Know That
Mos Def Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, hey, hey, man
I strike the Empire back
I strike the Empire back
Fuck the Empire
High flying like the Millennium Falcon, piloted by Han Solo
I never roll for dolo, fronting on me's a no-no
You understand? Doing this for my family (Brooklyn)
Ha ha, check it out, y'all

Yo, I'm trying to make a dollar out of what makes sense
Add it up, told my daddy I'd be a rich man
You never know when your fate gon' switch hand
Get today's solid ground out of yesterday's quicksand
I was a young boy, who dreamt about being a big man
On small loose leaf sheets I sketched a big plan
Gotta handle business properly, boost up my economy
Store it up and get my mom some waterfront property
Yesterday was not for me but nowaday it's time for me
The streets is watching me, I watch back, that's the policy
Moving along my odyssey like blood through the artery
Navigate the treacherous and make it seem effortless
Let those who make the exodus seeking the North beacon
From beating and hog-eating, from punishment all season
From hands cracked and bleeding, cotton thorns in your palms
It's for y'all that I sketch these songs and it goes
Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
I fear no man, because faith is the arrow
My vocal chord travel worldwide to block narrow
We can blow with the ammo or go mano-a-mano
Kweli is you wit me? (What up what up?) Let's make it happen
I burn through your argument with action
My eyes stay fastened to tomorrow looking for a brighter day
When y'all want to leave y'all? Right away

Shout it out from East, West (from South to Northern)
The Cakalak' (to California)
From the coldest (to the warmest)
To the borders ('cross the waters), understand
(And know that I love you) yeah, yeah
We got love in the place (yeah, yeah)
Shout out to all the Queens (all the Seeds)
To all the teams (that's getting cream)
From outlaw (to emcee's)
Make it happen (do your thing), understand
(And know that I love you)
Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen

Guess who? The illest MC in the atmosphere, yeah, the Soul Controller
Who roam the frontier like a Buffalo Soldier
I follow the code of honor like a real man gonna
Never disrespect no women 'cause I love my momma
These cats be giving us praise but it ain't that accurate
I give it up to God, all that, love and attachment, get
Scary well-prepared with the shears when it get hairy
Like how these niggas is looking like some fairies
And singing like canaries to the beast
And anybody who will listen to 'em clearly
Y'all don't hear me though, even when I'm coming through in stereo
You make a mockery of what I represent properly
Yo, why you starting me? (Stop)
I take that shit straight to the artery
Intellectual property I got the title and the deed
I pay for rent, with the tears and sweat, and what I bleed (uh, uh)
Mc's imitate the way we walk, the way we talk
You cats spit lyrical pork with no spiritual thought
Plus your flow's a little bit off, you come across soft
Back in the days, niggas like that on stage got tossed off (bounce)
Need to get crossed off the guest list (uh)
It's like you gotta be disrespected and thrown out the exit
To get the message
Sometimes your sunshine get snatched like a necklace (uh)
When you get too drunk on power and your drive get reckless
Check it, MC's in my face after I slug you then I hug you
If I gotta dead you know it's only 'cause I love you

Shout it out from East, West (from South to Northern)
From the richest (to the poorest)
To the elders (in the coffins)
Living native (dying for it), understand
(And know that I love you) yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah) we got love in the place
Shout out from up top (to the middle)
To black bottom (sky high)
Whether you colder than December
Or hotter than July
It don't stop 'til we complete this
(And know that I love you) keep this fly
It's so much to life when you just stay black
Stay black, stay black, stay black, stay black
Stay black, stay black, stay black, stay black, stay black

My people, my people
My people, people, p-people (uh, uh, uh)
My people, my people (get love, in love)
My people, people, p-people (love, love, one love)
My people, my people (show love, live love)
My people, people, p-people (give love, we all love)
My people, my people (we all love, we all love)
My people, people, p-people (that's all love, that's all love)
My people, my people (yes, most people)
My people, people, p-people (black sound)
My people, my people (of most people, yeah)
My people, people, p-people
My people, my people (get love, in love)
My people, people, p-people (love, love, one love)
My people, my people (show love, live love)
My people, people, p-people (give love, we all love)
My people (we all love, we all love)
Those people




My people, people, p-people
My peopl

Overall Meaning

In Mos Def's song "Know That," the lyrics show his deep-rooted values, where he voices his opposition to what he sees as the malevolent forces of the Empire, the lack of respect of women, and the challenge of making a better life for himself and his loved ones. Mos Def highlights his perspective on the world, where he wants to make a positive impact through his music. Mos Def's words shine a spotlight on the importance of working hard to achieve financial stability and taking care of one's family. He recalls his childhood dreams of making it big and overcoming his circumstances through a rigorous work ethic.


His lyricism draws attention to the challenges he faced and how he overcame them. Mos Def takes pride in his roots and pays homage to those who came before him, making it possible for him to follow his dreams. His lyrics reflect on the struggles of communities, the current state of society, and his dedication to making a positive change.


