Aretha

(album: Brother Minutester, Vol. 1 - 2021)

Killed all of the leaders, and they left Aretha
When the last breath leaves ya
Realize they don't die at a ripe, old age
Most are cut down in a rightful blaze (Destiny)
That's right on the Times' front page
So they devised a more silent way
Give 'em pain that they'll never escape
Drugs in the vein to self-medicate
Make sure they're never awake
So they're accepting their fate in a restful state
They need you smiling or silent
Anything else, they call you violent
If you ain't cosigning a tyrant
There will be no shining in your horizon
They love chopping down a hero
Big, red zero and a bar through your mural
They will feel no such thing as mercy
Better dig your own well if you're thirsty
Can't beat 'em at their own game, heard me
Until your name's on the front of the jersey

[Interviewer 1:]
I mean, I feel like, it's more or less just like, just—
[Brother Ali:]
You guys could've done this without me, you're not asking any questions
[Interviewer 1:]
I mean, I-I—
[Brother Ali:]
You guys have been talking the entire time
[Interviewer 1:]
We're trying to get stuff out of you
[Brother Ali:]
No, you're not
[Interviewer 1:]
I'm-I'm trying to—
[Brother Ali:]
No, you're not, you're talking
[Interviewer 1:]
I'm trying to bring my own, my own—
[Brother Ali:]
You're talking
[Interviewer 1:]
Like, experience in, and have you like—
[Brother Ali:]
No, you're, no
Shh, stop, stop
If you have questions, you should ask 'em
[Interviewer 2:]
I just wanna have a conversation, I don't know, I'm not big on "question interviews"
[Brother Ali:]
But that's how interviews work
[Interviewer 2:]
Yeah
[Interviewer 1:]
Not necessarily though
[Interviewer 2:]
Let's ask questions. Who inspired you to come up with the hip-hop game?
[Brother Ali:]
Man, that's everywhere
You can get that on Wikipedia
[Interviewer 2:]
That's true
[Brother Ali:]
Everything that's ever been written about me, that's question number two
[Interviewer 1:]
Why did you wanna go on the pilgrimage you went on?
Obviously, something came, very strong, spiritually feeling, that made you want—
[Brother Ali:]
You're answering the question
[Interviewer 1:]
No, I'm not
[Interviewer 2:]
Yeah, no, no, no. Let's-let's move past—