Talib Kweli
"Friends & Family"

You are now witnessing the demise of the music business
I say demise of the music business cause people always gonna need music in they life
You know what I'm saying
I can't do music with people I'm uncomfortable with
You know what I'm saying
I can't be on stage with you, pouring out my soul, if I don't like you
So with that said, shout out to Strong Arm Steady
Shout out to Jean Grae
That's my Blacksmith family you dig

I just heard a song that reminded me of times when you was finding me
Rhyming in Greenwich Village circa 1993
Yeah those were the salad days my careers appetizing
The main course a casserole a jambalaya
Different influences that led me where the music is
A student is only as good as his teacher's tutelage
Paying for college, not learning was straight foolishness
So I stopped going to school but this was hard to tell my parents
So I now try to get through to them
Thought of no one daily and traveled to different places
Freestyled with Clef and Forte in the Booga Basement
With Rubiks and JuJu on Flatbush my hood amazing
Platinum Island recording with Duro and Just Blaze
And that was right next door to Rawkus, what's up Jarret and Brian
Relax y'all, I'm African, miss Kendra Ross you got the soul of a Stax singer
I love how you always bring it back sister
You and Reesy making every record
I got classics with Hi-Tek and Mos Def that are so respected
Shout out to Corey Smith shout out to Dave Chapelle
I went on tour with The Roots they played so well
Writing rhymes with Mike and Nine, me and Pharoahe Monch were sound-bombing
Me and Lonnie Lynn got a lot in Common
Mystic Journeyman introduced me to Top Ramen
On the bus Kanye West would never stop rhyming
Ain't no mountain high enough for him he never stopped climbing
That's why when the homies win I never stop smiling
See I'm smiling right now

Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt that's how it's gotta be
This is my odyssey it's just the god in me
Yup they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
That's right and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up it's like you all my fam
Like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin, thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

It started with a blast now I'm a iconoclast
Promise to be honest in my craft and make the promise last
I do this for myself but the song for you
Once I put it out for sale then it belong to you
This for Amani Fela plus Diani Eshe
Your daddy love his girl your mommy never far away
This is for Eque, this for Kierra Paul
We wanna ride like Ciara and we will never fall
Headquarters and Guru is love forever y'all
Make it plain cause it's too strong for a metaphor
Simile your legacy will always be remembered for forever or
Til the end of time whichever come first
Big love to my mom and dad you could have done worst
Jamal and I the way we are cause you put your sons first
Many black parents lose they sons to the gun burst
Mommas drowning in they own tears til they lungs burst
Voice cracking like Michael Stipe cause everyone hurts

Nothing else matters more than friends and family
No doubt that's how it's gotta be
This is my odyssey it's just the god in me
Yup they all a part of me
Cause I would die for them and they would die for me
That's right and plus I love my fans
Love when you throw your hands up it's like you all my fam
Like you considered kin
Got me through thick and thin thank you for listening
Nothing else matters more than friends and family

My first record was with Mood back in '96
In fact it was pretty fresh Google that find that shit
It sound good I was showing you what timeless is
You couldn't catch what I was saying without rewinding it
Believe me every fan is special
You hear me now but I got fans from Lyricist Lounge and "Manifesto"
So much wack rap I know it's hard to tell
The difference but when I heat it up I make the garbage smell
I'm resurrected but I'm no savior
I know the game I can ball a little bit I'm an OK Player
Double meaning cause the flow is layered
We love to say it but it's easier than it sound to ignore the haters
To snap back like the jaws of gators