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1. |
Chickpeas
04:03
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Verse 1
He said, "I hope this letter finds you well
I recently got a job at Sasktel"
I remember he used to keep bees in the backyard
A couple students acting hard
I moved to Edmonton, Alberta
Now it’s been about 12 years after the turn of the century
If we want to take this back in time I went to Pearson Elementary
I can see my wood pile over there as the sun comes up over the trees and the leaves
I can see the door to my garage
And all the empty recycle bins
"A little indecisive" I said
“Just cut my hair just like Cobain"
They want to know if I’ve ever been to a trap
That’s the last time I seen Jeremy to be exact
Chorus
Chickpeas
Rick Steves’ Europe through the back door
I was a young man protesting the Iraq war
Down the aisles of the coffee store
And the Roots’ Do You Want More?!!!??!
The Christmas lights are shining so bright
I don’t know where we’re going tonight
Please exercise patience for my flaws
And watch these rhymes take flight
Verse 2
The retirement show packed and the whole city had my back
Chaz passed away
Took my breath away
This retirement is beautiful
So I’m looking for some new things to do today
Shovel the walk when it snows
In the summertime the grass grows
Shovel the walk
I put on my old clothes
Time keeps on slippin'
MC J and Cool G, So Listen
I made a decision
I did anything a friend would do and drove her to that appointment
We’re at the Lebanese Tim Hortons
Plotting a rap bounce back
When I go to the government building today, think of how I think different
10 years a humpty's cook
I got the old man look out of the fuckin' handbook
Chorus
Chickpeas
Rick Steves’ Europe through the back door
I was a young man protesting the Iraq war
Down the aisles of the coffee store
And the Roots’ Do You Want More?!!!??!
The Christmas lights are shining so bright
I don’t know where we’re going tonight
Please exercise patience for my flaws
And watch these rhymes take flight
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2. |
So Much Class
03:25
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Intro
Thanks for inviting me down
Can I get on the mic?
For four minutes?
Verse 1
I get up in the morning to start working towards a goal
Time went on
The cheating, stealing, contributed to the feeling
I can pick them out
Sometimes with my eyes
I’m the hard working Irish kid just the same
187 on your funding
Acid eater, cause on accidental fire like a space heater
Live on stage like Roxanne Shante
Go to where you’re standing
And I’ll have money, not a lot
On a different path
I never understand the saying
"Act like you know"
And I know that you did that
Just to get a rep
What I know best is where the pen is kept
A hissy-fit over the MC is stepped
Dope like a squad that’s def
Rhyming this time
I have so much energy left
Hold my breath (hah)
Move across the dance floor
At the pub
And then I get more aggressive
You ever seen a 52 year old man rocking the microphone with so much class?
Chorus
So much class
Verse 2
A whole group of white kids say "fuck the police"
Cool
What you angry for?
You never seen streets
Search for a sample
Beneath the sheets
I try not to argue with any of them ever
They will only be in the scene for a few years
No need to hurt their feelings
After the funding dries up
Their eyes cry out
The Gatekeeper
All you dirty creatures
You had your turn, now it’s my turn
Small-timers follow me at this show with massive sideburns
Lyrically, I simply fold them like a towel
And keep everyone happy
Like a trip to the legislative grounds to see the Christmas lights
187 on your Twitch channel
Award show panel
Follow you up the mountain
The whole time I’m counting
How many people it takes for a complete group effort
I saw it coming
From the top of my picnic table
I simply scoop them like a ladle
Chorus
He rocks the microphone with so much class
So much class
So much class
He rocks the microphone with so much class
So much class
So much class
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3. |
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Verse 1 (Epic)
Going to London Drugs tonight
Pull off the highway on the way to Toronto
Help me find my way to Peterborough
Somewhere near the gates of cottage country
Move through the city in an Uber
Suspension bridge Vancouver
I’m fully aware it’s Lake Ontario
In any random apartment
Or on the Metro
Walk all the way to Hamilton
Rocky Depietro
I was seeing records and shit
Installing a ceiling fan listening to Steely Dan
Deadly Stare happens to be my man
Just like Famoso Pizza
Walking through Toronto
Chorus
Just look around, just look around
In Toronto you need to look around
Just look around
Toronto, you need to look around
Verse 2 (Chokeules)
It’s this beat 'til infinity
God built the hotrod
I joined the Ministry
of Silly Walks
Take a hike, money really talks
In the form of time, fill my mind with a million thoughts
Off to rock headphones
Cruise the dead zone
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, we keep it legendary
Head home
You can find me out in Davisville
Still building on the skills, trying to pay the bills
Work by day
And live by night
I take a trip with a spliff
That’s a red eye flight, right?
No half steppin'
You can ask Steppenwolf who was
Born to Be Wild ‘til the last second
I keep moving ‘til I’m off of the map
And that’s 30k a day on my pedometer app
Call it a rap
I put it all on my back
Some trailblaze the way, others follow the path
Go
Chorus
Walking through Toronto
Just look around, just look around
In Toronto you need to look around
Just look around
Toronto, you need to look around
Verse 3 (Epic)
I was 14 years old
I went to my first Blue Jays game
I went to the ROM Museum
And the Toronto Aquarium
Avoiding any fuckery, yo
You let me stay at your place so I will unload cutlery
As long as you show me where to go
Cause I only have 24 hours left for WestJet
Took my first ecstasy pill
Went down the slopes of Robson Street
Had a good time, so
Walking the streets, today
Took my second ecstasy pill
EPMD, “You Gots to Chill”
Go down the alley
According to the fuckin' guidebook
Chorus
Just look around, just look around
Toronto, you need to look around
Look around, look around
In Toronto you need to look around
Outro (Epic and Chokeules)
Yeah Chokules, Epic, Deadly Stare
Toronto, you have a beautiful city
No doubt, just look around
Drive out to the beach
To the Wasaga Beach
Hit up the Beltline
Go to Niagara-on-the-Lake
You can see the big mega city in the skyline
Sippin' out in Trinity Bellwoods
Swim out to the Island maybe
Queen Street
Yonge Street
Bloor Street
Old Street
Play de Record on Spadina
Go to a 5 Dollar Rap Show
In Kensington Market, you know
Look around
Walking through Toronto
Just look around, just look around
In Toronto, you need to look around
Just look around, Toronto
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4. |
Turntables in the Van
03:32
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Verse 1
Fuck around, say no worries, like your Jamaica trip
You better worry about it ‘cause Imma bust your lip
Needle nose pliers
Your crew is feature buyers
You washed up rappers
Got shrunk in the dryer
Lames is too lame
Time is running out so you better set your alarm
That’s on your night stand
You’re way too pop, name drop
Your failure is gonna be swift
Name drop on a shirt, sample in a jar
Old man Cap, Goldman Sachs
I have a hairy chest and I’ll slam you into the boards like Barry Beck
You need to show more respect
Chorus
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
Verse 2
I’ll take you to the maximum
You want to step up?
You want to step up
I’ll fuck your whole rep up
It’s called being an artist and me and my crew goes the hardest on the planet
This is the way it should be done
Scott Da Ros, Deadly Stare is at it again
I’m iller just like beats from Dilla
You need to mind your own business
Not an an emcee pyramid scheme
Your crew miscalculated again
And I got it right all four times that I did it
Crew is so dope that we have so much equipment
Pack and repack the van
Chorus
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
We got turntables in the band
We got an MPC in the band
Verse 3
Ready to go on a campaign with 10,000 soldiers to install socialism into the rap community again
We tolerate dissent so you can mumble rap and buy features
Just to get clout
I give a fuck less
I’m sure to take a turn driving on an award tour with these veterans
I’m certain that I took it straight to the backboard
Won't stop rocking until I retire, bitch, or at least until all of us go on that Canadian Tire trip
We keep needle nose pliers in the back of the van
With extra battery, stickers
Driving across the Canadian Shield
Pick up laundry from here to Sault Ste. Marie
We will cross the river to the other side
Chorus
Our van is turning
And we got turntables in our band
Our band is turning
And we got turntables in the van
Verse 4
I hope you get stuck in the rope
The skidoo driver doesn’t even notice
Meanwhile, Gladys
You're art school but I’m pure mathematics
Plus I hang with the art school kids
You think you’re a weirdo
So they sit on the other side of the cafeteria
In Montreal / In Toronto
You're edgy, cool!
