Free
Pharoahe Monch's Liberation Anthem: Breaking Chains and Defying Labels
Lyrics
You can clip my wings, shackle and chain me
You can try to restrain me, but I won't be held back.
Back straight standing tall a child of God, n' I'm, Free!
I stand tall as a child of God, asserting my freedom.
Spit in my face, hold me down
Despite adversity, I won't be disheartened or subdued.
I'm a keep my feet firm to the ground, cause I'm, Free!
I'll stay grounded and resolute, maintaining my freedom.
Your A and R's a house nigga, the labels the plantation
The A&R (Artists and Repertoire) is compared to a subservient figure, and the music industry is likened to a plantation.
Now switch that advance for your emancipation
Suggests exchanging financial advances for true freedom.
M-C's are the field like pick cotton for real
MCs are compared to field workers, working hard in the music industry.
I pop blocks like beat street with a notch n' a kill
The artist is skilled and determined, overcoming obstacles.
They take the strongest of slaves to compete in a track meat
Reference to the challenges faced by artists, akin to slaves in a track meet.
For the King of the city sang songs of back streets
City leaders sing about the struggles of the streets.
Choruses of cocaine tales and black heat
Choruses depict harsh realities with drug-related themes.
Only to trade niggas like professional athletes!
People are traded like commodities, similar to athletes.
Don't take that merchandising, snatch that publishing
Emphasizes the importance of owning one's creative work.
Practice that black ass, ship you to London
References to punishment and exile for asserting freedom.
By way of France, Germany, Dublin
Describes a journey through various European countries.
A railroad to underground like Harriet Tubman
Compares escaping to the underground railroad, invoking Harriet Tubman.
While y'all stay strugglin' we smuggle M-C's through the streets
Artists help each other, smuggling MCs through challenges.
Till we bubblin' on mix C-D's, hustlin'
Success comes from hard work and perseverance in the music industry.
Clans see me on the block n' say freeze
The artist faces challenges from authority but refuses to yield.
I say Fuck You! I'm a man, I'm Free!
Asserts independence and freedom despite adversity.
You can clip my wings, shackle and chain me
Reiterates the theme of facing challenges and remaining resilient.
Back straight standing tall a child of God, N' I'm, free!
Asserts freedom as a divine right, standing tall.
Spit in my face, hold me down
Despite disrespect, the artist remains unyielding.
I'm a keep my feet firm to the ground, cause I'm, free!
Grounded and resolute, maintaining freedom despite opposition.
I give birth to verses in churches with no confession
The artist creates profound verses without conventional confession.
So please pardon my post-partum depression
Apologizes for unconventional, challenging content.
A-list MC to spit it in C-Sections
Top-tier MCs deliver meaningful content for those willing to learn.
For immature minds that get it with each lesson
Addresses the immaturity of some listeners who grasp lessons from music.
Three-fifths of a man ass jigga with no plans
A critique of individuals acting against their own interests.
How you discussing publishing figures without a band
Questions discussions about financial matters without a solid plan.
They got digital codes on our music for them to scan
Refers to digital codes on music for monitoring, possibly by authorities.
So even when you sample a snare you can't even clan
Even sampling a snare drum is monitored and controlled.
So google Pharoahe Monch, search Triskaidekaphobia
Encourages researching the artist's name and mentions a phobia.
I'll explain why these city banks Wachovia
Connects city banks to the artist, highlighting financial concerns.
I'll peep the future in my sleep, to be honest man
The artist envisions the future and acknowledges uncertainty.
We never had a mutual relationship with Washington
Highlights a lack of trust between the artist and Washington.
Why? Because I believe they put the virus in the latex
Suggests distrust in safety measures provided by authorities.
Condoms that they sell us, call it safe sex
The artist's words challenge societal norms and safety standards.
What I spit, not only causes a glitch in The Matrix
The artist's words disrupt established systems, referencing The Matrix.
But another terrorist that they haven't faced yet!
Claims that the artist's words are a form of unacknowledged resistance.
You can clip my wings, shackle and chain me
Repeats the theme of facing challenges and maintaining freedom.
Back straight standing tall a child of God, N' I'm, free!
Reiterates the artist's resilience as a child of God.
Spit in my face, hold me down
Despite disrespect, the artist remains unyielding.
I'm a keep my feet firm to the ground, cause I'm, free!
Grounded and resolute, maintaining freedom despite opposition.
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