1. |
Intro
01:38
|
|||
2. |
Loungin
02:30
|
|||
|
Loungin’, Black
Just kickin’ back
The track is phat
So spark the Buddha sack
(repeat)
What’s goin’ on in the world today?
I don’t know, but I’m Tre, and I’m straight out Zimbabwe
Upon this track, I, flow so nicely
Precisely, dissect the beat until it’s diced meat
And for all you hip-hop heads, hip-hop’s dead
It shot itself in the head
Don’t know if this subculture matters to you or not
But between you and I, yo, it’s all I got
Loungin’, Black
Just kickin’ back
The track is phat
So spark the Buddha sack
(repeat)
Roll yo’ Phillies, stop actin’ silly
Niggas chilly, fake like Milli Vanilli
The stress burns my brain, I just grab my glass piece
So fake, a fallacy, I can’t believe, it’s hard to see, it’s hard to be
Souls to free, B flat’s the key if you ask me
Get high as Muggsy Bogues, then I drop my flows
I heard the piano then killed the blue note
Heard the piano then killed the blue note
Glide across the floor so smoothly
Music just moves me, eyes on her booty
Hips collide, oh so groovy
Lips lush, touch so loosely
And what happened next, it all unfurled
She flew me home, showed me the world
|
||||
3. |
All Across the Land
03:31
|
|||
|
To all ya people throw up yo’ hands
All people get up and stand
This goes out all across the land
If you ain’t with the president, say, fuck the plan
(repeat)
Now let me ask you, do you love to get high?
Is it hard enough just tryna get by?
Do you think about the people that die for the lack of human rights?
You know that ain’t right
This goes out to all my brothas and sistas
black, brown, yellow, purple, all preachers and ministers
I don’t practice religion, I’m not a “homosexual”
I fucked up as a youth, but I am coming clean, and that’s the truth
And now I’m earnin’, yet my pockets seem to be gettin’ deeper
and deeper. What is this? Yo, Mr. Bush
Stay the fuck out my business, get out
To all ya people throw up yo’ hands
All people get up and stand
This goes out all across the land
If you ain’t with the president, say, fuck the plan
Grab yo’ bags ‘cause we’re headed to the Motherland
Be with your brotherman, city’s got me feelin’ smothered
Can I kick it ‘cause I’m feelin’ kinda blue?
I ain’t got a horn but still get deep in the groove
Some got no clue, some got no food
What I got’s this rappin’ shit for you that speaks nothin’ but true
And an attitude, but I ain’t mad at you
Let’s just keep it movin’, stop consumin’
Music is the revolution
To all ya people throw up yo’ hands
All people get up and stand
This goes out all across the land
If you ain’t with the president, say, fuck the plan
To all ya people throw up yo’ hands
All people get up and stand
This goes out all across the land
I wanna see the Motherland, I’m gonna see the Motherland
|
||||
4. |
Phased
03:52
|
|||
|
There’s a place where you can go when the gettin’s goin’ slow
When your ass kicked to the floor, when there ain’t nobody no mo’
It’s all about the soul, it’s all about the soul
Yo, you got to keep intact with that sweet musac
(repeat)
Smoke bowls, drink beer, nothin’ but rap
Broken stuff with no fear just for a couple of daps
Perhaps it started at 12 with the park by the courts
Fingers touched their first L, then I became a weed whore
More or less a few days later, the dark side truly hit me
Met the real Darth Vader and he handed me some whiskey
Acted hard when I shouldn’t but really gave two shits
Grabbed the bong, got it cookin’, searchin’ for some loose lips
Drip comin’ down my nose, booze embedded on my cloth
Lost, lazy on the couch, deadly sins, epitomized sloth
Where the fuck did school go? Out the window
because of endo, and Nintendo, no need to pretend, bro
I’m two-faced, nigga, one is pissed, the other’s worse
With shoes laced, ready for 12 who’s gettin’ served
This rap’s a true waste, nigga, you’re on my nerves, and I can’t breath
So let’s leave this place or just roll up our sleeves
Either way, let’s not stand still, you know I hate that
