Talib Kweli & Madlib
Air Quotes
[Chorus]
Time is money so we take it in blood
I did my dirt and got it straight from the mud
Stop going to clubs because these cats be so thick with the love
Air quotes: "Nah I ain't makin' this up," they fake as fuck
I used to hit up all the spots, but now we stay in the cut
Watchin' the girls drink for free, promoters makin' a fuss
While the Hip-Hop police is out here waitin' for us
Steady scopin' hopin' to take us all away in some cuffs
[Verse 1: Talib Kweli]
I'm outta this so-called "artist," the definition of toxic
Tryna advertise the ignorance, mission accomplished
I promise it's so much more than just makin' a product
I'm an artist, you're a creator of content
Thеre's a differencе, can't see the trees through the forest cuz they stuck in them boxes
Complaining about how predatory the game is but do nothing to stop it
I get reckless with my abandonment like I jumped in the mosh pit
And learn how to put some trust in the process
Mobsters make 'em an offer they can't refuse and then start raiding the coffers
They get confused trying to choose between the gods and the monsters
It's a lie
Though they tried to put hip hop in a coffin
You ain't the one who pulled the trigger, but n***a you still an accomplice
Most rappers cowards 'cause they scared to be conscious
They only care about they pockets
This is not a popularity contest
The truth is often unpopular
So when I'm droppin' these jewels it's not for the views
It's for the topple of the conquerors
This ain't the Suicide Squad, nah I ain't talkin' about Starfish
Yet they willing to risk it all, they sell they soul for a profit
Yellin' "Bonzai!" like kamikaze pilots stuck in the cockpit
I no longer trust the optics 'cause the photos be doctored
Posts of the live bloggers, the Shade Rooms, and the Bossips
These imposters forgot what the bible say about gossip
James 3:16, they say that slander's demonic
Protect the spirit from these heathens, stop readin' that garbage, n***a!
[Chorus]
Time is money so we take it in blood
I did my dirt and got it straight from the mud
Stop going to clubs because these cats be so thick with the love
Air quotes: "Nah I ain't makin' this up," they fake as fuck
I used to hit up all the spots, but now we stay in the cut
Watchin' the girls drink for free, promoters makin' a fuss
While the hip-hop police is out here waitin' for us
Steady scopin' hopin' to take us all away in some cuffs
[Verse 2: Diani Eshe]
You listenin' to green, our money clean and a lot of it
Writing my own story, give them something to plot against
I need my own fence, all owned by my lone end
I give em hope, yeah, just know that I'm focused
Givin' em air quotes 'cause these words finna transcend
Just like my hair comb, you gon' be facin' these dead ends
I put my hair up, just in case a bozo wanna try me
And real know real, but the clothes don't deny me
Picked up a book from Nkiru
Knowledge makes the cops fear you
Did my crime, did my time
But he's still in my rearview
If I don't kill you, it's your conscious, so really, how could I fear you?
Bitches is tasteless and disappointing and I didn't give 'em my ear to
Air shit, I'm a heiress, I'm the one they compare to
I'm fruit, you pork, you chewed, you soft
Fuckin' dog food
Awful
Give 'em a jaw full
If you fuck with the withdrawal, it ain't cordial
I come from Kweli so I'm really a animal
Like the safari, I could corpse you
I could bring you up and endorse you
One in a million baby, the feelin' is crazy
Me and my n***as head towards the light
'Cause the industry shady
I'm throwin' vibes of "one of a kind"
Startin' to feel like Brady
Pops already made a couple mil
So it would be hard to enslave me
[speaking]
Can't keep me in these shackles
Wow, you really birthed the GOAT didn't you
Baaaaaaa
[Chorus]
Time is money so we take it in blood
I did my dirt and got it straight from the mud
Stop going to clubs because these cats be so thick with the love
Air quotes: "Nah I ain't makin' this up," they fake as fuck
I used to hit up all the spots, but now we stay in the cut
Watchin' the girls drink for free, promoters makin' a fuss
While the hip-hop police is out here waitin' for us
Steady scopin' hopin' to take us all away in some cuffs