It’s a convoluted time I’m reaching in and I need my space My back’s against the wall Going thru the same things you face No need for pedestals I’m out here tryna find my place I will make mistakes All I ask is to receive Grace Hook: I can't be what you want me to be at all I've gotta be free and I'm not waiting on none of y'all grew up knowing my purpose to be an artist who grows always searching for knowledge I've gotta follow my nose but my shoulders tired from bearing this load and my thoughts are evolving (exhausting) I've gotta protect my soul Hook: Cause I can't be what you want me to be at all and I've got to be free and I'm not waiting on none of y'all the atmosphere was so noisy I had to come to a stop my silence wasn't a cop out got quiet to hear my God because I needed direction I really needed my mom because I lost the love of my life and I had to rise from the fall all this angst up in my body got me feeling like my freedom is on the line (I’ve got to be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) expectations of what and who I should be (Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) i'm up against society’s colonized mind be feeling unhinged but I know I'm sound got to change what I let my subconscious be around gotta put the social down new dialogue to problem solve not holding my breath for this one love type utopia it's been too long (Mama Africa come take my hand) (Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy) (I am stronger than I think I am) (Mama-Daddy-Mama-Daddy) want me to leave home two masks on my black skin Frantz Fanon gotta be safe and know my place want me to tap dance and shine on you tell me what I need to be to stay amongst your "good ones" gotta play the game to get the funds gotta have your name up in my stuff this day to day is abusive but it won't weaken my will to live this day to they is abusive but it won't weaken my will to live this day TODAY is abusive but it won't weaken my will to live My life means so much more than just survivin’ I've been squirming in this discomfort of doing all this inner work to raise my health can't be mad 'cause I played myself in to believe in speaking writing on my life changes the hearts and minds of those who privilege depends on my demise what is there to discuss? haven't you heard enough? words don't mean much in your bubble stuck and you been lost touch I'm not gonna front we're not bearing the brunt of your political stunts and your germs and your guns this one's for us you're not our saviors and I'm done giving fcks Hook: you didn't listen when I said it nicely there's only so much anger I can put into my writing you don't like it bite me your cognitive dissonance is frightening don't know whe-whether to fight, flight, or strike you like lightning you didn't listen when I said it nicely there's only so much anger I can put into my writing you don't like it bite me your cognitive dissonance is frightening don't know whe-whether to fight, flight, or strike you like lightning Lightning! Lightning!

It was the coldest May ever-ever, last year I never cried so many tears Brought to my lowest self Surrounded by my fears It was a different kind of numbness that went thru me You left and I realized I needed you the most. Oooh…cause You left me on my own baby (yeah) And bad enuf the whole world’s shaky And now I’m living it without ya Hook: Long Run (These are my hard truths) Long Run (Oh Girl, it will be better for you) In the Long Run (Got-to do what ya gotta do and move on) Long Run It will be better No back and forth When you walked out the door I decided to love myself more I can’t disrespect myself For your ease and your comfort I can admit that I still love ya But my boundary line is real strong Ooh I will remember you forever darling And loving you was my heart’s calling But, I’ll accept moving on without ya Hook: Long Run Long Run In the Long Run Long Run It will be better it will be better it will be better These are my hardest truths (These are my hardest truths) I have nothing to lose (Gave the best of me, just to be a fool, come on) But my chains (So caught up in the pain, I was afraid to lose these chains) And, all of this pain (because..it meant…losing you…) These are my hardest truths Oooh …You-were-right-its-o-kay-to-let-it-go, No-animosity-it’s-all-respect-tho We-tried-it died-I grieved-turned-the-page-yo. Oooh …because, I feel another life calling A new love who is present, all in I finally see a silver lining In the long run it will be better! Hook: Long Run Long Run In the Long Run Long Run In the Long Run Long Run (yeah) (It’ll be bettttaaaaa) In the Long Run (I’m ready for new life, mew love, new everything) Long Run It will be better! MMHMMM Lord, it will be better, babe… (scat)

