1. |
The Origin
01:06
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Damani Nkosi Washington
was named,
Damani Nkosi,
Because I was tired of the conventional names
given black children.
No more European nonsense.
So I looked up,
in a friend of mines,
"African Naming Book"
Yoruba people
And I found one name that meant,
"Thoughtful"
because I wanted a son who was going to be thoughtful,
So I picked the name "Damani"
but not only did I want him to be thoughtful,
there was more
(laughter)
Naw,
He had to be a leader,
So I found the word "Nkosi"
which means ruler, chief,
So thoughtful ruler is what I named my son,
Damani Nkosi Washington, that's my man
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2. |
A Man Feat. PJ Morton
03:20
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1st Verse
Aww man it's a miracle,
how came from a town that most fall down and never get up,
I never gave up,
I slipped up a couple times
But I still raise up,
Even though I'm scrapped up,
I keep fightin,
They don't know I'm taped up,
Cold sweats when I wake up,
I seen death as a youth,
Poverty despair,
Gottum' killin' for a coupe,
All the bloods all the crips at the park to recruit,
Thugs I grew up wit,
We use to do backflips,
And drank cups with,
Didn't make it passed they 1st sip
I escaped but can't seem to escape
The mental scapegoat to act like a ape,
Man I can't fall for the trap of the state, NAW, it's not a game, NAW,
I can't see it, I can't be it
Grown man boy brain,
Locked up goin' insane
In pain
Untamed
late night fried rice with lo mien
Chorus
A man A man
Amen
Wouldn't change ah thing
Made me what I am
Now I understand
A Man I'm a Man
Repeat
2nd Verse
Pops had me on the weekends
Had to fend for myself,
He was preachin he was teachin Knowledge of Self,
Jazz in the background,
Books on the shelf,
Lil herb Lil liquor gon' get my belt,
If my grades wasn't right if I took school light
It was lights out couple welps see you later goodnight,
The message was clear,
Relayed thru fear,
Discipline was foreign to my peers but who cared,
Lil Spanish lotta Swahili,
Arusi Baba Chukula Dawa
Flow like lemon with the Agua,
He was heavy with the vodka but not Taka original not imposter
I had to go through somethin'
to get me somethin'
That's how I got me somethin'
And I ain't frontin'
It was tough but it was worth it,
If it's easy then it's worthless
But if you on yo J.O. Then it's workin'
Chorus
A man A man
Amen
Wouldn't change ah thing
Made me what I am
Now I understand
A Man I'm a Man
Repeat
3rd Verse
From a boy to a man
In between is the matrix,
Baby mamas and court cases
Livin' in three places,
Keep sleepin' to chase dreams
Since 18 nothin works so you keep pacing to make cream,
The dro feels the air,
Depressed and found comfort as a player, Yea that was me pitiful
Prideful young minded blinded by the allure of a whore,
Wildin' on tour,
I had a couple dollars but my spirit was poor
I ran my gifts in the ground
Said I'm tired of it now I didn't wanna rap,
The homies kept Tellin me to take another lap,
So I did I never hid,
I ain't ah kid I had to tell the lost
it cost more than money to be a boss,
I'm here to let you know,
We all gotta grow
It don't stop,
I keep it 100 when it comes to this Hiphop.
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3. |
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1st Verse
It's like water for the body
food for the soul
a feelin' you don't wanna let go
so let go
and stop fightin' it
I even smile when I'm writin' bout it
It's the sun to my thoughts
when clouds try to crowd it
I use to run from it
I use to hide to
I thought it made me soft
plus I was hood to
Its the beat to my heart
so the rhythm of my life can dance in peace at night
I got my style just right
i got my mind just right
I got to tell you bout this thing make everything alright
Momma cookin wit it
Pops teachin wit it
Dub made the track just so i can speak wit it
I got to have it everyday hour on the hour
Minute by the second if you feel it its a blessin
When ya feelins' get arrested and you aint trynn break free
You've just been touched L.O.V.E.
