1. |
nEWS oN tHE mARCH
01:02
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2. |
bYE pHILLY
04:36
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REFRAIN
It’s the P, the H, the I the L-A/ delphia is the place where I stay
The P-H the I the L the L Y / North, South, G-Town, and Westside
It’s the P, to the H, the I the L-A/ delphia is the place where I lay
The P-H the I the L the L Y / all day representing 2-1-5
VERSE 1
Now, I don’t know what you heard about the place
except the usual the Liberty Bell, and cheesesteaks
Ben Frank, T.O. , A.I. people
know a few famous facts about the place I call home.
But when it comes to the actual feel and flow
Philly’s foreign as Rome to someone who’s never flown.
From bike bound b-boys to really rich Republicans
that Green like Rock School kids or Rastafarians.
From fake thugs to gangsta’s from Boyz II to Men
to Musiq’s Neo Soulchild. This’s where the story begins.
It starts in a hood not unlike yours, in a time
where streetlights told the time, and sneakers hung from phone lines.
And man, in the Summer Summer Summertime
block parties weren’t hard to find
‘Cause I’m “West Philadelphia Born and raised.”
Well actually, I’s born in North, and moved when I was eight.
Never stayed permanently in one house, or block
neighborhood, or sect, my mom and pops moved a lot.
Roxborough, Fairmount, both West and North Philly.
Switched ups schools and learned real diversity
spinning all around this town, standing on unsolid ground.
I made my way to the center, and my home became the city.
(Train sound Effects)
Mom’s made sure my education was tight
while dad did his best to expose me to real life.
From corner store gun fights, to big city lights,
got my first transpass and became a child of the night.
From eight grade house parties, from clubs with hot shorties
getting thrown out the Abington Y like “Awww Lawdy!
Boy, now why you put that girl in the air?
Ahh-Uhh, you dancing to freaky, you need to get out of here!
That scene got old, and I soon got bored,
so I went some where I never went before,
called The Gathering, supposed to be Hip-hop Raw
I opened up the door and there guess who I saw
Bert the beatbox boomin, while brothas bustin battles
with more beef than a cheesesteak
B-boys boppin on the beatbreak
Linoleum surrounded by bohemians
watchin rappers spittin onstage with a dj.
Blacks, whites, asains, latinos alike united that night.
Feeling high as a kite, as if I just might/ take flight
to new heights if I grabbed that mic,
and if I gave into fright, I’d never known what it felt like.
So stepped into the spotlight, and let it Baptize me
and spit…something whack. “Eh, it was aight ‘b’”
And so I fell in love with the same chick Common Used to
She even introduced me toa few crews,
like Amani’s class where I learned to breakdance
or back at Temple with O’ we’d freestyle rap.
Got that gift of gab, and formed my own band,
six piece jazz geeks dubbed Second Hand
Sound-ed aight on Cd, performances hit or miss.
‘Cause my school’s acoustics Made me sound like this
And though we ain’t become rockstars like we thought we should
We had a lot of fun, and we got real good,
Which was important, ‘cause school was boring
I was either talking butt off or snoring.
And when that bell rang I couldn’t wait,
‘cause spending time with was my way to escape.
‘Cause man I love
Sitting at Rittenhouse with bands that jam.
‘And man I love
All the festivals at Penns Landing
‘And man I love
my Wawa, and I love Rita’s
‘And man I love
chillin at South Street eating Lorenzo’s eating pizza
‘And man I love
that I’ve never seen the Liberty Bell
‘And man I love
spitting on stage with Patti LaBelle
‘And man I love
Odunde and the B-boy BBQ
‘And I love
it all Philly…I love you
The city of brotherly love, the one that loves you back
that boo’s Destiny’s Child and has Santa Claus attacked
The only one I’ve known and grown to call home.
So now it’s time for I to say goodbye and be on my own.
Time to push the pedal to the metal and hit road,
can’t rest till I’ve spread my wings and flown.
And although, there’s so/ much I want to explore with you
It’s time for me to move onto bigger apples to chew.
But Philly, it’s not you it’s me, can’t you see,
I’ll come back to you eventually if its truly meant to be.
So its not truly forever, forever-ever, forever,
forever-ever? forever-ever? Never!
