Mos Def: K.o.s (determination)

[talib kweli]So many emcees focusin on black people exterminationWe keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determinationIt's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversationsC'mon let's smooth it out like soul sensationWe in the house like japanese in japan, or koreans in koreaHead to philly and free mumia with the kujichagulia trueSingin is swingin and writin is fightin, but whatThey writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitinNo question, bein a black man is demandinThe fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3x)With that what? (knowledge of self) determination*repeat 4x*[singer]Things i say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what i'm feelin[talib kweli]Yes yes come on, yes yesKnowledge of self is like life after deathWith that you never worry about your last breathDeath comes, that's how i'm livin, it's the next daysThe flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the pageYo they askin me how old, we livin the same ageI feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cageAt exactly which point do you start to realizeThat life without knowledge is, death in disguise?That's why, knowledge of self is like life after deathApply it, to your life, let destiny manifestDifferent day, same confusion, we're gonna take thisHip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little lightNow y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evidentVoices and drums original instrumentsIn the flesh presently presentin my representationWith that what? (knowledge of self) determination*repeat 6x*- - - - these two parts overlap - - - -Things i say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what i'm feelin*repeat 2x*[talib kweli]The most important time in history is, now, the presentSo count your blessings cause time can't define the essenceBut you stressin over time and you follow the roman calendarThese people enter cona like gattaca, you can betThey tryin to lock you down like attica, the african diasporaRepresents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber foreverI know you gotta get that cheddar whateverAiyyo i heard you twice the first time money, get it togetherYou must be history, you repeatin yourself out of the pagesYou keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealthThat quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detentionInner-city concentration camps where no one pays attentionOr mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's leftThe young, gifted and black are sprung addicted to crackAll my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't hereAnd your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fearWith, broad brush strokes and tales of incarcerationYou get out of jail with that knowledge of self determinationStand in ovation, cause you put the hue in humanCause and effect, effect everything you doAnd that's why i got love in the face of hateHands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straightThe thought you had don't even contemplateInfinite like figure eight there's no escape..From that what? (knowledge of self) determination*repeat 4x*Things i say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what i'm feelin*repeat 2x*Things i say and do, may not come quite throughMy words may not convey just what i'm feelin*repeat 2x*What i'm feelin, what i'm feelin, ooooh, what i'm feelin...