[Talib Kweli] So many emcees focusin on black people extermination We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations C'mon let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what they writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin No question, bein a black man is demandin The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3X) With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 4X* [singer] Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin [Talib Kweli] Yes yes come on, yes yes Knowledge Of Self is like life after death With that you never worry about your last breath Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage At exactly which point do you start to realize That life without knowledge is, death in disguise? That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident Voices and drums original instruments In the flesh presently presentin my representation With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 6X* - - - - these two parts overlap - - - - Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* [Talib Kweli] The most important time in history is, NOW, the present So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence But you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendar These people enter Cona like Gattaca, you can bet they tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human Cause and effect, effect everything you do and that's why I got love in the face of hate Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight The thought you had don't even contemplate Infinite like figure eight there's no escape.. From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination *repeat 4X* Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* .. Things I say and do, may not come quite through My words may not convey just what I'm feelin *repeat 2X* What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin...