[Verse 1 - Brother Ali]
I arrived in Minnesota with handcuff bruises
Summer ninety deuce, prepared to cut loose shit
Mom wasn't havin that, fuck bein cool
with no discussion, stuck me in a suburb school
Now day and night I'm on a bus full of fools
Who parents didn't want us ended up in the news
You must be crazy, you think any of us appreciate it
How our parents wanna upgrade us
All day long we're in a fantasy land
Moms and dads, college plans and minivans
But when the sun set, you fled the success
To the slum where you rest, nothin more, nothin less
School they fantasize about gangsta rap records
But these are our lives, our families are connected
The Ice Cube summer vacation is takin place
Right around the way from where I stay
The mold from the gold and the 'rips from L.A.
Brought, snow to the cold for a new place to play
There's a war goin on outside, you ain't safe from
See if this education might save 'em
[Chorus - Brother Ali] - 2X
I've known you your whole life
You drawn to that street life
Slippin away, slippin away
Slippin away, slippin away
[Verse 2 - Brother Ali]
And so our little city bus crew used to run together
Eat lunch together, girls Double Dutch together
Fellas humbuggin, next day be friends
The only thing we never did was date from within
Fellas dated white girls, sisters stayed lonely
Used to kiss me on my cheek and say we were homies
Alphonso basement, we ran the party
One day on the bus, Pumpkin stabs Akey
Shit, my main man was Ethan
Used to sell sneakers at a store called Friedman's
He had two older cousins that were hustlers
Filas wasn't all he pumpin to the customers
He got a check but he got connects
So he got some chicks and he got respect
His boy Ali got hooked up with clothes
One day slap boxin, he broke my nose
He almost cried man, he had a good heart
The brother's only problem was he wasn't book smart
He dropped out of school but he kept slangin shoes
To keep the kids fed, he had to sell base too
[Chorus]
[Verse 3 - Brother Ali]
Time to time I used to stop in and check on my dude
Even when we lost touch with the rest of our crew
We both had babies, drama with our old ladies
But as time went on, our connection only grew
He said "I just can't seem to leave these streets alone man
Feels like I fell asleep one evening
And woke up the next day suddenly a grown man
In a rut with no idea how to leave it
My parents got too many kids to help me through
I really don't know what the hell else to do
I know you gonna really get it crackin with that rap thing
And when you blow up, I'm a come and work for you"
Ha, that's my man, I see you when I see you brother
Keep your head up 'til the next time we see each other
Rolled out on my first national tour
Back on the block, went back to the store
Put my hand on the door, Ethan wasn't in though
They said somebody shot 'em through his front window
Hit 'em in the head and that he hadn't survived
Matter fact he died 'fore the ambulance arrived
A man in that life, it wasn't no mistake
The cops called it a stray bullet, closed the case
So there's no justice and there's no closure
You can't touch this, not you, no sir
They buried my brother, I was on the road
By the time I got home, the ground was cold
Got nothin left but a hole in my soul
Shit, dude was 23 years old
[Chorus]
Slippin away, slippin away - 3X
Brother Ali, born Jason Newman and known professionally as Ali Newman, is an American rapper and record producer renowned for his energetic performances and deeply political and spiritual lyrics. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1977, he began his musical career in the 1990s, collaborating with local artists like Atmosphere and Slug. In 2003, he released his debut album, "Shadows on the Sun", which received widespread acclaim for its social themes and innovative musicality. Ali is a committed social activist who actively fights against racial discrimination and oppression. His music tackles issues such as social justice, equality, and spirituality, inspiring his fans to reflect on society and act for change. Some of his most representative songs include "Uncle Sam Goddamn", "The Undisputed Truth", and "Mourning in America". Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists like Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli, solidifying his position as one of the most influential rappers in contemporary music.
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