The Darkest Part
Danger Mouse Lyrics

Shine the light into the darkest part of me
Reveal my hidden flaws and insecurities and help me confront them.

All around you find the worst thing they can't see
Identifying the negative aspects about myself that others overlook.

Though they say they'll take your pain
People may offer to help, but ultimately I must deal with my own struggles.

Don't give it away
Don't give up or surrender to my problems, rather face them head-on.

Yo
An expression used to grab attention.

I'm like Thelonious at the underground piano
I am a skilled musical artist like the iconic jazz pianist Thelonious Monk.

Dressed in camo, the grenades, guns and ammo
My appearance may be militant or aggressive, with weapons to defend myself.

Death to sambo, send 'em a bouquet and a candle
I want to eradicate the stereotypical or subservient image of black people in entertainment.

I came to take back that of the two-fifths of a man, so
Referring to the 3/5 Compromise, I want to reclaim black dignity and humanity in the face of a history of oppression.

From a silhouette standing in the aperture
When I emerged into the spotlight, I was just a shadow of myself.

To a figure-head standing in the path of a killer
Now, I am a prominent figure standing up against oppression and violence.

Young gorilla just scrambling for Africa
I am like a young, hungry animal striving for freedom and self-determination.

Crept and will accept nothing but a massacre
I will stealthily make my way to the top, and come out victorious in a fight for justice.

Premonition of intuition is a bitch
My intuition warns me of danger, but I choose to face it anyway.

Y'all, a message from the heavens, all it sins to be this
I feel like my message of justice is divinely inspired, despite the backlash it may face.

Keep it brief like a elevator pitch
I make sure to convey my message quickly and effectively.

Or delegate a switch 'cause the spirit is a snitch
I must be cautious and strategic in my approach, as sometimes trusting too much can lead to betrayal.

In America, the rich love to wear it on they wrist
The wealthy showcase their success and status through their appearance.

They call it shots, they don't wear it on they lip
The rich hold power and make decisions behind closed doors, not revealing their true intentions publicly.

Jingling of the chains, I can still hear it on the ship
The legacy of slavery and oppression still echoes in my mind and soul.

One hand loads the clip, fill the rubber on the cliff
I must be armed and ready for a fight against oppression and injustice.

Me and my reflection sending one another on a trip
I am introspective and reflective, always learning from my experiences and growth.

I'm under 21 and fit, now you know what punishment, listen
Despite my youth, I am still a force to be reckoned with and capable of punishing those who oppress me and my people.

The deeper the breath, the louder the scream
As I take in more of the world, my passion and voice grows stronger.

I cower between the two monsters out of my dream
I am stuck between the fear of oppression and the courage needed to fight it.

A Cadillac, a limousine, an anti-nigga machine
Even luxury and wealth can be used as tools to suppress black people and maintain the status quo.

And if I wake up alive, I bet they woke up clean
If I survive the struggle, my oppressors will remain unaffected and unchanged.

Umpteen times, the warning signs went unseen
The signs of oppression and injustice were ignored or overlooked many times.

To me, they done something, they tried to clip my wings
Oppressors have attempted to limit my potential and keep me from rising up.

But not before I understood how any caged bird sings
I have learned from other oppressed people's struggles and can use their examples to empower myself and others.

The soul was something before we became earthlings
Our existence is more than just physical, our souls are connected to something greater beyond our understanding.

Freedom is better than heroin, morphine or methadone
True freedom is an essential need for every human, more beneficial than any kind of drug.

They force-feed their fears into our flesh and bone
Oppressors use fear to control and manipulate us on a physical and mental level.

Inside of my confessional, I decompress alone
I need private and personal time to process and deal with my struggles.

I'm more skeptical to following the metronome
I am not always willing to follow the system or standards set by others.

I guess technically I'm on another echelon
My status and position surpasses what many expect or believe of me.

It just gets to me to where they lay the pressure on
The pressure to conform and be successful can be overwhelming at times.

Boy grown, hands like Roy Jones
I have grown and developed my skills and strength to resemble a professional boxer like Roy Jones Jr.

King Tut bracelet on, encrusted, flooded in stones, bro
I wear jewelry that is opulent and flashy, fit for a king.

Hardest and the sharpest
I am the toughest and the best.

Merge like three-bedroom apartments
I am able to combine multiple skills and aspects of myself, like rooms in a large apartment.

Pick one room, they all movin'
If I focus on one aspect of myself, all of my other strengths and skills will follow.

Let me start this, my art retarded kids
Let me begin my art, which may seem unconventional or misguided to some.

The arsonists and ostrich
I am able to create something beautiful and new, but also have a destructive side.

The moon is the park, we been partners, shit
The moon is a symbol of my creativity and I have always been connected to it.

Say no other, we the jungle brothers
I am loyal and connected to my black brothers who also face oppression.

Out in Kenya, how we did in December, loading in cartridges
I am preparing for revolution and struggle, just as those who fought for Kenyan independence in December.

The lines is like Nas, D.A. we ain't babies
The lyrics of my song are poetic and meaningful, like those of Nas, and I am not naive or ignorant to oppression.

Word to mama, poor llamas, paper we seein' crazy
I am dedicating my words and message to my mother, and acknowledging the outrageous amounts of money being made while others still suffer.

Louis Ritchie the drummer
Referring to musician Buddy Rich, who is known for his drumming skills.

Thoughts from the black boy, boy mama call ya
My thoughts and words come from a place of my personal experiences as a black man, and my mother has influenced me greatly.

See the numbers, they matchin' and relaxin'
I am able to understand and manipulate numbers and find comfort in them.

Chump jewelry and 2027 Hummers, new song
Others may value flashy and expensive material objects, but I am focused on making music and creating change.

I seen the stunners getting busy on the bridge
I have witnessed those trying to impress and show off their wealth and status.

Headed out, clean, yo dope dealer
I am on my way out, but still am in contact with my drug dealer.

Stop wasting time, take some shine
Don't waste time on trivial things, focus on making a positive impact and shine in your own way.