Hopefully by now, you’ve read the first of three posts, “Clarity”, in order to get a grasp on what I was initially trying to get others to understand (as it relates to music and lifestyle influences). So, there’s no need to keep going over the same topic/subject which began all of this. As mentioned earlier, the reflection and clarity in “Thieves In The Night“. At the very beginning it starts off with a simple question that later becomes a topic for discussion between Talib Kweli and his friend Louis.

“Give me the fortune, keep the fame”, said my man Louis.

I agreed, know what you mean because we live the truest lie.

I asked him, “Why do we follow the law of the bluest eye”?

He thought about it. (He) Was like, “I’m clueless, why“?

Here it is clear that Talib is referring to (most likely) those of European decent. However, one should not get caught up in the race card game too much, because as I mentioned before in Very Necessary Luxuries v. Approval Ratings, “We all want the same things. What is in question is how do we go about obtaining those things, and at what cost“? Also, anyone that has ever payed close attention to record sales/music downloads, trends in apparel, concert promotions, and music video uploads/downloads knows that a very large portion of hip-hop’s revenue is generated by young white teens and young white adults. While his statement has some truth and value, it should not be ignored that he too has benefitted (somewhat) from “the law of the bluest eye”. Furthermore, the “law” can be amended just like any other. Talib seems to address that issue as well by stating that perhaps that the “mind state is ill” rather than the corrupt nature of the resources (i.e. francs, pesos, yen, “Dead Presidents”) that  so many have implied (to which we rely upon to satisfy our  needs and desires). No one wants to be without, and most certainly no one wants to live in poverty for the rest of their lives. This brings about the will and “instinct” for survival by any means necessary. Desperation, lack of faith, lack of inner strength, lack of courage, lack of patience, lack of hope, lack of education, and lack of resources forces many of us to the lowliest, darkest part of our hearts that is rarely visited by anyone. This forces us to abandon what we once knew in righteousness, honor, nobility, tranquility, and love. We are now surrounded by uninhabitable lands and individuals who strive to obtain necessities and luxuries at any cost. Even if comes to destroying humanity in the process, these (now) corrupt, lustful, greedy individuals will/can justify their means.

“Our morals are out-of-place, and got our lives full of sorrow.

(And) So, tomorrow coming later than usual.

Waiting on someone to pity us. While we (are) finding beauty in the hideous”.

Those mannerisms, etiquettes, ethics, values, and morals that we once followed with a governing adherence for our everyday affairs, our everyday lives, are no more. Instead we rely heavily upon our nations leaders to solve our problems within our communities that they rarely visit, or know anything about. Furthermore, we wait impatiently for their (pity) condolences, sorrow, sympathy, and empathy to ressurect our dead hopes by providing us with more “access” to a better way of life from their new installments/injected funds into their supplemental nutrional access plans, easier ways to claim disability, etc. These things would not need to take place if our own concentrated efforts to rid ourselves of such problems within our homes and communities were revived, instead of finding the “beauty in the hideous” lifestyles, cultures, and practices that we use to create/imagine our luxurious realities that many of us think we are so deserving of. In some cases, it never belonged to us.  Rather, it was an illusionary “metric system” that was given as part of a cirriculum to which we studied in order to graduate from lower class to upper-middle class. This indeed leads to “The Great Paper Chase” to which the thinking and unintended rationale, “by any means necessary”, has taken  over , and leads many astray with blind following. This undeniably does more harm than good for one’s community, “the struggle”, and the human race. This will undoubtedly, eventually take over  the mind-set and lifestyles of many who now only know immoral and illegal ways to pursue life. There is no place that is safe. No matter what race, religion, gender, or social economic status, this will (eventually) affect all of us.

Mos Def’s verse, by far, perfects a masterpiece of words that displays the vivid illustration of the (unfortunate) reality we live in. He thoroughly explains the nature of how things have gotten this far by pointing out the many, many wrongs of the industry, the “artists”, and the unintended/intended audience that buys, sells, lives, breaths, eats, sleeps, “conceives”, believes (in) the hype.

“A lot of jokers out running in place, chasing the style.

Be a lot going on beneath the empty smile.

Most cats in my area be loving the hysteria.

Synthesized surface conceals the interior.

America… land of opportunity, mirages, and camoflauges.

More than usually, (you’re) speaking loudly, saying nothing.

You confusing me, you losing me!

Your game is twisted, (you) want me enlisted in your usury.

