Beef
Mos Def Lyrics

Yo I was sold to a sick European by a rich African battlin'
I was a victim of the Atlantic slave trade, sold by a rich African to a sick European, and this is where the battle started

Middle Passages, I can't go back again
The Middle Passage was a journey that slaves endured, and I cannot go back to that time

Battlin' years of denyin' history, lies and mysteries
There have been years of fighting against the denial of history, the lies and mysteries surrounding the institutional racism that still exists

Wives with misty eyes watchin' their niggas be beaten viciously
Black women watching their partners being brutally beaten, with tears in their eyes

Battle in the wilderness of North America
The struggle for Black people in North America has been like fighting in a wilderness

Ran by the river, only stoppin' to pray
Running from oppressors by the river, pausing only to pray for deliverance

Chased by predators
Being chased by people who see Black people as prey to be hunted down and abused

Terrorists with etiquette who vote and kill their president
People who terrorize and kill in the name of their ideology or group, while still following certain societal norms and even being able to vote and have a say in government

Their capacity for evil so evident and prevalent
The extent of the evil that these people are capable of is clear and widespread

Ain't no hesitation involved, a nation dissolved
The people who perpetrate these atrocities have no hesitation, and the result is the destruction of entire nations

While we sit back waitin' to evolve
While some may wait for society to change and evolve, there are those who actively fight to make change happen

Those who would trade in their freedom
People who are willing to give up their freedom in exchange for what they believe is protection are actually deserving of neither

For their protection deserve neither
If someone is willing to trade their freedom for protection, they ultimately do not deserve either

Fuck a name, fuck tradition
Rejecting the importance of names and traditions that have been used to oppress people

Religion, you learn Jesus
Religion is not about dogma and rules, but rather learning about the compassion and love embodied by Jesus

Turn the other cheek
Responding to violence and aggression with nonviolent resistance, as Jesus teaches

Inherit the Earth, just stay meek
Living humbly and nonviolently will ultimately lead to a better world and inheritance

Fuck the way you speak
Rejecting language and communication that perpetuates violence and oppression

Try to walk, we chop off your feet
People who try to stand up against violence and oppression are often literally crippled and punished

Fast forward to 2003, niggas beef
Moving forward to the present day, there is still conflict and violence between Black people

The psychology of children are slaves to run deep
The psychological damage from slavery still runs deep in the Black community, even through the generations

What's beef?
Asking the question of what really constitutes as conflict and violence

That's beef
Describing what true beef actually is

It's always your own peoples
The source of most conflict and violence for Black people tends to be from within their own community

Sometimes it's your own peoples yo
Explaining that sometimes the source of conflict can be someone you trust or even family

Beef is not what Jay said to Nas
Beef is not simply verbal attacks or a rap battle between two artists

Beef is when workin' niggas can't find jobs
The inability for Black people to find steady employment and support themselves is a source of true beef and conflict

So they tryna find niggas to rob
When people can't find work, they may resort to stealing and other illegal activities as a way to provide for themselves

Tryna find bigger guns so they can finish the job
This desperation leads to more violent behavior, and further escalation of conflict

Beef is when the crack kids can't find moms
Children left without their mothers due to drugs and poverty is a source of true conflict and suffering

'Cause they end up inna pine box or locked behind bars
These children may end up dying or being incarcerated, leading to more pain and suffering

Beef ain't the Summer Jam for Hot 97
The trivialities of popular culture and music are not true sources of conflict or violence, even though they may be portrayed as such

Beef is the cocaine and AIDS epidemic
The real beef is the widespread addiction and disease that devastates communities

Beef don't come with a radio edit
True conflict and suffering are not easily sanitized or censored for mass consumption

Beef is when the judge is callin' you 'defendant'
Being treated as a criminal and being at risk of losing your freedom due to systemic issues is a source of true conflict

Beef, it comes with a long jail sentence
The punishment for being entangled in the criminal justice system can be severe and long-lasting

Handed down to you in a few short minutes
The process of being convicted and sentenced can be quick and arbitrary, with lasting consequences

Beef is when your girl come through for a visit
Even in personal relationships, betrayal and conflict can arise

Talkin' bout 'I'm pregnant by some other nigga'
Infidelity and the consequences that arise from it can be a source of true beef

Beef is high blood pressure and bad credit
The stress and financial insecurity that people face can contribute to long-term health issues and conflict

Need a loan for your home and you're too broke to get it
The inability to secure basic financial resources can further perpetuate poverty and conflict

And all your little kids is doin' is gettin' bigger
The next generation of children may also face the same struggles and systemic issues

You tryin' not to raise 'em around these wild niggas
Parents may try to shelter their children from the violence and chaos around them

Beef is when a gold digger got ya seat and a
Being taken advantage of and manipulated in relationships can be a source of true conflict

A manicured hand out like 'pay me nigga'
Being used for your wealth and resources as opposed to being loved for who you are

Or I'm tellin' your wife
Threats and manipulation can be used to further deepen conflict and create more suffering

Or startin' up some foul rumor that'll ruin your life
Negative rumors and lies can be a source of conflict and unnecessary suffering

Beef is when a gangster ain't doin' it right
Gang life and culture is often violent and problematic, and can lead to true conflict

Another gangster then decided what to do with his life
Some people may try to use violence and aggression to control and manipulate others, leading to conflict and victimization

Beef is not what these famous niggas do on the mic
Verbal feuds and public arguments between celebrities are not true sources of conflict or suffering

Beef is what George Bush would do in a fight
True conflict and violence can be seen in the actions of political leaders and the effects of their policies

Beef is not what Ja said to 50
Personal disputes between artists are not true beef or conflict

Beef is more than Irv not bein' here with me
Losing loved ones and friends to violence and systemic issues can be a source of true conflict and suffering

When a soldier ends his life with his own gun
The trauma and mental health toll of warfare can lead to tragic outcomes

Beef is tryin' to figure out what to tell his son
The impacts of conflict and violence are often passed down to the next generation, and parents may struggle to explain it to their children

Beef is oil prices and geopolitics
International conflict and politics can have far-reaching effects on everyday people, particularly in terms of basic needs like energy prices

Beef is Iraq, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip
Long-standing political conflicts and wars can create immense suffering and tension for people living in war zones

Some beef is big and some beef is small
Not all conflict and suffering are on the same scale or magnitude

But what y'all call beef is not beef at all
The trivialities and misunderstandings that people portray as beef are not true sources of conflict, compared to the systemic issues and trauma that people endure

Beef is real life happenin' everyday
True conflict and suffering are part of the daily reality for many people

And it's realer than them songs that you get at Kay Slay
The real-life struggles and pain that people face are not to be trivialized or commodified for entertainment

This has been a Black Star P-S-A
This has been a Public Service Announcement from Mos Def and Talib Kweli's group Black Star

From Mos Def, Pretty Flocko, black Dante
Endorsing the message and mission of the PSA from their individual personas

And the Black Star embassy, B to the K
Additional members of Black Star and associates who support the message of the PSA