Anger when you need to be embarrassed
Tie my kangaroo down like Rolf Harris
I see you waddling down the street
Here to put everyone in a bad mood
Abstract Rude from Project Blowed
Throw up the peace sign
Think of the accomplishments
The underdogs are overcoming adversity
What’s your address, Grump?
I’ll send you a postcard
Outro
Our van is driving
And turntables drive our band
Our van is driving
And turntables drive our band
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5. |
Feel
03:37
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Verse 1
At the start of the new millennium, I got a tape: the Q Continuum
When I step into the booth, the roof
Now yesterday’s problems aren’t today's problems; insert yourself in a new situation
Sometimes it’s the subtle change that you’re making
Canadian Bacon, John Candy, Chevy Chase
A lot of Canadian folks don’t know who they are and that’s a disgrace
When people get displaced
They have to move across a body of water
Maybe a peninsula or an inlet
Chorus
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
Verse 2
Peek into the heavens right before he destroys us
I don’t know who said it
Nostradamus on Reddit
I learned the debits and credits but I was more interested in how the internet works
Recording in Cool Edit at Tenth Street and Clarence
Subjects and weave for anyone who wants to believe
Monsanto took the seeds
To cross pollinate and breed
Chorus
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
Verse 3
I’ll make a friendly gestures with my hands to this old man (old man)
Canada wants to reduce the immigration
I be seeing streaks and shit over at the gas station
I realized when I felt it I was pretty much lost and helpless
I move to the west side along the fence of the yard
Move to the north side, not the Fort Road side
And when we go to the south side we get some tasty noodles
A lot of cassettes, a DJ Premier mix
A bear walking through the city
My verse is sick
And never ever ever representing the brown bricks
Edmonton
Chorus
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
I found myself with nothing to say but a lot to feel
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6. |
Hot 97
02:39
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Intro
You want to hear a story?
Ok
Verse 1
I was hanging over in New York
On Hot 97 with Blanket Over the Head MC and me
I showed Flex my Gang Starr pins
And explained to him this is how my typical day begins
Flex, I like Quebec City as a Canadian borough
You can’t fuck with Canadian architecture that's old like Europe
I was with Stare, good with the fader
On the turntables on that day
He cut the beat up live
And he didn’t even have an MPC in his possession
He said "Epic, don’t say something controversial"
Instead give him your favourite DJ’s name
I told Flex I got bass for your face
I’m in the place
And my favourite DJ is Brace
If we’re talking about Montreal
Well, that would be either A-Track or Kid Koala
My favourite DJs manipulate the sounds
Verse 2
He asked me about a battle rhyme
I said, “I told a soccer MC he got relegated”
He asked my fans, “What are they like?”
