Liberation
OutKast Ft. Cee-Lo Erykah Badu & Big Rube Lyrics

And there's a, and there's a
There is a duality, there are opposing forces

And there's a, and there's a fine, line
There is a thin, delicate boundary between different emotions or concepts

Too late to pray that I'm on it
It's too late to hope that I am aware of the situation

Ya, yeah, yeah
Yes, yes, yes

Y'all, uh huh, y'all
All of you, yes, all of you

There's a fine line between love and hate you see
There is a delicate balance between feelings of love and anger

Came way too late but baby I'm on it
I may have arrived at this understanding late, but I am fully committed now

Can't wait too late but baby I'm on it
I can't afford to wait any longer, I am fully dedicated now

Can't worry bout, what a nigga think now see
I can't concern myself with the opinions of others

That's Liberation and baby I want it
That is freedom from the thoughts of others, and I desire it

Many times I sit back and contemplate
I frequently reflect deeply on my thoughts and feelings

I'm fresh off the dank, but I'm telling my story
I've recently experienced something intense, but I am still sharing my truth

My relationship, with my folks is give and take
My connection with my family involves both giving and receiving

And I done took so much, now gimme my glory
I have endured a lot, so now I want recognition and appreciation

To have a choice to be who you wants to be
Having the freedom to be your authentic self

It's left up to me, and my momma and 'em told me (yes she did)
The decision is mine, and my mother taught me this (yes, she did)

No, no, no (ahh)
Expressing a rejection or refusal (ahh)

I'm so tired, it's been so long, struggling, hopelessly
I am exhausted from a long, endless struggle

Seven and forty days (hey)
A specific period of time, emphasizing the duration

Oh, I sacrifice every breath I breathe
I am willing to give up everything I have for this cause

To make you believe, I'd give my life away
I am willing to go to extreme lengths to make you believe and understand

Oh lord, I'm so tired, I'm so tired
My exhaustion and weariness are overwhelming

My feet feel like I walked most of the road on my own
I feel like I have been on this difficult journey alone for most of the way

All on my own, we
Completely alone, without any support or companionship

We alive but we ain't living, that's why I'm giving until it's gone
We exist, but we are not truly experiencing life, which is why I continue to give until there is nothing left

'Cause I don't want to be alone (I don't want to be alone)
Because I desire companionship and connection (I don't want to be alone)

I don't want to be alone, yeah (no, no, no)
I do not wish to be by myself, expressing a refusal or rejection (no, no, no)

Is there anything I can say to help you find your way (find a way)
Is there any advice or words I can provide to assist you in discovering your own path (find a way)

Touch ya soul, make ya whole, the same for you and I (ohh, I)
Affect your inner being, make you complete, the same for both of us (ohh, I)

There's not a minute that goes by that I don't believe (oh lord, lord, lord)
I have unwavering faith, never doubting for a single moment (oh lord, lord, lord)

We can fly but I can feel it in the wind
We have the potential to soar, but I can sense the obstacles and resistance in the air

The beginning or the end
Referring to the uncertainty of whether this is just the start or the conclusion

So people keep your head to the sky
Therefore, individuals should always keep their heads raised towards the sky, maintaining hope and positivity

Shake that load off, shake that load off
Get rid of that burden, release that weight

Folk in your face, you're a superstar
People are confronting you, you are seen as a celebrity

Niggas hang around 'cause of who you are
People linger in your presence due to your status and identity

You get a lot of love cause of what you got
You receive a great deal of affection because of your possessions or achievements

Say they happy for you but they really not
They claim to be pleased for your success, but in reality, they are not

Sell a lot a' records and you roll a Benz
Earning substantial revenue from music sales and driving a luxurious Benz car

Fall up in the spot now you losing friends
Entering into a particular location, causing you to lose connections and friendships

All ya want to do is give the world ya heart
Your desire is to wholeheartedly give yourself to the world

Record label trying to make you compromise ya art
The music industry is attempting to make you sacrifice your artistic integrity

You make a million dollars, make a million mo'
You earn a significant amount of money, and it keeps increasing

First class broads treat ya like a nigga po
Wealthy, upper-class women treat you with disrespect and disregard

