V1
Trynna figure out who I am, what to be
but it's just not happening
Lights on, look around, check out my surroundings
Steady breaking through until I get understood
Try to stop me, get a splinter 'cause I'm like "I wish they would"
In a barrel they're found
kill each other for the crown
But when I come through your town?
Break it up; I shut it down
It's like, everytime I wanna get a view
they throwing shade
now what's a brown kid to do?
So I put them suckas on blast
And you can tell the man that he can kiss my a**
Hook
I'm every single thing you think of me
I'm a sinner, killer, drug dealer, refugee
So keep your jaw locked and I'll keep the peace
They act like they don't wanna but man they know me, 'cause
I'm a Brown Boy
V2
Trynna figure out what to do, what's true
think of any way that I can break through
or what, I can give
be sure I can find it
Left of the center is where I spend my time
I need to brave enough to leave the peace behind
'cause I could be charred up in a barbecue
still come out and not be black enough for you
and then these questions; they can really trip me up
especially when they prove to be real tough, like
"Can I be a man?"
"Can I not love?"
Pledge allegiance to the flag of revelation
Hook
Bridge
What else can I give?
I can't let go
What else can I give?
I won't say no
Hook
credits
from The Second Transgression,
released December 21, 2012
Music, lyrics, and vox - Babatunde Olaniran
Listening to this a few years on, Chapter 319 feels almost melancholic, a reminder of the time where police abolition had nearly mainstream appeal. The tracks still make me furious at the bullshit cops continue to get away with. dninemfive
A vibrant co-mingling of funk, psych-pop, and R&B from Los Angeles musician Jonny Kosmo, with summer-ready samples for days. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 9, 2021