The Auditorium Vol 1

Hip hop is as important to me as my pulse. When my head is moving in rhythm to the music, its restoritive to my soul. I anticipated this album since I heard about it being created by these 2 legends. I personally have a deep connection to Common Sence and the Soul Brother #1, Pete Rock. They actually helped raise me. I can easily and proudly say that they are in the top 21 list of most personal hiphop influences of all time.

I was feeling down about the ways of the world and the influence hiphop culture has on it. I love Sean Combs …but that energy among other things, has the ability to pull gravity downward, leaving one to feel drained. My faith was refueled by this much needed project. The Auditorium Vol 1.

I heard a single they have entitled “Trying”. the mix felt clean, the mood was underground, sorta dirty, and I felt the commitment both of them had toward the outcome of this valuable work. From that, everything sprouted out like a rare flower.

I would hear them both talk about working on a album, I heard friends making mention before they had any press or release dates for the project. I would see the pictures on there IG pages etc and I got the feeling that this is going to a special collab.

I heard this shit and immediately thought it was going to be a battle rap from the first few bars. Common has had some occasional-significant beefs in hiphop, but his sacred space for the art form always brings peace to any hostilities. I got turned up for about for about 20 secs when I heard this nonetheless. lol

Some of u these niggas be tryin to hard

Im on my wutang thang Im designed like U-God

face my ghost like a killa, pilgrimige and pillars

thru magnolias and chaos Ima stay stiller

than Pittsburg, I lift words- like August Wilson

for real 1’s

then I realized it jus was that flavor poetry Rasheed shit like when he say…

oregon wine, I take time to let it breath

promised the Chi, Ill branch out but never leave

that Common sence shit I love, that we all should love. Word up

The beat is healthy and professional more than anything in every way. Premo, 9th Wonder and Jay Z Id say would agree. Strings, a bassline, cuts, classic knock pattern, and master chop blends with applause and leadership sounbtyes is the remedy. Pete Rock to me, is the definition of the soul of black soul music with the heart of roots reggea. With All the few other voices we hear, from the T.O.P the MCee, to the soul singers chops, with the ministry soundbytes, its a science project that worked out. Calm and Undeniable. It made me anticipate the album even more.

Yeah i think this was next up or either Wise Up, but I think it was this 1. I first heard it and yeah I felt it but didnt really dig the beat, but wondered why

was Pete’s drums going hard enough

they feel great, but do they sound great roundness and volume wise idk

but I loved Commons Approach to the theme of the lyrics. Much Respect my man. Stevie Wonder vision in the sky includes Malcolm giving salaams, Barak, Mandela, and J -Dilla. and I overall knew the sound was not jus professional but very worthy but did I alway dig the bassline lol..idk was the shakers percussive enough…felt like it could have ben freaked in some small way and taken over the top but….lol, I still sincerely enjoy the song. It feels premium.aPete Rocks voice ben ben calmly always working on beats. The chocalate boy wonder, is like a more cowbell sentiment.

Loved the title for reasons on my name. I respected the beat, but again wasnt sooo in to it. It was a good solid professional , farrrrrr from corny or not good…but something about the drums or the samples to beef up the percussion jus felt ehh ok…even the classic why dont u wise up, show all the people soundbyte as the hook, was jus ok to me. But the heart and dedication was still somehow very evidently felt and for that I was very grateful.

I really love what Common was doing to each beat. More than good raps, it was good vocabulary matched to Pete rocks soundscapes. Then I saw the video and liked the song a bit more, but jus a bit cus i wasnt a fan of the level of the visual for it. the shots captured were solid but stil jus ok, the grain was not it at all to me, but the imagery was good, not dope, jus good. Im good with good. Thru any of my critiques good or not so good, I felt the intensions from the credit font chosen for the visuals, to Pete beat interlude being included as the credits were rolling. Again, very grateful

The world of course began to see all the press they were apart of. They may have touched each major social media outlet with a set agenda. Im seeing Common dress in hats again, t shirts, funny pants, and what seems to be a themed vest. Pete Rock overall looks and feels Jamaican American- hiphop refreshed. And Im loving the energy this collab brung out.

