Blackalicious - Making Progress Lyrics

We keep embellishing upon the new unchartered path
Expressing what we see and how we comprehend the math
So there's enough for everyone
We gotta make it last, we gotta make it last

As I embark on life's journey from the point where I'm at
Peace to everyone, I know and who I go way back
With every pimp, every mack, every gang star, the Jack
Every hustler feeding babies anybody pro-black

Every sister raising kids without the help of a dad
Wanting for they're children all the things that they never had
All the brothers handling businesses, I know shit's hard
Waking up at 5 a.m. holding down 3 jobs

All my Rasta brethren getting insight from trees
To my brothers up in college getting PhD's
Or any other degree, even if you just reading for mental health
Feed your conscious so that your mind is free

All my people locked down for your past mistakes
Mentally and spiritually dwelling past the gates
You can change your ways, elevate today
To all recovered alcoholics chillin' up in A.A.

Every black-owned business keep doin' for self
Helpin' out the community and spreadin' the wealth
Understanding help ain't gonna come from nowhere else
Revolutionary's fakin' me and just get dealt

With head on black people got to lead the task
Educate keep learnin', got to question, ask
And let your light keep shinin' and remember the past
By any means necessary you'll be free at last

We keep embellishing upon the new unchartered path
Expressing what we see and how we comprehend the math
So there's enough for everyone
We gotta make it last, we gotta make it last

As I embark on life's journey from the point where I'm at
Peace to everybody strivin' to live right and exact
Even though anxieties try to pull you down
See your troubles as a blessing and you're homeward bound

Everybody gotta struggle, that's the way of the world
Can't develop biceps if you don't do curls
Can't achieve a garden if you never water your crops
If you never pay your dues then you don't get props

Couldn't eat a proper meal without cooking it first
Can't receive a paycheck if you don't do work
If it wasn't for the rain then the trees won't grow
When the spring came around what a site to bestow

When you face adversities, dark cloud won't last
If you never study how do you expect to pass
The grasshoppers laid around while the ants did chores
When the winter came around he was left outdoors

See the cycle keeps moving like a big machine
Evolution of the mind, soul, body and being
God'll never put up on you more than you can take
Sometimes you even gotta learn from other people's mistakes

With head on black people got to lead the task
Educate keep learnin', got to question, ask
And let your light keep shinin' and remember the past
By any means necessary you'll be free at least

We keep embellishing upon the new unchartered path
Expressing what we see and how we comprehend the math
So there's enough for everyone, we gotta make it last
We gotta make it last, we gotta make it last