Champion Requiem
Mos Def Lyrics

Bismillah ir Rhman ir Raheem
Beginning of a message in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Peace, peace what's up y'all this is Mos Def
Greetings, this is Mos Def introducing himself

And this is a message to the people
Mos Def is addressing the listeners

If you see or hear goodness from me
If you notice any good qualities in Mos Def

Then that goodness is from The Creator
Mos Def attributes any good things he has to Allah

You should be thankful to The Creator for all of that
Listeners should show gratitude to Allah for Mos Def's positive qualities

'Cause I'm not the architect of that
Mos Def is not responsible for his own goodness

I'm only the, the recipient
He is simply a recipient of Allah's blessings

If you see weakness or shortcoming in me
If listeners notice any flaws or mistakes in Mos Def

It's from my own weakness or shortcoming
These flaws are due to Mos Def's personal weaknesses or mistakes

And I ask The Creator and the people to forgive me for that
Mos Def asks Allah and his listeners for forgiveness for his mistakes

Thank you Brooklyn, thank you world
Mos Def expresses gratitude to his hometown of Brooklyn and to the world

It's the Black Dante in your headphones
Mos Def refers to himself as the Black Dante

Speakerbox (freaky radio) freaky radio (Everywhere on the dial)
He is broadcasting his message to listeners everywhere through the radio

For my hometown, break down a little history for you
Mos Def shares some history about his hometown

Myrtle and Broadway, Roosevelt projects, Marcy projects
He lists different areas in Brooklyn where he is from

Listen
He asks the listeners to pay attention

I stepped on the field from no league just home team
Mos Def entered the scene with no established background, but he is still part of his community

I jumped out the stands and I snatched the rock
Mos Def took action on his own to enter a challenging situation

With the final seconds +one to land on the clock
He is in a high-pressure situation with time running out

Mos post up to throw up the tie-breakin' shot
Mos Def takes a crucial shot to break a tie in the game

I put it through the net and let the world's jaw drop
He succeeds in his attempt and impresses the world with his accomplishment

Then fled the arena before they called cops
Mos Def exits the scene before authorities arrive

Tell the players and the coach I wasn't trying to blow spot
Mos Def didn't intend to ruin the game

But the way they was ballin' made it difficult to watch
He was unimpressed with their game play

I was taught when there's somethin' you can change around
He was taught to make changes where he can

Keep quiet, you got nothin' to complain about
He advises that when you can't make a change, it's best to not complain

You got work to do, I don't know if that work for you
He reminds listeners that everyone has their own responsibilities to fulfill

But that's how Mos work it through
This is how Mos Def handles his own tasks

And my work is personal, I'm a working person
Mos Def's work is a personal part of his life

I put in work, I work with purpose
He approaches his work with purpose and dedication

I get it there, on the water, air, the surface
Mos Def is successful in different areas of his work and life

You feel the impact? Niggas yeah it's working
His work is impactful and effective

Listen God did not make me a fearful person
Mos Def was not created to be fearful

The only fear I have, is my failure to adhere his path
His only fear is not following Allah's path

I would love it just to hear this back
He hopes that his message will be heard and appreciated by listeners

On the ghetto streets where y'all at
Mos Def addresses the listeners in the ghetto area

On the ave's where the Jeep's go past
He calls out to listeners driving past in their Jeeps

In the coupes where the seats go back
He also speaks to listeners in their cars with adjustable seats

In the parties where it be so packed
Mos Def is speaking to people at crowded parties

And the atmosphere be so black
Referring to the vibe of the party, not skin color

And them black things be so phat
Referring to attractive, stylish cars

If I could I would be so glad
He'd be happy to be in those scenarios

But if not I won't be so mad
If not, he won't be angry

I'm still being a man, still feeding my fam'
Even if not present in those scenarios, he is still being a man and providing for his family

And even if you don't see it my fam
Even if his loved ones don't see his hard work

I believe that I am, truly gifted, truly blessed
Mos Def believes he is genuinely talented and blessed

I'm yours truly, Brooklyn's own, Mos Def
He is a true Brooklyn native and introduced himself earlier

I'm rocking the hard right, ground zero, to far left
He supports views from all ranges of the political spectrum

I'm, well balanced, with immense talents
Mos Def has a well-rounded perspective and versatile talents

Burn the script, then flip it to keep myself challenged
He pushes himself by constantly challenging his own ways of thinking

And that's the mark of a true champion
This adaptability and willingness to grow is a characteristic of champions

That's whether I'm in or outside the ring
This applies both to his personal life and any situation he's in

No fights, no title, no crown or reign
He doesn't necessarily need to have a specific platform or title to embody this characteristic

Feel my presence even when I'm up out this thing
He hopes he can make an impact even when he's not physically present

Just trust, that's what I'm about to be
Listeners should trust in Mos Def's words

But until then settle in and rock with me
For now, they can listen to what he has to say

Ghetto people look alive with me
He calls out to listeners in the ghetto area to stay present

And say, we 'goin, stop by
He encourages them to make progress and not get stuck in one place

Then we just keep moving on
Continuing to progress and move forward

Feel free, we just keep moving on
He reminds listeners that they have the power to move freely and continue moving forward

For Aaliyah, Left Eye, Jam Master Jay
He mentions different artists who have passed away

All the great hero's who have passed away
He remembers those who have died before him

Scott Laraque, Big and Pac, Freaky Tai, Big L
He even lists individual people who have died

All the soldiers locked down in the cell
He also remembers people who are imprisoned

Lock up the flesh, but the spirit will prevail
Even though the body can be confined, the spirit is still free and can persevere

To our loved ones, and deceased
He speaks to listeners who have also lost loved ones or are facing their own mortality

Dyin' in the street, or quiet in their sleep (B.I.G.)
People can die violently or peacefully

Rest in peace, your living in the mansions of our memory
He hopes their memories and legacies live on

And that's real
He affirms the sincerity of his words

'Cause everything in life gon' come to an end
He reminds listeners that everything in life is temporary

Because it must, and when it does
Death is inevitable

I hope that y'all remember me
He wants to be remembered and have a lasting impact

With true respect
He wants to be respected in death

And ghetto love
He acknowledges the love and support he's received from the ghetto community

Now raise it up
He instructs listeners to show support

Black Dante, from Myrtle and Broadway
He reintroduces himself and reminds the listeners where he's from

Let me hear it back
He requests a response from the audience

Freaky radio (freaky radio)
He repeats the name of the radio station

Freaky radio (freaky radio) everywhere on the dial
He emphasizes that the message is being broadcasted everywhere