Kharma
Zion I Lyrics

Kharma, "One" "One"
Introducing the concept of karma, represented as "one" reflecting the idea of cause and effect.

Yo, a te' a te' a te' a testin' one two
Starting the song with a greeting to the 'massive' and an acknowledgement of the audience.

I'm sendin' out a shout to all the massive in the crew
Acknowledging Zion I's audience before diving into the subject of karma.

I think if you could get into my space and
Suggesting that everyone has a unique perspective on karma.

Thoughts travel at light speed of conversation
The mind is capable of processing thoughts quickly, comparable to the speed of light.

Hell within the slim borders of mind quarters
The mind is capable of tormenting oneself internally.

Seats in carport or servin' short orders
Life is cyclical and can be monotonous at times.

It's torment the way the Kharma spin orbit
Karma can be tormenting because it follows an unpredictable path like an orbit.

I memorize all my trauma and then record it
Zion I draws inspiration from personal experiences, channeling his trauma into his music.

It's all live, never been Memorex
What Zion I records is raw and genuine, not rehearsed or fabricated.

To manifest faith through my text, let the bill collect
Through his lyrics, Zion I aims to spread his message and inspire faith. He is confident that he will eventually reap the rewards for his efforts.

(Little boy pack a gun, little boy is gonna pay-ay)
Referencing a common saying about negative actions having consequences.

Yo, I step aside trouble, boy in a bubble
Zion I tries to avoid trouble and conflict by keeping to himself.

I spit, do my thing, give me space like the craft hubble
Zion I is asking for space to express himself and create music, like the Hubble Space Telescope.

This here rumble in the world, what you didn't know?
Zion I is reflecting on the state of the world and implying that people are not fully aware of its issues.

Have the rich eat the po' with they dinner roll
Describing the harsh reality of economic inequality, where the rich feast while the poor struggle to survive.

It's habitual, life within this digital citadel
Modern technology has become an integral part of daily life, and people can feel trapped by it.

Make me holler "Condition critical!"
Suggesting that the situation is dire and requires immediate attention.

See a pistol pull, seen a solution
Often, the solution employed by some is violence and aggression, which only begets more problems.

Baby gettin' fed a syringe of confusion
Reflecting the disorientation and chaos that children can feel growing up in difficult circumstances.

Gun blast make cash, it's just murder
Describing the reality of profit-driven and violent crime.

Ratings gettin' higher with insanity and further with it
The media often sensationalizes violent crimes, leading to an endless cycle of increasingly crazy acts for the sake of attention and notoriety.

Little boy think it's fine, little boy is gonna pay-ay ("Kharma")
Repeating the idea that negative actions have consequences, specifically invoking the concept of karma.

Everything you do come back to you someday-ay ("Kharma")
The idea that karma is inescapable and that all actions will eventually have consequences.

Can't face the sun so hide away-ay ("Kharma")
Metaphorically, people who are afraid to face their mistakes and their consequences will try to hide from them, but this ultimately won't do anything to prevent karma from catching up to them.

Little boy pack a gun, little boy is gonna pay ("Kharma")
Repeating the message about negative actions having consequences, this time specifically about the decision to carry a weapon.

Little boy pack a gun, little boy like Tanqueray-ay ("Kharma")
Suggesting that carrying a gun can be as intoxicating and potentially lethal as drinking hard liquor.

Everything you do gon' make your hair turn gray-ay ("Kharma")
Stressing the inevitability of karma, that everyone will eventually confront the consequences of their actions.

Nowhere to run, are you afraid-aid? ("Kharma")
Suggesting that people who have done wrong will eventually have to face the consequences, and asking them whether they are afraid of that inevitability.

Pay, pay, pay, pay, pay, pay, pay, pay, pay, pay
Repeating the message that people will ultimately have to atone for their actions, with each usage of "pay" representing one such instance of atonement.

Guns and money go hand in hand
Drawing attention to the connection between greed and violence.

It's the way that the devil keep controllin' man
Implying that the devil is an agent of corruption and manipulation in society.

Rebels who fight in the name of Jah
Referencing people who fight against oppression, often in the name of a higher power or universal justice.

But with sticks and stones never get that far
Suggesting that the powerless often have a hard time making progress against their more powerful oppressors.

Seeds is planted, trees is chopped
Reflecting on the impact of human activity on the environment and on society at large.

Many await the day that Jesus drop
Referring to the idea of the Second Coming of Christ.

But in the meantime, live lives of sin
Listing the ways that people ignore or reject their spiritual beliefs and pursue lives of self-interest and pleasure-seeking.

At the gates of Heaven, they can't get in
Suggesting that heaven is reserved for those who live according to their faith and principles, rather than those who simply pay lip service to such ideals.

Preachers, teachers, holy rollers
Naming some of the people who are supposed to be leaders and role models in society.

Terrorist bomb, Pakistani soldiers
Highlighting some of the destructive forces that people engage in, often for political or ideological reasons.

Mason bankers, ancient races
Referencing people who hold positions of power and influence in society.

Fight for the keys of our sacred places
Suggesting that people in power and people who are oppressed are in conflict over what is most important and valuable in society.

Bases loaded, we up to bat
Using a baseball metaphor to suggest that people are constantly facing choices and opportunities in life, and that they need to be prepared to take advantage of them.

Coulda hit a homerun, but we pulled a gat
Suggesting that people too often resort to violence as a means to an end, even when other solutions are readily available to them.

Bad seed tree make bad seed fruit
Highlighting the idea that negative actions often lead to negative outcomes.

Good seed look, don't do bad, too
Encouraging people to be mindful of their actions and not to engage in negative behaviors.

You got choices to make a dif'
Reminding the audience that they can make a positive difference in the world if they make responsible choices.

Ain't no weight so heavy that you can't lift
Suggesting that people are capable of overcoming even the heaviest burdens if they remain determined and hopeful.

Everything you do come back, no if
Reiterating that karma is a fundamental aspect of life that people cannot escape from.

But when you understand Kharma, life's a gift
Suggesting that by embracing and respecting karma, people can lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Flow has many dimensions
Acknowledging the creative process involved in creating a song.

Rhyme scheme, consciousness
Naming two important aspects of the songwriting craft, both of which are especially important in hip hop music.

Flow within life
Suggesting that the creative process and the pursuit of one's passions should be integrated into one's everyday existence.