Tricks Up My Sleeve lyrics - Common (feat. Rayshel)

[Common]
I'm a Jake, I don't bake a cake
I'm not a cake daddy, you know the type be pullin up in a Caddy
with a drop top, see when I hoe hop, I kick it to the bus stop (what?)
and it's goodie goodie gumdrops
I don't be droppin squat but to the heads they think it's topnotch
I'm skippin over every other dip as if it's
hop hop hop hop hop hop hop, hop, hopscotch, watch

Aiy aiyyo man, ay man, look at ol' girl
She got a BIG ass! (Yo man, sic her.)
Aiy man, ay... hey sweetheart, how you doin?
I'm doin fine.
Oh word? What's your name?
Rayshel.
Why don't you come over to the house so I can put you in the
BUCK BANG!

Aight check it, you see I only bag ya for a second
You never see me beggin, you see the slimmie naked
in my headroom, mo' better yet my bedroom
Tippedy tokin, and stutterin as if she's Max Headroom
Redroom (Redrum?) No I ain't a murderer
I'm Jake the Rake, yo sorry if I'm hurtin the
vaginal area, fallopian tubes and your cervix
I strongly recommend that for your gen' you get some Jergens
I find it beneficial; not to force the issue
I just blow my shit and wipe you see a head it's like tissue
Use em and throw em away, see a hoe a day is essential
If you want a piece of the rock, trick, go to Prudential
cause I rock a buyer babe on the treetop
And when the wind blows, my dick'll get hard, the cradle will rock
I'm like the peacock on NBC, Nuttin But Cock
I pump, prrrrrrrrrrrump pump it up yo, like a Reebok
Hey, I don't sell junk, but I'm a Junkyard Dog
And when I Duke it's a Hazzard, so call me Boss Hog
Or Roscoe Pecol, ohhhhh! pain
That's the sound of the Caravan... running the train
yeahhhh yeahh, bitch
That's the sound of the Caravan, running the train
Owwowhwahaheha! Check it out, check it out yeah, in yo' eye!
Yeahh! Hahhh! Yeahh!

Twilite Tone got tricks up my sleeve
Immenslope got tricks up my sleeve
Yo DRK got tricks up my sleeve
De La Soul got tricks up my sleeve
JuJu got tricks up my sleeve
The Nubian Nut got tricks up my sleeve
Com Sense got tricks up my sleeve
("Wait... I got another trick up my sleeve")

[Rayshel]
I'm not a Jake or a Rake or a hoe, but I got the mo' better
for head of the class
And if you ask me I'm not tryin ta be drastic
I'm not a bitch like Robin Givens I'm concerned about your
plastic, ask it, I'll tell you what you wanna know
And if I tell you no, don't be all up on it dope
Frontin so your friends won't know that you got the 86
so you call me a bitch
You get your kicks, but Kix and Trix are for kids
I don't turn no tricks, I don't suck no Dix-ie cups
I hops in the hubba Hubba Bubba I'm like
Al B. stud, cause if I'm not your lover or your friend
don't try to spend, waste your time
tryin to get a taste of mine but you ain't tastin mine
So find a new type puss, cause if I don't like you
you ain't gettin service G, this ain't the drivethru
Drive by, way far, and everything'll be groovy
Then you pester me? Yo I'ma tell ya like the Nubians
Move on black brotha move on
You gotta move on black brotha move on

Puppy Chow lyrics - Common (feat. Miss Jones)

This is a U-A rhyme, dedicate to the ca-nine
Tch-a-ch-tchk, c'mere boy, I said it's play-time
It's time to play with the mind of a slimmie
I don't wanna be a freak, but it's the dog in me
I don't pretend to be the open door roses type
I open the door for myself, and I close it right
in your face, now you wanna taste my food, what?
You got your own food, get a attitude
You get left, call the ref if you think it's foul
I ain't tryin to hear that, so have a Coke and a smile
Cause after awhile, I'ma wanna get BUCKwild
And now months laters, I'ma say it ain't my child
I'm sterile girl, we ain't never did nothin
Cause only you and I know that the Common Sense is bluffin
Little Miss Muffett, that's how the ball bounces
Sorry you gotta bounce the ball eight pounds and two ounces
That's how I'm livin, just like a rottweiler
When I was a shorty, I was a lot wilder
But then I got milder, and settled down with a harem
and when I can't bear em, I share em
You see it's like no, pass it off, pass pass the puss
I ain't a nerd, but WE'VE GOT BUSH
So cut the bush brat, and let's move it like a U-Haul
Forget the grindin shit, I ain't tryin to get the blueball
Brrrrrrrrap bump me child, I'm speakin upon the nitty gritty
I'm a dog -- HERE KITTY KITTY

..

Zippidy-doo-dah, a zippidy-zippidy-day
Unzip your zipper baby, and come my way
I'm Jack the Ripper, na-nah not Jack Tripper
Cause Three is not Company when your other two friends are thicker
So come one friend, come two friend, come all
United we stand, divide your legs so I can fall
in your bowl of cherries, Kerrie is so very
thick thicker than the Dick Tom and Harry
Tom and Jerry (WHAT?) A Woody Woodpecker
You need body work, I work that body, I'm a bodywrecker
Intersector, I'm the nectar plus the plum
I manage to take advantage, cause some of these hoes are so dumb
If you got some, just an eensy BIT of game
then it's safe to say it's that bet you can get a dame
I shoot, aim the same game, yo obedientally
Tell em that I get the drawers come off immediately
Here comes a nut slut, and we can do the Beat Street strut
and be that I'm a mutt -- so what?
No but if's or maybe baby, look who's talkin to
It's true when I'm drunk I might bone anything that's walkin
down the street, watchin ladies
Nobody's watchin you, because you got a baby
I ain't tryin to be a stepfather so I don't bother
Word to mommy dearest, I look farther
Down the road, to a road not taken
I'm tired of all these same bitches, I need to take care
a new flower, so Joe can take a shower
and get wet, and then jet
like ahhhh, seven-forty-seven
I tell the girls my number 7-7-7-ninety-three-eleven
Then I'm steppin, so when they call me, you'll hear
"Is Common there?" Uh-uh, sorry
you got the wrong number, if you wonder I'm the lumberjack
Choppin down the cherry tree and never comin back
It's like that and it'll be like that
Because a dog is a woman's best friend black

Soul By The Pound lyrics - Common

[Tim Dog] "Gimme a pound, thank you man"
[repeat x2, then x4 faster]

I'm as bad bad, as Leroy Brown Brown
Yo I'm a pro pro, but not a noun noun
If you got beef beef, then you'll get ground ground
Cut up in soul soul, by the pound pound
I'm going downtown like Julie Brown, I'm the round mound
Not a rebound, but like a hound, I get down down
Never wore a leash but I get loose
Producin somethin fresher than fruits, got more soul than combat boots
Diggin two scoops of raisins for the troops out of some blazers
so amazin like Luther everyday Joe but not Bazooka
I used to be a hooper but now I troop to shoot a free flow
Me go with mi amigo, to see the Man named Chico
The legal alienaeno, I roll the instrumentals
Like Jack I be like Nimble never gentle to a bimbo
Not your sex symbol so save that soft stuff for the Care Bears
The way I freak funk OHHHH the Monkees sayin, "Hell yeah"
Correction, "Hell yes"; old folks wanna cuss
on how I walk talk and dress, they say my life's a mess
But I'm straight, are you straight, if you straight, then I'm straight
Rock me tonight, just for old time's sake

Back to our regularly scheduled program, program
I am so damn flam, I slam a slam, BAM, I slam
like Conan the Barbarian, if you talk loud, I'll play librarian
Cause see I want it quiet in here...
I Mark a Markyiana a bunch of funky Uncle Thomases
Play like Christopher Williams cause I gotta keep my promises
to stick to my roots and not dilute cause G this ain't two colors
I'm tired of seein these non rappin dancin motherfuckers

[Tim Dog] "Gimme a pound, thank you man"
[x4]

For a record sale a nigga'll sell his soul to go gold
and reach a large scale, sellin for the pale male
and I can't tell, why for a hoe you grow a tail
and stop drinkin ale, the booty probably smell
Ain't no pussy worth a sale at least not for the kid to do a bid
Shit you musta flipped you lid, you was wit you slipped you slid
Got doodoo skids on my paper cause I got rhymes up the ass
If I pass gas, ducks fast or gets trimmed like a mustache
I must ask what's goin on with rap, white kids actin black
It's like McDonald's sellin fatback
Get back to your Mac, that stuff is wack with all these dancetracks
I'm hearin rap from Antrhax, my time the Caravan cracks
You're wack, that's the only thing that's black Scooter
When we was on the streets, you was at home on your computer
I'ma shoot a diss well like a fist to all these wack groups
Rhymes are wack as hell! And they sample wack loops
I'm wonderin how the hell they get a deal I still can't see that far
I feel like Cypress Hill, I could just kill an A&R
or whoever's in Charge, it surely ain't Charles
but you ain't G-in hip-hop, cause it's ours

[Tim Dog] "Gimme a pound, thank you man"
[x4]

It's sick you sick I'm sicker, I flick a flea flicker
Think of thatI boa constrictor but the venom I inflicta
is stricter, I stick I stick the stinkin to a stunk
If soda was a forty dog, then I would be like drunk
If if was a fifth I would lift the fifth and a spliff
it's not a myth about our dick width, I'm swift and I shoot the presents
In essence count your blessings I got a Wessun if you riff
I'm a nigga with SOULLLLLLLLLL, my last name should be Smith-sonian
I'm gassin girls heads, just like petroleum
Get em ready to bone me and, then I play custodian
and turn off the lights this is the likes of a
ticketing wallowing high jumping radio rumping brother
Got Seoul like Korea gimme an inch I'll take a liter
A chick is a chick that's how I treat her
never go pop I'm not a two liter
A true leader, don't choose to follow, choose what I swallow
whether water or a beer bottle, of course I play the lotto
Wear em? No, share em? A hoe
I like the girls the girls I share a life with a bro
cause U-A-C is family, much tighter than foundations
that holds up the walls, so you better proceed with caution

