This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Check!
One, Two…
Ahh.. Naw!
Your attention please, your attention I need it
So I can sit you in a position from which I see it
Where I’m seated is scenic
Heavy-weighter, slim as the Machinist, so bulimic
Which means you somewhere in between it
I take it back for you like the Wild Stallions (Wyld Stallyns) of San Dimas
I’m in the market for low-mile 360 Medinas
And a good organic cleaners
My car always a winner
Your car’s always pity
We should call it Stanley Steamers
Most of my friends in gangs
My new nickname is Ghengis Khan
But without the ‘Ye, but his last name’s my side
I ride with the demeanors (the meanest)
I’m armed to the teeth
You’re Venus and you’ve never been to the Dinas (dentist)
School of Hard Knocks, I dean it
I done it, as well as a celebrated alumnus
I donate to the campus and my name’s on the arenas
But you can’t bring it to my court
Not even with subpoenas
Cause you can’t play my sport
But you can still cheer-lead us
And you can’t sit there
That section’s for the seniors
And the sexy senoritas
So just move up to the bleachers
How you gonna school me when I grew up with your teachers
I know that you can't hear me
Cause I blew up all the speakers
And the power line is hanging
Cause I threw up all the sneakers
I ate up the impostors
And I chewed through all the pizzas
I blacked out with a black card
And I maxed out all the Visas
[Verse #2: Lupe Fiasco]
Uhh…
Accreditation so prestigious
Just walk across my stage
Your life will be completed
Don’t need financial aid
Cause this is just some free shit
You been properly prepared
Throw your hats up in the air
I’m red hot, Chilly, (Red Hot Chili) I’m Anthony Kiedis
My spirit smells teenage
And Chi-town’s feelin' excellent
We hit them with the President
See we set the precedent
I don’t feel I’m best
I just feel I’m better than…
Everyone… Everyone Around… Here
Everyone is so… near
So alone… So alone
See I don’t disagree
This is just a grievance
This ain’t dissin’
This is civil disobedience
How you gon’ make hip-hop
Without all the ingredients?
Lot of mouths to feed
Plus a lot of greediness
And that greed, outshines the neediness
What niggas need is some "question they authority"
And tune out all the TV shit
And we be this
So I give ‘em more
You see I did it for…
Everyone… Everyone is so… near
Everyone has got… the fear
So alone… So alone
Yeah… I am back up on the airwaves
Feelin’ like a Soldier, and I ain’t talking where the Bears play
Flair, look how I Fred Astaire (further stair) down the staircases
‘Finna be a hair-raisin’ tortoise versus hare race
So you should hang around here (hair) like some earrings
I know attention’s all about how you pair things
So when I want them to hear me out
I just sit them next to some pictures of Rosa splitting with her titties out
And what’s written on her titties is what it's really about
Then her vagina is some poor kids from China
Nipples nuclear missiles
Ass is a daughter without a dad
Back is like Afghanistan, Iraq
Health care hair
Drive by thighs
Education lips
HIV eyes
Environment feet
Justice get her so wet, brains get you brains
You can fuck her if you protest
But before you bust in her face, finish listenin’ to the tape...
Enemy of the State...
One, Two…
Ahh.. Naw!
Your attention please, your attention I need it
So I can sit you in a position from which I see it
Where I’m seated is scenic
Heavy-weighter, slim as the Machinist, so bulimic
Which means you somewhere in between it
I take it back for you like the Wild Stallions (Wyld Stallyns) of San Dimas
I’m in the market for low-mile 360 Medinas
And a good organic cleaners
My car always a winner
Your car’s always pity
We should call it Stanley Steamers
Most of my friends in gangs
My new nickname is Ghengis Khan
But without the ‘Ye, but his last name’s my side
I ride with the demeanors (the meanest)
I’m armed to the teeth
You’re Venus and you’ve never been to the Dinas (dentist)
School of Hard Knocks, I dean it
I done it, as well as a celebrated alumnus
I donate to the campus and my name’s on the arenas
But you can’t bring it to my court
Not even with subpoenas
Cause you can’t play my sport
But you can still cheer-lead us
And you can’t sit there
That section’s for the seniors
And the sexy senoritas
So just move up to the bleachers
How you gonna school me when I grew up with your teachers
I know that you can't hear me
Cause I blew up all the speakers
And the power line is hanging
Cause I threw up all the sneakers
I ate up the impostors
And I chewed through all the pizzas
I blacked out with a black card
And I maxed out all the Visas
[Verse #2: Lupe Fiasco]
Uhh…
Accreditation so prestigious
Just walk across my stage
Your life will be completed
Don’t need financial aid
Cause this is just some free shit
You been properly prepared
Throw your hats up in the air
I’m red hot, Chilly, (Red Hot Chili) I’m Anthony Kiedis
My spirit smells teenage
And Chi-town’s feelin' excellent
We hit them with the President
See we set the precedent
I don’t feel I’m best
I just feel I’m better than…
Everyone… Everyone Around… Here
Everyone is so… near
So alone… So alone
See I don’t disagree
This is just a grievance
This ain’t dissin’
This is civil disobedience
How you gon’ make hip-hop
Without all the ingredients?
Lot of mouths to feed
Plus a lot of greediness
And that greed, outshines the neediness
What niggas need is some "question they authority"
And tune out all the TV shit
And we be this
So I give ‘em more
You see I did it for…
Everyone… Everyone is so… near
Everyone has got… the fear
So alone… So alone
Yeah… I am back up on the airwaves
Feelin’ like a Soldier, and I ain’t talking where the Bears play
Flair, look how I Fred Astaire (further stair) down the staircases
‘Finna be a hair-raisin’ tortoise versus hare race
So you should hang around here (hair) like some earrings
I know attention’s all about how you pair things
So when I want them to hear me out
I just sit them next to some pictures of Rosa splitting with her titties out
And what’s written on her titties is what it's really about
Then her vagina is some poor kids from China
Nipples nuclear missiles
Ass is a daughter without a dad
Back is like Afghanistan, Iraq
Health care hair
Drive by thighs
Education lips
HIV eyes
Environment feet
Justice get her so wet, brains get you brains
You can fuck her if you protest
But before you bust in her face, finish listenin’ to the tape...
Enemy of the State...
Lyrics submitted by ajc1ne
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Great version of a great song,
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This is the best song on Enemy of the State IMO. It's too bad most of the songs are so short, but I guess that's why it's just a mixtape. Lasers should be SICK. I think this is the best song not only because it's the longest (you really can't argue quality based on length) but also because it's the best lyrically (rosa part/school part).
The sex part foreshadows that people didn't get his deep songs on the last albums (hurt me soul, streets on fire, american terrorist) so on the next album he's gonna incorporate all the things that hip hop glorifies but still say the same messages.