In 1998, Mos Def and Talib Kweli released the album "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". The LP featured several Hi-Tek beats, and marked the critical breakthrough of all three artists involved.
In 2000, the now-classic debut LP "Train of Thought" hit the stores. The 20 track album featured, among others, De La Soul, Kool G Rap and Xzibit, and received much critical acclaim. It is a very soulful, jazzy and intelligent album, combining a wide variety of lyrical topics, moods and beats.
Following "Train of Thought", both Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek moved on to successful solo-careers. The second Reflection Eternal album, Revolutions per Minute, was released on May 18, 2010.
Back Again
Reflection Eternal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the alpha and the omega
I spit it
Bare witness to the greatest and the latest
They try to hate us
Witness the evolution of spitting, it's wicked and it's decadent
Revolutions per minutes, every time the record spin
In Brooklyn, they say I run it, the 'Natti is checking in
No matter the terminology, blood splatter artistically
It's looking like a Jackson Pollock painting, it's a mystery
Really should be brothers united against the industry
The Africans diaspora scatter at shattered history
The game missing me, rap is so repetitive
Although I ain't your blood or your cous', it's all relative
I got a gang of rhymes
And Tones' beats is banging
We moving through the streets like we're slanging dimes
It's magical, how the track is so classical
The cats who got gassed up in their sweats like Plaxico
I'm back from my sabbatical
Voice of the future, black radical
Keeping all the damages collateral
Listening to instrumentals
Thinking about all the things I've been through
The music is just a peek into my life, it's a window
It's so high tech and it's also simple
Even if I'm knocked down, I don't stay down
Even if I get down, I don't lay down
Hotter than the tar on this empty playground
Hotter than the tar on this empty playground
Hey yo, I'm taking all bets and settling all debts
A giant leap for man begins with a small step
From a sword to a set
To my people on the picket line
Who's sicking of getting treated like them aliens in District 9
I juxtapose my business model with my spirit
What, I'm just supposed to keep you comfortable with the lyrics?
I know the flow's disturbing
I know for certain just because you know all about the artist
Don't mean you know the person
You don't know me
I run labels
These unstable rappers is so phony
I try to listen but they're boring as missionary position
So I'm shitting on these niggas like dysentery conditions
I'm sitting on the throne, you dreaming that it's empty soon
Nobody feeling you, you're screaming in an empty room (Holla!)
The tree that fall in the forest, nobody hearing you
Even though you fall the hardest
Don't get me started
Listening to instrumentals
Thinking about all the things I've been through
The music is just a peek into my life, it's a window
It's so high tech and it's also simple
Even if I'm knocked down, I don't stay down
Even if I get down, I don't lay down
Hotter than the tar on this empty playground
Hotter than the tar on this empty playground
Yo, I built up my defenses
When I'm left to my devices, time gets suspended
More than DMX's driver's license
My music's steady, not affected by the higher prices
People having sex in the streets like Dionysus
You know what my advice is?
Fuck my advice, live your life
Stop tripping like everything amount to crisis
I make the sacrifices
My history is black as ice is
I don't think that I can trust you if you're lacking vices
I never miss a beat, the liquor make me slurred
It takes my words, tries to twist them like a Swisher Sweet
With sticky herb
American History X, your teeth'll hit the curb
It's easy 'cause I'm ill with the wordplay
I still flip the bird, like Jeezy
Strip it down, now it's exposed
I suppose my flow is the emperor's new clothes
Although I'm always by myself, I never ride alone
The music is on then I'm right at home, zoning
The song "Back Again" by Reflection Eternal begins with the lines, "What we have here / Is the alpha and the omega / I spit it / Bare witness to the greatest and the latest / They try to hate us." These lines convey the duo's confidence and assurance in their abilities as artists, acknowledging that they are at the top of their game currently. They are aware of the "hate" they receive from critics and detractors, and choose to ignore it in favor of their own artistic evolution.
As the song progresses, Reflection Eternal refers to the music they create as a window into their lives, which is both high-tech and simple. They also touch on subjects like the industry, the African diaspora, and labels that they run. There are lines in the song that could be interpreted as political, such as "To my people on the picket line / Who's sicking of getting treated like them aliens in District 9." Additionally, they comment on the repetitive nature of rap, and how they want to create something that is more original and ground-breaking.