"Gimme a pound, thank you man"
"Gimme a pound" [x4]

Pitchin' Pennies lyrics - Common

Hey C.S. man, umm
Yeah since you don't wanna gimme a dollar for no beer umm
why don't you gimme a lyrical shoutout on your album junior?
C'mon man, gimme somethin man!
Common! Ah-heh!
Let's Make a Deal, pickle I'm pitchin penny dimes and nickles
You couldn't sell a sticker, on the tape your DJ tickles
I jiggle and juggle the rhymes like, I was to keep you suckers all
waiting
My tub I rub-a-dub it with my rubber duck I play
with those quack MC's, someone's been sittin in my chair
And I'ma wash that crank right outta my hair
Shampoo but, I'm down with the Nubian Nut, Joe and go for self
You're buggin buddy doin somebody nosin don't know yourself
Peace to Sef and Jeff, Tae ?Deesy Dirty and Don Tanean?
Haste makes waste, so with the case is how my day begins
Hot in quarter vader shops the sports day market pelo
I'm think of my pap, the doctor slapped me in the hostpial with a G-O
Word is bond when I was born, and I took a breath
I never rhyme with busted rhymes and even the blind knew I was def
Respect to Chico ?Waller Al Kadee Roscoe Kalidjusome?
Poo-da, Ba Ba, Luther, the Baby B-Boyz always into some
Time for get me drunk, ?Stu and more my cousin adulay?
Fuck the bitches who dissed us and the hoes who wouldn't give Rash' a play
I'ma play, and which way, until I get my new props
Peace to Ricki Love the rockin shot to all the beer spots
The marks we used to stick up, the posse gets much thicker
To those who I forgot yo I'ma blame it on the liquor
That's my nigga list, to those who I missed
my ass you can kiss I gotta piss

Common other songs:

1-9-9-9 lyrics - Common (feat. Sadat X, Talib Kweli)

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
[sample cut and played in background]

[Talib Kweli]
Yo, just relax, take it easy slow down
I had this, I had this friend of mine
Who just, you know, he was movin too fast, yaknawimsayin?
I told him to slow down, he said the sun don't chill
I said, I said still, I said still, you gotta
Just appreciate life, sit back, don't let it fly right past you
No matter what go on I'm still gettin mine
No matter the year, no matter the place, no matter the time

[Common]
Check it, it's like I'm fightin for freedom, writin for freedom
These record company niggas I don't like when I see em
My ancestors, when I'm writin I see em, and talk wit em
Hopin in the promise land I can walk wit em
Shitted on, so many rappers it's like I'm in the stall wit em
Molest concepts, start rhythm, paid dues, bought wisdom
As legends fall my godmother answer heaven's call
Preachers' daughters get fucked in the reverand's hall
MC's reckless ?I ball? why y'all wanna go and do that?
Must've thought I was solo, the name just ain't the U-Ac
No mo', still together
Like in the ghetto photo wit one nigga in the chair
Holdin liquor in despair, gang signs in the air
I shine in spaces where time is just a glare
Hold the mic like a memory
Niggas say I'm nice wit metaphors but these are similes
Street ministry, my poetry's a penitentiary, track is visitation
Sentences is life, I'm like chief up in this demonstration
Still...

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
[sample cut and played in background x4]

[Sadat X][in background during sample]
Check it out, everyday ha yeah
This how we gon' do it for y'all
Common Sense, Sadat X puttin something in your ear
Something for you to grab
For the whole world, yaknowimsayin, but it ain't free
It's a fee, check it out

You squirm wit this coughin, whippin cough
Six days of madness and you might throw me off
On this great ball of stress that they call the earth
I'ma show y'all in rhyme just how much shit I been through
And all the place I went to, always played the low
It's like a competition, this mission here I'm tellin you
Slip up and rhyme-ass niggas here is fellin you
Crash courses, slow down you can't learn that quick
Cuz I'm the dead eye, wit the red eye, from Chi to L-I
I thought y'all knew, every year I grew, I'm still growin
And in a year or two I hope my girl'll be showin
A male seed, praise God I name him Moses
I lead people I want him to, that's why I chose this
Now is the glass half-full or half-empty
Common, why they tempt me?
The king of the simply, bore in mic
I always stay on top cuz I give niggas what they like
I know y'all hate that why I feel I owe y'all everyday
If y'all hear it a thousand times, it's gon' be the same way
The 'Dat-Father, go farther, why bother
Now I'm a peaceful man, I don't want no stress
You know I'm still...

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
[sample cut and played in background 3X]

[Common]
Yo yo, some get Range Rovers, some religion change-over
Angel on my main shoulder tellin me remain sober
Token nigga, game's over ain't no payola in freestyle
In battles, I'm warring/Warren like a G-Child
Searchin for the child in me, this style in me
This release is like the piece that's now in me
They tried to 'sassinate me god, like Martin on the bal-cony
Lyrically I put a hit on em, cuz I'm the style-Nitty
Catch a flick at the Liquid Kitty
Tryin to get a chick to kick it wit me till the tilt
Told her my Chamber's like Wilt
Built wit her for a sec, let her know I had respect
Less than a hour she was givin me neck, yo I'm still gettin mine...

"Still gettin mine, in the" "ONE" "NINE" "NINE" "NINE"
[sample cut and played in background x4]

8 Minutes To Sunrise lyrics - Common (feat. Jill Scott)

[from "Wild Wild West" Soundtrack]

[Common]
Yeah, yo, yo, yo-yo, yo, yo
Yo, a touch of jazz y'all, yeah, yeah
?? y'all, yo they got us on the run, like

[Jill Scott]
8 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (I don't know..)
Pressure is mountin
Oh baby now, how we gonna get through? (I, don't, know)
Can't go left (uh-uh) can't go right (uh-uh)
Don't know, how we made it through the night (c'mon c'mon c'mon)
7 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (Do it, do it..)

[Common]
It was once said by Black Thought that +Things Fall Apart+
Knew I shouldn't have been messin with dude's girl from start
But I pimp from the heart, the art of it made it interestin
Plus me and sister blend before we got intimate
Friend or no friend, my man caught wind
This chick is payin me, it'll either cost me or cost him
Told her she shoulda lost him (when?) a while ago
Cause dude'll drink a pile of Mo' and defile her yo
I ain't here to start on this [nigga] for me to wreck his broad
you could tell what I thought of this [nigga]
Nickname was Smoke, don't know if that was cause of cigarettes
(or what?) or guns he tote, he called shots on the deck
so I wasn't tryin to call his bluff, by his persona
you could see, he think he tough!
If that wasn't enough, old girl had his son
This is Wild like the West I'm like Jesse on the run, uhh

[Jill Scott]
6 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (I don't know..)
Pressure is mountin
Oh baby now, how we gon' get through? (I, don't, know)
Can't go left and (uh-uh) can't go right and (uh-uh)
Don't know, how we made it through the night (yo, we got..)
5 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (Do it, do it..)

[Common]
I understand that time is runnin out, I'm thinkin of town-skippin
Got a Chevy but the alternator be trippin
I'm hittin rum straight, thinkin of a route to truncate
The streets is watchin, out is one way I put myself in his Nike's
His position is, "Aight man, somebody bonin my lady"
Probably snap like Rod-man
My plan was to meet at this bar called the Tiki (when?)
'round four, when she was comin she would beep me
I sat deep in the corner, drinkin zombies, becomin one by now
Wonderin if my style would support her and her child
Out the corner of my eye saw this stud I recognized (who?)
One of Smoke's guys, to stay out of sight I tried
Told Jill Scott to meet we coulda picked a better spot
On some "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" [shit] like Deborah Cox
Looked at my watch, [shit] I don't even got a watch
Felt for my glock, damnit I don't even got a glock, yo

[Jill Scott]
4 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (I don't know..)
Pressure is mountin
Oh baby now, how we gon' get through? (I, don't, know)
Can't go left and (uh-uh) can't go right and (uh-uh)
Don't know, how we made it through the night (c'mon c'mon)
3 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (Do it, do it..)

[Common]
Pressure puh-pressure what? The pressure's cookin
It ain't good lookin, like a black promoter I'm talkin bookin
Not that I'm spooked of dude, I could whup him
But he was on the horn informin the rest of them hoodlums (aight)
Usually I wouldn't fight over a woman, old girl had a sun-shine
was messed up, on Smoke's payroll was one-time
My pager went off, it read one line: "Come get me
from Halsted," I'm thinkin this is monkey bar [shit]
Went to the phone quick, called her (what happened?) Her line was busy
Situation number nine, got my mind dizzy
Wondered if this plan was designed to get me
I've been drinkin too strong to be thinkin too long
Like 40 goin North I'm doin 50, headed for the spot
Askin God to be with me, and lately
she has been actin shifty -- (but what?)
But then it hit me (hit me) it hit me (hit me)
It hit me (hit me) it hit me

[Jill Scott]
2 minutes to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (I don't know..)
Pressure is mountin
Oh baby now, how we gonna get through? (Yo -- I said I, don't, know)
Can't go left and (uh-uh) can't go right and (nope)
Don't know, how we made it through the night (yo, we got)
1 minute to sunrise
Oh baby now, what are we gonna do? (one-one, one.. ha?)
1 minute.. (we got, we got) one, one
1 minute.. (ahh shit, we got) one, one
1 minute.. (what we got girl?) one, one
1 minute.. (baby, Com Sense on the run) now, now
1 minute.. (Com Sense on the run) one..
1 minute.. (just got on the run, just got on the run)
(Com Sense on the run, Com Sense on the run)
(just got on the run, just got on the run)
(they got us on the run like.. they got us on the run)
(they got us on the.. yo, they got us on the run)
(uhh, yo, they got us on the run)
(they got us on the.. yo, they got us on the run)
(and we out..)

