K.O.S. (Determination)

(album: Black Star - 1998)

[Talib Kweli]
So many emcees focusing on black people extermination
We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
It's hot, we be blowing the spots, with conversations
C'mon let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation

We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea
Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE
Singing is swinging and writing is fighting, but what
They writing got us clashing like titans it's not exciting
No question, being a black man is demanding
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fanning
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fanning
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fanning

With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination

[Vinia Mojica]
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling

[Talib Kweli]
Yes yes come on, yes yes
Knowledge Of Self is like life after death
With that you never worry about your last breath
Death comes, that's how I'm living, it's the next days
The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
Yo they asking me how old, we living the same age
I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage
At exactly which point do you start to realize
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death
Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
hip-hop shit and keep it moving, shed a little light
Now y'all blooming like a flower with the power of the evident
Voices and drums original instruments
In the flesh presently presenting my representation

With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination

[Vinia Mojica these parts overlap]
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling

[Talib Kweli]
The most important time in history is, NOW, the present
So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
But you stressing over time and you follow the Roman calendar
These people into cloning, like Gattaca, you can bet
they trying to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora
represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together
You must be History, you repeating yourself out of the pages
You keeping yourself depleating your spiritual wealth
That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
or mentions the ascension of death, 'til nothing's left
The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination
Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
and that's why I got love in the face of hate
Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
The thought you had don't even contemplate
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..

From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination

[Vinia Mojica]
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling

Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feeling

What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling, ooooh, what I'm feeling...