We’ll weather the weather like Shakira
whenever or wherever through whatever
whenever we’re together so never! Ever say never!
Cause’ no matter where I touch down,
this is always gonna be my, my hometown!
The P-to the H-the I- the L-A, best in world, in all USA.
The P-H, the I the L, the L, Y, represent my birthplace til I die
The P-to the H-the I- the L-A, to the rest of the world, there’s only one thing to say.
[Sample:] People Get Ready
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3. |
NYU
04:12
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NYU
VERSE 1
New York University, knowing you never heard of me,
I gotta give it to you personally/ in this right her(e) CD
My name’s NyleE for the future there’s no uncertainty
I’m certain to be an entity/ in this musical industry.
Now don’t turn inadvertently, or give me a third degree
I’m not another one of those brothers chasing fantasy
emphatically, actually I want my satisfaction naturally.
Making a lasting impact in the acts in music so tactfully.
Like Acrobatik we need balance, not just conscious, it’s a challenge,
to be creative, but also callous, to have a conscience, you need talent.
I got it! I’m the distentary visionary,
forseeing the b.s. that goes on the scenes, its scary.
Those on top becoming obsessed with the excess, stressing over the lexus
Using music as a product instead of a nexus.
So who would reject this necklace, and black hummer that stretches,
dumbing down your rhymes giving people the expected.
But non-expressive lines kept unreal don’t get you respected
it only gives the kids that’s listening the same perspective.
We take it from the barrio to radio
and in the middle is the label and the studio
We’re trying to change the middle, so your taste won’t be cripple
But we’re trying to do it with you, so here we go…
VERSE 2
New York! New York! Home of the slick talk that walk walks
in big parks where hip-hop got sparked,
and I’m from Philly so I’s born and raised in the city.
Walked the streets tax made pretty to the one crack made gritty,
In fact I feel the rhythm of the city wherever I go.
But I’m trying to live up to my name and maintain the longest flow.
and its already fluid, ‘cause I’m spittin and I love my music,
so if I wanna excel, New York City’s the place to do it.
So get ready, ‘cause here I come___.
I’m bringing the flavor to scramble the buds on your tongue.
Through the buds in your ear, so let me make myself clear
Hotness! (is) what you’ll be hearing for the next for years.
(Aww Yeah!) don’t fear, the fire that I’m spittin
my writtens getting ya higher like a note from Mariah,
and I ain’t trying to be New York’s sire or rap’s Messiah
‘cause I’m with the real JeHova, and he’ll never retire
VERSE 3
You pronounce my name NyelLee, any questions?
Let’s hold Q & A for Sin-Sin’s best freshman.
Hello, my name’s Nyle (Hello) how ya doin?
that’s right, I’m class of ’09. And I live in Rubin
My major’s Recorded Music, that’s the one in Tisch
(Uhhh) No I’m not gay. (Oh) And I don’t know the Olsen Twins. (Aww)
they say I go to NYU so I must be rich…
or smart. Enough to get a lot of scholarships
dig myself out of a ditch, with a toothpick, and I made it!
Enrolled in a program affiliated with Clive Davis,
Amazing! I’m looking out on the New York City skyline
and in my mind, like Scarface The World is Mine!
So Yes! it’s my time. Yes! I’m gonna rip it
Yes Imma be the best to ever spit this lingo
But to answer the most important question on your mind
the answer’s Yes! Ladies, I’m single
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4. |
hYPNOTIC 2005
04:38
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VERSE 1
I knew this girl named Alana with mad persona
She dealt with reality; she never fed into the drama
Met her a year before college at a banquet for scholars
Where we finally exchanged our knowledge for top dollars.
I saw her on my way to the parlor and had to holla.
Chit-chatty questions and the conversation that followed
Showed me she had something inside
Besides those thick thighs,
curly locs of hair, and these moon sized eyes.
And in the small start, something had sparked
I liked her and told her how I felt before we had to part
Which threw her off, played it soft and had to go
So if the feelings were returned, I did not know
Just let it flow, that’s my motto
And soon timed faded away in my minds hollow.
Which is why when welcome week when someone yelled Nyle
I was surprised to turn around and see a familiar smile.
