[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 ****)