I lie to myself all the time trying to make it through admit I've lost faith, but what do I say to you? the world's too cold to get down to the naked truth I'm running the Miles Davis, my favourite shade of blue we earn what we win cause we've got what it takes to lose so keep your guard up, that's all we can aim to do if you're facing hard knocks then be ready to break a tooth at least we're in the ring, not watching it pay per view not playing to fan clubs, not getting the rave reviews my faults are pretty clear, there's plenty that they can use I'm not radio friendly, and won't change my tune I say the hard things, that most are not able to this is Sunday church, so hold up and take a pew everyone's got problems, I'm just willing to name a few I'm on that lower level you're not ready to take it to I've tried reasoning, but who would that cater to? and you know, that it's time somehow you just know you can feel it in your soul no reason it's the simple truth deny it the things we do I'm tired of watching friends and family move on use to joke I've too many, I'd happily lose some just wait, til it happens to you son of course I'm down, the gravity's too strong looking right at the crux can be tragic and gruesome a glance alone, leave you damaged and bruised up so many versions of truth, how do we choose one? everyone's selling something but cannot produce one most lobbies and groups wanna bag 'em some new bloods those all alone or straddling too loves I'm of two minds, and I'm managing two tongues the truth's hard to swallow so I crack it and chew some it costs a lot to be real, I packed some coupons and it still set me back, I crash on a futon my past time's my work, I relax with a suit on and it's worn out like me, been at it for too long and you know, that it's time somehow you just know you can feel it in your soul no reason it's the simple truth deny it the things we do addicts take a taste of those habits we hope to break dreamers keep dreaming though life is no open page players keep swinging though hang from a broken gate and lovers keep loving when lovers don't know our name given two options, nobody chose the pain the pattern's universal, from hobart to copenhagen no matter how you dress it, it's only a coat of paint recognise that it's rigged, and gamble it all the same (counter melody) no reason, no reason, no reason for, no reason at all

I am that kid with a face full of cake ignorant bitch with a taste for the hate life is my ride and I'll squeeze til it breaks yelling bye bye to my need to escape smirk like a fist, fist like blimp sailing right by watch your boat sink saying my my, hope you can swim if not it's high time you learn so think quick so much work that'll never see day more all the time is all I keep saying pushing so hard that I seizure and faint even Caesar would say 'man just leave it today' I have no patience for the slow dance I'm at a pace to grope with both hands life is no game to play among friends let's grown up, fake the romance not like I am one of a kind even god like are forgotten in time sure of what lies at the bottom of life I walk on white lies to borrow some time and somehow think that if I can do this then my life is worth more than a wife and two kids like death really gives more than two shits he's come to collect just to buy some new kicks really what is there between what you do and me all out here, breathing voodoo I lie to myself by creating new truth whenever I'm dealt a hand like two shoes like I am hard done, had some bum luck if I keep trying then I'll come the fuck up same old shit, plays, won't stop and I'm stuck on this ride and I need to throw up and we don't need a light, no to see that we're on fire, for more a reason we can die for working two jobs to get on my feet engine and fuel lights up on my jeep drive til it dies and leave on the street if I seem wired it's not you it's me cash for my care, rags that I wear last on my list I don't actually care haven't done tax backing up years let alone hex for imagined careers leave 'em be while the banks roll on no peace can be known for that man, so long showing teeth only for show and I'm gone I'm so weak from yelling 'you phoney hold on' now I see I'm just short of escape I might as well slip, and fall to a break at least this way, we call it a day how could I have known it would end in a mess I'm a nice bloke, don't envy my friends aim yea high and I bury my stress waited my time and I've been on that bench knowing what it's like just come second best never thought I would be comfortable there I didn't mean to go run on ahead and I didn't need you to take some of that stress I've a love for pain and abuse I've got enough, to say what is true call me insane, it's probably due at the end of the day I am not gonna lose I'm more than I seem, but less than all here have all I need but can't afford to just live I warn you my friend, I'm all for this shit cornered again, and going all in and we don't need a light, no to see that we're on fire, for more a reason we can die for

