The day, me 'n' XP opened for Souls Mischief I'm "Yo, let's get on some angry MC showmanship and hit 'em" Rocked all the cocky songs and not too soulful lyrics, a couple dissin' women callin' 'em "groupies," "hoes," and "bitches." Got off stage, and I'm "Yo, I know that we killed it," Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and us.
I "Peace!" She said "Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute... I know it's none of my business, but I wasn't impressed by performance." I said "Word? Shit, I feedback and criticism." She said "I the passionate spirit, your political vision. Quite honestly I wasn't offended by references to women, But only continuing society's conditioning."
It hit the of me. I told her that this was part of me, I stand up for rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated. But every can't be seepin' with freedom, 'Cuz the other side of me is sexist then people feel that I'm preachin'. "Everything's peace and love?" uhh, somewhat misleading Because this world is and I'm a pro-duct to what I'm seeing.
Not to justify, but to touch on my being. I learn from these verses and my purpose gets with demons. Now I am sexist, I'm prejudice, I put in my music. She said she heard that perspective, but she turned around She said "We have a flame, your fire's with sound. Are you building the empire up, or using fire to burn it down?"
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted being a hypocrite, And through these you can witness it. The differences, I this shit, because I'm just like you; Walking a fine line between saying and it. (x2)
Light it up to it down, light it up to burn it down. it up to burn it down, down, down. Light it up to burn it down, light it up to it down. Light it up to it... down, down, down, down, down, down, down.
Now one thing I've always struggled on, Is how to incorporate drugs and alcohol my music of sober songs. 'Cuz on that perspective, all over my records. But the other side isn't represented it sessions with XP. How can I admit that I love to weed, Knowing the kids are listening and of 'em look up to me?
Not to say that I'm a role model, but I know words are power. And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am out the Message "It's okay," hey I that it is. Chronic can be medicine, But it's all about your relationship it. See I'm either off in the wagon riding and everyday the spliff. Constantly looking for a balance but turns to addiction.
And hip-hop music & weed: inseparable. So MCs that don't or drink, talking about it to me seems questionable. It proves how much just want to be accepted, And not seem straight-edge to audience, so keeping it real is neglected. 'Cuz when I'm smoking, I wouldn't bump a song like this. Put on some Dev and break out the Swishers, and a bong and licks.
See a part of me too And I know that I would make more if I wasn't as true, To all the stuggles of the blunted consumption I'm through. Make music for the party, and the people you. I Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you? Bring it around, Am I building the empire up or using my to burn it down?
x2