The Awakening - Dead Prez, Umar Bin Hassan

Like an epiphany, moment of clarity

I was blind before, but now my eyes can see

I know my destiny, I’m open mentally

My spirit is ready, for the awakening

The awakening

Empty your mind of all thoughts

Let your heart be at peace

Returning to the source of serenity

(Umar Bin Hassan)

A courageous walk down the Mississippi road

We live in the blues of the delta

A good morning to your neighbor

A good night to your dreams

We are the song of survival

A living song without lyrics or words

A kind gesture, a wink of the eye

A loving touch upon a child’s head

A strong warm hug to keep away the doubt

Grandma’s, grandma’s hands upon your face

The wiping of the wavered tears

Holding back the fizz

In between in-between the shoe shines and the dish washing

In between in-between the GED’s and PhD’s

In between in-between the out-houses and crack-houses

We, we create waves to live and love

We live on the move

Moving, moving forward through the bling bling

The prison camps, the clothes castors and the hoes and bitches

And the alcohol and Jesus all on the same corner

We are the one and true living God

All around us is life

Our humanity, our humanity is the essence of life

Our blood, our blood nurtures the soul

Our humiliation and pain gives an expression

Our ignorance gives vision

To what’s like living contradictions, living paradoxes

Living phenomenons, living just for the city

For a smile, for a touch

For hip-hop, for the glory of our ancestors

And the blessings of our gods

Peace