A Dream lyrics - Common

[from "Freedom Writers" Soundtrack]

[Chorus: Will.i.am and Martin Luther King]
(I am happy...I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out
(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) We gonna work it out
(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day) That one day
(That One Day) I'ma look deep within myself
(I Have a Dream) I gotta find a way...
My Dream Is To Be Free
My Dream Is To Be
My Dream Is To Be
My Dream Is To Be Free

[Verse 1:]
In search of brighter days, I ride through the maze of the madness,
Struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives,
Gunshots comin' from sounds of Blackness,
Given this game with no time to practice,
Born on the Black list, told I'm below average,
A life with no cabbage,
That's no money if you from where I'm from,
Funny, I just want some of your sun,
Dark clouds seem to follow me,
Alcohol that my pops swallowed bottled me,
No apology, I walk with a boulder on my shoulder,
It's a Cold War - I'm a colder soldier,
Hold the same fight that made Martin Luther the King,
I ain't usin' it for the right thing,
In between Lean and the fiends, hustle and the schemes,
I put together pieces of a Dream
I still have one

[Chorus]

[Verse 2:]
The world's seen me lookin' in the mirror,
Images of me, gettin' much clearer,
Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul,
If I don't express it then forever I'll hold, inside
I'm from a side where we out of control,
Rap music in the 'hood played a fatherly role,
My story's like yours, yo it gotta be told,
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role,
Read scrolls and stow slaves,
And Jewish people in cold cage,
Hate has no color or age, flip the page,
Now my rage became freedom,
Writin' dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em,
I believe in Heaven more than Hell,
Blessings more than jail,
In the ghetto let love prevail,
With a story to tell, my eyes see the glory and well,
The world waitin' for me to yell "I Have a Dream"

[Chorus]

Any Given Sunday lyrics - Common (feat. Jamie Foxx, Guru)

[from "Any Given Sunday" Soundtrack]

Though the times are getting wicked I'm older
I got a chip on my shoulder
True players always maintaing, I'm different I told ya
Don't want to be just a commodity
I'm smarter G
This is my life, and my soul not just a job to me
It's the truest part of me
Fans now mobbing me
Fake friends acting like I just won the lottery
Back then I guess it was hard to see
The real paradox
What an artist see
It's like that saying
Be careful what you pray for you might get it
Of course it's all about winning and money but how far will we let it
Taken 'em, the holy game can make 'em, then instantaneously break 'em
Rain one day sunshine the next
Haters try and stop my flow sometimes I'm vexed
What's next accounted by the press
Mad stress on my chest
Of course I know that I'm blessed but here's the test
On "Any Given Sunday" I got to play my best

[Chorus:]
Sacrifice don't give up the fight,
everything will be all right on any given Sunday
[Guru:] The harder they come the hard, yeah the harder they must fall
Depends on you if you win or lose,
you know you got to pay some dues so that you can live on Monday
[Guru:] Strive to achieve and die for what you believe

[Jamie Foxx]
On the battlefields left abandoned
One man standing
To me the ball was handed
Taken shots and left stranded,
No defensive they tackle me
Every blow brings back a memory
Learning lessons from my injury
It's killing me
Cause at first they wasn't feeling me
Never given a chance to show my true ability
Too many pressures trying to play me out
Put me positions that's sure to lay me out
No doubt

[Chorus:]
Sacrifice don't give up the fight,
everything will be all right on any given Sunday
Guru: The harder they come the hard, yeah the harder they must fall
Depends on you if you win or lose,
you know you got to pay some dues so that you can live on Monday
[Guru:] Strive to achieve and die in for what you believe

[Common]
Playing on a field of hard times
These struggles are like the yardlines that I gain from
Nowhere is where I came from
From day one, I knew the game and how to play run
But never knew the price of fame would weigh tons
Now I learn from self when pain comes
And walk when they say run
Fame can be as painful as
Death of patron
Young black, gifted
But I'm rapped in myself
Broke many tackles but I'm trapped in myself
See what happens with wealth
At times you can lose yourself
During the sunniest of days many superstars fell
From cotton to football fields
You know how they play brothers
As long as we play well they love us
I know that on Any Given Sunday
This can be taken from me
But it all comes down to is money
I know that on Any Given Sunday
This can be taken from me
But it all comes down to is money y'all

[Chorus: x2]
Sacrifice don't give up the fight,
everything will be all right on Any Given Sunday
Guru: The harder they come the hard, yeah the harder they must fall
Depends on you if you win or lose,
you got to pay some dues so that you can live on Monday
[Guru:] Strive to achieve and die for what you believe

Can-I-Bust? lyrics - Common (feat. Ynot)

"If you put a bunch of rappers with their notebooks against
Ynot and Common Sense, they will be lynched"

The Late Show! (And you don't stop!)
Common Sense! (And you don't stop!)
U-Ack! (And you don't stop!)
Them there! (And you don't stop!)

[Common]
I'm not tall, but can I bust?
Like the double dutch, going down the street
I rap to myself when there ain't no one to rap to
And to me, yo, my shit be sounding sweet
It's like doo wop, doo wop, oop
I chew with my group, eating chicken and we're couped in a hoop
Deee! Somebody's breath is smelling boo-
Teee! Tone, is that you? (I don't think so)
I'm one time, two times, three times a lady
Bay-beh, bay-beh, bay-bee
Ha! I be making happy, ladi de, ladi da
When I was a boy I said "Oh" but now I'm a man saying "Ah"
Cha cha cha, who knows where the mouth goes
Yeah nigga, I'm fly, so keep your fucking mouth closed
Ralph goes "Rasheed" and I be saying "Boo!"
Bitches welcome back Common with the "Oooh oooh ooh"
And this is how I wreck it, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
This is how I wreck it, do doo doo do doo
Now one two check it, I'm as Def as a Leppard
It could be, it should be, it is? Holy cow!
I'm grand slamming slamming like the ?common Billy section?
Not the Godfather, but I lounge like a stepper
Breatha, breaks it, 8, we wait
(Ch ch chaa) I got scratch like a DJ
I used to want to be like, I used to want to be like
Mike, but the man in the mirror don't know if he's black or white
And that makes me mad
(Backwards scratching) Who's bad?

[Ynot]
Now can I bust in this era, I'm a plus like addition
And listen, I'm dishing out ish like a chef
The love is the Late Show, showing you the ladies
You late on the show? Oh we the greatest show? You right
To might right, raise, to my left, boom bap
In the back, Blazay Blah, so get the fuck out my face
Oh what a disgrace, you can't disgrace
Boys I'll erase you boys to mincemeat
Human means T, O's, N's, why's this is just a tease before my album
No bum acts out, I'm out to parlay you Fritos
Corn chips off the block, so bust it down, just bust the sound
Exciting as a big zap
I frighten those biting when Lord jabber tighten when tighten taken to loose
Ynot's no loser but I lost your real mind
I find you, finder's keeper's so you mind too
Your mind can't match mine when I do mine
Call mine, my mouth is a fucking gold mine
Bought y'all like monster malls, I get ate like the balls
I got to rhyme, too, I climb you like a stepson
No weapon, but I got a rep, son, for taking fakes to the towel
Snakes in my file
Foul ish, I'll sit down all stand-up comic rappers
Who diss now but don't understand fashion
Fasten your seatbelts til heat melts to ice
T.O.N.Y.'s backwards, nevertheless
I attack nerds, fuck what you heard, hambone
Hey, gone when I finish, women and niggas say "Damn, Tone"
That's busted

Bust it out, chant chant
Common Sense you know is running things
Late Show you know is running things
You ain't seeing us though we running things
Yeah, you know they running things

[Ynot]
Usually I'm the second voice, this time I'm the first choice
In the rhyme, I'm no prancer, so what?
Momma mock me, here's your time to jock, G, no jacking
Don't pack no axe like a savage
I ran the track stars back to their crate, create craters
In they ass, I'm holding one for fun
One tht plays golf, can't raise play tennis
Women plays croquet, and Blazay plays the cut
Still make the women say "Hey"
Yodle lay hey hee hoo, in my way dead
Yo I lay she hoo, in my bed
Ask Common, I did your momma, nah I took it easy
Gave it hard hell, on a scale from 1 to 10
I'm rich, I own a Jet, Ebony, and Essence
And Essence say I'm strong cause with the pen I've been a Bad Boy
A sad boy, I call your girl 13 cause she's good
Should I say more? I see more, I see more
>From sea shore to sea shore, I sell my yacht and play Yatzee
Ynot's the posse, dressing tight, yo I'm friendly
Who's the master, the weak-minded say I rock too strong
The short-winded say I rhyme to long
So niggas told me, "Please let me go to the peasants"
No, let me stop, chow, baby

[Common]
Baby, baby, baby, POP!
Kids call me coffee because I *jugga jugga jugga* drop!
And you don't stop, don't put on the red light
While I rock player, I coach more (niggas) than John Thompson
I'm in your town, George, I got it made like Florance
I'm getting bigger than the lips on Martin Lawrence
Kiss *Mmuah, mmuah* It's like, it's like this
A Sermon like Erick, did a B.A.P. just like Tists
Well, I'm not Jehovah, but can I get a witness?
I shoot the gift rapping, then wish you a Merry Christmas
With he quickness is how I rip this, can you dig it?
Well if not, then dig this, this is the way the way that I flow
The pimp of hip-hop, I make you say "Ho!"
I know you hear me knocking, like I said, like I said
And this is the story about a man named Jed
Got some lead for those hefiers, and those heifers yo I rip it out
My weapon, double decker, come from 1, I'm from 87
And I do work undercover like a cop
Stop in the name of Com before I break your arm
Plus I'm down with the U-Ack ??? and Bushman
Peace to the Beatnuts, peace to the Pharcyde
Yeah, you know what time it is
Yeah, that's how it is

[The silliness continues til the end]

Car Horn lyrics - Common (feat. Mark the 45 King)

I'm the C-O to the double M O to the N
You heard, motherfucker? Well boy I hit ya again
Official bald nigga from the City of Winds
Stay doing it, doing it, I am doing it [x2]