CHORUS
That Hypnotic. In the ways that she moves
That Hypnotic. Whenever I look into her eyes
That Hypnotic. I just don’t know what to do
That Hypnotic. This girl’s got me hypnotized___
VERSE 2
Now, I come from a school of a hundred people
Who for the most part, knew each other since fifth grade
Needless to say, freshman year of college
rolled around and I had not got-ten laid
Got to school and started chasing around all the pretty tail
but by Friday had nothing to show for it, but numbers on my cell.
So when I saw this caramel beauty from the past I couldn’t pass
Agree that we should chill before we started class
And we did, I learned she had a man, but she said ignore it.
This ain’t highschool no more, so these feelings we started exploring
We turned dark park walks into kisses under the streetlight
Stare into her pupils put my arm around her waist as she’s holdin me tight
The connections a delight
But the next day her kisses were stale, and I didn’t I didn’t understand
Till she told me she had never broken it off with her man.
VERSE 3
I would begin to dial/her number
But knowin its been a while, its hard to link
See we tried to make it work as friends, but in the end
Our passions arose and we started over again
From hands brushin to hand holding
From playful hugs to embracing
Eyes lockin for a moment
Tryin to pull away but can’t until our lips connect.
Leaving her feeling guilty.
And me wonderin whats next/ when
Our spirits are so akimbo
So I made easy and stepped back, rather than keep it in limbo
let her process the info,while I pursue other interests.
Everyday her answer is clearer, cuz she ain’t call me yet
I’m not sitting by the phone but in my mind I do long
To hear her voice so I can finish this song.
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5. |
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VERSE 1
Mic-L
Dear B,
How You doin? How’s life treating you?
You know how it is over here, same old people.
They ask me how you doing and I said, “Yeah she cool.”
I saw your ma the other day at Dèdé’s pre-school.
You know ya’ll look alike and it reminded me of the times
when we used to chill at the lake ‘til the sunrise.
But I know the light from the morning came from your eyes.
And wish one of those nights would last a lifetime.
I miss the way you used to nibble on my earlobe
its kinda hard without you here though
so, I’m signing off and I’ll call you tomorrow
until we’re reunited and all….
Truly Yours
Nyle
Dear B,
Last night was a surprise for me too
Can’t believe that we took it that far
But there’s something in your eyes shining bright,
that pulls me closer everytime I try/ to keep it inside.
You get me wide open and I lose control
and I know that you wanna take it slow, but there’s no
obstacle that says that we can’t let it flow
and follow our feet down this road.
I’m also confused about whether to be lovers or friends
But all I know is that I wanna go and see you again.
Signed Your’s Truly….My Lady
P.S. The way you nibble on my earlobe is crazy!
CHORUS
Nothing left to give you
After all we’ve been through
You must know now, life sometimes
Spin’s you round, but you’ll find
a place where you’ll. Fly away.
VERSE 2
Nyle Mic-L
Hello? Who this?
This is Nyle, who this.
This is B’s man from home, you put my girl on the phone?
Yo, look man, you need to slow your role,
she’s not your girl no more man, you need to leave her alone.
Ah really? Since when, ‘cause last thing I recall
was her telling she loves me around one in the morn’,
and that she couldn’t wait ‘til today anticipating my call.
Well I been sleeping here all night, and I ain’t heard nothing at all.
All she told me was that her last man was insecure
that you couldn’t handle it and ya’ll split in the fall- Sure
if you say so. If that’s the case though
That means she played us both, and my baby and capable of that.
(Who’s on the phone) You tell me.
Some dude that says ___ and your hooked on “LSD”
Loving Some other Dude. Yo, put Brianna on the phone
(Hello?) What the hell is going on?
VERSE 3
Vanessa
Wouldn’t it be simple, were we in too deep
Paper doll cutouts the way you still view me.
In a flower print paper dress, than a paper white wedding dress.
Distance can make the heart grow fonder
But distance, can make the heart go wander.
The world’s not a paper place,
I’m not trying to cut you out.
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6. |
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VERSE 1 (Malik)
Seems like yesterday, my arms was ‘round your waist
Baby how was your day? But I’m on a different page.
Scratch that another book, about how the world was shook.