Now that's love
Chorus
Love me in a special way
What more can I say
Love me now
Repeat
2nd Verse
For the Love
It was never for the bread
It was always bout the passion that turned into a action
That inspired the masses
Never for the dough
If the money wasn't right
He'd sing just to show
How a ribbon in the sky suppose to go
Stevie, the KG's, the Kobe's, the MJ's both of them
We all love them
Serena and Venus B and J the JB's who played for James B
Say it loud
I'm Black and I'm proud of how we all get down when loves around
It's the love for the music that makes me not lose it
My actions is the proof the words get confusing
I was once saul who then turned to Paul
I'm trynna tell all y'all that love conquers all
Kings last speech was deep
He knew he would pass
But he promised L.O.V.E.
Now that's love
Chorus
Love me in a special way
What more can I say
Love me now
Repeat
Bridge
My loved ones
My loved ones
My loved ones
What up to all my loved ones
My loved ones
My loved ones
My loved ones
All I need is my loved ones
Piano Solo
End
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4. |
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1st Verse
The aurora of a black woman's meal as I entered
Domino table dead smack in the center
Menthol clouds as I wave my hands through
The gumbo pot is big like a 70s hairdo
Hugs from the women
Love from my relly's
Two-Hour mix, all R Kelly
Ah bootleg of belly on the table as a coaster
Stash spot of the ooh wee by the toaster
Off the gin trynna play Jim Rummy
Kids in in the other room thinkin' everything funny
And it is cause it's love, it is cause it's us
It's always one person every word is a cuss
And I swear that's the balance that I need in my life
Relief of the stress cause the world ain't right
And they always trynna tell us that we up to no good
But I'm On My Way To Inglewood
2nd Verse
I only been here for a short time
And I done seen the world
Couple continents under my belt the world twirls on it's axis
The good the tragic
I've watched as it happens
some nights I cried others laughin'
Fresh to def in a 3rd world country
Thinkin' I bought the J's when I should of fed the hungry
The lessons the essence of a boy to a man
Can change a I won't to a simple I can
Women of all races traces of my ancestors found in odd places written on walls for the ages
The ancient wisdom is the knowledge of the now
As I weave my way through the foul
Plane hoppin' and artifact coppin'
You gotta blend in man it ain't no options
In foreign lands trynna expand
Hope my trips provoke some plans
On My Way Back To Inglewood
Talkpart
I don't see how you could of missed me
104th and 10th avenue, right off crenshaw
I went from there, I think i was Inglewood ave and Plymouth
You know, right by Rogers Park, Highland and all that
Manchester Tamarack
I was right there I use to walk all the way to Inglewood High
from there, that's on everything I love
3rd Verse
Feel like Im in a movie
The winds cuttin' through the buildings trynna' move me
Beanie over fro it's the Louis
Scarf round my neck trynna soothe me
In search of the right verse, as I rudely
Scamper through the blocks right in front of the cab
Trynna find the lab
It's the bridge in the background that acts as a compass
as I laugh,
At myself bout my journey, through the struggle
Through the game that don't love me
Smoke through the cement like a backstage prop
Hater's in the crowd remind me of a cop
The co-op the projects the object of this life
To live right and I won't stop til i get it right
I hear the beat and I feel somethin' on site
I see the streets and automatic think fight
I know i won't even though i could
Life's just to good
Still I'm On My Way To Inglewood
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5. |
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1st Verse
100 million dollar integrity
Hold my head up like ah celebrity
Gotta Stay loyal to the death of me
It's ah long line of ballin in my pedigree
Just let it be
No need to challenge me
This is power from the ghost
It's not ah phantom G
Reflect light like ah diamond
Expect right when I'm rhymin
Ignite fight when I'm flyin in them spurs
Here the floss see ah boss
Ah bring life to these words
From the curb to the ave or the block
Whether 28 or stock
It don't matter we can chop
Slick, match the paint wit the feet
Let the truth hit the street
Put the real to ah beat
Let it ride, no need to compete
Put ya bread up homie
U gotta Watch what u eat...100
Chorus
It's not the caravan of foreign sedans that make me a man
I follow the plans,
HOMIE I"M RICH
It ain't ah fable when u see the gold cables & gold bottles escorted to my table
