Brakes
De La Soul Lyrics

There's a lot of people out here, who just don't know
Many people are unaware

What plays a factor in movin' heads and toes
The music that makes people dance

It be them hits bangin' out of them stereo kits
The music from stereos and sound systems

Whether cassette radio or CD bits
Regardless of the form the music comes in

Mix tapes from the best going on and on
Mixtapes made by skilled DJs

Throughout the city grounds to suburban lawns
Heard everywhere from cities to suburbs

Man, we don't play, even where we stay
Serious about the music even at home

Videos shows the visuals of jams today
Music videos display the current songs

Coinciding with the rhythm of the heart and neck
The music matches one's heartbeat and head nodding

The brakes got you in your proper context
The music makes you feel connected to yourself and others

You let your Lex or your '64 bounce away all your tension
Driving your car with the music on releases stress

En route to the club where girls need the quenchin'
Going to the club in search of companionship

Diamonds on your wrist, sunroof top
Showing off wealth and luxury

But niggas out front makin' guns go pop
Violent conflict occurring outside

So the spot gets shut but on to the next
Leaving the club and finding another

'Cause your ears get vexed when they don't get the fix 'cause
Feeling unhappy when the music is bad or unavailable

(These are the brakes)
This is what it all comes down to

It be your listening' pleasure while you're doing' your chores
The music is enjoyable while working

No matter where you from it's for you and yours
The music is for everyone and their loved ones

Bringing it back to the brakes like the 'yes yes y'all'
Returning to the essence of good music

So let it be your anthem when you're havin' a ball
This is the perfect song for having fun

Well, it's silly of me to think that I
It was foolish of me to believe

Would never get a chance to see a piece of this pie
Would never get a chance to be successful in music

I sat dead in front of speakers thinkin' that could be me
Listening to music and dreaming of becoming an artist

Anticipatin' open microphones so I could emcee
Hoping to perform and rap on stage

Had a catalogue of raps impressin' all the 'round-the-wayers
Already had a collection of impressive raps

Before I went to bed included rhymes into my prayers
Praying for success in music every night

But that rhyme is all on paper, I want my song on vinyl plates
Having written songs on paper, he now wants them recorded on vinyl

I dreamin' hits and doin' shows, makin' my niggas spines shake
Dreaming of making popular music and performing for crowds

Expectin' nothin' but a little bit of radio play
Only hoping for some airplay on the radio

Gettin' diced on 1 and 2's by the best DJ's, hey
Getting support from top DJs

Time was kinda tight but still I dotted on the line
Despite limited time, he worked hard to succeed

And some expected me to start buhlooning in the mind
Some thought he would become egotistical and arrogant

Seein' spaces and places that I couldn't pronounce
Traveling to new and unfamiliar places

But still I had the pulleys to make all the bullies bounce
He had the strength to overcome obstacles and haters

With the blessings of the great, we took it from state to state
With the support of influential people, they toured the country

'Cause we landed on the good foot and got our biggest brake 'cause
They succeeded and had their biggest breakthrough

A mother gets mugged by her crackhead son
A heartbreaking incident of drug addiction and crime

(That's the brakes, that's the brakes)
That's the reality and downside of life

You're in the wrong part of town so the shots make you run
Feeling unsafe in a dangerous neighborhood

Alleged comrades put six tabs in your OE
Being betrayed by supposed friends who lace your drink

Your boyfriend made you a carrier of HIV
Being infected with a deadly disease by a romantic partner

Now what's gonna happen when the sun don't shine?
What will happen when things go wrong?

I'm buyin' tickets aboard the caravan of love
Seeking love, peace, unity, and positivity

Hey fellas, see, money don't make shots repel
Wealth doesn't protect from violence

I break woes and compose some rhymes to tell
Using music to express and cope with struggles

So when the party's live it shouldn't be beef
When having fun, there should not be conflict

Or playin' Indian roles, I guess you thought you was chief
Not pretending to be more important or powerful than one is

Seems all broke up and now you woke up surprised
Being shocked by a sudden negative change of events

Situation's gettin' sticky dead in front of your eyes
A difficult and dangerous situation unfolding

We play the wall similar to tacks
Hanging back and watching

'Til the DJ play the necessary track, in fact
Until the perfect song is played

As the jam plays on, out comes all your bread
Spending money when enjoying the music and party

To pay for drinks for them girls you want to spread
Buying drinks to impress and flirt with women

Don't be mislead when the break's inside your head
Not confusing music-induced emotions with reality

And have you reminiscing on them kids who got you fed
Thinking about the past and who supported one's dreams

'Til reality reveals a miss who wants to know
Eventually encountering someone interested in romance

If you can play her real close out on the dance floor 'cause
Trying to impress and attract a woman while dancing

For your listenin' pleasure while you're doin' your chores
Enjoyable music while working

So let it be your anthem when you're havin' a ball
Make this song your go-to for partying and fun