But it’s a brand new day, time to go out and play___
CHORUS
Cause I’m on my own again,
It’s all good (x2) Yeah
Cause I’m on my own again, and this time around
It’s all good (x2)
VERSE 2
Seems like yesterday my arms was round your waist
And you were on my case, but it was A okay
Cuz I knew baby baby you would never stray
No matter how hard things got day to day
But I saw it fade away, as soon as I hear u say
That you no longer thought you could be with me
And I said okay/ bout it was mo’ like
Oh Lord, Oh No. my baby don’t want me no mo’
I let the tears in my eyes dry before they were cried
And try not to deny the pain I felt inside.
Without my girl by my side I still had to ride
I decide to get fly to right
And I feel alright, yes-yes its all good.
And we gonna party on like we should
Like Usher Imma be alright tonight
I just suddenly remembered what freedom feels like.
VERSE 3
Now I’m not gonna lie and say I’m over you;
I got jealous when I saw you with that older dude.
And it’s not because the brother’s like 42
It’s ‘cause he’s richer than mine, yeah I got one too.
(WHAT?!?) Just kidding, still like girls yo.
You broke my heart, you ain’t put me on the downlow.
(At first) I had a blank face like a gringo
(and Now) Now I’m celebrating the fact that I’m single
(So) So whether white or black you should know the fact
that the fun won’t stop like Pringles.
And I’m damn sexy if I say so myself
We’re gonna party hard like (Boy you need some help!)
Going on the offense ‘cause the music is tight
‘cause I’m using common sense to find the light (Get it?)
(Basically I’m) finding someone new to help me to
make new memories to forget about you.
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7. |
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VERSE 1
I’m in a crowd of freezing people, huddled on the sidewalk
MY toes are cold, so to pass time me and this guy talk.
He’s goin to visit friends for the holidays.
I’m goin home since the first time I got to New York
to conquer the throne and though its only my first semester,
I’m not king of the city, so I’m feeling like a jester.
Someone gestures across the street and I blitz past her
Shoving my way onto the other bus, I have to be faster
At last there’s feelings in my extremeties as I rest in my seat
At this moment my mama’s prolly (probably) cooking something to eat
They’re so proud. And I don’t want to let them down
Or let them know sometime the crown is too heavy for me.
Will my friends see that I’ve matured or treat me the same.
Will they think I’ve gotten better or recognize my games.
The bus pulls off and I put these buds in my ear
I concentrate on the future ignoring butterflies and fear.
VERSE 2
I’m here!
A familiar city’s rising over the horizon
Driving by verizon’s high rise on I-95 and
we exit onto the streets where I grew up.
Center city same old Philly, I get my bag out of the bus
Dust myself off and fix my hair in the window.
Make contact on my cell and let them know that I’m in tow
and its cold, So I wait inside for a while.
Thinking of all the times I passed my this spot runnin wild
And I smile. A “honk” “honk” interrupts my thoughts.
Grab all of my stuff and the egg nog I just bought.
Open the taxi’s door and throw my stuff in the back.
Get in the passenger seat next to the driver of the cab.
He looks me up and down, then gives me a pound,
locking into a hug, I ask him “Whats up dad?”
VERSE 3
“Home” no matter how the outside world changes
the love inside will ALWAYS stay the same, its
not a place or a space it’s a state.
Residence is irrelevant, it takes much more to make a
“Home” as we ride I realize how much I miss this
I took me coming back just to have homesickeness.
Cuz when you spend all your time tryin to be who you wanna be
Sometimes you loose sight of who you are.
“Home” is who I am, who I’ve been it reminds me.
I have enough light to outshine these stars.
Cuz no matter where I go, and no matter what I do.
I’mma always me my mama’s lil boonkey-boo
And Imma always gonna be my dad’s number one lil man
And peoples always gonna be my number one fans!
Understand that’s why I hesitate to come back
Cause I wanna make ‘em proud. And go and show him that
I can exceed their expectations, somehow make it big
But all I need to do is come back and visit
And say I’m home (Ad lib)
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8. |
mOULTY
03:14
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Produced by Behameen
Sampled from “Moulty” by The Babarians (1966)
Scratches by Alex Beckman
Female Vocals Anjelica Garcia
Background Vocals: Ariel Fleurimond
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9. |
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VERSE 1-Danielle
Lately I’ve dreaming ‘bout what my life would be
If I packed my bags and locked the doors, and threw away the key
and I’d trade my sold for cash and gold, cause as they say
The grass is greener on the side, the do it that way.
