Mos Def

Real Time with Bill Maher was on, and he had both Cornel West and Mos Def, two of my favorite people. I would paraphrase Cornel West, but its impossible to paraphrase him. (Read Race Matters and Democracy Matters). But I can paraphrase Mos Def.

Mos Def on terrorism: "I know there are people who want to kill Americans. There called the police. I'm black, do you think I'm afraid of Bin Laden? The police killing people is terrorism the same as blowing people up. The only difference is that one is state sponsored."

Mos Def on Obama: "Of course Obama can be president. First, he's good looking. Secondly, the country is completely f-ed up. And whenever something in America is completely f-ed up, they let the black people have it."


The best part was at the end of the interview, when Bill Maher dropped a Mos Def lyric quote. And NOBODY else got it. Not one of his hippie California communist audience got it, Cornel West didn't get it, but Mos Def got it and I got it. It was a lyric from "Sunshine". The lyric that bill quoted, I'm the shot clock, way above the game. Actually, Bill said game clock, but I still got it right away. Bill even smiled and said "See, I listen to your music."

Anyway, in honor of Bill Maher, here's my favorite Mos Def lyrics.


From "War":

War is a global economic phenomenon

Ain't a batch of guns on where, hellfire

Spittin', run up everything they hittin'

Some do they job to dodge the barrage

As sleek projectiles never stay bound

Fire bite invades the night with light

Loud, fighter planes shout shell rain

When they shot to kill cops on the terrain

And leave any brain that may remain stained

You god damn right this war goin' too far

Socialists think they converse with the stars

Wars found, my find the beauty in the stars

I level with death even beneath radar

I level with death even beneath radar

I level with death and she got pretty eyes

Nobody told me death was so damn fine

I go to sleep with that girl on my mind

Wake up in a sea, I wanna fire in line

Grab my heat, then it's get down time

One day I'ma make that girl all mine

But for now I'm a soldier abidin' my time

Writin' my rhyme behind enemy lines

Palestine, Kosovo, Cashmere

No different than the avenues right here

An increase in the murder rate each year

Paramilitary unit keep the streets clear

Curtains up on the theatre of warfare

Dramatic politics nightly preformed here

Worldwide from Colombia to Columbine

Don holders keep ya dollar signs on the line

And from "Sunshine":

I don't hate players, I don't love the game

I'm the shot clock, way above the game

To be point blank with you motherfuck the game

I got all this work on me, I ain't come for play

You can show the little shorties how you pump and fake

But dog, Not to def, I'm not impressed

I'm not amused, I'm not confused, I'm not to dude

I'm grown man business, and I am not in school

Put your hand down youngin' this is not for you

On my +J.O.+ with beats by Kan-ye yo

My name on the marquee, your name off the payroll

Style fresh, like I'm still a day old

And it's been like that since the day yo

On more time than a Roley, or Seiko

Step on deck, your neck do what I say so

Get up or get out, get down or lay low

Verse 2:

Slim nigga that casts a big shadow

Cherokee red to shoot the long arrow

Got more skill, more aim, and more ammo

You can get it all from a big or small barrel

Like, hail Mary, full of grace

Niggaz come in and shoot up the place

And make you pull up your face

The deck, I'm a pull out the ace

From the jungles of the empire state

where it ain't no escape,

247, 718 And thats like every night, every day

From the place that I settle and stay

To the states, I'm collecting my pay

Blast off then I'm back to the K

Hold it down so my family straight

Represent in a family way

Pro ball not for amateur play

Been raw since the amateur stage

Before the press had the cameras raised

Verse 3:

Cause it is deeper, sweeter, richer, crisper

Stronger reception and sharper picture

Revolve around God, and involve with niggaz

These elements I perform my scripture

And make Mos Def a classic modern figure

Brooklyn it don't matter if you holler or whisper

Your coming through clan, 'cause I'm right here wit'cha

Ain't gotta edit the slang, I got it, I'll get ya

Yo, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers

The lovers, the leavers, the doubters, believers

The stayers, the quitters, the bitches, the niggaz

Rebel guerrillas the ghetto civilians

Y'all 'gon feel it from the first to the millionth

It's extra, ordinary and plain

I walk a thousand paces of light ahead of the game

By the time you get where I'm standing, I'll be gone

Y'all make moves, but y'all just move on

I move in, and y'all must move on

'Cause I move to strong

And I know what my feet move for

Made it go without a brand new car

Made it fresh without a brand new song

And give a fuck about what brand you are

I'm concerned what type of man you are

What your principles and standards are

You understand me y'all

Be good to your family y'all

No matter where your families are

'Cause everybody needs family y'all

Raise a hand, you understand me y'all