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To the beat y'all |
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(Check this out) |
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(This announcement I'm about to make is very important) |
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Yes |
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(Now listen) |
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(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
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(And I'm sensitive about my ****) |
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To the beat y'all |
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(Sensitive about my ****) |
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Can't believe I'm still doing this |
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I thought my political views might ruin this |
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I figured you might've moved on to these newer kids |
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My extra, extended hiatuses |
| [00:32.54] |
Who would've thought you woulda let me get away with this? |
| [00:35.27] |
I mean, no one's waiting to see what an aging hater thinks |
| [00:38.32] |
I kinda wanted to be finished |
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I didn't wanna pull my heart out, let you see in it |
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I just wanna grow privately, be free a minute |
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Plus my soul don't always have peace within it |
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I tell the truth, but I can see that I'm conceded with it |
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I make a whole lot of mistakes, please don't be offended |
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I used to have this recurring nightmare |
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I'm on stage with the whole city inside here |
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I start choking and my lungs won't provide air |
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Then I dropped an album, they reacted to it |
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Started selling out First Avenue |
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Now all the bad dreams |
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I have are that you no longer care for dude |
| [01:13.55] |
(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
| [01:16.12] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) That's right |
| [01:18.97] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
| [01:21.14] |
(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
| [01:24.47] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) Say that then |
| [01:27.93] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
| [01:29.93] |
I love rappers with the big voices |
| [01:33.27] |
They put the power in their lyrics so you live for it |
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And spit it boisterous, the ignorant can't ignore it |
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I put the preacher's style in my delivery |
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And I remember vividly somebody tweeted Chuck D |
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And asked him who the best voices are, and he mentioned me |
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I did seven shows a week for like five years |
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And used to scream on that mic to make it sound clearer |
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Now I'm staring down my most profound fear |
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Started catching up with my vocal chords |
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I'm not so sure that I should perform no more |
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Back on my mind, wonder what you're applauding for? |
| [02:06.25] |
(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
| [02:08.60] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) Feel like the wrestler |
| [02:12.26] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
| [02:13.76] |
(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) Yes ma'am |
| [02:17.23] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) |
| [02:19.56] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
| [02:22.99] |
Huh, flying to New York to do some press |
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I just imagine that these people won't be too impressed |
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The loot he getting all at once is how they view success |
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But then the writer's like, "Brother Ali, sir |
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I've been so excited just for writing this feature" |
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He asking all these **** questions and did his research |
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And then I meet the editor and staff |
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And everybody got their cell phone camera to flash |
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And a story about how my music helped 'em in the past |
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I gotta ask y'all a honest question: |
| [02:52.41] |
I mean, I'm beyond honored by this warm reception |
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But since you got respect and an obvious connection |
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And every time you bless us with the tiniest little speck |
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Of an online mention, our fans all shower you with affection |
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And just blow up your comment section |
| [03:07.23] |
Well, what the hell, I mean I ain't complaining |
| [03:10.29] |
But, how come you don't place us in the hip-hop conversation? |
| [03:13.10] |
They just look back with blank faces |
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(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
| [03:18.69] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) That joint got awkward fast |
| [03:22.38] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
| [03:25.18] |
(Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) |
| [03:27.36] |
(And I'm sensitive about my ****) |
| [03:30.81] |
(Sensitive about my ****) |
