Lyrics From Selebeyone – Steve Lehman

TIME IS THE FIRST TRACK

Time
Time is the first Track
Been in a pot with a pendulum swinging
over my body
I’m doing time but I want to move freely
Everything and nothing is real
Separated and joined in a pot
Remember the America before amnesia hit
Way before reconstruction
In the canyons
Dreams got exploded by canons, a violent poem
Separated and joined in a pot, they soaked a bone
America
A star with satellites
A dream engineered and remixed
Slave ship from over here, seasick
Waves move in triangular patterns
Through the island ship captains knew the stars by name
I’m all over the place, erase history,
misshapen identity
Built up in industry
Based on keeping us trapped
between bars there’s a echo
A voice I can’t quite make out
Without drums I had to break out
Of tempo
Of time
Time is the first track

DJIBRIL

C’est simple. Il faut fermer les yeux. Est-ce que vous avez fermé les yeux? Vous voyez des point de lumieres. Serrez fort. La lumiere se précise. Et puis, on ouvre les yeux. C’est tres simple. A chaque fois que vous voulez voir la lumiere, il faut fermer les yeux.

It’s very simple. You have to close your eyes. Have you closed your eyes? You see points of light. Shut them tightly,. The light becomes more clear. And then, you open your eyes. It’s very simple. Each time that you want to see the light, you have to close. your eyes. — Djibirl Diop Mambéty

Dathie yengui moss kha/da djeggii goss gaa

The writing is higher level, it exceeds the level of children

Pour ngua dapma Djibril fowmou yoga

To reach me, Djibril must do yoga

Djante bi tell me (guide spirituel)

Tell me spiritual guide

Saint esprit bou sell mi

Pure holy spirit

Brute la bou rakhoul ; niou tchie mbooy me yore mbell mi

I am pure and the empty barrels make a lot of noise

Les gars moss prist hakane befi legale

Guys, more spirituality, the truth is the only way

Gnii gale tchie mic bi douniou sene égale

We are not equal to those who drool on the microphone, never

Trip ego

Ego trip

Yangui tchi yone bi yeego

You are on your way, but not there yet

Dole tchi khol gue yakh si bole gue khaley fo tchi lego

In your heart, you are poor; the bone in the bowl, only children play Lego

Guemine na nine te lekko ,Khameko

Your mouth can be oily without you eating Recognize it

Geum guiss geum guiss tchie geum gui legni guideko lerr Djibril

Close your eyes and see, close your eyes and see, it is by closing one’s eyes that one can find themselves, Djibril

Geum guiss lerr geum guiss dafa lerr geum leundeum giiss lerr

Close your eyes and see the light, closing your eyes means see the light, believing in darkness but you see the light

To match wits with the devil was never the aim

Hurricane over the coast of Biscayne.

Spinning a triangle pattern. This is a plane.

Both side of the empire, just like before the flood

It’s in the blood

It’s in the name. Sélébéyone.

You’ll get a chance to be right twice.

Once now, again in the afterlife.

Guiss adjouwoul si beut,

Seeing does not depend on the eyes

Demal sa khadj

Go away

Guedj gui dafa khoot, ta pas piye

The sea is deep, you don’t get it

Demal sa khadj, diape nei ay dof gnoy wakh

Go away, you think we’re crazy

Demal sa khadj

Go away,

Demal rek tei bagnou, demal

Go on and leave us, go

Demal sei khadj

Go away

You’ll get a chance to be right twice.

Once now, again in the afterlife.

LAMINA

Right. Let’s tak’em upstairs, yo.

Straight from the heart. It’s a metronome.

You feel the pulse when I set the tone.

Straight to the dome.

Sacred geometric patterns unfold from the unknown.

When I’m in the zone.

They couldn’t go where I go.

That’s why I walk It alone.

Feels like I’m talking with God.

Bars like I talk with myself.

Walking over hot coals.

Sit up on ten toes for the culture.

Bars from the top shelf from the future.

Being in a a jeep this long helped prepare me.

Tak’em upstairs. Tak’em upstairs

Les griots nous ont transmis l’héritage des anciens.

The griots passed on the heritage of the elders.
Ces derniers préservent cet enseignement.

These people preserve this form of learning.

Et nous forcent à rester dignes tel Mab Diakhou Bâ.

And force us to stay deserving like Mab Diakhou Ba.
L’obscurité ne peut nous détourner de la Lumière.

Darkness cannot turn us away form the light
Mon rap est conscient et il véhicule des valeurs.

My rap is conscious and is a vehicle for honor.
Le rap d’aujourd’hui est bling-bling, richesse, strass et paillettes.

Rap today is bling-bling, riches and jewels
Le rap d’aujourd’hui c’est pour le buzz.

Today’s rap is made to create buzz
Ils n’ont pas la plume de Nas ou de Jada Kiss.

They don’t have the pen of Nas nor Jada Kiss
En tant que MC, tu dois porter des messages.

As an MC you have to carry messages
Connaitre son passée est un devoir pour chaque artiste,

Knowing your past is the job of every artist.

Donc plonge toi dans l’héritage de l’Egypte Antique.

So immerse yourself in the heritage of ancient Egypt.
Ne jettes pas le passé comme une éponge sale. sinon tu n’auras plus de repère.

Don’t throw away the past like a dirty sponge

Sinon tu n’auras plus de repère

Otherwise you will lose all orientation.
Purifies ton âme et chemines en toi-même car la cité de Dieu s’y trouve.

Purify your soul and look within because the City of God is there.
Transmets cette sagesse même si tu dois recevoir des coups comme Malcom.

Pass on this wisdom even if you have to take some hits like Malcom.
Te connaître toi-même en vaut la peine,

Kwowing yourself is worth it.

Cela te libère de l’obscurité.

It frees you from darkness.
Soit prêt à marcher jusqu’en Chine pour l’éveil spirituel.

Be ready to walk to China for your spiritual awakening.
Il y aura beaucoup d’obstacles sur ta route.

There will be many obstacles on your path.
Sois fort griot.

Be strong, griot.

GAS AKAP

No English Translation

Loxo thi dënë bi ëp na (10x)
Sa loxo ci fënë bi ëp na /
Yalwaanu dëm bi këp na /
Sen papa thi rap dik na /
Ki yor wayou rap bi dëp na /
Faw ñu danu carte gui dëpu na /
Sa 10. Sou atout bi thiëp na /
Li mak ji indi dé ëpp na /
Guéy gui xoumbouna rombouna ou /
Ya mënë ya mënë hou /
Wakh ma rek kane gua soul mic bi yagui siy hou
Demb lagnou tey dou touss thi gnouy war weur di xeuw naan daguay soul lignou gas baisse d’un ton
Amna talent dama sokhla dakar na gneup yém
Tamarins la beug takamtikou safna talent.
Am na xoumbay mboumbay thioumboukay
Am na xoumbay mboumbay thioumboukay
Xam temps dég tath sama thioumboukay .
Mic thi loxo bi foule béy teup di dal mou khoumba .
Sallalato ball bi féth romba
Bou sa xol bi ndékoul kay ma kagne la
Aya aye aya rombakh .
Rap bagui dokh di dém yémoul thi boom bap /
Artistiquement dagua thiang bougn bap /
Boudé pakarni thi xel la rek doug. Rang /
Lignou djiwone moy déloussi ndi boomerang/
10 ans dem gneuw bok /
Fi xassane lagnou wok /
Jant bi mognouy yok /
Thi ronam lagnou souk
Imam tewna a sappé djoub/
djoub xoth gnou dokh thi ndioumb /
Waaxul xaybu thi say koup /
Sarr saralé bi faay mou doop /
mna talent dama sokhla dakar na gneup yém
Tamarins la beug takamtikou safna talent.
Am na xoumbay mboumbay thioumboukay
Am na xoumbay mboumbay thioumboukay
Xam temps dég tath sama thioumboukay .
Mic thi loxo bi foule béy teup di dal mou khoumba .
Sallalato ball bi féth romba
Bou sa xol bi ndékoul kay ma kagne la
Aya aye aya rombakh .

LIMINAL

Khakhar yingui khatarayou kheuthie kharfakhourfa khar andiko

Evil tongues are in a hurry to do harm

Khalangou xaatim xalate youye khirteul kharit ba kheut hearteum

Putting your friend under a spell to hurt him

Kheutiok yakhou khel thi khourou xew xew khare bi xibar khamone

In the arena of vultures, such is the work of Haman

Djok god djap diouli djieul diom djiteul

Get up at dawn, perform ablutions and pray, favor bravery

Wagni weundelou warr waref mouley niteul

Do not dwell on details, prioritize

Fi ngua waraa diar ba niaak doula meuna titeul

And from there, do not worry about poverty

Nango siteul sa niakk si bi ngeye little

Make sure to work hard from childhood

Sago khadar donte souba dafa tarr

Wrap oneself in spite, even if tomorrow is uncertain

Boul nango nek gueneu kene geunoul kene

Don’t accept to be behind, we are all equal

ngeumeul se bopp bossi beugue geune

Believe in yourself if you want to get out of it

Borom nak sou beugue mew fawmou soukou rate

The farmer must kneel and milk the cow if he wants milk

Djouguel dokh done life bela khothie bengay soukourate

Get up and walk even if life is hard

Never tok ne tchell

Don’t sit idly by

Djougeul beureung sa djell

Get up and face your fears

Djeumbeul yene khel bakene sakh si nene bala dokh fokmou fele

Feed your dreams, the chick can’t walk unless it’s outside its shell

Sisa soufou souffrance si ngueye setantal ba sene sirou

In hardship we learn to know what we can achieve

Pass passou domou adama if yoone ni motor if wheel

The determination of an individual is the car engine to their tire

Kheuthue bou daggoul ndikkou bobou borom da matoul

If making efforts doesn’t get you anywhere then the efforts are not enough

Borom sarette bouy gney borom 4×4 bobou ngeumeum da matoul

A carter who is jealous of a 4×4 driver has no faith

Goudi sakhoul fadjara ngui niew saway Dieulko

The night is not eternal, the dawn is approaching

Fagaroy li lew wakhoul djeul ko

You’re better be ready, hurry up to get it

Kou dakoroul sin Ou yalla ndogale clamel god

If you don’t agree with God’s decisions, complain to God

Kou goki gokk tere nelaw goudi blamel mboot

If the frog’s sound keeps you up at night, complain to the frog

Victory is coming. Glory is near.

I see us winning. Triumphant. Don’t say it with me. Think it.

It’s not distant it’s here.

Hypnotize your mind and let go of fear.

The tempo’s over your ear lobes.

Hear those voices echoing over the water.

Calling you, coming up out of the ocean like the Loch Ness in waves.

Victory is coming. Glory is near.

I see us winning. Triumphant. Don’t say it with me. Think it.

It’s not distant it’s here.

Hypnotize your mind and let go of fear.

The tempo’s over your ear lobes.

Hear those voices echoing over the water.

Calling you, coming up out of the ocean like the Loch Ness in waves.

Every promise to my people was vague.

Things change but change to what?

Hope let dreams deferred dry up in the sun.

Promise met compromise.

The rubber met the road a long time ago.

We’re riding on bare rims.

But we’ll get there.

As above is below and I’m from the bottom.

The beast couldn’t digest us. We never assimilated.

To see us in real form some get intimidated.

Buried our history. Now they imitate us.

Things change but change to what?

Victory is coming. Glory is near.

I see us winning. Triumphant. Don’t say it with me. Think it.

It’s not distant it’s here.

Hypnotize your mind to let go of fear.

GAGAKU

I study the attributes of the name. So, Abdullah means slave/servant of Allah. Karriem is also generous, deserving. So, I have to live up to that name. If I can live up to that name. Then I’ll be eligible to take it. — Billy Higgins

Yes, sir. I hear you. That’s the deen. That’s a lifetime mission. Lifetime journey.

Take a walk with me. Follow me in .

It happened cyclic. After gas to liquid mixed with elements from the ether.

Heat the base, things separate on a spoon.

Shutter under New York neon, shivering in a slave deal.

Poking holes in your arms. Hearing drums from beyond.

Pressure from the south in a baggy suit.

Conservatory mind playing chords while the mind plays tricks.

Still under attack by white cops with night sticks.

White woman fantasy. White man, nightmare.

All the while, drums possess you. So compressed.

So controlled and misdirected.

Black genius under pressure. Trying to find escape in the big city.

Half of the pattern’s cosmic. The other half is flesh.

Side of the same dice tumbling like life or death.

Here in the hereafter. Play the rapture. Change the game.

