The Next Movement
The Roots Lyrics

Yeah, you go
I'm ready to start, let's go!

Hey you listeners, stop what you're doin' and
Listen up, everyone needs to pay attention and focus

Set it in motion, it's the next movement
We're starting a new wave of change and progress, let's get it going

Word up, we got the hot hot music, The hot music
Our music is fire and we're proud of it

Yo, one, two, one-two one-two
This is how we start our rhymes, let's get into it

That's how we usually start, once again it's the Thought
This is our usual style and it's Black Thought delivering the lyrics

The Dalai Lama of the mic, the prime minister Thought
I'm the master at this, I'm taking control

This directed to whoever in listening range
I'm speaking to anyone who can hear my voice, this is important

Yo the whole state of things in the world bout to change
We're on the verge of a big shift in the world

Black rain fallin' from the sky look strange
Something ominous is happening, we need to pay attention

The ghetto is red hot, we steppin' on flames
Things are getting intense and dangerous in the streets

Yo, it's inflation on the price for fame
Being famous is becoming more expensive and harder to achieve

And it was all the same, but then the antidote came
Everything seemed hopeless, but we found a solution

The Black Thought, ill syllablist, out the Fifth
I'm a great word-smith and a member of The Roots from Philly

This heavyweight rap shit I'm about to lift
I'm about to drop some serious bars

LIKE, a phyllum lift up it's seed to sunlight
I'm bringing positivity and growth with my rhymes

I plug in the mic, draw like a gunfight
I'm ready for battle with my weapon - the microphone

I never use a cordless, or stand applaudless
I always have a corded mic and I know how to hype up the crowd

Sippin' cholorophyll out of ill silver goblets
I'm literally and figuratively drinking in nature, health, and luxury

I'm like a faucet, monopoly's the object
My words flow constantly like water and I want to dominate the game

There ain't no way to cut this tap, you got ta get wet
You can't avoid my flow, it's going to hit you and you better be ready

Your head is throbbin' and I ain't said shit yet
I'm just getting started and I'm already hitting hard

The Roots crew, the next movement, c'mon!
We're leading the charge for the next big thing, let's go!

And yes y'all
I'm acknowledging the crowd and getting ready to continue rhyming

You are now in tune to the sounds
You're listening to the best music and it's going to take you on a journey

Of the legendary, foundation, check it out, uh
We're a classic act and we're building on the legacy of all the greats before us

Testin', yo, you go
I'm testing you to see if you're really listening and ready to join the movement

Word up, the formation of words to fit
I craft my rhymes carefully to make them fit perfectly

That's what I usually disturb you with
I might challenge and surprise you with my lyrics, but that's the point

A lot of rappers never heard of this, or know half the time it is
Other rappers might not be aware of my style or understand what I'm saying

You doubt the Illa-Fifth, what could you accomplish?
If you doubt my skills as a rapper, what could you hope to achieve?

Whether they skywriting your name, or you anonymous
Whether you're a big name or a nobody, my music can still move you

You be speechless, with stinging sinuses
My rhymes might leave you breathless or make you feel something physical

The Roots royal highnesses through your monitors
We're broadcasting our greatness directly to your ears

I tilt my crown, then blow down a diamond kiss
I wear the figurative crown of rap and I'm giving my fans something valuable

You need to buy a CD and stop rewindin' this
You can't keep playing this song over and over again, you gotta check out our albums

I'm the finalist, shinin' like a rugged amethyst
I'm at the top of the game and shining bright like a beautiful crystal

And at your music conference, I'm the panelist
I'm a recognized authority on rap and I'm ready to share my knowledge and experience

Listen close to my poetry, I examine this
Listen carefully to my lyrics, I'm analyzing and breaking down complex ideas

Like an analyst, to see if you can handle this
I'm testing your ability to understand and appreciate my music

You, got the groove, emcees
I'm recognizing the other rappers with talent and encouraging them

Freeze, stand still, nobody move
I want everyone to stop what they're doing and listen closely

Unless you dealin' with The Next Movement
Unless you're ready to be a part of our progressive revolution

The P-Phi-D we be the mon-u-ment
We're building a legacy and people will remember our music forever

I live my life nice, but I'm not too bent
I'm living well, but I'm not letting success go to my head

You theatrical as a Broadway play, this ain't Rent
Other rappers might put on a show or exaggerate, but I'm keeping it real

One hundred percent, straight out the Basement
We're true to our roots and representing our hometown of Philadelphia

Spreading this across a planet on some next shit
We're taking our music global and pushing our boundaries

How many people feelin this love music? C'mon
We're making music that inspires love, positivity, and progress, who's with us?