Blackalicious

Lyrics Black diamonds & pearls Blackalicious

 494

Black diamonds & pearls


(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, yeaaaahBlowin' 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

Thank you because you correct this lyrics
 

Leave a comment to the song

Biografia

Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Oakland, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Tim 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) and have been described as "one of the most popular groups in the independent hip-hop scene."

Related artists

News from the music's world

Brian May of Queen and His Connection with NASA

25/09/2023

In the realm of rock 'n' roll, there are few names as iconic as Queen, and within the Queen pantheon, Brian May stands out not only as a legendary guitarist but also as an astrophysicist with a profound connection to NASA.

Hip-Hop Turns 50: Celebrating Half a Century of Cultural Influence

12/09/2023

Hip-hop, one of the most influential cultural movements of the 20th and 21st centuries, has recently reached a significant milestone - it's turning 50 years old.

Coachella here we are


Coachella Festival 2022: here we are. In two days the doors of one of the most anticipated musical events of the year will open, even more so after the last two years in which for very obvious reasons the live music sector has suffered a very important setback.

Grammy 2022: the winners

05/04/2022

The 2022 Grammy Awards were the chronicle of an announced triumph: Jon Baptiste collected 11 nominations and won 5 Grammys, defeating all opponents. This was also the year of the very young Olivia Rodrigo, who managed to take home 3 Grammys, including the the best new artist.

"We" - The new album of Arcade Fire

22/03/2022

Here is finally some good news, the Arcade Fire have finally revealed the title and release date of their new album, 5 years after the last one. For the fan of the group it has been a time that seemed eternal,

"I know you know me" the masterpiece of Caroline Spence and Matt Berninger


Do we want to define "I know you know me" a masterpiece? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt for at least two reasons. The first and most evident are the artists who interpret it: Caroline Spence and Matt Berninger, second for the deep and poetic text.

Fugees cancel their Reunion

26/01/2022

My favorite group when I was just a teenager were the Fugees, thanks to them a certain curiosity about english language was born in me. I wanted to know and understand the lyrics of their songs, it wasn't enough for me to be carried away exclusively by their beautiful music.

When I'm gone the single by Alesso and Katy Perry

30/12/2021

Sweden and the United States are two countries far from each other, thousands of kilometers separate them, the language, culinary and sporting traditions, I don't feel so categorical about the landscapes, not knowing all of America there may be states that have the same reliefs of the country of northern Europe, but on one thing I am sure

The long-awaited collaboration between Rosalia and Oneohtrix

20/05/2021

It has been talked about for almost 3 years, rumored and it is hoped that sooner or later they will arrive at a collaboration, and now we are satisfied: the Catalan singer Rosalia and the American musician Oneohtrix finally announce the publication of a piece together!

Paul McCartney ends up on stamps

07/05/2021

In England there are institutions that are untouchable, first of all Queen Elizabeth II who reigns undisputed in the beating heart of every Englishman, then there are the Beatles, and that's the reason why they were awarded the title of baronets.

Fatboy Slim and Blessed Madonna attended the Liverpool event

03/05/2021

Looking at the images, one immediately thinks of archive photos of at least a year and a half ago. Lots of people together without masks dancing freely

GodSpeed You! Black Emperor new record and new requests


How a music group can deliver strong and clear messages without singing is a mystery yet Canadians GoodSpeed You! Black Emperor they succeed very well.

What ties Tom Yorke and Jun Takahashi

30/03/2021

"Creep" by Radiohead is certainly one of the most listened to, revisited and reinterpreted songs in the history of music. So much loved and listened to on all six continents, at least once in our life we all found ourselves humming it.

Trouble ahead for rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny

19/03/2021

Very bad story for rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny, in fact, they have been accused of sexual abuse and kidnapping.

Lady Gaga and her stolen dogs

10/03/2021

The malefactor managed to take Koji and Gustavo away, while Miss Asia, the third bulldog, escaped and was found shortly after by Lady Gaga's bodyguards.

David Crosby against Phoebe Bridgers

16/02/2021

David Crosby against Phoebe Bridgers, if we had been in the Middle Ages, they probably would have challenged each other with the sword, while in 2021 they decided to go wild with tweets.

Evan Rachel Wood has denounced Marilyn Manson


Evan Rachel Wood, the beautiful protagonist of Westworld has decided to denounce the violence she has suffered for years, at least according to what she claims, by Marilyn Manson.

The Glastonbury Festival has been canceled

26/01/2021

After some positive signs in the past months, here is the news that we weren't hoping to learn and that throws new questions on the possibility of organizing festivals and live concerts for 2021.

The Kennedy center Honors award Joan Baez

20/01/2021

The winners of the 43rd edition of the Kennedy Center Honors have recently been announced, including Joan Baez, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Allen and the violinist Midori.

The collaboration between Soundgarden and Brandi Carlile

12/01/2021

The band Soundgarden recently recorded two classics with Brandie Carlile. After the death of their leader Chris Cornell, the band had decided to stop for some time also as a sign of respect for the untimely death of their front man.

Foo Fighters announced the release of new album

05/01/2021

New year is synonymous of news and in fact 2021 opened with a nice surprise. The American rock group, The Foo Fighters, founded in 1994 by Dave Grohl ex drummer of Nirvana, delight us with the release of a new single entitled "No son of Mine".

Guitarist Tony Rice died at the age of 69

02/01/2021

He was 69 and on Christmas Day, guitarist Tony Rice, Bluegrass legend, passed away. His label, Rounder Records, made the news with an official release on December 26th.

Ten Cities: the culture of clubbing from Johannesburg to Naples

29/12/2020

We still talk about music, but today we do it from a different point of view, taking a cue from a book, a photographic book called Ten Cities.

1970, fifty years of Bob Dylan's song

22/12/2020

I was about 6 years old when I listened for the first time "Blowing in the wind" hummed by my mom while she was accompanying me to school, the version was the Italian one, but I liked the rhythm right away.