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