Black Diamonds and Pearls

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Blackalicious

Blackalicious are an American hip-hop duo from Sacramento, California, made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley). They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats. The pair have released three full-length albums (1999's Nia, 2002's Blazing Arrow and 2005's The Craft), more »

Year:

2005

4:22

239 Views

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(feat. Larry Saunders, Ledisi) 

(Black diamonds and PEARLS) 

[Intro - message continued from interlude] 
"I'm just gonna read you a little bit of ?: 
'I like to start off by saying that prison is truly a living hell 
It is a place where love and compassion are looked upon as weaknesses 
And violence and brutality are worn like a medal of honor 
Prison is a tedious task of survival that could shatter your dreams and ambition 
The California Department of Corrections ISN'T designed 
to help you rehabilitate yourself or even help you 
to become a productive law-abiding citizen'" 

[Chorus - Larry Saunders (Ledisi)] 
(Black diamonds and PEARLS) 
Keep on, keep goin', march on, move on 
Keep blowin' it up 
Keep ON, keep goin', march on, move on 
Stay strong, keep goin', keep, blowin' it up 
(Black diamonds and PEARLS) 
KEEP ON, keep goin', march on, move on 
Keep blowin' it up, yeaaaah 
Blowin' it up, yeaaaaaaah 

[Gift of Gab - Verse One] 
Young leaders, little unsung heroes 
You can run some meters, be a hoop or a track star 
School teacher, scientist, or even 
own your very own street, maybe even be a rap star 
Times witcha, you could change whole pictures 
Make a better situation, for your mother and yo' big mama 
Make dollars, own a ride and a house 
Get it right, use your powers, getting' everything you did want 
Then the youth say, "Look at where I'm at now 
Straight poverty, death is in my backyard 
Dope dealers, get fifty G's a pack 
While my teacher don't really give a damn about a black child! 
And the grown folks say, 'tell the truth', then act fowl 
Say 'no' to drugs, hidin' all they crack vials 
And talk all about peace and love and God 
But then why are we at war, killin' people in Iraq now?" 

[Chorus] 

[Verse Two] 
Young sista had a child, still young herself now 
And it's others all around screamin' turmoil 
Ain't done wit' school, how are you gonna make it now? 
Life is gonna be a little harder for you girl 
Some how, she sees the face of a child 
And on her face is a smile, and now it's brighter up in her world 
And makes her stronger now, she's gotta carry on 
And be a very good mama, this is life, let it unfurl 
And she's doin' it, mother of the earth now 
Found a blessin' in the struggle through her first child 
Kept goin', kept growin', kept flowin' 
Kept strivin', kept knowin' God would make a way somehow 
Live yo' life, girl, show 'em how it's done now 
I believe in you, so keep it movin' 'til the sun's down 
Never let them hold you back from anything you want now 
Life is but a ride, so find the treasures that are unfound 

[Chorus] 

[Verse Three] 
Young brotha, takin' care of his mother 
Makin' bread, gotta hustle, 'cause the table's lookin' thin now 
Stress ridden as he walks his little sister 
to her preschool, which is up the road just a few miles 
Back at the house, his mom seeks magic 
Through the pipe smoke travelin' through her lungs out and back down 
Worst part that breaks the young man's heart 
is he's the one that's supplyin' it, he feels like he's trapped now 
'Cause every time he says, "No", then she'll spaz out 
Start shakin', "Mama, please, where is dad now?!" 
Guess he's gotta be the home's only man now 
Left the life alone and gotta whole other plan now 
Stacked enough to put her in a rehab found 
Work and got a G.E.D., his sister's in his hands now 
And with support from other members in the fam 
Gonna make it out this struggle, young people, here's your chance, come on! 

[Chorus and ad-libs] 

Black diamonds and PEARLS

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