We Got The Beat (featuring Res
Talib Kweli Lyrics

Yeah! Come on! What it is
Kweli is hyping up the track and getting the listener's attention.

It's the P-l-A-N-E-T R-O-C-K
Referring to the classic hip hop track, ‘Planet Rock’ by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, and introducing a similar vibe and rhythm to this track.

Kweli, BK, se-la-vis
Introducing Talib Kweli and the fact that he is representing Brooklyn (BK), and the phrase “c'est la vie” to mean ‘that’s life’.

You could tell I be hell-a-free like college radio
Talib Kweli is comparing his approach to music to that of college radio; he’s free and unconventional with his style.

WQHT gonna play me though
Talib Kweli knows he’ll also make it to commercial radio station Hot 97 as his music is hot.

This hot shit is to fly like the cockpit
Talib Kweli's music is hot and elevating, like a plane (cockpit), takes you above life's struggles.

Got spit like a french kiss chicks lock lips
Talib Kweli is skilled with rapping (got spit) like when two women French kiss and lock their lips.

Coming from the deep black like the Loch Ness
Kweli is referring to his deep roots in Black culture and the mythical Loch Ness monster is parallel to the mysterious qualities of his music.

Now bring apocalypse like the heart of darkness
Talib Kweli's music can bring change/influence like how the novel 'The Heart of Darkness' brought attention to the Belgian Congo, which led to human rights abuses coming to light.

It's like the heart of the artist becomes a target
Artists and their message often come under fire and scrutiny to make a change.

Pop music is the black market
Talib Kweli compares pop music to a black market which dominates the main music industry, leading to the suppression of other types of music.

Recently we witness bizarre shit
Strange things have been happening in the world recently, leading to fear and anxiety.

The war hit the same time as SARS hit
The world was dealing with both the Iraq war and the SARS outbreak at the same time, leading to a tense and uncertain atmosphere.

Terrorists send bombs at the concert
Referring to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which happened during an Ariana Grande concert.

The show must go on yo regardless
Despite the threat and fear, artists still have to perform and continue to make a statement through their music.

I'm just some hip-hop kid to pop shit
Talib Kweli is just a humble hip hop artist who builds his reputation from talking shit.

And get on some rock shit and start a mosh pit
Talib Kweli is versatile and can switch up his style from hip hop to rock and roll, bringing out energy in his audience.

Yeah We got the beat to make the planet rock (Come on, come on) Yeah, Come on We got the beat to make the planet rock (Come on, come on)
The chorus celebratory of the beats produced in this track, promising to make the whole planet dance to it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah We got the planet to rock, Kweli's standing on top
Their music has the power to entertain and uplift even at the global stage; Kweli's standing at the top of the world showcasing his talent.

I'm like a panther when I answer to cops And bust back before the man get a shot And the blood on their veins run cold like the cannibal lox And bring heat like the blood of the mammal that's hot
Talib is fearless when it comes to the police; he’s willing to defend himself before he gets shot. Also, he's hot with his music, and while his opponents' veins run cold; his listeners heat up with the beat like the hot blood of a mammal.

And keep fighting like the boy with the mechanical heart And watch time count down on the hands of the clock Till the hour when the pinnacle start Wow, and go fast like the bullet that ran through the dark The hollow tip ripped a man apart, blaow
Talib uses a metaphor of a boy with a mechanical heart to show how unbreakable and determined he is to keep going. He's determined to achieve the peak, and time counting down is an indication of that. He is fast with his rapping, much like a bullet. Finally, he describes the lethal force of the bullets ripped apart, which is similar to how powerful his music can be.

Yo these soldiers die in petroleum wars Think they fighting for the holiest cause It don't matter if you Muslim, Hebrew, or you a christian Information is the newest religion, is a true way of living Ain't no rule to a superstition stop me with going through with my mission Come on man
Talib Kweli criticizes the futility of the wars fought over oil and how we believe that we fight for righteous causes because of our faith. He then brings out the power of information and how it could be the new religion that helps us lead a fulfilling life. Talib encouraging the listeners not to let their superstitions stop them from accomplishing their goals and go through with their objectives.

Come on get down, get down, get down, get down Go ladies, go, go, go ladies, go, go Come on all my ghetto people stand strong We rocking on and on One for me, now rocking with the best and is Kweli
Talib Kweli invites the audience to dance along, and specifically, women to have courage and thrive. He motivates ghetto people to be strong because they’re admirable, and their struggle is a testament to the talent they possess. Talib and the listeners are connecting through music and are in sync, resonating with Kweli's message.

You ain't no MC like me, you just a clone like KFC Come on, B-Boys, B-Girls, we rocking the world
Talib Kweli is mocking the commodified nature of the rap scene and how everyone sounds the same nowadays. He is unique and hard to replicate, much like the distinct taste of KFC. Talib then invites B-boys and B-girls community to the dancefloor and shake the world with their energy.

Don't believe niggaz running the place Man everything is dangerous nothing is safe, nigga Think you a man with a gun in your waist Let the cops disrespect you right in front of your face Take it out on your girl, punch her in the face You ain't a thug you a waste of space Nigga get out the way, B-boys gonna rock till the break! How much can a planet take
Talib questions the authenticity of those running the government, as everything is dangerous and uncertain. Even if you have a gun, you are not invincible, and cops could insult or hurt you. He suggests that resorting to violence on innocent people is senseless and should be avoided. Talib encourages people who are wasting their space to stop doing so, and people who are serious about their careers to pass-through. Finally, he raises the question of the planet's capacity to handle the trauma and chaos we're experiencing.

(We got the beat)
The beat serves as a thread that brings everything and everyone together through their shared love for music in this track.