my life was good until I thought I had some skill should’ve stayed down in the dirt, I’d have had more time to kill but now I’m in the race, I want more than just a meal I want the whole god damn cake so let’s make some kind of deal I don’t care if it’s unlikely that I’ll get to higher ground just as long as I’ve a leg up to help me stand out in the crowd you tell me in the future, while I say how bout now cause the day might never come, when they pass me down the crown there’s such a thing as waiting for the perfect time to move and then there’s where I’m at, and what I’ve got to do I don’t want to be the king, there’s nothing left for me to prove my credit’s good, they know me here, why would I lie to you I just want to see some changes cause I’m sick of repetition and don’t say it’s in the works, cause then why’s it never finished? what is holding up the job, tell em that they better shift it is this really worth our time, surely we’ve some better business just make it happen and make it snappy just make it happen spare me the details I don’t need to hear you babble just make it happen and cut the chatter just make it happen spare me the details I don’t need to hear the factors there’s more to life than trying to get ahead but exactly what that is, I try real hard to forget (cause) I want that, and I still want all this too and somewhere in between, that’s what they call the blues and looking out from in, i don’t know just what to do, and I don’t have the answers man I’ll leave that up to you I’m not happy how it is, but I’ll settle for some clues just do your fucking job and I’ll do mine and set the mood fetch my violin, I’m about to snap a string slide me some kind of gin, I think it’s time to have a drink roll me a cigarette, I feel that itch to scratch again I’m tired of playing nice when all the villains are my friends I didn’t sign on that dotted line for this man we're out of time even checking by the big hand let that sink in, while we’re standing in some quick sand I know my rights and I’ve got no time for this jam just make it happen and make it snappy just make it happen spare me the details I don’t need to hear you babble just make it happen and cut the chatter just make it happen spare me the details I don’t need to hear the factors

Last night instead of sleep I thought about what’s getting me what’s waiting up ahead of me and all the things I've never seen I’m a demon with a smile there’s no competing with the lies if you could see it with my eyes I can’t explain the reasons why cause lately I feel everything this life is not a gentle thing and maybe it has never been and it’s just faded from my memory I cannot give the whole truth no matter what I’ve told you it’s an echo of a scream only a remnant of some peace I lost the hope that I rely on really tested reasons I write for stopped ball or even the fight for just staying fit and basic survival got fat instead of eating the right food a bad back so sleep is a nightmare and each morning I wake more tired than when I lay down in defeat and retirement I spent my years on the violin then chose to invest my time and money in writing useless designs that no-one’ll pay for but a group of rhymers even then, not a lot find it in a sea of other online shit more than the people can buy in a lifetime and the only thing I’ve earnt is some hind sight I've made some mistakes in my time stopped thinking big and aiming so high it’s just how it is, I play til I die if I fuck it up bad, then I'm normal alright don’t let it torture my mind at least not too much all of the time I’ve learnt to know when to call it a night or at least know when to call for advice otherwise I miss all of the times when life can be good with a roll of the dice if I roll snake eyes roll with the times if I get down make em can roll in the isles But who am I to preach, I’m rolling my eyes I still don’t know my own role at this time sometimes it’s all in denial guess to the end, any more is a lie I slip at every step, but gain momentum I choose at every hit to spend potential up dead ends and empty beds to find an exit and the minute that I catch my breath I jump again and make an entrance I slip at every step, but gain momentum I choose at every hit to spend potential up dead ends and empty beds to find an exit and the minute that I catch my breath I jump again and make an entrance calling me Brian was an ominous sign three generations of ignoring advice to follow footsteps would break the bloodline it’s written in my veins I have to run wild calling me Brian was an ominous sign three generations of ignoring advice to follow footsteps would break the bloodline it’s written in my veins I have to run wild

All the good things all the good things A good day up at 6am no alarm, finally some space to think sun through the window pane and vacantness not a second that you doubt the way it is a feeling of acceptance and graciousness peace quiet and favourite things knowing that the day is at your beck and call so you forget it all and stay within stop running around, filling your day with shit hold the phone, drop the stress, save your skin work becoming just another way to play again and make amends all the good things all the good things yes, yes, yes... a good sign a good time, a good line so good you could die when all was right, you could sleep the whole night leaving it all behind dreaming it all might disappear you fall quiet given hold time lifting up your whole mind for old times we write and fold lines but they’re only paper we were missing it the whole time all the good things a good beat what it does to me under the rug with me makes me feel like making something sweet sticky syrup think you’re near it nothing to fear but making love to your ears and stopping the years it, it feels good and in an hour still would in a day you could still play that track and you would chill stood next in line a good beat is in a minute filled with 60 seconds resting time all the good things must come to an end the sun sets on everything it may be morbid but we’re nothing without ending it but out of fuel and running on in emptiness we need to slip between and deconstruct our elements the comma in a sentence is important as the message so imagine a full stop. the opposite of genesis does the nothing miss someone? does the bullet miss the gun? are we fooling anyone? we’re speaking to a beacon deleting everything we’ve said to it and we’ll continue til there’s no more people no powerlines no satellites no internet TV or TIVO no heroin and needle returning us to foetal no words and verse to deliver us from evil no purpose worth considering the needs of earth in all it’s shattered teeth and ragged screaming the system carried off, packed up, completed not even stars will hold our maps to dreaming