HOMIE I"M RICH
Nevermind how the seats recline
How I grind & go fa mine,
HOMIE I'M RICH
Without a dollar to my name
My wealth sustainedThru grace my road is paved
Singer
2nd Chorus
I ain't talkin bout money I'm talkin bout what's inside,
And what i'm talkin bout any real nigga just can't hide,
If he tried,
And i ain't worried bout no problems cause this here will Always solve'um
cause dog im rich yea yeahhh
Playa i'm rich yea yeahhh
2nd Verse
Couple 100 thou worth of style
Wow
Couple 100 stacks big as Yao
Wow
Can't put ah dollar to ah scholar
Ah keep my hand on the book thru ma trials thru the foul
Ah vowed
Never comprise my character
Ah try to Hurdle all my barrier
I try to stand on my principles
w/o the dough rising thru my mental
They swear its a rental
The plates say dental
My floss is the thoughts
I put over instrumentals
Ballin wit the best
Dress to impress
Spread neck collar
Wit the jacket wit the vest
& underneath it all
Is the will & the Gaul
To shine thru the fog
Watch um scrap watch um claw
To what they think is the top
150k of horsepower n the lot
Cmon
Chorus
It's not the caravan of foreign sedans that make me a man
I follow the plans,
HOMIE I"M RICH
It ain't ah fable when u see the gold cables & gold bottles escorted to my table
HOMIE I"M RICH
Nevermind how the seats recline
How I grind & go fa mine,
HOMIE I'M RICH
Without a dollar to my name
My wealth sustained
Thru grace my road is paved
Singer
2nd Chorus
I ain't talkin bout money I'm talkin bout what's inside,
And what i'm talkin bout any real nigga just can't hide,
if he tried,
and i ain't worried bout no problems cause this here will always solve'um
cause dog im rich yea yeahhh
playa i'm rich yea yeahhh
3rd Verse
My mind frame Givanchi, 33 is a G,
Balenciaga B - H.O.T.
My open letters free
H.O.V.
I've excited my G'z
100 my soul is intact and Im stuntin,
Run it,
I teach these young boyz tricks,
what you want boy,
How to stay solid and mind is free as Einstein
Livin like ah rich man's stick up kid, is you bout that?
Bently Masson I'm out that, Yaddadah,
Always been a soilder in my culture,
Even when i was in that corolla my heart beat to the sound of a roadsta,
Spaghetti with my fetti peep my dialogue,
Boyz in the hood i feel like Ricky without the dyin dog, ughh!
I learned to be a man before a rapper,
Today its either tramp or a trapper, but never me
I knew my worth before i knew my worth
come take a hit ughhuh, You First,
Chorus
It's not the caravan of foreign sedans that make me a man
I follow the plans,
HOMIE I"M RICH
It ain't ah fable when u see the gold cables & gold bottles escorted to my table
HOMIE I"M RICH
Nevermind how the seats recline
How I grind & go fa mine,
HOMIE I'M RICH
Without a dollar to my name
My wealth sustained
Thru grace my road is paved
Singer
2nd Chorus
I ain't talkin bout money I'm talkin bout what's inside,
And what i'm talkin bout any real nigga just can't hide,
if he tried,
and I ain't worried bout no problems cause this here will always solve'um
cause dog im rich yea yeahhh
playa I'm rich yea yeah
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6. |
Lucky Me
02:00
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Maybe it's the way i was raised
The things I've seen is so different from the way its been played,
My perspective on life alone was much to much for most
Though I was comfortable as a floor mink coat
Tappin' them pink gators with every step, you know
When ya game so sure you don't worry bout no ref
Aw man those were the days
Definitely a different page, long gone that distant stage
When chicks were pawns, shrimps were prawns
Night fall turned into dawns, I was that guy, Yeah I was him
Wait, wait I am him
But nowadays my floss don't cost as much
But don't get it twisted that Audi scream Saudi in any language, Yet and still
Without that Aston Martin the old me vanquished
Felt like God came down on me just before I can handle it
You know the saying,
It's like he showed me the real me all I can do is start praying
Evil is what I was becoming
Soul crushing is what I was drummin'
That is until he came and changed me
Back under his wing it felt like he had renamed me
I see the world clear and can address the mirror
Never be ashamed of who I am today, I have found my way
Never to be led astray because in this game, It'll cost ya
and i can't afford it
I'd rather Honda Accord it before I make my unborn son an orphan leavin' him to be raised by these scorpions
While the good in me stays dormant, Naw
Naw I won't have it
You see, being me feels pretty dang good I must admit
I've came to far to go back now, I mean, I'll never forget
