if
Ken Star / Asheru / Talib Kweli Lyrics
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It wasn't for this, it wasn't for that
Ohh, best believe a better world
[Talib Kweli--talking over chorus]
Yes, ladies and gentleman
You do have Kenn Starr in the house, Asheru
Talib Kweli...
[Kenn Starr]
If it wasn't for the way that we live
Too many single mothers raisin' our kids
Too many brothers caged in the Pen
Engagin' a bid, enslaved by the pigs
If it wasn't for crooked cops that pop shots grazin' our wig
That sends slugs reckless, plus these thugs with a death wish
That take your life for the ice that flood in your necklace
The blood of the helpless and innocent (and innocent)
If it wasn't for so-called friends that turned Benedict
Snakes in the grass and crabs in the lake
'Cause I'm black and its late, getting' harassed by the Jake
Blasted with eight times five, plus one
Lethal deposit, reach for your wallet, they bust guns
That's why I trust none and I keep to myself
I can't blame cats that pack heat in they belt
And quick to clap, never givin' in
If it wasn't for this and that
It'd be a better world that we livin' in
[Hook: x 2]
[Asheru]
If it wasn't for a mic check I wouldn't have a check at all
Nowadays you can't live that way
The markets way too unstable, there's too many pimp labels
Playing rappers like a ho, manhandlin' the dough
Demandin' them to go on a track to bring the loot back
Now you playing for the team and the captain, that's cream
You got the dream to push a mean two-seater
With a diva riding shotgun, just to say you got one
You make the songs, but labels only want the hot ones
Send you back to the drawing board, until you got some
Now I guess we got problems
Even your all-creative mind ain't enough to try and solve 'em
The doors revolvin', younger cats are starvin'
They want it more than you, might go to war with you
To reap the heap of dough that's at the end of the rainbow
You can't be mad, man, that's how the game go
[Hook: x 2]
[Talib Kweli]
(yeah, see'mon!)
(yea, here we go, yeah!)
I'm about to show you what this black power is
Red, black, and green on the wrist how I live
In the cold world where we bust off the black llamas
Every winter where we lose more son to black mommas
If hip-hop got seasons, right now its spring
Like when everybody selling death, "kiss the ring" (yeah!)
You know how it goes, people change color like autumn
Kids learn through experience, fuck what a teacher taught 'em
Puff a relief for boredom; rough will release a quarter
And the parents who paid enough attention to at least ignore 'em
Blowing up mics, throwin' up signs
To help niggaz you confusin' it with cryin'
The winners write the history books
Mystery looks past prisoners of war, that's what my listeners are for
Turn the tide on this fuckery, ride on this fuckery
You should a never let me in the industry, you're stuck with me
[Hook: x 3]
The song "If" by Ken Starr, Asheru, and Talib Kweli is a contemplative track about the problems that plague society, as well as the personal struggles faced by each artist. The chorus that repeats throughout the song is a call to action or reflection - "It wasn't for this, it wasn't for that, ohh, best believe a better world." Each verse delves into different societal problems, with Kenn Starr lamenting the prevalence of single mothers raising children, police brutality, and the pressure to carry a gun for protection. Asheru addresses the music industry, its exploitative practices, and the fact that artists are often forced to compromise their creative vision to appeal to what the labels think will sell. Talib Kweli's verse touches on the intersection of race and power, as well as the effects of society's focus on materialism.
