DmC X8
[Verse 1]
DmC
The other day, me 'n XP opened for Souls of Mischief
DmC
I'm like "Yo, let's get on some angry MC showmanship and hit 'em"
DmC
Rocked all the cocky songs and not too many soulful lyrics
DmC
Even a couple dissin' women callin' 'em "groupies," "hoes," and "bitches."
DmC
Got off stage, and I'm like "Yo, I know that we killed it,"
Dm
Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and supports us
DmC
I said "Peace!" She said "Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute
DmC
I know it's none of my business, but I wasn't impressed by your performance."
DmC
I said "Word? Shit, I love feedback and criticism."
DmC
She said "I miss the passionate spirit, your political vision
DmC
Quite honestly I wasn't offended by those references to women
DmC
But you're only continuing society's conditioning."
DmC
It hit the heart of me
I told her that this was part of me
DmCDm
I stand up for human rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated
C
But every song can't be seepin' with freedom
Dm N.C.
'Cuz the other side of me is sexist then people will feel that I'm preachin'
Dm
"Everything's peace and love?" uhh, that's somewhat misleading
DmC
Because this world is fucked-up and I'm a pro-duct to what I'm seeing
DmC
Not to justify, but just to touch on my being
DmC
I learn from these verses and my purpose gets surfaced with demons
DmC
Now I am sexist, I'm prejudice, I put that in my music
DmC
She said she heard that perspective, but before she turned around
DmC
She said "We have a flame, your fire's ignited with sound
DmC
Are you building the empire up, or using your fire to burn it down?"
[Refrain]
DmCDm
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite
C
And through these songs you can witness it
DmC
The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
DmC
Walking a fine line between saying and living it
DmCDm
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite
C
And through these songs you can witness it
DmC
The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
DmC
Walking a fine line between saying and living it
[Chorus]
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down
DmC
down, down
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down
DmC
down, down, down, down down
N.C.
Down, down, down, down
[Verse 2]
DmC
Now one thing that I've always struggled on
DmC
Is how to incorporate drugs and alcohol into my music outside of sober songs
DmC
'Cuz on that perspective, that's all over my records
DmC
But the other side isn't represented unless it sessions with XP
C
How can I admit that I love to smoke weed
DmC
Knowing the kids are listening and many of them look up to me?
DmC
Not to say that I'm a role model, but I know that words are power
DmC
And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am sending out the
CC
Message "It's okay," hey I believe that it is
DmC
Chronic can be medicine, but it's all about your relationship with it
DmC
See I'm either off in the wagon riding and everyday with the spliff
DmC
Constantly looking for a balance but habit turns to addiction
DmC
And hip-hop music and weed: they're inseparable
DmC
So MCs that don't smoke or drink, talking about it, to me, seems questionable
DmC
It proves how much people just want to be accepted
DmC
And not seem straight-edge to their audience, so keeping it real is neglected
DmC
'Cuz when I'm smoking, I wouldn't wanna bump a song like this
DmC
Put on some Dev and break out the Swishers, and a bong and some licks
Dm
See that's a part of me too
CDm
And I know that I would make more money if I wasn't as true
CDm
To all the struggles of the blunted consumption I'm goin' through
CDmC
Make music for the party, and the people support you
DmC
I burn Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you?
Bring it back around
DmC
Am I building the empire up or using my fire to burn it down?
[Refrain]
DmCDm
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite
C
And through these songs you can witness it
DmC
The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
DmC
Walking a fine line between saying and living it
DmCDm
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite
C
And through these songs you can witness it
DmC
The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
DmC
Walking a fine line between saying and living it
[Chorus]
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down
DmC
down, down
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it down,
DmC
Light it up to burn it
N.C.
down, down, down, down down