(Verse 1: Mos Def) the way i feel sometimes its too hard to sit still things are so passionate times are so real sometimes i try an chill mellow down blowin smoke smile on my face but its really no joke you feel it in the streets people breathe without hope they goin through the motion, they dimmin down they focus the focus gettin clear and the light turn sharp and the eyes go teary, the mind grow weary i speak it so clearly sometimes ya don't hear me i push it past the bass no nations gotta feel me i feel it in my bones, black, i'm so wide awake that i hardly ever sleep, my flows forever deep and its volumes or scriptures when i breath on a beat my presence speak volumes before i say a word
(Bridge) i'm every where penthouse pavement and curb cradle to the grave tall lead you onna shell universal ghetto life holla black you know it well
(Verse 2: Mos Def) quiet storm vital form pen pushed it right across mind is a vital force, high level right across shoulders the lions raw voice is the siren i swing round ring out and bring down the tyrant shocked a small act could knock a giant lopsided the world is so dangerous there's no need for fightin suttins tryna hide like the struggle wont find em and the sun bust through the clouds to clearly remind him
(Bridge) everywhere penthouse pavement and curb cradle to the grave talk'll lead you on a shell universal ghetto life holla black you know it well
(Chorus) what it is you know they know what it is we know yall know what is is ecstatic there it is huh
(2X) what it is you know we know what it is they know yall know what it is you don't know? here it is (2X)
(Verse 3: Slick Rick [Mos Def]) [and always on time and rockin ya mind] sit and come relax riddle off the mac, its the patch imma soldier in the middle of iraq well say about noonish commin out the whip and lookin at me curious, a young Iraqi kid (awww) carrying laundry, whats wrong G? hungry? no, gimme (?) or get **** out my country and in Arabian barkin other stuff till his moms come grab him and they walk off in a rush ((???)) im like surely hope that we can fix our differences soon (bye!) white apples im breakin on you take everything why not just take the damn food like i don't understand it, on another planet? 51 of this stuff how im gunna manage? and increasing the sentiment gentlemen gettin down on that middle eastern instruments realized trappin is crap walk over kicked one of my fabulous raps (la dee da dee) Arab (??) they well wished they glad wrapped now the kid considered like an Elvis of Baghdad