Blackalicious - As the World Turns (Hip Hip Sound File & Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file and the lyrics of "As the World Turns" by Blackalicious [ft. Lateef the Truth Speaker].

The content of this post is presented for entertainment, aesthetic, and inspirational purposes.


Uploaded by greenpeacemyass on Apr 3, 2011


From Blackalicious' first album "Nia" (1999)

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INFORMATION ABOUT BLACKALICIOUS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackalicious
"Blackalicious are an American hip-hop duo from Sacramento, California, made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Timothy Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley).[1] They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes[2] and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats.[3] The pair have released three full-length albums (1999's Nia, 2002's Blazing Arrow and 2005's The Craft).

Years active: 1992–present"

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LYRICS: AS THE WORLD TURNS

"Now, I thought I would talk about today
For your consideration, as the world turns
As the world turns, you read in all these scriptures
About the world, find out that the world does turn!"

As the world keeps spinning, we live these days
Dollar bill done drove the whole world crazy
While sitting on the porch letting ganja blaze
Never hesitate a moment to enhance my phrase
Since I needed that escape I take my pull
Seen the thugs on the corner trying to act all cool
Pretty much out of character
I look right through, their transparent exterior
You in my book getting written and I'm the derriere
Thought you was peeping me but I was aware of ya
You peep my ill expressions, how I just glare about
Trying to trace my inner world and my whereabouts
Well try on, try on
I'm watching everything that's going down
And it ain't nothing that I ain't been around
The same ghetto but a different town
Weeell, I remember growing up in the P-a-c
It was a whole lot of love in my family
I had clothes on my back and shoes on my feet
Times we didn't have a lot but that was fine with me
In good times and even bad times
Whether rainy, grey sky or the sunshine
Life was so much simpler, I didn't realise it then
But time has definitely made me a wiser man

[Chorus 2x: Erinn Anova]
The world keeps turning round
And time just keeps on moving

Sunday morning in the church just singing a song
Mama gave much praise cause her soul was strong
When I was young I used to do lots of thangs was wrong
I never thought about till one day she was gone
Now my daddy passed on about a year before
Reminiscing as I glance at the fishing pole
But these things gotta happen so we all can grow
And now they spirits much freer than they was befo'
So fly on, fly on, fly on, fly on, fly on, fly on, fly on
Cause there's angels in the midst
And they're guiding and watching me every day
And even though at times I let it get to me
Just a little and I go astray
We keep marching on and on
Young militants will watch and now we're growing
With kids of their own, as it all unfolds
As the world keeps turning on, the world keeps turning on

[Chorus 4x]

-snip-
On that sound file the song ends at 4:38. Then these words are spoken 4:44:

Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii*
Is everybody wit me? Alright.
Now. What we gonna do now
is to get together with this cat over here.
And let him put a little on the plate for you.
Think you can do it Calvin? [Yeah]
Aiii Aiii Aiii Aiii*
Now dig this cat.*** I want you to dig this. He's the mellowest**** thing in town.
-snip-
Transcription of that ending segment by Azizi Powell. Addition/corrections are appreciated.

I believe that the speaker was referring to the drum soloist who ends this sound file.

Here's my definition of the vernacular words that are used in that ending narrative:
* Aiii is my approximation of the African American vernacular word meanng "alright".
** "wit" here means "with".
***"Dig" is a largely outdated slang word, originating in African American English. In this context it means "Listen to".
***"cat" is African American slang for "man".
****mellowest - in this context means "the best sounding"

The publisher of that sound file & lyrics ends with this dedication:
"This one goes out to family, y'all come first
G-A-B, Chief Xcel, Blackalicious, out".
-snip-
The last word "out" means "I'm leaving (I'm out of here).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
Thanks to the Blackalicious in association with Lateef the Truth Speaker for composing, and performing this song. Thanks also to greenpeacemyass for uploading this sound file and providing these lyrics.

Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.