Single after single are being released maybe once a week and I hear the bassline for “All Kind of Ideas”. I heard how he would use the chops from the top, and such a professional is all I can say. I was so excited to hear Pete Rap on this. He low key is among the first to make beats and rhyme and I ben a fan because he reminds me of myself. Seeing the video was me hearing it for first time and seeing Black Thought in the visual is what the community ben waiting for. Shout to Dave of DelaSoul. We want to see the brothers of this calliber, documented together outside of the live show. The video and the song made me feel better about hearing the entire album. The edit was solid, the shots were too, and the brothers who shot it are from my city of Bmore. I really njoyed the color and the basement lab vibes with the legends jus hanging out regular. They basically edited btw 3 spaces, the close up performance shots, the light bulb and black ink shots, and the basement studio hang-create energy shots, all blended into an Idea. Shout out the title of the song.

Pete Rock- sixteen bars of pressure, no metranone\ thinking outside the box, thats a better zone\ (worddd!!!)

Common grabbed the mic like he was on soul train and bodies the whole verse with a stream of thought that tied each line together in a different kind of poeticness.

Really appreciated how the font for credits looked the same. I feel the curation of it all. How they dropping one a week after the press. The font is on purpose as the way Common is dressing almost uniformed. I believe thats what a good team around you is going to provide and aid artist in. Common clearly has the team and Pete has the soundtrack to what that team currated with the roll out and it all fit like a chord we all want strummed. The only thing I didnt like about this video was the black ink being painted, the art being made during the video…was like ahhh…who thought of this art and sip idea for a rap video…or where is the wine at then lol, and why have Black Thought in the video but not suggest that Black ink idea for him to use at a latter date for his personal shit…seems like black ink being used is how we came up with his name smh. I took it personal like song is called all kind of ideas…so find another for Common and Pete Rock and save the black ink artsy shit for Black Thought. It felt weird to have him in the visual, when the world rarely sees him in that way, and the black ink idea was actually a label idea he led years ago, just felt a bit ahhhhh coveted …but yeah shout out this song, I dig it.

My life is a constant dissension with self distension so sound is my therapy. I rode the bike to these 4 songs, yoga and morning tea to Dreamin and push ups to Wise Up , as I think of the meaning of my own name, I cleaned the house and studied myself to All Kind of Ideas, I played Tryin loud in the car speakers, as we rode thru the streets. I was into the music beyond just beats and raps and thats when it begins to stand out and urgency to experience the full album, takes the full lead.

Everyone was a fan of each other in this performance. QuestLove was proud of the song, Poyser was too, Pete Rock is proud to be the producer yet happy to see them all involved, Common is happy to be that nucleus…he is fanning out that he brung it together,Dj Dummy( digable Planets song,,its so good to be here, comes to mind), Bilal is peaceful joy, happy for his bro Common doing it once again, this time wit the Chocalate Boy Wonder. Everyone was in there calm splendor space, which made Bilals hat become the sun. I love this shit.

I felt alot of ways before the release date. On one end I was in a weird sort of pessimism, yet still somehow hopeful. I felt calmly like a first grader in love for the first time. Thats apart of the love of hiphop, is the anticipation for the unknown, that we all as a community get to feel in our own way all at the same time.

Thru all the press interviews and promotion runs they were apart of, I noticed there combined logo, the soul brother #1 with the pic in hair, with the Common Sence capitol C around the fro. There choice of logo was practical and prominent. The cover art looks like a masterpiece. I believe it to be very close to a perfect cover because it matches every song Ive heard off this album. It jelled all the interviews, music, and what I already know of them as separate legends. It all was feeling like a DeJa Vu.

A few songs began to come to mind in this Order, Ressurection- Common, and Sun God( prod HITek), Niggas Know- Pete Rock ft JDilla, 80 blocks from Tiffanys- Camp Lo and Pete Rock. For reasons of relic while my reason is anonymity and tru selfless love for our culture of HipHop. These 2 brothers helped restore that energy, that all apart of this beautiful culture all felt, once this album was dropped on the July12th. My son and I hear Fortunate on the Tuesday before this Friday, which was the 9th. That Friday we listened to the album after running around Brooklyn all day, and woke up to my homegirl sending me the Herbert Von King flyer, announcing there live set. My son was excited to go the show and of course we enjoyed the father- son moment.

Back to the cover photo. I live in Bk, Im in flatbush often, Im very familiar with Kings Theater. Ive ben in audience, backstage, and the cat walk. This was a perfect choice. I heard Common explain the title of The Auditorium, which I fully relate with, but didnt know the auditorium would be Kings Theatre, which is quite fitting for 2 legendary Kings of hiphop. The night shot, the theatre lights, the brick and woodgrain of the building, and the focus not being on the 2 bredren, was all humble maturity. Perfect.

My friends are texing me about it. Im in my girl Ali Kitchen playing” When the Sun Shines Again”, as it brings up memories of us in our past Bobby Humprey lifestyles. Im in the wip with my man Thaddeus, and we blasting “We on Our Way”,excited at the way Pete blended that Chi Town mood thru Curtis Mayfield, and somehow made it feel like he also brung the spirit pf Robert Nesta Marley, is pure brillance, and Common is aware of it, is why his rap says…Afrofuturistic, we breath the testiment\ like Robert Nesta said, this is a exodus for excellence\. That message thru his rap lines are sooooo fitting for this production. OMG! I worked with some youth this summer to develop a live show about there personal life healing journeys, and I would play “All Kind of Ideas”for us to break bread to. I would play “Fortunate” as I made dinner for my son and nephews. My motha was quoting lines off “This Man”. This album was standing as the glue to how I interacted with the things closest to me and thats powerful.

• Now my mind is moving. Why is this album so special Is it because the sequence, I hear QuestLove ordered. Is it the way Commons team can work a project is it a combination or what. My mind told me that 1 reason this album is so good, is because each song has a sibling, This is album full of A side A side and B side singles.

• Dreamin( Aside) – Wise Up( B side)
• ChiTown Do It( Aside) – So Many People( B side)
• This Man( Aside) – Now & Then( B side)
• We’re On Our Way ( Aside) – A God ( B side)
• Fortunate( Aside) – When the Sun Shines Again( B side)
• All Kind of Ideas( Aside) – Stellar( B side)
• Everything is Grand( Aside) – Lonesome ( B side)
• Outro

I feel Dreamin can only go with Wise Up, but Wise Up can also go with All Kind of Ideas, but can go wit Stellar. I thought maybe Stellar could go with Everything is Grand, just cus of the titles matching meanings, but Everything is Grand will stand with Lonesome, which are my 2 least favorite songs on album. ChiTown Doit and So Many People are the perfect match, like love at first sight. This Man paired with Now & Then, is Common Sense btw 95-2000, vintage Rasheed. We’re on Our Way may be my favorite song on the album. Its my personal church soundtrack, so we will pair it with A God. Then there is Fortunate and When the Sun Shines Again, a strong family bond, full of light. Lastely there is the Outro.

Tracklist: ( my favorite 7 in a order)

• ChiTown Doit
• This Man
• We’re on Our Way
• Fortunate
• So Many People
• All Kind of Ideas
• When the Sun Shines Again

I may would have to replace This Man with We’re on Our Way, and maybe put When the Sun Shines as track 4 and Fortunate end the album….Shout out to Ahmir Thompson.

Thank Yall so Much!!! Shit Only these 2 can cook. Lets Go!

