Blackalicious — Passion

[Cuts by Chief Xcel and DJ Babu] An open microphone can be dangerous Let's tune in on two of the greatest MCs out there [Hook: Rakaa & Gift of Gab] Passion, the will to win, the spark within Passion, the strength within the hearts of men Passion, the drive to press, to strive for best To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion, to play through pain and love the game Passion, to break the chain and blaze the flame Passion, the fight for rights, to love your life To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion [Verse 1: Rakaa] Propaganda, positive propositions A, politician, musician and a triple optician Still, part of my mission's to slaughter the opposition Critics that don't get it, I tell 'em to stop bitchin' I do without plaques, I've done it without cash Strictly for the love of the art - that's passion Flashin', rappin' or jammin' or soundblastin' When Quannum meets Expansion, this is what happens [Verse 2: Gift of Gab] Runnin' through the jungle with a flare gun Arrow-arms, zoning out my mind Like I was hooked on hero-in Take the fire, turn it up and blaze whole forest down Pullin from within' the inner insane warrior California to the District of Columbia Hella high octane, lookin' through a lazy eye All ablaze, fire, flames, lightin' up the sky Run into the burnin' sun, yellin' Ride, nigga, ride, nigga, ride [Hook: Rakaa & Gift of Gab] Passion, the will to win, the spark within Passion, the strength within the hearts of men Passion, the drive to press, to strive for best To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion, to play through pain and love the game Passion, to break the chain and blaze the flame Passion, the fight for rights, to love your life To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion [Verse 3: Rakaa & Gift of Gab] Desire, the fire that inspires I don't state facts, I state buildings, like empires Passion, he journey, the learnin', the time-turnin' The searchin', the mind yearnin' to wake and find morning Passion, the ladies they love the long-lasting Asking for action? Brace for satisfaction Passion, he black-skinned African jazz-men of the half in Aspen Relaxed, gettin' my back rubbed I'm still here, I've seen cats get killed here I've seen cats make a mil but millionaires still fear You can buy air play but you can't buy cheers Blackalicious, Dilated, vibratin' your ears Sent vibrations for years, I've been waiting for years I've been patient for years, we ain't playin' this year We hold stake in this here, it ain't safe for this year We in the zone watch next level, takin' it there, this is [Hook: Rakaa & Gift of Gab] Passion, the will to win, the spark within Passion, the strength within the hearts of men Passion, the drive to press, to strive for best To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion, to play through pain and love the game Passion, to break the chain and blaze the flame Passion, the fight for rights, to love your life To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion [Scratches] Babu! Let's listen to this recipe for- Chief Xcel- The most astonishing- Soul- New seeds of wisdom, craft, and skill (Check it out, y'all) Listen now, to this classic moment from- DJ's, around the world, DJ's around the world [Verse 4: Gift of Gab] Had a rough weekend, got beat by passion Saddled up, tweaked off a beat, started mashin' Matador reek of the heat from the heater Inner world dwellin', hear the world yellin' for a leader [Verse 5: Rakaa] I don't bother with the dealers, I take it to the lab It's Rakaa chillin' with Babs, Xcel, Gift of Gab I grab mics and fans gravitate, I can't waste it My whole life, I wanted it so bad, I could taste it [Hook: Rakaa & Gift of Gab] Passion, the will to win, the spark within Passion, the strength within the hearts of men Passion, the drive to press, to strive for best To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion, to play through pain and love the game Passion, to break the chain and blaze the flame Passion, the fight for rights, to love your life To rise you've just arrived the quest is driven through Passion