PRE-CHORUS-Nyle
As the world turns, people walk by this sidewalk
As I walk, sometimes a I catch their side talk.
and all the pretentious things the talk about.
But realize later they’ll be coming out my mouth.
CHORUS-Danielle
I wonder round the city where the stars stare at the sky
and I step down on the concrete as the smoke chokes my own eyes
Tell me that I’m lucky with my Life of Liberty.
‘Cause I never thought that freedom, would be the death of me.
VERSE 2-Danielle
Torn hearts and broken faces, lifeless to the soul
they’re tired of all the years spent turning plastic into gold
And I’m not one to spend my days just swaying in the breeze
Cause nothings ever good enough but flavor of the week
PRE-CHORUS-Nyle
Get a job, a place, a car and a lover.
A setup for me to live comfortably
The same rules of those who live in excess,
so tell me when’s comfort replaced by greed.
VERSE 3-Nyle
They say that money doesn’t buy happiness,
but its supposed to, take you at least one step closer
and as I think about all that’s got me stressed,
I wonder am I blessed, or a vulture or my own culture
Steady moving up the ladder, with no time to sit and gather
my thoughts. Running blind, trying to find what matters
In this world of designer names, parties and shopping sprees
its so ea-sy to find a life misery. A life of luxury where the masses’ memory
Has no recollection of anyting but indulgency
We can’t buy contentment ‘cause a soul has no price
So I’m setting myself free to find Liberty in Life
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10. |
tORCHES
01:30
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In the sixties it was risky for teens
To travel down south and march towards a king’s dream
But those kids knew that if they didn’t fight,
they couldn’t protect their kids from living the same life.
Parents protested, they were used to oppression, and useless aggression
but had too much invested in their kids lives for them to be arrested
beat, bitten, molested, hosed down and abused.
Just to be used for shocking footage viewed on the news.
And in these days, those very same airwaves play,
people powerless against the powers that be
From police brutality to incidental casualties
sending of the calvary to wars based on fallacies.
Fatalities and African infant mortalities
aren’t deducted from the Presidential salaries.
And in these days those very same elderly teens now ask
Does anyone. Does anyone? Have something to say?
In this day and age where revolution’s worn on the sleeve
of a Che Guevara Tee, listening to Talib Kweli
But transgression is more than just a trendy way to rebel
Like race relations is more than just watching Dave Chapelle.
We go down south for the same reasons Jews joined in.
To the Civil Rights Marches on the Mall in Washington
We go to show old folks who wanna pass the torch
That the flame is still burning, and we shall go forth.
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11. |
bABY pLEASE dON'T gO
05:46
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SAMPLE
Baby please don’t go down to New Orleans. Down to New Orleans (x2)
Baby please don’t go down to New Orleans, you know I love you so baby please don’t go.
VERSE 1
…the words I heard my mother utter from her lips as I muttered “I got to.”
Flooding, diseases, crooked cops, yeah ma I got you.
I understand it’s dangerous, I’m not tryint to shock you.
But there’s no way I can sit in my dry dorm room and watch news
stories of families in tragedy, huddled under canopies
sayin how can this be? And how can I talk candidly
of saving the world/and treating others as family
if when it unfurls, I don’t go? That ain’t a man to me.
‘Cause for a few months everyone will give their money
then forget about it as fast as we did the Tusnami.
And add it to their “Why I hate Bush” list.
but hardly make the push to the problem that exists
and this “What difference can I make anyway?”
has taken a toll on may (me). So I’m leavin today.
Trading in my Spring Break
‘Cuz if actions speak louder than words, I can hear the President say…
CHORUS
(sample) …Baby Please don’t go down to New Orleans…
(the bridge from “Won’t You Stay” Talib Kweli)
(Me) I gotta go, I gotta go, I gotta- (Female) baby don’t go
(Me) I gotta go, I gotta go, I gottta, (Female) baby don’t go
(Me) I gotta go, I gotta go, I gotta- (Female) baby don’t go
(Me) I gotta go, I gotta go, I gottta, (Female) baby don’t go
VERSE 2
My heart is saying go, but my brain is telling me
That I gotta catch up in school, that I gotta go to work
That I gotta visit family, and besides, my pockets hurt.
