Respiration
Common, Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli, Howie B
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
"What'd you do last night?" "We did umm, two whole cars It was me, these, and Main Three right? And on the first car in small letters it said "All you see is" and then you know Big, big, you know some block silver letters That said "crime in the city' right?" "It just took up the whole car?" "Yeah yeah, it was a whole car and shit..." [Repeat: x3] Escuchela, la ciudad respirando [Listen to it, the city breathing] Escuchela [Mos Def] The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis Shining, like who on top of this? People was hustling, arguing and bustling Gangsters of Gotham hardcore hustling I'm wrestling with words and ideas My ears is picky, seeking what will transmit The scribes can apply to transcript, yo This ain't no time where the usual is suitable Tonight alive, let's describe the inscrutable The indisputable, we New York the narcotic Strength in metal and fiber optics Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets Hard knuckles on the second hands of working class watches Skyscrapers is colossus, the cost of living Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options No Batman and Robin, can't tell between The cops and the robbers, they both partners, they all heartless With no conscience, back streets stay darkened Where unbeliever hearts stay hardened My eagle talons stay sharpened, like city lights stay throbbing You either make a way or stay sobbing, the Shiny Apple Is bruised but sweet and if you choose to eat You could lose your teeth, many crews retreat Nightly news repeat, who got shot down and locked down Spotlight to savages, NASDAQ averages My narrative, rose to explain this existence Amidst the harbor lights which remain in the distance So much on my mind that it can't recline Blasting holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathing Chest heaving, against the flesh of the evening Sigh before we die like the last train leaving [Talib Kweli] Breathing in deep city breaths, sitting on shitty steps We stoop to new lows, hell froze the night the city slept The beast crept through concrete jungles Communicating with one another And ghetto birds where waters fall From the hydrants to the gutters The beast walk the beats, but the beats we be making You on the wrong side of the track, looking visibly shaken Taken them plungers, plunging to death that's painted by the numbers With crime unapplied pressure, cats is playing God But having children by a lesser baby mother but f*ck it We played against each other like puppets, swearing you got pull When the only pull you got is the wool over your eyes Getting knowledge in jail like a blessing in disguise Look in the skies for God, what you see besides the smog Is broken dreams flying away on the wings of the obscene Thoughts that people put in the air Places where you could get murdered over a glare But everything is fair It's a paradox we call reality So keeping it real will make you casualty of abnormal normality Killers Born Naturally like, Micky and Mallory Not knowing the ways'll get you capped like an NBA salary Some cats be emceeing to illustrate what we be seeing Hard to be a spiritual being when shit is shakin what you believe in For trees to grow in Brooklyn, seeds need to be planted I'm asking if y'all feel me AND THE CROWD LEFT ME STRANDED My blood pressure boiled and rose, cause New York niggaz Actin spoiled at shows, to the winners the spoils go I take the L, transfer to the 2, head to the gates New York life type trife the Roman Empire state [Mos Def] So much on my mind I just can't recline Blasting holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Yo don't the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathin Chest heaving, against the flesh of the evening Sigh before we die like the last train leaving Escuchela, respirando ? [Common] Yo, on The Amen, Corner I stood looking at my former hood Felt the spirit in the wind, knew my friend was gone for good Threw dirt on the casket, the hurt, I couldn't mask it Mixing down emotions, struggle I hadn't mastered I choreograph seven steps to heaven And hell, waiting to exhale and make the bread leavened Veteran of a cold war It's Chica-I-go for What I know or, what's known So some days I take the bus home, just to touch home From the crib I spend months gone Sat by the window with a clutched dome listening to shorties cuss long Young girls with weak minds, but they butt strong Tried to call, or at least beep the Lord, but didn't have a touch-tone It's a dog-eat-dog world, you gotta mush on Some of this land I must own Outta the city, they want us gone Tearing down the 'jects creating plush homes My circumstance is between Cabrini and Love Jones Surrounded by hate, yet I love home Ask my God how he thought traveling the world sound Found it hard to imagine he hadn't been past downtown It's deep, I heard the city breathe in its sleep Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep Deep, I heard my man breathe in his sleep Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep [Mos Def] So much on my mind I just can't recline Blasting holes in the night til she bled sunshine Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline Yo how the bass ride out like an ancient mating call I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathing Chest heaving, against the flesh of the evening Kiss the Ide's goodbye, I'm on the last train leaving
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: TONY COTTRELL, TALIB KWELI, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, DANTE SMITH
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Structure of the song- "RespirationThis song from Black Star is widely celebrated for its complex lyrical style and unique lush production work by Pete Rock.
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Featuring artists"Respiration" also features Chicago hip-hop artist Common creating an enchanting collaboration.
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Album DetailsThe track comes from the only studio album by Black Star, a duo composed of emcees Mos Def and Talib Kweli. This album is titled "Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star" released in 1998.
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Original Song HeritageThe song title's "Respiration," refers to the breathing or the life force, which is a prolific theme in the song.
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Howie B RemixScottish musician Howie B remixed the track, adding his signature minimalist electronic soundscapes to it.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Respiration" was set against the urban landscape of New York City, lending visual weight to the song's poignant lyrics.
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Lyrics EssenceLyrically, "Respiration" explores the socio-political realities faced by African-Americans in cities, bringing a profound level of introspection on the album.
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Album SuccessWhile released as a single, "Respiration" helped to boost the profile of the Black Star album, which is considered a groundbreaker in alternative hip hop.
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Choice of Samples"Respiration" samples a portion of the song "The Fox" from American singer and songwriter Don Randi.
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Instrumentals ReleaseAn instrumental version of "Respiration" was also released allowing fans to appreciate the intricate music production without lyrics.
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Critical AcclaimThe production, lyrics, and overall message of "Respiration" received critical acclaim for being sophisticated and powerful, solidifying Black Star's reputation within the hip-hop community.
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Legacy"Respiration" is often used as an example of creative and meaningful hip-hop, defying often clichéd themes in popular music. This song has subsequently influenced numerous hip-hop artists and fans in the following years.
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Citation
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"Respiration Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4959971/Howie+B/Respiration>.
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