Being an active presence in the Twin Cities hip-hop scene, Wright has been featured on recordings by Atmosphere, P.O.S, and C-Rayz Walz, to name a few. With years of experience and numerous accolades (2007 Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards "Best Knowledge Spitta" Winner, 2006 KMOJ Radio Artist of the Year, 2003 Star Tribune Artist of the Year - Honorable Mention, 2002 City Pages Hip-Hop Artists of the Year, 2002 Minnesota Music Award Nominee: Best Hip-Hop Artist, and more...), Toki Wright is ready to go to the next level with his debut solo, full-length release, A Different Mirror on Rhymesayers Entertainment June 9th, 2009.
As the first artist in the newly developed Rhymesayers Spotlight Series, aimed at bringing new emerging, independent artists to the masses. Toki Wright comes armed with skill and determination. His insightful lyrics are balanced by smooth, flowing beats by local stand out producers Benzilla and Medium Zach of Fam Feud, and Rhymesayers own Brother Ali.
Toki recently wrote of the leaked track "State of Emergency": "Never before has this generation been at more of a critical point than now... the present day. War and Peace. Poverty and Gluttony. Enslavement and Freedom. Each measure of the spectrum entangled in the ultimate fight for power. Obtaining justice and equality are no easy tasks, our forefathers and mothers have proven this to be true. May this surge of energy be the catalyst for global understanding. In our struggle let us not forget the trials and tribulations of the great many who have walked along the hazardous path. Recognize history. Prepare yourself for the future. We are in a STATE OF EMERGENCY!"?
Toki Wright is a thoughtful and important voice prepared to educate and challenge as well as entertain. As promised, audiences will be afforded access to A Different Mirror.
"One of the dopest emcees around, who makes noise both on the microphone and as an un-compromising community activist..." -Davey D
RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT!!
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Toki Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(George Bush : I can assure you ladies and gentlemen, the cause of freedom is in good hands.)
Who set the standards of what is right, what is wrong?
What is night? What is morn?
Missed the calm before the storm
Back in Vietnam when he lost his arm
Held on to his charm
The truth is he can't handle it
He can't dismantle it
System that'll trick him
Systematically becomes a victim
So he flick 'em
Ha ha ha stick 'em
Stick 'em up stickin' to them guns
Start runnin' them funds
His disability was twofold
Now he's too old
Caught out in the cold
Tryna pawn the shit he stole
Scolded by the same law that he fought for
Stuck inside a city's wall
Where anything can pop off
Be all that you can be
Get a degree
But never said you'd be an amputee
Land of the free
Home of the blame game
World economic mainframe
Unified force, gang bang, same thing
Chain hang, low to the floor
Shinnin' in the light
On the prison bus labeled
Who's ready to bite?
The end justice is just us
Dumbstruck
____ won a second term
Dumbfuck, dumb luck
Cheaters never win unless you're president
You appoint a cabinet that exists
Long after establishment
So we play the race card in the face off
Hardly pass the state bar
More intrigued by souping up the race cause
State troopers chase call
Back up if you backed up
Been fallin' way behind let's pull the slack up
Went and bought a sack chapped to crack up
Put it on the block
We put ourselves upon the auction block
You wanna buy? You wanna watch?
Lookin' at the clock, times up
My rhymes up
If you got somethin' to say why front 'cuz
[Chorus]
[4x]
We are in a state of emergency
Classic clash of the masters with masters
From questionable tactics
And questions with little answers
Across this canvas
I'm draggin' this dagger to cut frames
Like bogus breakin' news on Fox's cameras
I'm standing for basic living standards
I still get harassed at my shows
Though I got my land in
We planned this
Rollin' by in paddy wagons
The black night is shinnin' o'er
But came to slay the devil's dragons
We locked in dungeons
Where smells are pungent
With the odors and orders
From borders misfortunate predicament
So I'm using every single instrument
As Imma also let you know
This shit's ridiculous
In Minnesota, we less than 10% the population
But guess how many of us locked in cages
I'm waitin' over 70%, let me vent
Taxed and dollars spent, got me bent
American's I'll be your pimp in present tense
And look, we can go and fight these wars in other countries
But what happens when the terror is amongst me?
Officer don't touch me
I know my rights
Respect me, I'll respect you
But you shoot me and what the papers say?
