Too Late feat Res
Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek Lyrics

Yo, when the bass thump, the place jump
The energetic beats of the music cause the crowd to react with excitement and movement.

Like it's way crunk, yeah
The energy level of the crowd is comparable to the intense and rowdy atmosphere of southern rap.

Fake punks get they face lumped
Those who pretend to be something they're not will receive a physical beating or punishment.

Sent to the most high, by the most fit
Those who try to deceive or act out of line will be judged by a higher power or authority figure.

You gotta do, fuck that almost shit
Don't settle for half-hearted or incomplete efforts, do what needs to be done to succeed.

The fam is close knit
The group or community is tightly-knit and supportive of each other.

You diggin', know the clock don't stop tickin'
Understand that time is constantly moving forward and don't waste any opportunities.

Glocks still spittin', the whole block politickin'
Despite violence and political maneuvering within the community, the people continue to push forward.

Like presidents with they minds dead on arrival
People in power who have lost touch with reality and the needs of the people they serve.

Leaving no evidence of a struggle for survival
Those in power attempt to cover up the challenges facing their community and hide any signs of weakness.

Songs relevant to the times like the psalms read in the Bible
Music has the power to comment on and address the issues and challenges of the time, much like religious texts do.

Stepping to this leaves thoughts in your head 'it's suicidal'
Attempting to compete with this level of talent and skill may seem like an impossible or dangerous task.

It's the T to the A-L-I-B the deep rooter
The singer, Talib Kweli, is introducing himself and emphasizing his rootedness and authenticity.

Rolling with my wanna battle cats who chief buddha
The singer is surrounded by fellow rappers who are seeking competition and are also advocates of Buddhist teachings.

And see through the overspecialized, underpressurized
The singer and his peers can clearly identify those who are over-hyped and under-performing in the rap industry.

No lie texturized, emcees who got the masses mesmerized
Many rappers rely on gimmicks and empty lyrics to gain popularity, but these tactics only serve to captivate the ignorant.

With empty rhetoric, they better quit
Rappers who lack substance and meaningful lyrics should stop attempting to compete with more talented and authentic artists.

Niggas so hollow that they echo like sentiments
These rappers are so lacking in substance that their words and music hold no value or uniqueness.

Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted
Many current rappers are not giving their full effort, leading to a lack of quality in the industry.

Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets
Rap is currently dominated by either radio-friendly, commercial music or underground, DIY-style music.

Where were you the day hip-hop died?
The artist is referencing a hypothetical day in which the true spirit and essence of hip-hop was lost or forgotten.

Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?
The artist questions whether it is time to grieve the lost potential of hip-hop or to continue to attempt to revive it.

Kwa is chillin', Tone is chillin'
The singer is introducing himself (Kwa) and his collaborator, Hi-Tek (Tone), and emphasizing their relaxed and confident demeanor.

What more can I say, we stay building
The artist is proud of his ability to constantly create and improve, and is focused on building a lasting legacy.

And make killings
The singer is also emphasizing his ability to make money and be successful in the industry.

Take children through the wilderness, by the hand
The singer sees his role as an influential artist as one of guiding the younger generation through life's challenges.

It's a great feeling, show 'em how to be a man
The singer takes pride in being a positive influence on young people, particularly in teaching them to be responsible and mature.

Exactly, pack trees in my khakis
The artist casually mentions carrying and smoking marijuana, which is common in hip-hop culture.

My sound fat like a Neve while you thin like a Mackie
The artist's music has a full, rich sound quality, which he compares to a high-end audio mixing board, while other rappers' music falls short.

C'mon, shine so bright when I walk by
The singer's confidence and talent makes him stand out and attract attention.

You got ta squint like the motherfucking sun in your eye
Others may struggle to look at or acknowledge the singer's brilliance because it is so dazzling.

What! Say somethin, you stay frontin
The artist is calling out those who talk a big game but don't actually follow through with their words or actions.

It ain't nothing, let off like I'm big game hunting
The artist sees himself as a skilled predator or hunter, and is ready to take on any challenge.

Me and Tek stay way blunted
Both the artist and Hi-Tek are regular marijuana smokers and are currently high.

Wave running on beaches with white sand
The singer is living a life of leisure and relaxation, enjoying the beauty of a tropical beach.

With a slight tan
The artist is subtly bragging about his good looks and healthy complexion.

Smack the mic stand with my right hand
The singer is asserting his dominance and control of the microphone during performances.

When I'm excited
The singer gets particularly passionate and animated while performing.

Leave you so far in the dust that you forced to bite it
The singer's talent and skill is far beyond that of his competitors, leaving them with no choice but to admit defeat.

On fire like property lost to riots
The artist is on a hot streak and his music is causing a stir or commotion like a property that has been burned down in a riot.

Yo, ain't no stopping us when we all united
When the artist and his peers are united, they are unstoppable and can accomplish great things in the music industry.