1. Dreamin- With no g. As the opening act. Ok. The potent lyrics made it a solid intro to the album. Hearing Pete Rocks voice after Commons opening accapella line, once beat begins before the drums drop…Classic energy. Shout to what he did with Mama Aretha, and what Common brung from the Stella regions of the soul. R.I.P to all our Ancestors mentioned on this great song. I want to shout out J Dilla. Wasnt a fan of the video, the edits or even overall directions. Didnt see enough of Pete Rock, and when I did in BK in red, I thought ahhhh…but they hold a pic of Dave the Trugoy, and live sets, old footage, and his cousin Ajala, his seed, and J Dilla’s basement, etc. It felt black barbershop love. Mos def.
2. Chi Town Do it– 1 of my favorite on the album. They both showed how neat there signatures still are. The beat alone is top 7 instrumental currently. Common is in his bag from the first line.
   • she knew me from the city\ she knew I was witty\ she knew I had power and maybe some cents like 50\- he starts off with saying the song is about a girl and describing how the obvious, in a lack of better words a witty way. “Power” is the rapper 50 cents TV show. Cents represents money. The money she knows him as a rapper should have. Money, Power, Respect. Respect that cents is also sense, like Common Sense, a name he once went by in full. Respect to Common Sense.
   • she had a couple cats, I was tryna get the kitty\ and if I touch down I just might do the gritty\- she has ben with other guys, but I still want to have sex with her if possible
   • rappers, she said she didnt trust em\ and really didnt trust men\ I guess we on the cusp then\ go get ya Moscow and we dont have to rush in\– Moscow and Russian but used as rush in
   • I aint gon down no other nigga yo thats goof troop shit\ lets sample the day and we can loop it\– so hiphop to say lets filter the worst of what we are, find the best parts of the song and make it into a composition. Fantastic
   • Life can take a toll on u\ if we fall in love I’ll be holding you\ up- watch this rap nigga get all up in ya mind\ you like ice cream, I like wine\ we both refined\ – if I fall I need to get up. If we share love, we are the ones to hold us up, based on us “falling” in this love together. The beat is Cuban Linx already, @ the palor. Method Man was in the guts, Common is in her mind more like Dead Prez. Refined
   • forget the red carpet, our stars align\ Forever, is where we are in time– to be famous is a cool blessing but we dont need fame to be joined in the grandest way jus based on love and forever is the longest time. Special
   • this aint 4play, I see u on ya grind\ you mean the world to me, of course the world is mine– Im not here for play with you because I see you are busy making power moves. You get it done. You on ya grind. I also want u to grind on me sexually, after the 4play romance. How he used the language was poetry at its best. I see clearly that part of the sex is ova cus this no longer 4 play cus I see u have jumped into a different mode, and got on ya grind. If the world is mine like Nas told me, and you surely mean the world to me, than you a certainly mine. You mean the world, so no doubt that your mine. Sexy
   • Im from Chicago, come and talk to me\ u got me feening I want the average Joe to see– thats so dope. “Talk to Me” and “Feening” are hit songs from the legendary R&B group Jodeci. Joe to see and Jodeci is crazy. I understand as man the feeling of thinking about a female so vivid that you jus desire for her to come and talk to you to help sooth the fiend effects of attraction. When a man loves a woman, he wants the world to know. Like any and every average or not average Jodeci. Shout out to KC.
   • u my lady forever,or maybe jus tonight\we can be crazy in love cus shit is crazy in life\– “Forever My Lady” is another Jodeci hit. More crazyness. So forever or….jus tonight smh. But life is short and to live, so lets give it a try.
   • its crazy when I met u\ I knew that I would get u\ I said yo Im Common and u are extra special\– flirting with the truth. A good man knows the woman is the better human, the better half of us. Im jus common, average, regular…but you are special. Sweet
   • I could hold u down, and neva will I let u\ if we play our cards right, we be alright I bet u\– people play cards to place bets. but we gon be alright like KDot. I’ll hold you down like Prodigy. I bet that. He also has a song with Bilal titled “Play Your Cards Right”. Dope
   • wait a minute, I stayed on Bennett, and I ben it\ as the tables turn, no matter how u spin it\– I assume Bennett is a street name, and ben it, is a urban term to mean who I am is nothing new, all I know is the level of official. Common jus being a MC, to say Bennett and ben it. As the tables turn being linked to no matter how u spin it is too good. He takes 2 pretty known phrases and makes it into his rap phrase. I ben it, and as life moves foward as in the tables turn, Im still here, no matter what else is happening or not. Common stayed relevant. In motion.
   • @ the top of my game, a gladiator\ Im glad I ate her\ are u not entertained..– he not jus still here, but healthy, rappin, acting, running organizations, business, and breakdancing and eating breakfast with Jennifer Hudson. She now will be involved as a host\ journalist in a Entertainment tonight situation soon come. Watch
   • Ima keep it funky, thats something that I must do\ and lust\ and trust u\ touch u\ and clutch u\ the bullshit is cake, and thats what we gon cut thru– keep it funky is keep it all the way real and truthful. Must is musty which is a funky smell and so is dew. To keep it funky as musty mildew is, as something that u must do is so James Brown. Its smart to see bullshit as something that will happen in love. But lets cut it out and celebrate in ya birthday suit. Consider bullshit cake, it will be easy for us to cut.
   • Summon the queen\ you dope and Im becoming a fiend\ you got me trippin like a summer routine\– summon was the best word choice for the partner of a King but im a addict cus for your raw uncut energy. People usually take trips in the summer time as a blocked out time to make it a consistent thing that happens, like a routine. I love his usage of word meaning. He has ben doing this shit since he started in the 90’s.
   • All in ya grill\ the meat Im unthawing it still\ making love is like music cus its all in the feel\– we cooking now, grill is the means of how we cooking and also her face. The meat is her body and Im heating her up from ice cold. Music is life’s feeling, demonstrated thru sound sending off vibration. That entire process or exchange, defines love.
   • Fly girl I want u under my wing\ Champion lover that could come with a ring\– fly high, fly cus ur pretty u are hip and stylish so can u fly under my wing and we fly together. I’ll court you thru the skies. Champions get the ring. So they are in position to win each other.
   • that got a ring to it\ u and I theme to it\ dont be shy Im from it and you know how we do it\– he ends the verse doing what he do best with the double meaning of words and mastering when and how to use language. Champion rings, the phrase has a ring to it,in how it even sounds being said. I wish he would have u and I dream to it, to shout out the previous track title, but its all good. Shy is Chi is supa dope, and I was waiting the entire song to see when he would do that. His choice timing was perfection. To end the verse saying, dont be shy Im from it and u know how we do it is so fucking fire. We are the opposite of shy. We are bold soul, where its windy and cold. The Chi Town.

.

Salute to Common for the lyrical murder. The song is heat so the hook is fire! The female vocal crooning, Kanye sounbyte reppin the Chi, Og’s on “do it” and JB on “get down” is a blend of a collage master at work. The lilting horns in the hook, added the sprinkles on the ice cream. And the drums was like scattered showers of rain. I love Pete Rock.

3. This Man– Another one of my top songs on the album. Common is called the midwest Nasir Jones and I would agree. I thought of Nas’s song “Your the Man” immediately. Yea I would have loved to Minister Farrakhan’s voice on this beat and theme, its almost missing it to ne honest. The production is very very N.O.I. They included the fruit of Islam level in the visuals for ” Wise Up”, so its there but yeah, this track also represents that star and crescent knowing. The entire production, but especially the trumpets and the soul singers intensions, feel like the black power movement. Yea the bassist could have done more to create some depth. The drums are jus ok, but I can hear them crack a bit sharper and brighter. I hear J dilla say turn it up, yet it still is effective nonetheless. Its still Pete. Period

The inspiration behind his pen is honest, evident, and humble. “Like Water For Chocolate”, his 4th album, supported the motion, good energy, and overall balance of This Man. Etc.

• praise and emotion\ raised in devotion\ the 1st shall be last, as the days seem to close in\ had to let it go or in times be frozen\ hiphop is a movement, I stayed in motion\- Yes I. Spiritual food to keep us healthy. On your journey sometimes u have to let go to renew your perspectives. Motion is movement. Ase.
• the breath of the fallen\ they breath thru my callin\ poetic gestures, Im rap’s James Baldwin\– They is the ancestors, that come to bless us. Thats a rap line right there. Word. I love how he uses breath and breathe for fallen and callin. I think he is saying Poetic gestures, not poetic justice. James Baldwin is one of the best writers, thinkers, and doers of all time. Ase to the elders that set this shit off before us and layed that sacred ground. We love

I absolutely love the entire last verse. The personal life vz the professional life. It brung “I Make Sure Everything Remains Raw” from Busta Rhymes to my mind. The good brother Rashid say he bus rhymes, in such times and touch mines till its us time. So its only right, I also could hear that soundbyte being used on this beat. I Make Sure Everything Remains Raw. Word up.

• Dark and wicked the game came be\ I sit wit the people, they understand me\– facts! Stay away from wickedness of the world in high or low places and remain a man of god for the common people. Common people will understand This Man, Common. Goes hand in hand.
• whether grammy or oscar\ I keep the same posture\ I keep a far eye like a Rasta\ on whats ahead\ locked in like a dread\ we break bread\ and stay fed\ no more nights of living baseheads\- no matter what awards I receive, Im still the remain the Common man willingly. Locked in like a dred, cus ya eye vision is Rasta is clear and its also my life. We stay fed on goodness and health. No crackhead or excessive abuse of drugs.
• my public persona\ the enemy of drama\ I dont know no hustlers greater than my momma\– Facts! I was with my motha, Mama Rashida when I heard this. I was so excited. Im a man of peace no drama. My motha is a thug, a gangsta, a warrior. So there is no need for me to show off for none of these rap niggas. My moms harder than all of you.
• keep principals like Kwanzaa, Nia and Umoja\ my purpose is about unity for the culture\- I almost crashed when I heard this, I mean not really but my excitement rose more. I have a story of being around 10 or 11 and meeting Common wit Krs 1. At the time he said he didnt know alot about Kwanzaa and asked if a young person could help teach him and he chose me to come to the stage to speak to the audience. So to hear him use the principals in his rap over 2 decades later is dope to me. Im excited how Umoja rhymed wit Culture. Im hype that Nia and Umoja is purpose and unity and he James Baldwin’d the level. With the wisdom of the Minister, the dillagence of Ali, and the eye of a Rasta. Yamon
• ode to the greats that did it wit grace and charm\ the game’s in good hands in this man’s arms\– pour some libations for the ancestors and know that u left the mission in heart and mind of the children of the sun. We wont let yall down.

