[Verse 2: Mos Def]
Slim nigga✦ that cast a big shadow✦
Cherokee Red that shoot the long arrow✦
Got mo' skill, mo' aim, and mo' ammo✦
You can get it all from a big or small barrel✦
Like, "Hail Mary,✦ full of grace"
Niggas✦ come in and shoot up the place, and make you pull up your face
The deck, I'ma✦ pull out the ace
From the jungles of the Empire✦ State, where it ain't no escape✦
2-4-7, 7-1-8, and that's like every✦ night, every✦ day
From the place that I settle and stay
To the States,✦ I'm collectin' my pay
Blast off, then I'm back to the K
Hold it down so my family✦ straight
Represent in a family✦ way
Pro-ball, not for amateur✦ play
Been raw since the amateur✦ stage
Before✦ the press had the cameras raised✦
[Chorus: Mos Def]
Like a long time man of the way
You understandin'✦ me straight?
Yes, yes, no doubt
Excellence
It's what it is, it's what it is, and that's what it is, you see?
Ha
Fire
[Verse 3: Mos Def]
'Cause it is deeper,✦ sweeter, richer,✦ crisper✦
Stronger reception and sharper picture✦
Revolve✦ around God, and involve✦ with niggas✦
These elements help evolve✦ my scripture✦
And make Mos Def a classic modern figure✦
Brooklyn, it don't matter✦ if ya holler✦ or whisper✦
You comin'✦ through clear, 'cause I'm right here wit'cha✦
Ain't gotta✦ edit your slang, I got it, I get ya
Yo, brothers✦ and sisters, fathers and mothers✦
The lovers, the leavers, the doubters, believers
The stayers, the quitters, the bitches, the niggas✦
Rebel✦ guerrillas to ghetto✦ civilians
Y'all gon' feel it from the first to the millionth
It's extra,✦ ordinary and plain
I walked✦ a thousand paces✦ of life ahead of the game
By the time that you get where I'm standin',✦ I'll be gone
Y'all make moves,✦ but y'all just move wrong
[Outro: Mos Def]
I move in, and y'all must move on, 'cause I'm molto✦ strong
And I know what my feet move for
Make it go without✦ a brand new car
I was fresh without✦ a brand new song
Don't give a fuck about✦ what brand you are
I'm concerned what type of man you are
What your principles and standards are
You understand✦ me, y'all?
Be good to your family,✦ y'all
No matter✦ where your families✦ are
'Cause everybody✦ need family,✦ y'all
Raise a hand if you understand✦ me, y'all
Everybody✦ need family,✦ y'all
Be good to your families,✦ dog
Understand,✦ no matter✦ where your families✦ are
Everybody✦ need family,✦ dog
Raise your hand, you understand✦ me, pah
That's what it is, that's my man
Family✦ of my family✦ Pencil✦ Pete
My man too
All our loved✦ ones✦ behind the walls
All of those still in the struggle
Assata,✦ Mumia✦
Sundiata
My man Jamil✦
Life is real
To all the real soldiers, black people
We family,✦ y'all
Let it be bright