I met my camera guy without a plan in mind had him paid for the night so I had to take a ride and the only mic in sight was beyond the L line so if I had to do it might as well be that night I’d waited for a call because Ohene said before he might meet me early on and get me through the door but he couldn't come so I had to make a call down a flight of steps buy a ticket L tour Josh wasn’t cool without someone to assure we wouldn’t get jumped in the suburbs of the poor and it felt like dice just to look him in the eyes and tell him that it’s cool and sell him on that lie cause I couldn’t come on back without footage of some rap I had to get on tracks, or face facts I’m a white bellied, mic relic, tight throat, night dweller I've got balls but I’m really just a nice fella I’ve spent a minute in the madness of the village it’s sad I fit the image and tragic I’m a cynic so stick it to myself I kept on riding on the L train getting lighter every time I'm hear the bell checkin at the station, to see who’s out their waiting but it’s just imagination, you could read it on our faces and every way we face it, the situation now basically going from bad to worse though no way I’d escape it we arrive, eleven at night and stepping off the train, I’m making up my mind know, back at home, it’s no, walk in the park but in the U. S. of A. it struck a chord in my heart safe? fine? I really can’t decide but I do know this and you can check this up online Canarsie rates not a safe place and we’re only a few blocks from making some mistakes and it turns out that, those mistakes are on the map the L line stops a little early in it’s tracks we walk eleven blocks I’m trying to settle josh by calling up a cab and not a single one picks up josh to be fair was really walking on thin air camera round his neck and wasn’t born around here isn’t well versed in what it’s all about so he doesn’t have a clue as to how it’s going down we get to the corner at almost twelve in the morning and we walk toward the noise like we’re falling out of orbit there’s a group right out front that tell us to move on and really what they mean is they want us to fuck off I step to the left to a group smoking a blunt the guy toking it stops and then just looks up I offer with a smile I’m here for freestyles and I’ve come a long way “mate”, over ten thousand miles he laughs, ‘no doubt’ (and) points beyond the house says the party’s out back and it’s only getting louder there’s a table with a kid, he's telling me it’s five and I raise both hands and they check me for a nine round these rappers, hamburgers and nutcrackers somehow on our own we’d found the words that really mattered I’ve never felt alive as how I did that night when I punched two tickets to beyond the L line we pack into a room, snapping on some tunes I’d brought my own crew, perth beats to rap to started off with Boost, it’s hard to stop his grooves and thirty plus dudes have all got something to prove each wanted time to be heard doing their thing and each on their own had something unique to bring from me to that crowd, thanks for the moment and if you ever make it down, the door’s always open

yeah I’m tired of running the same game, caught in the rip of popular brain waves. uninspired with nothing to stay sane while love is a quick sip the trouble is hate stays you know it's a strange taste but covered in mayonnaise. even a little truth can easily make grey the hair on your head or where you should lay blame flat gone mad I utter the same phrase one more time, I'm running it all night with nothing to call mine, just one in a long line, we come from the small time and done it our whole life, the struggle for more while while tryn’a juggle the tour life, I've done it like four times, I'm waiting for sure signs, do it for more likes, music is more like, selling a product than ever before right and anyone saying it’s alright you tell em it's all lies go and talk to your gods for the good that it does there's only people above and they don't give a fuck they're all out for themselves it's not about being greedy it's just everyone needs it, they want it they breathe it believe it What changed? Now everyone claims fame trying to make it big, or trying to make a name what happened to making art, and trying to make it great now we settle for love for a digital face plate, stuck in the matrix with a different name sake not everyone on earth, just people that take aim at being a big deal without making the pay grade we all know who we are, no need to go name names our heroes have all died their spirits have fallen quiet this year it’s been clear that even the before trying that people are more tired of keeping their score high we need to believe that there's more to it all right if opportunity knocks, then we’re leaving the door wide at the end of the day, we're still needing some more time ready to make a killing but cannot afford life and struggle to see the truth but cannot ignore lies go and talk to your gods for the good that it does there's only people above and they don't give a fuck they're all out for themselves it's not about being greedy it's just everyone needs it, they want it they breathe it believe it

