“Yes, I am the inescapable, the irresistible,
The unnegotiable, the unchallenged [who dat?]
I am time
I scroll in measurements, control the elements,
I hold the evidence, I tell the story [say what?]
I am time
I know no prejudice, I bare no sentiments
For wealth or settlement, I move forward [who you?]
I am time
You can’t recover me, conceal or smuggle me,
Retreat or run from me, crawl up or under me,
You can’t do much for me besides serve
Me well and have good dividends returned to you
Or attempt to kill me off and have me murder you
Many have wasted me but now they are facing me,
Treated me unfaithfully and now endure me painfully
Plaintively, I wait to see what history will shape to be,
Who’s hearts will never die inside the sake of me
Angel’s scribe the page for me,
Keep a full account of all the names for me
And make a special mark for Hurricane who waited patiently” – Mos Def

We are all here for a reason on a particular path
You don’t need a curriculum to know that you are part of the math
Cats think I’m delirious, but I’m so damn serious
That’s why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I’m trying to make it better for these little boys and girls
I’m not just another individual, my spirit is a part of this
That’s why I get spiritual, but I get my hymns from Him
So it’s not me, it’s He that’s lyrical
I’m not a miracle, I’m a heaven-sent instrument
My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental
That’s why I’m instrumental
Vibrations is what I’m into
Yeah, I need my loot by rent day
But that is not what gives me the heart of Kunte Kinte
I’m tryina give us “us free” like Cinque
I can’t stop, that’s why I’m hot
Determination, dedication, motivation
I’m talking to you, my many inspirations
When I say I can’t, let you or self down
If I were of the highest cliff, on the highest riff
And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life in my grip
I would never, ever let you down
And when these words are found
Let it been known that God’s penmanship has been signed with a language called love
That’s why my breath is felt by the deaf
And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I, too, dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I’m one of a kind in a full house
Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth
A touch of God reigns out

Akala – I don’t know (Lyrics)

Verse 1

They say ignorance is bliss
Never a truer word spoke
Half the answers only bring more questions that we’ll never know
Even the wise man knows he don’t know much
Still not wise enough to accept it as such
So we chase the questions – seeking direction
Every time we think we’re right – get a swift correction
Whether Muslim or Jew – really don’t matter which
You can’t buy tomorrow no matter how rich
We all bleed and breathe and take shits
And chase the same answers
Though some think are better equipped
But with all the test tubes and test and so-called best
They still don’t know
A theory is just a posh word for a guess
Because you’re in a skyscraper don’t make you different
From those in huts along the Amazon
And not more significant
We’re all the same – all rise all fall
But those on high horses have the furthest to fall

Chorus
The moon and the stars
Fast women and cars
Is this world truly ours?
Or are we just entertainment
Chasing it all we rise and we fall
SAID I DON’T KNOW
x2

Verse 2

They say ignorance is bliss – never believe it
Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it
Truth you gotta seek it, wherever its hidden
Or else you’ll find yourself dancing to someone elses rhythm
Mental prison is the worsest kind
You can take my liberty but my mind is mine
Whatever they controlling, never let your brain close in
The mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open
Smoking gun but they say they never shoot
No such thing as a fruit without root
Truth not being told will never make it go away
A lie told a thousand times can never take it’s place
They say it’s fate, but take a proper view
They’re trying to hold so many destiny’s in their hands
They’re bound to drop a few
So the more we keep moving, the better chance we got
Everybody knows a rolling stone gathers no moss

Chorus

Verse 3

They say ignorance is bliss, well I ain’t got a clue
All you gotta do is whatever that works for you
But when 6 billion individuals looking out for no. 1
And we got to share the same sun
That’s when the troubles come
That brings us back to where we started
Face to face with the cold-hearted facts
That there are no answers
My head all of this chit-chat
I don’t even smoke
But i’ma go have a spliff and just kick back

Chorus

Outro
You know, don’t ask me
I’m not a prophet
I’m not the answer
I’m just a rapper
A little boy from North London
What you’ve heard for the last 40 minutes
It’s my opinion
My thoughts, my feelings
It’s not right, it’s not wrong
It’s just what it is
It’s just Akala

Akala – Something Inside My Head (Lyrics)

Verse 1

They wonder why the caged bird sings
But even worse a pain
Is the bird with lead wings
It’s like I’m on my own town
But can’t speak the language
Crowded to the point of suffocation
Still feel stranded
What bandage could heal scars invisible
Existing is easy it’s living that is difficult
It’s like a ritual
I get close to believing
Then I put a fortress up to close in my feelings
Dreaming, so close to achieving
Then I throw it all away
Cos I’m scared to receive it
Living every day in my shadow
I find my resolve
When the cold night swallows that shadow
I travel through the landscape
Searching for why
But the question follows everywhere I go
Like the sky
You don’t understand my soul
Well neither do I

Chorus:
It’s just something inside my head
Won’t set me free
Won’t let me be
It’s just something inside my head
Comin in between you and me
It’s just something inside my head

Verse 2
I wasn’t born this way
My condition was learned
Once bitten twice shy I don’t wanna be burned
When you travel a passage
That leaves your heart ravaged
Your mind waxes placid to limit the damage
Your reaction is passive
Whether you like it or not
You cannot win whether you fight it or not
Your brain swallows the pain and buries it instead
Now..

[Chorus]
It’s just something that guides my
Something that drives my
Something inside my head

Verse 3
I offend myself then avenge myself
And pretend it helps to defend myself
I believe myself then deceive myself
To retrieve myself I don’t need my help
Whether the brave myself or slave myself
It’s strange every day I’m not the same myself
I love myself then I hate myself

[Chorus]

A few explanations:

1 – ‘giuliani, you can swim with the lobsters, i hope you mobsters lose your livers to the vodka’

thats a reference to the fascist former mayor of new york, rudolph giuliani (he’s now running for president. his foreign policy adviser is daniel pipes, who said muslim and all dark-skinned immigrants were ‘unwashed’ and ‘unhygenic’.), anyway M-1 is saying i hope you die. he’s calling him and his friends ‘mobsters’ because of the policies they enacted while in office to terrorise the black and poor into submission – but also because giuliani has well-known links to the mafia.

2 – we don’t dance, unless its capoeira // imported like capoeira

capoeira is a brazilian martial art that looks like dancing, but is actually fighting. one version of the story goes that the slaves in brazil had to pretend to be dancing so that the slave owners wouldn’t realise they were learning to fight. so they disguised the martial art.

Read more for lyrics…

Dead Prez – Together Lyrics

Y’all ready? Y’all ready? Y’all ready?

Together – the motherfkin ants (the ants) – can conquer (can conquer) the motherfkin elephant (the elephant)

This is for mumia and sunyata
herman bell we got ya
- matulu shakur we want you free with assata

and giuliani – yo you can swim with the lobsters

I hope you mobsters lose your livers to the vodka

Somebody needs to get took hostage

This is poposterous – got a whole nation up in bondage

It might sound rash but n*gga we bout to crash

we in a race for life you thinking its for cash flow

i’ma be that asshole coming in the party to harrass you

or should i say fk it and just dance too

but we dont dance no mo’ – unless its capoeira
the new rap era of natural born guerillas

cuz anything can happen if you make it so

i’m like george jackson .45 in my afro

i’m like marcus garvey coming with money to blow

saying i want an army of boats – full of n*ggas that never vote
so on that note i’m sick of these scared millionaires

better get your nuts back cuz crackers thinking its theirs

drop a jewel not a bracelet

face it 90% of us still fighting for the basics

yo yo,

Yo i’m true to the struggle not new to the struggle

been through many trials – many forms of hustles

spent nights in the county for bullsh*t charges
fist fights with police cussing at the sargent

beef over females – you know how that goes

n*ggas egos turn best friends to foes

i been robbed, beat up, scared to fight

n*ggas busting shots off had to run for my life

but i aint no gangsta wanabe thug

never glorified selling dope cuz i seen my brother on drugs

and its painful, this game’s so dirty and foul

even the hospital just might murder your child
if you aint careful,
but i’m a rebel to this whole era

african root – imported like capoeira

ready for whatever thats where i wana be

able to destroy any ememy in front of me

or inside of me – see thats a jewel -
if I overlook the enemy within
then i’m a fool
can’t judge a book by its cover

cant trust every sister or brother cuz they could be undercover
DT’s
DPs got jewels for days

by making mistakes i learned to correct my ways

and it pays to stay humble,
studying lessons
dont wana see your own blood on your weapons

DP’s: not to be confused with
n*ggas who just do music -
its that true sh*t

Ghetto crows: not to be confused with
n*ggas who just do music – its that true sh*t

Yo
Don’t be yelling people army if you aint training

just wana rap like its all about some entertainment

how we too busy to train but got time to smoke?

aint got no money for class but got an ounce of dope

we could be learning how to sew

get skills thats useful
, instead of this fake thug sh*t we used to

we could bling, but a chain only as strong as its weakest link

thats why the whole people army gotta keep in sync

EME, UMO – You know PA

n*ggas is opposite of the po-po

we say: together the ants can conquer the elephant

they say: fk what they say cuz sh*t is irrelevant
!
soldiers wheres your heart show me the love

what you made of this is the sh*t that can make thugs turn revolutionary
360
he with me she with me anything for you give up my kidney

yo its in my blood like shots of remy

whats gotten in me – i see the goddamn enemy

stic – give me the gat so I can smoke this cracker

this is UHURU n*gga
blaka blaka blaka

I study cherman mao, malcolm and mau mau who with it?

its self defence – you want the blau come get it

P E O P L E – soldiers living better lives

for self and for family do or die

DP’s: not to be confused with
n*ggas who just do music – its that true sh*t

Ghetto crows: not to be confused with
/ n*ggas who just do music – its hard work BUT

Together – the motherfkin ants (the ants) – can conquer (can conquer) the motherfkin elephant (the elephant)
one more time
Together – the motherfkin ants (the ants) – can conquer (can conquer) the motherfkin elephant (the elephant)

YOU HEARD ME? (we heard you)

Transcribed right here

“Islamic boy bands like 786 and Mecca 2 Medina are also the subject of the sort of female adulation you expect to see on American Pop Idol or the X-Factor. Surely Islamic events should be promoting restrained and more sedate behavior…”

I got the track sent to me by email and I’ve uploaded it to YSE for those who are interested in downloading it get it here.

 APPLE is preparing to bring its combined iPod and mobile phone to Britain in the next few weeks in conjunction with mobile operator O2, The Times has learnt.

The iPod mobile, manufactured with Motorola, will allow owners to buy music while on the move, enhancing the power of the iconic device.

Apple is expected to unveil the new technology in the United States in partnership with Cingular Wireless next week. A British launch is expected shortly after, with the new devices available in time for the Christmas shopping season.

 :arrow: Times Online

Microsoft’s latest version of DRM (Digital Rights Management), which was designed to put a stop to hacker’s getting around the licences imposed on downloaded music, could be exploited once again.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/cmusings/2005/04/14

Ever since Microsoft released its DRM technology, rookie hackers have been trying to get around it to get more for their money from services such as Apple’s iTunes and Napster. However, professionals have decided to take on the daunting task of decoding Microsoft’s encryption methods.

The reason for this taking on this lengthy process is not just out of spite. The community of hackers lead by the infamous Cody Brocious are said to be undergoing this daunting task to allow them to code a universal music download client that can run on Linux and take advantage from both iTunes and Napster.

Cody insists that his project merely allows consumers to listen to their music on whatever platform they want to, however in order to achieve this Brocious and his team had to crack Microsoft’s DRM management code in order to play protected files on a non-Windows platform.

The hacked client doesn’t re-code the protected sound file – instead it just strips the DRM protection headers and tags from the file and decrypts the file permanently. This process however will only work with tracks downloaded with the ‘improved’ client as the encryption key needed to perform these tasks are only send to your computer when you 1st download the sound file.

There have been other ways you could get around the DRM rights but they have all relied on the same principle of setting up a loop-back in your sound card (the line-out [speakers] port is connected to the line-in port) where the songs are streamed and then recorded using a separate program. However this method means you have to play each song you want to recode all the way through and would mean you lose quality and tag information. For this reason, DRM has never really had any threats.

But the idea of being able to remove DRM on-the-fly poses an enormous threat to the major record labels. With the newly-introduced subscription packages from services like Napster, people could pay as little as £9.95 per month and they could download as many songs as they wanted to do and copy/rip/listen to them when/where they want to. They could then cancel their subscription after the 1st month and they’d have 1000s of tracks for less than a penny a song.

But is this idea so wrong, I personally believe that if you pay for your music (whether it’s by subscription or per track), then you have the right to do what you want with it. You should be able to freely upload it to your MP3 player or be able to burn it to a CD without having to pay any extra.

The Core Pocket Media Player (formerly Betaplayer) is said to be the world’s most popular Open Source Media Player for the PocketPC, PalmOS and Smartphone mobile devices. It is designed to make it easy for the mobile media community to play all their digital media without restrictions.

It’s a wonderful and more robust — FREE — alternative to Windows Media Player — if you need an alternative for some reason (like your videos won’t play full-screen after your hx4700 ROM update.)

Supported file containers
– AVI (*.avi)
– Matroska (*.mkv, *.mka)
– MP4 (*.mp4, *.m4a)
– Ogg Media (*.ogg, *.ogm)
– ASF (*.asf)

Supported audio codecs
– Mpeg 1 LayerIII
– AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
– Ogg Vorbis
– Musepack
– Windows Media Audio (on Windows Mobile devices)
– AC-3
– AMR
– Adpcm, uLaw

Supported video codecs
– DivX
– XviD
– MPEG4-SP (plus B-frame support)
– MPEG1
– M-JPEG
– Windows Media Video (on Windows Mobile devices)

A little tip — after installation, the player shows-up on your PROGRAMS menu as TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) — just in case you were looking for it.

By the way, the developers welcome donations through PayPal / Pocket Matrix if you feel so lead.

ELIZABETH the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, and Defender of the Faith, has bought a nice looking and reassuringly expensive iPod.

Article Here

 lol okay thats all a bit random but it does just show how a simple MP3 player has made such an effect on the world. If you read the rest of the article you will see that ‘The Inquirer’ do not seem to be very keen on the Queen, at least by the fact that she doesn’t like the way her head is on the currency in the UK!

Really quite amusing