From way back, decided motionless is played, cat
Let’s stay phat, with the P-H, fuck an F
Take everything in sight until there’s nothin’ left
There’s a place where you can go when the gettin’s goin’ slow
When your ass kicked to the floor, when there ain’t nobody no mo’
It’s all about the soul, it’s all about the soul
Yo, you got to keep intact with that sweet musac
(repeat)
‘Cause I hate the fact that this kid isn’t famous
Got into this shit thinkin’ it would be painless
Could I have been further from right? I do not think so
But I’ll continue to fight with the help of trusty endo
Just get flows on paper or else I’ll forget ‘em
Price works the crossfader, and Tre drops the rhythm
Like circumcision, cats get cut, that leaves my soft spot tickled
Don’t change your mind about me, nigga, that’s just bein’ fickle
Pick myself up off the side of the road
With a bloodstained nose, it’s a coke overdose
Sky soaked red, clouds passin’ me by
I put my lips to the bong, inhale the Earth until I’m high
Kicked to the gutter, at least you got some water
Peace to the Mother, peace to the Father
Peace to one another with the positive vibe
The binge is finally over, I start to feel alive
Never no more will be deprived, never no more will speak of lies
Yo, you got only, solely to be wise
You must appreciate the fact we rise above suppression
Praise the Creator for freedom of expression
There’s a place where you can go
When the gettin’s goin’ slow
When your ass kicked to the floor
When there ain’t nobody no mo’
(repeat)
|
||||
5. |
Eighteen
03:44
|
|||
|
Eighteen, not knowin’ what I’m gonna do next
Fluid, I’m flowin’, track leaves ya perplexed
Stargazin’, slowly steppin’ out the basement
Gradually we’ll work our way out to the pavement
Steppin’ it up, kickin’ it out. Whatchu fools talkin’ about?
Life seems like it’s a reoccurring movement
of not knowing how good it is ‘till ya lose it
Visualize admirin’, I’m just mired
in this crazy situation, live or think about livin’
If you had one more day of life, would you spend it wishin’?
Afterwards, I come back, lookin’ for the next track
Carryin’ my backpack, hangin’ and I come wack
Maybe as a deaf, or maybe as a blind
Well never mind
I am who I am, and there’s no changin’ that
Just lookin’ for the future to be better than the past
I remember the days when we could just chill
Tip back an Ol’ E, and watch the world stand still
But now it’s goin’ faster than ever, I’m fiendin’ for a break
My head is goin’ in a whirl, I’m ‘bout to make a big mistake
Try to retake my sanity but I’ve got all my marbles
and a heart full of soul, so, don’t act startled
if I borrowed yo’ lines, man, I can make ‘em tighter,
make ‘em sting you like a viper, burn you up like I’m a lighter,
but I’ll change this battle tip, you’re just a poser, I’m a lifer
Would you like to take a journey with me?
Situation’s getting tricky, break it down to the nitty-gritty
I had to stop clownin’, such a pity
‘Cause I had about 10 lines, I coulda had 10 minds
Pretend I’m kickin’ it, really I don’t got mad time
So let me roll out the same way that I came
I’m the same fool as before, MC Tre is my name
|
||||
6. |
My Will Is Weak
03:23
|
|||
|
Who am I? I hope I’m not a fake
‘Cause the second it gets unreal is when I hit the brakes
Don’t want to accelerate, well, maybe at a slower pace
Wish to be less than Jake ‘cause I’m not feelin’ this race
No ace up my sleeve, just want to leave on a sabbatical
Not a radical change, I just need to go, I have to pull
my own weight, hate that I’m consumed by all-nighters
I’m tired all the time, seems like my brain has arthritis
But I’m a fighta, give me a pipe and a lighta,
a pen and a paper, Life, I do not hate her
Wish I could just embrace it, wish I could ask my maker
why that bitch has me so goddamn wasted
This ain’t all gravy, baby, I mean, we kill for no reason
You say we’re livin’ fine, bullshit’s reakin’. What’s the meanin’ of us?
In God I trust, still I use his name in vain
That’s why I got to go ‘cause this hypocrisy’s insane
Now I’ll refrain from complainin’ how you livin’
Thanks for givin’ yo’ ears, sometimes it’s good to listen
Just been itchin’ on my mind. Whatchu think, you think I’ve lost it?
Well maybe that’s the truth, but it’s my life, and I’m the boss, kid
You run yo’ own, and I’ll run mine
Just go the fuck on home if you can’t deal with the grind
You can’t find your niche or self, then, don’t come to me
Moan and bitch on your own time because my time isn’t free
(repeat)
Kids is what we are, just immature adolescents
without the presence of mind to stop backsteppin’
Kids is what we are, no older than the age of 10
who pretend like we are clueless over and over again
Not tryna mend the blueprints, just step over the cracks
Kiss my ass if you don’t believe I’m layin’ down the facts
Kids is what we are, take my words for what you will
Sometimes it seems hard to swallow like a horse-pill
You, of course, will take it all the way down, I know you
Just like everyone else who doesn’t show true
Feelings, man, I swear to God it’s written somewhere
We’re not supposed to like what we’re dealt from the man upstairs
When I get mad, I stare, and then I take steps behind me
Doin’ what I hate the most, blindly but slyly enough,
Sometimes it takes days for me to notice
Kids is what we are, turnin’ down life’s every potion
Complainin’ it’s too hard to take down, with a fake frown
I do it sometimes so much, that’s why I’ll break it down
My body’s achin’ now, far too much progression
So I’ll take two steps back just to learn my own lesson
You run yo’ own, and I’ll run mine
Just go the fuck on home if you can’t deal with the grind
You can’t find your niche or self, then, don’t come to me
Moan and bitch on your own time because my time isn’t free
(repeat)
(repeat)
|
||||
7. |
Interlude
02:58
|
|||
8. |
Soultrain Freestyles
04:22
|
|||
|
‘Bout to fuck the microphone like it was a pussy
Why must we move forward? I like dwelling on the past
because the good things go under, take a seat, you’re movin’ too fast
Cast yo’ fears into my bag, I will give ‘em
to someone else later, and don’t worry about the tab
because my homie is a waiter, the crossfader is my therapist
Man, it’s time for another session
I be settin’ up a time and a place for the beats to give me a lesson
I keep confessin’ my thoughts. Do my words have some sort
of allure? The mota messed up my mind
Maybe eight months will make me mature
Smell manure? That’s’ bullshit, always a kid at heart
Go through everything with a smile on my face
Some say I got this art apart from this and hittin’ the green
No other scene can keep me lifted
Getting in between might be pristine, but when it comes to rappin’
I guess I’m just so goddamn gifted
But, to make this piece of shit I sifted through cluttered thoughts
Brought it through my head 10 times, the other nine I just forgot
So, this is all I can bring you, I’d like to give you more
Let me take a seat, dude, and watch you settle our score
Yo, I wanna come, but I need a mind change
A place to rearrange, come out and find a new Range Rover
I ain’t drivin’, and still, I’m fuckin’ strivin’ to go forward
Realizin’, man, I ain’t risin’, I’m never shaken
Always breakin’, comin’ forward and fakin’
The flip-top soul, no, I’m always takin’ it out
I'm quick to coach, approach a roach like I approach a mic
Don't wanna burn my tongue but don't wanna lose the fight
My inner sense is innocent, illin' on my ignorance
Common sense is prominent when mobbin’ is my influence
Inference is off since I started liking Prince
Been to jail only once, they had to take my prints
And just like them bitches, I won't accept no gimmicks
My verse started talking shit, so then I fucking killed it
I’d like to take this time to say
Peace to my homies, peace to my girl
Peace to ya punks, peace to the whole damn world
‘Cause I got lots of love to get and lots more to give
If you ain’t feelin’ this shit right here, you’re surely negative
Positive vibes, that’s what we be creatin’
Motivatin’, booties shakin’, funky like bacon