Aim to capture a moment to be free that was made perpetual.

Guided by the course. Guided by the force.

Through illusion in the land of the lost.

Guided by the course. Guided by the force.

Guided through illusion in the land of the lost.

Solos like a train of thought.

Through a mind uncompressed. Chemically implanted to stop the rise.

Solos breaking time. In the last of the lost.

Guided by the course. Guided through illusion in the land of the lost.

Jackie and I grew up, I mean, in the music together. He started practicing Islam. And then we went on a Japanese tour to Japan. The first mosque I ever went into was a mosque in Japan. – Billy Higgins

Gueewou thiapatate Yi la tassak djamb djobi

I’m here to dissolve the bad seed

Yéwou tappe taate guirr Niou Wagni wakh jobi

Spank ’em to stop talking and work

Mic bi on matchie foo soppi rapp bi oby

When the mic is on, I play with it, rap becomes a hobby

Niarri Pape meunoul am ma ley dink lowi

There can’t be two fathers

Ndarré guafa fane tassaré guafa

You are last, what did you do good

Fékhél rek ba constance rap barema fa

I’ve always been consistent

Deimb lgne fa inda lgne fa tey sa Lépp lowi

We contributed to the past and to the present

Toutii wakh bi yalla point bokouniou si lobby

Speak little and well we are not part of any group

Daaray rap the

It’s the school of rap

Vous etes tous mal barre

You are all screwed

Onde dou Sousse Yako Tey niola geune parer

You can do what you want, we’re ready

Na beat bi reukk ma Key beukk dikko Dori arret

Let the music start, so I can put my mind to it

Pass bé matt douma wathie té égouma sama arret

I paid enough, and I won’t get off the bus before the stop sign

Yalla bakhna flow bi dou Bana Bana hey

God is great, the flow is not cheap

Jeux de cartes mbedd bi tébi wouniou gana gana hey

The street card game, we are not losers

Grade namaste rap mate

When it comes to rap, we’re the best

Djapp bé djappé Alhamdulilah

We thank God

POESIE I

These words don’t fit. So, I’m forcin’em in.

Smashin’ the edges and fill’em with gold and porcelain.

Reinforc’em with truth.

Tell’em who we were before things got loose.

Then tighten.

We’re fightin’ on many planes so I put bars over everything

Lines and editing, entering other dimensions

Welding or settling. Building with these words.

Worlds.

To fight old wars and heal wounds.

The hero wins the heir is queen to hold her close.

Against wrong. Against time. Against all.

Back against the wall.

Defense intent. Lines fall.

Change the consequence.

Made it concentrated.

Trip off this.

Condensed. The contents.

Are under pressure.

Expand. Breathe.

POESIE II

No English Translation

Rythmes ramatou yingui rass solou ndobine kouk /
soukk /
beugg tanne pitakh safane dou oukk /
djougoup léniou Goudi rék /
sénni dounkou soukki rekk /
kothie kepp bouko bamou naw kouteul soupi lekk /
Niou gui thie thiarr thiarrou guarape bi Di Sapp/ Di bapp /
noye bopp lape/
thie séni guedjou clan leniou ko diap/
yéré biniou djiteul bokkoul AK yéré bissi kaw /guemine bec leniou la wone fékk Khathie mo fey mbaw /
houweu houweu /
khetou nététouweu/
Lifiy khégnaka khassaw (Humm)dou khetou pépésouweu /
djanaw gui simpil djéggo mbarr tchie hakk /
am tchie lingo Barr tchie djakk /
dém té gnigo narr Di Yakk/
beugue na djingo Sarr tchi akk/
de gue maar /
xar dokh ba marre /
waro sow di Nane Kay setsi iow bamar/
mou khontou lAK dokhou dokh Yi dokhal la djouromi gokh yi /
Tabal la thi ngën gi dokk yi /
Poésie
Ay pott lagnou yoré nénagnou dagnouy assi guéth gui /
Lidjanti ni yallah yallah wo moy tabbi thi lëth lëth gui /
Boulén ma ré lo /
Xékh bi dou man ak yéne djèmëlén fékhé nouguéni délo /
Demb lako bay dou téy/
Lamb bou yallah mom dou faye /
Pour gua mél ni fok gua baye /
Touti wax bé léni réy /
Kébétou sékou mën na guondi boyi /
Way djooyou loy yi gnoun mënougnuou téré noyi /

GO IN

Everybody got messed up. Yeah. It changed our lives. It changed our lives.

We come down here to watch you go in. — Gil Noble and Jackie McLean

Finding the space within it all.

Reminding myself where we started for those departed.

It’s harder to connect to the source.

Amid the chaos the signal wasn’t lost

But across time to find the through line it took a lot of work.

Uncovering, unlocking, unblocking, maneuvering, not stopping.

Trekking through the rumble of a crumbled empire.

My legacy was buried underneath all of that.

And it’s still there

And we’re still here at a stand still.

Watching watches while the watchers await us.

Hoping we find the time grinding with a second set of hands.

Gods laugh at the plans of man. We need mirrors. The facts are backwards.

You gain from giving in. From giving up. You get more.

They sold out Issa for sixty pieces of silver.

Here to change the framework. Master builder.

Magnets make the compass move off course.

To bring it back. Somewhere in the blood is a map.

To go in.

NAVIGATION

Guédj, guedj nga gui

The sea, here is the sea

Kou meune fêy

Who can swim?

Guedj nga gui

Here is the sea

Surfer sa bope Navigation

Know yourself, meditate

Dokh dém, dokh dém si sa bope moy solution

Look for yourself, that’s the solution

Djeuliko djeuliko sa resurrection

Fetch, its resurrection

Bala ngay dem ngay tabbi say pions

Before going there, you have to look for your pawns

Souba mougui si taye

The future lies in the present

Kiy bindeu moome dou laye

The writer has no excuse

Leppeu, teye la

Everything is today

Deupe dém, sêye la, sêye la

Going back is the end

Gorr lolou Wôr na, wôr na, wôr na

My boy, that’s true, that’s true, that’s true

Voyage en soi moy navigation

Making a trip, that’s navigation

0 moy 9, quelle equation

0 means 9, what equation

Wétt si sa bope meditation

Be alone and meditate

Tabbi si guédj gui norou té fêy

Finish at sea, dive and swim

Kou name sa xélmi moúk do guêy

If you use your brain, you’ll never be alone

Dass ko, polir ko bamou ne boûy

Sharpen it, polish it well

Ma oul xaybou aythia gnou doûy

To draw some spiritual knowledge,

Dakk sa bope, oubi say nope

Race against yourself, open your ears

Djoublou sa bope, nekhouta tope

It’s not easy to focus on yourself

Farlou la, farlou la

You have to be dedicated, you have to be

Dekk sa kope

Ready to receive

Yow tame…

You also…

Naviga si yow la, si yow la, si yow la goor

It’s up to you to navigate

Dokh dem si sa bope naviger haqane

The true meaning of navigating is to seek oneself

Dokh dem, dokh dem, dokh dem

Go for a walk, go for a walk, go for a walk

(mani nga djokhé sa bope)

(Submit)

Dokh dem si sa bope Naviguersante haqane

Go get yourself, really sail

(thi iow la goor)

(It’s all up to you, man)

Ba wou basmala xadjoul si xélou mala

The ba of basmala, cannot be contained in the brain of an animal

Souma réndiwoul mbone si mane té sante Mbacké guenoumala

If I don’t get rid of the wickedness to name myself Mbacke, I’m no better than you

djoude guou reuy timouma

I am not from a noble family

Kabar sa ndokh te timouma

Praying on your water without substitute ablution

Djouli goudoul seulmeul lama deukmeul

It looks like an endless prayer

Limou Kourouss Limouna

Using the rosary a lot

Aah sibouma

Aah,I don’t get it

Néna mane déh djoubouma

He says I’m not legit

Mougui dignatt doumako falé, fima took djouguouma

He gossips, I don’t answer him, I don’t move from there

Yallah dou askane

God is not a community

Dou sante dou bakane

It’s not a name, nor a life

Ki geune si gnoune si Arab la guene lolou di téktal

The best of us is Arab, it should be a clue

Kene meunougnou teck xel

No one can deceive us

Mahrifa fi fêss del

We are full of knowledge

Dokh di dém si moome déh, dêh si moome déh, moy l’eternal

Walk towards him, die in him, he is the eternal

Brain yégui xélou si keulou haqou seddo

Brains draw from the well of truth

Kémitt, hémitt… schoüütt dodo

Kemit, Hemit……..hush, sleep

Boulfi yê fitna nekatougnou diamanoy thiédo

Do not tempt the devil, we are no longer in the time of animists

Pithe yi si souf, teuweu naw wa tawté

Birds that are slow to fly are caught by the rain

Gnénéne yi saw séni tank waral kawté

Those who piss on their feet are exausted

Dess si souf di sani kaw loumouy stopped

Throwing a stone at someone above you, will not stop them?

Dokh té dém la goor

It’s moving forward

Tankou kanam yalla wor

Feet forward, God is fair

Naviguel si mome, hall bou wor

Go to him,

Na-Vi-Ga-Tion

DUAL NDOXOL

Là où s’achève la vision humaine s’élève une mission

There where the human vision ends, there is a mission

Qui te mène vers l’au-delà.

Which will take you beyond that.
Pourquoi suis-je venu sur terre?

Why was I put on this earth?
L’oeil ne voit pas, les pieds ne marchent pas, la bouche ne parle pas.

The eye does not see. Feet do not walk and the mouth doesn’t speak.

Et même les oreilles n’entendent pas.

And even ears do not hear.
C’est ton être qui voit à travers tes yeux, parle à travers ta bouche.

It’s your being that sees through your eyes and speaks through your mouth.

Et marche à travers tes pieds.

And which walks with your feet.
En effet, si les oreilles entendaient, les cadavres nous entendraient parler.

In effect, if ears could hear, the deceased would hear us speak.

Si on allait les voir au cimetière, ils se lèveraient et marcheraient.

If we went to the cemetery, they would rise up and walk.

See how we connect.

Ever-loving try to lift you both.

Feeling like you need a jetpack.

Taking off while the skies were cloudy.

Boosters fail, another setback.

Navigation system syncing.

It’s a sinking feeling.

No assistance.

Suicide mission.

Lifting up from that. Though I’m laying fire.

Standing by the flame.

I’m a walk into it.

I’m a walk you through it.

Show you how to cook up.

This is more than music. This isn’t what you want.

This is ritualism. Fuse drummer Prizm.

Moving through the system.

With your nervous system.

If you aren’t scary. If you are a writer

If you see the vision.

Yeah. Next. Next.

DUAL HP

At this for a minute. Bars didn’t forsake me.

No set record. Birthday escapes me.

Covered by a cloth. The way it falls is drapery.

Outlines and silhouettes shaping a ghost.

Here to embody a being in you by being me fully.

No puppeteers pulling the string up tight

So, when I write this kite.

Follow me in for insight.

Let it incite to overthrow the presence of colonizers inside you.

I’m in my element, born under the sign of fire.

With earth around me flooded my whole border to drown me.

From Queens County

Almost seemed like there was a bounty

And the police were bounty hunters with badges on’em

And barrel ownin’ the stress alone causes your engine to cease

This is that antifreeze to keep us from over-heatin’

Aiming to oversee us.

Putting 1 over 20.

Putting lines over image.

I was never one for gimmicks.

I put my pen over antics.
Step up. This is a ladder.

People profiteer from panic to pedal fear.

I’d rather pick up the pieces and reassemble the parts from a shattered time.

To continue a timeline.

ZERAORA

Came in with a style. Industry couldn’t alter.

Candles on the mantle. Flowers on the alter.

Gems from my father, new yorker, it made me harder.

Levitate over drums. Walking on water.

Jewels that I kept in mind to move forward.

Angles from the corner. Never got caught up. I mean…

I mean, they never caught up. Bars as an axis point kept me supported.

Kept these lines as a cross. The game is haunted.

Everything is tilted. Only the real felt us.

Reflections from the soul and the energy up above us.

Live from a country I built that never loved us.

Let’s talk about it…

This is flowers from the past. Every bullet shot. Every bomb blast.

Every tear dropped. Every plan thwarted.

Every time I pick up a pen before recordin’

The aim is to carry my darts to the distortion

Stacked like pyramid brick with no mortar…yes, sir.