So you run around Chasing people that don’t even want you Time and time again trying to prove Yourself, when there’s no reason for these motions you go thru You see you’re playing with your life I know it hurts now But I promise you’ll know joy again Eve-ry-body ain’t meant to stay This time you gotta walk your way Girl get yourself together Your mama raised you better You’re stressing out your own mindset And what’s to gain from all this? Hook: It Should’ve Been ME, that you chose (Oooh I will never let you down) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (I will always uphold your crown) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (Baby, never let yourself down) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know Remember who you are This ain’t no time to be caught up In a cycle that will never ever change You’ll never get those old days back nor will it ever be the same …be the same Instead of choosing them You should’ve put yourself first Because you’ve thrown your own life into a world of hurt …yeah baby! Know better do lesser harm Care for your mind and heart You’re blessed with a brand new start This is a lesson I don’t want to have to learn again Hook: It Should’ve Been ME, that you chose (Oooh I will never let you down) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (I will always uphold your crown) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (Baby, don’t let yourself down) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (Always listen to your heart and your mind…your Spirit…your Ancestors!) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (Lesson Learned Baby! Lesson Learned, Yes!) It Should’ve Been ME, now you know (Bye Bye, Baby)

Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down Down-Down-Down-D-Down-D-Down I’m hurting bad (Inside) IDK if I am gonna make it (Thru the strife) Hook: Emergency Can’t u see I’m going down real slow I wanna help myself but, I don’t know where to go One day I stared (Into my reflection) I didn’t know this woman I was seeing (Who is she???) It made me sadder (than, I already was) Mama came to me in a dream And told me what I need to give up... These things, that are not enough!!! Hook: She said to me Can’t you see That you’re already whole Stop looking for the outside To validate what’s in your soul Hook: Emergency Get Free This Environment’s got me sick It’s my liberty and autonomy I’m willing to take a risk It’s-time-to-get-off-of-the-grid Do-more-than-just-post-on-social Real-life-is-greater-than-these-likes Come-out-from-under-the-stronghold It’s-time-to-get-off-of-the-grid Do-more-than-just-post-on-social Real-life-is-greater-than-these-likes Come-out-from-under-the-stronghold I’m feeling kinda ancy And how! Like I’m backed into a corner Options dwindling now Any minute, I can explode !This world is full of madness I’mma OVERLOAD!!!! -guitar solo- (Emergency) (Emergency) I don’t like who I see (Emergency) I don’t know what’s wrong with me (Emergency) (Emergency) And, only I can help myself (Emergency) It’s time to focus on my wealth (Emergency) Silent pain, keep playing it off (Emergency) Until one day you’re fully engulfed (Emergency) In what you chose to not work on (Emergency) I can see that my vibrance is gone (Emergency) I want to get it right in my life (Emergency) Gotta face these fears head on, this time (Emergency) (Ooohhhhhh) If not now, then when will you heal? (Ooohhhhhh) Open your heart so you can feel. (Ooohhhhhh) If not now, then when will you heal? (Ooohhhhhh) Open your heart so you can feel.

The signs are showing up for you And you know what you got to do. (Don’tcha?) Yes I do! Will this heartbreak last? How can I make peace with my past? (I need answers!) Forever your woes won’t last (Walking-in-your-truth is the best path) Reconcile what has taken place You get no do-overs and you have to face.it Hook: Be truthful to self to grow You will have to let it go (You will have to let it go, come on) Do the work to free your mind What you seek and peace, you’ll find (Peace you’ll find) Let me say it again… On Me. (On ME!) (Whohoohoohoohooooo) Everything just feels like a lot Pressure mounting and I don’t know where to start Anger and sadness is mounting high I feel so small...not myself, I just want to hide You gotta take some accountability And admit to yourself, that your inner child needs some help! You can small and work your way up to them bigger pains It’s an inner thang So take it day by day Hook: Be truthful to self to grow (You gotta be truthful) You will have to let it go (You’re gonna have to let them things go that be running round your mind) Do the work to free your mind What you seek and peace, you’ll find (It’s your personal journey for you to find yourself) Look inside and reflect back (Do what you can do today…just move baby!) Meet yourself just where you at Move on your intuition (oohhh yeahh…) Through your real intentions -breakdown- I want to be….better…better (Be truthful to self to grow) I want to be my best self (You will have to let it go) (Do the work to free your mind) (What you seek, and peace, you’ll find) I’m tired I’m tired…tired of going round and round about the same shit! (Look inside and reflect back) If you need to get help then get that help…there’s nothing wrong with it (Meet yourself just where you at) (Move on your intuition) (Through your real intentions) Whoooooahhhh I’m feeling so free…now that I can breathe (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) Ahhhhhh yes!!!! Reclaiming my time……..yeah!! (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) Hook: Be truthful to self to grow (You gotta be truthful) You will have to let it go (you gotta let yourself go baby….) Do the work to free your mind What you seek and peace, you’ll find (If there’s anything...anything that you need to heal [in] your body & mind!) Look inside and reflect back (Look to your Spirit) Meet yourself just where you at Move on your intuition (oohhh) Through your real intentions Gone’ get free…mmmhmm.

Give it to me now! This is my hour Cause I know My Power I’m Black and I’m Proud I’ll say it louder This keg’s full of powder All bets are off now Lock and load… Brrrah-Ahh! Hook: Put aside your feelings cause I’m not doing just what you want I’ll do whatever feels right… Form your tight opinions if you like I pay it all no mind Stay in your lane I’ll stay in mine Folks so judgmental these days It seems you can’t do anything right Try and take your might Wanna turn everything into a fight This fake outrageousness is just Reactions from your amygdala So check yo triggers, Bruh I’m not ‘bout to play so go and find you one... who will… Hook: Put aside your feelings cause I’m not doing just what you want (What you want) I’ll do whatever feels right (I’ll do whatever feels right…yeah) Form your tired opinions if you like (Form your tired opinions if you like…I’ll pay it all no mind) I pay it all no mind Stay in your lane I’ll stay in mine Hurt people hurt people I’m empathetic with the whole scenario But, you can’t do me, tho I’ll wrap that shit up You won’t see me no more I spend time my wisely, speaking life, bringing light What would I acknowledge the petty for? Y’all must be bored… And I can see that we’ll never be on one accord…yeah…come on now! Hook: Put aside your feelings cause I’m not doing just what you want I’ll do whatever feels right Form your tight opinions if you like I pay it all no mind Stay in your lane I’ll stay in mine Bridge: It’s such a shame to see how we are forced to compete.. in the scene.. Which is ultimately the community.. I really be out here.. Not bothering you my dear.. Somehow you sought me out.. And now want you want to run ya mouth Leave me alone Leave me alone Go and get yours Focus on your own Baby..work on yourself Get you some help Jealousy only confines… Stay in your lane and I will stay in mine Hook: I’ll do whatever feels right Stay in your lane I’ll stay in mine (scat) Bye-Bye!

We the People, We the People! (oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, Right on) x4 I’m not excited And dancing in the street Cause I still have the same problems of yesterday Tomorrow, right in front of me Ain’t a damn thing changed Same bag different grocery And, I ain’t with the shit Cause you’re not talking about taking down These draconian policies Hook: Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Cause, I’ll take ‘em. (oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, Right on) x2 Can’t lull me to sleep Cause the veil has been lifted Emboldened people Pushing evil agendas Half the country’s with it We gonna keep right moving Despite the spite against us Black people we’re stronger than anything That we’ve faced And we’ve got unfinished business Hook: Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Cause, I’ll take ‘em. Bridge: (oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, Right on) x8 You had enough time to change the trajectory No more of this asking y’all to, “set us free” Cause that, would imply y’all have the power over we When in fact, Black culture holds this country together I’m ready to get on with my people And learn how to wield our own economy, Cause we really don’t need y’all To do anything for us but Undo the laws that empower y’all And disfranchise the marginalized Stop killing us as a sacrifice Let us be and let us live our lives Hook: Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Heyyyy!! Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights You cannot give me my rights You cannot give me my rights Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Listen to the words I say You have no ownership of me You cannot give me my rights Take it home for me yeah!

What is right? Is it the only pathway to freedom, to fight and give up my life? Don’t wanna live with white supremacy and for it, I’m not gonna die. At the hands of systemic oppression 400 years a cycle of psychosis I know this I'm tired got options and I'm second guessing what I was taught to believe Done everything from begging and pleading to burning and looting to entering the political arena and we see our people continue to bleed too accepting too resilient living under this anti-Black sentiment still seen as chattel by our government we're profitable if we live or die so they're good with the suppression Hook: Feeling like I'm a Garveyite Yeah… With all of my might With all of my might, all of my might…yeah. We don’t need yo’ permission You don't get my forgiveness I want you so far the fuck away from me I can heal from your transgressions where can we breathe and get reprieve from white American exceptionalism we tried to leave but you don't want us to take our natural resources with us How do you plan to reach atonement for these acts that you still commit 'cause I'm beyond my limit y'all even hunting us down in a pandemic push us to the brink deflect, deny, we die Spending all this time talking about our pain with no change in sight Justify your plans of genocide but you can’t ever extinguish our light! The saga continues the Maafa continues no justice no peace But justice ain't never been served if we're not going to be heard then fuck all these words you say violence ain’t the answer but y'all use it to make your stance clear that manifest destiny kinda thought must’ve ate ya brain up like it’s a cancer Hook: Got me feelin’ like a Garveyite I say it with all of my might, all of my might…yeah Feelin’ like I’m a Garveyite White supremacists they want their war… The good intention ones are asking for more… …of our labor… so they can write their think pieces and get Pulitzer awards oh you need academia to hear me well, let me break it down with a lesson a quadricentennial is the long game incremental work won't get my blessing Brute force and savagery backed up by immunity Protected by policy held up by the elite “they” say we'll be alright but, whenever have we been? I've been talking a lot to God to keep my heart from hardening. …with all of my might, all of my might! got me feeling like… I'm a Garveyite.

I don't wanna live as a second class citizen I'd rather take my chances and throw caution to the wind After so many years of subjugation the Veil has been lifted Even in the face of fear I will stand on my square Don’t call me a coward because, you’re scared of new ideas…to fight the system. Ahhhhh—Yeahhhhhhhh! We’re so busy living in an app Chasing instant gratification can’t see it’s a trap We give tacit consent to the unknown I wonder how much we have grown when the cycles keep repeating themselves I can tell you the conclusion is we're on our own Hook: A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping me A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping me Standing on my integrity moving forward fearlessly I got all my peoples with me Warriors without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping We Separated from each other Virus has the upper hand now experimental drugs they pushing ‘cross the land nobody knows how this will manifest as the cold tech war continues to advance Hook: A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping me A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly We gotta be stronger Gotta be wiser And not get caught up in the mire Bridge: Our pleasure center is overwhelmed all the world is catching hell got your data chipping away post intimate thoughts you should've kept to yourself let them improve your user experience Target your behavior and influence your politics Surveillance capitalism A.I. times follow the money and you'll see who's aligned Hook: A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping me A Warrior without worry moving forward fearlessly There is no stopping me We gotta get stronger We gotta get wiser And not get caught up in the mire FIGHT BACK!

