Time for a Change
T.I. ft Ludacris Lyrics

No justice, no peace
Without fairness and equality, there will be no harmony and tranquility

And if there ain't gon' be no justice, there ain't gon' be no peace
If there is no fairness, there can be no harmony

Young people are enraged, and there's an easy way to stop it
The youth are filled with anger, and there is a simple solution to quell their anger

Arrest the cops
Take the law enforcement officers into custody

Charge the cops, charge all the cops
Bring charges against the police officers, all of them, not just a few

Not just some of them
Not only a select group, but every single one of them

Charge them in every city across America where our people are being murdered
Bring charges against them in every single city in America where our community members are being killed

Charge them everywhere, that's the bottom line
Hold them accountable in all jurisdictions, that is the ultimate goal

Charge the cops, do your job
Bring charges against the police officers, carry out your duties

(Hol' up)
(Wait a minute)

The way we runnin' out of time, it ain't no point of a clock
We are running out of time, rendering the concept of time irrelevant

You might get killed for being black, no longer state of a shock
Being killed for simply being black is no longer a surprising occurrence

Too many lames to keep account, like when the hell it's gon' stop?
There are countless ignorant individuals, making it difficult to determine when this injustice will end

Crooked cops treat us like opps to leave us dead in a box
Corrupt police officers view us as enemies, resulting in our demise

Nobody love us but the hopeless, so we misunderstood
Only the desperate truly care for us, causing others to misinterpret our actions and intentions

They feel like black lives don't matter, we just hopin' it could
They believe that black lives hold no value, while we are desperately hoping for change

They say racism don't exist, if not, why the fuck we pissed?
They claim that racism is nonexistent, but if that's true, why are we so angry?

They hate me 'cause my skin, I'm proudly ripping behind this fence
They despise me because of my skin color, as I defiantly represent my identity from behind these barriers

No more killing our own, that's why we gotta to stick together
We must stop harming each other, which is why unity is crucial

I be damned if we don't fight, we've got to try this shit together
I refuse to sit idly by if we don't fight for change, we must confront these challenges together

Dear Mr. President, you're fucking us over
A critical address to the President, accusing him of betraying and harming us

Like we a terroristic threat, the ghetto covered in soldiers
Treating us like terrorists, the neighborhoods are filled with armed forces

Fear my only chance to live is with my hand on the trigger
I believe that my only means of survival is by carrying a firearm

Way they did the homie Floyd, I feel they hunting for niggas
The way they treated George Floyd makes me believe that they are actively targeting black individuals

They don't love me, mama, everyday we under attack
They do not hold any affection for me, mother. Every day, we face hostility and aggression

Knowing I try to turn away, I might get shot in the back, fact
Even if I attempt to retreat, the harsh reality is that I may still be shot from behind

I can't even sleep right, starin' at the gun
I am unable to find peace, constantly fixated on the firearm for protection

Should be staring at the peace pipe, hard to see what peace like
Instead, I should be seeking peace and resolution, but it is difficult to imagine what true peace feels like

Forty-five, still get scared from the police lights
Even at the age of forty-five, I still experience fear at the sight of police lights

And I came up real rough, right under the street lights (real rough)
I grew up in a challenging environment, right beneath the unforgiving street lights

Democrats, Republicans, Mr. President
Addressing the political parties and the President

Mr. Bill Gates, everybody's tired of the suffering (everybody's tired)
Even Bill Gates, along with everyone else, is exhausted from the ongoing pain and hardships

First it was the quarantine and Black Lives Matter (pay attention)
Initially, there was the quarantine followed by the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement (pay attention)

Now back to the quarantine and black lives shatter (pay no attention)
Now, we are back to the quarantine and the continuous destruction of black lives (pay no attention)

Police wearing riot gear, black child scatters (he scared)
Law enforcement officers donning their protective gear, causing a young black child to flee in fear

Imagine all the pain and the hate that he takes with 'em
Consider the immense pain and hatred that this child carries with them

Wanna make a vaccine and make it for racism (make that)
We should develop a remedy to eradicate racism, just like a vaccine (make that happen)

Still praying to the Father and keeping my face in 'em (Ghost)
Continuing to have faith in God and seeking guidance from Him (Ghost)

Say, look at the news and tell me, what do you see?
Observe the news and share what you perceive

The cops just killed another black man that look just like me
Law enforcement officers have once again taken the life of another black man who resembled me

And nah, this ain't the first time, and it won't be the last
No, this is not the first occurrence, and sadly, it will not be the final one

Unless you stand up against it, so get up off your ass
Unless you take action against it, so stop being passive

Because this is the place, and right now is the time
This is our nation, and the present moment is the opportune time

To let 'em know where I stand and how I get down for mine
To establish my position and show my dedication

They keep killing my brothers and sisters, getting away with it
They continuously murder my fellow black individuals and face no consequences

So I'm on the frontlines, and I ain't finna play with it
Hence, I am actively involved in the forefront of this fight, and I have no intention of treating it lightly

Black people in America have been oppressed
Black individuals in America have experienced long-standing oppression

So we demandin' racial equality, nothing less
Therefore, we are firmly demanding nothing short of racial equality

For what they did in the past and still do
Considering their historical and ongoing actions

Wouldn't you want somebody to ride if they killed you?
Wouldn't you desire someone to stand up for you if you were murdered?

Nah, the revolution won't be televised
No, the revolution will not be broadcasted on television

But they keep choking, beating, shooting us and telling lies
Nonetheless, they persistently suffocate, assault, and shoot us, while fabricating false narratives

We better sever ties with this government (facts)
We should cut all connections with this government (undisputable truth)

You silent 'bout your pain, they gon' swear that you lovin' it
If you remain silent about your suffering, they will falsely believe that you are content with it

Crime don't fit the punishment (nope), no niggas doin' forever (ever)
The punishment does not fit the crime, and black individuals are serving long prison sentences

Nah, freedom ain't free, we got to do it together
No, freedom is not easily obtained, we must strive for it collectively

That means (what?), by whatever means necessary
That signifies doing whatever it takes to achieve our goals

I'm doing God's work, so that means I'm too blessed to worry
I am carrying out God's mission, which means I am too fortunate to be concerned

Believe I'm just next to carry the cross for my people
I firmly believe that I am the next individual chosen to bear the burdens of my community

Fuck cause, we've got to stay the course 'til we equal (uh-huh)
Disregard the reasons, we have to continue our journey until we achieve equality (uh-huh)

When we lost George Floyd, the conscious starting shifting (uh-huh)
After the tragic loss of George Floyd, our collective awareness and mindset began to change (uh-huh)

I feel like Pac (when?) fresh up out of prison
I feel a resemblance to Tupac (when?) upon his release from prison

I guess I'm just different, my heart pure
I suppose I am distinct, with a pure heart

Field nigga, fuck I'm gon' stay in the house for? (Why?)
As someone on the frontlines, why would I confine myself to the house? (Why?)

If it ain't real, what you open your mouth for?
If it lacks authenticity, why would you speak on it?

Yeah, I'm a team player, but I'll do it without y'all
Indeed, I am a team player, but I will achieve success without relying on your support

I'm fighting them southpaws (that's right)
I am battling against formidable opponents (that's right)

'Cause I know what's at stake (uh-huh)
Because I am aware of what is at risk (uh-huh)

We lose then we doomed, there's no room for mistakes (none)
If we fail, there will be dire consequences, leaving no space for errors (none)

I'm doin' what it takes, on God, we've got to beat 'em (gotta)
I am doing everything necessary, I swear to God, we must emerge victorious (gotta)

No, we don't know what the future holds
No, we are uncertain about what the future entails

But I know, it got to change
But I am certain that change is necessary

And I pray, I pray that someday we will
And I hope, I hope that one day it will happen

But you should know you're not alone
However, you need to understand that you are not alone

But still we gon' fight
Nevertheless, we will continue to fight

I remember 2Pac said it first, realest shit I heard ever before
I recall 2Pac being the first to say it, the most genuine words I had ever heard in the past

You got money for war, but never the hungry and poor
You have funds allocated for war, but never for those who are hungry and impoverished

But that why they burning your store
That is why they are setting your store on fire

Here's a message to all, if the only way you could be tall
A message to everyone, if the only way for you to prosper

Is for everyone to be stuck on they knee
Is for everyone else to remain subjugated and submissive

Then fuck it, you small, you wack or you weak
Then disregard your stature, as you would be insignificant, inferior, or feeble

It ain't no explanation why assassination of black men and women continue repeat
There is no justification for the recurring assassinations of black individuals

But this generation don't care 'bout no racist
However, this present generation does not value racists

They ready to die, eye for an eye
They are prepared to die, seeking a reciprocal form of justice

Two losses for one, take it however it come
Two losses in exchange for one, accepting the consequences no matter how they occur

You black, better get you a gun
If you are black, it is advisable to arm yourself

I ain't dying for nothing, but anyone shooting my son
I am not willing to die without cause, but I will protect my son from anyone who poses a threat

I'm coming to shoot at the son
I am prepared to retaliate against those who harm my child

And fuck white supremacy and all of the business
And reject white supremacy and all those who support it

That been supportive of it since it begun
That have been endorsing it since its inception

Gotta cancel our orders, do that for our daughters
We must cancel the existing orders and do it for the sake of our daughters

And all of our sisters, we owe it to them
We are obligated to do so for our sisters

No hesitation, gon' go up for them
Without hesitation, we will confront the oppressors on their behalf

The (?) of my future, I blew it for them
The future prospects, I sacrificed for them

Attack 'em like maybe they won't know it was me
Assault them, hoping they will not identify me as the perpetrator

Especially now that the Lord with me
Especially now that I have the Lord on my side

Heavenly Father, I can't hold back these tears
God, I am unable to suppress these tears

Niggas been sufferin' for years (sufferin' for years)
We, as black individuals, have been enduring suffering for countless years

Can't get a break down here (can't seem to get a break down here)
We cannot catch a break in this world (we consistently face hardships)

Cover my children, we shouldn't be livin' in fear
Protect my children, they should not have to live in fear

People just tryin' to live (tryin' to live)
All we want is to live our lives in peace (we make an effort to survive)

Can't get a break down here (can't seem to get a break down here)
We cannot catch a break in this world (we consistently face hardships)

Another black man killed by police again
Once again, another black man has been killed by the police

Another child with a father they'll never see again
Another child who will never see their father again

That's all I see when I turn my TV to CNN (that's all I see)
When I tune into CNN, that's all I witness

Wonder when it's gon' stop, when we gon' see an end (when it's gon' stop?)
Wondering when this will cease, when we will witness a conclusion (when will it stop?)

Yeah, free all the homies that's still in the cage (free the homies)
Yes, release all the friends who are still incarcerated (free the friends)

Over-sentenced by crooked judges and racist D.A.'s
They have received excessively harsh sentences from corrupt judges and racist district attorneys

Racism in the system is harder
Racism within the system is more challenging to overcome

Sentenced a little harsher 'cause my skin a little darker, look (talk to 'em)
Sentenced with a slightly more severe punishment due to my slightly darker skin tone, understand this (speak to them)

We deal with all kinds of injustice
We face various forms of injustice

My uncle died in police custody and not a cop was arrested (cap)
My uncle passed away while in police custody, and not a single police officer was held accountable (that's the truth)

Sometimes I wish that Obama could've got reelected (uh-huh)
At times, I wish Barack Obama could have been reelected (uh-huh)

The black vote is our power and we got to protect it (yeah)
The black vote is our means of empowerment, and we must safeguard it (yeah)

The people want change, so don't think it's strange when you see
The people desire change, so it should not come as a surprise when it happens

The people enraged from being enslaved so do-do we
The people are furious due to the long-standing oppression, and we share the same sentiment

Would eventually get up and swing back, fight back
At some point, we would rise and retaliate, fighting back

Even against the police, the people is ready to strike back, like that
Even against the police, the people are prepared to fight back without hesitation, just like that

Leavin' us dead in the streets, the people are heated, strike match, like that
Leaving us dead on the streets infuriates the people, igniting their anger, just like that

Televised so you can see it, the people, they need it, the scene is white-black
Broadcasted on television for all to witness, the people demand it, the situation encompasses both black and white individuals

Too bad that we had to die, how many more men do they gonna kill?
It is unfortunate that we had to lose our lives, how many more men will they kill?