Foolishly, most men join the ranks cluelessly. (They) Buffoonishly accept the deception, believe the perception”.

The industry, rap “artists”, and unintended/intended audience are putting “culture” against/before society, all the while the true puppet masters are the CEO’s and senior officers of the record labels. “May be a soul you’d sell to be like mass appeal” (i.e. Gang Star’s “Mass Appeal” from the album “Hard To Earn” 1993-94). The rap “artists” make sure that they never see, touch, taste, smell, feel poverty  ever (again) by perpetually promoting (and encouraging) ignorance, lust, greed, and idolatry which only reinforces the “very necessary” immoral, corrupt, illegal means/lifestyle by those trying to survive, or simply keep up, live it up with the Kanye Wests and Kim Kardashians of the world. This is what’s known as “The Hustle”, or “The Game”. The record execs know it. The rap “artists” know it. You think you know it?

Other artists have tried to expose the many vicious, vile truths of the industry, along with its aims and objectives. Common delivered a more radio friendly, mainstream approach in 2000, with the help of Macy Gray, when he made the track ”Geto Heaven“. I do have a problem with the title and its reference (for obvious reasons). However, the religious  word “heaven” in this sense can mean/should be substituted for love, peace, happiness or faith as it pertains to overcoming circumstances and situations one might find themselves in. This must ultimately be the case because of life’s many, many pitfalls and obstacles (i.e. failed relationships, poverty, lack of wealth, failed ventures, unemployment, etc.) Reflection and clarity for this piece will follow in “Clarity Part 3″ (which I’m hoping will be the last post on this topic for a long time).

Geto Heaven

(Common’s first verse)

“Searching for love throughout the ghetto.

Young girls is thick, (but) righteousness narrow.

I got my third eye on the sparrow.

Want my peoples straight and rock sweet apparel.

The mother of my child, we not together.

Baby, it’s your back I got forever.

As the weather (i.e. the “sunny skies” and “storms of life”) talks to us.

Him rocking the ______ ______ walks through us.

The blunted eyes of the youth search for a guide.

A thug is a lost man in disguise.

The rise and fall of a nation, even when the buildings tumble, I still stand tall.

I walk through the valley with a life-preserver, feeling (like) at times I might just murder.

Yo, that ain’t what I was sent for.

I want folks to say his life meant more….

Than any car, any rock (i.e. diamond), or any “broad”.

He found Geto Heaven (i.e. happiness, peace, faith) in himself and God”.

(Repeat)

Hook by Macy Gray:

“Geto Heaven…

Need some little Geto Heaven”.

(Repeat)

(Common’s second verse)

“Love, your happiness don’t begin wit a man.

Strong woman, why should you depend on a man?

I understand you want a man that’s resourceful, (but) if he pay your bills he feel like he bought you.

Talkin to a friend about what love is. Her man didn’t love her cause he didn’t love his (i.e. self, Lord).

Hugged her from a far, said what I felt.

You never find a man until you find yourself.

Time helps mistakes you can learn from.

Cuz one man (expletive) up, men you shouldn’t turn from.

You want a certain type of guy, (you) gotta reach a certain point too.

At the destination, a king will anoint you.

Going through the storm, many bodies seem warm.

That relationship died for you to be born.

You worth more… than anything that you can cop at a store. 

For you to grow he had to go, so what are you stopping him for?

Not even I could ignore being alone is hard.

Find heaven (i.e. love, peace, happiness, faith) in yourself and God”.

Hook by Macy Gray:

“Geto Heaven…

Need some little Geto Heaven”.

(Repeat)

(Common’s third verse)

“This music is so much bigger than me.

As far as happy, yo it’s like a trigger to me.

Dealing with crab rappers, and groupie broads…

Record execs, at times it do be hard…

To chose words, and be heard across waters…

Doing something you like to support daughters…

Keeping your guys from collecting court orders…

Conveying messages that ancestors brought us.

Thought of things to say to become the “in” thing for the day.

Somehow, that didn’t seem the way for me to make it.

Music is a gift that is sacred.

I hope you didn’t use it, hoping you could grow to it.

Whether you serving or searching (i.e. life, Lord), you gonna go through it.

Can’t imagine going through it without soul music.

It’s like Donnie Hath helped me see Lonnie’s path.

On my behalf let’s take whole steps toward Ho-Tep.

And, show depth, as we make people nod.

Find heaven (i.e. love, peace, happiness, faith) in this _______ and God”.

(Repeat 2 more times)

Hook by Macy Gray: