It's Like That
Talib Kweli feat./ Ludacris The Game Lyrics

Wow, we in stereo?
Are we experiencing this in stereo? (expressing surprise and excitement)

Question for the ages
An enduring question

What's going on with my back pages?
What is happening with my past experiences and memories?

Rappers wanna be down, but listen listen
Rappers want to be accepted and respected, but they need to truly understand and appreciate the culture

You got to feel it within your body and your spirit
One must experience and connect with hip-hop on a deep emotional and spiritual level

When you listen to the rhythm (come on)
When you truly engage with the beat and flow of the music (encouraging participation)

It's the abstract Will's on the beat
Will, with his unique and creative style, is the one producing the music

Women all around the globe, the world
Women from every corner of the world

You got to follow me
You should listen and learn from me

Change your history, categories
Challenge and redefine societal norms and expectations

Different people in the same territories
People of diverse backgrounds living together

Hip-hop in here for my Black Eyed Peas
Hip-hop is present and represented by the Black Eyed Peas

So watch it watch it be marveled on the speakers please
Pay attention and be amazed by the music playing through the singers

'Cause they gonna marvel and shake the ground
The music will impress and have a powerful impact

Break atoms, break a sound
Create something groundbreaking and innovative

Thunder and bass full pound
Intense and heavy bass that resonates strongly

Treat all the things profound
Approach everything with depth and significance

If you wanna dude to help you out
If you need someone to assist you

Make it cool around your friends without smoking now
Be impressive and popular among your friends without using drugs

Play the song kinda loud, it could help you out
Listen to the song at a high volume, it might improve your mood or situation

And you could work it out, yeah, you could work it out
You can figure things out and overcome challenges

It's like that, and a
This is how it is, just like this

And we got it like that (like that)
We possess it in this manner

You know we got it like that (like that)
You are aware that we possess it in this manner

Y'all we got it like that (like that)
Everyone, we possess it in this manner

It's like that like that (like that)
This is how it is, just like this

And we got it like that (like that)
We possess it in this manner

You know we got it like that (like that)
You are aware that we possess it in this manner

Yeah, we got it like that (like that)
Yes, we possess it in this manner

It's like that 'Cause I got it like that
This is how it is, because I possess it in this manner

And I got it like that also
And I also possess it in this manner

Got a style that's way out like Bosto
My style is unique and unconventional, like Boston

You know I'm a crook a nigga like Chocko
I am a skilled and crafty individual like Chocko (a fictional character known for his thieving abilities)

Steady jumpin' around like it's heavy cargo
Constantly moving and active like carrying a heavy load

(Can I kick it?) yup, really far though
(Can I express myself?) Yes, I can do it exceptionally well

From El Segundo to Toronto
From a neighborhood in California to the city of Toronto

I once hit a girl up in Chicago
I had a romantic encounter with a girl in Chicago

But I'd never say who unless my name was Tanto
But I would never reveal her identity unless my name was Tanto (a character known for being secretive)

Yup, you know how the date rape go
Yes, you are aware of how non-consensual sexual encounters happen

'Cause we show the classic example
Because we display the typical scenario

Now they know the Peas collect the dough
Now they are aware that the Black Eyed Peas make a lot of money

So they knocking on our door like we was Fargo
People are pursuing us for financial gain, as if we were characters from the movie 'Fargo'

Yup, they see me in a Will.I.Am suit
Yes, they see me dressed stylishly like Will.I.Am

But I wasn't that cute when I didn't have the loot
But I was not as attractive when I did not have money

And I don't smoke birds but I'm still real nice with the birds
And I don't smoke marijuana, but I'm still skilled and talented (referring to women as 'birds' is slang)

So fuck (hey!) what you heard
So disregard any rumors or gossip you may have heard

'Cause we got it like that
Because we possess it in this manner

Talib, just hit 'em like that
Talib, just deliver it to them in this style

I'm from the jungle, brother, and I got it like that
I come from a challenging environment, and I possess it in this manner

Yo, my life got me running through a maze like a white rat
My life is filled with obstacles and confusion, similar to a laboratory rat in a maze

I need a shot at ramming like my rap
I need an opportunity to make a strong impact through my music

It's like the yak is the fights that got me spillin' on the right track
It's as if alcohol (yak) and the struggles I've faced have guided me towards the correct path

And I like this Will so I might get ill
And I enjoy this style produced by Will, so I might become aggressive or skillful

On the mics somebody might get killed
When it comes to rapping, someone might get defeated or outdone

So many damn rappers there's a stifle in heaven
There are so many rappers that the heavens are overwhelmed and unable to accommodate them all

My tongue is a weapon and plus when I bust all this stuff with Legend
My words and rhymes are powerful, especially when I collaborate with Legend (referring to John Legend)

When this Brooklyn MC come after you
When this MC from Brooklyn confronts or challenges you

You be running like I herd a carrel at Murdell Avenue
You will flee or escape as if you saw a flock of birds at Murdell Avenue (a street known for its danger)

Stare into the sun, they try to copy
They attempt to imitate or emulate me even when faced with something blindingly bright, like the sun

Let your eyes get used to the light because you gotta watch me
Adjust to the intensity of my presence because you need to pay attention and observe me

Sneak up on you like sake
Surprise you or catch you off guard, similar to how sake (Japanese liquor) can have a quick effect

My lyrics get out a split atom like Hiroshima and Nagasaki
My words create a huge impact, like the splitting of atoms that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (referring to the atomic bombs)

It's the Apl.De.Ap in the lab with the rap
Apl.De.Ap is in the studio with his rap skills

Demonstrate how we act, we attack any track
Showing our approach to music, we aggressively take on any song

It's the Black Eyed Peas and we back with the facts
The Black Eyed Peas are here, bringing you the truth and reality

Start with the fat skills that rose in the past
Begin with the exceptional talents that were prominent in the past

We got it like how you know how to beast rocks
We possess it in the same way you know how to skillfully handle rocks

Entertain you, see you soon at the next spot
Entertain you and expect to see you soon at the next location or event

The crew got you bouncing and dropping your eye
We, the crew, make you dance energetically and catch the attention of others

Making you Tss tsss tsss, I'm a roll with the hot
Causing you to make the sound 'tss tsss tsss,' I will continue with enthusiasm

I'm a flow from the soul when you can't hold me back
I will express myself sincerely and passionately when nothing can hold me back

Ke-ke-keep on keep on rolling the track
Continuously keep the music playing and progressing

I'm a simply simply always attach
I will always be present and connected

Jeepney Music by Apl.De.Ap
This is the type of music produced by Apl.De.Ap, named after 'jeepneys' (Filipino public utility vehicles)

From L.A to Philippines we bridging the gap
Connecting and unifying Los Angeles and the Philippines

We got it like that you know we got it like that
We possess it in this manner, and you are aware of it

Like we got it like that y'all
Similar to how we possess it in this manner, everyone

My man Q-Tip in the house
Q-Tip is present

Cee-lo you know he's in the house
Cee-lo is also present

My man John Legend's in the house
John Legend is present

Talib Kwali will work it out
Talib Kwali will resolve any issues or problems

My man Apl.De is in the house
Apl.De.Ap is present

Will.I.Am is definitely in the house
Will.I.Am is certainly present

Fergie Ferg is in the house
Fergie Ferg is also here

Whadup to De La, shout 'em out
Greetings and acknowledgment to De La Soul, let's give them a shout-out

Drew hip-hop music now
Let's play hip-hop music now

Positive vibes, no doubt
Emitting positive energy, without any uncertainty

My man Ali Muhammed's in the house
Ali Muhammed is present

My man Shahid's in the house
Shahid is also here

You know I'm in the house
You know I am present

Black Eyed Peas represent sellin' out
The Black Eyed Peas symbolize achieving commercial success

It's like that and a, it's like that and a, it's like that or th-that
This is how it is, just like this or maybe even more intense

It's like that and a
This is how it is, just like this or maybe even more intense

We got it like that you know we got it like that
We possess it in this manner, and you are aware of it