Black Star — K.O.S. Determination

[Verse 1: Talib Kweli & (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)] So many MC's focusin' on black people extermination We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination It's hot, we be blowin' the spots with conversations C'mon, let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia (True) Singin' is swingin' and writin' is fightin' But what they writin' got us clashin' like Titans, it's not excitin' No question! Bein' a black man is demandin' The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin' (The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin') (The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin') [Pre-hook x4: Talib Kweli & (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)] With that what? (Knowledge of self) determination [Hook: Vinia Mojica] Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin' [Verse 2: Talib Kweli] Yes, yes, come on, yes, yes Knowledge of self is like life after death With that, you never worry about your last breath Death comes, that's how I'm livin', it's the next days The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page Yo, they askin' me how old, we livin' the same age I feel the rage of a million niggas locked inside a cage At exactly which point do you start to realize That life without knowledge is death in disguise? That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death Apply it to your life, let destiny manifest Different day, same confusion We're gonna take this hip-hop shit and keep it movin' Shed a little light Now y'all bloomin' like a flower with the power of the evident Voices and drums — original instruments In the flesh, presently presentin' my representation [Pre-hook x4: Talib Kweli & (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)] With that what? (Knowledge of self) determination [Hook x2: Vinia Mojica] Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin' [Verse 3: Talib Kweli] The most important time in history is, NOW, the present So count your blessings, 'cause time can't define the essence But you stressin' over time when you follow the Roman calendar These people into clonin' like Gattaca You can bet they tryin' to lock you down like Attica The African diaspora represents strength in numbers A giant can't slumber forever I know you gotta get that cheddar, whatever A-yo, I heard you twice the first time, money, get it together You must be history — you repeatin' yourself out of the pages You keepin' yourself depleatin' your spiritual wealth That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention Or mentions the ascension of death, 'til nothing's left The young, gifted and Black are sprung, addicted to crack All my people, where y'all at? 'Cause y'all ain't here And your hero's usin' your mind as a canvas to paint fear With broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration You get out of jail with that knowledge of self (Determination) Stand in ovation, because you put the hue in human Cause and effect affect everythin' you do And that's why I got love in the face of hate Hand's steady, so the lines in the mental illustration is straight That thought you had don't even contemplate Infinite like figure eight, there's no escape [Pre-hook x4: Talib Kweli & (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)] With that what? (Knowledge of self) determination [Outro x2: Vinia Mojica & (Talib Kweli)] Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin' (This the funky singin' by Miss Vinia Mojica This the funky singin' by Miss Vinia Mojica Knowledge of self) Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin' What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin'