Music
[spoken word]
Red Beans And Rice
I don't eat red meat but I'm not a vegetarian
I like ice cream/ but not much dairy
'cause it gets in my nose
it makes me gotta blows
snot like a farmer and it gets on my clothes
it's rather unsightly/ can even be frightening
but cold medication/ should not be taken nightly
because everything dat I put in/ it comes out again
and if I eat lean/ it helps me stay thin
check out my hair, I keep it dreaded
about my corn? I like it breaded
hot from the oven? MMMM! you said it!
straight to the stomach my fuel is unleaded
But not fossil fuels/ I like olive oil
I like my eggs scrambled/ I never eat 'em boiled
The way to my heart/ is with a garlic clove
it smells hella sexy/ when it's on the kitchen stove
(chorus)
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice,
make everything nice
red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice
I could eat a plate twice. So nice. So nice. So nice.
Most people on the planet/ eat beans and rice
some can't afford beef or they think cows are nice
If you talk table manners don't believe all they
told ya I eat with my fingers like an African soldier
I don't know which fork is for meat or for salad
I haven't got a clue when they say "whet your palate"
eat a lot a prunes it'll keep you loose
skin'll turn orange if you drink carrot juice
I think beef jerky tastes like a boot
when I'm on the street I chew a licorice root
and if I have a soar throat /then I eat ginger
and I will break bread /with those who are strangers
so come into my cave / tonight I will show you
food is for life / and life I will show you.
If you're havin' problems/ I invite you here
step into my kitchen /we will cook away your fears
(chorus)
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that
saved a wretch like me
... let's eat!
Mi casa es su casa. Mi cocina es su cocina.
you know what I meana!
(bridge)
get some boilin' water! Yeah!
get a pound aof beans! Yeah!
get some spice and make it nice! Yeah!
you know what I mean!
But if a friend has gas /then he's passin'
it gives me a headache end I gotta take aspirin
it makes me dizzy/ I fix him fizzies
to calm his stomach/ when it's feelin kinda
busy some like it white/but I like it brown
I like spicy chicken/ and I can throw it down
chilis come red /and chilis come green
when it's on the table/ I lick my plate clean
Then I drink a toast to the host and hostess
But first we give thanks/ to God the Mostest
'cause if I am a guest/ I always wash my plate
sip a sip a soda while I sing Amazing Grace
rings on my fingers /left round the tub
bass fulla bubbles/ bumpin like a wash tub
think about my troubles/ goin down the drain
dryin' up the puddles in the back of my brain
But...
(chorus)
Food For The Masses
I love family
'cause family brings inspirations
one love to you and peace to all the nations
Aztlan the Puerto Rican and Jamaican
the African the Maori, Kouri and the Haitian
on the chocolate reservation
I'll take a hit and then pass the information
to the left hand side and
keep providin', pride and,
sustenance and guidance
Mass Hysteria fools breaking down the barrier
militant cliques big up the area
put your fist in the air now,
show me that cha care now
and that cha really know how
Don't get thee behind me Satan
I'll keep thee in front so I can kick thee in the ... and
assassinate all your wicked inventions
your new world order and your global intentions
not to mention the department of corrections
makin' money off of people in detention
doin' time for possessions
countin' the days in the dark they buildin' up aggressins
progressions all the dirty lessons
in the belly of the beast only God hears confessions
Geronimo Pratt's still sittin' in the cellar
done as many years as they did Mandela
Parole board wanted to know are you remorseful
how could I be becouse I didn't do the crime yo
y'alls the Motha fucka's that's guilty
lockin' me in solitary eight years of filthy
kill the messanger, you can't kill the message
yo I'm bringin' food for the masses
(Chorus)
For the Masses for the masses
mental food food for the masses
for the masses for the masses for the true for the true
For the Masses for the masses
mental food food for the masses
for the masses for the masses for the true for the true
So let's eat have a seat
call the Maitre D'
commencin' with the riddim
I get open on the beat
let 'em say what they say about the way that we be
it's the year two triple O
They can't stop we
Aw'ight, Sellassie I the book unfolds
I write 'cause half the story has never been told so
No one can stop it the whole world's droppin out the socket
Blowin' up, like NASA when I rock it
the high tech ways of the civilized man
can't stand my people but ya love the sun tan
Fly the space shuttle like dancer and prancer
you nuke the north pole now you got skin cancer
the answer you see I'm fly like Lufthansa
you can Valujet but you takin' big chances
on crashes. Change your name like Cassius
the classes be making food for the masses
then shift to a speed that's common for the listeners
MC's and wanna be street politicians
in competition with the envious visions
they chasin' paper dollars to a pop chart prison
but listen this isn't me against you
'cause the whole world's checking out the things that we do
ya sold your soul to the Saint Ide's brew
that's aw'ight I like the Sprite in you
(Chorus)
People In The Middle :
I am not a muslim but I read the final call
because within its pages there is something for us all
and I am not professional but I love basketball
the squeaking of the sneakers they echo in the hall
But if I don't have enemies I'm not doin' my job
I might throw out a curve ball but I never throw a lob
people criticize me but I know it's not the end
I try to kick the truth not just to make friends
(chorus)
but hey diddle diddle
to the people in the middle
we got hot wax
and it cookin' on the griddle
Got the guitar strummin'
the drummer drummin'
the people all hummin'
and the vibe was lovin'
on and on and on
'til the breakadawn
I am not a jerk although sometimes I act like one
and I am deadly serious about us havin' fun
well I go many places but I know I'm not with you
and I am not a sucker even though I'm stuck on you
each one- should teach one and share with one anotha
so many is out there-that's livin undercover
your motha your fatha your sista your brotha
your friends and their enemies all have their lovers
(chorus)
So tell me- the definition of a sell-out
cast your first stone-but then get the ... out
people say they know me I can tell you that they don't
people say they own me I can tell you that they won't
the left and the right they all try to use me
but I'll be in they faces before they can abuse me
so roll down ya window and listen what I'm sayin'
relax ya mind and let the band keep playin'
on and on and on 'til the breakadawn
(chorus)
Crime To Be Broke In America
I take the needle off the record
and shove it in my arm
whenever I feel life is
comin' on too strong
they left me in a clinic fulla
cynical motha ...' bureaucrats
and other kinda ding bats
Livin on the tracks
the tracks in my arm said
it all depends which side the tracks your on.
tellin' me what to wear
tellin me cut my hair
and tryin to convince me that they
really really care
all about my health and about my wealth
but still they built the Stealth
'cause everybody's
just lookin out for they self
So then I ask 'em
can I have a clean needle
"... no that's illegal!"
(chorus)
'Cause it's a crime to be broke in America!
and it's a crime to smoke dank in America!
(repeat)
"Yeah hit those drums now"
they lockin' brother's in the poorhouse
who can't afford Moorhouse
politicians nervous
it's the only free service they provide
you wanna go inside
there's a hot meal waitin' for ya
a deal we can score ya
on a bed for a night or two
or three or four months.
They say they lockin' us up in cells
to protect us from ourselves
it smells like they got anotha
plan in store house
or should I say warehouse
fulla niggas and other misfits
that couldn't turn tricks in the courthouse
it's a justice whorehouse
(chorus)
It's a crime to be broke in America!
and it's a crime to be Black in America!
But there's a mutiny on the bounty
in ever single county
we remember Attica
but don't forget to pat a few
other on the back as a matter of fact
sister Asatta Shakur and Geronimo Pratt
'cause Amnesty international
is fightin' for political
but if your analytical
you know it's much more critical than that
percentages black is really, really whack
can I kick a few facts yes?
Sx percent in college
from livin on the block
twenty five percent in prison
the school of hard knocks
fifty percent in poverty
is livin on the rocks
five hundred brothas on a death row box
The punishment is capital
for those who lack in capital
because a public defender
can't remember the last time
that a brother wasn't treated like an animal.
They say they blame it on a song
when someone kills a cop
what music did they listen to
when they bombed Iraq?
give me one example so I can take a sample
no need to play it backwards
if you wanna hear the devil
cause music's not the problem
it didn't cause the bombin'
but maybe they should listen
to the songs of people starving..
(chorus)
'Cause it's a Crime to be broke in America!
it's a crime to smoke dank in America!
it's a crime to be black in America!
it's a crime to be black in America!
it's a crime to be Puerto Rican
African
Native American
Asian Hatian
a Woman
Every Single Soul
(chorus)
No matter where I roam
whoa-oh I know every single soul is poem
written on the back of God's hand
Ya see Moms and Pops be copulatin'
plantin' seeds and pickin' weeds for another season
another reason for livin' another reason for givin'
another reason for lovin' and tryin' stay out of prison
'cause everything in life can't be nice and
everything you want can't be got
but the lessons on patient be causing the pressure to rise
and make some people suicidal
Oh no! another soul, has lost control
we pull him back into the fold
he got strung out on the material
all the superficial initials upon his clothes
they make me wanna go Sprewell
every time I see my family locked in jail
uh-huh, the economical can be demonical
keep love in your soul
(chorus)
Ya see people are so beautiful in love
that's why I'm reminded of life's precious moments every time
I see lovers walkin' by in the park
close my eyes and I stop reminisce
to see a little baby suckin' on his mama's
milk-ey silky smoothness of a lovin' caress holdin' baby to breast
and blessin' the world with another to test, test, test
oh-yes, oh-yes Bom-bom!
I'd like to sing a little song
dedicated to the people who would like to sing along
'cause every little song has little beats and notes
like every little lake has little trees and boats
all people deserve a safe and warm home
'cause every single soul is a poem
(chorus)
Right from the start in a world torn apart
a baby's love leaves finger prints upon the heart
so many think it, but never say it
"why bring a child to this planet full of hatred?"
they might not make it like the youngest departed
or worst of all they might become a part of it
involved in it, perpetuating violence, violence
and growing up in silence
seein' things they don't know how to deal with
and learnin' ways, to try to cope with it
cope with it, cope with it
and not lose hope
(chorus)
[spoken word]
Positive :
Make me, make me sweat
til I'm wet, til I'm dry
but then wipe this tear from my eye
haven't felt this warm in a long time
even out in the bright sunshine
in lifetime of springtimes
I fall into your arms
with my heart pumpin' on
like a bubblin' dub track
like a garlicy hot tonque and lip smack
I did some contemplation
before we got down to this consecration
maybe baby something in you kiss said
it was an impetous
for me to rethink this
If I love you
then I better get tested
make sure we're protected
I walk through the park
dressed like a question mark
Hark!
I hear my memory bark
in the back of my brain,
makn' me insane...
...like cocaine
(chorus)
But how'm I gonna live my life if I'm positive?
Is it gonna be a negative?
How'm I gonna live my life if I'm positive?
Is it gonna be a negative?
but how'm I gonna live my life if I'm positive?
It dawned on me, it seemed to me
this is unusual scenery
this red light greenery
make me feel kinda dreamery
thinkin' how I used to be
Arrive at the clinic
walk through the front door
take a nervous number
then I think about it more
about all the time
that I neglected
makin sure that
I was protected
They took my blood
With an anonymous number
two weeks waitin' wonderin'
I shoulda done this a long time ago
alot of excuses why I couldn't go
I know these things and these things I must know
'cause it's better to know than to not know!
(chorus)
I go home to kick it
in my apartment
I try to give myself
a risk assessment
the wait is what can really annoy ya
everyday is more paranoya
I'm readin' about how it's transmitted
some behavior I must admit it
who I slept with, who they slept with,
who they, who they, who they slept with
I think about life and immortality
what's the first thing I do if I'm H.I.V
have a cry and tell my mother
get on the phone and call my past lovers
I never thought about infectin' anotha
all the times that I said "Hmmm? Don't bother."
Was it really all that magic?
The times I didn't use a prophalactic
Would my whole life have to change?
or would my whole life remain the same?
sometimes it makes me wanna shout!
all these things too hard to think about
a day to laugh, a day to cry
a day to live and a day to die
'til I find out, I may wonder
but I'm not gonna live my life six feet under
(chorus)
[spoken word]
GANJA BABE
I wanna make it slow
Sensemille
I wanna make it slow
Make me feel ya
Heavy medicine
ya see my eyes are feeling red again
I'm bringin' light
like Thomas funky Edison
been in the desert for forty seven days
Purple Haze
the poison that I tasted never changed
turn up the woofers so I can feel the beat
vibrate my belly like a bomb in harmony
summer heat
my back is sticking to me to the seat
bare feet
tank top and shorts is all ya need
summer breeze
I'm feelin' kinda fine
I'm rollin with my shorty all the time
wind and grind lovely shake your behind
cinnamon skin be bringing sin to my mind
but whether or not the weather's hot
or the weather's cold
I'm wrapping her like a blanket with my whole soul
so that she can feel me
like Coca Cola I'm the woo-o-oh oh the sweet thing
my girl lollipop she growing mad crops
she rollin' herbs everyday
at about 4 o' clock
tick tock
strike the hammer while the Iron's hot
ooh girl watcha got cooking in the pot
see Mary Mary quite contrary
how does your garden grow?
Hydrophonic ultra supersonic
or does it grow naturally slow?
(Chorus)
Ganja babe my sweet ganja babe
I love tha way ya love me and the way ya misbehavin'
ganja babe my sweet ganja babe
come wake body-ody take my mind away
Everybody get down and do the boogaloo
just like the cover of I want you
yoo hooo look watcha gonna do
watcha gonna do when the rent comes due
round up the posse and call up the crew
5 bucks at the door and ya bring ya own booze
call ya neighbor 'cause they can come too
be sure and bring ya records 'cause I only got a few
so baa baa black sheep have you any wool
yes sir, yes sir a nickle bagful
one for my partner one for my crew
some for my ganja baby she needs 2
cuz just like me they want to be... cool
[spoken word]
STAY HUMAN
Starvation is the creation of the devil, a rebel
I'm bringin' food to the people like a widow
bringin' flowers to a grave in the middle
of the city isolation is a riddle
to be surrounded by a million other people
but to feel alone like a tree in a desert
dried up like the skin of a lizard
but full of colour like the spots of a leopard
drum and bass pull me in like a shepherd
scratch my itch like a needle on a record
full of life like a man gone to Mecca
sky high like an eagle up soaring
I speak low but I'm like a lion roaring
baritone like a Robeson recordin'
I'm givin' thanks for bein' human every morning
(chorus)
Because the streets are alive with the sound of Boom Bap
can I hear it once again
Boom Bap tell your neighbour tell afriend
every box gotta right to be bomin'
because the streets are alive with the sound of Boom Bap
can I hear it once again
Boom Bap tell your neighbour tell a friend
Every flower got a right to be boomin'
Be resistant
the negativity we keep it at a distance
call for backup and I'll give you some assistance
like a lifesaver deep in the ocean
stay afloat here upon the funky motion
rock and roll upon the waves of the season
hold your breath and your underwater breathin'
To be rhymin' without a real reason
is to claim but not to practice a religon
if television is the drug of the nation
satellite is immaculate reception
beaming in they can look and they can listen
so you see don't believe in the system
to legalize you or give you your freedom
you want rights ask em', they'll read em'
but every flower got a right to be bloomin'
stay human
(chorus)
All the freaky people make the beauty of the world
You see Y2K ya know is a moment
in time we find that we can open
up a heart that's locked or been broken
by the pain of words not spoken
or shot by guns a still smokin'
Cartwrights out on the Ponderosa
or drive by bang in Testarossa
we need to heed the words of Dalai Lama
or at least the words of yo mama
take a mental trip to the Bahamas
steam your body in a stereo sauna, sauna, comma
(chorus)
Gas Guage :
At days arrival one man at the table eatin' corn flakes
checkin out the paper his brother walks in from a hard nights caper
half hungover and looking for his pager
what's in the news today did we find a saviour
Nah I'm just looking for some part time labor
by the way did you remember put the gas in my ride
or must I remind ya how I lost my last job
chill with all that chatter ya know ya need to stall
trust me baby bro that's what big brotha's for uh uh
I got interviews today so don't even front about my broken gas gauge
by the way things are looking it's a very good day
If I could ever find my wallet I'll be on my way
bigger brotha steps to his girlfriends place
just then the phone rings and it was moms to say
remind ya big brotha it's your cousin's birthday
and I'ma need a half dozen eggs for the cake
No problem moms I'll tell him later in the day
but now I can't find my wallet gotta go I'm late
(Chorus)
The world's in your hands don't waste...