No need to pretend 'cause this shit is real
There is no necessity to act or pretend, as this situation is genuine

Don't be blinded by the red and blue lights
Do not be deceived or misled by the flashing red and blue lights

It's time to ride, it's time to rise up
It is time to take action, to rise up

Pay attention and open your eyes up, a little wider
Be attentive and broaden your perspective, opening your eyes wider

Maybe we need to think a little wiser, reach higher (higher, higher)
Perhaps we need to engage in more thoughtful thinking, striving for greater heights (higher, higher)

Can be the incredible, the success is inevitable
We have the ability to achieve greatness, success is unavoidable

Innovators, creators, and motivators, for some reason they act like they scared of us though
We are innovators, creators, and motivators, yet, for some reason, they act fearful of us

So they wanted us grown, they wanted us raised
They desired for us to grow up, they wanted us to be nurtured

They step on our flow, so we gotta beef
They obstruct our progress, so we must confront them

We lettin' 'em know we ain't finna be takin' this shit no more
We are informing them that we refuse to tolerate these circumstances any longer

No justice no peace, this means war
Without fairness and equality, there will be no harmony, and this signifies a battle

What do ya think they screamin' for?
Why do you think they are screaming? (Why are they protesting so passionately?)

Figured it's time that we even the score
Realized that it is time for us to balance the scales

So I got a question for 'em, a message for 'em, what about us?
Therefore, I have a question for them, a message directed towards them, what about us?

I heard somebody say that all lives matter, but not in this matter (not in this matter)
I heard someone say that all lives matter, but not in relation to this specific issue (not in this specific context)

Black lives matter right now, that's all that matters (that's all that matters)
At this moment, it is crucial to highlight that black lives matter, that is the most important thing to recognize (that's all that matters)

Y'all president messy and immature (immature)
Your president is disorganized and lacking maturity (immature)

Full of shit, cow manure (cow manure)
He is deceitful, nothing but lies (like cow manure)

I might not know politics, but I know prejudice
I may not be well-versed in politics, but I am acquainted with prejudice

And Santa Claus ain't got nothin' to do with Jesus (with Jesus)
And Santa Claus has no connection to Jesus (with Jesus)

His hair was like wool, and it was nappy (it was nappy)
Jesus had hair resembling wool, and it was coarse (it was nappy)

I put that on God, his pappy (his pappy)
I swear to God, his father (his pappy)

Dear sister, look I'm sorry for the things I did
Dear sister, I apologize for my past actions

When they kill ya in the darkness, we ran and hid
When they murdered you in secrecy, we fled and concealed ourselves

We were ripped from our families, didn't raise our kids
We were torn apart from our families, unable to raise our children

But shit, who raised us?
But seriously, who raised us?

We got used to the pain, it didn't faze us
We became accustomed to the pain, it no longer affected us

I don't want change, I wanna take aim at our oppressor
I do not desire simple change, I want to directly target and confront our oppressor

'Til my pistol's in his fuckin' mouth, yours is on the dresser at the crib
Until my gun is in their damn mouth, yours is safely kept on the dresser at home

And if we march, then let's mob to where he lives
And if we choose to march, let's assemble near his residence

Bandanas on our fuckin' faces, peace to Freddie Gibbs (yeah)
Wearing bandanas to obscure our identities, and showing respect to Freddie Gibbs (yeah)

Get capped on your song, bitch, I don't kneel (woo)
Getting shot during your song, bitch, I do not kneel (woo)

I'm from the home of Medgar Evers and where Emmett Till got killed
I come from the birthplace of Medgar Evers and the location where Emmett Till was murdered

Fuck the NFL and basketball and weak-ass deals
Disregard the NFL and basketball, along with their insignificant contracts

Black kids out here dyin', fuck how white folks feel
Black children are dying, disregard how white individuals feel

Young bitch
Young woman

Repeat after me
Recite after me

People power (people power)
The power of the people (people power)

Political power (political power)
The power to influence politics (political power)

Economic power (economic power)
The ability to control the economy (economic power)

Say his name (George Floyd)
Utter his name (George Floyd)

Say his name (George Floyd)
Utter his name (George Floyd)

Say his name (George Floyd)
Utter his name (George Floyd)