Little Brother Songtext
von Talib Kweli

Yeah (doin′ this song for you)
The revolution will not be televised or broadcast live on the net (to all my little brothers)
My man Mos said it's personal (out in the street)
Know what I′m sayin'? (Strugglin' to survive)
It′s gotta start from right up in here, ya know what I′m sayin'?
(Keep your eyes on the prize, you know)

Ya can′t stop, you know
Ya can't stop, you know
Ya can′t stop, you know
Ya can't stop when we rep

We rep the ain′t-gots
Ain't nobody can't start
No party like us, we crush the faint hearts
From Hallsey to St. Mark′s

Walk in the main blocks painted with blood that′s still hot
So deep it stain socks
The pain spark frustration, situations lead to hatin'
Some deal with drug distribution, others walk the plantation


Some know the code o′ the streets, some got a college education
Come down on the weekend and peep the conversation (yo)
On the corner, units stormed out
Ghetto-lookin' bombed out

Police waited to roll – for those who walk the wrong route
Shorties goin′ all out, they got they swords drawn out
Ready to brawl out, gettin' fought ′til they fall out
Black like Morehouse, 40 O's is tossed out

For brothers that they mourn 'bout, get wrecked ′til it′s dawn out
Whether they broke or flossed out, honeys pass they draws out
Lookin' for a ticket out the poor-house
A jungle out here, lions keep they claws out, fangs and jaws out

Weak just get forced out
Names is called out, ghetto fame is sought out
You wanna be the man that they talk ′bout, I walked out
I had some things on my mind to sort out

I thought 'bout the wild circumstance we born out
Remember myself at your age and I was just like you
If that was now, I don′t know what I would do
My answer's closest to me


So what I say to you is goin′ for me
Son we both still growin' indeed
But where you at, I was and where you been, I left
Utilize my experience to guide ya step

Some people get love but don't command respect
It′s somethin′ that you can't ride wit′ a check
Over-rollin' your lex or icy links that hang from your neck
If it′s real, who need to deal with the special effects? (Come here, come here yo)

Let me drop this on ya, look they got you cornered
The corner of the block is hot, I ain't got to warn ya
′Cause I see you every day, trapped in every way
And shit, I'm a thug, and that's all that I can say

Who are you anyway?
Mary J.? I spend, many nights awake (uh)
Watchin′ you while you sleep (word)
Tryna figure out how to be the example, ′cause talk is cheap

As you – walk the streets, study cats on the real
In a convo, just make your point to relax and chill
Niggas wanna destroy each other in a cypher instead of build
Be a – man of will, don't be – standin′ still

If you – don't plan ahead, then you – plan to fail
Those be – in a daze when the ways reveal
Like they funny style but I′m not laughin'
Serious niggas makin′ money while the police is passin'
Can't wait for opportunity to knock, you gotta make it happen
It ain′t about no spectacular ways of rappin′
Just immaculate ways of action, dig
Little Brother
I know that times is hard
Keep your mind on guard
Stay clear of things that are harmin'

You′ll get along
I sing my song
For little brothers
Out there in the street

Strugglin' to make ends meet
Gotta hold the heat
Strugglin′ so hard to compete
Stay clear of things that harm

And stayin' wit′ y'all
Try to stay strong
Keep movin' on
Keep movin′ on

Keep movin′ on
Keep movin' on
Keep movin′ on
Keep movin' on

Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother

Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother

Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother

Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother
Little Brother