What the fuck is going down? Nigga you sound
Like a real bitch right now, the pound
I gave you I knew I shouldn't have gave you
Before you was a hoe now you think the money made you
A slave to the rhythm, indentured servant to wisdom
Clinton is the pres but I voted for Shelly Chisom
In a poetical prison, I'm visiting self
For hours, coward niggas get shanked for kicking
Pussy raps, radio is like CO's they try to push me back
I rip cats out of they suits, give them they hoodies back
I from the hood we stack back fist
"Ooh ohh ahh" is the sound of blackness
These new school cats is classless, influenced by rap shit
Front money, but hustle backwards
I break bread with broads that got they masters
And hypes the blaster, lawyers that work faster than young ghetto bastards
Became childlike with the way I style right
And act, because children naturally react
Respond, to the Com as a poet I'm a last like a Don
Cause I'm like that yo, a phenom without shit on my arm
You can't coherse a verse
I'm a rhyme when I want to get up and rhyme
Some say I space like John Glenn because of the places I've been
I breaks about spin, been through cases of Heinekin
Return to orbit off some shit that's anti-Corbin in the Wild Style
On to gain rappers is getting tortured for tossing salads
You imbalanced, you rap about violence too much
I go on blind dates with my estates and gold dust
And at my shows a lot shows up, they think it's a hold up
So many hands go up, but with the band I cold up
Money folder, you want a fresh style let me show you

I'm the C-O to the double M O to the N
You heard, motherfucker? Well boy I hit ya again
Official bald nigga from the City of Winds
Stay doing it, doing it, I am doing it [x2]

Don't Come My Way lyrics - Common (feat. Slick Rick)

[from "Whiteboyz" Soundtrack]

[Common]
Yeah yeah
You know, Slick, why do he wanna come crib
Acting like he know how the brothers live?
We have to let 'em know
We have to let 'em know
Heeeeere we go

Behold a pair of white horses on the Death Wish course
Been watching MTV, reading articles in The Source
Lost on the other side of the river
Where death approaches the livest nigga
I wonder why this wigga
Would even come around my tilt
With grandmothers cry, uncles get high, and cats get pealed
My guys will deal with him, he got no rhythm
So let the steel hit him, we speaking jail diction
Hoe work and day oppression
Turn up the bass and let the system thump
So my neighbors won't hear the sparks as the lead gets pumped
Its a pre-(?) agreement in the cement jungle
Kill each other over money and white boys for fun

[Female Singer]
Don't come my way
Hawks feel the day
Things don't change, oh no
Don't you come my way
Come my way
See the day, oh no

[Slick Rick]
Little family so a junky living act as
Started smoking crack to fill the void within my black ass
1999, rolling as some broke cat
These white kids asking questions
about where to buy some coke at
Kinda shock a dude, Ruler turn a sucker to
Show 'em where these cats at, maybe earn a rock or two
Retarded, not knowing the kid hardest trife
Kill 'em, asswipes, I'll have a new start in my life
Till the drug lord knock upon their (?)
Disprespected, "Washed up rapper, what the fuck you want?"
The often asked, I could see others laugh
I got my man he wanna a buy a half a ki off your ass
Scolding 'em, sleeping and sold on 'em
Gimme the cash,
let me flash it through this peephole on 'em (Check it out)
He got hyped quick, pursued in the tight crib
Emptied on their asses, including the white kids

[Female Singer]
Don't come my way
Hawks feel the day
Things don't change, oh no
Don't you come my way
Come my way
See the day, oh no

[Common]
Yo, How'd dude go cop a brick when he ain't got the loot
Ricky D, get the heat and 'Treat 'Em Like a Prostitute"
This wigga gots no heart from his Iowa start

[Slick Rick]
And a Section 8 cat, he don't want any part
I put two in there, ruin their, pursuing their souvenir
Nigga, what the fuck is that white behind DOING here?
Won't you say you wanted to slug 'em
"If your not here for the cable or the (?) ya BUGGIN"

[Common]
Lights flooded the scene, there was blood and si-reens
(sirens)
The cops shot the brother, I still hear him scream
Black mans reality, white mans bad dream
Familiar scene from the Ickeys to the Brady Green
Its pissy hallways, broke elevators always (ya know)
Ain't no place for our children to play
I try to go out in the summer and be feeling the day
These broke and stupid niggas, yo they still in the way

[Slick Rick]
One of the mightiest slang, and plus the night is young
I got long term money draining ideas from
Since they far, I'll find your brown sweetheart
Just being white your like golden goose around these parts
Hey retard, better hurry in, my name is Father Marion
I'll hold that American Express card your carrying
Put your nose up, don't, shut up, provoking and woke up
First where do you live, how much money your folks got?

[Female Singer]
Don't come my way
Hawks feel the day
Things don't change, oh no
Don't you come my way
Come my way
See the day, oh no
Don't come my way
Hawks feel the day
Things don't change, oh no
Don't you come my way
Come my way
See the day, oh no

[Common]
We let the rhythm go
Common Sense will 'em hit where I hit 'em
Common Sense will spin 'em check it out
I guess I did 'em where they should to be done
Ain't nothing new about the wonder rap son
Closed styles like captions yo its time for some action
Man, I get bread, niggas get me sled
When I come up off their head, it was said
For that, yo, it's like this
Common Sense'll strike this, mic this
Just like some punchlines
How niggas follow me like one time
Everybody love me like the sunshine
Combine, ain't that you never knew of
Niggas say one but I've got two loves
Check it out, now how I do love...

Glory lyrics - Common (with John Legend)

[from "Selma" soundtrack]

[Chorus - John Legend:]
One day when the glory comes
It will be ours, it will be ours
One day when the war is won
We will be sure, we will be sure
Oh glory

[Common:]
Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon
Formed against, yes glory is destined
Every day women and men become legends
Sins that go against our skin become blessings
The movement is a rhythm to us
Freedom is like religion to us
Justice is juxtapositionin' us
Justice for all just ain't specific enough
One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us
Truant livin' livin' in us, resistance is us
That's why Rosa sat on the bus
That's why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up
When it go down we woman and man up
They say, "Stay down", and we stand up
Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up
King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up

[Chorus]

[John Legend:]
Now the war is not over, victory isn't won
And we'll fight on to the finish, then when it's all done
We'll cry glory, oh glory
We'll cry glory, oh glory

[Common:]
Selma is now for every man, woman and child
Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd
They marched with the torch, we gon' run with it now
Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles
From dark roads he rose, to become a hero
Facin' the league of justice, his power was the people
Enemy is lethal, a king became regal
Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle
The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful
We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through
Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany
Now we right the wrongs in history
No one can win the war individually
It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people's energy
Welcome to the story we call victory
Comin' of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory

[Chorus]

[John Legend:]
When the war is done, when it's all said and done
We'll cry glory, oh glory

Hurricane lyrics - Common (with Black Thought, Flo Brown, Jazzyfatnastees, Mos Def)

[from "The Hurricane" Soundtrack]

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

[Black Thought]
Yo, talk about paying the ultimate price
Hurricane been incarcerated all of his life
Started out at like twelve
Trapped in a belly of hell
Grew into a man inside of a cell
Yo, anger just swell up
At a early age that develop
Hot head and now it ain't shit y'all could tell him
They said he's on a road to become a felon
But instead he swung blows that'll spilt your melon
He did his thing and was the king of the ring, undisputed
Started making noise but they tried to mute it
They put him through it
For him to make the system look stupid, [yo]
They rather look you in the face and shoot it
And leave your spot looted [or what]
Or leave your whole life blank futured and caught
When you scream at it and do it
With sweat leaking from the outline of your soluid
Don't understand the point that you at
Or how the hell you came to it?
Flashback to images of that night, out in Patterson
They pulled him over heading home from a gathering
And when they told him the charge it kind of baffled him
Murder in the first for the champ, we on that again?

[Chorus]

Hurricane
Accuse a Hurricane
Ain't change a damned shame
It's life for Hurricane, Hurricane

[Black Thought]
*overtop of sung chorus*
Forever, imagine your locked down forever
Could y'all stand the weather?
Could you hold it together?
You tell me that you know the pain
Yo, imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane
Forever, imagine your locked down forever
Could ya'll stand the weather?
You built for that weather?
Yo, know what'm saying?
Know what'm saying?

[Common]
You gotta fight for what you believe in
Nobody knows the troubles seen
This flick left me wondering
'What can become of kings and young kids?'
Summer dream deferred, incident occured, freedom blurred
A freedom that would only be retrieved again in words, later on
The cops, y'all know what they be on
A nigga's life is like a field that they play upon, away and gone from
Natural lifer, a soul he had to fight,
Learn it himself, sleep days, stay up half the night
Amongst dead man walking, he got afterlife exercising,
Developing his knack to write
Never leaving his cell, in this world he trapped himself
What he loved on the outside world, detached himself
You know the cards Blacks get dealt by the system
He drew a picture of freedom with many dimensions
This picture proved to be bigger than Black and White
A young soul named Lesra brought him back to life
It's amazing to a man what a book could do
And how certain books seem to look for you
This is the story of a champion's fall and rise
The story left me wiping my eyes
Peace Ru

[Chorus]

Hurricane
Accuse a Hurricane
Ain't change a damned shame
It's life for Hurricane, Hurricane

[Black Thought]
[overtop of sung chorus]
Yo, yo, forever, imagine your locked down forever
Could y'all stand the weather?
Could you hold it together?
You tell me that you know the pain
Yo, imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane
Forever and ever yo, locked down forever
Could you stand the weather?
Yo, yo i can't even explain the pain
Just imagine if your life was like a hurricane

[Mos Def]
Yes, I am the inescapable, the irresistable,
The unnegotiable, the unchallenged [who dat?]
I am time
I scroll in measurements, control the elements,
I hold the evidence, I tell the story [say what?]
I am time
I know no prejudice, I bare no sentiments
For wealth or settlement, I move forward [who you?]
I am time
You can't recover me, conceal or smuggle me,
Retreat or run from me, crawl up or under me,
You can't do much for me besides serve
Me well and have good dividends returned to you
Or attempt to kill me off and have me murder you
Many have wasted me but now they are facing me,
Treated me unfaithfully and now endure me painfully
Plaintively, I wait to see what history will shape to be,
Who's hearts will never die inside the sake of me
Angel's scribe the page for me,
Keep a full account of all the names for me
And make a special mark for Hurricane who (?) patiently

[Chorus]

Hurricane
Accuse a Hurricane
Ain't change a damned shame
It's life for Hurricane, Hurricane

