Break
Saul Williams Lyrics

And when my fears arise I blow them out
When I start to feel afraid or anxious, I try to confront those feelings head-on and push them out of my mind.

Death creeps through the streets over programmed beats
The idea of dying or mortality is always present and seems to be emphasized by the constant sound of music in the city.

A rabid dog in heat on a dead end street
The city can be a dangerous and unsettling place, like a crazed animal on a path to destruction.

Oil slicks, the only rainbows that
The only bright spots in the otherwise drab, industrial landscape are the rainbow reflections of oil spills on the pavement.

Canvas gray concrete
The colorless and unremarkable buildings and streets in the city leave little room for artistic expression or joy.

Shadows of skyscrapers fall when Mohamed speaks
The towering structures and oppressive presence of the city seem to loom even larger when contrasted with the experiences and perspectives of those who are marginalized or oppressed.

Corpses piled in heaps
The city can be a violent and deadly place, where bodies stack up and go unnoticed or unacknowledged.

Placing tags on feet, a Nike Air Force Fleet
Even in death, the socio-economic status or cultural preferences of people are judged and categorized through what they wear and their possessions.

Custom made, unique
Despite the attempts to sort or differentiate people even after they have died, everyone is ultimately unique and one-of-a-kind.

Still in box, white sheet
The promises or expectations of consumer culture can be suffocating and imprisoning, regardless of whether someone is dead or alive.

White tank top, wife beat
The rigid and often oppressive gender roles and expectations in society can lead to violence or abuse against women.

Ripened blue, black, sweet
The richness and complexity of human experiences and emotions can be found even in the most unexpected places.

Hearts in two-step beat
Despite the hardships and struggles people face, there is always a sense of rhythm and flow that keeps them moving forward.

Consider yourself less than, inferior to
Society often tries to impose hierarchies or categories based on race, gender, or other factors, but these are ultimately arbitrary or harmful.

Half man, superior to woman, unbearable likeness
Gender stereotypes and expectations can lead to the devaluation, marginalization, or violence against women and those who don't conform to traditional norms of masculinity.

Consider yourself almost, never quite, dark-skinned
Racism and colorism can create false hierarchies or divisions based on skin tone or other features, even among people of the same race or ethnicity.

Lily white, black as sin, devil's den, whiteness
Whiteness and white supremacy can be insidious and pervasive, affecting all aspects of society and culture.

Consider yourself outcast, criminal, unseen, invisible
People who are marginalized or oppressed often feel like they are not valued or recognized in society, like they are ghosts or shadows who go unnoticed.

Point blank, ready cocked trigger
The threat of violence or death is always present, like a loaded gun waiting to go off.

Consider yourself, hardcore, dirt poor, hustler, bitch
The labels or expectations society assigns to someone can be dehumanizing or limiting, reducing them to a stereotype or caricature.

Whore, reverend, doctor, nigga
Even seemingly opposite or conflicting roles, identities, or professions can be assigned to someone based on their race or gender, showing how these factors always play a role in how people are perceived and treated.

Build up, pimp strut, slap
Traditional masculinity and power dynamics can be expressed through violence or domination over others.

Break, cotton, corn, crop, wheat
The long history of exploitation and oppression of Black Americans through slavery and sharecropping is still felt today in the lingering effects of systemic racism and inequality.

Let it out, blow it out, spit it out
To truly move forward in life or overcome challenges, one must confront and release their emotions rather than suppressing or hiding them.

Break the cycle, break the chain
The only way to truly overcome systemic or generational trauma is through conscious action and changing the underlying systems or beliefs that perpetuate that trauma.

Break the hurt and break the pain
By exploring our own emotions and experiences, we can begin to understand and heal from the trauma and pain that has been inflicted on us.

All my doubts and all my fears
Our biggest obstacles in life often come from within, as we struggle with our own doubts and fears.

Break the spell that keeps me here
Overcoming our own limiting beliefs and fears can free us from the constraints and limitations that keep us from fully realizing our potential.

Get it out, spit it out, get it out
Releasing our emotions and breaking free from our own self-imposed limitations is essential for growth and progress in life.

Break, let it out, blow it out, spit it out
Sometimes the only way to break free from the pain and trauma of the past is to confront it head-on and face the harsh reality of our experiences.