Throughout the song, the artists emphasize the ways in which these issues are interconnected, and how they contribute to a world where the playing field is not level. The phrase "If it wasn't for this and that, it'd be a better world that we're living in" serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to work towards creating a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
It wasn't for this, it wasn't for that
If certain things didn't exist or happen
Ohh, best believe a better world
The world would be better
If it wasn't for the way that we live
If our lifestyle was different
Too many single mothers raisin' our kids
There are too many mothers raising children alone
Too many brothers caged in the Pen
Too many men are in jail
Engagin' a bid, enslaved by the pigs
They are in jail and controlled by the police
If it wasn't for crooked cops that pop shots grazin' our wig
If police didn't shoot at us
That sends slugs reckless, plus these thugs with a death wish
Gangsters who have no regard for human life
That take your life for the ice that flood in your necklace
They kill for jewelry
The blood of the helpless and innocent (and innocent)
Innocent people are being killed
If it wasn't for so-called friends that turned Benedict
If so-called friends didn't betray us
Snakes in the grass and crabs in the lake
People who pretend to be our friends while secretly working against us
'Cause I'm black and its late, getting' harassed by the Jake
Because of my skin color, I'm being harassed by the police
Blasted with eight times five, plus one
Getting shot multiple times
Lethal deposit, reach for your wallet, they bust guns
Police shoot you even when you're reaching for your wallet
That's why I trust none and I keep to myself
I don't trust anyone and I isolate myself
I can't blame cats that pack heat in they belt
I can't blame people for carrying guns for protection
And quick to clap, never givin' in
People will shoot back and not back down
If it wasn't for this and that
If certain things didn't exist or happen
It'd be a better world that we livin' in
The world would be better
If it wasn't for a mic check I wouldn't have a check at all
If I didn't get paid for performing
Nowadays you can't live that way
These days you can't make a living like that
The markets way too unstable, there's too many pimp labels
The music industry is too volatile and corrupt
Playing rappers like a ho, manhandlin' the dough
Music labels are exploiting artists for money
Demandin' them to go on a track to bring the loot back
Labels make artists record more songs to make more money
Now you playing for the team and the captain, that's cream
The artist is now part of the label's team and making money for them
You make the songs, but labels only want the hot ones
Labels only want songs that will make them money
Send you back to the drawing board, until you got some
Labels will make you make more songs until you have a hit song
Now I guess we got problems
There are problems in the music industry
Even your all-creative mind ain't enough to try and solve 'em
Even the most creative artists can't fix the industry's problems
The doors revolvin', younger cats are starvin'
New artists are trying to get in, but the industry is exploiting them
They want it more than you, might go to war with you
New artists are more desperate for success and may compete against established artists
To reap the heap of dough that's at the end of the rainbow
To make a lot of money from their music
You can't be mad, man, that's how the game go
That's just how the music industry works
I'm about to show you what this black power is
I am going to demonstrate the idea of black power
Red, black, and green on the wrist how I live
I wear the colors of the Pan-African flag
In the cold world where we bust off the black llamas
In the cruel world, we use guns to defend ourselves
Every winter where we lose more son to black mommas
Every winter, more black mothers lose their sons to violence
If hip-hop got seasons, right now its spring
If hip-hop had seasons, it would be spring
Like when everybody selling death, "kiss the ring"
When everyone is promoting violence and death in their music
You know how it goes, people change color like autumn
People change their opinions frequently
Kids learn through experience, fuck what a teacher taught 'em
Kids learn through their own experiences, regardless of what teachers tell them
Puff a relief for boredom; rough will release a quarter
People smoke weed to relieve boredom or stress
And the parents who paid enough attention to at least ignore 'em
Some parents ignore their children's personal issues
Blowing up mics, throwin' up signs
Performing on stage and making hand gestures representing gangs
To help niggaz you confusin' it with cryin'
People mistake helping others as weakness
The winners write the history books
Those who achieve power write history
Mystery looks past prisoners of war, that's what my listeners are for
My listeners can help recognize those who are oppressed
Turn the tide on this fuckery, ride on this fuckery
Fight against the corruption
You should a never let me in the industry, you're stuck with me
The industry should not have given me success, but now they have to deal with me
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEAL LEE COTY, WILLIAM SEABORN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FlowerBoyWorld
this beat is just soooooo fresh! soul is the basement of rap, of HIP-HOP, respect it, keep it!
chochaos7
Very nice track. Wasn't expecting it to be this good.
Mogruith
Asheru's part is real. I love his bars, and his voice was made for hip-hop. Just if this was popular.... What a different impact hip-hop would have. Not talking about screwing women and money, and guns. Theres so much potential for hip-hop we just need to have the right innovators. People are all about Gucci Man and all these people. But i just wish people would listen to people like Asheru, or like Frank Ocean, thats REAL hip-hop. Something that people can learn from, and experience. Thank you for making this song Kenn Starr, you had a great lineup for this song. Peace.
Nomvula Malangabi
OK..THAT BEAT WILL BE PLAYING IN MY HEAD FOR WEEKS.. ITS ADDICTIVE... :)
brownortega
been bumpin this shit since 7th grade now its 7 years later and its still in the mix!!
chubbywater5
one of the best hip hop songs of all time hands down.... X100 ---- Super sickness
josepharake
Unbelievable track...underrated,mad deep,NOT about bitches, whips etc. If you like this, I recommend Gang Starr, Nas and Dilated Peoples to name just a few.....
Shane Krolikowski
Good to see Hip Hop is still alive..
Joakim Andersson
sick song with 3 really awesome rappers... want to see more of thesey guys and dat boondocks dude
ka7ao
damn. i forgot about this....BIG UP memories..used to play this every time i woke up..made my day ... If hip-hop got seasons, right now its spring ..Talib Kweli ...