Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with a profound sense of disillusionment and a critique of societal structures, particularly within the Black community. The opening questions immediately establish a tone of existential dread, questioning the purpose of suffering and the futility of seeking remorse from oppressors. The narrator asserts a spiritual identity, distinct from a mere human being, and positions themselves as a conduit for truth, contrasting their impactful words with the "babblin'" on the radio. This sets up a central tension: the struggle against a corrupt system where "laws for tools" are used by men, and the narrator's role in exposing this reality. The core conflict emerges from the narrator's perception of a community trapped in a cycle of self-destruction and external manipulation. They describe a world where "foul is how you got to live," and individuals are "free fallin' for anythin'," lacking self-awareness and direction. The lyrics suggest a spiritual "evolution" has been missed, leading to a critique of "wack MC's" and a broader indictment of those who have lost their way. The imagery of "castles made of sand" and being "sucked in and you stuck in off American freezin'" powerfully conveys this sense of instability and entrapment. A striking craft element is the juxtaposition of spiritual awareness with harsh realities, exemplified by the phrase "spiritual shit" and the comparison of their own impactful delivery to a "javelin" or a "gavel." The narrator employs potent, often confrontational imagery, such as leaving "niggas open like mics" and describing their own lyrical prowess as a "genocide mission." This aggressive, almost combative style, coupled with references to historical figures like Shaka Zulu and institutions like "Babylon," underscores a deep-seated anger and a desire to break through complacency. The lyrics also highlight a disconnect between the narrator's authentic expression (Ebonics) and the judgment of "intellectuals," suggesting a struggle for validation within their own community. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unflinching portrayal of systemic issues and internal struggles. The narrator doesn't offer easy answers but instead forces a confrontation with harsh truths, using vivid, often jarring language to convey a sense of urgency. The repeated idea of "reflection" serves as a call to self-examination, urging listeners to "get out the car" and "look at the stars" to understand their place in the larger scheme. The closing lines about "2000 seasons" and being accused of "deceivin' and misleadin'" upon return suggest a cyclical nature to this struggle, a long-term battle for authenticity and liberation that continues despite internal and external opposition.

Rawkus Records - Rap, Independent

2000 Seasons

14.7K Plays

Duration: 5:14

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[Intro] Yeah, Hi-Tek, watch me! For whom do we aspire to reflect our own people's death? For whose entertainment shall we sing our agony? In what hopes? That the destroyers aspiring to extinguish us will suddenly Suffer remorse at the sight of their own fantastic success? The last imbecile to dream such a dream is dead He was killed by the saviors of his own dream Armah, 2000 seasons [Verse 1] I'm not a human being gettin' on some spiritual shit A spiritual being manifested as a human, that's it When I spit, I spray thoughts that's representin' my life Yo, I step into the spot, leave niggas open like mics Take 'em on a tour, explore psychologies of war Things you can't imagine if you've never seen 'em before Shorties come back raw straight after C-74 I welcome them back to the world they think is run by law The world is run by men who use laws for tools But I come through, war tactics like Shaka Zulu MC's is soft like Play-Doh — I shape 'em, smash 'em to pieces Volunteer slaves crave the words I'm paintin' — the masterpieces You hear 'em on the radio babblin', but the truth is travelin' With the word I sent flyin' through the air like a javelin Unravelin' like a verdict, pound it in your chest like a gavel in The highest court in Babylon, let's travel on If the world is foul, and you think foul is how you got to live Then from the get, your ass was foul, and foul just is how you is No excuses, see, life's dilemmas are set up like a mirror Just to show you all your faces Now your understanding is clearer You had your chance for evolution, you let it pass you by That's why I'm dissin' wack MC's until the day that I die Reflection gettin' you high We stand our ground with the believers The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pyramids of Giza — no comparison! The way I flip it is embarrassin' 'Tis the season, ain't no carolin' [Hook: Sample] "See, I commence in Brooklyn and I'm on the dot" [Verse 2] All knowin', flowin' like spring water in the desert Ballin' through the barren land where niggas take a stand Like castles made of sand, free fallin' for anythin' Nothin' but a plan to fail for they selves No sense of delf, needed daily affirmations of self help Yo, it's right in front yo' grill! Stop lookin' everywhere else Speakin' of plannin', hustlin' and schemin' or lookin' for hookups It took up too much time, you like a fiend for rocks that got cooked up God bless the child that got his own shit! I got my team's, so the fiends now become opponents They the opposition, stronger from competition Shinin' like a golden shower, your face I'm pissin' in Completin' a genocide mission like The Warren commission Like fathers who's supposed to be missin' While our sisters was supposed to be whorin' Save it for a rainy day, money is pourin' Under grey clouds, black butterflies still be soarin' Flyin' in the friendly skies, we classifyin' our highs Blood be flowin' through the streets like crimson tide in my eyes Thai be havin' me drowsy, but I get mellow with the chronic Intellectuals embarrassed 'cause we discussin' Ebonics I'm on a roll like Sonic In a age that the plague got bubonic proportions Yo, I call it reparations, but they call it extortion Whatever! Just give me mine, but caution! You've been warned for the very last time I'm not tellin' you again So relay it to your crew, you gotta actually do Forget the drive-in, drive-by and drive thru You've gotta get out the car Humble yourself, tilt your head back and look at the stars Shinin' over someplace very far from where you standin' When the night is clear You understanding just who put them there What you know about the space you get lost in? Your peoples can't hear you through the distortion The desert is absorption You sucked in and you stuck in off American freezin' For like 2000 seasons And upon your return from rapin' and crossbreedin' Your own people accuse you of deceivin' and misleadin' And causin' mass confusion, drug abusin' Now you all caught up in institutions At this time, you've got to break it down and be showin' and provin' An A&R told me that I use too many catchphrases True! I'm tryin' to catch all my people in all different stages... All different phases... [Outro] It's like that, y'all It's like this, y'all You don't stop! Keep it goin', y'all Reflection, yo! We freak it like this You don't stop Here we go, y'all

Credits

Writers: Talib Kweli
Ayi Kwei Armah
Hi-Tek

2000 Seasons

2000 Seasons

Lyrics

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Credits