Sa deuneu biguay feugeu souf leu Gnata gui cimitiere

You boast and yet you are only dust, how many are in the cemetery

Cimetière dalay béteu ni coup d’État wou militaire

The cemetery surprises you like a military coup

Militaire civil leu reik mom bougnou yobou guerre

A soldier is a civilian who has been brought to war

Guerre bou mak bi modi rendi nafssou bala delou terre

The greatest of wars is the one against oneself before returning underground

Terre begui tourner si katanou 66

The earth rotates with the power of 66

Allakhu Ak’ lidou nodou ibliss

God is great, it’s not Satan’s call

Ibliss modi sissou kou thi tok di diss

Satan glories, if you lean on him, you lose

Naagou bi limou lay diss boko dégeulo digua reuthiou biss

If you listen to the boaster, you will regret it one day

Biss bouy diabaneté bounék ak limouy tarri

Each passing day reveals a lesson

Tarr tarri yi experience lalay Wari

Difficulties give you experience

Wari moy CFA, euro dollars, yéne, ouguiya dalasi pound wala dinars gneupeussi beugeu lou bari.

Wari is the CFA, the euro, the dollar, the ouguiya, the dalasi, the pound or the dinar, everyone wants a lot of it

Teubou Niou rek feuss

We struggled before we got there

Joba Niou mbethie péss

We worked hard

Fokk Niou wathie si care Yi dougou si Lexus

We have to get off the buses to take the lexus

Douniou fa dieul deuss kouniou fa bale Reuss

We won’t be second, no one will stop us

Fokk souniou djante fink Rék feuss

Our light will have to appear and shine

Yootou pousse hit

Pull, push

Khouss tchie ey hit

Going through ups and downs

Binaigre none Yi ba fougne la sène tiite

Make your enemies scared when they see you coming

Bandimic la

It’s Bandimic

Warr bi bike la

Work is like riding a bike

Têy mou Yakk la

It won’t be easy today

Djite sappe ya

Lead the prayer

SOUBA

Rhythmes Ramatou yingui rass

Bad tongues are starting to loosen up

Solou ndobine kouk soukk

Like crows all dressed in black

Beugg tanne pitakh safane dou oukk

The lie will never triumph over the truth

Djougoup léniou Goudi rek

They are owls at night

Senni dounkou soukki rekk

You just must pluck them

Kothie kepp bouko bamou naw kouteul soupi lekk

If you take one, don’t let it fly away

Niou gui thie thiarr thiarrou guarape bi Di Sapp Di bapp

They are on the branches to loot

Noye bopp lape thie seni guedjou clan leniou ko diap

Some will believe them, those of their clan

Yéré biniou djiteul bokkoul ak yéré bissi kaw

The underwear is different from the one on top

Guemine bec leniou la wone fékk Khathie mo fey mbaw

They show you a beak when it’s dogs barking

Houweu houweu khetou nététouweu lifi khégn aka khassaw

Woof woof, it smells like soumbala, it stinks

Dou khetou pepesouweu

It doesn’t smell like “pepessou”

Djanaw gui simpil djéggo mbarr tchie hakk

Step on the straight path

Am tchie lingo barr tchie djakk

You’ll get a lot

Dem te gnigo narr di yakk

You can’t go see the charlatans

Beugue na djingo sarr tchi akk de gue maar

And say you’re a good person

Xar dokh ba mare waro sow di nane

Waiting for water in vain, can’t piss and drink

Kay setsi iow bamar

Come see Bamar

Mou khontou lak dokhou dokh Yi

For him to educate you

Dokhal la djouromi gokh Yi tabbal la si geune gui dokh yi

And you will only be sobered

Bi Nguey ney si deimb yangii wone tchie téy

When you were in the past, you were in the present

Bou souba aksé fawmou donne têy

Tomorrow will be today

Wakhtou yangii naw wayé Lépp teyla

Time passes, but everything is today

Temps amoul fa mom mané Lépp teyla

There is no time, but everything is today

Bi Nguey ney si deimb yangii wone tchie téy

When you were in the past, you were in the present

BOU souba aksé fawmou donnes têy

Tomorrow will be today

Wakhtou yangii naw wayé Lépp teyla

Time passes, but everything is today

Temps amoul fa mom mané Lépp teyla

There is no time, but everything is today

Sisa soufou souffrance si ngueye settal sitteul sueur ba Séne sirou

In hardship we learn what we can achieve

Pass passou domou adama si yone ni moteur si roue

The determination of an individual is the car engine of their tire

Kheuthie bou daggoul ndikkoul bobou borom da maatoul

If making efforts doesn’t get you anywhere, then the efforts are not enough

Borom sarette bouy gnié borom 4×4 bobou ngeumeum da matoul

A carter who is jealous of a 4×4 driver has no faith

Goudi sakhoul fadjaragui nieuw sa wadji djeul ko

The night is not eternal, the dawn is coming

Wakhoul djeulko

Hurry up to take it

Kou dakoroul si nou yalla ndogalê clamel god

If you don’t agree with God’s decision, complain to God

Kou goki gokk tere nelaw goudi blamel mboot

If the frog’s sounds keep you up at night, complain to the frog

Diokk ndieul diap djouli djieul djom djiteul

Get up at dawn, perform ablutions and pray, favor bravery

Wathie weundelou warrr waref wouley niteul

Do not dwell on details, prioritize

Fi ngue Wara diarr ba niakk doula meune titeul

And from there do not worry about poverty

Nango siteul sa niakk tchie bi Nguye Little

Make sure to work hard from childhood

Sango khadar donté souba Dafa tarr

Wrap oneself in spite, even if tomorrow is uncertain

Boul nango nek guene kéne geunoul kéne

Don’t accept to be behind, we are all equal

Fokk nga geum se bopp mbokk Botchie beugué guene

You got to believe in yourself bro, if you want to get through this

TIME IS THE FIRST TRACK (REPRISE)

Écho. Echo.

Echo. Echo.

Le karma te reviens au visage

Karma comes back to your face.

Comme un écho.

Like an echo.

LAAMB

Waw parce que kham nga mbeur mou nék dafa am thiossane

[Yes, because every wrestler has traditions]

Teh si biir waye yoyou, et, moy tah nga kham sa thiossane,

[And from those songs, you will know your traditions]

Gnou wayal la sa ndiambar

[They will sing of your bravery]

Ba takh na so nekkon ben, fouk ngay don

[And it will boost your energy from one to ten]

As times change

My mind frame elevates

Faster

Self-law and mastery is my aim

My destiny’s imminent

Every angle I enter from’s forming a pyramid

For the here and now

Jewels I find

Under three-fourths water

From flooded streets I was brought up

Now in this era facing the ramifications

Of blocks to the occupation

As bars over propaganda

They criminalize the victim

Then the truth sets in

Contrasted drastically faces, casted from plastic

Smile back wickedly

No mask on

Readjusting back happily

Rapidly after tragedy

Casually

Now the mask is off, the masquerade is over

And now the mask is off, the masquerade is over

Now the mask is off, the masquerade is over

Gnou ngui diéma tékk tekk

[They are trying to trip me]

Mister intec lekk lekk

[Mister intellectual]

Firi séni bekk bekk

[Translating little by little]

Deum beug ma lekk lekk

[The mystic wants to kill me]

Téwal foma fekk fekk

[Represent where you found me]

Dan gay goungé rek, fog nga yeug sogua nekk nekk

[You can only accompany, you need to feel to be real]

Kourouss, sikar, khassida si kar

[Rosary, dhikr, and khasidas in a bag]

Illa darou leu never dou nou likeur

[We’ll never drink liquor]

Khatir dimbalima

[Spiritual philosopher let me be]

Kafir doumalima

[I am not a non-believer]

Nafsoma tek shoc def bloc singalima

[But desire is tempting me]

Mana, mana , mana, dima teug tama

[It’s me. Me. Me, getting on myself]

Ouk Laye tek tiyatar douma Lama

[Truly putting on a play, I am not the actor; Lama]

Bay si game bi la, soukh si gnam bi la

[Being the Father is the way you play it; flesh is part of the meat]

Si kanam ladieum ndakh kamilam bi leu

[It is all going forward because it’s his holy book]

ARE YOU IN PEACE?

I’m independent but augmented by being in it

Stayed ill, never intended on blending in

Depend and the pen still spraying an aerosol

You hear a call over the landscape

Vocally you feelin’ my hands move

Somethin’ like lettin’ the can spray

Left hand’s holding my sun up

Right hand putting the skyline at night time

Painting in works in outlines to build

To wake us up

It took fire water and thunder to break the spell

Magnetic memory over me

As a force field to cover me

The heel in the cut recovery

Mirrors to reflect another me

Puttin’ in work from a chain but it changed things

Let’s build

Bandimic’s in the place to be

[Bandimic’s in the place to be]

Ki lay oubi

[Who’s teaching you from the start?]

Bayil neubeutoubi

[Stop hiding]

Guén lén sén gokh yi

[Get out of your hood]

Dokh dokh yii

[Walk the walk]

Fokk gnou takhaw sur scène di gondek sen mokh yii

[We need to be on the stage showing off with clothes]

Djangui watal, yonou Rabbi lagnouy natal

[Think again, we’re flourishing as God intended]

Wédi watal, guéw real yi gno koy yatal

[Deny, swear, the real ones make the stage]

Djoguel si mbédd mi, nga madj yottou tédd bii,

[Get out of the street, walk towards it]

Yémale nadj ak sédd bii, domasa dégg guédd bii

[Hot or cold, it’s the same, you’ll never hear “give up”]

Sama rak bama rék, sama sacc dafa diakk

[Leave me alone, my knowledge of self is right]

Beügg dé tey nga wékkhou

[You want to die, today you’ll struggle]

Tey di nga dieul coup,

[Today you will take a hit]

Sopi mic bi courou baye fall khathiou di mbeukkou

[Change the mic to a Baye Fall’s stick struggle and head bump]

Goney doukko teukkou

[Too young to dare]

Rim yii gno takkou

[Lyrics are on fire]

Ha, Hou , Ha ni Shaolin ak rim thiakou

[Ha, hou ha like Shaolin with nunchaku]

Dolenté lakkou

[Beside the showdown]

Thi Diggou gew may bakkou

[I praise myself in the middle of the crowd]

Ganaw mic bi ni khelcom boy ndig ley takkou

[Like Khelcom, behind the mic, I’ll work]

Ndikhma rek, khidima rek, si li nga ma fékk, nga ma fékk

[Just keep working, stay away from me, you found me like this]

Yéwou rek merer gnieup, tey cé la haine

[Wake up mad at everybody, today is hate]

Nou mou démer boumaco ladj, c’est même pas la peine

[Don’t ask me what it is, not worth it]

Tey dou peace, djkko ibliss

[No peace today, it’s evil’s habit]

Digg bi lay diar ndakh bougouma la fène

[Straight up, because I don’t want to lie]

Deum yéma diri si nélaw beugeuma tong-tong

[The mystics dragged me off of my sleep, they want to kill me]

Ki len djiter ndjol sa kaw méléwo King Kong, dii lakk hing-hong

[Their leader is tall, he looks like King Kong, he speaks in Hing Hong]

Téréma sing song

[Stopping me from singing that song]

Meuné beürét si nélaw dégg bount bouy ding-dong

[I woke up with and hear the door bell ring]

Ma yéwou diomi togue, dimbalima bokk

[I woke up surprised, let me be]

Tallou ma kaff, bama ma yabi lima log

[I don’t have time to play, let me spit what’s in my mouth]

Yéwou diomi mi togue, dimbali ma bokk,

[I woke up surprised, let me be]

Tallou ma kaff, bama ma yabbi li ma log

[I don’t have time to play, let me spit what’s in my mouth]

Tey dou peace tey dou love, tey guerre la

[There is no peace and no love today, only war]

Loffi guiss dou yeuffou dof tey mer le

[What you see is not insanity, but madness]

Tey dou peace tey dou love, tey guerre la

[There is neither peace nor love today, only war]

Loffi guiss dou yeuffou peace

[What you see is not peace]

AKAP / GEMINOU

[Yo]

Gnata att yéna ngui si guéj gui di ko diéma lakh

[How long you’ve been in the sea trying to make it cream]

Singali embuscade di sani khér téréwoul manifi fakh

[Placing an ambush, hating on me, but I ‘m still standing]

Rap gueuneu fi di rah, saab gueuneu withiakh

[Rap is still on, voices will still rise]

Mbotayou fass you mabb yéna ngui beurti beurti, bouki beutou bandit sakh thi thiéné wakh

[The flock of horses is racing, the hyena, evil eye, is talking]

