Kingdom
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics

Facts, from the rack
Information being gathered from the source

Port-au-prince is a kingdom
A place where people live in a manner that reflects royalty

Kingston is a kingdom
A place where people live in a manner that reflects royalty

New Orleans is a kingdom
A place where people live in a manner that reflects royalty

South Central is a kingdom, y'all
A place where people live in a manner that reflects royalty

Freedom, free men are freedom (freedom)
Freedom comes from free men

Black life is a kingdom
Black life has a royalty attached to it

Why kill yourself for no reason, fah?
Why commit suicide?

(Facts from the rack)
Information being gathered from the source

(Yute) chat to dem with no meaning, fah
People talking nonsense

Hold the sword like a hand should
Involving oneself in the battle

Right to passage into manhood
Becoming a man through experience

Heightened malice in the land, look
An increase in evil actions

Like the lights of havoc do no damn good
Causing destruction without achieving anything

Half sleep from being over preached
Being partially conscious due to excessive preaching

The other half sleep 'cause the Xan good
Being partially conscious due to medicine intake

A chief would take his hand like a thief
Being guided by a wise leader

And make him stand like a man would
Encouraging one to take ownership of their actions

In the face of an ambush
Challenging oneself in a difficult situation

To the back and they attack
Being attacked from the rear

Front of they front line, out the plane
Leading the way for others

With no parachutes and they backpacks
Facing danger without preparation

Choppin' weed, and droppin' seeds
Growing a crop and planting the seeds

Then flowers grow where they land at
Results of the effort being seen

Properties on top of these
Building one's worth using the resources

To make power flow from they hand claps
Obtaining power through one's skills

Suicide, it's suicide
Taking one's own life is senseless

You and I wouldn't do divide
Working together is key

Who arrived to see you survived, it means
The fact that someone has survived is worth acknowledging

Two would die to make you alive, it means
Sacrifice is often made for someone's survival

You should die for the two that died, it means
One should honor those who have sacrificed themselves

You arrived with the youth inside you, king
You came into the world with potential to be great

You align with the truth inside of things
Focusing on reality instead of falsehood

Wise to the lies that the youth provide and bring, war
Being aware of the skewed perspective of the younger generation

Does the king make a kingdom?
Is it the ruler who creates the kingdom?

Or the kingdom make a king?
Or is it the kingdom which creates the ruler?

Is it free when it's freedom?
Is real freedom truly attained?

Or being dumb being free?
Is being uneducated being free?

South Central is a kingdom, yeah
A place where people live in a manner that reflects royalty

Freedom, free men are freedom
Freedom comes from free men

(Babylon, ain't no king, Babylon ain't kingdom)
A place where authority is not respected as royalty

(Yute, Babylon ain't kingdom) chat to dem with no meaning, fah
Talking nonsense about a place where authority is not respected as royalty

Well if man was meant to fly
A hypothetical statement

Jah woulda made us all with wings
If it were meant to be, we would have the ability to fly

Well he made us all with crowns, that means seh every man a king
We are all kings and queens

Your mind it is your castle, mankind govern how you think
Controlling one's thoughts is key

The ghetto is a kingdom, care not how di gully stink
Respecting the royalty of those in underprivileged areas

No one can change mi mind, no I am thoroughly convinced
Being firm in one's beliefs

My woman is a queen, that bring forth more princess and prince
My partner is royalty and produces royalty

And if you add up the equation it must mean I'm royal, since
I am also royalty through association

Everyone in my surroundings is of royal heritage
My community is filled with royalty

Not everyone of royal blood dress up in a mink
Royalty does not always wear luxurious materials

Whole heap of king and queen, with dem roof mek out of zinc
Despite living in difficult conditions, people are still royalty

So Jah bless the baby mother, wash her pitney inna sink
Blessing mothers and their children

And ah the generation weh ah take it to the brink
The current generation on the brink of change

This hidden empire of kings and queens
The presence of royalty that is often overlooked

That no one's noticing
Being unaware of the presence of royalty

Only fools would proud of the dead man
It is foolish to glorify death

My mind is an excellent weapon
My intellect is powerful

I will not die for a label, let's come to the table
Dying for a cause is not worth it, let's reason together

And put together all our blessings
Combine our abilities for a greater good

Blessing religiously, bless this ability
Acknowledging one's blessings and using them for good

Blessings materially, identify enemy
Using one's resources to identify threats

Disconnect from the mentally
Cutting ties with those who hinder progress

Put all of our energy into the kingdom
Investing all efforts in creating a better society

Back to the front on my way now
Going back to the start and continuing the journey

God has to show you your way 'round
Believing in a higher power to guide the way

Tired, I watch while you lay down
Watching others give up

You go where I sleep I put art to the beat
Using creativity as an escape from the harsh reality

Take a part of my piece and inherit the heritage
Sharing one's culture and history with others

We're not American dreamin'
Focusing on something other than the typical American Dream

We're realizing a kingdom
Working towards building a better society