Too Late
Kweli Talib & Hi Tek/Res Lyrics

Yo, when the bass thump, the place jump
The strong bass causes the room to vibrate in excitement.

Like it's way crunk, yeah
It feels like the party has reached an all-time high.

Fake punks get they face lumped
Those who pretend to be tough often get physically hurt.

Sent to the most high, by the most fit
Those who are defeated may be sent to meet their maker.

You gotta do, fuck that almost shit
You must take action, no excuses allowed.

The fam is close knit
The family band is closely connected.

You diggin', know the clock don't stop tickin'
Time keeps moving, whether you're ready or not.

Glocks still spittin', the whole block politickin'
Guns are still being fired, the entire neighborhood is involved in politics.

Like presidents with they minds dead on arrival
Leaders who are not equipped to handle the job may end up failing.

Leaving no evidence of a struggle for survival
There is no proof that a struggle existed because it ended so quickly.

Songs relevant to the times like the psalms read in the Bible
The music speaks to the current state of society, similar to how religious texts speak to a specific time period.

Stepping to this leaves thoughts in your head 'it's suicidal'
Engaging with this music may cause dangerous or self-destructive thoughts.

It's the T to the A-L-I-B the deep rooter
The rapper, Talib, declares his name and deep roots in the genre.

Rolling with my wanna battle cats who chief buddha
Talib associates with those who want to compete and are wise, serene individuals.

And see through the overspecialized, underpressurized
These individuals are able to see through those who are overly specialized and under pressure.

No lie texturized, emcees who got the masses mesmerized
They are not lying, they tell the truth, and they are skilled at captivating their audience.

With empty rhetoric, they better quit
These rhymers have nothing of substance to say and should give up their approach.

Niggas so hollow that they echo like sentiments
These rappers are so empty that they only echo common sayings.

Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted
Many modern rappers are not giving their all.

Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets
Some rappers aim to make money while others wish to stay a niche.

Where were you the day hip-hop died?
The artist is asking where the listener was during an imaginary moment when the music genre came to an end.

Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?
Is it appropriate now to lament the loss of hip hop, or is it too late to take action to save it?

Kwa is chillin', Tone is chillin'
Kweli and Tone are relaxing.

What more can I say, we stay building
They are continuing to create and improve.

And make killings
They are also being financially successful.

Take children through the wilderness, by the hand
They are helping kids navigate through difficult situations.

It's a great feeling, show 'em how to be a man
They find it an excellent experience to mentor the young and teach them right from wrong.

Exactly, pack trees in my khakis
The rapper is wearing clothing that can conceal marijuana.

My sound fat like a Neve while you thin like a Mackie
Talib's music is rich and full, while others' music is weak and lacking.

C'mon, shine so bright when I walk by
Talib is confident and stands out from the crowd.

You got ta squint like the motherfucking sun in your eye
Others have to shield their eyes to look at him because he is so bright.

What! Say somethin, you stay frontin
Speak up if you have something to say, don't be a fake.

It ain't nothing, let off like I'm big game hunting
He is confident in his skills and is aggressive in his approach like a hunter stalking a large animal.

Me and Tek stay way blunted
Talib and his friend Tek are highly intoxicated.

Wave running on beaches with white sand
They enjoy being near the ocean.

With a slight tan
They already have a light tan from being in the sun.

Smack the mic stand with my right hand
He pounds on the microphone in excitement and passion.

When I'm excited
His adrenaline pumps and he becomes excited.

Leave you so far in the dust that you forced to bite it
He leaves others so far behind that they must eat dust from his wake.

On fire like property lost to riots
He is on fire like a property that is lost during a riot.

Yo, ain't no stopping us when we all united
When they are together and unified, nothing can stop them.