[Black Thought]
[overtop of sung chorus]
Yo, yo, a Hurricane forever,
Imagine your locked down forever
Could you stand the weather?
Could you hold it together?
I can't even explain the pain
Imagine if your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane
Forever, imagine your locked down forever and ever, ever
Could you hold it together?
Yo, can't explain the pain with words, know'm saying?
Just imagine if your life was like a hurricane

[Verse 4]
The clouds clashed and the heaven's gave birth to star
God placed it in a man on the day he was born
Convicted minutes after, a true natural disaster
Framed for manslaughter, the Hurricane Carter rising
From out the south water, like torrential rains
In the ring no opponent escaped unscathed
You can't believe the world we live in's injust
All I see is more proof, there's no place for us
They had my man Carter locked in a cage, like an animal
Drive him to the point where the mind work mechanical
Or works by remote control
It was done to all of us, they tapped directly into our soul
Either it's sing-sing, or it's bars around your mind
There's no where to run, no where to hide
In a six-by-six a guilty man cries
For repentance and lost is what innocence is

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

[Chorus]

Hurricane
Accuse a Hurricane
Ain't change a damned shame
It's life for Hurricane, Hurricane

[Black Thought]
[overtop of sung chorus]
Your locked down forever
Could you stand the weather?
Could you hold it together?
I can't even explain the pain, know'm saying?
Your life was like a hurricane, a hurricane
Forever, imagine behind bars forever
Could you stand the weather?
You built for that? Is you cut for that?
Don't be telling me that you know the pain
Your life was like a hurricane, yo

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the bilnd
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

Same story, same target, different time
Cyclical reaction from the prisoners of the blind
Trying to fight time, it's a battle of the mind
Waiting for redemption, surviving in a bind

I've Been Thinking lyrics - Common (feat. Sean Lett)

[Intro: Common]

Yeah, one two, bless
Yeah yeah, check it
I got my mellow Sean Lett
He gonna get down for y'all Chicago style
Eighty-seven, you know the bidness, check it

[Chorus: Common, Sean Lett]

After eight years of my life, of smoking and drinking
The world keeps spinning, so lately I've been thinking

After eight years of my life, of smoking and drinking
The world keeps spinning, so lately I've been thinking

[Verse One: Common]

Nearest to the go gothic, a cash flow prophet
Methods of gettin scratch and talkin slick I've adopted
Palms in the lock with stunts whose hearts be game
Hoes in the stable, none do I claim
Niggaz with nothin to shoot for, at they only aim
Gramps in the choir singin it's gonna rain
in the midst of precipitation, I make the power
manipulations, so my offspring'll be straight for generations
Got connections in the nation
To incarceration, to general population
More lyrics than Jason, look me in the face when you speak to me
You got a tattoo? Bitch youse a freak to me
Seeking the, good sess material
Asking when's my next video
Bitch get a job and get your ass in somebody's university
Enroll your youngun in a nursery
And cleam him up, comb his hair, cover yourself
You want a man to love you you ain't loving yourself
I'm discovering wealth watches wisdom in ways
To make it in the last days, now bring it on

[Chorus]

[Verse Two: Sean Lett]

I feel blessed I survived two decades in this world
Then Ninety slid in naked now I got a baby girl
Ain't this a bitch, myself still a child
I want to hang on eighty-seven corners act wild on Stoney Isle
Better school her, so presence is your seed in society
Parks of envy jealous niggaz crack fiends yes indeed
I won't misleed and you can best believe
I'm just a blink away shorty anytime that you need
See I know right now, you're just too young to understand
Asking questions, why pops and moms don't be holding hands
Don't you worry about it yet, in due time we'll explain
Why having you, created just an everlasting shame
Bringing joy witcha smiles, tripping when you first walked
Knowing somebody's child is gettin outlined in chalk
Just relieved it ain't you, I got much love for you boo
Cause it ain't nuthin that these skanless niggaz in these streets won't do
Stop me if I'm lying, see my race is steady dying
Short methods to making cream, bullets sprays and shatters dreams
See basically, Chi-town's game-related and designed
Niggaz store up theirs and down opposite signs

[Chorus]

[Outro: Sean Lett, Common]

It's like that y'all (yeah yeah)
Common Sense and dirty mizer on the set y'all
Sean Lett

We gonna get down like that
My man Eddie C on the board
We coming through y'all for eighty-seventh street
Seventy-first and everybody in South show
We coming through for niggaz on the West side
Down in the ickies, all up and down state
We gonna keep it straight like that
We straight out for gold
You call it Chi-town it's still our town
Holding it down like this with that eighty-seven sound

We talking about rocking niggaz state to state nationwide
On the real it's like that
Straight up South side is where we loaf
Shit be real around these parts, I'm serious
YouknowhatI'msayin? Hear me
You know what? We out though

Kingdom (Remix) lyrics - Common (feat. Vince Staples, Jay Electronica)

Help me get, get the keys to the kingdom
Ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-oooo-ooo-ooo-oooo-oooo-ooo-oooh
Help me get, get the keys to the kingdom
Ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-oooo-ooo-ooo-oooo-oooo-ooo-oooh
Ohh yes, my Lord, ahhh-ahh..AHH-ah-ah-ahhhhh
Ohh yes, my Lord, ahhh-ahh..AHH-ah-ah-ahhhhh

[Common:]
My money ain't straight, my fam ain't straight
Ain't wanna push keys, heaven couldn't wait
I was hurtin, couldn't get no work
You created me from dust, that's why I did dirt
You said that the last shall be first
Now I'm in a hearse, what's this cash really worth?
My whole life I had to worry about eatin
I ain't have time to think about what I believe in
When the days of the kingdom for Chicago gon' come?
I'm comin back like the Prodigal Son, and I got a son
And I don't want my ways followin him, the streets swallowin him
And I don't want no hollows in him
His momma said she see his father in him, hope it's the good thing
'Til life was over is when I understood things
Standin at the gates cause I know you've forgiven what I've done
I'm your son, do I have the keys to get in?

[Chorus:]
Help me get, get the keys to the kingdom (Yeah)
Ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-oooo-ooo-ooo-oooo-oooo-ooo-oooh (Sing)
Help me get, get the keys to the kingdom (Yeah)
Ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-oooo-ooo-ooo-oooo-oooo-ooo-oooh
(And the streets say) Ohh yes
(And the people say) My Lord
(And we all say) Ahhh-ahh..AHH-ah-ah-ahhhhh
(And the streets say) Ohh yes
(And the people say) My Lord
(And we all say) Ahhh-ahh..AHH-ah-ah-ahhhhh

[Vince Staples:]
Sweet Lord Jesus, tell the polices
to let a nigga breathe, my sinnin father see
got a shipment by the seas, see my niggaz tryna eat
Eat whatever's on your plate, save some for me
The worst things in life come sittin six feet
Tryna hop the gate to heaven cause I couldn't get a key
But these niggaz play for keeps and I gotta hold my own
Tryna watch my back cause these stripes ain't free
We, still wadin in the water
Cocaine, blunts, marinating in the water
Lean and took a puff and then she gave it to my father
Used to take the bullets out so I can play with the revolver
Satan serenading ever since I was a toddler
Tell 'em talk is cheap, niggaz livin for the dollar
So in God we trust, leave the prayin to my momma though
Another motherfucker out of control, just walk in my soles
Roll, lit up with the abuse
They wasn’t for show, I promise every pistol was used
See I was wakin up afraid to see my name on the news
Broad day, bare-faced, givin niggaz the blues
Nigga, who you? They know me on the streets where I grew
If you ain't from 'round here, you get gunned down here
Make the best from the least on the quest for the keys to the kingdom...

[Chorus]

[Jay Electronica:]
Nas hit me up on the phone like
"Peace, Isa, you know you need to preach
how the pyramids of Giza alone condemn Easter
Instead of sniffin lines, poppin thongs in Ibetha
Ether - nigga, are we not thy brother's keeper?"
Allah u Akbar, ah-bracadabra
We used what we had to stay alive like MacGyver
(Started From the Bottom), now we really really here
Started kinda blurry, now we really really clear
It's the Nat King (Unforgettable), black king on a pedestal
The way he made words into edibles was incredible
Verbs and spices, givin life out to the lifeless
Givin Christ out to the Christless, my handle with the dice
has been documented as priceless, I roll 7's naturally
Devils who used to laugh at me bow to me internationally
Rappers I gave birth to shot at the God - blasphemy
Told these motherfuckers they'll never Jimmy DeGrassi me
This goes out to those that choose to use
Disrespectful views on original Jews
The chosen people of God gettin slandered and abused
In the streets, and the news by the seed of Yakub
The synagogues of Satan wanna keep us confused
That's how we lose, niggaz got the Ill street blues
From Chi-Raq to England, me and Common droppin bombs
like the baby planes as we establish the kingdom

(And the streets say) Ohh yes
(And the people say) My Lord
(And we all say) Ahhh-ahh..AHH-ah-ah-ahhhhh

Like They Used To Say lyrics - Common

"Like they used to say" [repeated in background]

[Common]
We dealin wit some very critical and crucial times
Some of the most critical and crucial times I've ever seen
I wrote Stoney Island on my guy
He was tryin me about the S-I-E experience
Tried to tell him about the C-S-E experience, you know?