You wanna say, "Wait!" but you're scared to ask (Hol' up, wait a minute)
You have the desire to speak up and request something, but fear prevents you from doing so (Hold on, wait a minute)

Ya world starts spinning and it's moving fast
Your entire world begins to rapidly change and move

Ya try to stay sane that's the price of fame
You attempt to maintain your sanity, but it becomes a burden due to your fame

Spending your life trying to numb the pain
Devoting your life to numbing the emotional suffering

Ya shake that load off and sing ya song
You release that burden and express yourself through music

Liberate the minds, then you go on home
Freeing the minds of others, then returning to your own personal space

I must admit, they planted a lot of things
I must confess, they have influenced and instilled many ideas

In the brains and the veins of my strain
Influencing the way of thinking and behavior patterns of my lineage

Makes it hard to refrain, from the host of cocaine
It becomes difficult to resist the allure of using cocaine

From them whores, from the flame
From the tempting desire of promiscuous individuals, from the destructive flame

From a post in the game
From a position or role within the industry

Makes it hard to maintain focus
Maintaining concentration becomes challenging

Then from the glock rounds and lockdowns and burials
Then dealing with the threats of gun violence, imprisonment, and funerals

The seeds that sow, get devoured by the same locusts
The individuals who sow the seeds of progress are consumed by the same destructive forces

'Cause it's a hard row to hoe
Because it is a difficult and challenging task to accomplish

If your ass don't move, and the rain don't fall
If you do not take action and the needed resources are not provided

And the ground is dry
And the conditions are unfavorable or lacking moisture

But the roots are strong, so some survive
However, the foundation is resilient, allowing some to endure

To your surprise, no one voiced their cries
Contrary to expectations, no one spoke out or expressed their pain

You got more juice than Zeus
You possess more power or influence than the Greek god Zeus

Slanging lightning trying to frighten
Using your influence or authority to intimidate others

Plains dwellers, of the Serengeti
Inhabitants of a vast, open area similar to the African plains

But get beheaded when you falsely dreaded
However, you face severe consequences when falsely feared or regarded with dread

Melanin silicon and collagen injected
Alterations to one's physical appearance through the use of various substances

Dissecting my pride, fool I don't want to get it started
Analyzing and criticizing my sense of self-worth, I do not wish to engage in this argument

We be the lionhearted, without a fantasy
We are brave and courageous, living in reality without illusions

It's like that red sprite, you can't imagine it
Similar to a dazzling red light, it is beyond imagination or comprehension

Unless you looking at the canvas of life
Unless you are observing the entirety of existence

And not through the peephole of mortality
And not through the limited perspective of earthly existence

Single minded mentality
Possessing a focused and determined mindset

Getting over on loopholes
Taking advantage of legal technicalities for personal benefit

Getting paid two-fold on technicalities
Earning double compensation due to legal technicalities

Clicking your heels, scared to voice how you feel
Expressing hesitation or fear to express your true emotions

Pack the steel
Carrying a weapon, prepared for confrontation

Picking cotton from the killing fields with no Toto
Engaging in dangerous, laborious tasks without any escape or assistance

I don't we in Kansas no mo' though
I no longer believe we are in a safe place or situation

Midwest or Dirty South
Referring to the regions of the United States

Clean dressed or dirty mouth
Regardless of your appearance or language

Whether robbing preachers or killing Poor Righteous Teachers
Regardless of engaging in criminal acts or harming well-intentioned individuals

You a scared demon
You are a fearful, intimidating figure

Shouldn't be allowed to spread semen
You should not be permitted to reproduce or spread your influence

And your cowardly lies never defying the jackals of babble
Your lies, motivated by fear, never challenge or oppose the meaningless chatter of others

Running with they pack, tail between your legs
Conforming and following the group, feeling submissive and defeated

Though the man on your head say the story
Despite the person in a position of authority telling a different narrative

As you downplay your glory
As you diminish or underestimate your achievements and excellence

Cackling, helping the shackling of your brethren happen
Laughing and contributing to the oppression and enslavement of your own community

Just by rapping
Simply by rapping or speaking on a song

Liberator
One who sets others free, emancipator