(Let the sunshine -)
Yeah, yeah
It's a brand new day, y'all (let the sunshine in)
Turn me up in the top a little bit, dawg
I want you to know, I want you to hear this one (the sun's shinin')
Loud and clear, bright and early
Listen
I don't hate players, I don't love the game
I'm the shot clock, way above the game
To be point blank with you, motherfuck the game
I got all this work on me, I ain't come for play
You can show the little shorties how you pump and fake
But dawg, not to Def, I'm not impressed
I'm not amused, I'm not confused
I'm not the dude
I'm grown man business, I am not in school
Put your hand down, youngin', this is not for you
On my J.O. with beats by Kanye, yo
My name on the marquee, your name off the payroll
Style fresh, like I'm still a day old
And it's been like that since the day 0
On more time than a Rollie, or Seiko
Step on deck, your neck do what I say so
Get up or get out, get down or lay low
(Let the sunshine -)
Standing in the shadow of a fabulous man
Brooklyn nigga I am, Black Dante (let the sunshine in)
That nigga, that dude (that nigga, that dude)
Black people, let's move (black people, let's move) (the sun's shinin')
Shout out to my man Talib Kweli, yes (that's the sun)
We on top-a, top-a, shotta, shotta
Check it out (move out)
Slim nigga that cast a big shadow
Cherokee Red that shoot the long arrow
Got mo' skill, mo' aim, and mo' ammo (fire)
You can get it all from a big or small barrel
Like, "Hail Mary, full of grace"
Niggas come in and shoot up the place
And make you pull up your face
The deck, I'ma pull out the ace
From the jungles of the Empire State
Where it ain't no escape, 247, 718
And that's like every night, every day
From the place that I settle and stay
To the States, I'm collectin' my pay
Blast off then I'm back to the K
Hold it down, so my family straight
Represent in a family way
Pro ball, not for amateur play
Been raw since the amateur stage
Before the press had the cameras raised
Like a long time 'head of the way (let the sunshine -)
You understandin' me straight? (let the sunshine in)
(Yes, yes)
No doubt! (let the sunshine -)
(Excellence)
It's what it is, it's what it is
And thats what it is, you see? (The sun's shinin') (you see?)
Ha! (Fire!)
'Cause it is deeper, sweeter, richer, crisper (fire, fire, fire)
Stronger reception and sharper picture
Revolve around God, and involve with niggas
These elements help evolve my scripture
And make Mos Def a classic modern figure
Brooklyn, it don't matter if ya holler or whisper
You're comin' through clear, 'cause I'm right here with ya
Ain't gotta edit your slang, I got it, I get ya
Yo, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers
The lovers, the leavers, the doubters, believers
The stayers, the quitters, the bitches, the niggas
Rebel guerrillas to ghetto civilians
Y'all gon' feel it from the first to the millionth
It's extra - ordinary and plain (extra)
I walked a thousand paces of life ahead of the game
By the time that you get where I'm standin', I'll be gone
Y'all make moves, but y'all just move wrong
I move in, and y'all must move on (let the sunshine -)
'Cause I'm molto strong
And I know what my feet move for (ha!)
Make it go without a brand new car (let the sunshine in)
I was fresh without a brand new song
Don't give a fuck about what brand you are (the sun's shinin')
I'm concerned what type of man you are
What your principles and standards are
Ya understand me, y'all? (Understand me, y'all?)
Be good to your family, y'all
No matter where your families are
'Cause everybody need family, y'all
Raise a hand, you understand me, y'all
Everybody need family, y'all
Be good to your families, dawg
Understand, no matter where your families are
Everybody need family, dawg
Raise your hand, you understand me, pa (aw, aw, Pa Pete!)
That's what it is (that's my man)
Family and my family, Pencil Pete
My man too
All our loved ones behind the walls
All of those still in the struggle
Assata, Mumia
Sundiata
My man Jamil (let the sunshine -)
Life is real
To all the real soldiers (let the sunshine in)
Black people
We family, y'all (the sun's shinin')
Let it be bright
(Let it be bright, let it be bright, let it be bright, bright -)