Nor will I submit
My trials My woes My set backs My goals
I'm sayin' the good thing is I'm still here
Who knows what tomorrow will bring
Or what my sorrows may cling
I laughed now cause, I kinda figured it out
Which is funny cause now all they do is try to figure me out, Crazy right? Not really
This was the day I took my "Chains Off"
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7. |
FreeDumb (Chain's Off)
03:34
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1st Verse
Loose women mixin' gin sinning
played my cards wrong, I felt like I was winning'
Inning after inning, game after game, chain after chain
My jeweler was insane
Weighing my neck down trynna hold my head up
Fed up with the set up rumors they won't let up
Stuntin' stuntin my growth
I saw no bridge but I did see a moat
Floatin' through the city couple pieces overlapping
Stones set perfect but really it was worthless
Never tucked wear my pride on my chest with no vest
Not stress, runnin' around like Khaled
Like I'm the best, Like, not like the rest, Like
Press like if this flow should be under arrest Like
Blinded by the shine
Locked in the prison of my own mind
The Jesus piece now part of my rhyme, like
Chorus
When I took the Chain Off
[REPEAT]
2nd Verse
Linked up with the Cubans flew in two that was choosin'
The sound of the chains reacting was so soothin'
Real gold fake love, A sight for blind eyes
Kill yourself esteem with no glove
I had one and sometimes three at one time
I think I lived out every one of my rhymes
Not proud but I learned, if you don't take the chains off
One way or another brother, You will learn
Like KRS say, locked up mentally
If you seeking betterment I know that you feelin' me
Its love though, I don't judge I was once you
I'm still in the struggle make a choice what you gon do
Never crush a diamond in a piece, that's a don't do
24k overlay that's what I do
Keep it real, Naw homie keep it right
Security wanna check my chains before the flight like
Chorus
When I took the Chain Off
[REPEAT]
3rd Verse
I was the herringbone caught in that cashmere sweater
The Gucci link that's under that butter soft leather
The diamond link on top of the white tee
The cross that lay on my heart that protects me
Chain on my mind, Chain on my wrist
It's a chain of events that can change and eclipse
Ya spirit, I hear it in ya talk
You gettin' chase by the evils but you damn near caught
But don't do it! You gotta get free
You gotta see how unlocking ya brain is the key
No fee for your soul, you not a G cause you old
Wisdom begins when fear of God is the Mold
Heated in the furnace and bent into shape
When you polished and you shining you admitted in the gates, Enlightened by the shine
Locked in the prison of my own mind
The Jesus piece is now part of my rhyme like
Chorus
When I took the Chain Off
[REPEAT]
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8. |
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1st Verse
I was in Canne doin my 1 2
Finishin' business with this rap music I do
I had on slacks with the hublot covered up
Headed to dinner rolled the sleeves on button up
Feelin good a long way from the hood
I made reservations as a gentleman should
As I awaited my table
This Habesha queen walked passed me and fulfilled my dreams, ugh
Her skin was bronze her eyes was oval
Her hair was black her smile was hopeful
Her neck was regal she spoke to her people
in such a low tone its like she recited a poem
The most beautiful woman I ever seen in my life
No woman compared I'll leave'um all tonight
As I approached her with the humblest
Hope I don't fumble it
Hello me Ms. I couldn't help but notice this
Chorus
I'm in utopia, a Ethiopian named Ethiopia
How sweet does it get
She spoke English and Amharic
Instantly I lost my ego as a artist and for me that's the hardest
2nd Verse
I was captivated so much I hesitated
A breath of fresh air, I felt recuscitated
My spirits elevated
My heart generated a certain energy, I bet you love detonated
Oh i get it now, let the healing start
She had her shemma cloth draped around her shoulder part
Beautiful, Stunning, Gorgeous,
And any other mature word that separates a woman from a girl I don't even know her name and she changed my world
Chorus
I'm in utopia, a Ethiopian named Ethiopia
How sweet does it get
She spoke English and Amharic
Instantly I lost my ego as a artist and for me that's the hardest
Chant
African Queen
[Repeat]
Bridge
So Fortunate
Sittin here staring at your beauty
So immaculate
Girl I'm trynna take my time to paint a picture baby
Sing a song baby
And get to know you baby
