Talib Kweli - The Proud Lyrics
[Talib Kweli]
The proud
Stand tall or don't stand at all, c'mon
Uhh, yeah
Break it down
[Chorus]
We survive, it's more than pride
We stay alive, ready to ride
[Chorus - repeat through intro]
[Intro: Talib Kweli]
One two, one two yo
Aight.. put it down yo
Timothy McVeigh is executed
And the country breathe a sigh of relief
Goodness prevails over evil, it seems
Somehow when he's gone, we feel safer
Little do we know
[Verse One]
Today the paper say Timothy McVeigh's in hell
So everything's okay and all must be well
I remember Oklahoma when they put out the blaze
And put Islamic terrorist bombing, on the front page
It's like saying only gays get AIDS, propaganda
Like saying the problem's over when they locked that man up
Wrong! It's just the beginning, the first inning
Battle for America's soul, the devil's winning
The President is Bush, the Vice President's a Dick
So a whole lot of fuckin is what we gon' get
They don't wanna raise the babies so the election is fixed
That's why we don't be fuckin with politics
They bet on that, parents fought and got wet for that
Hosed down, bit by dogs, and got blacks into house arrest for that
It's all good except for that - we still poor
Money, power and respect is what we kill for, for real
[Chorus - repeat through interlude]
[Interlude]
August 4, 2001
A drunken police officer mows down an entire family in Brooklyn
The judge lets him go with no bail
It reminds us, of just how worthless our lives are to the justice system
I struggle, to explain the situation to my son, it's hard
[Verse Two]
Niggaz with knowledge is more dangerous than than niggaz with guns
They make the guns easy to get and try to keep niggaz dumb
Target the gangs and graffiti with the Prop 21
I already know the deal but what the fuck do I tell my son?
I want him livin right, livin good, respect the rules
He's five years old and he still thinkin cops is cool
How do I break the news that when he gets some size
He'll be percieved as a threat or see the fear in they eyes
It's in they job description to terminate the threat
So 41 shots to the body is what he can expect
The precedent is set, don't matter if he follow the law
I know I'll give my son pride and make him swallow it all (damn!)
Fuck the pigs! I think the pigs killed Big and 'Pac too
If they didn't they know who did, they got to!
Who they serve and protect, nigga not you
Cops shot off of ten G's but they got glocks too
Let you protect yourself, or better yet respect yourself
Straight into the hospital is where you gotta check yourself
They be gettin tips from snitches and rival crews
Doin them favors so they workin for the drug dealers too
Just business enforcers with hate in they holsters
Shoot you in the back, won't face you like a soldier
Kurt Loder asked me what I say to a dead cop's wife
Cops kill my people everyday, that's life
[Chorus - repeat through final interlude]
[Final Interlude]
September 11, 2001
Terrorists attack the Pentagon and the World Trade Center
Kills thousand and permanently scars America's false sense of security
We see the best examples of humanity in the face of the worst
As fire fighters, police officers, rescue workers
and volunteers of all sorts, fight to save lives
The world will never be the same again
[Verse Three]
My heart go out to everybody at Ground Zero
Red, black, yellow, white and brown heroes
It's more complicated than black and white
To give your own life is the greatest sacrifice
But it's hard for me to walk down the block
Seeing rats and roaches, crack viles and 40 ounce posters
People broken down from years of oppression
Become patriots when they way of life is threatened
It's a hard conversation to have
We lost kids, moms and dads, people ready to fight for the flag
Damn, when did shit get this bad?
America kill the innocent too, the cycle of violence is sad
Damn! Welcome to the world, we here
We've been at, war for years but it's much more clear (yeah)
We got to face what lies ahead
Fight for our truth and freedom and, ride for the dead
[Chorus - repeat to end]
Other Lyrics by Artist
- Talib Kweli - Fortified Live
- Talib Kweli - D.R.E.A.M.
- Talib Kweli - Manifest Destiny
- Talib Kweli - Everywhere I Go
- Talib Kweli - Cherry Beamer Dreaming
- Talib Kweli - Purest Heart
- Talib Kweli - Boomerang
- Talib Kweli - Another Day
- Talib Kweli - Colors Of You
- Talib Kweli - Lover's Peak
- Talib Kweli - Art Imitates Life
- Talib Kweli - What's Real
- Talib Kweli - The Wormhole
- Talib Kweli - Roll Me Up
- Talib Kweli - What's Real (Live)
- Talib Kweli - 7:30
- Talib Kweli - Ocean Song
- Talib Kweli - Boomerang
Rand Lyrics
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Talib Kweli The Proud Comments
The Bullitts background vocals
thumbs up if you're still bumping this is 2019
Talib Kweli And Ayatollah On The Beat...GREATNESS.
I love this song and video
all 5 minutes and 8 seconds
4:49 - 54
One of my favorite songs,we survived 400 years of slavery,we will survive the devil
This song is so deep and as the issues are oh so present and real today.
All the way from 2002, & still way ahead of his time, way ahead of weak rappers today.
Respect! My best MC on my playlist...
Patriots
wow thanks for the upload totally forgot about this!
verse 2 opener fucking truth on a 20ton truck
"If skills sold, truth told I'll probably be lyrically Talib kweli..."
people with knowledge more dangerous than people with guns,
they make the guns easy to gat and try keep people dumb.
