une manière dont vous n’aviez jamais entendu
Ah La Gloire!
(Nurideen)
Ok so
They want us dead we got that (got that)
If it ain't the prez then it's pop rap (pop rap)
A misguided lil kid with a glock strapped (glock strapped)
Or a neighborhood watch with a complex (murderer)
Somebody watching
I fear no man
Say the world is a monster to keep us scared
Say it's hiding in the closet beneath your bed
All this blame it on the boogie
At least go dance
What?
Y'all can't keep up with the rhythm? (the rhythm)
Enough with the gimmicks just give up (just give up)
Now that I know I gotta die I'm gon live up
Disappear, take this inner fear interfering with us
Get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out
Give out
Trust ya boy just get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out
Give out
Glory to the World's people
The ones we lose and love
Before we lead we must believe
in mercy, freedom, us
Where will you be when they come for you
Now that you got a little comfortable and unruly (unruly)
The fun police
They come to shoot
You either run or become the news
It's your choosing
It's all gon get us
It's all gon get us
Mama said just as long as you don't come with it
How pitiful
You thought that you could come home didn't you
Now internet got you checking for a chip in your tennis shoes
And New World Order taking over (taking over)
Take a soul and make a soldier (make a soldier)
But here we come to shake the globe
With enough positive energy to wake Chernobyl
Get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out
Give out
I said just get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out
Glory to the World's people
The ones we lose and love
Before we lead we must believe
in mercy, freedom, us
Just get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out
Give out, give out
i said just get up
Get up, get up
The moment you get down
Get down, get down
And don't ever give up
Give up, give up
They want you to give out (nah)
Give out, give out
But you’ll never give out (nah)
Give out, give out
I said we’re not gonna quit now (nah)
Give out, give out
Cuz we're gonna get up
Get down
Get up
Get down
Get up
Get down
Get up
Get down, yeah
Glory to the World's people
The ones we lose and love
Before we lead we must believe
in mercy, freedom, us
Glory to the World's people
The ones we lose and love
Before we lead we must believe
in mercy, freedom, us
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Oh! Glory Ah! (Glory, Glory)
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
Glory, Glory
(Nurideen)
They keep coming for your heart
They keep coming for your soul
If you ain’t ready now you ain’t ever gonna be ready
Oh yeah
Tell somebody to tell somebody
Rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated
We here
|
||||
4. |
||||
This is not a plea
I don’t ask for your consensus you don’t gotta lie to me
I know the precedent you set for protection was not for me
I know your services are not for free
The word is Ferguson’s confirming this for some
But really what’s the purpose of manufacturing guns
It’s murderous
Add up the brown and the black blood that’s spilled
Then the bad blood we feel
Isn't bad, it’s just real
Now, why are you drawn if I’m supposed to be calm?
Complied with my rights then how the hell am I wrong?
I’m tired; I've forgiven, fought against
Marched alongside, I've forfeited
Rioted, Lost
Inspire new laws
Survived, and I won’t be your target, my life isn't yours
I don’t buy your remorse
Cuz if all’s well that’s ending well
How could Sean Bell be Emmitt Till?
Somebody let it wail
They say it ain't so pretty
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don't get me
A stranger in my own city
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don't get me
I don’t care if you don’t feel me
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don't get me
I got the beast stalking me
Why do they seek war with me?
I know it seems so silly
But I don’t need your pity
I got to keep on living
And I’ll be good as long as the Police Don't get me
Hands up, so shoot
I believe in chickens coming home to roost
And I’m no longer disillusioned, I don’t have to prove that I’m human
That’s God given
and Whether ya’ll get it, this is not a Western
Your perceived threat is your agenda
And I demand nothing less than respect cuz
Put that weapon to my chest, there’s a heart in it
I know this life’s not fair
You get to stab me in the front and say the knife’s not there
And I may never see justice cuz you’re not my peer
But to me it means nothing not if I stop caring
Because you can’t deny me, can’t sell me your pipe dreams
I know how much my life means despite you despising
I place everything I sing on Abdur Rahim
The ghetto in my speech, my hoodie, and Iced Tea
I’m free
They say it ain't so pretty
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
A stranger in my own city
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
I don’t care if you don’t feel me
Cuz I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
I got the beast stalking me
Why do they seek war with me?
I know it seems so silly
But I don’t need your pity
I gotta keep on living
And I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
Left him lying in the streets for fo’
Cops caught a body bout a week ago
Applying an illegal choke
Cops caught a body bout a week ago
Even caught on a video
Cops caught a body bout a week ago
Aiyana Jones while she sleep at home
Cops caught a body bout a week ago
(another black man shot dead bout a week ago)
They say it aint so pretty
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
Stranger in my own city
But I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
I don’t care if you don’t feel me
I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
I got the beast stalking me
Why do they seek war with me?
I know it seems so silly
But I don’t need your pity
I gotta keep on living
And I’ll be good as long as the Police Don’t get me
|
||||
5. |
Mariam
05:21
|
|||
Habibi
Zaman ma 7akayna
Shta2tilak ikteer
Mistha2a la lamsit eedak
Aymta bidee a shoofak?
Inta 3omri
w inta 7ayatee
Inta il dunia kolha
W il dunia kolha inta
Bahibak, Habibi
(she's always gettin away)
Ok so
I was about nineteen when miss thing Mariam
moved to my side of town from a bigger city
said she was six weeks from eighteen
had big dreams of being a teacher
smiling really pretty
average height, with the brownest eyes
born in Newark but her family from Palestine
said they came there for better lives
Pops built his own restaurant
moms was his treasured wife, second wife
she loved a rap of mine that's how we got to rappin
I got to tap her mind that's how we got attracted
she loved fashion, and my accent
and she was bad, uh was she bad
and back then I knew I was the man in these streets
respect her family so I demanded we meet
but honey was like
"nah I'd rather you met mom
you can win over her heart
her word is like God"
cool...but right around that time we went away to school
I was at Howard, she went to Zaytuna
soon as the year was closed and we were home though
moms told her to bring your boy over
I put on my best shtick
fended off questions
it got tense til I told her I loved her Mansaf
from that night on me and yama were best friends
said "baby that's him"
gave us her blessing,
I'm in
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I beg, stay baby
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I pray on my knees
(I pray so much about it need some knee pads)
Now we headed back off to college
the promise of being items weighing heavy on our conscience
to be honest we'd already started
between our talks and the infinite amount of time spent
I visited for Spring Break,
my sister came to block and to make sure the team straight
tried to stay away from trouble but we were young so
lust taught us a lesson love had to overcome, wait
said "I don't wanna waste these moments"
her retort? "if you want it you better put a ring on it"
what can I say? she loved Beyonce
plus like pops say "finance before fiancee"
Got my mind straight, finished the semester
Got my bread up just to buy her what she meant
came home, she never takes this long to answer texts
something's wrong, I'm calling but only get the voice message
bout 7pm I get a call
his first words are "now I'm involved"
said "stay away from my daughter
who do you think you are, sir?
bringing shame to my hard work
you disgrace to your father"
hold up...homie don't know us
he was about to get told but I could hear her crying and I froze
he said "say your last byes
this is your last time
have pride in your culture
you and this black guy are over"
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I beg, stay baby
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I pray on my knees
(I pray so much about it need some knee pads)
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I beg, stay baby
She's always gettin away
She's always gettin away
No matter how much I pray on my knees
(I pray so much about it need some knee pads)
|
||||
6. |
Let it Live
04:12
|
|||
When will the calls stop
I can’t sleep Sallie Mae’s my alarm clock
Yet I’m still here, still real, still hurt and fear, still love
And I been out of work for years
They say greatness comes with perseverance
That our best and worst is to find out what our purpose here is
That’s everyday for twenty-eight
If my love is labor I feel I’m underpaid
Don’t really want to be yall, rather be unafraid
See I ain’t in the ghetto but I suffer it’s rage
Young colored boys coming of age stuck in these cages
Shuffling in chains, shucking for change and education
One of these days my college degree will mean something
Other than slavery, other than leading this country
Other than pay me, other than maybe
Something then wakes me
It’s a dream
There is no escaping, save me
Do they love me? Or do they understand?
I’m not sure that I need them to love me
I just need them to understand
So when I tell it I tell them to dream big
Then let it live
It is what it is
So let it live
When I tell it I tell them to dream big
But let it live
It is what it is
Said it is what it is
It’s winter, 6:06am
Up trying to make end for FAM
I got a wife who feels slighted every time that I’m away
And I’m reminded all the time I’m from a line of great men
So I know who you think I am but I aint them
I’ve gone to great distances to prove that
London, Côte d’Ivoire, the Carribean to prove that
There just aren’t many men who do that
So you rap, I came to bring the blues back
A dream deferred, unseen, unheard
I’m bringing Langston Hughes back
So if it ever do matter that’s one master, two doctors, two bachelors
Do they love me? Or do they understand?
I’m not sure that I need them to love me
I just need them to understand
So when I tell it I tell them to dream big
Then let it live
It is what it is
So let it live
And when I tell it I tell them to dream big
But let it live
It is what it is
Said it is what it is
I hate that I slept this long
Dreamt so hard til all that’s left is gone
I could be up writing better songs
I could be up getting ready for em
I could be up in that echelon
The World at my beck and call
I’m so afraid of being Dave, Eddie, or worse Lamar
I wasn’t sent here to be a star
I was just meant to work really hard and see where the cards would fall
So excel as I exhale
Survived and failed
and now I finally get Chappelle
In order to live my life and live it well
I gotta give up something
So might as well give em hell
Let it live
So when I tell it I tell them to dream big
Then let it live
It is what it is
So let it live
When I tell it I tell them to dream big
But let it live
It is what it is
Said it is what it is
Egypt to Elizabeth to prove that
You rap I came to bring the blues back
|
||||
7. |
Strength for the Shaken
05:55
|
|||
This is music
Revolution music
For the people of this world
It's just music
Listen to it
Then please use it
for this World
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
I'm not from the same place that you are
Still I'm sure we share the same purpose
So when it comes to walking same paths, we two are
traveling different circles on the same surface
It's like new gauze over same bruised heart
New cloth over same skin, it's still the same skin
What I mean is wherever you are we share the same destination
I wonder don't they see that life goes unbothered?
There's more food for the glutton than the starver
Sometimes sacrifice doesn't mean martyr
Those who lead with their heart tend to be the most slaughtered
I know a girl, her name is Marwa
Her mother and brother beat her
Her father doesn't want her
So living here is such torture
And every time we begin to swim there's a bigger fish out to waterboard us
Or there's a bigger ship out to cut the border
or bigger businesses push you underwater
So being here there's nothing for her
and I ain't saying that she’s wrong but this is what we should've taught her
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
With every hardship comes ease
Try to bring us down there's too much air to drown
Just breathe
I know that sounds hard to believe
but it's just as hard with Harvard degrees
a wretched heart or a heart on a sleeve
is still a heart whether hardened or free
and I find at times I take this for granted
like it's set in stone, I take it granite
So no longer am I saving the planet
From today we're just fam
Let me be grateful and take full advantage
How can I cover your sins?
Be more equipped to field your tears?
Cuz sympathy's important
but empathy is more real
So you can shame, you can kill, you can lie, you can hurt
but at some point it's worthless
That pain will rise to the surface
Only devils are fire, we're all made of dirt
and if it's one thing you'll find everywhere on this Earth, its us
Nothing perfect but pertinent cuz
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together when it comes to this
You are not alone in this game, this World
we are together so pump your fist
I came to bring you all together
We came to bring you something better
I came to bring you all together
We came to bring you something better
(Don’t it feel real good, yeah yeah)
If that don't feel good nothing does
Some of us
Gotta feel we're worthy of being loved just because
(Don’t it feel real good, yeah yeah)
If that don't feel good nothing does
If that don't feel good nothing does
(Don’t it feel real good, yeah yeah)
If that don't feel good nothing does
Some of us
Gotta feel we're worthy of being loved just because
(Don’t it feel real good, yeah yeah)
If that don't feel good nothing does
If that don't feel good nothing does
|
||||
8. |
||||
This gon be an experience
So through the roof
We gon take soul to the moon /
They gon say we inferior
So?
It ain't true
Not when they loving the hue/
Renovate the interior
Don't touch the view
Redirect what they consume/
Ain’t Nothing to fear and
Nothing to lose
We don't make love for these fools/
We don't make love for these fools
Viva la revolution
Mama we are our resolution
It's gon take justice to move us/
We are...
Me and you girl
We are...
Just us two girl
We are...
Inseparable girl
We are...
So special girl
We are...
Me and you girl
We are...
Resolute girl
We are...
Next level girl
We are...
Incredible girl
I know we good for the culture
I know that's just a little indulgent
But I’m in the midst of my woman
So allow me to live in my moment/
That’s a critical component
We take on all oppositions, opponents
Who gon talk, who gon scold us
Who gon get caught in they feelings, emotive/
As long as we believe in it
I ain't really worried about who policing it
Two hands, two feet in the streets with it
Deep in it
Dependent
It’s deep innit
(CHORUS X2)
Shorty I'm here for you anytime you need me
You ain't gotta ask no questions
Cuz you worth it
I put work in
You ain't gotta stress me sweatin
Let em give us they worst
You ain't gotta even be threatened
We were meant to be first
It’s Us against the World
The World ain't ready
(CHORUS X2)
We are...
Me and you girl
We are...
Resolute girl
We are...
Next level girl
We are…
We're the future
|
Leftist College Park, Maryland
Described by those who listen as Hip-Hop, Alternative, Rock and Soul wrapped up in one, the group Leftist consists of the
diverse talents of Nurideen Bashir, Mouhamad Diabate, Mahir Maruf, Mark Hatcher and Ebadullah Ebi Ebadi. The group was formed in 2009 and draws inspiration from the likes of The Roots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nas and Stevie Wonder.
You are officially rockin with the Left!
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