1999
Common Feat. Talib Kweli & Gangstarr Lyrics

Still gettin mine, in the ONE NINE NINE NINE
No matter what happens, I am still achieving my goals and succeeding in life in the year 1999.

Yo, just relax, take it easy slow down
It's important to take life easy and enjoy the journey at a slow pace.

I had this, I had this friend of mine
There was a friend who moved too fast in life.

Who just, you know, he was movin too fast, yaknawimsayin?
This friend was always in a hurry and never took the time to relax.

I told him to slow down, he said the sun don't chill
The friend didn't listen and claimed that time doesn't wait for anyone.

I said still, I said still, you gotta
Common tried to convince his friend to appreciate life and cherish every moment.

Just appreciate life, sit back, don't let it fly right past you
It's important to slow down and enjoy every moment of life before it passes you by too quickly.

Check it, it's like I'm fightin for freedom, writin for freedom
Common considers himself to be fighting for freedom, writing music to express his thoughts and feelings.

These record company niggas I don't like when I see em
Common doesn't like the people who run record companies.

My ancestors, when I'm writin I see em, and talk wit em
Common feels a connection to his ancestors when he writes and feels like they're talking to him.

Hopin in the promise land I can walk wit em
Common hopes to meet his ancestors in the afterlife and walk alongside them.

Shitted on, so many rappers it's like I'm in the stall wit em
Common feels like he's been disrespected by other rappers in the industry.

Molest concepts, start rhythm, paid dues, bought wisdom
Common has worked hard to develop his skills and pays attention to his craft.

As legends fall my godmother answer heaven's call
Common's godmother has passed away and gone to heaven.

Preachers' daughters get fucked in the reverand's hall
Even in religious environments, people can be sinful and engage in inappropriate behavior.

MC's reckless ?I ball? why y'all wanna go and do that?
Common doesn't understand why other rappers are so reckless and irresponsible.

Must've thought I was solo, the name just ain't the you-Ac
People may think Common is alone because of his name, but he's not.

No mo', still together
Common is still united with his friends and family despite the challenges he faces.

Like in the ghetto photo wit one nigga in the chair
Common is reminiscing about a photo with a friend sitting in a chair in the ghetto.

Holdin liquor in despair, gang signs in the air
The photo captured a moment of sadness and desperation with gang signs in the air.

I shine in spaces where time is just a glare
Common continues to make a name for himself in environments where time seems to stand still.

Hold the mic like a memory
The microphone is a reminder of all the hard work and dedication Common has put into his music.

Niggas say I'm nice wit metaphors but these are similes
Despite what others say, Common is skilled at using similes in his music.

Street ministry, my poetry's a penitentiary, track is visitation
Common's music is like a religious experience for his fans, and his lyrics are like a prison that they can escape from.

Sentences is life, I'm like chief up in this demonstration
Common is leading a movement with his music and influencing others to join him.

You squirm wit this coughin, whippin cough
Sadat X challenges his listeners to listen up and pay attention.

Six days of madness and you might throw me off
Life can be chaotic and overwhelming, making it difficult to stay focused.

On this great ball of stress that they call the earth
Sadat X describes how life can be stressful and overwhelming.

I'ma show y'all in rhyme just how much shit I been through
Sadat X plans to use his music to share his life experiences with his fans.

And all the place I went to, always played the low
Even when Sadat X traveled to different places, he tried to stay out of the spotlight.

It's like a competition, this mission here I'm tellin you
Life can feel like a competition, especially when trying to achieve success.

Slip up and rhyme-ass niggas here is fellin you
Other rappers are quick to criticize and mock those who make mistakes.

Crash courses, slow down you can't learn that quick
It's important to take the time to learn and grow in life, rather than trying to rush through everything.

'cause I'm the dead eye, wit the red eye, from Chi to L-I
Sadat X is a skilled rapper from Chicago to Long Island.

Every year I grew, I'm still growin
Sadat X continues to grow and evolve every year.

And in a year or two I hope my girl'll be showin
Sadat X hopes that his girlfriend will get pregnant in the next year or two.

A male seed, praise God I name him Moses
Sadat X plans to name his future son Moses and give thanks to God for his blessing.

I lead people I want him to, that's why I chose this
Sadat X hopes to be a good role model for his future son and lead him down the right path in life.

Now is the glass half-full or half-empty
Sadat X poses a philosophical question about how people view their lives.

Common, why they tempt me?
Sadat X wonders why people try to tempt him into negative or unhealthy behaviors.

The king of the simply, bore in mic
Sadat X is a straightforward and simple rapper, but he still has a lot of talent.

I always stay on top 'cause I give niggas what they like
Sadat X remains successful because he makes music that his fans enjoy and appreciate.

I know y'all hate that why I feel I owe y'all everyday
Despite what others may think, Sadat X feels a sense of gratitude towards his fans and wants to thank them every day.

If y'all hear it a thousand times, it's gon' be the same way
Sadat X plans to continue making music that his fans will love, even if it means repeating his message over and over again.

The 'Dat-Father, go farther, why bother
Sadat X refers to himself as the 'Dat-Father' and believes he can continue to achieve great things in his career.

Now I'm a peaceful man, I don't want no stress
Sadat X doesn't want any drama or stress in his life.

Catch a flick at the Liquid Kitty
Sadat X likes to unwind by watching movies at the Liquid Kitty, a popular bar and lounge.

Tryin to get a chick to kick it wit me till the tilt
Sadat X is trying to find a woman to hang out with until they both pass out from drinking.

Told her my Chamber's like Wilt
Sadat X boasts about his sexual prowess to impress his date.

Built wit her for a sec, let her know I had respect
Despite his bragging, Sadat X treats his date with respect and dignity.

Less than a hour she was givin me neck, yo I'm still gettin mine...
Despite his good behavior, Sadat X still manages to get what he wants from his date in the end.