Soul Rebels
Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek Lyrics

We don't live for Hip-Hop, It lives for us
Hip-Hop is not just something we listen to, it is a part of us and our way of life.

It's the eternalist, y'all burn to this, blaze da dro'
Hip-Hop is timeless and transcends generations; it is something we are passionate about and can get high to.

Soul rebels trap up, we got a long way to go
As non-conformists, we have a lot of progress to make before our message is fully understood and accepted.

Before this here blow like a volcano
Until our message explodes in popularity like a volcanic eruption.

We get eternal, this is what you waitin' for
Our music will stand the test of time and this is what fans are eagerly anticipating.

You try to front and play the role
Some people try to act like they are something they are not.

When you more like a pimp who pay the ho
In reality, they are more like a pimp who pays for the services of a prostitute.

With my name up in your mouth like fellatio
They talk about me constantly, as if they were performing oral sex on me.

I lace the flow on purpose even up the ratio
I intentionally make sure there is a balance of Hip-Hop in my music, as opposed to the commercialized tracks played on the radio.

Of Hip-Hop to that shit they drop on the radio
I want there to be more Hip-Hop and less of the low-quality music they play on the radio.

Underground classics is what they used to say before
Our music used to be recognized as underground classics.

Now we break the surface quiet like an alligator nose
Our message is slowly gaining popularity without being too obvious, like the nose of an alligator just above the water.

They hate it, cuz they know if they don't get it, then they may be slow
People who don't understand or appreciate our music, hate it because it reveals their lack of understanding and ability.

We still gonna blow like the horn played by Horatio
Our music will eventually become popular, just like the horn played by Horatio became a famous American symbol.

The stakes is three feet high and risin' like De La Soul
The pressure to succeed and create meaningful music is high just like the pressure to follow-up after the successful album Three Feet High and Rising (De La Soul’s 1989 album).

So I got Wonder Why, my man Dave and Maseo
I have the help of my friends Wonder Why, Dave, and Maseo.

We all got babies so we embrace the taste of dough
We all have families to provide for, so we understand the need to make money.

But y'all already know so I ain't gotta say no mo'
Our fans are already aware of our goals so there is no need to explain further.

(De La) is whatcha need, (Reflection) is whatcha need
We (De La Soul) have the music you need, Reflection (Talib Kweli) has the music you need.

We got the masters of the ceremonies
We are experts at hosting and performing.

Blessin' emcees (lip professin' emcees)
We want to bless and help other aspiring emcees.

From LI to Brooklyn to Cinncinnati
We have a following from Long Island, Brooklyn, and Cincinnati.

Hi-Tek and Kweli got this on lock D
Hi-Tek and Kweli are in charge of this.

(Let me hear you scream out loud) if you're somebody
If you are someone who identifies with our message and music, let me hear you scream out loud.

Party to party, body to body
We are going from one party to another, everyone is vibing and dancing.

When we come into the jam we do it wildstyle
When we enter the party, we do it with passion and uniqueness.

Yo! I'm homegrown for the bain, once I rock the mic plain
I am a natural talent and I rock the mic with ease.

It's the extravaganza we glad you came
It's an amazing show and we are happy you are here to enjoy it.

Made only for them heads, it's infra-red Aim
This music is made for Hip-Hop aficionados and is of the highest quality.

For such a world figure, we got figures to gain
Despite my success in the world, I still have financial goals to achieve.

(don't sleep on a nigga)
Don't underestimate me.

I ain't Icabod Crane get that ass cooked hard cuz we raw like Kane
I am not like Icabod Crane – I am tough and powerful like Kane.

Been known to mic spit, infinite per frame
My rhymes are legendary and infinite in their creativity.

While these girls throw me plenty like jenny to jane
I am popular with women, who flock to me like they did to fictional characters Jenny and Jane.

Ain't some old school G poppin' memory lane
I am not an old-school gangster reminiscing about past memories.

Been on it future robotic, since the day I came
I have always been on the forefront of futuristic Hip-Hop.

If you don't know Plug Wonder Why is my name
In case you didn't know, my name is Plug Wonder Why.

Most recognized leo with my size in mane
I am the most recognized lion with my sizeable mane.

Matter a fact track is simple and Plain
In fact, my tracks are simple and straightforward.

Cuz the complexities I freeze is too deep to detain
Although my writing has deep complexities, it cannot be hindered or contained.

Reflect, Kwa-Tone Tek eternally in the game (and De La) oh fo' sho'
I (Reflection aka Talib Kweli), Kwa-Tone, and Tek are forever in the game of Hip-Hop (and so is De La Soul)

We be shinin' the same
We are all shining and successful in the same way.

Y'all think these challengers is here to make a man fold
People might think our challengers are trying to intimidate us and make us fail.

Shoot I've been holdin' these joints since I was day old
I have been in this game for a long time and my skills have been honed since I was very young.

Came to confirm the fact that I've been on the payroll
I am here to confirm that I have always made money from my music.

Stay cold til one day make it hot and fade old
I will remain underrated until I someday become mainstream and eventually fade away.

Continue til I'm dyin, rottin' out gray and old
I will continue making music until I pass away.

I told them fool before they pass they have to pay toll
I warned them that they would have to pay in some way before they die.

While I've been sittin' at the table eatin' steak whole, side of greens
While they struggle, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor – a whole steak with a side of greens.

Baby yams you know it stay soul, pre-natal
I always make music that has soul and depth.

But they want to come spit your way so
But they still try to steal your style.

So was I supposed to go and say no
So was I supposed to turn down the opportunity?

Right emcees some walking straight, some take the gay stroll
Some emcees walk the straight and narrow path, while others walk a different path.

I get my man to clamp they asses like they staples
I have friends who will take care of my haters.

I'm from LI we take it far as out as naples
I am from Long Island, where we take things to the extreme, as far as Naples.

And scrape hoes who'll be willing to take clothes off (off)
We also attract women who will do anything to be a part of the scene.

See once you bet it all against reflects eternal
If you bet against Talib Kweli and Reflection Eternal, you will lose.

You lose every rapper on a dept
No rapper can compete against us, we are in a league of our own.

Y'all need to pay ya dues
Other rappers need to work harder and pay their dues before they can compete with us.