In this land I can't stand or sit
and not get shit thrown up in my face
A brotha never gets his props
I'm doin bellyflops at the department of waste
And everyday I pulls a front so nobody pulls my card
I got a mirror in my pocket and I practice lookin hard
I'm lookin behind me beside me ahead of me
There'll be no feet makin tracks here instead of me
But I can't disregard just what the news says to me
I'm twenty-one, so I've reached my life expectancy
At any minute I could be in some shit that kills my skinny ass
From motherfuckers doin the sellout strut or probably Oakland task
My relationship with OPD has been like one big diss
Long arm of the law, grips my dick so tight it's hard to even piss
So I forgot ain't even got a pot to do it in
Up at the church they're tellin me it's because I live in sin
So I grin, but nevertheless my mind won't dwell
I must be trippin cause I thought I was livin in hell
Capitalism is like a spider, the web is getting tighter
I'm struggling like a fighter, just to bust loose
It's like a noose asyphyxiation sets in
Just when I think I'm free it seems to me the spider steps in
This web is made of money made of greed made of me
Of what I have become in a parasite economy
Verse Two: E Roc
In the winter there's a splinter with the smell of the rain
And the scent of the street, but all I smell is the pain
Of a brotha who's a hustler and he's stuck to the grind
Of a sista who's a hooker gotta sell her behind
Desperation makes her brotha get a little more bold
The circumstance gets deeper when it's damp and it's cold
So I spend my time thinking bout the ultimate gank
Can I get my Coup together pull a move on the bank?
I be the picture perfect hustler for the piece of the pie
But my daddy always taught me just to reach for the sky
Now my dream and aspirations go from single to hoe
As I realize there's a million motherfuckers in the cold
No need to be told, cause when you got a million po' people
Gettin ganked, by a few that are rich and evil
But it's illegal, to wonder how they livin fat
(One two three) everybody get a gat
Verse Three: Boots
Ahhhhhh yeah!
Niggaz, thugs, dope dealers and pimps
Basketball players, rap stars, and simps
That's what little black boys... are made of
Sluts, hoes, and press the naps around your beck
Broads pop that coochie, bitches stay in check
That's what little black girls... are made of
But if we're made of that who made us
and what can we do to change us
The oppressor tries to tame us
here's a FOOT for his anus!
Well since the days when I was shittin in diapers
It was evident the President didn't like us
Assassination attempts I'd root for the snipers
My teacher told me that I didn't know what right was
Well she was wrong cause I knew what a right was
And a left and an uppercut, too
I had a hunch a sucker punch is what my people got
That's why I was constantly red, black, and blue

I think I'll stick to giving smallpox blankets to Indians. It's what we white folks do best.

In reply to this comment by moodonia:
Hey! You know I believe thats true! I was watching "Irish Blood" about the origins of the first settlers post ice age (20,000 bc) in Ireland and it turns out that in large part we are from the Basque country in northern Spain! So I am livin the vida loca since I heard that!

I'm now off to run some bulls and throw some tomatoes

Hey! You know I believe thats true! I was watching "Irish Blood" about the origins of the first settlers post ice age (20,000 bc) in Ireland and it turns out that in large part we are from the Basque country in northern Spain! So I am livin the vida loca since I heard that!

I'm now off to run some bulls and throw some tomatoes

However, this tendency towards grouping isn't something to be reinforced and encouraged, or accepted as inescapable, or even good. In-group morality is one of the biggest flaws of the modern human mind, despite being a great benefit of the ancient mind. And at it's core, the problem begins with forming alliances to groups of "like" humans, and excluding those who are different.

Ah – rational discussion… I have so missed it here on the sift… I would take issue with some of your language. You say grouping is not to be encouraged and that it isn’t even ‘good’. I heartily disagree. Social groups are one of the best, most positive aspects of humanity. What you are attempting to describe (I think) is the tendency for some of these groups to foster NEGATIVE characteristics, which is something very different.

Groups can be positive or negative, just like human beings can have both positive and negative characteristics when viewed individually. To say that grouping should not be encouraged simply because “some” groups are negative is not wise. Groups can provide comfort, support, happiness, service, and learning – the best of humanity.

What you are trying to say I deem is that humans should avoid NEGATIVE groups, and foster positive ones. I can support that sentiment, but I cannot agree with blanket judgments that ‘all groups’ are bad & should not be encouraged.

I don't think she was saying that all college students are racist or guilty of that form of in-group morality. Rather, she was challenging people to step back and really observe their behavior.