What I didn't do is pitiful
It's a classic case of class and race
And I came to agitate the magistrate and the candidates
Just tryna get in office
The thing you need to do is get 'em off us
'Cuz everybody bleeds and sees a coffin
It just seems morbid
Now that Bush controls the forces
But even when Bush wasn't
They would still push on the button
And even when Bush isn't
They will still be in your business
Held under the water by the throat
A tide of crimson
Increase the troops upon the battlefield
Who made decisions?
The Da Vinci code
Cold world war
Sinners new religion
[Chorus]
[4x]
We are in a state of emergency
(That's the kind of situation we're facing.
Inboxes with out patients. World without medication(?)
Until we vacate the nation.)
State of emergency, state of emergency.
(Saddest day is made okay, with the em hmm hmm and the em hmm hmm.)
The song State of Emergency by Toki Wright deals with the social, economic, and political issues present in the United States of America. The lyrics question the standards of morality, justice, and freedom set by the authorities and highlight the plight of the disadvantaged and marginalized communities. The song touches upon themes of war, race, class, and power, and showcases the adverse effects of the established systems on people's lives.
The beginning of the song features a sound bite of George Bush, where he assures the public that freedom is in good hands. However, the following lyrics undermine his words and depict how people are struggling to survive in a society that has failed them. The song also references Vietnam and the struggles of veterans, specifically an amputee. The disabled veteran is caught in a cycle of poverty and crime, and the system that he fought for has failed him. The lyrics also address the racial profiling and police brutality faced by minorities, the disproportionate incarceration rates, and the hypocrisy of the system that claims to be just and fair. The chorus that repeats four times throughout the song emphasizes that the country is in a state of emergency, and action needs to be taken to address the issues present in the society.
Line by Line Meaning
Who set the standards of what is right, what is wrong?
Who has decided what is considered morally correct and incorrect?
What is night? What is morn?
What is the distinction between night and morning?
Missed the calm before the storm
Failed to recognize the peacefulness before chaos erupted
Back in Vietnam when he lost his arm
Referring to a person who lost their arm during the Vietnam War
Held on to his charm
Retained his positive attitude and charisma
Praying for the day he'd move into the dawn
Hoping for a brighter future
The truth is he can't handle it
The reality is that he is unable to cope with the situation
He can't dismantle it
He is unable to disassemble or remove the problematic system
System that'll trick him
A deceptive system that will deceive him
Systematically becomes a victim
Becomes a victim in a systematic and organized manner
So he flick 'em
He retaliates against the system or those who harm him
Ha ha ha stick 'em
Laughing sarcastically while sticking it to them or fighting back
Stick 'em up stickin' to them guns
Defending his beliefs and ideals boldly
Start runnin' them funds
Taking control of financial resources
His disability was twofold
His impairment had two components or aspects
Now he's too old
Now he has reached an old age
Caught out in the cold
Left out and exposed to harsh conditions
Tryna pawn the shit he stole
Attempting to sell or trade the stolen items
Scolded by the same law that he fought for
Reprimanded or criticized by the legal system he once defended
Stuck inside a city's wall
Trapped within the confines and limitations of a city
Where anything can pop off
A place where unexpected conflicts or incidents can occur
Be all that you can be
Strive to realize your full potential
Get a degree
Obtain an academic qualification
But never said you'd be an amputee
No one warned you that you may lose a limb
Land of the free
Referring to the United States, known for its freedom and opportunities
Home of the blame game
The tendency to shift responsibility and point fingers
World economic mainframe
The dominant and interconnected global economy
Unified force, gang bang, same thing
Different terms for expressing the same concept of collective power
Chain hang, low to the floor
Wearing a necklace that hangs low
Shinnin' in the light
Glowing or standing out in a positive way
On the prison bus labeled
Being transported on a bus designated for prisoners
Who's ready to bite?
Who is prepared to take action or fight?
The end justice is just us
The only true justice lies within our own community
Dumbstruck
Rendered speechless or astonished
____ won a second term
Referring to a political figure who won re-election
Dumbfuck, dumb luck
Disparaging the intelligence and chance involved in their success
Cheaters never win unless you're president
Expressing skepticism about the fairness of political leaders' victories
You appoint a cabinet that exists
Choosing individuals to serve in influential positions
Long after establishment
Continuing to have an impact long after their appointment
So we play the race card in the face off
Bringing up the issue of race during confrontations or conflicts
Hardly pass the state bar
Barely meeting the requirements to become a licensed attorney
More intrigued by souping up the race cause
Being more interested in sensationalizing racial issues
State troopers chase call
State police officers responding to a pursuit
Back up if you backed up
Retreat if you're at a disadvantage
Been fallin' way behind let's pull the slack up
Have been lagging or losing ground, so let's make an effort to catch up
Went and bought a sack chapped to crack up
Purchased drugs to sell and make a profit
Put it on the block
Offering drugs for sale in the neighborhood
We put ourselves upon the auction block
We subject ourselves to exploitation or oppression
You wanna buy? You wanna watch?
Are you interested in participating or observing?
Lookin' at the clock, times up
Realizing that time has run out
My rhymes up
I have finished rapping my verses
If you got somethin' to say why front 'cuz
If you have something to say, why not just say it honestly?
Classic clash of the masters with masters
A traditional conflict between skilled individuals
From questionable tactics
Using tactics that may be doubtful or unethical
And questions with little answers
Asking numerous unanswered or unresolved questions
Across this canvas
Throughout this situation or scenario
I'm draggin' this dagger to cut frames
Using a metaphorical dagger to critique or dismantle oppressive systems
Like bogus breakin' news on Fox's cameras
Comparing biased or false news coverage to that of a specific media network
I'm standing for basic living standards
Advocating for the fundamental necessities of life
I still get harassed at my shows
I am still targeted or mistreated during my performances
Though I got my land in
Despite having achieved a level of success or stability
We planned this
We have strategized and prepared for this
Rollin' by in paddy wagons
Being transported in police vehicles
The black night is shinnin' o'er
Black individuals are rising above adversity and discrimination
But came to slay the devil's dragons
Arrived with the intention of defeating or overcoming significant challenges
We locked in dungeons
We are confined or trapped in oppressive environments
Where smells are pungent
Referring to prisons where there are unpleasant or intense smells
With the odors and orders
Dealing with both physical and figurative discomfort
From borders misfortunate predicament
Resulting from unfortunate circumstances related to borders
So I'm using every single instrument
I am utilizing all available tools or resources
As Imma also let you know
I'm also going to inform you
This shit's ridiculous
This situation or scenario is absurd or outrageous
In Minnesota, we less than 10% of the population
In Minnesota, black people make up less than 10% of the population
But guess how many of us locked in cages
Guess how many black people are imprisoned
I'm waitin' over 70%, let me vent
I am waiting for over 70% of the black population to be released from imprisonment
Taxed and dollars spent, got me bent
Being frustrated and angered by the allocation of taxes and funds
American's I'll be your pimp in present tense
Metaphorically acting as a manipulative figure in American society
And look, we can go and fight these wars in other countries
Referring to the United States engaging in military conflicts abroad
But what happens when the terror is amongst me?
What happens when domestic terrorism or injustice affects me directly?
Officer don't touch me
Requesting law enforcement not to physically harm or intimidate
I know my rights
Aware and informed of one's legal entitlements
Respect me, I'll respect you
If you treat me with respect, I will reciprocate
But you shoot me and what the papers say?
But if you shoot me, how will the media spin the story?
What I didn't do is pitiful
Labeling the unjustified harm or violence as pathetic or unacceptable
It's a classic case of class and race
Illustrating a common situation involving social class and racial discrimination
And I came to agitate the magistrate and the candidates
I arrived to provoke and challenge those in power and political candidates
Just tryna get in office
Simply attempting to gain political power
The thing you need to do is get 'em off us
What you should actually do is stop oppressing us
'Cuz everybody bleeds and sees a coffin
Because everyone is mortal and will eventually die
It just seems morbid
It appears dark or gloomy
Now that Bush controls the forces
Referring to the influence and control of George W. Bush
But even when Bush wasn't
Even in the absence of George W. Bush
They would still push on the button
Those in power would still make impactful decisions
And even when Bush isn't
And even if there is no George W. Bush
They will still be in your business
They will still be involved or interfering in your affairs
Held under the water by the throat
Being suppressed or suffocated by oppressive forces
A tide of crimson
Referring to a significant and intense flow of bloodshed
Increase the troops upon the battlefield
Deploying more soldiers to the warzone
Who made decisions?
Who is responsible for making these consequential choices?
The Da Vinci code
A metaphor for a complex or mysterious system of power
Cold world war
A metaphorical reference to a harsh and divisive global conflict
Sinners new religion
The misguided or immoral principles embraced by society
Saddest day is made okay, with the em hmm hmm and the em hmm hmm.
Finding solace or distraction through mindless entertainment or distractions
State of emergency, state of emergency.
Acknowledging the current state of crisis or urgency
Contributed by James E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.