Baldwin

[Intro: James Baldwin]
When I was growing up
I was taught an American history book
That Africa had no history
And neither did I
That I was a savage
Who had been saved by Europe
And brought to America
And of course, I believed it
I didn’t have much choice
Those were the only books there were

[Verse 1]
If ima spit it it’s slow pace
And cookin with raw base
The gray on my coal face
Don’t become cold case
Keepin it too real
Wavin at blue [stare?]
Only a few dare
For all of you crabs I got old bay
I had a feud mix of scavengers ‘cept by day the bottom feeders
Before I consume filth I pray a born leader
Out the womb born freer
Than my father on the same day can look at the block the same way
My AK my spray god bless Ndeeba
Straight outta the head of Medina, Ms Omotunde took us to see Sarafina
Gifted and talented overachiever
Word to Monster, Shakur Sanyika, Nathan McCall and Ms McMillin got me through the ill in a man child
In the promise land time
Kill em with words as the pages I turn
James Baldwin quotes made the rhymes extra dope
The Native Son, the negroes, the caged bird singing for the heroes
Wanna see accounts with zeroes
From maids and sharecroppers with blades
To doughboys with high top fades and truck chains
I’m amazed from the visions
The greatest empire that was ruled by Egyptians
The richest man still Mansa Musa made a
Three fourths of the [oma?]
Poverty is the tumor that the evil find humor in
Sometime reptilian skin blends don’t let em smear your third eye lens
The barrier reef coming to the end
The foundation of the food chain gone in the wind
Pay attention to the why and henchmen with no respect
You don’t shit where you sleep for a check (for a check, for a check, for a check…)

[Verse 2]
From the land where you learn to read a man before a book
Like paranoia with every step was a chance that you took
Posttraumatic secrets that I’m taking to my grave
From an early age they put that poison in my brain
To have to say I’m doing it to myself nowadays
Jack and Mary Jane are the only ones who know my pain
Too many nights
Too many days
Too many times I’ve seen the same
Too many play it to brothers with no one to lead the way
Play the game but know that it ain't
I say play the game but know that it ain't
I roll the dice bet my fate that no matter the hand the only thing I lay is my cards
Took a loss that took me back to the start
I took a second with my thoughts
Never second guessin’, feelin’ introspective
Reminiscin' bein' knuckleheaded learning lessons
Refused to learn that I was only equal if I’m less than
I really got them answers to my questions
Why they took our last name that’s where my name was born?
Why we second guessing our complexion hatin our reflection indirectly?
Ain't a muthafuckin' thing thats wrong
It just like I understand it cus we movin misdirected was miseducated
We ain't know no James Bond when where I’m from
Barely taught us ‘bout the King on so we could overcome
We was numb and dumb, youngins had no compass on the run
Snatch us from the roots
Took my people’s stumps I need their growth though
Thirsty for understanding
Between the world and me like I’m Ta-Nehisi Coates
Fight to bridge gap and stay afloat
Cus that’s how we know
Me and Awon keep that A-1 flow when it don’t sleep