What behavior? The tendency to sit, talk, and walk together in groups? It is a real stretch to believe that she is encouraging people to ‘step back and observe their behavior’ for no other reason than because they move around in generic, inoffensive groups. College is a time where you are supposed to do exactly that kind of stuff. To me is it plain that she is criticizing these kids regarding what KIND of group they are in. She thinks they are associating in groups based on ‘fear’ – I.E. she thinks (in your parleyance) that they are in ‘negative’ groups. I wonder on what exact value system she arrived at this conclusion…

In the end, you can either decide to get offended and come up with rationalizations as to why her message was inappropriate, or you can get introspective and make yourself a better human being.

I’m aware of no stories of rampant racism on the USC campus. Therefore her commentary is pointless. If she wanted to encourage people to ‘celebrate diversity’ and to ‘use the time on campus to expand your world’ then that’s what she should have said. But to say, “you people are livin’ in fear… I see you walkin’ round in groups & sittin’ at different tables & livin’ in different dorms…” That’s when I dismiss her as a judgmental buffoon. There is no cause for her backhanded insinuation of racism. To impugn an entire audience like that based on absolutely zero data? Shame on her. You would think someone who was trained in sociology would know better.

Neolib-skip

It is as valid a term as neocon. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… When people on the sift all collectively agree to stop using the term ‘neocon’ to generically describe any and all Republicans, conservatives, or anything else they disagree with then I will stop using my self-created term ‘neolib’. Until that happy day… Regardless, Mobama's ACTIONS are what make her a neolib. It isn't a bad thing to group people based on their actual behavior and record.

Sociologically speaking, humans seek to minimize fear - not prolong it. What she defines as 'people being comfortable with fear', is no more complicated than human beings naturally gravitating into groups of shared cultural background. It has very little to do with fear.

For the past 20-odd years, Mobama spent her sundays is an all-black church. She was living in Hyde Park in South Chicago (a well-to-do white area) and chose to go to SE Chicago to attend this specific place. Shouldn't she be moving 'out of her comfort zone', according to her own logic and attending a white church? To do otherwise is to hold on to preconception, justify ignorance, and show comfort in fear - right?

Poppycock. She chooses to attend church with a group of people with which she shares a cultural background. There's nothing wrong with that. What IS wrong is for her to stare down her nose & assume the worst at people about whom she knows jack-diddly-squat.

To accuse students of 'living in fear' simply because they are "sittin' at different tables" and "livin' in different dorms" is stupid. There is no evidence that sitting at tables and living in dorms are examples of people "holding on to misconceptions & stereotypes" or "justifying ignorance". She is making snap judgements about large groups of people and assigning them attitudes & motivations based on absolutely no data.

Therefore - her comments are not about the students. They are about HER. She is displaying her own insecurity - not describing the insecurity of others.

(chorus)
Love in an elevator
Livin it up whn Im goin down
Love in an elevator
Lovin it up till I hit the ground

John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus
John the Fisherman - Primus

Why would I ever need any other music?
(Ok, I just moved and the machine with all my music on it is still boxed up. I'll edit this post once I get it unpacked and pray Livin la Vida Loca doesn't queue.)

Yo aiiyo people wonderin' where the fuck I been
At the VIP section they ain't lettin' me in
They say; maybe if you had Dr. Dre or Timbaland
They say; a white boy need a black boy to win
Uhh Bubba Sparxx did it and so did Slim
Just Blaze is hot now why don't you get with him
I watch mad rappers bite my shit and blow up
And make millions of what I created, that's tough luck
I first started gettin' coverage around the same time
Steve Stout used to carry kid and placed luggage
I seen rappers turned from sex symbols in hard throbs
To bein forgotten now they out lookin' for jobs
I seen EPMD break up
I seen my little brother Max fall asleep and he ain't never wake up
So when I rhyme listen, seriously
When I spit I'm givin' you the truth clearly who I really be
It's an audio version of reality TV
I had deals from Russell Simmonds to Master P
Even five year old white girls be rappin' today
On the playground like 'go shorty it's ya birthday' (Go, go, go..)

