Talib Kweli
Longevity
[Intro]
Uh

[Chorus 1]
How they stay makin' that paper? It's longevity
How they stay shakin' them haters? It's longevity
How they stay killin' 'em stages? It's longevity
Your favorite rapper' favorite rapper (Uh)

[Verse 1]
They say gangster rap is violent, misogynistic, offensive (Ah)
They say conscious rap is corny and condescendin' (Ah)
What's more condescendin' then n***as who dissin' poor people?
It's pure evil, nah, n***a, I'm your equal
Unless we talkin' skills on this mic; my shit is state of art
When real n***as rappin', just shut the fuck up and play your part
You just an actor, you clearly need some direction
Like Tyrone look at crackers, consider this intervention (C'mon)
Actions speak louder than words, my shit is definite
In love with the flow but later you get the messages
Uh, they self-centered as Ayn Rand
These fountainhead n***as is part of the master plan
Shit is cold, make 'em shiver like winters in Pakistan
I make a crack, my leather was patent' by Dapper Dan, man

[Chorus 2]
My career is the proof of my longevity
And now you darin' the fruit of my longevity (Uh)
I solo act and regroup, it's longevity (C'mon)
I spit the truths at the youth, it's longevity (Yo)
[Verse 2]
No surprises, so pay attention, it's clear to me
This is Masters of Chiassis, life is not what it appear to be
I'm not your favorite rapper, your favorite rapper is scared of me
I light 'em up like matches, my passion is like my kerosene
Fossil fuels, crew copy like cockatoos
My word is flesh like Jesus and his Apostle Jews
Makin' it possible (What?)
For you to recognize the God in you and stop being primitive like a cop or two
Chop at you like I'm throwin' balls
Off the dome, my ex always decide on the sex like a Y chromosome
She home alone like Macaulay, she by the phone waitin' (Yeah)
My catalog is a cornerstone, I'm so amazin' (Yeah)
Get it? Too late, we on the next bar
From the planet of Brooklyn, it's like the Death Star
Yes, yes, ya'll