Tabula Rasa
Earl Sweatshirt Armand Hammer Lyrics

Uh, off the strength I'm not as numb as I thought
Despite previous beliefs, I'm not as desensitized as I thought.

I'm broken links, my circle shrinking smaller
My connections to others are deteriorating.

Satellite revolve, my core is a cauldron, surrendered orbits
I revolve around my own conflicts and have lost control of my relationships.

Cross-check what's really real and what's performance
Distinguish authenticity from mere appearance.

Speak for self but wondering who else really on it
Confidently express my own views while questioning who else truly agrees.

Who's really all in? (Hello), trouble calling
Questioning who is truly committed to the cause while anticipating issues.

My phone don't ping, I'm buzzed, leave me alone
I'm distracted and don't want to be bothered with external issues.

Truth with a stashed pocket for a lie
Acknowledging the potential for deception despite claiming honesty.

The document is alive, I speak life
Words have power and can impact reality.

Every border gets revised if dissolved
Boundaries change when connections are broken.

With the fines what it's charged
The penalty for disruption may be steep.

Haven't made up my mind if I'm assigned to the stars
Uncertainty about one's place in the world.

I slide when I walk, I'm inside of the funk, trust
I move through life with a relaxed, confident attitude, despite difficulties.

She want up when it dump, it came from the sludge
She wants to celebrate when the going gets tough.

Involuntary, shooting foundations in studs
Instinctively and subconsciously building a strong foundation.

Tears and snot bubbles, sob puddles
Emotional turmoil.

I lay in the west spot, listen
Reflecting and seeking clarity.

Let's not conflate, I give what I take
Acknowledging fairness in give-and-take relationships.

It's the hunt, there is the chase
The pursuit is more significant than the reward.

Some talk like they never got punched in the face
Some people act overly confident and lack humility.

You can't see clearly now, don't come near me
I need space to gather my thoughts and emotions.

Wails of the weary, loop max infinite
The sounds of suffering seem endless.

Draw me closer, damn near intimate
Craving emotional intimacy and closeness.

The flyest and grown and sexy
Exuding confidence and maturity.

I came through over proofing the plastic Pepsi bottle
Asserting dominance or control over a situation.

security didn't check me
Easily navigating through obstacles or barriers.

Skipped coat check, they playin' the oldies
Disregarding traditional norms or expectations.

I'ma go 'head and get sweaty
Pushing oneself to work hard and sweat.

Plus saved the ten-piece
Saving money or resources for the future.

It's hell up in Harlem so meet me 'cross 110th street
Struggling through hardships but finding a way to persevere.

If the tree's a bargain, bars that don't really tempt me
Not being tempted by superficial things that appear to be good deals.

I'm from where every car foreign and we drive 'em on empty (Zimbabwe)
Growing up in a place where life is tough and resources are scarce.

Bury me in a borrowed suit
Accepting impermanence in life and being content with what one has.

Give my babies my rhyme books but tell 'em "Do you"
Leaving behind wisdom and guidance for future generations, but also granting them freedom to make their own choices.

Give my enemies the good news, time flew
Dismissing past grudges and acknowledging the passage of time.

We was probably brothers back then like TRU
Not holding onto past tensions and recognizing shared humanity.

No jerseys, no durags, hard-bottom shoes
Living life without pretense or superficiality.

Niggas tired of the foolishness
Rejecting frivolous or senseless behavior.

No disrespect, it's a lotta mids in the room
Acknowledging the presence of mediocrity without insulting anyone.

My pack loud, cut right through
My style or approach stands out and commands attention.

Kofi Annan in the booth so you ain't get in the stu'
Powerful and influential figures are present, so one should act accordingly.

Sese Seko Mobutu if the DJ play something smooth (slide on 'em)
Being confident and smooth in one's approach, while also acknowledging potentially corrupt individuals or situations.

It's a move, I don't dance but maybe tonight, maybe tonight
Being open to new experiences or opportunities.

I don't know her, and I don't even mind if it is the strobe light
Being open to new relationships or connections, even if they are fleeting or temporary.

Live for the living
Valuing the present and making the most out of life.

I made chicken late night in my boxers burning up the kitchen
Taking risks and taking care of oneself, even in unconventional or humorous ways.

She passed out right when I was done fixing
Exploring sexual relationships in a lighthearted or humorous way.

I watch reruns in the dark fingers and lips glistening
Finding comfort and enjoyment in simple pleasures.

Ooh, get it
Expressing excitement or encouragement for someone else's success.

Been to there and back, tall tales tossed to the breeze
Experiencing life fully and sharing one's stories with others.

We keep facts in the midnight wax, family tree sap
Preserving and passing down knowledge and history through oral tradition.

Lightly through the leaves on familiar tracks
Navigating through familiar surroundings with ease and grace.

I know it's real even when I'm feeling bad
Believing in the underlying truth or goodness of the world, even in difficult times.

Resilient as they build to black
Enduring difficulties or challenges and growing stronger as a result.

She shimmy into the, yeah, that's consent gettin' established
Emphasizing the importance of proper communication and consent in relationships.

You only trash if you trash, I keep it simple and dynamic
One's worth is determined by their actions, and simplicity can be powerful.

Trust the passage rites to life's chapters
Believing in the natural course of life and accepting its ups and downs.

I have to write to find balance
Requiring creative expression to maintain emotional equilibrium.

This game of telephone massive, I do what I have to with the fragments
Navigating through misinformation or confusion and doing what one can with limited knowledge.

The madness method rampant these days, I let the panic pass me
Not getting caught up in the chaos or hysteria of the world.

Featherweight, my heart was straight despite baggage
Despite past hardships, maintaining a light and hopeful heart.

Asymptomatic but I get sicker, the delays faster, faster
Not showing visible signs of illness or distress, but feeling the effects nonetheless.

Practicing practice in what I preach, keep pace
Leading by example and actively following one's own advice.

The calcium on my teeth fade
The effects of time and aging are becoming apparent.

streets are blazed with the anger, complacency and deceit create
The world is filled with hostility and negativity, caused by inaction and dishonesty.

Ice sheet break, I couldn't weak, wait
Metaphor for being proactive and not waiting for others to act first.

All I could say to the times I couldn't freeze frame, bleak fate
Reflecting on past regrets or missed opportunities.

You got so much to bleed to clean slate
In order to move forward, one must acknowledge and address past trauma or pain.

The bag of tricks in my sleeve breaks
One's ability to adapt or improvise can be limited.

Southpaw under the North Star, forcing all the league changes
Being unconventional or unusual, and inspiring others to follow suit.

Don't sleep baby
Don't underestimate my abilities or potential.