Yo I'm the rap profession, I go the session
Study MC's like a god do lessons
Mic testin in the rain, I brainstorm
You feelin me out nigga? We got the same form
I drop heavy in spots you scared to put your weight
There's only so much ice you can skate on
Shit cats right for you, you say wrong
No time to debate on, who's your pop and who's not
Or who shot Big and Tupac
Or who this stud fuckin or how much this crew got
That's hoe shit
That ain't me or the type of niggas I roll wit
I Cold Get Dumb, like a brother in prison
Who hasn't had a chance to hold his son
Sacrificin like Abe did his oldest son
Tryin to hold my come, I think of raps
Seen the BDP cover and I start thinkin back to

["Silly Hoes" sample] say what? "Like they used to say"
"Kool G Rap and Polo, back again" [Kool G Rap]
Yeah "Like they used to say"
["Ain't No Half-Steppin" sample] yeah "Like they used to say"
(Dig it, like they used to say) [Biz Markie sample] "Like they used to say"

[Common]
I walk through triple darkness wit a childproof lighter
All your homeboys'll bite us, so what's up wit that?
Your producer pumped the track
Told him, "Naw, I can't fuck wit that"
Nice way of sayin "Big, bring a rougher track"
My ball in my ear said "Enough of that humble rap"
Now every single you drop I'ma double that
Jigga-jigga Joe cut the record down to
My sound surround you like racism, you feel it all around you
I go into a soundproof booth and change flows
Track the strange hoes wit headwraps and Bangols
Hip-hop is gettin strangled by this Puff Combs syndrome
Niggas Been Around The World actin like they never been home
I ain't hatin cuz I can only love niggas
It's just outta the game, I wanna sub niggas
I be dub figure rusty to adjust the in-dustry
And speak up, like when my homey's musty
Here we go yeah * "Roxanne Roxanne" sample* yeah, dig it
"Like they used to say"
"You don't want it" [T-La Rock] "Like they used to say"
"F-R-E-S-H" [Fresh 3 MC's] "Like they used to say"
"My Adidas, walk through concrete doors and broke" [Run-DMC]
"Like they used to say"

[Common]
Yo [repeating "zen zen zen zen" for about 20 sec.]
"Like they used to say" [x3]

Yo yo check it
Appreciate the art that came through Puerto Ricans and Blacks
Speakin the facts, the sound is much deeper than wax
Dug Inf, Luke Lumberjack I'm keepin the axe
Layin on passed out nights wakin up reekin wit raps
Geek like the Fat Boys ?produce the feeb? in fat
In shows I get more hoes/holes than a seam in the matt
Raps develop like film (so what?) so call me Instant Common
This business of pimps and hoes, I stick out like Bishop Juan
Talk to my nigga Ron about openin shops
Holdin up cops, I'm from the 'Go, it don't stop
Contract ain't show enough options, it's time to pop guns
It's gon' be some Shook, Lost and popped Ones
Askin How Come like Wyclef, they'll be Gone before November (yeah)
Name'll be in sentences wit the word "remember"
Wrote a letter to '88, let's get back, love me tender
The letter came back three days later, return to sender
Damn!

"Like they used to say"
"Hot damn hoe here we go again" [MC Lyte] "Like they used to say"
"I want it like that, I got it like that, I have it like that" [Kool Keith]
"Like they used to say"
"You gots to chill" [PMD] "Like they used to say"
"Boyz in the hood are always hard" [Eazy E] "Like they used to say"
"One for all and all" [Brand Nubian] "Like they used to say"
"Zoom zoom zoom, zoom zoom zoom zoo zoom" [MC E-Z]
"Like they used to say"
"I get money, money I got" [Milk-D] "Like they used to say"
"Plug one, plug two" [De La Soul] "Like they used to say"
"For all the pioneers, I'm goin way back" [Just-Ice] "Like they used to say"
"I think that's about as far back as we can go" [Just-Ice]
"Like they used to say" 3x
"Yo what happened to the beats" [Eric B.]
"Like they used to say"
PEACE!!! "Like they used to say" "Like they used to say"

Lovestar lyrics - Common (feat. Marsha Ambrosius & PJ)

[Marsha Ambrosius:]
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?

[Common:]
I'm on what? What you on to?
I'm the sun God, let me warm you
Out of my my side the Lord formed you
Pull your dress up, ain't nothin' formal
Our fragrance is patience
We can major in communication
Relatin' like cousins, though we kissin' though
Love can be sick or medicinal
A doctor of it, you gots to love it
God body language I be spittin' while we fuckin'
In your ear with somethin' it ain't clear
On your inside it appear, so somehow you're here
I'm sayin' I wanna stay inside
They say I'm a deep nigga, I'm a go way inside
Of everything you are
Cause everything you are is my lovestar

[Marsha Ambrosius:]
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?

[Common:]
I ain't the type to be all up on your social
I'm in your face vocal the way a man supposed to
A choosy lover, I chose you
God's most beautiful creation, let me mold you
You already in shape, that's more love to make
Feel free when I'm with you, it's hard to escape
When we need a break
We take it
When two souls connect you can't fake it
TV shows and cakes, I know your favorite
Cut from the same cloth, let's wear it
This ain't about labels, this about fit
Since God designed, we can start our own life
Our offspring will be you, me, and He combined
We walk the runway like blaow
Bein' in love is never out of style

[Marsha Ambrosius:]
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?

[PJ:]
Heaven accretes you and [?] down here
Cause you make this all worth it
We do this on purpose
The love we make is certain
I'm so caught in your arm
If you're lost in your thoughts
I want to be your everything forever

[Marsha Ambrosius:]
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?
You're my lovestar
What we gonna do, baby?

Forever, I wanna be forever
Forever, star
Lovestar, lovestar

Next Time lyrics - Common (feat. Queen Latifah)

[Hook: Queen Latifah]
I'm gonna blow your mind, hold you close
Squeeze you tight, the next time that I see you
I'm gonna tell you I love you, cross my heart
And I hope I die
The next time that I see you

[Verse 1: Common]
I grew up, talking Chi-town slang
Never played soccer but loved to kick game
Loved chicks with thick frames
And big-lipped dames
Might see 'em on my arm
Cause I charm like thick chains
I was at the Knicks game, they were playing the Nets
Courtside so I could hear the shit they say to the refs
Thugs, this type of stuff you can't express in a text
See the section of girls who be dressing for checks
That's when she stepped in front of me
Light-skinned, long hair like a school days wannabe
A big 'ol (whoo) let's just say she was blessed
She had got it from her mama, God gave her the rest
We was being introduced by mutual friends
Like Kobe in the 4th, that's when the game begins
Game begins, games begins
I'm from the windy city, so I play to win c'mon

[Hook: Queen Latifah]

[Verse 2: Common]
We conversated tough about life and stuff
Told her, tonight was just right for us
She was, flavor most and I can spice it up
Be my black Victoria Beckham once I wife it up
Asked when the next time we could speak
I might Khloe you, marry you in 3 weeks
Seen cheeks, she was like 'she don't remember my name'
That's when I realized ain't no gender in game
I thought, like "Man! You don't know me?"
I'm the black guy in the flick with Angelina Jolie
Boldly, she told me 'Oh you got moves'
Her friends said 'No, really though, he's a good dude'
After couple months of dating and pairs of good shoes
Being snapped by the papps, we shared the good news
We were engaged, though many was confused
I'm from the windy city, so I will not lose...come on

[Hook: Queen Latifah]

[Verse 3: Common]
She had a dope figure, y'all can go figure
Should of listened to 'Ye, cause she was a gold digger
I ain't a dumb nigga, she was able to pull it
Love happy, blindsided like Sandra Bullock
Or could it be, things go the way that they should
From the, unexpected, love could be understood
And in the real game, only love can win
I got to win, cause I fell in love with her friend

[Hook: Queen Latifah]

No Sell Out lyrics - Common

With my guy in the box Chevy
He got a job, used to move rock steady
Windows shaking when the bass drop heavy
Nigga driving like he the black Tom Petty
All fast, extra tint on the glass
Way past the limit when we was passed up in it
Woop-woop, We heard sirens
Swear I never liked police better than the firemen
Here they come harassing us, off the GP
Maybe it’s because the car looking like a tepee
Easy easy easy, they approached us
Hand by their holsters, close to their toasters
Us against them man, that’s the culture
Try to look sober before they get close to
The window, hoping that the wind blow
The smell away, been through hell today, don’t need a fel-o-nay
Asking my guy for his license
Damn fam, you ain’t got a license?
At least for the weed he got a license
They shining the light right through my iris
Got us out the car, put us on the curb
Going through the car looking for the herb
Must’ve found something ’cause he acting all awry
Found a pound stashed in the laundry
Then they started asking whose was it
Split us up so they can ask more questions
Am I the buyer? Am I the supplier?
Am I rich? Do I have any priors?
Once they realized that they couldn’t move an inch us
That’s when they divide and try to Willie Lynch us
Said that my guy said it was my shit
Oh I’ma fall for that ol’ shit?
C’mon man I’m from a Chi environment
Exercise my right to stay silent
Smoking Bob Marley but I ain’t gonna well out
Or sing to the cops man, no sell out

One Four Love Pt. 1 lyrics - Common (feat. Kool G. Rap, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch)

[Talib Kweli]
Yo you sent out the signal right?
And this is what happened
The voice of Hip Hop got heard
Never comprimised this is how we put it down c'mon

[Kool G Rap]
Throughout my thuglife I've seen the ???
Like ??? fight over the role of dice
Flashing whole lights when killas on a hiest
So contight, get poltergiest over the bowl of Christ
Who pulled the slice from cats aiming gats who showed the hiest
Told you right she be the one that come and hold your mic
Then aim it at the whole vice squad just like ???
Rollin like every prototype was dolomight
One man recall his ice inside his gun hand he holds for life

[Rah Digga]
This for the ones with holes in they graves
Waitin for they piece when the law misbehave
I say we off ??? watch 'em walk the beat
Like you can't cross streets make them all retreat
(now) Judges and the jury be a little to appointed
Making us defendants when we supossed to be the plantiffs
Laugh now cause soon the thrill stops
Heads get it on and start to kill cops

[Sporty Theivz]
I'm sober but the pull me over
What i do yo? (what we do yo?)
Poe-poe go i'm drivin to slow (cool yo)
I torin' them explorin them (damn)
For them that's why i'm ignoring them (uh-oh)
Bring like king skip
Before they bring this to some Rodeny King shit
Forget them fools
Now make no sudden moves
They reachin for they tools (let's move)
You buggin dude
Kirk you ran the stop, word them pigs frontin
Yo tell like you tell 'em cousin we ain't did nothin
All they see is three blacks in a jeep with seats back
Lookin for ??? packs how the blood dog can eat that
They thirstin for a reason to blast you can't beat that
Gats and a badge to match you can beat that so bounce 'em

[Mos Def]
My people unite and let's all get down
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
Do it right ya'll, keep it tight ya'll, do it right ya'll, just do it

