selfPortrait
Blue Scholars Lyrics

Shorty feels the pressure on his shoulders as he's liftin it
The struggles and burdens of life weigh down on Shorty.

Wonders why the elders always tell him not to question it
Shorty is curious and wants to understand the world around him, but is discouraged from asking questions by older generations.

Options at the bottom of the ladder got him desperate
Being at the bottom of the social ladder, Shorty feels hopeless and trapped.

But all he ever wanted was a weapon to protect him with
Shorty desires a way to defend himself in a violent world.

Riding a 36 through the veins of the beacon
Traveling through the city streets, experiencing the pulse of the community.

The water is the heart, its rainin when its beatin
Water represents life and the emotions within people, and is reflected through the weather.

In the city that I sleep in I'm dreamin while I'm awake
Shorty's waking life is a constant dream, as he imagines the possibilities beyond his current struggles.

The miserable escape but they're too high to ponder faith
People often turn to harmful substances as a way to escape reality, but fail to search for deeper meaning in life.

But who am I, to use their plight to illustrate a rhyme
The artist acknowledges his privileged position and is hesitant to exploit the struggles of others for artistic expression.

With everything around me that I've never had to live
The artist is aware of his advantages and recognizes that others have lived through hardships he has not experienced.

But I observe the inner qualities to serve the people properly
The singer seeks to understand the needs of others and use his platform to serve them.

Tell them that their freedom isn't found in private property
The artist challenges the notion that owning material possessions equals personal freedom.

Prostitutes are more than just the folks who sell their bodies
Prostitutes are often marginalized by society and reduced to their occupation, but are complex individuals with their own unique experiences and stories.

See this shit applies to those who's souls are a commodity
People's souls are often devalued and treated as a commodity to be exploited for profit or power.

I can hear the colony callin me back to be
The singer feels a responsibility to use his talents to give voice to marginalized communities and stand up against injustice.

The bullet in the belly while they lock, load, and squeeze
The artist is willing to risk his safety to speak out against oppressive systems and defend those who are targeted by violence.

Rebel with a pen lettin off buckshots in threes
The artist uses words as his weapon to fight against oppressive systems and inspire change.

Rewriting what it is into what it ought to be
The artist seeks to transform society by redefining what is possible, and channeling his creativity towards a better future.

They made a mockery out of the possibility
Oppressive systems have stifled possibilities for progress and created oppressive cycles of poverty and despair.

Yo.. shorty's getting grown old enough to read the messages
Shorty is maturing and gaining a greater understanding of the world around him through education and experience.

Understands the elders as he then begins to question them
As Shorty matures, he begins to comprehend the wisdom of older generations, but also questions their authority.

One generation handed down what they've inherited
The legacy of past generations continues to shape and influence the present.

Another generation rewriting the master narrative
New generations are empowered to reshape the prevailing narratives and create their own stories.

Older folks overdose on broken hopes often
Past generations have been left disillusioned and hopeless by the failures of the system to improve their lives.

Children then begin to grow comatose and lost up
Younger generations become disillusioned and disengaged as they witness the failures of the system to improve conditions for their families and communities.

In the clutches of the wickedest fingers
Oppressive systems trap individuals in cycles of poverty and powerlessness.

Indicative of the systems inhibited
The oppressive systems themselves are the root cause of the poverty and inequality that plague society.

Ability to listen to the voice of the dyin who've been tired of cryin
The system fails to address the needs of those who are most impacted by poverty and oppression and have been crying out for change.

Nightsticks fall where projectiles are flyin
Oppressive systems use violence to maintain control and silence dissenters.

Through a straight path narrow like the gap between heaven and hell
Navigating life and societal systems is difficult and requires navigating a narrow path between success and failure.

They skip class cause they goin to jail, true
Young people in marginalized communities may not see education as a viable path forward, as they are more likely to be incarcerated than to achieve academic success.

Students prevail when the knowledge is passed
Education can be a powerful tool for creating opportunities and breaking cycles of poverty and inequality.

But others seem to fail sittin flat on their ass
Despite the potential of education, systemic barriers and inequality prevent many from being able to access it and succeed.

And now I be the emcee in the place not be
The artist embraces his role as an artist and leader in the face of oppression and injustice.