Keep It Real
Homeboy Sandman Lyrics

BREAK!
Introducing a new section of the song.

Knock knock, who's there? Salvador Sand
Introducing himself with wordplay.

A lot of flows but I don't know them all off hand
Acknowledging the complexity of his craft.

My pot of gold do not have no leprechaun guard
Rejecting the idea of relying on external protection or good luck.

I'm not alone, you might as well leapt upon god
Suggesting a spiritual connection or higher power.

My ball of wax is made of wax so it change shapes
Metaphorically describing his art as malleable and evolving.

My seat at mass is made of mass so it change states
Playing on the homonyms 'mass' and 'mass', attempting to reconcile religious and scientific perspectives.

What always lasts it's always mass so it takes space
Positing that physical matter endures despite change or transformation.

And always has whatever hazard that takes place
Implying a sense of danger or risk in the universe.

When roads fork
Beginning a meditation on decision-making.

I take a sec and think of roads that I done walked
Reflecting on past experiences to inform the present.

Then pick a way, im not afraid
Asserting confidence and self-determination.

Where I'll end at, I stay in shape
Maintaining focus and discipline to achieve goals.

It it don't work I'll just walk back
Acknowledging the possibility of failure, but not giving up.

Every month I roam, can't stick to one pad
Admitting a restless spirit or nomadic lifestyle.

And everything I own all fits in one bag
Living simply or traveling light.

I keep warm without withdrawing at no bank
Implying financial independence or resourcefulness.

And go on and on without drawing no blanks
Maintaining creative output and avoiding writer's block.

Can't always be what you see
Observing the limitations of surface appearances.

It's hard to believe but it's not true that
Challenging common assumptions or stereotypes.

Everybody's trying to keep it real
Questioning the notion of authenticity or sincerity in rap culture.

Wait who's that, it's Mike Ziggy with a riddle
Introducing a collaborator with wordplay.

Catch you like biggie in the middle
Continuing the play on famous rappers and physical positioning.

I never claimed real spit then bring a little dribble
Casting doubt on his own authenticity, but still trying to contribute.

Or say I pulled more strings than Diddy with a fiddle
Musing on his own power or influence, with another musical reference.

The cap sputin' and rap smooth
Combining more playful verbiage.

Been a deadly mix between bat spootin' and rap sputin'
Merging more wordplay and metaphor.

It's a shame how hip hop has become a playground
Commenting on the negative aspects of commercialization and gentrification in hip hop culture.

Full of black students who wack truer that lack schoolin'
Criticizing the supposed lack of education or skill among some participants in the scene.

Now everybody and their mum is tryna be the man
Noting the widespread desire for fame and success.

With mannerisms of a peter pan
Suggesting immaturity or childishness.

And yo the same gang who swore they're not on the band
Exposing hypocrisy in some groups or individuals.

Wagon watching other cats and following that fashion
Describing the trend of copying or imitating others.

To the middle of the field where they usually so corn
Deriding mainstream, middle-of-the-road music.

Cultivated break down and use it in most forms
Suggesting that artists can still draw from popular sources, but need to add their own creativity and skill.

Not here to make sure that pollution is no mores
Offering his own vision or goals for hip hop without imposing them on others.

Like sheeps clothing and tootin his own horn like
Concluding with another metaphorical phrase and critique of egotism.

Lord of the flies the mighty just caught
Beginning a new section with a literary reference.

The 4 or the 5
Referencing subway lines or urban geography.

My fort is fortified
Extending the metaphor of building and protection.

I benefit from mixed fire and ice
Describing a range of inputs or influences that inform his work.

That's all brink and morter of the mind
Merging more conceptual and physical imagery.

Could probably turn water to wine
Claiming supernatural ability with a biblical reference.

I represent to get more out of life
Asserting his own purpose and motivation.

It gives me something to do but all noons mornings and nights
Explaining how his work consumes his time and energy.

My powers been fully bestowed
Asserting his own talent or ability.

So im staying put standing in barefoot in the snow (ah)
Evoking both resilient endurance and paradoxical behavior.

Wild side is where I reside
Embracing an unconventional or unconventional persona.

You gon have something to say, either way I decide
Asserting his own agency or free will.

So why hit pay dirt and take in the sights
Reflecting on the value or purpose of success.

And if it ain't major I'm lettin it slide
Explaining his own selective or discerning approach to opportunities.

Mash up prayers and hopes
Mixing religious or spiritual language with more abstract emotions.

Broke so long I prefer layers to coats
Acknowledging financial challenges but still maintaining a sense of style or individuality.

And I'm not scared so I get stares and jokes
Asserting his own confidence or nonconformity despite social pressure.

But ill be upstairs way before mayors and popes
Reversing traditional hierarchies or status symbols.