[Shabaam Sahdeeq]
Blood on they hands, blood on my mans
Destroying the fam
More souljers die, another mother cries
Anthony Buyers, ??? ???, Diallo
Let it keep happenin and theirs more to follow
It's even deeper then that penal shot in the back
Forever we fight and cus but the world still adjust
So many bullets just to stop one man
Is that the plan,
To leave us all dead in the street

[Common]
I'm an opponent of violence
To many of my guys have to condome it in silence
Law takes lives and can only do violence
And with night sticks i write quick
Hopin that

[Talib Kweli and Common]
I might hit somebody in the heart

[Talib Kweli]
Like an arrow with her eyes on a sparrow
Yo i feel my peoples pain all in my bone marrow

[Common]
I'm tellin Pharoahe to let my folks go
Ma's been singin to law like they background vocals

[Talib Kweli]
Local, state, federal cops have been payed properly
To protect the property
How can i just stand by and watch a man die for nothin and not react
The way we spit on this track is how we bustin back

[Common]
Yo i pimp slap 5-0
Get behind them and make the marks drive slow

[Talib Kweli]
Yo, you wanna know how to improve on the quality life?
Try respectin it step into my zone and maifest a check in it

[Pharoahe Monch]
Cops they transport me from Long island to Medina
with they fucked up demeanor
Dreamin of stickin it to me like Abner Louima
Pharoahe slash El-Hajj Malik Shabazz
with plans of retaliations of they coward ass
God please allow me to preach for 'em
A voiceless man through a spirit i speek for him
Step to city hall if a dove flew for Diallo
with a vision of cops inside the Public Enemy logo

[Posdnous]
All that scheming and plotting
The young absorb like cotton does
Ecspeacially in my city where the boys steady rockin in
You would thought 5-0 would cut it all short
But they play the biggest part in the art of living arms
In our land cops guns clap more then hands
As if we don't deserve what they hear to preserve
We just tryin to do it right in these worlds that we rappin in
While they trying to fill us all up with more lead then zepilin

[Everyone Lead by Mos Def]
My people unite and let's all get down
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
My people unite and let's all get down
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
My people unite and let's all get down
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight
My people unite, hop up and do it right
We gotta have what? love peace and understandin
One god, One love, One light
One aim, One voice, One fight

Play Your Cards Right lyrics - Common (feat. Bilal)

[from "Smokin' Aces" Soundtrack]

Yeah... ohhh... [x3]

[Chorus: Bilal]
Ohhh...
Everything's gone be alright
If you play your cards right
Everything's gone be alright...

[Verse 1: Common]
It's do or die, your looking through the eye of a revolver
I revolve around the world, a problem solver
Alter your ego, and the way your walkin'
Talk to people, still I stay regal
Read through the bullshit
Sometime to make peace, you need a full clip
Roll dice with niggas who got bricks at a good price
Talk shit, give good advice, rollin' through the 'hood right
It's the good life, like T.I. said
Gettin' it, how could I not be fed
Get bread, get dough, get fed, get mo'
In the old school Lincoln, thinking I sit low
Let problems burn slow away
I yearn for the day that it won't go gray
Remember we were kings, back in the day
Still can be, depending on the cards you play

[Chorus 1 x2: Bilal]
If you play (if you play), your cards right (cards right)
Everything... gone be alright (well... alright [x3])

[Verse 2: Common]
I ain't playin' with a full deck
The government won't let me get a full check
I'm taxin' marks, I got more heart than clubs
The black spade, givin' 'em darker love
Make 'em strip, like poker poker mag in his face
You tried to smoke my ace, you know the stakes
It's high like the ace is
Get your squad face down like cards, before they get a facelift
You get robbed, better yet jacked for diamonds
Leave you victimless, like Jack in "Shining"
Blocked your bluff, now your respect is stolen
Took your chips, led my guys in Texas Hold 'Em
Rolled the strips of Vegas, with money boss players
Stacey Adams of different flavors, we major
Gangstas and hustles, living moviestar life
Dealt a bad hand, but I played my cards right

[Chorus 1 x2: Bilal]
If you play (if you play), your cards right (cards right)
Everything... gone be alright (well... alright [x3])

[Chorus 2 x2: Bilal]
Ohh...
If you play (if you play), your cards right (cards right)
Everything's... gone be alright (well... alright [x3])

[Bilal: Accapella]
Yeah... Ohhh...

Everything's gone be alright, if you play your cards right
Everything's gone be alright...

Stay Schemin Remix lyrics - Common

[Drake Diss]

[Hook]
I ride for my niggas dawg, I ride for my niggas
I slide for my niggas dawg, I ride for my niggas dawg

Stay schemin’
Niggas tryna get at me (dawg)
I ride for my niggas
Stay schemin’
Niggas tryna get at me (dawg)
I ride for my niggas

[Rick Ross - Verse 1]
Damn, life so short, fuck it, I dont wanna go to court
Fuck it, got a budget for the lawyer though
Fuck it, I’m on the run for the money
I’m in the bucket, paid 200 for it
My lil niggas thuggin’, even got me paranoid
I’m gettin money, thats in any nigga category
Double M I got G’s out in California

[Hook]

[Drake]
It bothers me when the Gods get to acting like the broads
Guess every team doesn’t come complete with niggas like ours
Thats why I see no need to compete with niggas like y’all
I just ask them when you see me you speak up nigga thats all
Don’t be ducking like you never wanted nothing
Its feeling like rap changed, there was a time it was rugged
Back when if a nigga reached it was for the weapon
Nowadays niggas reach just to sell they record
Spaghetti bolognese in Appolo lounge
Me and my G from DC thats how I roll around
Might look light, but we heavy though
You think Drake will pull some shit like that you never know
Million dollar meetings in appollo lounge
Me and my man all Oliver North thats how I roll around
Shawty wanna tell me secrets ’bout a rap nigga
I tell a bitch its more attractive when you hold it down
Kobe ’bout to lose a hundred fifty M’s
Kobe my nigga I hate it, had to be him
Bitch you wasn’t with me shooting in the gym
(Bitch you wasn’t with me shooting in the gym)
Tell Lucien I said fuck it I’m tearing holes in my budget
Bag her like we in Publix and take her ass out in public
Ordered it a filet tell her butterfly she’ll love it
She used to soda and nuggets she really just out here thuggin’
Im just hittin my pinnacle you and pussy identical
You like the fuckin finish line we can’t wait to run into you
But let me get my mind of that
Young rich muthafucker getting mine off rap
with my niggas

[Hook]

[Common]
My motto is: Chicago, bitch
Everybody know you sweet, what the problem is
Don’t play dumb, I’m the one that acknowledged it
Son of a bitch, I imagine what your father is
She said, “How you make your opponent, the rapper of the moment?”
His style, he don’t own it
Acting all hard when he hardly like that
You gon’ mess around and make me catch a body like that, ooooh
Don’t do it
‘Cause every song you make Joe is really hoe music
I heard you said you wasn’t a bitch because you sing
You a bitch because you cling like a bitch that’s eighteen
Can’t say my name but rap about a nigga’s wife
You so black and white, tryna to live a nigga’s life
I’m taking too long with this amateur guy
You ain’t wet nobody, nigga, you Canada dry

[Common Speaking]
Soft nigga, make no mistake, I’m talking to Drake
It’s the remix. Rick Ross, Common, and that hoe ass nigga
No, man-to-man, don’t hide behind them other niggas
Nah, this man-to-man. You can’t run behind them man
This is some real man shit right here

[Destiny’s Child]
Say my name, say my name
If no one is around you
If you ain’t running game
Say my name, say my name
You acting kinda shady
Why the sudden change?
Say my name, say my name
If no one is around you
If you ain’t running game
Say my name, say my name
You acting kinda shady
Better say my name
Better say my name
Better say my name
Better say my name

Tekzilla lyrics - Common (feat. Hi-Tek)

[Common]
On the streets on the side
I look a man in his face eye to eye
And wonder why
I don't wanna die
I hope you don't wanna die
So why bring it my way?

"Common Sense in a ghetto in Chicago"

[Common]
Yo Tekzilla
You know I ain't the type to play killa
But this day still arrives in my mind like a flight on down
Thursday night had plans to be out
Till the night served daylight
But it ain't happen
Rappin' to myself cause there wasn't noone to rap to
This feeling came to me like somebody lookin' at you
There was these cats who me and my crew boxed against
Gotta - spotted the glock now the nigga's got some confidence
Cause I'm Common Sense and I rap consciousness
He was prop to dis mad cause my guy used to knock his bitch
I could sense he was tryin' to bring it
But I wasn't ready to receive it
In fact I made him leave it
Before he could achieve it
As we rolled through the streets of cottage grove
And reach the stoplight
Behind me, he flashed lights bright, sorta cop-like
I'm thinkin' Tupac-like cause he got out the car
I was taught only to fight in defense or the in will of Allah
And ain't no talking when it's time to spar
So before he popped some shit I did ??I act my shit is solo??
Back his lady trying to hold him like big pun
I stowed 'em and told 'em
I ain't'a shoot I just punch a lot
Between blows this nig' tried to up his glock
His brother watched spooked like a daddy on teenage love
He got 'buked til my tape I got sing like a dove
Got his dome into her
My fist brought back the one hand
Tried to pop it musta been a nine cause the gun jammed
Unplanned I disarm this trick nigga
Pistol-whipped his ass, his lady's I was palmin' it
Hollered '87 reign dominant
Needed a fight that night
Me and my woman had a argument

"I guess I should tell you a little something about myself"
"I bang with the big boys, those who obey"

[Common]
Hey now why you gotta hold yo' thang?
Scared to shoot, scared to shoot
Shoot for the revolut-
yo
Peace y'all Common Sense and Hi Tek
Traveling the world it's just a day in the life
Of real niggas

The Bitch In Yoo lyrics - Common

(Yeah, for your nation...
for your nation...)