Matthew Janjua
lack of love
people with knowledge more
dangerous than people with guns
they make guns easy to get and
try keep people dumb
This song makes me cry, cuz of how beautiful it is but also because it makes you realize every problem we American people face is deeply complex and has no clear answer and is going to take a while to solve. I'm shook
yea solutes
that second verse is so relevant to the world today. 13/14 years later. talib is a prophet
11/9 2016. We survive
we survive because killary was not elected
Forever Relevant. Peace to ALL. Hip Hop will NEVER DIE.
fuck yeah hittin all the feels here my brothers
Real talk right here man we need to be today and not let no one to bring us down and today we are killing our own people come on guys wake up we need to be strong and fight for ourself and coming together as one
Thoughts were directed to this song as soon as I heard about the Dallas snipers. "Cops kill my people everyday that's life"
REST IN PEACE ALTON STERLING
respect
DEVOLZ WENNINN!!!
this dude DEFINES hip hop. thank you for this masterpiece.
crazy im a kid an this stuff happening now
FIRE!! I hope that a lot of you are really listening to the lyrics because he's talking some real shit!!!!! Some of y'all might learn a little something!! I love it!!
Talib Kweli is truly the realest. This dude keeps it deep hundred in every one of his tracks. Talib is the man even til this day. A true rap guru indeed.
@MR BIGTIME44 FACTS
"Kurt Loder ask me what I say to a dead cops wife
Cops kill my people everyday, thats life."
How does Talib Kweli not give you chills?
+Cstefos That's what I'm talking about!!! Beast mode at all times!!!
less than a mill views but hey this is dope
blablablabla!!!!
Realist song I've ever heard
R.I.P Eric Harris
Great message love this song! #HipHop
Check out some polish rap music on my profile
2:25, prophetic..:(
You are so right! I couldnt agree more. I just hadnt heard or seen this in a while and when i did it still obviously seemed appropriate. :( very sad
kills these verses
R.I.P. Michael Brown
Christopher Olds :'(
Downloaded this album and never listened to it. After listening to this song I think I will now.
+Lauren Grant kweli is by far one of the most relevant and amazingly gifted lyricists out.
Talib Kweli was at the top of his game with this whole album.
cmarinoloc Right
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gray_(police_officer) The asshole hes referring to in the second verse
GREAT MESSAGE!!! BIG PROPS
La la la We survive
Talib Kweli. The Proud. Produced by none other than AYATOLLAH.
Check out my spiritual song Holy Iman - I Swear by Time.
This song is so underrated is ridiculous
" Shoot you in the back won't face you like a soldier " ......
the angle statue at the beginning freaks me out
Finally, rap music that actually means something. Don't listen to all the mainstream crap, none of it even makes sense. This stuff is a memory of when you made music for emotion or to convey a message, instead of just for fame.
12 years after the towers fell :'(
you stupid fuck
What happen to real Hip Hop like this, when things derived from a higher sense of knowledge and conciousness of true revolution. That's why I only listen to people like this because that mainstream shit is bullshxt, real Hip Hop isn't about the bullshit we possess and the figures we get or the clothes we trend, giving everybody false perceptions on a ideal life they can't reach. I rather enjoy the lyrics of truth rather then then the lack of effort the mainstream people put out. Who agrees ?
I don't get it how people who are smart enough to listen to Talib, as HE is rapin about intellectual stuff, can be so dumb to care when anyone heard about Talib. You heard of him, you listen to him... is anything else important?
I think that youtube dude that makes ''freestyle'' vids
Well maybe cause DeStorm and Kweli have done songs together ?
he's a youtube rapper/singer that Kweli has done a few songs with :)
ten years later and our lives are just as worthless to the justice system
Hip hop is where my heart is at! Talib Kweli an inspirational legend!
flow lesson
Loved it
my teacher was playin this in class this song is hot
We need some more Talib Kweli playing on the radio.
Why would you even mention Destorm on a Kweli track
OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2013
Really though...
Hey I’m 17 from Boston Ma, my names Brian Bernier and I make music with my best friend Austin Boyt, we’re not just two kids that record at home with pro tools and a mic from guitar center, we record at “the bridge studio” in Cambridge ma and work hard on serious projects! If you have a second check out our two new songs “Uhh” and “Bring it Back” Everything helps thank you,it only takes a second and could change alot! Thumbs up please thank you! Comment & Like them if you fuck with it!
all this hype about chris dorner really has me jamming this song.
christoph dorner must be jamming this
What a contrast. Talib Kweli video against a Trinidad James background. Stupid VEVO
Don't even know who that is
his verses are unique, he makes real hip-hop with lyrics that are real poetry.
listening to guys like talib, mos def, nas, teach me alot about life. Hustle, think for yourself, get yours dont worry about other cats that stand in your way.
I like how you didn't mention Rakim, Rakim doesn't need a chance......the second that he touches the microphone everyone goes wow
I love his opinion of Bush and Cheney
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at least they have good taste in music?
Classic hip-hop
Operation Desert Storm.
da fuck is destorm
he said the president is bush the vice presidents a dick so a whole lotta fckin is what were gonna get...genius
damn I miss this album, it got stolen from me twice!
whos destorm?
thats what im sayin lol.
who da fuck is destorm? lol
thumbs if no one gives a shit when you knew about Talib Kweli. who cares really as long as you listen to him it's all that matters.
Im here cause of mos def and black star
if you like this song you like new hip hop artist Kahil Sadiq - Measure.... great song and lyrics
youtube.com/user/DeStorm
who the fuck is destorm?
check this one if you love that reall hiphop: Dre After Rain Comes SunShine (Produced By Jfx).mpg
Blackstar for life!
just mad that I just found it but happy to see he did a video
So why would you be mad if you just found this awesome video for this powerful song? I am happy I just found it :)
thumbs up if you love talib kweli, ahseru and jehst
If you want true passion and lyrical genius...
"Fall Down" Bebe Boohgz.
@minitheunicorn Shouldn't you be happy he has new fans?
Damn Im mad I didnt know there was a video for this powerful song
Fuck! :o I jock!