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.
Just Begun
Reflection Eternal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, yes, indeed, I like this, I like this
Hey, yo, Hi-Tek, do me a favor, man
Speed it up a little bit
From the intro you know I'm so influential 'cause I'm glowing like a candle
The focus is so essential, dog; what you tryna get into?
They snitching like Donnie Brasco, I'm counting like Monte Cristo
The ghetto full of betrayal like Iago and Othello
Your fellow neighbor will slay you; they'll smoke you like cigarillos
Police want that info--they'll grill 'em like Portabellos
I'm murdering instrumentals 'cause I rap with the conscience
Of felons, killers, and monsters, so revealing and honest
We're still feeling the promise; some nights I kill 'em with kindness
Hitting like Muhammad Ali; you more like Tatyana
All this is probably Karma: you dishonored the father
Whether it's God almighty or the almighty dollar
We follow the prophets like Islamics or the Dalai Lama
Your bullet points so hollow they could probably pierce body armor
Look in the scope; my people still a target
Smile on my face, tears of a sad clown
Feeling out of place as I whistle a cab down
If I tip extra, can I huff a cig'?
Blow my smoke out the window, dropping ashes on the bridge
Uh, I'm in New York now like Akeem and Semi was
Tryna get the lobby door open from a semi-buzz
I just wanna go to the slum
And throw my money on the floor like the Notorious B-U-M, uh
Build a home, teach a class, start a revolution
Free the mind, heal the body, talking evolution
This that black Elohim, Anunnaki rap
That Farrakhan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Qaddafi rap
I dedicate this to my niggas in New Orleans
Rocking black and gold stocking caps and fleur-de-lis Shockey hats
I'm in the coatroom, screaming "who that?" on the double
Serving gumbo with a shovel, dog, I'm on another level
Me and Kweli come together like two pieces of metal
We magnetizing the ghetto
Yeah, now here's the memo
I'm a rebel without a cause, a bezel without no flaws
And, shorty, you straight; bet you look way better without no drawers
Let's sweat out this alcohol; bet I'm about to ball
And never let up; look how I just crept up without applause
Fed up with all the frauds and left y'all without a job
The center of attention; this is clever; I'm Pau Gasol
Really though I'm LeBron, really don't got my mind
On this new school of rappers I will really go Columbine
And throw up the diamond sign; boy, you know I'm-a shine
Flow is in Ramadan 'cause couple years ago the game had they pajamas on
But now they on my dick; man, I should throw a condom on
'Cause a nigga coming raw like I ain't got one on
And I ain't stopping nor copping no pleas; I just lock and load, squeeze
Dog, I'm on a higher level; I'm on top of nosebleeds
Niggas say they sick, but when they rock, they don't sneeze
Like the nigga on the block waving his glock, but won't squeeze
Please
Hold your applause until the ceremony end
Yours truly, truly blessed, yet again a noble planted
Super magic, abracadabra kid
Mysterious master Jim, blacker pen, arrowhead
With the long-barrel stem and his apparel fresh
Harbor lights shining out the black power grid
With the Black Power grip, and pure power don't power trip
Push the cellar ceiling up and make the tower tip
The Gladwell point and Babylon polish
All about nothing where it's all about the dollar
And mansions on the fault line of a shaky market
The Devil at the dance hall thirsty for a partner
Get off him; there is not a parcel or a portion
Or a measure of a fortune more awesome
Gorgeous, the funky Four Horsemen and one more
With Hi-Tek on the score, once more, of course
You're welcome, thanks
Appreciation for your participation
Special dedication
Celebration, bitches
The song "Just Begun" by Reflection Eternal is a celebration of hip-hop culture and its role in uplifting marginalized communities. The song opens with Talib Kweli's powerful verse, in which he reflects on the struggles he faced growing up in the ghetto and the power of hip-hop to bring people together. He talks about how the ghetto is full of betrayal, and how his fellow neighbor will slay him, likening the ghetto world to Iago and Othello. He also talks about how he murders instrumentals and raps with the conscience of felons, killers, and monsters, revealing the harsh truths about life in the ghetto. Despite the challenges he faced, Kweli is determined to make a difference in his community, teaching classes and starting a revolution.
The song also features verses from Jay Electronica and J. Cole, who reflect on their own struggles and aspirations. Jay Electronica reflects on his journey from New Orleans to New York and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on his community. He also talks about his admiration for leaders like Farrakhan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Qaddafi, who fought for social justice, and dedicates the song to his fellow New Orleanians. J. Cole, meanwhile, talks about his experience as a rising star in the rap world and the pressure to conform to industry expectations. He raps about his determination to stay true to himself and his community, regardless of the cost.
Overall, "Just Begun" is a powerful tribute to hip-hop culture, its role in uplifting marginalized communities, and the struggles of those who seek to use music to make a positive difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
We've only just begun
This is just the beginning; we have a lot more to do
From the intro you know I'm so influential 'cause I'm glowing like a candle
I am very influential, and it's apparent from the start of this song
The focus is so essential, dog; what you tryna get into?
You need to focus on what you're trying to accomplish
I steady the flow, ready to blow like snotty tissue
I am ready to unleash my talent and blow everyone away
They snitching like Donnie Brasco, I'm counting like Monte Cristo
People are snitching like crazy, but I am unaffected and focused on my goals
The ghetto full of betrayal like Iago and Othello
The ghetto is full of betrayal, just like the plays Iago and Othello
Your fellow neighbor will slay you; they'll smoke you like cigarillos
Even your own neighbors will turn on you and harm you
Police want that info--they'll grill 'em like Portabellos
The police will do anything to get information out of people
We're still feeling the promise; some nights I kill 'em with kindness
We still believe in the promise of equality and justice, and I try to be kind even to those who don't deserve it
Your bullet points so hollow they could probably pierce body armor
Your arguments are so weak they wouldn't even pierce body armor
Look in the scope; my people still a target
My people are still being targeted and attacked
Smile on my face, tears of a sad clown
I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, but inside I'm hurting
Feeling out of place as I whistle a cab down
I feel like I don't belong and I'm just trying to get away
Build a home, teach a class, start a revolution
We need to build our own communities and educate people to create change
This that black Elohim, Anunnaki rap
This is a powerful and spiritual type of rap
That Farrakhan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Qaddafi rap
This is the type of rap that is inspired by Farrakhan, Olajuwon, and Qaddafi
I'm in the coatroom, screaming "who that?" on the double
I'm hyped up and ready to go
Fed up with all the frauds and left y'all without a job
I'm tired of people who aren't genuine, and they will be exposed
Really though I'm LeBron, really don't got my mind
I'm like LeBron James, focused on my goals and not distracted
And I ain't stopping nor copping no pleas; I just lock and load, squeeze
I will not quit or apologize for what I believe in, and I'm ready for action
The Devil at the dance hall thirsty for a partner
There are people who will try to take advantage of you, like the Devil at a dance
Get off him; there is not a parcel or a portion
Leave me alone; there's nothing you can take from me
Or a measure of a fortune more awesome
My wealth and success are unparalleled
Gorgeous, the funky Four Horsemen and one more
We are amazing and powerful like the Four Horsemen
You're welcome, thanks
You're welcome for the amazing performance, thank you for listening
Appreciation for your participation
Thank you for participating in this experience
Special dedication
This is a special dedication to something or someone important
Celebration, bitches
Let's celebrate and have a good time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANTE SMITH, JERMAINE COLE, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, R NICOLS, T ELPADARO, TALIB KWELI GREEN, TONY COTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind