inner monologue

kweli, talib

remember

whatever discipline you're in

whether you're a musician or a photographer

a fine artist or a cartoonist

a writer

a dancer

a singer

a designer -- whatever you do

you have one thing that's unique: you have the ability to make art. sometimes life is hard. things go wrong -- in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in health. and when things get tough

this is what you should do. make good art

this about to be the realest shit you ever heard

i lynch rappers

got them hanging on my every word

these bitch rappers be claiming they slinging heavy word

really snitch rappers

niggas singing like every bird

rich rappers

nah

i don't know them niggas

niggas don't get rich rapping

they selling clothes or liquor

my flow is sicker cause i flow with vigor

i'm no beginner

peep the whole agenda

control my center cause i gravitate with gravitas

this my inner monologue

burning down your party cause our cocktails is molotov

my crime mob make you stop

lock and drop

don't get wollywop'd

actually battery in my back like a copper top

got it popping

started on the b-side of body rock

direct to fan

i'm running my shop like my mom and pop

modern day slavery today to be an artist

watch

they treat them like a product and try to mount like a hot 'n tot

molly pop

niggas not caring if they body rot

partying like mardi gras

get the cream like haagen-dazs

golly gosh

this is utopia

cornucopia

i'm known to start revolts against the romans like zenobia

hoping to keep coping copious amounts of opiates

tried to start a union

but they blocked me like a soviet

i hope they get it

i'm sick of explaining history

i'm rolling with a circle of winners

we claimin' victories

it ain't a mystery

the hate'll make it bittersweet

they hate when i engage to debate 'em like wale's twitter feed

who i'm kidding? i'm the great debater

my crew stay winning

we stay innovating

your circle is rotten as great tomatoes

they get high with you then start dry snitching like jose canseco

prosecco

i'm sipping vino with a vivid hue

haberdasher rocking borsalinos like hasidic jews

pitiful

rappers never stand up to the ridicule

that's why i had to get at you

wear it if it fit the shoe

nigga

(baby

just shine your light

if you've gotta dim yours

so they can shine brighter

just stay bright

so shine your light)