So if you’re in a daze, don’t faze
Sit back, relax, and hop aboard the soul train
If you want to progress, you must constantly look back
Keep each eye at each shoulder, always survey the facts
This ain’t a test, it’s the truth that demons and devils surround you
You float, you’re merrily in the clouds, they raise their net and try to
ground you, don’t let them bring you down, dude, tell them to mind
their own business, also, suggest that they go the fuck on home
Roam freely, speaking each thought without a fear
No need to shed tears for what your brain adheres
Me, personally, I use music as an escape
Start herdin’ frees, find it’s workin’, g, and then I take out the tape
and pass it off like a pipe ‘cause it gets you high
Music is my ally, should be embraced, do not feel shy
|
||||
9. |
Polyrhythmingus
01:45
|
|||
|
I’m just a jazzcat, nappy black nigga makin’ happy tracks
Sittin’ back, paddy whack, give a dog a nickel-sack
Revivin’ funk is what we do
Brewin’ up Mingus stew. No clue?
Then fetch a bowl, fetch a spoon because this soup is just for you
Pouring rhymes like Dr. Seuss. Are you tired? Dormez vous?
Horton didn’t hear a Who, what he heard was ill hip-hop
Said, yo Pops, don’t let it stop, turn it off, I’ll call the cops
‘Cause yo, when the radio is always playin’ trends
over and over, again and again, you get tired fo’ sho’
Rockin’, rollin’, rollin’ and rockin’
Answer the do’ because the beat’s a knockin’
Keepin’ it live, live is how it’s kept
Step into the doghouse, it’s time to make a mess
Gittin’ dirty when dirty needs to be git got
Caught in a net of rhymes, that’s where jazzcats rock
Maxin’, relaxin’, relaxin’ and maxin’
Who wants to get down? Nappy here is just askin’
Actions have reactions. Can’t hear? Read the captions
Mackin’ on whatever girl for simple satisfaction
Softly, get the words on my chest off me
Just be cool like Mingus taught me
What’s said on the track is how I be
Excuse me, please listen here
Hip-hop in the year 2004’s the music kids rock
When you hear a nice track, say it’s hotter than some thick socks
The bebop to doo-wop, skip, skittley-dip dap tap
Rap tip-top, skibbidy-bop, doo-we doo-wop
Excuse me, do me a favor, spark the pot
Who’s got the party? ‘Cause we got the jazz and hip-hop
‘Cause yo, when the radio is always playin’ trends
over and over, again and again, you get tired fo’ sho’
(repeat)
|
||||
10. |
Gravy Beats
02:32
|
|||
|
Need to get funky, bring it back
Need to get funky, bring it back, back
I’ll never drop the mic ‘cause I’m afraid it won’t come back
I’m afraid of nowhere to turn once the cards are stacked
No 52 pickup, or stick-up for me to see
Just wanted to finally define the art of an MC
Meticulously missed the mousetraps, that is my only secret
They’re strewn across the room, the path, you got to see it
No free trips on this voyage, you got to have a token
Not wastin’ my time on coins ‘cause I see the road’s a slopin’
And it’s all good, I could use the exercise
Sittin’ on my couch all day rockin’ half-eyed
But, uh, choose your own path, this one’s already taken
Don’t be mistaken, I like your road, but mine’s so hard
my bones are achin’, I’m barely breakin’ even but lovin’ every second
Solo mission on this road, no longer am I dependent
So I’ll stay splendid in this solitude, over the traps
There’s ups and downs on this path, you got to just adapt
I had to rap with you for a few, but now I got to continue
on tryna figure out how and where to go next
But thank you for listening ‘cause around the corner there’s a lake of
rhymes, and the, the, the water’s glistening
Bring that beat b-back back to me,
Bring it back, so I can bust a free
Bring that beat b-back back to me,
Bring it back, so I can bust reality
In a second you'll be beckoning for the second reckoning
A second chance at everything that makes life legit
It's the great awakening, creatin’ meanin’ makin’ things
Then you'll have an inkling that it was all worth it
Worth it, worth it, you know how to work it
Package it and pamper it, then take it out and serve it
Perfect. The purpose, why you need a purpose?
