Panther Power

[Intro: Chuck D]
Panther power
Panther power

[Verse 1: 2Pac]
As real as it seems, the American Dream
Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme
To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains
To deny us of the future, rob our name
Kept my history a mystery, but now I see
The American Dream wasn't meant for me
'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me
Promised me freedom, education, equality
Never gave me nothin' but slavery
And now look at how dangerous you made me
Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold
With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told
Promised me emancipation in this new nation
All you ever gave my people was starvation
Fathers of this country never cared for me
They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery
And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me
'Cept lie about the facts in my history
So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed
But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy
When my people are down, so they can screw us around
Time to change the government now

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!

[Verse 2: Ray Luv]
Panther power from the strength that resides within
Go toe to toe with a panther and you just can't win
Self-proclaimed best, suppress the rest
The rich get richer and the poor take less
The American Dream was an American nightmare
You kept my people down and refused to fight fair
The Ku Klux Klan tried to keep us out
With signs readin' and statin': "No blacks allowed"
With intimidation and segregation
We're still waitin' for our freedom, but now we're impatient
Blacks, the other skin - dead or sell-outs
'Freedom, equality', then, I'll yell out:
"Don't you never be ashamed of what you are
It's your panther power that makes you a star

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!

[Verse 3: 2Pac]
My Mother never let me forget my history
Hopin' I would set free chains that were put on me
Wanted to be more than just free
Had to know the true facts about my history
I couldn't settle for bein' a statistic
Couldn't survive in this capitalistic
Government 'cause it was meant to hold us back
Usin' ignorance and drugs to sneak attack
In my community, they killed the unity
But when I charged them, tried to claim immunity
I strike America like a case of heart disease
Panther power is runnin' through my arteries
Try to stop me, oh boy, you'll be clawed to death
'Cause I'll be fightin' for my freedom with my dyin' breath
Do you remember? That's what I'm askin' you
You think you're livin' free? Don't make me laugh at you
Open your eyes, realize, you've been locked in chains
Said you wasn't civilized and stole your name
'Cause some time has passed, seems you all forget
There is no liberty for you and me, we all ain't free yet

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!

[Verse 4: 2Pac]
As real as it seems, the American Dream
Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme
To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains
To deny us of the future, rob our name
Kept my history a mystery, but now I see
The American Dream wasn't meant for me
'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me
Promised me freedom, education, equality
Never gave me nothin' but slavery
And now look at how dangerous you made me
Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold
With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told
Promised me emancipation in this new nation
All you ever gave my people was starvation
Fathers of this country never cared for me
They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery
And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me
'Cept lie about the facts in my history
So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed
But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy
When my people are down, so they can screw us around
Time to change the government now

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power!
Panther power on the hour from the rebel to you