Long Time
The Roots ft. Peedi Peedi & Bunny Sigler Lyrics

Oh
Expressing a contemplative and nostalgic sentiment

It's been a long time
It has been a significant amount of time since I last visited the neighborhood

Since I been back around the way
Since I returned to this familiar location

Let it spin let spin let it spin
Allow the record to play and create a nostalgic atmosphere

Struck by the luck of the draw
Feeling fortunate due to unforeseen circumstances

Real life preservation
An effort to protect and maintain personal integrity and authenticity

What I'm hustling for
The motivation behind my hard work and dedication

My name black thought
I am known as Black Thought

The definition of raw
Considered the epitome of authenticity and raw talent

I was born in South Philly
My place of birth is South Philadelphia

On a cement floor
Under humble and challenging circumstances

I had nothing at all
I started with no possessions or advantages

Had to knuckle and brawl
Had to fight and overcome obstacles

They swore I'd fall
Others predicted my failure and downfall

Be another brick in the wall
To conform and be unremarkable

Another life
Just another existence

Full of love
A life filled with affection and positivity

That lost
That ultimately experienced defeat or failure

That's silly
Such a perspective is nonsensical

This Philly
Referring to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Y'all really ain't stoppin'
You are unable to hinder or obstruct my progress

The boy with the pen
The individual renowned for his creative writing skills

Like Willie
Comparing oneself to the talented musician Willie

On top of the hall
Leading and excelling in the music industry

Pure soul is what the city
The city is known for its soulful and genuine artistic expression

Most popular for
Famous and respected for

Hear the tones
Listen to the melodic sounds

That will ease you
Melodies that bring comfort and tranquility

Smooth
Soothing and seamless

As Bunny Sigler's soundtrack
Referring to Bunny Sigler's musical compositions

Keepin' your head boppin' and all
Causing you to nod your head rhythmically

It's something in the water
There is a unique quality or essence in the environment

Where I come from
The place of my origin

They used to sing it on the corner
People would sing and create music in public spaces

Making somethin' outta nothing
Creating value and success from limited resources

Because everybody fifty cents
Since everyone is just one step away from a small fortune

From a quarter
From being financially secure

Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation

The streets ain't timid
The urban environment is bold and fearless

But I feel at home in it
I find comfort and belonging in this setting

Gotta see a couple people
Need to reconnect with some individuals

I ain't got at
I haven't interacted with them

In a minute
For a long time

You can take a brother outta South Philly
You may remove someone from South Philadelphia

Can't take it outta him really
However, the essence of South Philly remains within him

I forever represent it
I will always be a representative of South Philly

Live and dirvet
Performing passionately and authentically

I don't need no mic check
Confident in my vocal abilities and do not require a sound check

Remember mommy told me
Recalling advice from my mother

You ain't write that
Implying that someone else wrote my lyrics

It started in the bathroom taking a dump
The creative process began in a private and intimate moment

Listening to Ultramagnetic
Listening to music by Ultramagnetic MCs

Ego tripping you won't
Self-assured and unafraid of competition

Pressure my word
Attempt to challenge or undermine my lyrical abilities

I'm the urban vision
Representing the perspective and experiences of the urban community

Of you chump
Compared to someone inferior or unimpressive

Stomped on a different ground
Making an impact in a unique and distinctive way

Sound second to none
The quality of the music is unparalleled

Synthesizers tweet
The sound of synthesizers adds a vibrant and captivating element

To improvise your feet
Encouraging spontaneous and rhythmic movement

I calculated every lyric to arrive on a beat
Each line of my lyrics was carefully crafted to synchronize with the music

It's free
The music is liberating and accessible to everyone

Come get high on me
Experience euphoria through my music

Before a nine millimeter shell
Prior to facing danger or violence

Hit my pelle pelle
Damaging my fashionable leather jacket

In the p
In the dangerous streets or neighborhoods

Yo
Listen up

It's just a natural reaction
Referring to the response to the environment

For crack to make it happen
The drug crack cocaine is prevalent and influential

Let the pen ink sink
Allowing one's thoughts and ideas to penetrate the page

Into the paper of the pad
Transferring emotions and experiences onto the writing surface

Think back
Reflect on the past

When I was younger
During my youth

Ghetto could have took me under
The difficult circumstances of the ghetto could have negatively influenced me

Young Peedi can't mess with North Philly
Referring to the tough reputation of North Philadelphia

Never had
I have never possessed or experienced

You don't know about me
You are unaware of my life and experiences

You ain't stroll my streets
You have not walked through the same neighborhoods as me

Look familiar
Does this situation or setting seem recognizable?

I feel ya
I understand and empathize with your perspective

Longtime no see
It has been a significant period since we last met

Clap somethin'
Applaud or appreciate something remarkable

But whatever you clap
Regardless of what you choose to acknowledge

Clap to the record spinnin'
Applause in response to the playing of a vinyl record

While I'm takin' you back
Transporting you to a previous era

To the top paper era
A period when newspapers held significant influence and power

Baby big on that
Portraying oneself as successful and influential during that time

Picture the pool room
Imagine a scene in a pool hall

Where the money getters was at
Where the individuals experienced financial success were present

And street people
Those who lived and operated on the streets

With feather in the cap
Signifying achievement and pride

Or their bossolino pullin' paper
Wearing a fashionable hat while earning money

As if it's a small casino
Like a miniature version of a gambling establishment

I was a young boy
During my childhood

Sweepin' the floors
Engaged in manual labor and cleaning duties

And runnin' to stores
Performing errands and tasks for others

But all those old heads
The older individuals in that environment

Would talk to me About the way
They provided guidance and advice about

To clutch the eagle
How to hold and utilize a firearm

On a buck and truck
While engaging in illegal activities and evading the law

And if I'm down
If I face difficulties or adversity

How to get back up
How to recover and persevere

Just survival kid
Merely striving to survive

And it's a struggle worldwide
People everywhere face challenges and hardships

I'm positive
However, I maintain a positive outlook and mindset

Shit the ghetto might as well
Within the ghetto, it feels like

Be the Gaza Strip
A dangerous and war-torn location

You know where all the monsters is
Referring to the presence of dangerous and violent individuals

Street walkers
Prostitutes and sex workers on the streets

You don't see no consciousness
The lack of awareness and mindfulness in that environment

I'm coming back to where
Returning to the place where

The core of the problem is
The central issue or challenge lies

We on the job again
We are ready and actively working

Y'all know what time it is
You are aware of the urgency and importance of our mission