Seasons
Reason Mozzy Sjava Lyrics

Seasons change
The inevitability of change

There's still time for us to run away
Opportunity for escape or change

San'bonan endlini
Greetings in the household

Sjava kajama Indlalifa igama ley'nsizwa
Introducing himself as a member from a royal family

Mina, ng'phuma le enzansi, kwafel ubala
Growing up in poverty-stricken conditions

Insizwa uma ina-thirty five kthiwa is' indala
Stigma around getting older when growing up in poverty

Laph' eng'phuma khona maw'phuma khona bathi aw'fiki la
People doubting his success when he came from poverty

Ngyamangala uma ngi-la
Feeling lost and alone

Bebathi ng'yophelel emoyeni, beba right
People giving up on and counting him out

Manje ngiy'nkanyezi
Finding success despite the doubters

Njengoba ngik'tshela ngempilo yami
Reflecting on his life and the lessons learned

Ng'funa uthathe nayi imfundiso yami (lalela la wena)
Wanting to share his knowledge

Ithemba alibulali
The hope that keeps one alive

Ukube l'yabulala ngabe nihamba phez'kwami
The fear that losing hope can lead to destruction

Poverty
The oppressive conditions of poverty and its effects

Jealousy
The negative effects of jealousy on individuals and communities

Negativity
The toxic effects of negativity on motivation and progress

Ngith' ak'nandawo la
Defiance in the face of negativity

Go away (far away)
Wishing for negativity to be gone

I cry with lil' brotha, got high and watched the sunrise
Recalling a moment of bonding and reflection

Wiggle on 'em if it's One Time they done hung all of my people
The injustice and oppression experienced by his community

I love all of my people, I'm in the slums with all of my people
The closeness and loyalty shared by his community

They trynna tell us that we all equal
The disparity and inequality that still exists despite rhetoric of equality

We gettin' no justice so it ain't peaceful
The lack of justice leading to unrest and conflict

They could bluff you, they could beat you
The manipulation and violence used by those in power

Paid attorney we gon' need it
The necessity of quality legal representation

Momma told me there was demons, she ain't never lied on her Jesus
The lessons and wisdom passed down by parents

She worked her ass off just to feed us
The sacrifices made by parents to provide for their children

She went to Ross to cop the new Adidas
The creative ways parents provided for their children

She used to tap in with all the teachers
The importance of building relationships with educators

They wasn't teaching nothin' it's no secret
Disillusionment with the education system

Whole lotta grind, lil' niggas beefin'
The reality of violence and conflict in his community

We gotta keep it or end up a victim
The need for self-preservation

Trapped in the system, trafficking drugs
The complex factors that lead to criminal activity

Modern-day slavery, African thugs
The exploitation and dehumanization of Black people

We go to war for this African blood
The resistance and fight for freedom and justice

When I put niggas on it was all out of love
The desire to support and uplift his community

You was disloyal, can't call it no love
The betrayal of trust and loyalty in relationships

You know we at the stove with it, we stove whippin', my niggas know we gon' get it
The hustle and determination to succeed

Dodgin' cops fuck around and get locked you never comin' home with it
The danger and risk involved in criminal activity

Look, my nigga, I came from the sewer
The harsh conditions of his upbringing

Don't shit on my past you ain't come from manure
The dismissal of his struggles by those who haven't experienced them

You see Reason and you see LA, but bitch I ain't come for no ruin
Reframing his success and not wanting to be seen only as a product of his environment

Just know all of my niggas we struggled for it, had to hustle for it, cried puddles for it
The struggle and sacrifice that went into his success and that of his community

My pops watch his sister get locked for it
The impact of the justice system and mass incarceration on families

I done seen my niggas get popped for it like
The violence and tragedy that can come with criminal activity

Gimme that, I carry the llama like a piggyback
The willingness and preparedness to use violence to protect oneself

I carry my city like guilt that ain't got no forgiveness
The responsibility and pride he feels for his community

No way out, shit we locked in the system
The sense of entrapment and hopelessness in the face of systemic oppression

Catch a case and they not gon' forgive ya
The lack of mercy or second chances in the criminal justice system

White skin, you be out before Christmas
The privilege and advantage afforded to those with lighter skin

Shit, auntie missed eight of those days
The personal toll of incarceration on loved ones

Tears from me had to pray those days, had to slave those days
The emotional and physical labor involved in supporting incarcerated loved ones

Shit, we had to hit up a couple hood-give-aways those days
The creative ways the community comes together to support each other

Thank God for every inch that he gave us
Gratitude for the blessings and success they have achieved

Thank God for everything 'cause he made us
The belief in a higher power and its role in their lives

Like when that car bent the block, brock, brock, brock
The sound of approaching danger

Hit the homie but we made it, so he already saved us
Gratitude for surviving a close call

Thinkin' that he could've died nigga
Reflecting on the potential for loss

We was praying to the sky and his mother cried rivers
The impact of tragedy on loved ones

Healed up, but tough luck, he tried to get revenge
The desire for justice and the consequences that can come with it

Had to drop but his popped and they killed him
The violence and retaliation that can come with conflict

Worst part is that it sound so familiar
The repetitive cycle of violence and tragedy in his community

I am T'Challa
Identifying with the hero and leadership qualities of the Black Panther

I am Killmonger
Identifying with the revolutionary and radical views of Killmonger

One world, one God, one family
The belief in unity and harmony across humanity

Celebration
The joy and triumph of overcoming adversity