Reflective Eternal is a hip-hop duo consisting of rapper Talib Kweli, and DJ and producer Hi-Tek. Their album, "Train of Thought," on which this song appears, was released in 2000, and received critical acclaim. The song "Back Again" is one of the more popular tracks from the album, and is beloved by fans of the duo and of underground hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
What we have here
We are about to witness something special
Is the alpha and the omega
This is the beginning and the end
I spit it
I'm about to deliver some amazing bars
Bare witness to the greatest and the latest
Watch and take note of the best and most current artists on the scene
They try to hate us
People try to bring us down
Witness the evolution of spitting, it's wicked and it's decadent
Watch how the art of rapping has evolved and become something incredible
Revolutions per minutes, every time the record spin
Every revolution of a vinyl record represents a new opportunity to deliver some amazing rhymes
Retribution for cynics, like a stick-up kid with weapons
We're here to take revenge on those who doubt and criticize us, just like a criminal with a weapon
In Brooklyn, they say I run it, the 'Natti is checking in
I'm respected and well-known in Brooklyn, but now I'm also getting recognition in Cincinnati
No matter the terminology, blood splatter artistically
Regardless of the words used, the art of rapping is bloody and beautiful
It's looking like a Jackson Pollock painting, it's a mystery
Like a Pollock painting, the beauty of rap lies in its chaos and complexity
Really should be brothers united against the industry
Artists should band together to combat the corrupt music industry
The Africans diaspora scatter at shattered history
The African diaspora has been scattered across the world due to a history of pain and suffering
The game missing me, rap is so repetitive
The rap game needs me because it's become boring and repetitive
Although I ain't your blood or your cous', it's all relative
Even though we're not related by blood, we're all connected in some way
I got a gang of rhymes
I have a lot of amazing lyrics
And Tones' beats is banging
The beats are amazing
We moving through the streets like we're slanging dimes
We're moving through the city like we're selling drugs
It's magical, how the track is so classical
It's amazing how the classic beat and modern lyrics come together in a magical way
The cats who got gassed up in their sweats like Plaxico
People who are arrogant and overly confident like Plaxico Burress are not impressive
I'm back from my sabbatical
I'm back after taking a break
Voice of the future, black radical
I am a voice of the future and representing black idealism
Keeping all the damages collateral
I'm taking responsibility for all the damages that have been done due to the music industry
Listening to instrumentals
I'm listening to beats without any lyrics
Thinking about all the things I've been through
Reflecting on all the hardships and experiences I've had in life
The music is just a peek into my life, it's a window
My music only gives a small peek into my life
It's so high tech and it's also simple
My music is a perfect mix of high-level technical skill and simple truths
Even if I'm knocked down, I don't stay down
Even if I fall, I always get back up
Even if I get down, I don't lay down
Even when I'm down, I keep fighting
Hotter than the tar on this empty playground
I'm incredibly hot and powerful, like the blazing hot tar on an empty playground
Hey yo, I'm taking all bets and settling all debts
I'm ready to take on any challenge and settle any unfinished business
A giant leap for man begins with a small step
I'm taking my first steps towards greatness
From a sword to a set
From fighting battles to being on stage, succeeding in the music industry
To my people on the picket line
To those who are protesting and fighting for their rights
Who's sicking of getting treated like them aliens in District 9
Those who are tired of being treated like outsiders and oppressed like those in the film District 9
I juxtapose my business model with my spirit
I balance my business decisions with my values and beliefs
What, I'm just supposed to keep you comfortable with the lyrics?
I'm not here to make you feel comfortable, but to challenge and inspire you with my lyrics
I know the flow's disturbing
I know my rap flow can be uncomfortable and disruptive
I know for certain just because you know all about the artist
Just because you know everything about an artist's work, doesn't mean you know them personally
Don't mean you know the person
Knowing someone's work doesn't necessarily mean you know who they are as a person
You don't know me
You don't really know who I am
I run labels
I am a label owner
These unstable rappers is so phony
Many rappers are fake and lack emotional stability
I try to listen but they're boring as missionary position
I try to give other rappers a chance, but they're formulaic and dull
So I'm shitting on these niggas like dysentery conditions
I'm exposing these rappers and their lack of creativity
I'm sitting on the throne, you dreaming that it's empty soon
I'm sitting in a position of power and success, and others are dreaming of taking it but will never succeed
Nobody feeling you, you're screaming in an empty room (Holla!)
No one is listening to you or appreciating your music, so you're just shouting into an empty room
The tree that fall in the forest, nobody hearing you
If you're not heard, it doesn't matter if you make a sound or not
Even though you fall the hardest
Even when you fall the furthest, you can still get back up
Don't get me started
I have more to say on this topic, but I don't want to start a rant
Yo, I built up my defenses
I've learned to protect myself from negativity and criticism
When I'm left to my devices, time gets suspended
When I'm working on my music, time flies by
More than DMX's driver's license
My music is more important and valuable than DMX's driver's license
My music's steady, not affected by the higher prices
My music remains constant and unaffected by external factors like higher prices
People having sex in the streets like Dionysus
People are acting wild and uninhibited like the Greek god Dionysus
You know what my advice is?
Here's my advice
Fuck my advice, live your life
You don't have to follow my advice, just live your own life
Stop tripping like everything amount to crisis
Stop stressing out about every little thing and thinking it's a huge crisis
I make the sacrifices
I make sacrifices in order to pursue my dreams and make music
My history is black as ice is
My past is full of pain and darkness
I don't think that I can trust you if you're lacking vices
I won't trust you if you have no imperfections or vices
I never miss a beat, the liquor make me slurred
I'm always on point, but drinking can make me stumble
It takes my words, tries to twist them like a Swisher Sweet
Alcohol can make me say things I don't mean, like twisting a cigarillo
With sticky herb
With marijuana smoke in the air
American History X, your teeth'll hit the curb
I'll beat you up like in American History X, making you hit the curb and knock out your teeth
It's easy 'cause I'm ill with the wordplay
Beating someone up is easy for me because I'm skilled with words
I still flip the bird, like Jeezy
I still give people the middle finger, like Young Jeezy
Strip it down, now it's exposed
Taking something down to its bare elements reveals its true nature
I suppose my flow is the emperor's new clothes
People may not see the true value in my flow, thinking it's like the emperor's new clothes
Although I'm always by myself, I never ride alone
Even though I'm a solo artist, I always have the support of my community and fans
The music is on then I'm right at home, zoning
When the music is playing, I feel at home and in the zone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SHARESE BALLARD, TALIB KWELI, TONY COTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind