If
Kenn Starr feat. Talib Kweli & Asheru Lyrics

It wasn't for this, it wasn't for that
If it wasn't for the negative aspects of society.

Ohh, best believe a better world
A better world would exist.

If it wasn't for the way that we live
If society were different.

Too many single mothers raisin' our kids
The abundance of single parents raising children.

Too many brothers caged in the Pen
The over-representation of Black men in prisons.

Engagin' a bid, enslaved by the pigs
Being imprisoned, controlled by the police system.

If it wasn't for crooked cops that pop shots grazin' our wig
If police didn't use excessive force.

That sends slugs reckless, plus these thugs with a death wish
The high rates of gun violence in communities.

That take your life for the ice that flood in your necklace
That commit crimes for materialistic gain.

The blood of the helpless and innocent (and innocent)
The loss of innocent lives due to societal issues.

If it wasn't for so-called friends that turned Benedict
If there weren't fake friends who betray others.

Snakes in the grass and crabs in the lake
Untrustworthy people who aim to harm others.

'Cause I'm black and its late, getting' harassed by the Jake
Being racially profiled and targeted by police.

Blasted with eight times five, plus one
Being shot and killed by the police.

Lethal deposit, reach for your wallet, they bust guns
Police quickly resort to violence.

That's why I trust none and I keep to myself
The lack of trust in others due to societal issues.

I can't blame cats that pack heat in they belt
The use of guns for self-defense.

And quick to clap, never givin' in
Being unyielding in the face of adversity.

If it wasn't for this and that
If there weren't societal issues.

It'd be a better world that we livin' in
The world would be a better place to live.

If it wasn't for a mic check I wouldn't have a check at all
If it weren't for the entertainment industry, financial struggles would exist.

Nowadays you can't live that way
Living off of creative talent alone is difficult in the modern age.

The markets way too unstable, there's too many pimp labels
The music industry is highly competitive and exploitative.

Playing rappers like a ho, manhandlin' the dough
Exploiting artists for financial gain.

Demandin' them to go on a track to bring the loot back
Expecting artists to bring in profits through their music.

Now you playing for the team and the captain, that's cream
Artists are expected to make profits for the label and its executives.

You got the dream to push a mean two-seater
The materialistic goals that artists aspire toward.

With a diva riding shotgun, just to say you got one
Participating in materialistic and superficial lifestyles.

You make the songs, but labels only want the hot ones
Labels prioritize profit over artistic expression.

Send you back to the drawing board, until you got some
Artists are expected to continually produce hits.

Now I guess we got problems
The music industry has issues.

Even your all-creative mind ain't enough to try and solve 'em
Artistic creativity cannot solve the issues within the industry.

The doors revolvin', younger cats are starvin'
The music industry is constantly changing and new artists are struggling.

They want it more than you, might go to war with you
The competition within the music industry is intense.

To reap the heap of dough that's at the end of the rainbow
To obtain financial success and fame within the industry.

You can't be mad, man, that's how the game go
Competition is a part of the industry and shouldn't be resented.

I'm about to show you what this black power is
The demonstration of Black excellence and empowerment.

Red, black, and green on the wrist how I live
Displaying Black pride and culture through fashion.

In the cold world where we bust off the black llamas
In a society where violence is prevalent, Black people must defend themselves.

Every winter where we lose more son to black mommas
The disproportionate amount of Black mothers who lose their children to violence.

If hip-hop got seasons, right now its spring
If hip-hop were subject to seasonal changes, it would be in a burgeoning period.

Like when everybody selling death, 'kiss the ring'
The promotion of negative and violent themes in hip-hop music.

You know how it goes, people change color like autumn
People's attitudes and values constantly shift over time, like the changing leaves of fall.

Kids learn through experience, fuck what a teacher taught 'em
People learn more effectively through their own experiences than through traditional education.

Puff a relief for boredom; rough will release a quarter
Drug use as a coping mechanism for boredom and stress.

And the parents who paid enough attention to at least ignore 'em
Parents who are neglectful or dismissive of their children's negative behaviors.

Blowing up mics, throwin' up signs
Performing confidently and contributing to a subculture through the use of hand signals.

To help niggaz you confusin' it with cryin'
Performing with emotional sincerity can be seen as weakness in the hip-hop community.

The winners write the history books
Powerful individuals and groups control the narrative of history.

Mystery looks past prisoners of war, that's what my listeners are for
Through hip-hop music, society can bring attention to and advocate for marginalized populations.

Turn the tide on this fuckery, ride on this fuckery
Rejecting negative societal behaviors and advocating for positive change.

You should a never let me in the industry, you're stuck with me
The artist's creativity and message are too important to ignore or silence within the entertainment industry.