Black Diamonds and Pearls Blackalicious (Ft. Larry Saunders & Ledisi)

(Black diamonds and PEARLS)

[Intro - message continued from interlude]
"I'm just gonna read you a little bit of ?:
'I like to start off by saying that prison is truly a living hell
It is a place where love and compassion are looked upon as weaknesses
And violence and brutality are worn like a medal of honor
Prison is a tedious task of survival that could shatter your dreams and ambition
The California Department of Corrections ISN'T designed
To help you rehabilitate yourself or even help you
To become a productive law-abiding citizen'"

[Hook: Larry Saunders (Ledisi)]
(Black diamonds and PEARLS)
Keep on, keep goin', march on, move on
Keep blowin' it up
Keep ON, keep goin', march on, move on
Stay strong, keep goin', keep, blowin' it up
(Black diamonds and PEARLS)
KEEP ON, keep goin', march on, move on
Keep blowin' it up, yeaaaah
Blowin' it up, yeaaaaaaah

[Verse 1: Gift of Gab]
Young leaders, little unsung heroes
You can run some meters, be a hoop or a track star
School teacher, scientist, or even
Own your very own street, maybe even be a rap star
Times witcha, you could change whole pictures
Make a better situation, for your mother and yo' big mama
Make dollars, own a ride and a house
Get it right, use your powers, getting' everything you did want
Then the youth say, "Look at where I'm at now
Straight poverty, death is in my backyard
Dope dealers, get fifty G's a pack
While my teacher don't really give a damn about a black child!
The grown folks say, 'tell the truth', then act foul
Say 'no' to drugs, hidin' all they crack vials
And talk all about peace and love and God
But then why are we at war, killin' people in Iraq now?"