“This Man” definitely made it to my favorite 7 list. Its a strong album cut. The mama’s sampled voice on hook is a healing tool, like come to Jesus. I see Gods angels and Soldiers breaking bread with us before the training. This is a powerful soundtrack to committing to what it takes to release the old and except a new rout to salvation because it was all written. Saturn is returning. Ameen.

4. – Where On Our Way– A stand out testimonial of the bond btw these 2 legends. Jesus!!!!!! A masterpiece, a real album cut, that I heard in my mind before I heard that these 2 would collab. There destination is defintly constantly elevating on this album and we only on track 4. That alone has me in a mood only good hiphop albums can bring about. I can go on and on about how Pete used Curtis Mayfields percussion to say the least, man o man. Its like Curtis hanging out with Bob Marley. These guitar chops he arranged are soul brother number one stamped. Everything matches. Its so Chicago, its so rasta, its so James Brown but Curtis, but so The Fugees ft Nas or in reverse or what the world would love to hear from a Black Thought even. Its supa classy. The guitars show the magic of how Pete, and the overall hiphop production of it all, brung the spirit of the elders to the track in a way we havent heard in a very long time. WTF is all I really can say. What Common did to it was demonstrate the meaning of his name as Rashid. Integrity, faith and wisdom. This may be in my top 3 on the album, surely in my top 7 list. OMG!!! Major Big Ups. Thank yall.

The hook alone says it all:

• our destination is constant elevation\ u can tell the nation\
• We on the rise through the lows and the highs
• Tell the world to recognize(that we’re on our way)
• We’ve only just begun, we’ve only just begun 2x(to live)
• The Lord spoke, I listened to the vision I was given- off the start he is telling us the reason of the mission.
• It’s the second Common, I risen with the wisdom of the elders– the 2nd coming of Christ, but he uses his rap name Common instead of the word coming
• Food, clothing, shelter– the basic needs of man
• Prosperity, health and joy, it’s what I knelt for– the Bible. Basic Intructions Before Leaving Earth. The priceless gems are what we always pray for.
• I’ve been dope once I learned who I dealt for– The huster but not Cassidy or Frank Lucas’s brother. This blue magic is to heal, and to build, not to destroy.
• Knowledge of self, I felt more – Yessir. No doubt.
• Hot blocks, you melt or cook– the hood is jungle, u sink or u swim. We Survive and Represent like Nas.
• My neck of the woods always got crooks– its regular hood shit. A hardknock life.
• Cracks and crevices, I learned what the 7 is– the poetry is why Jay Z wants to rhyme like Common Sense. From crooks, to cracks, to crevices. I love rhyming one word like crevices with a 2 word phrase like seven is. And my life is #7.
• The God number– correct and exactly. #7.
• And we deliver evidence of things unseen– shout out to the messenger our elder Elijah Muhammad and Mosque #7.
• We come to run tings- Jamaica Jamaica. Blatant, short and sweet. Because Pete cooked provisions, ground food, wit plantain and frie dumplin, maybe some fish and peppa. Yamon.
• I keep goodwill and I stay hunting– the movie reference. The dope shit Rashid ben doing. A Righteous Warrior only will hunt on good will.
• I was on King Drive, I had one dream– Shout out to the elder Dr. Martin Luther King and his dreams.
• My drive is like King for us to have something– clearly if listening to the wisdom of our elders. We must carry on traditions.
• Destiny called, I answer in one ring– when the Lord calls, we respond. We dont delay or tex, we answer the call ASAP.
• Seen a Southside girl become queen– lol Jennifer Hudson maybe?
  