I don't even know where the fuck to begin I've restarted so many times and never got to the end anytime I walk these lines they're ending up in the bin so trash talking like this is my only option my friend I'm no preacher or teacher or fucking politician I'm no speaker who needs the love of the public to win I'm a believer in seeing how deep a rut I can dig but even me, I look around and say enough of this shit locked up, top bunks, stopped up, hot sun, shotguns doctors and stock cuts and much worse suicide watchers and not just one but lot's cause our public office is not an option for proper process it's more a moshpit for double crossers and human auctions I'm afraid that's no longer good enough for me you see I'm a fucking say it how I see it and it seems to me that we got greedy and forgot the reason we even dream these people fleeing demons now finding out what freedom means tell me straight, am I all alone here? I'm ashamed, what have we become? is it me, or are we the problem? is anybody else feeling this madness? I've never considered myself the man but here, and right now, with a mic in my hand I am and I, never expected to be taking a stand protest songs really just don't belong in my bag so I'm still getting up here on this stage to perform cause some things are worth way more than making a point fuck drawing lines in the dust for the sake of some coin we've been waiting too long come on and start making some noise surely I'm not the only one that is feeling this way I look round at my friends and know that they're feeling the same beyond our island there's an ocean we're keeping at bay and I'd be lying if I denied we're knee deep in the waves yeah we've seen this play out, it's about time for change the silver lining has faded and now it's time for rain let's not go again I'm tired of debating the thing our whole argument is based on holding our pride of place, come on tell me straight, am I all alone here? I'm ashamed, what have we become? is it me, or are we the problem? is anybody else feeling this madness?

anyone can say they’re really fucking killing it anyone can say they’re really in their element on the way up to the top of their own Everest with no idea of what is up there or whatever’s next plant your flag and get the fuck out with your pettiness you’re spoiling the view for all the other residents let alone for all the young ‘uns and the veterans besides, the hardest part of climbing's never been the way up to the top, it’s the way down that’s the testament and if you fuck around up here, they will break your neck or even at the very least the fall will probably break your legs now you get my meaning when I say we'll take some steps and all that money in your pockets for the main events and I guess if you don't earn it then you have to pay respects all you really do is mimic lines and sync your lips no one really gives a fuck about your lyrics kid dressing for the wrong sound tie and tails in the wrong crowd vermin in a lock down eating to the top speaking for the bummed out leave em with a cop out everybody wants out even at the top all blow and no drugs, all show and no heart that’s no dope and no love you all knowing slow fuck no hopes to grow up, you dodo, so long no nuts, no schlong, no cunt, you’re so wrong you’ve no art and no class I’ve so much I’m MOMA you showed up and so what, with no blunts and no bars it’s no wonder no-one gives no love and so far I won’t lie I’m the only guy who listens when your show starts and at one word, we all can tell your type you see some work, and some are just all hype don’t hate me, I’m just the fall guy and I’ll die way before your time I’ll see you in hell, and I’ll be your tour guide so no love? that is a sure sign you’re grown up, and no longer roll high so well done, and welcome to your life dressing for the wrong sound tie and tails in the wrong crowd vermin in a lock down eating to the top speaking for the bummed out leave em with a cop out everybody wants out even at the top

I used to believe that I knew things but time can sail while you're cruising and slowly fade out while you're tuned in I thought I was down I tell you who'd think, I'm looking around and now I'm the new king here in this town that is one less man on the ground that can do this running your house, with your two kids walking the dogs that are too big working two shifts filling the fridge let alone clothes on a shoe string keeping a wife that is hard work trying not to believe that it can't work seeing your ex and that past hurts you made something together that's half hers these people I live for I'm talking day to day they are what really matters they are my family when we get together I show em a feast no bone to pick just a moment of peace no one alone, no enemies, an oasis only thing you need to share is a hope and a dream that's where our base is when it's come to my own family no need to say it they know what I mean taking a step, catching a plane planting your feet and sowing a seed leaving behind the people you know people you love and people you don't packing your things and leaving alone paying respects to go overseas all I'm saying is people can live and end up in a place you never would think could happen to you and then everything clicks before thinking you would know better than this accepting your vision will always be flawed heaven is there, wherever that is I guess I'm doing fine and the kids are alright I see them do more than I do with my life I new giving them all is considered a crime maybe all I can give them is time these people I live for I'm talking day to day they are what really matters they are my family

