The Show
The Show of Liberation: Talib Kweli and Madlib Unveil Truth
Lyrics
Five something in the morning going on six
Refers to the early morning time, nearing sunrise.
It's daylight, sunrise time
Describing the moment when the sun is rising.
Time to free yo'self, free your soul, free your mind
Encouragement to liberate oneself spiritually and mentally.
Ladies, free that ass, yeah
Encouraging women to express themselves freely.
Coast to coast it's the most, we don't brag and boast
Not boasting but leaving others deeply impressed.
We just leave 'em comatose
Leaving a profound impact on others without boasting.
It's your boy Talib Kweli
Introduction by Talib Kweli.
Yeah, flow is tight though I got a couple screws loose
Despite some mental quirks, the flow of lyrics is strong.
It's cuckoo, my rep in this game is bigger than Bruce Bruce
The reputation in the music industry is significant.
Who you? Your name smaller than five grains of couscous
Diminishing the importance of another person.
It's the highest caliber, your caliber is deuce deuce
Comparing the highest quality to a very low quality.
Shoot, y'all niggas can't hang like a loose noose
Others can't compete or keep up.
I get on stage, niggas in my ear like a Bluetooth
Getting messages during performances, likened to Bluetooth.
And that's the triple truth Ruth, they lips is loose like
Asserting the absolute truth of what's being said.
The Señor Love Daddy in the bulletproof booth, kuff
Referencing a DJ character from a film, indicating truth.
My rhymes is full of truth, and the business full of lies
Contrasting personal truth with the industry's deceit.
Try to look a Masai kid in his eyes for the flies
Challenging people to confront global issues.
And tell him how he fucked up our environment daily
Commenting on ignorance about Africa's actual situation.
The only thing we know about Africa is from Nas in Belly
Referencing limited knowledge of Africa from popular media.
But go off like a Hutu or Tutsi, from Rwanda or Burundi
Mentioning conflicts in Africa to highlight ignorance.
Over drums like Babatunde Olatunji
Referencing a famous drummer, emphasizing speech.
Saying nigga just to keep our teeth white, like Paul Mooney
Using a controversial figure to highlight whitening practices.
Fighting spiritual wars, like the Shi'ite or the Sunni
Metaphorically comparing conflicts to spiritual battles.
Yo, our music went from tap dance to the lapdance
Evolution of music from traditional to modern forms.
Try to get me to sell out and that's a fat chance
Unwillingness to compromise integrity for success.
You see black faces in my rap pages
Referencing influential black figures in history.
Larry Davis, Angela Davis or Ossie Davis
Naming influential black personalities.
Yeah, welcome to the show, it's Talib Kweli, so amazing
Introduction to the show by Talib Kweli.
Live from California it's the Madlib Invasion, let's go!
Transitioning to Madlib's part of the performance.
This exercise in freedom is called The Liberation
Describing the music as an expression of freedom.
I keep it fly by a process of elimination
Maintaining a stylish and refined approach.
When it come to paying the kid, sometimes it's hesitation
Sometimes there's hesitation in being compensated.
'Til I make 'em check it in like they got reservations
Making people acknowledge or recognize one's worth.
But there ain't no reservations about copping this
Assurance of the product's quality.
Even though it's free for the people there ain't no stopping this
No one can prevent the spread of this music.
Popping fresh, caking up, I'm breaking up the, monotonous flow
Breaking the monotony in the music industry.
That can't write or plant life like a botanist grow
Comparing creativity to nurturing plant life.
A new crop and just roll, it up, blow it out whoa
Continuing to innovate and impress.
Excuse the cockiness though, I'm just showing out, no
Expressing confidence without arrogance.
You can't go without this, now what'chu know about that?
Asserting the indispensability of the music.
Now what'chu know about now what'chu know about
Reiterating the importance and uniqueness of the music.
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