Oh girl I'm trynna take my time to get to know all of you
Get to know all of you
Get to know all of you
Oh girl I'm trynna take my time
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9. |
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Chorus
It's not because of me
But it's through me
It's not because of me
But it's through me
It's not because of me
But it's through me
It's not because of me
But it's through me
1st Verse
Ya whole life an extension of my hookups
Everytime I look up, you was on the come up
Half of me was like so what, I ain't trippin'
The other half was like hold on, am I slippin'
My nature's never the hater
But if my favor don't return favor
I shut off to my neighbor
I had a homie who use to act like the homie
till I realized his motive and saw him as a phony
My 1st thought was never to give again
Never lend
Never begin to let in a new friend, but then again
I would of never hit Brazil with Lue
Or Beijing with Rimo, I gotta silence my ego
echo Thank You
Chorus
It ain't because of me
But it was through me
It ain't because of me
It ain't because of me
But it was through me
It ain't because of me
It ain't because of me
But it was through me
It ain't because of me
It ain't because of me
But it was through me
But it was, ugh
[Thank You]
2nd Verse
Look what i did it was all me
I gave a 100 pair of kicks away, it was on me
Single handedly handed out the single
Airwaves startin to play my jingle
I put the homie on, got love
Went to France, they showed love
Me and Sindanu got paid, Me and Cal we got paid, the young vixen career got made
Another one got saved and moved in and had a kid with the kid who shot the vid, that's what is
I'm a walking biz
Character on the slide when you take the credit, Another debit I never let it, Stop, stop
Stop Buggin' me, felt like I needed compensation
Or congratulations, no patience, my motivation
Showed true of who I was, Showed love
And if none was showed back
A piece of me wish that I could take it back
And retract all my dealings...............
Bridge
I heard ah voice, It was still and crystal clear
It spoke to me, think not just on yourself
There's so much more, much more than me
It would be wise, to realize
That there is someone beyond the sky
And he's always, looking out for you
You and me
And he's always looking out for we
[Trumpet Solo]
3rd Verse
I hooked him up with his wife, he kept it movin'
No thanks to me, I just kept it movin'
I guess I felt a way but for what, God showed him a better way
Egotistically humbly speakin'
You bring life to whatever you thinkin'
Gotta think twice about your thoughts
You can't give a gift and then want it to be bought, that's not what he taught
I mentally fought, the penalty brought
Unsettling sought of self worth
Throwin' salt on his works the ego can work
And reek havoc on a beautiful birth
Its no worth,
that's why I chant
It's not because of me
It's through me
that's why I chant
It's not because of me
It's through me
Thats why I chant its not because of me
Thank you for getting through to me
[Thank You]
___________
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10. |
So Nice
04:43
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[Talk]
Yea, All the way,
From the beaches of Rio,
Back from vacay, Back from vacay
Wish I could go back tho
Check it out
1st Verse
Some say the flow remind of the greats
At the liquor store posted on a crate
Sippin' lemonade and agave mixed with honey
Smooth like the leather on a Tumi suitcase
Gotee lined up to save face
The black man was designed to erase race
Shout to Chace
I came in the game with one thang on my agenda
I ain't did it yet but I'm finsta
As I re-enter the center of attention
This time the focus is on the inventor, so listen
Close as the most high reshapes my mind
And acts as my guide through this crazy world ride, fly
Fly like the wind, Fly like the righteous mind of a stylish street poet who trynna win
Spend, most of my days amazed at this maze we call life so much its hard to sleep at night
I felt like a boss so I started playin' bossanova
So a change when i got to immersed in the culture
To many chains, to much changed, soon as i gotta lil change, everything changed
More haters more fakers more tickets to the Lakers invitations to Vegas with lady players
Gotta stay focused gotta lettum know
Without the knowledge and the wisdom then you hopeless fasho
I had a dream that I woke up and I was still sleep
And I believed everything that the world had showed me, (scary ain't it)
Never trust the artist and the pic he painted
Cause most things are tainted, It's so nice
When your third eye workin'
