Concentration
Blackalicious feat Jurassic 5 Lyrics

Yea yea yea yea, oh yea
Introduction to the song and setting the scene for the late night underground radio show.

It's the late night hype mack be dog in the house
Announcing the DJ's presence on the radio show.

Chillin, like a big ol pimp
Comparing the DJ's relaxed demeanor to that of a pimp.

Right about now, at 3:01 in the morning
Establishing the time of the radio show.

Everything else on is probably pretty faulty and repetitive
Commenting on the lack of variety and quality of other radio programs at this hour.

So if you're goin through your radio
Encouraging listeners to tune in to the current show.

When you get down to that, you know, far left hand side
Referring to the lesser-known, underground radio stations.

Keep it tuned to mack be dog, 'cause you know
Asking listeners to keep listening to the current show.

I'm keepin it extra extra funky
Promising to keep the show's music selection unique and funky.

Know what I'm sayin?
Asking listeners if they understand the DJ's message.

[chorus]
The chorus of the song, emphasizing the importance of concentration and rhythm.

Concentration, concentration is the name
Repeating the importance of concentration and rhythm.

Keep the rhythm
Encouraging listeners to maintain the beat and stay focused.

Or you will be out the game
Suggesting that losing concentration could lead to being 'out of the game' or not succeeding in one's goals.

We bust shots like german lugers
Using a metaphor to describe the power and impact of the group's music.

On intruders
Referring to the group's music as a defense mechanism.

Violate we activate the ill-style shooters
Indicating that the group will fight against anyone who disrespects or challenges their music style.

So lateef [wassup? ]
Referring to one of the group members.

Let your lyrics heat-seek [all right]
Encouraging one of the group members to deliver powerful and impactful lyrics.

And yo, get on the mic and fuck the microphone technique [here we go now]
Encouraging another group member to show off their unique and creative rapping style.

Look what we've got
Announcing the group members who will be performing on the track.

Akil, lateef and mark 7 deliverin the presences
Naming three of the group members who are bringing their energy and talent to the song.

J 5 quannum
Referring to the group name, J5 Quannum.

Zakir, gab, lyrics born natural as the elements
Naming other members who contribute to the natural and organic flow of the song.

I jump down and customize
Referring to the rapper's personalized style of rapping.

My lyrics to synchronize
Referring to the rapper's ability to match their lyrics with the rhythm and beat of the music.

And educate the young, dumb, deaf, and blind
Stating the rapper's aim to enlighten and educate their listeners.

And drop a seed in they minds, so they can open their eyes
Continuing to emphasize the rapper's goal to inspire and enlighten their listeners.

Realize and recognize we livin in the last times
Conveying a sense of urgency and importance in the rapper's message.

I pull a spark of shining light out of the glorious fate
Using a metaphor to describe the artist's creative process when writing lyrics.

Create the lyric arsenals that verbal warriors make
Using hyperbolic language to describe the rapper's potency and skill in producing meaningful lyrics.

Escape hell temporarily
Using a metaphor to describe the therapeutic and liberating effects of music.

Merrily vibes carry me to heavenly states
Describing the transformative effect of music on the artist.

Inevitably rockin steadily
Stating the artist's confidence in producing consistent, meaningful music.

Yea, I represent the underground mc
Promoting the artist's commitment to the underground hip hop scene.

Even though I move around I'm still down with mc's
Reassuring listeners that despite the artist's success, they remain invested and involved in the hip hop community.

Now pound for pound I go the round
Using a metaphor to describe the artist's conviction and strength.

I is down, as you see (? ? ? )
Reiterating the artist's loyalty and dedication to their craft.

From the group, jayou, the j 5 mc's, yea
Identifying the artist's group and collaborating with the J5 MC's.

Oh god, it's so re-al, and then ya, it's ser-I-al
Describing the raw and authentic nature of the music and its lyrics.

Flowin, like soy milk, over sweetened cer-e-al
Using a metaphor to describe the smooth and consistent flow of the music.

Y'all melt, like toys built from cheap material
Comparing the listener's reaction to the group's music to a toy melting under stress.

Reevaluate yourself, it ain't about the here and now
Encouraging listeners to reflect on their life and priorities.

I hold it def for 6
Describing the artist's ability to create a strong and memorable music performance.

Blazed my way up out an orphanage
Referencing the artist's difficult upbringing and ability to overcome hardship.

Assertive it, poetic scripts blast murderous
Using forceful language to describe the artist's lyrical skill.

The earth shaker, I crack a nigga out his windbreaker
Using exaggerated language to describe the artist's ability to 'shake up' listeners with their music.

The verbalier, rhythmatic fly commentator
Describing the artist's ability to create rhythmic and impactful lyrics.

Yo, now if you stumble on a phonograph
Encouraging listeners to discover the group's music on vinyl records.

To listen to the flavas that you got to have
Describing the group's music as essential listening for hip hop fans.

With lyrics that be perfectly handcraft
Indicating the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating the group's music.

All the way from the bay to l.a.
Highlighting the group's connection and involvement in the underground hip hop scenes on the West Coast.

We're tryin to give you all different points of view
Stating the group's aim to provide listeners with a diverse range of perspectives and styles of hip hop music.

To show you our poetic words that we use
Emphasizing the group's lyrical skill and creativity.

From the mc's that you're bound to choose
Reassuring listeners that the group's music represents their own unique style.

[scratching]
Scratching sound effects indicating a transition in the song.

Look what we've got
Announcing the different members of the group who are collaborating on this particular song.

Akil, lyrics born, zakir, gift of gab
Listing the different members of the group by name.

Lateef, mark 7, chali, cut chemist, nu-mark
Naming more group members who are contributing to the song.

Xl, and dj-shadow
Identifying other artists who are collaborating with the group on this track.

The rhyme ambassador that mastered the ceremony
Describing one of the group members as an expert in creating impactful and memorable music performances.

So passengers fasten up these average cats'll never catch up
Encouraging listeners to pay close attention to the group's music and lyrics, while implying that other artists won't be able to keep up.

Yeah I hot dog the ball behind the yes yes y'all
Using a metaphor to describe the artist's role as a leader in the hip hop community.

Fuck hanging on the shore trying to ball ? ? ? ?
Dismissing the idea of trying to conform to mainstream hip hop culture.

No, I don't jitterbug with lyrically idiotic litterbugs
Rejecting the idea of collaborating with artists who lack lyrical skill or creativity.

They shit and bug the shit out of me eat em up for dinner so
Using exaggerated language to describe the artist's distaste for unskilled artists.

We imburse to disperse, wish your last was your first bit
Using hyperbolic language to describe the group's effect on other hip hop artists.

Consume the whole room and you wonder where the earth went
Using a metaphor to describe the group's impact on the hip hop community.

So I reduce the risk
Stating the artist's confidence in their own abilities and talents.

Spit words like a journalist
Using a metaphor to describe the artist's lyrical skill and ability to communicate ideas effectively.

And burnin it in unofficial mic tournaments
Describing the artist's performance on stage as a form of competition and self-expression.

I'll play off night watchin trife 'cause we might utilize
Describing the artist's creative process when writing lyrics.

The mic as a rightful for the eyes on the prize (? ? ? )
Using a metaphor to describe the artist's drive and ambition in creating music.

So try to conduct yourself in a manner that's wise
Encouraging listeners to act responsibly and with good judgment.

Ain't that right? right right, true, right right
Asking for confirmation and agreement from listeners.

Tell em why
Asking for an explanation or justification for one's actions or beliefs.

North with the south other crews flatline
Using a metaphor to describe the group's success and impact on other hip hop artists.