Yo yo yo I seen good days sun rays church sundays
Made love made war been rich been poor
Lost friends lost hoods lost my dough
Seen beef between Bad Boy and Death Row
I seen deceased take the life for my sisters kid
Six months on the earth is what he had to live
I seen Biggie Big L Big Pun pass away
Buffy from the Fat Boys, Jam Master Jay
I mumple 'fore they blew up with Mystikal and Jay-Z
The Neptunes came to see me at D & D
I knew this chick named Norah a lounge singer
A year later she a six Grammy award winner
I seen flatliners I seen cannabisses
I seen Lil Zane see I seen mad misses
You ran through that ten percent disses
I seen A & R's get fired for takin' pisses
Stop whinin' the fuck nobody listens
Who else riskin' they career they stick to be indifferent
Switchin' the tradition stickin' to this shit they really livin'
I don't care what's hittin
Listen this is my fuckin' life that I'm spittin

I made peace with myself now how bout that
I hated life I wanted to die a few years back
I was mentally ill it's hard to come back from that
But I got through it now I got my sanity back
Y'all are like H-B-O fighters get the money and fame
Get beat up like Klitschko and Sugar Shane
Or get beat like Vernon Forrest or Prince Naseem
And you all turn pussy when you get that green
I got love for Havoc from Mobb Deep
When I was broke sleepin' in the street
He hooked me up with a free beat
Alchemist you still my little buddy
Althought you stole that Royce the 5"9 +The King+ beat from me
I ain't down to sign autographs and shake ya hands
I don't want trendy ass followers as fans
I don't wanna sell records, I don't wanna be big
I don't want MTV runnin' up in my crib
I don't wanna be light in the music biz
I don't want fans that don't know who G Rap is

^Bon Jovi.

Livin on a Prayer.

He greets his father with his hands up
Rehabilitated slightly, glad to be the mans child
The world is different since he seen it last
Outta jail been seven years and he's happy that he's free at last
All he had was his mother's letters
Now he's mobile and he's gotta make a changed and make it for the better
But he's black so he's got one strike against him
And he's young plus he came up in the system
But he's smart and he's finally makin' eighteen
And his goal's to get on top and try to stay clean
So he's callin' up his homie who done came up
Livin' lavish now they dealin' wit' the same stuff
And had that attitude that who he was was worth man
And with that fucked up attitude he killed his first man
Now its different he done did dirt
And realized killin' men meant comin' up
But it still hurt
And can't nobody change this
It's 1994 and we up against the same shit
I never understood why
I could never see a man cry
Until I see a man die

Imagine life at its full peak
Then imagine lyin' dead in the arms of your enemy
Imagine peace on this earth where there's no grief
Imagine grief on this earth where there's no peace
Everybody's got a different way of endin' it
And when your number comes for souls then they send it in
Now your time has arrived for your final test
(I see the fear in your eyes and in your final breath)
How much longer will it be 'till its all done?
Total darkness at ease be it all one
I watch him dying when he dies, let us celibrate
You took his life but your memory you'll never take
You'll be headed to another place
And the life you used to live will reflect in your momma's face
I still gotta' wonder why
I never seen a man cry
Untill I seen a man die

I hear you breathin' but your heart no longer sounds strong
But you're kinda scared of diein' so you hold on
And you keep on blackin' out and your pulse is low
Stop tryin' to fight the reap but just relax and let it go
Because theres no way you can fight it but you'll still try
And you can try it till you fight it but you'll still die
Your spirit leaves your body and your mind clears
The rigimore starts to set now you're outta' here
You start your journey into outer space
You see yourself in the light but you still feelin' outta' place
So you're standin' in the tunnel of eternal life
And you see the ones you never learned to love in life
Make the choice let it go and you can back it up
If you ain't at peace with God you need to patch it up
But if you're ready close your eyes and we can set it free
There lies a man not scared to die may he rest in peace
I still got to wonder why
I never seen a man cry
'Till I seen that man die

Livin la vida voca.. eh?

Just started watching The Wire yesterday. It's tough livin' in Canada with no HBO. Fantastic! Almost finished Season 1, definitely worth a *promote.

The Bloom, the Swoon, the Sugars on your block
The Planets land in flesh in the corners of New York
The ghetto, the meadow, the Mr. Butter flew
The Honeybugs dug and licked the honey dew
The sun, the kiss, the funk for a bliss
The lips with the soul and some jazz for ya hips
The puff, the buzz, the lids be heavy slick
The Mecca get a rush when the beats be very thick
The hands, the feet, the brown baby treat
The femmes fumble loose and drink the doodlejuice
The steps, the flams, the Planets goddamn
The peoples get a grip with a tape from a jam

The big, the fat, the cool cool cats
The psychedelic soul puts the Planets on the map
The chic, the love, the far out name
The lack of the funk's the main why we came
The boogie gets done, the colors won't run
The funk hits the square, the kids gotta come
The pizza with the pop, the west 4th stop
The crew after crew that do the grasshop
The true cool is black, the new school is fat
The beats by the ounce, the funk by the pack
The hanging off the butts with the fat sole kicks

