K.o.s. (determination) Lyrics - Mos Def

[Talib Kweli] 

So many emcees focusin on black people extermination 

We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination 

It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations 

C'mon let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation 

We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea 

Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE 

Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what 

they writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin 

No question, bein a black man is demandin 

The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3X) 

With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination 

*repeat 4X* 

[singer] 

Things I say and do, may not come quite through 

My words may not convey just what I'm feelin 

[Talib Kweli] 

Yes yes come on, yes yes 

Knowledge Of Self is like life after death 

With that you never worry about your last breath 

Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days 

The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page 

Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age 

I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage 

At exactly which point do you start to realize 

That life without knowledge is, death in disguise? 

That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death 

Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest 

Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this 

hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light 

Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident 

Voices and drums original instruments 

In the flesh presently presentin my representation 

With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination 

*repeat 6X* 

- - - - these two parts overlap - - - - 

Things I say and do, may not come quite through 

My words may not convey just what I'm feelin 

*repeat 2X* 

[Talib Kweli] 

The most important time in history is, NOW, the present 

So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence 

But you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendar 

These people enter Cona like Gattaca, you can bet 

they tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora 

represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever 

I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever 

Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together 

You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages 

You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth 

That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention 

Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention 

or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left 

The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack 

All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here 

And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear 

With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration 

You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination 

Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human 

Cause and effect, effect everything you do 

and that's why I got love in the face of hate 

Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight 

The thought you had don't even contemplate 

Infinite like figure eight there's no escape.. 

From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination 

*repeat 4X* 

Things I say and do, may not come quite through 

My words may not convey just what I'm feelin 

*repeat 2X* 

.. 

Things I say and do, may not come quite through 

My words may not convey just what I'm feelin 

*repeat 2X* 

What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin...