Little Brother

Lyrics

[Intro: Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Roy Ayers] Now listen Doin' this song for you All my little brothers out in the street, strugglin' to survive Keep your eyes on the prize, you know Yeah, the revolution will not be televised, or broadcast live on the net My man Mos said it's personal, knamsayin'? It's gotta start from right up in here, you know? [Refrain: Mos Def & Talib Kweli] You can't stop, you know You can't stop, you know You can't stop, you know You can't stop, you know You can't stop what we rep [Verse 1: Talib Kweli] We rep the ain't-gots Ain't nobody can't start no party like us, we crush the faint hearts From Hallsey to St. Mark's, walkin' the main blocks Tainted with blood that's still hot, so deep it stain socks The pain sparks frustration, situations lead to hatin' Some deal with drug distribution, others walk the plantation Some know the code of the streets, some got a college education Come down on the weekend and peep the conversation [Verse 2: Mos Def] Yo! On the corner, units stormed out Ghetto lookin' bombed out Police waited to roll for those who walk the wrong route Shorties goin' all out, they got they swords drawn out Ready to brawl out, gettin' fought 'til they fall out Black like Morehouse 40 o'z is tossed out for brothers that they mourn 'bout Get wreck 'til it's dawn out Whether they broke or flossed out, honeys pass they drawers out Lookin' for a ticket out the poor-house It's a jungle out here — lions keep they claws out, fangs and jaws out Weak just get forced out Names is called out, ghetto-fame is sought out You wanna be the man that they talk 'bout I walked out! (Peace!) I had some things on my mind to sort out I thought 'bout the wild circumstance we born out Remember myself at your age, and I was just like you If that was now, I don't know what I would do My ears is closest to me, so what I say to you is goin' for me Son, we both still growin' indeed But where you at, I was, and where you been, I left Utilize my experience to guide your step Some people get love, but don't command respect It's somethin' that you can't buy with a check Or a Roley or Lex, or icy links that hang from your neck If it's real, who need to deal with the special effects? [Verse 3: Talib Kweli] Yo, little man, come here Yo, lemme drop this on ya Look, they got you cornered The corner of the block is hot, I ain't gotta warn ya 'Cause I see you every day, trapped in every way "Shit, I'm a thug", and that's all that I can say Who are you anyway? Mary J.? I spend many nights awake, watchin' you while you sleep Tryin' to figure out how to be the example 'cause talk is cheap As you walk the streets, study cats on the real In a convo, just make your point then relax and chill [Niggas] wanna destroy each other in a cypher instead of build Be a.. man of will, don't be.. standin' still If you.. don't plan ahead, then you.. plan to fail Dudes be.. in a daze when the way's revealed Like they funny style, but I'm not laughin' Serious [niggas] makin' money while the police is passin' Can't wait for opportunity to knock, you gotta make it happen It ain't about no spectacular ways of rappin' Just immaculate ways of action, dig? [Outro: Mos Def] Little brother! I know that times is hard Keep your mind on God Stay clear of danger and harm And you'll get along I sing my song for little brothers! Out there in the street Strugglin' to make ends meet Gotta hold the heat Strugglin' so hard to compete Stay clear of danger and harm Do it for y'all Try to stay strong Keep movin' on Keep movin' on Keep movin' on Keep movin' on Keep movin' on Keep movin' on