It's all a give and take, and you, you provide the service
Just look at those lips, and those eyes and those hips
The embodiment of beauty with the boom and the bip
Just keep on movin’ with yo’ sexy self
I yelled after her as she just walked away
Why you need a purpose when ya still got your health?
She stopped and turned, then started to say
Sometimes it's like, too serious. Ya dig?
There's way too much Newton, but there's not enough fig
Gravity be catchin’ me, it's sad to see your vanity
Climb a tree and try and see landscape of reality
|
||||
11. |
Lazy Days
02:35
|
|||
|
Maxin’ on the couch, keepin’ shit mellow
And I never say goodbye, that means I’d have to start with hello
Hell no, so much comes and leaves without a glance
Not a single chance, bounces only after one dance
But who cares? Some win, some lose. Who’s countin’?
Let the lyrics be your spinach, start movin’ mountains
Never diminished, always comes through in the clutch
Burnin’ up like an inferno, she’s too cold to touch
That thirst-quenching drink when the rest is an oasis
A net in case you fall, really hard to be more blatant
Too bad this’ll probably get a bad rep
‘Cause of trash with no depth, we’re swept into a ditch
Wouldn’t wipe with a top 20 hit after I shit
Fela, Hughes, and Davis, makes me feel weightless
Tre with no jazz is like leaving van Gogh paint-less
Like Louie with no trumpet, Coltrane with no sax
Hate to sound redundant but you must look to the past
I’m achin’, I’m achin’, a waitin’ to be awakened
Awakened, awokened? Whatever I said, it’s spoken
Need somethin’ to please my ears, ease my load
Bumpin’, feet thumpin’ over flows
If you got the candy-nose, drop your stash somewhere, just leave it
Never keep a gun exposed, guaranteed you’ll never need it
To all ya hoes, get off your knees
And please proceed to get up on your feet
and walk out that do’ and never look back
And fuck those bullshit-ocrats spittin’ wack raps
Hatin’ on Tre just because he’s half black
Weren’t we past that? Nigga pass that
‘Bout to hit it up in one puff ‘cause I tax sacks
Ya gangsta-pimpin’ hustlers take a little halftime
No more drive-by, clockin’ bitches, sellin’ children half-dimes
This world’s turned mad, it’s truly gone crazy
I’d like to expand, but I’m too goddamn lazy
I’m too goddamn lazy
I’m too goddamn lazy
I’m too goddamn lazy
I’m too goddamn lazy
I’m too goddamn lazy
|
||||
Higher Education Denver, Colorado
Hip-Hop/Jazz Rap group
Higher Education recommends:
Digable Planets Live
by Digable Planets
One of the great and most creative yet underappreciated hip-hop albums from the early/mid 90s performed live
go to album
An instrumental album by one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop producers
go to album
Question in the Form of an Answer
by People Under the Stairs
One of many great albums by one of the most prolific alternative hip-hop groups of the West Coast over the last 20 years
go to albumIf you like Higher Education, you may also like:
The 18-year-old Maryland rapper’s newest album combines coming-of-age themes with refreshing, expansive production.
go to album
Inventive flows, abstract arrangements, and clever lyrics make 16-year-old Maryland rapper redveil an artist worth watching.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Sep 7, 2023
go to album