The song "Know That" was a commercial success, gaining attention in both the hip-hop and pop worlds. It was released in 1999 on Mos Def's album "Black On Both Sides." The album received critical acclaim, with many considering it a masterpiece of its genre. "Know That" was a standout single, with Mos Def's flow and lyrics showing his immense talent as a rapper.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, hey, hey man
Introduction


I strike the empire back
Rejecting the dominant power structures


High flying like the millennium Falcon, piloted by Han Solo
Feeling powerful and in control


I never roll for dolo, fronting on me's a no-no
Preferring to be with others, disrespect is not tolerated


Understand? Doing this for my family
Motivated by love and obligation to those closest to him


Yo I'm trying to make a dollar out of what makes sense
Using his skills and intelligence to make money


Add it up, told my daddy I'd be a rich man
Making a promise to his father and striving for success


You never know when your fate gon' switch hand
Acknowledging the unpredictability of life


Get today's solid ground out of yesterday's quicksand
Moving away from past failures and towards future stability


I was a young boy, who dreamed about being a big man
Hoping to achieve great things despite humble beginnings


On small loose leaf sheets I sketched a big plan
Using creativity and imagination to shape his future


Gotta handle business properly, boost up my economy
Focusing on making money and building wealth


Store it up and get my mom some waterfront property
Planning to use his success to provide for his family


Yesterday was not for me but now a day it's time for me
Leaving behind past struggles and moving forward


The streets is watching me, I watch back, that's the policy
Being aware of his surroundings and protecting himself


Moving along my odyssey like blood through the artery
Moving through life with purpose and determination


Navigate the treacherous and make it seem effortless
Overcoming challenges with ease and grace


Let those who make the exodus seeking the North beacon
Encouraging others who seek a better life


From beating and hog-eating, from punishment all season
Referring to the struggles of oppression and slavery


From hands cracked and bleeding, cotton thorns in your palms
Describing the physical pain of labor on plantations


It's for y'all that I sketch these songs, and it goes
Creating music to inspire and uplift others


Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow
Referencing Psalm 23 and facing difficult challenges


I fear no man, because faith is the arrow
Putting trust in divine power and not being afraid of people


My vocal chord travel worldwide to block narrow
Using his voice to spread his message around the world


We can blow with the ammo or go mano-a-mano
Fighting together or alone, depending on the situation


Kweli is you wit me? (What up what up?) Let's make it happen
Collaborating with fellow artists to make music together


I burn through your argument with action
Proving his point through actions, not just words


My eyes stay fastened to tomorrow looking for a brighter day
Remaining optimistic about the future


When y'all want to leave y'all? Right away
Asking when people want to leave and saying it's okay


Shout it out from East-West (from South to Northern)
Acknowledging people from all over the country


From Cakalak' (to California)
Referring to North and South Carolina and across to California


From the coldest (to the warmest)
Referring to different climates across the country


To the borders ('cross the waters) understand
Including people from all over the world


"and know that I love you"
Sending a message of love and unity


We got love in the place
Emphasizing the importance of love and community


Shout out to all the Queens (all the Seeds)
Acknowledging women and their importance


To all the teams (that's getting cream)
Recognizing those who are successful and making money


From outlaw (to emcee's)
From outcasts to musical performers


Make it happen (do your thing) understand
Encouraging people to pursue their dreams and passions


Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the audience and preparing them for what's to come


Guess who? The illest MC in the atmosphere, yeah the Soul Controller
Boasting about his skills and talent as an MC


Who roam the frontier like a Buffalo Soldier
Moving forward courageously like a soldier


I follow the code of honor like a real man gonna
Being true to his values and principles


Never disrespect no women cause I love my momma
Respecting women and their value


These cats be giving us praise but it ain't that accurate
Acknowledging that people may not fully understand his message


I give it up to God, all that, love and attachment, get
Acknowledging his faith and giving credit to higher power


Scary well-prepared with the shears when it get hairy
Being ready to face challenges when they arise


Like how these niggas is looking like some fairies
Critiquing the appearance of others who he perceives as weak


And singing like canaries to the beast
Appeasing the dominant forces


And anybody who will listen to em clearly
Addressing those who believe in the message being conveyed


Y'all don't hear me though, even when I'm coming through in stereo
Feeling like people are not listening to his message


You make a mockery of what I represent properly
Being offended that people do not understand what he stands for


Yo why you starting me? I take that shit straight to the artery
Challenging those who oppose him head on


Intellectual property I got the title and the deed
Stating his ownership of his intellectual creations


I pay for rent, with the tears and sweat, and what I bleed
Sacrificing a lot to achieve his goals


MC's imitate the way we walk, the way we talk
Feeling like he is being copied and imitated by others


You cats spit lyrical pork with no spiritual thought
Criticizing others who do not have deep meaning in their music


Plus your flow a little bit off, you come across soft
Critiquing others who he deems as weak or not up to standard


Back in the days, niggas like that on stage got tossed off
Describing how people who were not authentic were not welcomed


Need to get crossed off the guest list
Suggesting that those who are not authentic should not be welcome


It's like you gotta be disrespected and thrown out the exit
Feeling like people need to be forced out if they are not true to themselves


To get the message
Saying that sometimes people need to learn the hard way to understand something


Sometimes your sunshine get snatched like a necklace
Being robbed of what is rightfully yours


When you get too drunk on power and your drive get reckless
Losing sight of what is important due to achieving power


MC's in my face after I slug you then I hug you
Being willing to fight someone, but also showing love and compassion


If I gotta dead you know it's only cause I love you
Being willing to kill someone if necessary to protect


From the richest (to the poorest)
Including all people, regardless of their economic status


To the elders (in the coffins)
Including those who have passed away


Living native (dying for it) understand
Including those who are fighting for their land and culture


Yea, yea, we got love in the place
Emphasizing the importance of love and community


Shout out from up top (to the middle)
Acknowledging everyone from all parts of society


To black bottom (sky high!)
Including those from the poorest parts of society


Whether you colder than December
Acknowledging those who have faced hardship and coldness


Or hotter, than July
Acknowledging those who have faced challenges and heat


It don't stop 'til we complete this
Continuing to struggle until the goal is achieved


(and know that I love you) keep this fly
Sending a message of love and encouraging people to stay fly


It's so much to life when you just
Realizing the many opportunities in life


Stay black
Embracing one's identity as a black person


My people, my people, my people people p-people
Addressing and acknowledging the community




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Dante Smith, Hal David, Lamont Darrell, Talib Greene

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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