[Intro: Mos Def]
Yeah, yeah, it's a brand new day, y'all
Turn me up in the top a little bit, dawg
I want you to know, I want you to hear this one
Loud and clear, bright and early
Listen

[Verse 1: Mos Def]
I don't hate players, I don't love the game
I'm the shot clock way above the game
To be point blank wit'chu, motherfuck the game
I got all this work on me, I ain't come for play
You can show the little shorties how you pump and fake
But dawg, not to Def, I'm not impressed
I'm not amused, I'm not confused, I'm not the dude
I'm grown man business, I am not in school
Put your hand down, youngin', this is not for you
On my J-O with beats by Kanye, yo
My name on the marquee, your name off the payroll
Style fresh like I'm still a day old
And it's been like that since the day O
I'm on time like a Roley or Seiko
Step on deck, your neck do what I say so
Get up or get out, get down or lay low

[Chorus 1: Mos Def]
Standin' in the shadow of a fabulous man
Brooklyn n***a I am, Black Dante
That n***a, that dude
Black people, let's move
Shout out to my man Talib Kweli, yes
We on top-a top-a, shotta, shotta
Check it out
[Verse 2: Mos Def]
Slim n***a that cast a big shadow
Cherokee Red that shoot the long arrow
Got mo' skill, mo' aim, and mo' ammo
You can get it all from a big or small barrel
Like, "Hail Mary, full of grace"
N***as come in and shoot up the place, and make you pull up your face
The deck, I'ma pull out the ace
From the jungles of the Empire State, where it ain't no escape
2-4-7, 7-1-8, and that's like every night, every day
From the place that I settle and stay
To the States, I'm collectin' my pay
Blast off, then I'm back to the K
Hold it down so my family straight
Represent in a family way
Pro-ball, not for amateur play
Been raw since the amateur stage
Before the press had the cameras raised

[Chorus: Mos Def]
Like a long time man of the way
You understandin' me straight?
Yes, yes, no doubt
Excellence
It's what it is, it's what it is, and that's what it is, you see?
Ha
Fire
[Verse 3: Mos Def]
'Cause it is deeper, sweeter, richer, crisper
Stronger reception and sharper picture
Revolve around God, and involve with n***as
These elements help evolve my scripture
And make Mos Def a classic modern figure
Brooklyn, it don't matter if ya holler or whisper
You comin' through clear, 'cause I'm right here wit'cha
Ain't gotta edit your slang, I got it, I get ya
Yo, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers
The lovers, the leavers, the doubters, believers
The stayers, the quitters, the bitches, the n***as
Rebel guerrillas to ghetto civilians
Y'all gon' feel it from the first to the millionth
It's extra, ordinary and plain
I walked a thousand paces of life ahead of the game
By the time that you get where I'm standin', I'll be gone
Y'all make moves, but y'all just move wrong

[Outro: Mos Def]
I move in, and y'all must move on, 'cause I'm molto strong
And I know what my feet move for
Make it go without a brand new car
I was fresh without a brand new song
Don't give a fuck about what brand you are
I'm concerned what type of man you are
What your principles and standards are
You understand me, y'all?
Be good to your family, y'all
No matter where your families are
'Cause everybody need family, y'all
Raise a hand if you understand me, y'all
Everybody need family, y'all
Be good to your families, dog
Understand, no matter where your families are
Everybody need family, dog
Raise your hand, you understand me, pah
That's what it is, that's my man
Family of my family Pencil Pete
My man too
All our loved ones behind the walls
All of those still in the struggle
Assata, Mumia
Sundiata
My man Jamil
Life is real
To all the real soldiers, black people
We family, y'all
Let it be bright