Fire For The People
Blue Scholars Lyrics

now what I spit, it's medicine for the sick
The rapper believes that his music is like medicine that can help people who are struggling.

an attempt to get a grip before it all starts to slip
He wants to help people before their lives spiral out of control.

and be the call and response from the bottomless pit
His music is a call for help from people who feel like they are stuck in a dark place.

I remain nonchalant when the drama get thick
Despite the heavy subject matter, the rapper tries to stay calm and collected.

the last call, ballin' up my palm in a fist
He's getting ready for a fight, both metaphorically and literally.

the most common misperception is this
There is a common misconception about what it takes to be successful in the music business.

drop a tape rock a show sign a line
People often think that all it takes to become a successful musician is to release a record, perform live, and sign autographs.

hit the road hit some hoes videos
Travel, hooking up with groupies, and making music videos are also seen as important parts of the job.

next you know, you'll be bawlin and shit
Success can lead to a lavish lifestyle, but that can be temporary.

but you'll be calling it quits
People often burn out and retire from the business, even if they were once successful.

when all the cards start to fall in the ditch
When things go wrong, they can go wrong in a big way.

cause temptation is so hard to resist
There are many things that can lead to a person's downfall, including temptation and excess.

no there's no such thing as an unjustified existence
The rapper believes that every person has value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

except perhaps a few thousand rappers in this business
The exception to this belief is the few rappers who are purely in it for the money and fame.

finish what I start scientifically, strategically
The rapper takes a calculated and strategic approach to his music-making.

specifically addressin' the oblivion we livin' in
He is trying to tackle issues that are often overlooked or ignored.

my brethren and sisteren, I'm speaking are you listening
The rapper is trying to get people to pay attention to what he has to say.

freedom being imprisoned by the television image
He feels that people are too influenced by the media and its portrayals of what is important and valuable.

if you let it instead get affected by your habitat
He believes that it is important for people to be aware of how their environment affects them.

ask a few questions, quit a few bad habits and after that
The rapper encourages people to take control of their lives and make positive changes.

handle this similar to how Xavier McDaniel did in ‘86
The rapper references a time when a basketball player used his fists to defend himself, suggesting that sometimes it is necessary to take a tough stance in order to succeed.

we're talking just a little less shit
The rapper is trying to be more mindful about what he says and does.

and lately being mindful of the babies I admit
He is thinking about the next generation and how his actions might affect them.

but at nighttime I sit serenaded by the blues of a skyline hue
He takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature and his surroundings.

reminding me of a time when the old was new
The beauty of the night brings back memories of a simpler time.

and I spark a fire for the cold and the dark
The rapper's music is like a beacon of hope for those who feel lost or hopeless.

peace and war both pumpin' soul in my heart
The rapper's music is influenced by both the positive and negative aspects of life.

and though they can't keep what they stole from the art
The rapper believes that some people have tried to co-opt or steal parts of hip-hop culture, but they can't destroy it entirely.

and they love to see beef ‘cause it throws us apart
The media and some fans enjoy seeing conflict between rappers and other members of the hip-hop community, but this only creates division and strife.

more fire for the people
The rapper wants to continue making music that inspires and empowers the masses.

say more jobs for the people
He also wants to see more economic opportunities for people in his community.

and more books for the people
Education is important to the rapper, and he wants to see more access to books and other learning materials.

and more music for the people
The rapper believes that music can help people in a variety of ways, and he wants to see more artists creating meaningful and powerful work.

as the world hurls towards seven billion more listeners
The rap genre has a global reach, and the rapper is aware of the potential impact he can have on people around the world.

seven hundred plus see the killed and held prisoners
The rapper is not blind to the many injustices that occur in the world, including violence and incarceration.

seven thousand one hundred islands I been missing
He feels a connection to many different parts of the world, but has not been able to visit them all.

cause I grind seven to five, at night I'm writing scriptures
The rapper works a full-time job during the day, but still finds time to make music at night.

as hot as the block as cold contradictions
The rapper is aware of the heat and tension on the streets, but is also aware of the paradoxes and complexity of life.

pen drips with honesty I don't author fiction
He prides himself on being authentic and truthful in his music.

go to competition the bone that they try to pick with me
Other rappers might try to start a feud with him, but he is not interested in that kind of drama.

and learn the moral lesson and marching forward to victory
Instead, he wants to focus on the bigger picture and continue to grow and succeed as an artist.

no flag waving celebrating your invasion
The rapper is critical of people who celebrate military invasions or colonizations.

you call it thanksgiving, we call it thankstaking
He is aware of the dark history behind certain holidays and traditions.

everybody looking for the ladder not the answer to the question
People are often more concerned with climbing the social or economic ladder than they are with finding true meaning or purpose in life.

waiting till the cancer's in regression
People often wait until a problem becomes too serious before they try to address it.

fresh from the northwest the hottest thing lately
The rapper is from the Pacific Northwest, a region known for producing innovative and talented musicians.

like white celebrities buying black and brown babies
He is critical of people who appropriate or commodify other cultures.

got the town crazy over beats rhymes and life
The rapper's music has made a big impact on his community.

peace with adobo grease, eggs and brown rice
He values his Filipino heritage and the culinary traditions that go along with it.

yo, I've seen souls get sold so coldly
The rapper has seen people give up their values and morals for the promise of fame and fortune.

see what a dollar can do to the tired and true
Money can corrupt even the most honest and dedicated people.

I speak boldly, composed of a melody told
The rapper is unafraid to speak his mind, and he does so in a way that is both musical and poetic.

whenever we hold the memory close
He believes that memories are important and should be cherished.

no telling when the reaper fed a post and snatch a fan
Death can come at any time, and the rapper has seen the effects of this on his fans and loved ones.

something that you can't capture with the camera lens
The rapper believes that some experiences and emotions cannot be captured visually.

amalgamation of a bolo and a hammerin' pen
He sees himself as a warrior and a poet, using his words like a weapon.

the truth hurts, no wonder people rather pretend
The rapper believes that the truth can be difficult to accept, which is why many people choose to ignore it.

I annihilate a fake persona for spare change
He is critical of people who put on a false front or persona for the sake of making money.

everybody, self included, is fair game
He is critical of himself as well as others, and believes that everyone has room for improvement.

inherited the trait to make both ends meet
He has had to work hard his whole life to make a living and support himself.

often make a brother feel like he gotta compete
The pressures of poverty and social inequality can make people feel like they are in competition with each other.

but with each release I reach for peace
The rapper hopes that his music can help bring people together and promote peace.

others quit to reach for the pigs from here to beacon to bridge
Some people are more interested in making money and conforming to the status quo than they are in creating art with a positive message.

‘cause see, freedom of speech don't apply if you're silent
He believes that it is important for people to speak out and use their voices to advocate for change.

I shout like I'm trying to get heard on the island
The rapper is determined and passionate in his message, as if he is trying to reach people who are far away and difficult to reach.

more food for the people
The rapper believes that access to healthy and nourishing food is a basic human right.

more homes for the people
He also believes that everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live.

more clothes for the people
The rapper believes that everyone deserves to have access to clothing and other basic necessities.

more schools for the people
He believes that education is crucial, and wants to see more funding and resources devoted to schools and other educational institutions.

more land for the people
He is also concerned about issues of land ownership and access to natural resources.

more life for the people
Ultimately, the rapper wants to see people living happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

more love for the people
The rapper believes that love is the key to a better and more just world.