(feat. Asheru & Talib Kweli) 



[Hook x2] 

It wasn't for this, it wasn't for that 

Ohh, best believe a better world 



[Talib Kweli: talking over chorus] 

Yes, ladies and gentleman 

You do have Kenn Starr in the house, Asheru 

Talib Kweli... 



[Kenn Starr] 

If it wasn't for the way that we live 

Too many single mothers raisin' our kids 

Too many brothers caged in the Pen 

Engagin' a bid, enslaved by the pigs 

If it wasn't for crooked cops that pop shots grazin' our wig 

That sends slugs reckless, plus these thugs with a death wish 

That take your life for the ice that flood in your necklace 

The blood of the helpless and innocent (and innocent) 

If it wasn't for so-called friends that turned Benedict 

Snakes in the grass and crabs in the lake 

Cuz I'm black and its late, getting' harassed by the Jake 

Blasted with eight times five, plus one 

Lethal deposit, reach for your wallet, they bust guns 

That's why I trust none and I keep to myself 

I can't blame cats that pack heat in they belt 

And quick to clap, never givin' in 

If it wasn't for this and that 

It'd be a better world that we livin' in 



[Hook x2] 



[Asheru] 

If it wasn't for a mic check I wouldn't have a check at all 

Nowadays you can't live that way 

The markets way too unstable, there's too many pimp labels 

Playing rappers like a ho, manhandlin' the dough 

Demandin' them to go on a track to bring the loot back 

Now you playing for the team and the captain, that's cream 

You got the dream to push a mean two-seater 

With a diva riding shotgun, just to say you got one 

You make the songs, but labels only want the hot ones 

Send you back to the drawing board, until you got some 

Now I guess we got problems 

Even your all-creative mind ain't enough to try and solve 'em 

The doors revolvin', younger cats are starvin' 

They want it more than you, might go to war with you 

To reap the heap of dough that's at the end of the rainbow 

You can't be mad, man, that's how the game go 



[Hook x2] 



[Talib Kweli: talking] 

(yeah, c'mon!) 

(yea, here we go, yeah!) 

I'm about to show you what this black power is 

Red, black, and green on the wrist how I live 

In the cold world where we bust off the black llamas 

Every winter where we lose more son to black mommas 

If hip-hop got seasons, right now its spring 

Like when everybody selling death, "kiss the ring" (yeah!) 

You know how it goes, people change color like autumn 

Kids learn through experience, fuck what a teacher taught 'em 

Puff a relief for boredom; rough will release a quarter 

And the parents who paid enough attention to at least ignore 'em 

Blowing up mics, throwin' up signs 

To help niggaz you confusin' it with cryin' 

The winners write the history books 

Mystery looks past prisoners of war, that's what my listeners are for 

Turn the tide on this fuckery, ride on this fuckery 

You shoulda never let me in the industry, you're stuck with me 



[Hook x3]