[talib kweli]
  So many emcees focusin on black people extermination
  We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
  It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations
  C'mon let's smooth it out like soul sensation
  
  We in the house like japanese in japan, or koreans in korea
  Head to philly and free mumia with the kujichagulia true
  Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what
  They writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin
  No question, bein a black man is demandin
  The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3x)
  
  With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
  *repeat 4x*
  
  [singer]
  Things i say and do, may not come quite through
  My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
  
  [talib kweli]
  Yes yes come on, yes yes
  Knowledge of self is like life after death
  With that you never worry about your last breath
  Death comes, that's how i'm livin, it's the next days
  The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
  Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age
  I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage
  At exactly which point do you start to realize
  That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
  That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death
  Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
  Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
  Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light
  Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident
  Voices and drums original instruments
  In the flesh presently presentin my representation
  
  With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
  *repeat 6x*
  - - - - these two parts overlap - - - -
  Things i say and do, may not come quite through
  My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
  *repeat 2x*
  
  [talib kweli]
  The most important time in history is, now, the present
  So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
  But you stressin over time and you follow the roman calendar
  These people enter cona like gattaca, you can bet
  They tryin to lock you down like attica, the african diaspora
  Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
  I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
  Aiyyo i heard you twice the first time money, get it together
  You must be history, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
  You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
  That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
  Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
  Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
  The young, gifted and black are sprung addicted to crack
  All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
  And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
  With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
  You get out of jail with that knowledge of self determination
  Stand in ovation, cause you put the hue in human
  Cause and effect, effect everything you do
  And that's why i got love in the face of hate
  Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
  The thought you had don't even contemplate
  Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
  
  From that what? (knowledge of self) determination
  *repeat 4x*
  
  Things i say and do, may not come quite through
  My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
  *repeat 2x*
  
  Things i say and do, may not come quite through
  My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
  *repeat 2x*
  
  What i'm feelin, what i'm feelin, ooooh, what i'm feelin...