Human Mic
Rising Above the Concrete Jungle: Talib Kweli's Urban Symphony
Lyrics
I exhibit characteristics of the average misfit
I display qualities similar to those of an average outcast.
Who graduated from stabbing and grabbing a biscuit
Refers to moving away from violence ("stabbing") and criminal behavior ("grabbing a biscuit").
It's sick and tragic how antagonistic we get
Describes the aggressive and confrontational nature people adopt when they lack power or control.
When it's no power go sour
When there's no authority, situations turn sour or negative.
I seen him crossing a bridge by the masses
Observation of someone walking among many people, possibly survivors, from the 9/11 tragedy.
Covered in the ashes of both towers
Referencing being covered in the remnants (ashes) of the World Trade Center towers, indicative of witnessing or being part of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Made it in New York and the way that we talk
Contrasts the ways of speaking between different areas of New York City.
Make it to North and that's a gift
A skill to navigate different areas and environments.
Refuse to back, lay to mourn, and then tore it over
Refusing to retreat, mourning briefly, then quickly recovering.
Look out for shooters that we're popping up at the opera
Awareness of potential danger, possibly violence, occurring even in upscale or cultured places like the opera.
The popular, adore his pain for the sins of the god father
People admire suffering similar to that of the mafia boss (godfather).
Popular music got 'em confused with killers and artists
Confusion between musicians and violent criminals in popular culture.
I kill it the hardest competition dearly departed
Confidently asserting superiority over competition in the music industry.
They feeling some sort of way 'cause my flow revealing the garbage
Provoking negative reactions due to exposing the flaws in others' artistry.
I'm making 'em throw it up, you just making the people vomit
Comparing his impactful music to making an audience excited, while others' work makes people repulsed.
When it comes to this rhymin' I'm a legend like too common
Claiming legendary status in the art of rap like the rapper Common.
Or the Chupacabra, the way I move it together it's how I knot 'em
Metaphorically tying enemies up (knotting them) through his music and actions.
Make them acclaim my cover, you daquiri with the
Comparing his quality (cover) to a sophisticated Italian liqueur (Amarretta).
The Amarretta, you're sweet as a girly drink
Criticizing someone as weak or effeminate, comparing them to a sweet girly drink.
Throw it back, cognac, I'm the best, you know that
Confidently asserting superiority in skill and talent.
You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts
Emphasizing the difference between opinions and facts.
On track as the most prolific ever, the most consistently
Claiming to be the most productive and consistent artist in history.
Vicious, New York can rip you, be ripping it like a shred
Boasting about New York's ability to excel and outperform.
Some symphony hall shit, getting higher than your faucet
Using high-level, sophisticated lyrical content, comparing it to classical symphony music.
Getting better, trouble pearl of your jam like Eddie Vedder
Getting better and outshining others in the music industry.
Very fed up with self appoint and preserved us with past errors
Frustration with people who self-appoint and refuse to acknowledge past mistakes.
That never seen their reflection when they're walking past mirrors
Highlighting people's ignorance and lack of self-awareness.
They got bitten and now they're smitting with the taste of blood and ticking
Describing people's addiction to negativity and violence after being exposed to it.
They taking enough drugs for the sleeping and keeping it fucking and make it up
Referencing substance abuse and recklessness, creating and living in a fabricated reality.
Raise the bar and the waiters up
Challenging others to raise their standards and expectations.
Others hating, just confused, undergo the way to luck
Others' jealousy and confusion about achieving success.
The eyes are the window to the souls and my shades is up
Implying the depth of his soul by using sunglasses as a metaphorical barrier.
Advocate for artists, regardless cause I got faith in us
Supporting and speaking up for fellow artists due to faith in their abilities.
For the worthless who don't get paid enough
Empathizing with those who are undervalued and underpaid.
Take the bus, hands way too rough for the paper cuts
Metaphor for enduring difficulties and hardships for minimal reward.
As far as they're concerned from on the table on the way to love
Referring to society's disregard for effort and struggles on the path to love or success.
Take a slump, feel it to raise a child, you got to raise it up
Encouragement to invest effort and care in raising a child or nurturing potential.
Raise it up, raise it up, raise it up, take it up, take it up
Repeated emphasis on raising standards and elevating oneself.
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