I’m still there smashing away I work hard for a chance to escape I’m in the running for the cash that it pays but when I get my money I’ll dash on that day you’ll see a different act up on stage you’ll never get me back in that cage I’ll chew through bone to break free chewing you out, won’t phase me I’m alive six under the dirt living cannibal hunting my words I’m a saint when I fuck and I curse cause I do both things out of love for the work I’m a regular man on fire to let it pass no plan of mine I’m not here for some random fight I’m here for the belt and you can stand in line and just watch, when it comes to the buck we swing to hook up, it’s nothing but luck you might just find, the one that you love or you could be another one that get’s fucked I’ll pre-empt without a reason to strike already left the scene in my mind you’ll see I’m free like a slave in a grave and this is the name of the game that I play one foot in a week from now and one more foot in the peace I’ve found I’ve no love for what I see right now I’ll ride that bitch til teeth bite ground no fault to the class of today I’m really all for your art to relate but you lot haven’t yet got a mark to your name so how the fuck can you spark on stage you need a little dirt to win these people really haven’t ever heard something telling them what you’ve found is out you gotta give em something from the down and proud underdogs do get up and can rise to the truth, bite that hand you are worth more than some applause find that tune, and run that score have I said too much at one time? better hold my tongue while I bite if I talk from the gut then run not a bullet will I leave to rot in this gun I am too much a bully to move on and what would you do with the problems I’ve got it’s nothing to do with the option to wrong and everything to do with the way that I play god if pop is the picture of perfect then rap is a scripture of burden clever doesn’t buy shit for the workers you have to have actually lived to have earned it real life transmitted to purpose real people living their verses real pain revealing the worst is real gain for killing with words so the real game is delivering murder I’m still saying you’ll win if you turn all your tricks and gimmicks and wish to be worshipped into shit the people can feel is for certain nothing better than lifting the curtain taking off the mask revealing the inner workings of a person aiming at perfect only to realize they’ve no idea what the meaning of worth is you need a little dirt to win yeah the people really wanna hear something underdogs do get up and can rise to the truth and bite that hand don't think that love is enough to fill your belly right up to the top hold some tight and let some go don't lose yourself to another damn joke you are worth more than some applause find that tune and run that score it was never between you and them you're the only one that cares my friend

Master ace, my training day Kev Brown my change of pace Oddisee my break away Acid Rap, my fade away won’t bust a grape, as Jay would say Good kid mad city, K dot would say Take off, escape, no radio waves, J cole on planes to saint Tropez El & Mike, Australian made Bitter raps, Thirst 48 must’ve been something in Mick's Water[s] tape cause before his shit, I’m Drake and Wayne, this IS my high, I Blaze for days snare that hit like an 808 no hallucinogens, just paper planes I take that trip, like straight away when I'm on Clouds, don't change the tape Steve McQueen on Great escape Central Parks, Kaytranada, Empty bars - my tailor made cooking beats Kanye flambe Pusha T my name's my name Booker T with sub MGs lookin pleased, today's the day draw the cards, I’m takin aim withdraw the cash, you’re playing safe I draw the blinds, you’re saving face I draw a close to your claim to fame and that’s all this is you can pay me later This town’s a bitch and she'll make or break ya there’s bound to be some complaining neighbours there's boundaries and I’m a space invader that's just how it is and that's just how it is round here that's just how it is and that's just how it is round here Lewis Galaga, tunes and raps Archi freestyle moon colabs Silvertongue OG Boom Bap Macshane bars gone Supernat Messy Chops, Chu on track, beckon run, fluent rap, Blackest Rose, that rapid flow Brooklyn click, that Que & Pac Mathas art, with battlescars that Stats so hard he’d bruise the track Walla C, honestly Rok Wallaby, make room for that that Pronto multi manoeuvre rap beat down lounge Ray you da man Ta-ku’s gone but queue the track at least someone here is not moving backwards these men are kings, bow down around em Wisdom2th no doubt about him Naik in the Shadow o’ Thunder Mountain Silence in the Shadows of doubt and Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati Arms in Motion Salvador Dahli Creed Birch charging pound for pound and these Rafle bars go round for round here Odette Mercy, that Tower of Power got that Boost, don’t bounce without it that future sonic, that soul atomic that’s what and who, I’m shouting out to that’s only sum, the total’s louder, we’re taking off, and I'm counting down and I’m talking truth, and I’m proud about it that’s what we do, this town’s astounding that's just how it is and that's just how it is round here that's just how it is and that's just how it is round here I also need to thank; Dylan Hooper Dan Carroll David Vincent Smith Hugo Jenkins Josh Makinda Rachael Aquilina Aaron Wyatt Katherine Kruger Hayley Jane-Ayres Tim Nelson John Brown & Bryn Stanford, Colab Jozef Grech, Tobi Anning Kate Anderson Peta Rae Dave DiPaolo aka Able8 Luke Dux Todd Pickett Natalie Mae Christoph Carr aka Stonehenge Parnhashnakovsky Tyquan Sounds Ohene Cornelius Sean Gillespie ...