To all my killers and my hundred dollar billers
To emo kids that got too many feelings

He held the register open while he counted her change
I was next in line which meant I was invisible
From where I stood I could see that the till was full
He didn’t look the type to play superhero
So I stepped forth and paid for my cigarettes
Crept out the stores front door to chase a little breath
Bangles in my head, shake the song off
Another manic Monday night, its gonna be a long walk

A car pulled up, a fixed up cutlass
A woman and a child climbed out and left it running
They went inside of the deli, placed an order
With the extra dollar fifty bottled water cause the daughters picky
When they came out mommy gave me a glance
That said man can love an angel but he’s got to take the chance
Already knew the deal, I lit one up and walk
So they got back in the Oldsmobile, belted up, and took off

Thug love on the corner by the walgreens
Lookin at me like I’m just another square saltine
As I get closer I notice that they showing each other sketches
Out of their notebooks, reminded me of my old roots

I walk pass with a nod and a reminisce
Swear to god hip hop and comic books was my genesis
Respect the life and the fashions of the children
It’s the only culture I’ve got, exactly what we’ve been building

All of a sudden I’m in front of some man
No he’s a youngin but he’s got a gun in his hand
He looks fifteen, he looks frantic, no he looks afraid
Immediately apprehensive til I heard him say
“Do you want this It’s not mine I promise
I found it on my block in between a couple garages
Didn’t wanna leave it for a child to stumble over
I don’t even know how to hold it.”

It was a thirty eight, the poor man’s machete
Held it in my hand, thinking damn man it’s heavier then expected,
Wedged it behind my belt buckle
Knowing that its evil, even thought that I could smell trouble
The extra strength felt weak,
But over there on the corner saw what I needed and proceeded to cross the
Street
Put the heat in the mail box to loose it
Figured that the post office knows whats best to do with it

Mosey down the road thinkin’ bout the old
I use to roam this zone with two feet of snow
Right here, this use to be a record shop
I’ve gotten love, I’ve gotten drunk, I’ve gotten beat up in that parking lot
I’ve had my lake street pride for three decades
These alleyways, and these streetlights have seen my best days
Before I was a germ learning how to misbehave,
All the way to the grave, south side is my resting place

Took a right on Lyndale I’m getting near
But then the road became empty and the people disappeared
The clouds ran away, opened up the sky
And one by one I watched every constellation die
And there I was frozen, standing in my backyard
Face to face, eye to eye, staring at the last star
I should’ve known, walked all the way home
To find that she wasn’t here, I’m still all alone

No matter where I am, no matter what I do
I’m always coming back home to you
They can leave me for dead they can take away my true
I’m always coming back home to you
Through the lies and the sins that ride the wind that blew
I’m always coming back home to you
As sure as the life in the garden that you grew
I’m always coming back home to you
No matter where I am, no matter what I do
I’m always coming back home to you
If only I had known what you already knew
I’m always coming back home to you
From the heaven I’ve had to the hell I been through
I’m always coming back home to you
I’m always coming back home to you

-Atmosphere

“Can’t Stop Wont Stop” by Jeff Chang is the most in-depth history book I have ever found myself enjoying… perhaps because it has nothing to do with school and everything to do with hip hop history.  Chang delves into the deepest roots of hip hop history without leaving out any details.  If you want to love and understand hip hop music even more, please read this book.

For all of the bboys, bgirls and supporters, please pick up a copy of “We BGirlz” written by Nika Kramer & photographed by Martha Cooper.  For the most part it is mostly pictures of the breaking scene, with interviews from various bgirls and their crews.  It really opens up the readers eye to see the mind behind the moves of these beautiful bgirls.

Now we the American working population
Hate the fact that eight hours a day
Is wasted on chasing the dream of someone that isn’t us
And we may not hate our jobs
But we hate jobs in general
That don’t have to do with fighting our own causes
We the American working population
Hate the nine-to-five day-in day-out
When we’d rather be supporting ourselves
By being paid to perfect the pasttimes
That we have harbored based solely on the fact
That it makes us smile if it sounds dope

[Aesop Rock]
It’s the year of the silkworm
Everything I built burned yesterday
Let’s display the purpose that these stilts serve
Elevate the spreading of the silk germ
Trying to weave a web but all that I believe in is dead
Nah brother, it’s the year of the jackal
Saddle up on high horse
My torch forced Polaris embarrassed
Shackle up the hassle by the dooming legend marriage
I bought some new sneakers
I just hope my legacy matches
It’s the year of the landshark
Dry as sand, parched, damn get these men some water
They’re out there being slaughtered
In meaningless wars so you don’t have to bother
And can sit and soak the idiotbox trying to fuck their daughters
Man it’s the year of the Orphan
Seated adjacent to the firefly circling the torches on your porches
Trying to guard the fortress of a king they’ve never seen or met
But all are trained to murder at the first sign of a threat
Maybe it’s the year of the waterbug
Cockroach utter thug specimen
Your response, dreaming of your next of kin
I’m still dealing with this mess I’m in
I’ve been the object of your ridicule
You’ve been a bitch lieutenant
God it’s the year of the underpaid employee
Spitting forty plus a week
And trying to rape earth on my off time
You bought dizzy, I can’t keep myself busy enough
So you can run run run
And I’ma let you think you won
EVERYBODY!

We the American working population
Hate the fact that eight hours a day
Is wasted on chasing the dream of someone that isn’t us
And we may not hate our jobs
But we hate jobs in general
That don’t have to do with fighting our own causes
We the American working population
Hate the nine to five day-in day-out
But we’d rather be supporting ourselves
By being paid to perfect the pastimes
That we have harbored based solely on the fact
That it makes us smile if it sounds dope

[Aesop Rock]
Fumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition and
Yawn and stretch and my life is a mess and
If I never make it home today, God bless
Fumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition and
Yawn and stretch and my life is a mess and
If I never make it home today, God bless

-Aesop Rock, 9-5ers Anthem, Labor Days

“Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert is the most inspiring books I have ever read.  The author tells the story of three separate adventures that she takes within one year for the purpose of finding peace within oneself and others.  Whether it be to an ashram in India, or on food-inspired trip to Italy, she portrays charm and an open mind while capturing the reader in page turning suspense.  Please read this book. You will be inspired.  You will question yourself. You will be one plane ticket short of flying to Italy and gorging yourself on every epicurean delight that presents itself.  I was.

“Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen is thoughtfully written, and puts life as a circus worker right into perspective.  The author writes of an older man struggling to remain young and sane in a nursing home while he reflects back on his days working in the circus.  He reminisces on first experiences, falling in love with  a married woman, and saving himself from being tossed right off of the the moving train in  the dead of night.  For a lighthearted read, pick this book up in the local book store.  You wont be disappointed.

“”The Guernsey Litrary & Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows is a a cleverly designed book of literary delights.  The book is written in the format of letters being written from one person to the other; giving a very interesting view of the story from each person’s personal perspective.  I decided to read the book after seeing that one of my favorite new author’s, Elizabeth Gilbert (author of  “Eat, Pray, Love”) was so proud in advocating it.  She was right.  It is a gem for all who love to read.  It will make your heart compassionate & sharpen your mind.  Please read this book!