I'm feeling like Alice wondering where's my land I ain’t got no time for talking put the deed in my hand I hate this fuckshit They try to offer you crumbs in lieu of the very things that you already asked for - for real? unless you tryna strike a new deal You can save your bureaucracy Your emotional appeals I hear them trigger words tote preying on the black vote but, wont acknowledge reparations for bringing us over on them boats Hook: They’ll get you high…get you high.. Going Down the Rabbit Hole… Is you big mad 'cause I'm not smiling and I'm talking about the reality of my world did you put me in a box? labeled the good ones? I could go on but let me stop I'm venting right now and that can only last for so long we don't need a leader form a small group and press on they know how to get us 'cause we don't know how to get together we're stronger than we know 'cause the storm we always had to weather so stop freezing when the world is cold brotha We ain’t taking blankets from these heathens histories repeat-in fuck the idea that it's par for the course and Biden plans a Trojan horse going from bad to worse vote for the grave or the hearse A lack of understanding on how civics work it's a crazy demonstration disagreeable to our souls it's a game they keep saying… You know…it's all political…. ;) Hook: They’ll get you high…get you high.. Going Down the Rabbit Hole… I’m feeling like Alice, wondering, where's my land? I’m feeling like Alice, wondering, where's my land? I’m feeling like Alice, wondering, where's my land? I’m feeling like Alice, wondering, where's my land?

ANCESTORS-ANCESTORS ANCESTORS-ANCESTORS ANCESTORS-ANCESTORS ANCESTORS!! I call YOU into the room Mom & Daddy, I call YOU into the ROOM!!!! It’s another world out here Some other shit is going on Hook: So don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Living in Bizarro World Folks willfully do wrong, Hook: Strap ya, Chest, Look ahead, Be direct, Ancestors Said It. Look for like-mind people And, you form yourselves a plan Hook: Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Eco-Coop together And get yourself some land, Hook: Strap ya, Chest, Look ahead, Be direct, Ancestors Said It. Moving on without them Cause We don’t need their hand Hook: Run them checks, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Fo-cus-ing on US No-longer-on-the-illusion Hook: Strap ya, Chest, Look ahead, Be direct, Ancestors Said It. Get back to each other And, we heal each other’s wounds Hook: Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Understanding within That we’re holding all the tools… Hook: So Get that, Bread, Be Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. …To be the architects of our own standards We can make our own rules Taking back our talents No more profiting for you We know that you need US Our culture has the juice But, consumption of our life force? Our Humanity is not for use! HEY!! Hook: So Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. We don’t all have to agree… To work toward a common goal, now… Hook: So Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. …To get up out these systems, Is the only way to go…yeah… Hook: So Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Living in this bondage Is not a further option! Hook: So Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. Repatriate our own ways! Not the ones that were placed on us, YEAH! Hook: So Don’t be, Scared, Get Prepared, Use ya head, Ancestors Said It. So Don’t be, Scared!!!!! So Don’t be, Scared!!!!! So Don’t be, Scared!!!!!

Now I was told the main focus is self-preservation But I keep on putting myself in the line of fire This don’t make no kind of sense to me And my whole lineage has done this for our entire… …Existence on this continent My cell memory, it can’t forget The grief I have everyday With these game we continue to play You showed me who you are Got me hooked up in your allure Got me thinking there is progress When it’s all just a ploy You tell me it’s a bad situation, if I were to leave you You say it’s a weak move, to not fight for you… Well my freedom comes first Not talking ‘bout your flag unfurled When you make me feel I’m on my own You must respect the seeds I’ve sown Hook: I’m working on my liberation There’s no more time to wait I’ve finally walked out of the house of illusion, Headed toward the gate I’m working on my liberation There’s no more time to wait I’ve finally walked out of the house of illusion, No longer taking the bait. This ain’t the time to compromise (It Ain’t Getting No Better) All we ever done is sacrifice (It Ain’t Getting No Better) All we done was try to survive (It Ain’t Getting No Better) Under the guise of code-switching, or believing the lies (It Ain’t Getting No Better) It took me ‘til now, to realize, The struggle for so long, I’ve romanticized I’m ready and willing to come to the table To plan and act as I am able To bring my full self and my honesty To put in the work of setting ourselves free… In the end goal For all of the tribes of the whole It’s purely fundamental. I AM SOVEREIGN. I love you, Mommye, [that’s how, Mama Z spelled ‘Mommy’], I love you, Daddy.