So how can I raise the money for tickets,
when I can barely spare the money to pay my mom a visit
and is it/ feasible for me to go a thousand miles away?
Using my own excuses as reasons for me to stay.
Just like the thousands of others, who said that they cared.
But how will words help you ain’t there?
Half a million kids went to Cabo and Cancun.
Some went home, and others stayed in their room.
But if half of us would have mad the trip, believe me.
Drying out the big easy would have been….easy
See we don’t care unless it’s our emergency
I can’t believe I listened to the voices that were telling me…
VERSE 3
When the crews came back, they were like dag mac
You should’ve been there the whole place looked like Bagdhad!
It was mad bad, nah, worse than TV
A situation they definitely don’t want you to see.
How the Levees blew, ‘cause so many had so few
Leaving the poor vulnerable, and all the time they knew.
FEMA and the money raised by the Red Cross got lost
in government b.s. that restricted the force.
And when you know that tax dollars could have prevented it all
How do you console someone for their loss?
Gone is their house their car and their home.
“I guess they’re better off livin in the astrodome.”
Cause the media, and TV politics is blatant,
so why’d Kanye retract his own statement
‘Cause it’s not okay, its not all good
Fifteen hundred people ain’t have to die in that flood
Like the people who fled to higher ground and got shot down
and the inmates left locked in prison to drown
and you and see their faces, or know how it felt
To give a few forgotten people our help.
And I don’t know how it felt, and I don’t want to wonder
So I’m packing up my bags, and going this summer.
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12. |
FROSH!
03:07
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Of course we’re disappointed
We see hip-hop on TV and in our dreams it becomes a social fantasy
Where coeds are beautiful sexy girls gone wild
And guys are smart sexy built confident in their style.
Where its okay to be gay, and you’re free to explore
Where you can trade in your virginity for being a whore.
Where you can finally find a place with people like you
and make thangs happen without funky attitudes.
And learn the tools you need, helping you decide
What to do with your life, and how to do it right.
To most of all, grow independent and be strong
And finally feel like you found a place where you belong.
But then we get here,
Shattering our expectations, playing our hopes and fears.
If its not rejection its a lack of selection
Cuz all the ugly ones wan’ get it in, but all the cute ones wan’ be your friend.
And these rich kids got tons of beer, but can you really just get drunk and blazed all year?
You look for something else, but what is there to do?
And suddenly you feel entrapped by the people around you.
So you join some clubs, and your making some friends
But it seems you’re seeing the same people again and again.
And it feels like life’s taking to long
With all their exaggerations, seems like you’re doing college wrong,
See girls be like: “Oh my God, I met this guy”
But forget to mention that he’s bucktooth and cockeyed
And guys “Yo, at that party, I got head from a freshman.”
But leave out the results of their STD testing”
And then there’s the kids who stay in their dorms isolated
Online playing games, using AIM to say the hate it.
And that they’re going home this weekend to visit.
To lay in their own bed with fresh clothes and linens
And then theres the kids that you never really talk to
But know ‘em because their your myspace facebook stalkers.
Classes got you stressed, you’re trying to do your best
You gotta wake up at eight, to two essays and a test.
And guess what, you just heard about a bangin party
And this chick that’ll be attending is a certain lil shawty
And now I’m sorry that I went instead of doing my paper
Can I hand it in a lil later for a slightly lower grade
Or extra credit? But this ain’t high school, there’s no demerits
There’s no sympathy for mistakes, no body cares a bit…
And that’s the beautiful thing
See no matter how much your on the phone, or go home
You’re in college now, you’re on your own
See we have to supply the fire to burn inside
To deny any thoughts of failure and try to strive
See whether keeping our head above water or swimming the farthest
We tread the hardest because we dread the shark, its
Because if you don’t realized how blessed you are
You become just another number. Just another star
in sky of thousands. So remember your lights astounding.
You’re lucky to be here whether you came from the burbs or public housing.
And there’s nothing depressing about it.
We’re in the prime of our life, and we’re surround
By a million stories. So take the time learn them. Take some action.
Because if these are the best times in our life, only you can make it happen
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