Dama ayy bamou eupp, bone khol yi fokk gnou sissou

[I am too good at this, the haters will hate]

Sen baye bouné thieup, sen khélou yemay rissou

[When I am in there, I feel your dirty looks on me]

Li ngay diaye dina neup, mbokkou talibé dou fissou

[What you are selling is going to waste, brother don’t be a follower]

Änd dokh si Yallala

[Walking together is His will]

Souffé ni batou

[Low like]

Sougnouy laaf séni kharfa mounouko khouffa

[You can do anything to hurt us]

Souffa dougnou fa oufa

[We’re not taking ourselves down]

Touffa dougnou ko toppé douffa

[Size doesn’t matter]

Guët sou metey deskoy touffeu

[When eyes hurt they need water]

Nappkatou diane bé ngui djéma galgal niaye bi

[The snake hunter is trying to catch the elephant]

Seud beuga kharou, guénn guedj djoubali niayes bi

[The barracuda fish wants suicide, leaving the sea for the forest]

Nda li nga naan demb, tey ya fi dionkon sawfa poup fa

[Where you used to get water, you are making human waste]

Gueweul bou rep si kharé la

[I don’t care about anything anymore]

Si batou ndaré la

[It’s only a knife on a chicken’s throat]

Bo dougaler sa tank si gemiñou yew li la war paré la

[When you step in the mouth of an anaconda, you better be ready]

ORIGINE

Within space, within time

Without space, without time

First we extend the lens to zoom in on

Seeing new positions beginning from right now

Patterns mean seeing the system break down

My seeds came weighing the same as a four pound

To raise them, not changed in, I gave them

Tools to read constellations

Their origin

Without space, without time

Their origin

Thiossane dou khétt, tambali balla

[Tradition is not ethnic, but from the beginning]

Fekhelba sétt lila outalel malla

[Know what differentiates you from the animal]

Goudi djeng la, gueleum rer tella

[Darkness refraining you, confusion is ignorance]

Demba waral tey, souba mom gestuleu

[Today is because of yesterday, tomorrow is pure, the search]

Kham nga louy ndono gnom mam?

[Do you know what your heritage from the ancestors is?]

Moy kham kham guy sellal sa kham

[It’s the knowledge that purifies the expertise]

Diogal nga gëstuko, demal nga khosluko

[Get up and find it, go and fight for it]

Diott nga ko, nekk nga djam

[You have it, you are at its service]

Déllo na lépp si lén

[Everything becomes nothing]

Dawla keppo si rén

[Last year becomes the next]

Khollou si kén

[Paying no mind]

Té nebou si lén

[Not hiding a thing]

Lou tambali wägn dou ben

[Counting doesn’t start at one]

Kuntou keunzeul, zéro bi ngandal khadioul si bopou nén

[Before anything, a big zero can’t fit in an empty head]

COGNITION

Some may never see it

But I’m standing in it

Something in the structure helps me hear the

Double over interference

When I’m in the state of mind to make a movie

It’s a motion picture

First I fix the lens

Quiet on the set

My team is winning

We’re up

This is heaven sent

This one is all us

All black we carry the pass and the casket

To the next level, we’re movin, then zoomin’ on

This

Hesitation, step across and

Like Iverson to the next dimension

Had to pivot

Punctuated the spaces with this

Freeze the frame, change the game

Khol bi Yathiné, talata diap ba altiné

[You are in my heart, all week long]

Télépathie mom dafa batiné

[Telepathy is spiritual]

Yëg si kaw rek yëg lay wesiner

[Held in high regard]

Dagnou cotton, porcelaine, fragile ni door si wéén

[Cotton, China, fragile like a hit to the chest]

Fog nga doux, beugo gnou brute,

[You need to be gentle; you don’t want them tough]

Rawatina nga forcélen

[Particularly when you’re forcing them]

Doucement rék, att di douze mois rék

[Take it easy, a year is only twelve months long]

Tristel kanam, yeungueul guén takhoul mousse ma lékk

[Make that sad face, shaking the cat’s tail doesn’t make him eat]

Dou wakh diou nékh, dou yéré you chér

[No sweet talk, no expensive clothes]

Khoulo saga dagal mér

[Arguments, cursing, madness]

Songo kekh toth boutel

[Fighting, breaking bottles]

Iran-Irak deuk thi guerre

[Always war in Iran and Iraq]

Lii moye ban love, kan soof

[What kind of love is that? For who?]

Lan thiof, mi ngui si guéj gui, dagn dof

[What a big fish in this sea? Crazy]

Djiguen so ko beugué da ngay yeureum boot

[If you love your girl, you need to take care of her]

Nen so ko deugué dafay nouroog not

[When you step on that shell, it looks like abuse]

Kourpagn si kanam, dam beugneum

[A punch to her face, broke her tooth]

Djokh ko ñienety dome, garé ko di dag kholam

[Have four kids with her and make her angry]

Def thi salam,

[Make peace]

Djiguen di salane,

[Woman is like a plant]

So ko laloul mom dou dioye bay weet si lalam

[If you don’t touch her, she won’t cry and be alone]

HYBRID

From a tradition

Watchin’ my fire cookin’ in the kitchen

Watchin’ the kettle steam, the levels bubble over

From a rooftop overlooking the city

The kettle whistles a signal, I get the pen out

Documenting ripples of waves of rage

Became Hannibal, study strategy that’s my anatomy

My mentality gradually shifted from monetary to radical

No imagination, only my real life

Pulse over drums, hope to show what it feels like

To open sealed locks thinking out of a box

Now in this life time

For my G Lifelong

I’m insulated, I made it this way

No hate infiltrated, I came in aimin’ with spraying

With games played

My namesake

How live are you

There’s a revolution, where are you

Walking through fire either scars you or it charges you

How live are you

There’s a revolution, where are you

Walking through fire either scars you or it charges you

Heat rises

Symbiosou mello yi, white house ghetto yi

[Symbiosis of types, White House ghetto]

Demb soubeu mi ngui si tay, fékhél ba bokk si héros yi

[Yesterday and tomorrow are today; make sure you are one of the heroes]

Ndiakhass mélange djoundj la,

[Mix, mixture is the saying]

Guiss lepp si yaw deh dound leu

[Seeing everything in you is a way of life]

Melting pot, mix, métisse

[Melting pot, mix, Métis]

Lepp ibrid leu

[Everything is a hybrid]