don't waste your time
Back to the saga the car wouldn't start up JJJJhhhh..JJJJhhhh
there he goes now he's rolling like a baller
out of the city and into the woods
for a job with a hammer where the pay is good
reaches in the back seat for his favorite tape
uuuh a condom from his brotha's last date
... my lazy no good brotha and just as he says it
the car starts to sputter and sputter
until it outright stops the gas tank empty
not even a drop I'm gonna choke that nigga when I reach my spot
three miles from no place and now I gotta walk
to the top of the hill and down again
round the bend page my broth from the old fruit stand
the phone ring rings yo it's me your big brotha
I told ya not to sweat me when I'm laying with my lover What!
You punk ... broke muthafukka I told ya cut the crap
when it came to my endeavors chill baby bro and don't even start it
there's a gallon in the trunk andif ya need more ... it
some of my ... along with ya lost wallet
is in the glove box kid, the mystery solv-en
take what's yours and leave mine where ya saw it
my baby's calling gotta go stay solid
(Chorus)
so he hung up the phone in a rush to leave
I forgot to tell my brotha 'bout the cake recipe
star 69 so he pushed it in but
by now the bigger brotha was pursuing some skins
the phone ring rings - don't answer it it's my little brotha
calling ...' with me again
So he beeped him back a one two more times
but he was already naked with his Valentine
... - I Gotta - get back to the ride
What the ...'s going on with this day of mine
once again up the hill down the other side
what the ... a cop doin snooping by my ride
yo officer - check it - out everything is fine
I just ran outta gas and now I'm running outta time
slow down boy this ain't no race
I can tell you kinda people ain't from this place
tell ya what turn around put ya hands on the hood
and ya best act good just like a good boy should
listen up holdup - I'm speaking the truth
See I'm just trying to get to this here job interview
shut them lips boy don't let 'em get no bigger
or I'm gonna have to say I was attacked by a nigger
now if you wanna make it through the morning with me
I suggest you wise up and show me valid I.D.
chill man - awright - problem - we solve it
my brotha put my wallet in the glove box compartment
aw'ight you can get it but ya don't move quick
just remember I'm behind ya with a full up clip
he opens up the box and to their surprise
out pops a wallet and the bigger brothers nine
the cop shouts "Freeze" raise ya hand kid
he reaches for his wallet and the cop goes blam
... - pulp fiction in the car
another dead homey tryin' a find a job MMM MMm MMm
back at the crib bigger brotha laying up
and girlfriend says maybe you should give ya little brother a call
and don't forget it's ya cousin's birthday after all
I will in a minute please let me be
I think he left me a message on the message machine
big brotha - I'm gonna be home late
and I'm afraid that my day has been great
can I remind you if it's not too late
to get a half dozen eggs for the birthday cake
We Don't Mind :
(chorus)
We don't mind
see we've been doin' it all the time
but if you want us to you sacrifice
you will not get it without a price
we don't mind
see we've been doin' it all the time
but if you want us to you sacrifice
you gotta give something back to life
You think I'm vulnerable to your pressure tactics
because I shed a tear, 'cause I shed a tear
you think I'm vulnerable to your violence
just 'cause I'm sittin' here
but my babies came into this world
without a single fear, say they has no fear
'cause the seven generations before me
they all fought to get us here
(chorus)
You can't just come in here like that no more
and snatch up our childhood
you just can't walk on up
and replace it yo, with your Hollywood
but I see now
how all of the words I say you'll take and misconstrue
and I'm prepared now
to suffer the penalties for speakin' the truth
and I speak the truth when I say
(chorus)
People if you hear me now I wantcha to say
Naa, na-naa, na-naa, nah
people if you hear me now I wantcha to say
Naa, na-naa, na-naa, nah
SOMETIMES
(chorus)
Sometimes I feel like I can do anything
Sometimes I’m so alive
Sometimes I feel like I can zoom cross the sky
Sometimes I wanna cry
Most people try to aim to please
but a lot of them are kinda weak at the knees
learnin' late about the birds and the bees
fallin' in love and wanna be set free
playin' ball at the age of thirteen
everybody's growin' up with a dream
I never noticed what could happen to me
time flies when your walkin' the streets
one minute gotcha holdin' an ace
the next minute gotcha fall on yer face
a mean city is a nasty place
only a rat can win a rat race!