The wide, the hip, dig it it's the trip
The loops, the scene and the funkifying it
The sounds, the pounds, the stacks, the flair
The baggy baggy jeans, the notty notty hair
The twinkle in the eye, the kids that livin' fly
The crew from the sky, the stuff that gets you high
The action, the work from the rhyme
We goes the whole nine
The papers won't rot, the vapors get got
The streets give the buzz the funk up your block
The opium groove, the smacked out soul
The kickin' it live the fat gotta roll

boogie jive and rap is life where i'm from
where i'm from i might play with izzy where i'm from
where i'm from it be like run you coat black
jupiter keeps the fat beats by the pack where i'm from
nappy hair is life we be reading marx where i'm from
the kids be rockin clocks where i'm from
you turn around your cap you talk over a beat
and dig some sounds boomin out a jeep
where i'm from cocoons hide the youth swoon units 100 proof
you want some beef they will cut you some where i'm form
the beats is infinite where i'm from
voodoo, ? gangster lean where i'm from
i'm interplaetary my insect movements vary
it's kinky if it's hair g where i'm from
the firehoses blow it's purple wind and snow
i do a hit and go
it's hip what's hip when hip is just the norm
cause planets pledge allegiance to the funk in all it's forms
the kinks the dance the prints in all the shirts
my grandmother tolld mama that it's africa at work
on vibes we free the universal beat
you find it at the spot you here the ends of every week
we twist exist to spin the maddest hits
up here funk is our neighbor so we paid it a visit
?
for rock we can't do nothin for this we come equipped
off disc off tape rap blastin til from 8
the really truly fat the fly on the flip
coco gotta know how planets gotta roll
speak the mega cool get funky is our goal
it's calm relax we only some new jacks
that ask for the funk but don't play the role
where you from
....
projects tenements pyramids
where i'm from we livin off the boom boom crack
it's that hiphop rockers jazz where i'm ats
peace be the greeting of the insect tribe
pestilent forces can't catch the vibe
we live to love and we love to rock mics
we speak in ghetto tongue cause ghetto's the life
food for though so get a buffet plate
the lyrics are so fat you might gain weight
so just watch me stop alone into the sunset left foot
right foot 1-2
mic check
brewin funk inside my soul kitchen
so pull up a chair here's a bit have a listen
?
damn i know you're fluent
ye cause doodle ain't havin it and butterfly knew it
where you from

He cuts out some stuff from the other performance in this one

yea

so

Step on my trip
step on my trippin'

step on my trip just
just step on my trippin

step on my trip just
step on my trip man

just step on my trip
on my trip
on my trip

yo just

step on my trip just
set in my trippin'

step on my trip just
step in my trippin'

step in my trip just
step on my trip man

just on my trip... on my trip ya'll


confused,
abused,
overused in my walking shoes.

i never turn back,
cause i know the score.

i never reuse what i do
performin' this.

too late .
my fate.
i regurgitate
all the words that i say.

listen up,
don't miss the forward (foreword?),
just pick it up now
off the floor and

guess who?
yea you...

you're the ones that im talking to.

you're never gonna guess
whats coming next.

let your mind inside
when i manifest,

but

inside
this rhyme,
you will find
my mind

just step in my crazy livin'

just step in my trip just,

step on my trip
step on my trip man

step on my trip just
yea step my trip man

step in my trip just
step in my trip man

yea step on my on my trip ya'll

cause i got
no pecs
to flex
all day long
i dream about sex
but im impotent
and im semi (hard)
so i cant remember when i got it up last

i stink
i need a drink
roll another spliff to help me think

i live on the road just like a gypsy
cause stayin in one place
is (swell and ?)jiffy but

sunshine
moonshine
change the way
that ima read your mind
livin inside this solar flux
we're all trapped in a
perpetual paradox
but

you're here
im near

the way that i flow is oh so clear

just step in my crazy livin

just step on my trip just

step on my trip just
step on my trip man

step on my trip just
step on my trippin

step on my trip just
yea step on my trip man

step in my trip



oh so
it was in my mind that i see
flow outta me easily
so easily that my mind is free
to blaze every (mile) of my fantasy

cause when i get on this mic
im flowin so awfully tight
so awfully tight
that my rhymes are like
the claw of a tiger thats ready to strike


now when i get on the street
create a brand new beat
feel free to come up and meet me
dont be shy you can never distract me
when negative vibes attack me
get into my mind and hack me
i act like nothin's happenin
theres no way to stop me

stop me...


*** (parenthsis contain not so sure translation... )