[Verse One:]

A bitch nigga wit an attitude named Cube
Step to Com wit a feud
Now what the fuck I look like dissing a whole coast
You ain't made shit dope since AmeriKKKa's Most
Wanted to cease from the Midwest to the East
On the dick of the East for your 1st release
Your lease is up at the crib, house niggaz get evicted
And videos wit white boys talking you get Wicked
Natural Born Killa, nigga you natural born God
Look, read listen, got the nerve to say you rob
Hyprocrite, I'm filling out your Death Certificate
Slanging bean pies and St Ide's in the same sentence
Shoulda repented, on the 16th of October
Get some beats besides George Clinton to rock over
Rap career is over, better off acting
What trouble I see, you're managing WC and Wack 10
You backed in to a four corner hustla
Lying on your dick, said you was fuckin her
Use Higher Learning, don't take my words out of text
Went from gangsta to Islam to the dick of Das EFX
It'll take the Nation of Millions to Hold Me Back
From giving you mouth shots or hit wit the pipe Ralph got
When sucker ain't around, it's your Friday, it was good
I wasn't salty, she was wit the Boyz N the Hood

[Chorus:]

I see the bitch in you when you don't speak your mind
The bitch in you, looking me in my eyes lyin
I see the bitch in you, simply hard, you find
The bitch in you but yo it's coming out

[Verse Two:]

Up on this rap shit, Cube, I'm calling out
I break in and smack niggaz that's in the Slaughterhouse
This ain't no East coast, West coast, none of the above
I'm from Chi, I went to Cali, niggaz gave me love
There's a thin line between the fake and the real
Grafted ass nigga, I see through your Glass Shield
Had skills once upon a time on this project, yo
I'm a have ta wreck a Ho'shea
I heard a ho say you her favorite rapper
(So what) so I had to slap her, ugn
And violate you, a Muslim drinking brew
Your nigga ain't no Mack 10, he's a 22
I seen you, you ain't say shit to ATL
Cube, I like that diamond charm, I might cuff it, then sell
It out, like you sold Kam and Threat
A year ago, you wasn't talking shit about the West
Guess you knew you're shit was done plus the one got you cable
Hoo Bangin, you ain't banging shit but the table
And the Circle Madd, ain't got no choice but to fight
Ain't none of y'all muthafukas got a chance on the mic
Anytime you come out, yo, I'm a talk about you
Until you let that bitch in you, walk up out you
Any last words before I hit the switch
From the immortal words of one, a bitch is a bitch

[Chorus]

The Light (Remix) lyrics - Common (feat. Erykah Badu)

[from "Bamboozled" Soundtrack]

[Chorus]
[Erykah Badu]
There are times.. when you'll need someone..
I will be by your side..
There is a light, that shines,
Special for you, and me..

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this
Gotta be somethin for me to write this
Queen, I ain't seen you in a minute
Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it
Signed sealed delivered for us to grow together
Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever
I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you
I ain't gon' assault em cause I probably did it too
Because of you, feelings I handle with care
Some niggaz recognize the light but they can't handle the glare
You know I ain't the type to walk around with matchin shirts
If relationship is effort I will match your work
I wanna be the one to make you happiest, it hurts you the most
They say the end is near, it's important that we close..
.. to the most, high
Regardless of what happen on him let's rely

[Chorus]

Yo, yo, check it
It's important, we communicate
and tune the fate of this union, to the right pitch
I never call you my bitch or even my boo
There's so much in a name and so much more in you
Few understand the union of woman and man
And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land
But that's fly by night for you and the sky I write
For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light
If heaven had a height, you would be that tall
Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all
Let's stick to understandin and we won't fall
For better or worse times, I hope to me you call
So I pray everyday more than anything
friends will stay as we begin to lay
this foundation for a family - love ain't simple
Why can't it be anything worth having you work at annually
Granted we known each other for some time
It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

[Chorus]

Yeah.. yo, yo, check it
It's kinda fresh you listen to more than hip-hop
and I can catch you in the mix from beauty to thrift shop
Plus you ship hop when it's time to, thinkin you fresh
Suggestin beats I should rhyme to
At times when I'm lost I try to find you
You know to give me space when it's time to
My heart's dictionary defines you, it's love and happiness
Truthfully it's hard tryin to practice abstinence
The time we committed love it was real good
Had to be for me to arrive and it still feel good
I know the sex ain't gon' keep you, but as my equal
it's how I must treat you
As my reflection in light I'ma lead you
And whatever's right, I'ma feed you
Digga-da, digga-da, digga-da, digga-digga-da-da
Yo I tell you the rest when I see you, peace

[Chorus]

The Remedy lyrics - Common (feat. Q-Tip)

[from "Get on the Bus" Soundtrack]

Yo, we all got different things we got to deal with. We always are trying
to put the blame on something else rather than sometimes looking at
ourselves, recognizing a lot of the stuff that happens...but if we look
within ourselves, we could prevent a lot of this nonsense. It's about
relating back to the essence, where it all stems from. I'm-a do my thing
over this drum, like a native tongue.

[Verse one]
[Q-Tip:]
Do what you will, if you feel that your steeze is real
complicated with the skills over reel to reel
brown skin is what i feel, my mind and body's appeal
is to the no-frill mills, who hear the beats to chill
constantly, I'm hearing Black Americans just sneering
Looking for a leader who can fill us up with either
Hitting us up with great emotional chat
about the fact
that the black
is constantly held back
Like 50 tracks back in a relay race
and the white team's ahead
so let's keep up the pace
And I be needing something
To feed my logical taste
At the end of the race is there a paradise place?
Yo, we can't get involved in what the next man is doing
Material gain we put too much in persuing
"Yo duke, I need this dough so we can step to this party"
But we can all mardi grati
Minus that shit in our body
"What that got to do with that"
'Cause kid that's the essence,
your physical presence
embodies every lesson
You can't run the Rolls Royce if the engine is busted.
Can't even life the knife to cut the mustard.
What we need to do first
Now listen to this verse
Let's concentrate on our spiritual plate.
Recognize your existence in this vast blue space
From a tiny cloud of blood
To the human beings with taste, sight, touch, smell
and sound
Let's deem it profound!
And prioritize this cause it was Allah's wish
"Allah? I'm God"
"No I ddon't believe that. That's a mystery"
"If God is so good why does shit be happening to me?"
There's divinity within
because we come from the divine
A froce that's not seen But you feel it every time
When the wind blows, and the world turns,
and the rain drops, and the baby cries
and the bird flies, and the ground quake,
and the stars gleam
So many things are eident of its existence
What we need to do is link it with persistence
Once we recognize that, we can move ahead
Native Tongue, Common Sense yo he's Hip-Hop bred...

[Common:]
From the spiritual world my former life has developed
First person I lost close to me was Stella
Some of my mellows
Lost their mothers and their brothers
For them I feel empathy
But I ain't pouring out no liquor for no niggas
I pour my heart out when I see Dot out on the deck
Knowing two weeks ago he slapped-box with death
I hear of niggas dying in the wind-in the news
But when it's somebody you know it hits you
and emotions get bruised
I ain't been in your shoes,
I won't judge you for knocking
Because the spirit of the ghetto says "You Gotta!"
They snatch you again from rock flippin'
Give back into the neighborhood, you better start kickin'
Stickin' stores
On the strip
I'm tired of Arabs giving me my change back
Devil bomb my yesterday
My tomorrow he never gave back
I lay back, looking at the ceiling
Wonndering what can I do
So my homie won't have to be dealing
Not cause you serving and I'm rapping I'm better
Just different pieces to the puzzle of black life
That we have to put together, better ourselves
cause families we gotta raise
No matter how long the money
Shorter become the days
Men become like women
and no difference in the season
If you got popped five times
You breathing for a reason
Let's put the five tenure plan into progression
Before we count our paper
Count our blessings

War lyrics - Common

[Verse 1]
Lil Mark get shot, Lil Reese and them
Little niggas, it's hard to find peace in them
Chiraq, they say it's Middle Easterin'
Put your flames in the air for the deceased to them
Young soldiers who never got to become older
Dogtagged in the body bag
Police kept the knot he had
Plus he had weed in his system
Never knew at 13 they could enlist them
Momma kissed him, body was colder
She was shaking, I tried to hold her
Tears on my shoulder, he was supposed to
Be going to his junior year, this is his funeral year
Paul-bearers, all looking like kids
Some faces show anger, some show tears
No moustaches, no beards
Probably had the same aspirations as his
On a mission, staring in the distance
It never stop like the muslims and christians
We under-21 gun salute them
Just to go back and salute them
I'm talkin' bout war

[Hook x2]
To all the killas and the hundred dolla billas
Real hittas who ain't got no feelins

[Verse 2]
There's a war goin on inside, no one is safe from, goin on
Going on, there's a war goin on inside, no one is safe from
Or can escape from, take one wars from the same place that hate from
Gang wars used to be about the nations
Now it's cliques with clips and hittas is missing
They hit the innocent now they families miss him
Death do kissed him, in his last breath he wishing
But no option so he assume position
It don't stop, hittas killin women and children
Angels cried, that's supposed to be God's decision
Collisions of cliques named after rap groups
Except wearing Jordans instead of black boots
Black troupes trade war stories reminiscent of glory
Walk the walk of those before me since I was a shorty
Seen slugs and drugs and unemployment
Terror town y'all was my first deployment
The life of a soldier ain't nothing to toy with
I'm livin' in this shit while the world exploit it

[Hook x2]

[Verse 3]
My basic training was aiming
Hustling, banging changing niggas up
Cause of what they did to us
Nigga, I don't give a fuck
It's do or die in the Chi
And I ain't lived enough
Hoping for some visitors
Of war, I'm a prisoner
Politicians they did enough
Want to get rid of us
Hopped in the back as soon as the shots hit the truck
Looked at my son I could see his soul
Shot and killed at three years old

[Interlude]
War, war, war, war!
We are at war!

[Outro]
The direction was we, we came up with this concept,
Nobody Smiling was really a thought that came about because of all the violence that was going on in Chicago, or that is going on.
I like to say "was" cause we gon' bring it in for wishing that it's gonna stop.
You know and uh, all the violence that was going on - it happens in Chicago but it's happening around the world in many ways.
You know, it may not be to the numbers that's happening in Chicago but it's happening in the inner cities all over America so we's talking about the conditions of what's happening when I said "Nobody Smiling" but it's really a call to action