Verse 2:

• the heavens opened, we the outspoken- what Allah gave the MC
• provoken, togetherness for the broken- the power of what HIPHOP provides. Its a gang gang, a Slum Village, A Tribe Called Quest, for the Red man ( Redman) a Ol Dirty nigga, a Ghost and Master Killa, a WuTang aint nothing to fuck wit army but we together. All hood provoked. The blood of a slave, but heart of a King shit.
• People in the ghetto, we should never settle– cus we the children of the sun. The maker the owner, the soul controller, the cream of the planet. The original man.
• It’s eye in eye, let’s keep it on the sparrow– to the bible but with the swag of Bob. Elder shout out. Forward motion on our mission for salvation. We must be our brothers keeper and want for them what we want for ourselves. Its our responsibility. Eye is eye is the realest power.
• I walk through the Chi’ like I was brother Harold- the 51st mayor of Chicago, the 51st year in hiphop. Genuis level shit.
• Washington, I got me tons of votes, this mayoral- yo bro is cold like a Chicago christmas. Washinton, got me tones- of votes…Harold and mayoral. Some Plug 1 shit. Word.
• Kisses for luck for Black businesses and such– a must and a line from Curtis Mayfield original lyrics.
• On our Dame dollars, yeah, we gettin’ bucks– Damon Dash?
• Mills walkin’ through is a key to the hood– Ujamaa
• I sit with Chairman Fred, yeah, he understood– RBG shit
• A seat at the table, what it means when it’s good– like the last disciples
• Street principles, stay on your deen for the hood– Alhamdullilah
• I seen cuzzo, he was on his hustle– but cus was selling Lucas blue magic but I have to stand as the better example. Stay on my post.
• On Halsted, findin’ his piece in the puzzle- but I overstand its jus to get paid, we all need money but nonetheless
• Universal law, get what you give to the day– u getit how u live. U cant get a positive from a negative.
• Umi said shine your light, we on our way– so we deal in the universal laws of the supreme wisdom and keep our souls out the dark and involved with light. My motha told me to shine and spread this little light of mine. Its the gas to time travelin.

Verse 3:

• we only jus begun, Im the sun of the heavens– God son, the midwest Nasir Jones.
• Magnificent, a Black man’s presence– F.O.I training. The Fruit of Islam.
• Supreme Mathematics, countin’ my blessings- the knowledge is motivating the dope word play. Mathematics is counting. Yikes. Lets be intelligent enough to appeciate what we have to be blessed to have more. Ase.
• What would hip-hop be? I’m countin’ my presence – some God MC shit to say. Word up. What would this culture be without the C to the O double M- O-N?
• Resilience in my resonance, the brilliance in my elegance- now im going to tell you why. Thru the poetry, the resilience in ya resonance…ok and the elegance is brilliant. is ahh Brilliant lol.
• Developed with the elements and compounds to shape who we are now– The Science of it all. Its actually very plain but very deep.
• Order steps, the ladder ain’t as far now– the stairway to heaven on earth. Every mission-plan has steps to put in a order. Every ladder has steps to climb.
• We the sun, moon and star now, on the precipice– we are 1 with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Always and forever. Tap in.
• Touch the garments of modern Black Jesuits- all faiths beautiful. Thats beautiful!!
• Afro-futuristic, we breed the testaments– AHO ASE AMEEN
• Like Robert Nestor said, “This is an exodus of excellence”– YESSIR. Shout out the Baba, the elder Bob Marley. I saw his face and felt his vibration thru out me listening to this song. Its time to get back home to the motherland, the tribes and villages, our truth of who and how we really are. “Come out of Her” is a Nation of Islam message. Her is America. Its time to Exouds. Movement of Jah People. Thats the truest black Excellence.

3 verses of fire! Common gave us everything we needed with the raps. The last few bars are signature, when you incorporate on the precipice with testaments from the Jesuits as black excellence. We keep marchin on like Baba Curtis told us to. Black Power is felt on this song. They carry the elders message of inspiration fully out. Give Thanks bredren.

5. Fortunate– From the first bass thud at the top of the track I knew this would be one of my favorite songs. I was so fortunate to be with my son, at the time of the day the sun sets. I could hear the percussion, shakers and hi hats so clear. My seed and I were on our way to the store to get some good juice to have with a bean pie, and I noticed they dropped this incredible song on my way for juice. We both felt the peace it immediately brung, and I was rewinding the first verse back before I got the 2nd. My son was patient with me as usual, but his brave eyes said…Dad pls let the whole song play one time and then rewind and analyze. lol. This song was played for the rest of the evening to night, as if it was already a regular song in rotation. I played it the next day for my motha’s youth theater company, ” NuWorld” Art Ensemble, during there lunch breaks because the hook is I assume a Brazilian man saying:

A água mais pura da fonte– but to me it feels like he saying, Nuuu world when he says pura da..lol, not sound like, but feel like. I assume the same way fonte sounded like fortunate to them. Shout to Bilal for singing over the vocal chops and creating the feel.

A wonderful zone to share with my son and family. This is granny house wit her quilts, some chamomile roobois chai tea with cinnamon and ginger. Amen.

I’m fortunate to be alive
Can’t explain how I got here, but we’ve arrived
The deliverance of diligence from which we strive
It’s the feelin’, it’s no ceilin’, is when we rise– This is the message I want my seed to know of me. We strive for perfection. Not always sure how, but we keep at it until Allah delivers us the opportunities, thru our diligence. Shout to Dilla.

Fortunate to have friends who don’t synthesize
I keep good company, we enterprize
Had a strong gaze since infant eyes
I guess I can see the power in the prize– keep ya eyes on the prize. I was born with it since a young youth. Real friends, real truth, real vision. A strong sence of self. Fortunately.

It’s innervized by the streets identified
Other people’s struggles, I don’t minimize
Fortunate to be born and raised in the Chi
Salt-of-the-earth people with the bravest eye- humble hood beginnings where we learn one for all, all for one. Unity. Umoja. This is a zone that had my son imagine his fathers memories im so fortunate to have, with his brave eyes.

They say, “Your guy is the truth”, I wasn’t raised to lie
Fortunate to be so que sera
Every day that I get up, I trace the sky
And draw with the most high on the place that I am
And that’s fortunate– this feels like the definition of my sons name. Khaliq means the creator of divine inspiration, to bring into existence. Trace the sky and draw with the Most High, Yes I. Khaliq is my greatest fortune.

…….The laboratory of a rapper’s story from the alley to the allegory
I pour a rhyme into time, let it travel for me– the laboratory of a rappers story is dope within itself. Alley to Allegory is more fire poetry. The job of a MC is to rhyme and let words travel in real time. Time Travelin (Like Water for Chocolate).

The one with self is the biggest battle for me
Fortunate when I was twelve, I let rap allure me– The other job of a MC, is to battle other MCees if need be…but the biggest battle is with yourself. I remember I was like 7-9, I told my moms I loved her like a rap magazine. I LOVE RAP MUSIC, I LOVE HIPHOP! I should name my daughter Allure and her middle name be HipHop. Word.

Fortunate through the wilderness, I see the trees
In the forest, there’s a lotta fallen MCs
Fortunate that the God shared the lessons
He returned to the essence, I still feel his presence
Most of my bretherin are from ’87
Childhood friends, I’m glad that I kept ’em
Fortunate for the wisdom of the elders
And my grandmother and mother’s love that never failed us
I’m fortunate– I saw the nature, the trees, I was in a oasis like garden. The seeds I planted are still tall standing trees, that provide oxygen. The tree is the MC in the scenario. Many others have came and went, but we were chosen to still be here. I can also see all the unique mamas, babas and elders, and there children I grew up with, in such a vast hood Afrocentric activist community. Give thanks to grannies tea, cookies, and quilts. Im so Fortunate.

…….The seeds of a revolutionary, evolutions vary
Necessary to become fruits and berries of our labor– NECESSARY! I am that seed, so its a MUST TO ELEVATE. We put real work in. Cant stop, wont stop. Re energize and keep laboring.

In the days of the unknown
I’m fortunate to come home to blocks we fought, we swung on
Fortunate the Lord put me on a path
To use the microphone for a rod and a staff
Fortunate that my heart and the beat knocks
The Windy City street block, I’m fortunate for Pete Rock
I’m fortunate– the unknown is scary as fight may be. Its similar energy. I can see West Bmore blocks, South Philly blocks, Bedstuy and Flatbush blocks and the Joy and Pain I experienced on them all. Thru anything, Ive sat with many of my rap idols who became peers, I ben to other continents to study like the prophets, used mics to perform, and njoyed some of the best food and art in the world and Im no known star, just a star for the creator. OMG! If J Dilla is my heart, Pete Rock is the ventricles creating the motion to pump the blood thru my body. Alhamdullilah. WE ARE ALL SO FORTUNATE FOR THE CHOCOLATE BOY WONDER- SOUL BROTHA #1, PETE ROCK

I see J Dilla diligently in heaven planting seeds in the garden, helping trees like this, continue to grow. Bless his soul. Amen

to be continued…….