peace to the people who be fallin' away
to make it home today
and peace to the people who be tryin' to find
some kinda life
(chorus)
Sound body and sound of mind
sound of the rhythm and sound of the rhyme
somebody marchin' out all of the time
biggest mistakes are the humanest kind
judge not, lest you be judged
the court room or the billy club
blood bubblin' thick than mud
the heart beat rub-a-dub-dub
show love and love who you know
family wherever you go
Tokyo to Acapulco
bravissimo, magnifico
peace to the people who be losin' their head
peace to the people who be needin' a bed
love to the people who be feelin' alone
spreadin' love upon the microphone
hope to the people to be feelin' down
smile to the people who be wearin' a frown
faith to the people who be seekin' the truth y'all
all of the time, and I say
(chorus)
[spoken word]
Oh My God
(chorus)
Oh my, oh my God
out here mama they got us livin’ suicide
singin’ oh my, oh my God
out here mama they got us livin’ genocide
Slam bam I come unseen
but like gasoline you tell I’m in the tank
like money in the bank
I smell appealing, but I’m toxic, can send you reeling
without an inklin’, keep ya thinkin’
‘cause you gave cash to the feds, left your school district for dead
... you up in the head, but still they sayin’ nothin’s wrong
still believing the systems workin’
while half of my people are still out of workin’
anonymous notesleft in the pockets and coats
of judges and juries from ‘Frisco and Jersey
threats and protests politicians mob debts
trumped up charges and phony arrests
stage a lethal injection, the night before the election
‘cause he got donations from the prison guard’s union
(chorus)
Listen to my stethoscope on a rope
internal lullabies, human cries
thumps and silence, the language and violence
algorithmic, cataclysmic, seismic, biorhythmic
you can make a life longer, but you can’t save it
you can make a clone and then you try to enslave it?
stealin’ DNA samples from the unborn
and then you comin’ after us
‘cause we sampled a James Brown horn?
scientists who’s God is progress
a four-headed sheep is their latest project
the CIA runin’ like that Jones from Indiana
but they still won’t talk about that Jones in Guyana
this ain’t no cartoon, no one slips on bananas
do you really think that that car killed Diana
... I shot Ronald Regan, I shot JFK
I slept with Marilyn she sung me “Happy Birthday”
singin’
(chorus)
Well politicians got lipstick on the collar
the whole media started to holler
but I don’t give a ... who they screwin’ in private
I wanna know who they screwin’ in public
robbin’, cheatin’, stealin’
white collar criminal
McDonald eatin, you deserve a beatin’
send you home a weepin’, with a fat bill for your Caribbean weekend
for just about anything they can bust us
false advertising sayin’ “Halls of Justice”
you tellin’ the youth don’t be so violent
then you drop bombs on every single continent
mandatory minimum sentencin’
‘cause he got caught with a pocket full of medicine
do that again another ten up in the pen
I feel so mad I wanna bomb an institution
singin’
(chorus)
Recorded Live May 1999 At The Baobab
1st Release on Boo Boo Wax
Original Release Date: Summer 2000
Produced By: Michael Franti
Edited & Mixed By: Mark Pistol & Michael Franti
"Michael Franti: Live at the Baobab" is a recording of a warm evening of spoken word poetry and acoustic music recorded live at the Baobab restaurant, in the heart of the mission district in San Francisco, Ca. We recorded seven nights of exspeariences in front of a packed and sweaty room of raucous Spearits (a term for a Spearhead supporter) and edited it down to the most, humorous, enraging, enlightening, and inspiring 70 minutes.
Michael Franti - Vocalist
Carl Young - Bass, Sax & Fender Rhodes
Dave Shul - Guitar
Roberto Quintanta - Percussion
Ramon Lazo - Keyboards
Troy Limpkins - Bass*