Lou djitou sa djoude leu,

[It happened before you were born,]

Koun bi romb na voudou ya

[God’s voodoo]

Boul déss si bountou bi, feug thi marteau bi, fékhel ba bokk sa doug ya

[Don’t stay at the door, knock with a hammer and be one who enters]

Boul sagané li nga né, fouleu gui ana mou

[Don’t diminish who you are, where is dignity]

Mouk bok sa souk ya

[Never be a follower]

Diamono diéguina souk ya

[Slavery is over]

Esclave guen na rouk ya

[Slaves, out of the shadows]

Lepp si bop la, tagat sa khélmi fekhel ba djittou sa fouk ya

[Everything is in your mind, train your brain and be part of the first ten]

DUALISM

And then a voice said

Find your way

Navigate through the triple stage

Through another stage of development

Add the elements through ritual to chisel with skill

So, let’s build

Third, open up to reveal what’s less real

67 million away that’s light years

I was raised up in Egypt, it’s over here

That’s why Isis greet me with open wings

Until the day the ancestors greet me with open arms

Scattered ash, empty cigars on park benches

Stared at my reflection in project elevator mirrors

So when you hear me you’re hearing the spirit

Uninhabited, the game was haunted

They put hexes and spells on it

Me being a master of ceremony

Performing in cyphers I decipher with writin’ to help brighten

Lines like to cross in a planetary alignment

Line like I’m fresh out of solitary confinement

The truth is

The booth is

No place for excuses

No ceilings over me

Roofless

Over triple beams

I’m weightless

From a dream

And then a voice said

Wake up

Find your way

Navigation through the triple stages

Djibrila ngui Malakott di fikra thi khalam gui

[Djibril is at Malakott meditating on his character]

Di eurtou diam yi, nguir safane bagn len tabal si mballam gui

[Warning Allah’s servants to protect them against Evil]

Kaddoug Noor la takhawé dikal tabbal si galam bi

[Using Noor’s words to come join his boat]

Sama bop la djogué di djekh sama bop, far fékk sama bop thi sama bop

[I left myself looking within, and I found myself in within]

Sama bop la djoguer di djekh sama bop, far fekk sama bop thi sama bop

[I left myself looking within, and I found myself in within]

Sama khél dafa toukeyy, djieum diay naw, Borom Darou ladi wo, la illaha illala a a a

[I was wandering, flying like a bird, I am calling you Borom Darou

La illaha illala aaa]

Sama khél dafa toukeyy, djieum diay naw, Borom Darou ladi wo, la illaha illala a a a

[I was wandering, flying like a bird, I am calling you

Borom Darou, La illaha illala aaa]

BAMBA

Bambaay Djante dieufdieul di thiant

[Bamba is light and every good deed will come back to you]

Sikeur ba khaala djogue len ñou tant

[Dhikr will take you to another dimension, let’s all gather together]

Ndigueul la ñouye dieufer sokhlayoul guant

[We follow orders, no need to say no]

Djog len, djog len

[Get up, get up]

Tôloub Yalla bey guen gui mbay

[It’s better to harvest His field]

Nikhma nikhma Ridialoulay

[The approach, the way that leads to Him]

Toolou way moy Cheikh’Ra Fall

[Cheikh Ibra Fall is the highest order]

Sikouroula nakaYalla dégg

[May He hear the dhikr]

Music de l’ame mom lañou beug

[We like music of the soul]

Mbekté thi rouh moy Aldiana deug

[Heaven is happiness in the soul]

Aldiana Cheikh’Ra Fall, Cheikh’Ra Fall

[Heaven is Cheikh Ibra Fall, Cheikh Ibra Fall]

Bambaay Djante dieufdieul di thiant

[Bamba is light and every good deed will come back to you]

Sikeur ba khaala djogue len ñou tant

[Dhikr will take you to another dimension, let’s all gather together]

Ndigueul la ñouye dieufer sokhlayoul guant

[We follow orders, no need to say no]

Djog len, djog len

[Get up, get up]

Tôloub Yalla bey guen gui mbay

[It’s better to harvest His field]

Nikhma nikhma Ridialoulay

[The approach, the way that leads to Him]

Toolou way moy Cheikh’Ra Fall

[Cheikh Ibra Fall is the highest order]

Sikouroula nakaYalla dégg

[May He hear the dhikr]

Music de l’ame mom lañou beug

[We like music of the soul]

Mbekté thi rouh moy Aldiana deug

[Heaven is happiness in the soul]

Aldiana Cheikh’Ra Fall, Cheikh’Ra Fall

[Heaven is Cheikh Ibra Fall, Cheikh Ibra Fall]

Goor Yalla dokhla lamb rek dadj

[When you work for God you can achieve everything]

Dokh makkama khél mi ney math

[The greatness of walking, thinking right]

Dou ken momla kou wédi ladj khath

[It’s nobody but Him, if you don’t believe ask the dog]

Houa houa

[Just God]

Fouk ak béne per def tath

[Eleven beads make noise]

Nangou ko dieuffé ko rek dey fath

[Accepting it, acting like it, that alone can heal]

Kou wédi baat bi, reek kadj

[If you don’t believe the word, you lie]

Djamber gnou kill dekilat gnou

[Djamber killed us and brought us back to life]

Djakk di feel, goumba ladj gnou

[Facing straight, the blind ask us]

Ndiathiar dou beut khol ba la gnou

[Sighted is not the eyes, but seeing]

Djambey borom Darou borom leer

[Djamber borom darou, He is the light]

Goor Yalla dokhla lamb rek dadj

[When you work for God you can achieve everything]

Dokh makkama khél mi ney math

[The greatness of walking, thinking right]

Dou ken momla kou wédi ladj khath

[It’s nobody but Him, if you don’t believe ask the dog]

Houa houa

[Just God]

Fouk ak béne per def tath

[Eleven beads make noise]

Nangou ko dieuffé ko rek dey fath

[Accepting it, acting like it, that alone can heal]

Kou wédi baat bi, reek kadj

[If you don’t believe the word, you lie]

Djamber gnou kill dekilat gnou

[Djamber killed us and brought us back to life]

Djakk di feel, goumba ladj gnou

[Facing straight, the blind ask us]

Ndiathiar dou beut khol ba la gnou

[Sighted is not the eyes, but seeing]

Djambey borom Darou borom leer

[Djamber borom darou, He is the light]