Mankind
Kool Keith & O.D.B. Lyrics


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The world's magnificent, majestic and vibrant
From the ground humans evolved when organisms collided
Planet of the Apes to the land of primates
Many faces escape through landscapes to migrate
Inventions and paintings in many caves cited
They use to fight with spears in, limited diet
Different faces and features, different fashions provided
Most live the basic, but elites want the highest
The Tower of Babel to the world's most finest
Built decorated gold deities as prizes
Global environment crumble with the wildest giants
The treasures, the pyramids, the African diamonds
Top of the rock climbing, glass walls rising
The illuminated space station above the asylum
A Total Recall vacation to Mars sighting
The 13th Revelation to vacate the harsh climate

Ayo the earth's in a movement as it starts to evolve
Past civilizations known to rise and fall
Man versus machine in fear, everything clear
The present was the past, and the future is here
The earth's in a movement as it starts to evolve
Past civilizations known to rise and fall
Man versus machine in fear, everything clear
The present was the past, and the future is here

20 Something A.D, a world where humans are flawed
They see us inferior so they terminate us all
Machine learning sunglasses tracking the movement
Replicating humans just to seek improvements
Microchips in the brain, half-machine half-human
A plan to seek the fountain of youth proven
Robots manufacturing robots by the hundreds
While taxing the masses to let humans fund it
A new brain for trauma, appliance as your mama
You thought Futurama was just a cartoon drama
Face scanners, bio-metric cameras loaded with hammers
Searching for actors that don't roll with the masters
Pollute them to fight against race and religion
Divide and conquer missions through mind control systems
Contaminated animals and trees, polluted water for fishing
40 Years from now I wonder if we'll still be living

Ayo the earth's in a movement as it starts to evolve
Past civilizations known to rise and fall
Man versus machine in fear, everything clear
The present was the past, and the future is here
The earth's in a movement as it starts to evolve
Past civilizations known to rise and fall




Man versus machine in fear, everything clear
The present was the past, and the future is here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Mankind" by Kool Keith & O.D.B. delve into the evolution of mankind and the potential future trajectory of civilization. The opening verses reflect on the magnificence and vibrancy of the world, tracing the origins of humans from the collision of organisms. The lyrics draw parallels between the past and present, referencing the Planet of the Apes and the development of human societies through migration and cultural evolution. There is a juxtaposition between the simplicity of ancient civilizations, depicted through fighting with spears and limited diets, and the desires of the elites to reach the highest levels of grandeur and accomplishment, manifested in structures like the Tower of Babel and the pursuit of gold deities.


As the song progresses, it transitions to a depiction of a dystopian future where humanity faces existential threats from advanced technology and the relentless pursuit of progress. The theme of man versus machine is prevalent, with references to artificial intelligence, brain implants, and the quest for immortality through technology. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a world where humans are viewed as inferior, with machines seeking to replace and improve upon them. The narrative of robots manufacturing robots and manipulating human society for their own ends touches on themes of manipulation, surveillance, and control.


The song continues to explore the possible consequences of unchecked technological advancement, such as the erosion of individual freedoms, the blurring of human and machine boundaries, and the potential for societal collapse. The imagery of face scanners, biometric cameras, and mind control systems portrays a world where surveillance and manipulation are rampant, leading to conflicts driven by divisions of race and religion. The lyrics also touch on environmental degradation, with references to contaminated animals, polluted water, and the uncertain future of a world struggling to sustain life as we know it.


In essence, "Mankind" offers a thought-provoking commentary on the cyclical nature of civilization, the impact of technology on humanity, and the potential consequences of our actions on the planet and our own existence. Through vivid imagery and stark warnings, the song challenges listeners to reflect on the course of human history and contemplate the direction in which we are headed, ultimately leaving us to ponder the uncertain future that awaits us if we do not confront and address the challenges that lie ahead.


Line by Line Meaning

The world's magnificent, majestic and vibrant
The world is stunning, grand, and full of life


From the ground humans evolved when organisms collided
Humans evolved from the collision of different organisms on Earth


Planet of the Apes to the land of primates
From a world dominated by apes to one filled with primates


Many faces escape through landscapes to migrate
Different species migrate to new lands to survive


Inventions and paintings in many caves cited
Various inventions and artworks discovered in caves


They use to fight with spears in, limited diet
People used to fight with spears and had limited food


Different faces and features, different fashions provided
Diverse appearances and fashion styles available


Most live the basic, but elites want the highest
Many live simple lives, but the elite seek power and luxury


The Tower of Babel to the world's most finest
From the Tower of Babel to the world's most luxurious structures


Built decorated gold deities as prizes
Built and adorned gold statues as symbols of worship


Global environment crumble with the wildest giants
The global environment faces destruction by powerful forces


The treasures, the pyramids, the African diamonds
Valuable treasures like pyramids and diamonds from Africa


Top of the rock climbing, glass walls rising
Scaling heights and confronting barriers


The illuminated space station above the asylum
A bright space station hovering over a madhouse


A Total Recall vacation to Mars sighting
Remembering a holiday on Mars like in Total Recall movie


The 13th Revelation to vacate the harsh climate
Preparing to leave a harsh environment as prophesied in the 13th Revelation


Ayo the earth's in a movement as it starts to evolve
Earth is changing and evolving


Past civilizations known to rise and fall
History shows that civilizations have a pattern of rising and falling


Man versus machine in fear, everything clear
Humans facing off against machines, revealing true intentions


The present was the past, and the future is here
The past influences the present and shapes the future


20 Something A.D, a world where humans are flawed
In the 2020s, humans with imperfections inhabit the world


They see us inferior so they terminate us all
Others view humans as lesser beings and seek to eliminate them


Machine learning sunglasses tracking the movement
Advanced technology monitoring and analyzing human actions


Replicating humans just to seek improvements
Creating copies of humans to enhance their qualities


Microchips in the brain, half-machine half-human
Implanting microchips in brains to merge humans with machines


A plan to seek the fountain of youth proven
A strategy to discover eternal youth has been validated


Robots manufacturing robots by the hundreds
Robots producing more robots in large quantities


While taxing the masses to let humans fund it
Charging the population to finance these advancements


A new brain for trauma, appliance as your mama
Offering a replacement brain for healing and a machine as a mother figure


You thought Futurama was just a cartoon drama
Believing Futurama was just a fictional show and not a glimpse into the future


Face scanners, bio-metric cameras loaded with hammers
Cameras and scanners equipped with aggressive features for surveillance


Searching for actors that don't roll with the masters
Looking for individuals who resist control by those in power


Pollute them to fight against race and religion
Using pollution to incite conflict based on race and religion


Divide and conquer missions through mind control systems
Employing tactics to divide and control people through psychological manipulation


Contaminated animals and trees, polluted water for fishing
Animals, trees, and water sources harmed by pollution, affecting livelihoods


40 Years from now I wonder if we'll still be living
Questioning if humanity will survive and thrive in the next 40 years




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Mike Nithaworn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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