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