[00:02.57]To the beat y'all [00:04.04](Check this out) [00:05.43](This announcement I'm about to make is very important) [00:09.42]Yes [00:10.13](Now listen) [00:11.70](Keep in my mind that I'm an artist) [00:14.39](And I'm sensitive about my ****) [00:16.86]To the beat y'all [00:17.95](Sensitive about my ****) [00:21.58]Can't believe I'm still doing this [00:23.77]I thought my political views might ruin this [00:26.60]I figured you might've moved on to these newer kids [00:29.54]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 [00:41.26]I didn't wanna pull my heart out, let you see in it [00:44.29]I just wanna grow privately, be free a minute [00:47.17]Plus my soul don't always have peace within it [00:50.07]I tell the truth, but I can see that I'm conceded with it [00:53.13]I make a whole lot of mistakes, please don't be offended [00:55.96]I used to have this recurring nightmare [00:58.72]I'm on stage with the whole city inside here [01:01.67]I start choking and my lungs won't provide air [01:04.62]Then I dropped an album, they reacted to it [01:07.80]Started selling out First Avenue [01:09.58]Now all the bad dreams [01:11.17]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 [01:36.09]And spit it boisterous, the ignorant can't ignore it [01:39.17]I put the preacher's style in my delivery [01:42.37]And I remember vividly somebody tweeted Chuck D [01:45.28]And asked him who the best voices are, and he mentioned me [01:48.13]I did seven shows a week for like five years [01:51.41]And used to scream on that mic to make it sound clearer [01:54.49]Now I'm staring down my most profound fear [01:57.18]Started catching up with my vocal chords [02:00.43]I'm not so sure that I should perform no more [02:03.12]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 [02:26.08]I just imagine that these people won't be too impressed [02:28.81]The loot he getting all at once is how they view success [02:31.85]But then the writer's like, "Brother Ali, sir [02:35.29]I've been so excited just for writing this feature" [02:38.11]He asking all these **** questions and did his research [02:41.26]And then I meet the editor and staff [02:44.18]And everybody got their cell phone camera to flash [02:47.02]And a story about how my music helped 'em in the past [02:49.65]I gotta ask y'all a honest question: [02:52.41]I mean, I'm beyond honored by this warm reception [02:55.37]But since you got respect and an obvious connection [02:58.49]And every time you bless us with the tiniest little speck [03:01.56]Of an online mention, our fans all shower you with affection [03:05.04]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 [03:15.97](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 ****)