And ya flow sound perfect and you livin' with purpose, Nice
Two steppin' on the beaches of Ipanema
Me and my sexy libra with just a passport and visa
Chorus
Samba through life with me
Samba through life with me
It'll be So Nice
Samba through life with me
Samba through life with me
It'll be So Nice
It'll be So Nice
If you can Samba through life with me
right It'll be So Nice
If you can Samba through life with me
right
Talkpart
(Portuguese)
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11. |
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1st Verse
Pure player
To speak is to serenade her
Condo with the elevator, hater
Beijing clothiers
Just ah lil somethin' different from ya peers
Screamin' eagle in the air say cheers
A righteous lifestyle for some is wierd
On ah nightly bases different faces
Of all races, this watch been here for ages
No soul no feelin'
Just circle drive ways and high ceilings
Pool side chillin'
Killin' my emotions
Numb to the fact
That everyday I carried a strap
I was lost in the life that ah chose
Fast women fast cars and faster hoes
Use to be attracted to the glow
Now I'm gone
Chorus
Call you up when I get home
Let you know I made it alright
Your words were so sweet
But there to late for me
That was our last kiss good night
Last Kiss Good night
Good night
Good night
Good night
2nd Verse
Walk in, everybody know you
Different girl every night to console you
Ego driven the Audi sittin'
Front row valet
Got the windows tinted
Mixin' street biz with pleasure
Mixin' silk scarves wit leather
Never did I think I was wrong
To make her kiss her and her take off her thong
U knew what it was it felt right
The trials & tribulations of the life
The lies the lap of luxury
Manipulation and playful thuggery
I feel nothin when she huggin me
So I go to my other and my other one who I met thru another one
Temporary satisfaction
So u brush off the feelin' and keep stackin'
Lost in the life that ah chose
Fast women fast cars and faster hoes
Use to be attracted to the glow
Now I'm gone
Chorus
Call you up when I get home
Let you know I made it alright
Your words were so sweet
But there to late for me
That was our last kiss good night
Last Kiss Good night
Good night
Good night
Good night
3rd Verse
The last dance last harrah
The last time I look under bed and find bra
In Russia, the women said dah so much
Duhh was my response in lust
I was playin to the lost and got lost myself
Pushin' independence got signed myself
I out shined myself and couldn't stand the light it's impossible to dim when it's coming from him
What up Benzo Iz, J Rich and Pooh
We use to hit the streets to see wit it do
I did it done it now I'm done wit it
Had fun wit it
I hope my player partners
Walk away from it
Don't nobody win in these streets
Physically cool internally weak
All the loose lips commenting on your whip waiting for you to slip
Waiting to empty clip
Lost in the life that ah chose
Fast women fast cars and faster hoes
Use to be attracted to the glow
Now I'm gone
Chorus
Call you up when I get home
Let you know I made it alright
Your words were so sweet
But there to late for me
That was our last kiss good night
Last Kiss Good night
Good night
Good night
Good night
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DAMANI NKOSI Inglewood, California
Damani Nkosi is a voice that rings with distinction and supreme clarity, valiantly shattering stereotypes with each
metaphor.
Assisted by Musiq and Robert Glasper, the album’s first single “Now That’s Love” is a head nodding ode to how an intangible emotion has such a dynamic effect on life.
... more
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supported by 6 fans who also own “Thoughtful King”
in a place much worse then most music can catch in/on to, am streaming the album until the music can. have more faith in Hiatus Kaiyote as soundallies then a presenter could assume or guess. I love you all significantly, there's a mango vape, thc9 watermelon syrup and organic cigarettes if you come through however🙏🏼, I don't really have any money.
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supported by 6 fans who also own “Thoughtful King”
This was the first Oddisee album I had ever heard. Still regularly come back to it. I know people who listen to underground always talk about the amazing artist you can find, but it was shock to find just an insane amount of talent from someone so unknown.
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supported by 6 fans who also own “Thoughtful King”
A lovely collection of catchy beats, resulting in an excellent debut.
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