The Killing Season
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics

Winter in America, never knew white Christmas
In this country, the harsh reality of racial inequality and injustice has always overshadowed the joyous holiday season.

'Cause L7 squares always making my shit list
The narrow-minded and ignorant individuals who conform to societal norms and perpetuate oppressive structures constantly irk and frustrate me.

Spring is in the air and all the flowers are blooming
Amidst the changing seasons, there is a sense of hope and renewal, symbolized by the blossoming of nature around us.

The powers that be wanna devour the movement
Those in positions of authority and influence seek to undermine and suppress the progress and revolution we are striving for.

Tears disappear when they fall on the summer rain
Even when faced with adversity and pain, we find solace in the natural elements, as our tears are absorbed by the soothing rainfall.

Bleedin' through this mic, but they call it entertainment
While we pour our hearts and souls into our music, society often reduces our expression of truth and struggle to mere entertainment.

Running across stages is a drug
The exhilaration and addictive nature of performing on stage is comparable to the high experienced when consuming drugs.

It's like a blunt, we crumple the raw papers
Similar to the process of rolling a blunt, we take the raw materials of life and transform them into something cohesive and powerful through our music.

Call it the Lord's name 'cause we taking it in our veins
By immersing ourselves in our craft and passionately embracing the music, it becomes a spiritual experience akin to injecting a substance into our veins.

Like they feeding us intravenous
Society tries to control and manipulate us by providing superficial nourishment, as if feeding us through intravenous means.

It's war and we fighting for inches and millimeters
We are engaged in a constant battle, fighting tooth and nail for every bit of progress and change, no matter how small.

Try to stall the progress by killing off all the leaders
In an attempt to hinder our movement, those in power resort to eliminating those who inspire and guide us, hoping it will halt our progress.

If we don't give them martyrs no more, they can't defeat us
By refusing to allow ourselves to be sacrificial figures, we deprive our oppressors of the power to conquer and subjugate us.

This lack of justice got us disgusted, look at our faces
The overwhelming absence of fairness and equality has left us with a deep sense of revulsion and disappointment, written all over our faces.

All these soldiers hate but I saw military training
Even in the face of hatred and opposition, I see strength and resilience in my fellow warriors who have undergone the harsh lessons of life's training camp.

The force flags fly at a half mast this morning
Symbols of power and authority are being lowered halfway in mourning and acknowledgment of the current state of unrest and discord.

Take a bow, this might be your last performance
Acknowledge the possibility that our time in the spotlight may be coming to an end, and therefore, we should make the most of every opportunity to make a lasting impact.

They sold ya, sold ya, sold ya
Society has deceived and manipulated you, repeatedly selling you false promises and ideals.

The old lady saw us on the lawn with the Henny
An elder witnessed our presence on the grass, enjoying our time with a bottle of Hennessy.

Turn the pool party into the one from McKinney
The atmosphere of our gathering by the pool unexpectedly transformed into a situation reminiscent of the controversial incident in McKinney.

Might've been racist like the waitresses up at Denny's
Some individuals involved in this incident displayed racist behavior, similar to the prejudiced actions of waitresses at the popular chain restaurant, Denny's.

Swore we had twelve gauges, automatics, and semis
False accusations were made about us possessing dangerous firearms, claiming we possessed shotguns, automatic weapons, and semi-automatic guns.

Now they wanna condemn me for my freedom of speech
Those in power are now attempting to criticize and condemn me for exercising my constitutional right to freedom of expression.

'Cause I see things in black and white like Lisa and Screech
My perspective and understanding of the truth are clear and unambiguous, similar to how the characters Lisa and Screech were portrayed in the television show 'Saved by the Bell.'

Predators get impeached and others fill in the throne
Those who abuse their power and act as predators are eventually held accountable and removed from their positions, but unfortunately, they are replaced by other individuals with similar intentions.

But veterans don't get the benefit of feelin' at home
Even those who have served their country and sacrificed for it often do not experience the sense of belonging and comfort that one would expect.

So maybe those projections out at Silicon
Perhaps the technological advancements and innovations emerging from Silicon Valley offer a glimpse of hope and progress.

Over dro they getting injections made of silicone
However, these advancements are overshadowed by the harmful and artificial injections of false information and distractions, comparable to silicone implants.

I swear it's the killing season
Without a doubt, it is a time of violence and destruction, where lives are being taken without justification or accountability.

'Cause killin' is still in season yea
The act of taking lives unlawfully remains prevalent and permissible, as if it is an ongoing trend or tradition that is accepted.

Louder than a three pound, voices screaming mad a boot
Our voices echo with a level of intensity and strength that is comparable to the explosive sound of a three-pound explosion, raging with frustration and demanding attention.

It must be killing season, on the menu strange fruit
The current atmosphere feels like a time of bloodshed and violence, where lives, particularly those of marginalized communities, are considered disposable, just like the haunting imagery of 'strange fruit.'

Whose juices fill the progress of this here very nation
The blood and tears shed by countless individuals, particularly marginalized communities, contribute to the advancement and development of this nation, albeit at a heavy cost.

Whose states has grown bitter, through justice expiration
The bitterness and resentment experienced by oppressed communities have escalated due to the expiration of justice, as their pleas for fair treatment continue to be disregarded.

These fruitful trees are rooted in bloody soil and torment
The seemingly prosperous aspects of society are built upon a foundation of violence, suffering, and anguish, as if the very soil in which these trees grow is soaked in blood.

Things haven't really changed, or they're dormant for the moment
Despite the semblance of progress, the underlying truth is that little has truly changed, and any minor advancements may only be temporary, waiting for the right moment to resurface.

Marks and scars, we own it, only makes for tougher skin
The visible traces of the battles we have fought, the wounds we have endured, and the scars we carry are not signs of weakness, but rather contribute to the development of our resilience and fortitude.

Helps us actualize the actual greatness held within
These challenges we face assist us in unleashing and realizing the immense potential and greatness that lies dormant within each of us.

Been on the wrong team so much, can't recognize a win
Having been consistently placed in disadvantageous situations and facing adversity, it becomes difficult to perceive and appreciate the taste of victory when it finally arrives.

Seems like my only crime is having melanin
It feels as though the color of my skin, my racial identity, is the sole reason behind the discrimination and injustice I continually face in society.

Connection to the sun so strong the relationship is lusted for
The deep and unbreakable bond I share with the sun, symbolizing my connection to my roots and heritage, is so profound that others crave and desire to experience it themselves.

Causes meant to suffocate, I can't breathe no more
The systemic and deliberate efforts to extinguish my voice and suffocate my existence have reached a point where it feels impossible to breathe freely or express myself fully.

Settle the score sadly, need an abacus to tally
To finally resolve the injustices and grievances, a sense of sadness surrounds us, as we require an abacus, a tool for counting and calculating, to keep track of all the wrongs committed against us.

Through all the peaks and valleys, yo, I recognize it sadly
Throughout the highs and lows, the ups and downs, I acknowledge the reality with a heavy heart, recognizing the ongoing struggles and inequalities we face.

Black soul bold enough, inner city cold enough
My black spirit possesses an unwavering strength, boldness, and resilience, fortified by the harsh realities and coldness of the inner city environment I come from.

Watch me get all my goons, watch us get soldiered up
Observe as I assemble and unite with my loyal and fierce comrades, watch us become a formidable force, ready to fight and defend what we believe in.

They sold ya, sold ya, sold ya
Society has continuously deceived and manipulated you, repeatedly selling you false promises and perpetuating exploitative systems.