I said, "Those motherfuckers are elevated"
We’re on a higher level
Any caller here who doesn’t like Anticon or Saukrates
Please change the channel
Durable mammal
Vancouver Island
I’m freestyling and eating supper with Jesse, my friend (Dangerously)
We had to walk up the stairs as Blanket Over the Head MC and me
Hate elevators
I was wearing a graffiti shirt and I had Krylon In my backpack
Whose brother? Your brother
I kicked a freestyle and said “That’s what it is, Flex”
Then we pulled out a beat machine
Brandon, Manitoba wheat team
I’m representing for my scene
All the good scenes
Outro
They do graffiti under the bridge, Flex
They go to the train yards, Flex
They have community radio, Flex
They do graffiti under the bridge, Flex
They go to the train yards, Flex
They have community radio, Flex
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7. |
Scarborough Town Centre
03:57
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Intro
We go straight to the moon and can’t identify silver spoons
Slam you to the ground like Gorilla Monsoon
Too soon in June and noon in Saskatoon
Or North Side Raider dressed in maroon
Six
Six intake pipes
Six
Six intake pipes
Verse 1
Six intake pipes exactly deliver water to treatment plants on the shoreline from Oakville to Hamilton
I always find the temperature of this place is low
I always find my pace of my life is slow
I always find the wrong temperature of jackets
When I’m in between seasons
Hospitals on the ridge near hills and rivers
I seen the sunset over Scarborough
Man, I’ve seen some crazy sunsets, coyote death
But other circumstances have me in the south part of the Lake County
In southern Ontario
On the way to terrible Pearson Airport
I can feel Conspiracy’s presence near me
I’m near the Scarborough mall
Pretending rappers are out to get me over there out in the parking lot
They dress different
Ugly shirts specific
I’m gonna go for roti, there is lots around here
Chorus
You clowns can’t enter the Scarborough Town Centre
You have such sexy eyes eating Mexi-Fries
You clowns can’t enter the Scarborough Town Centre
Verse 2
When nothing is going right I need you to stand by me
I’m gonna go to Pickering, walk over the overpass station
Looking down at the cars
Everyone loves a star
But no one seems to come around when he starts to fall to the ground
Let’s take this back to nuclear reactors on the shores of Lake Ontario
I carry lots in my backpack
But I can’t pay at The Bay
“This counter is exclusive to Hugo Boss”
Find another counter
Stores aren’t meeting their loss targets because too many of you aren’t helping in this ecosystem to succeed
I got what you need and that’s an Irish smile
I love to make my raps totally def
So people drive in from Oshawa
Imma general on the mic
Tell me my dear
You will meet defeat on Ellesmere Street
Chorus
You clowns can’t enter the Scarborough Town Centre
You have such sexy eyes when you eat Mexi-Fries
You clowns can’t enter the Scarborough Town Centre
You have such sexy eyes when you want Mexi-Fries
You clowns can’t enter the Scarborough Town Centre
Sucker
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8. |
Beat 79
03:10
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Intro
What's up fam?
I saw my numbers mathematically dip
Tragically Hip Bobcaygeon
Verse 1
With a lot of persuasion
I convinced Scott to give me this Beat 79
Deadly Stare, Epic, Blanket Over the Head MC and me
Erin will win when playing Scrabble
Not as many rhymes as Myka Nine but I hope you like-a mine on this anytime I decide I’m going to babble
I wrote to it near Peterborough
And I finished it near Edmonton
That’s Ontario and Alberta
Two of my favourite provinces, you novices
Go ahead, say you’re rapping for the community
White person
I’m a do a 187 or at least give you a microphone ban
Chorus
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
It's Beat 79
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
It's Beat 79
Verse 2
You want to be a local hero
I give you and your DJ a zero
And your mans and your stupid pants
Try and multiply that prime prime number
79 is prevailing so crisp
Put a smile on an old man
Hold hands with your partner
And withstand any beat limiting program
If Beat 79 was a person, he'd have all of the correct answers
Refunded by the Baxwars
Your car is shaking
Look over at your passengers
The beat so fresh
The drums flow on this reminding me of the Saskatchewan River
Flow fresh like Moka Only
Staring at me like before Moncton emcees got to know me
Chorus
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
It's Beat 79
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
Beat 79
Beat 79
You want to be
It's Beat 79
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9. |
California Beach Town
02:47
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Verse 1
Went for a family trip (family trip)
We get up after a long night on the second day
A long ladder goes to the seashore
Testing my leg strength, to be honest
I’m so far away from all these battles
Mind is drifting over a coffee
Had a million fights in my life
Thinking about when we get back
Sit in this timeshare tonight
Thinking how much money you would need
To block all access to the Pacific Ocean
In north of San Diego
I got up early and take the long way
I loved the time spent with her <Dianne>
After all these years she is one of my supporters
Good conversation we’re having tonight
Chorus
As the sun goes down in this California beach town
Verse 2
I got up on the second day and I am always wearing these boxers
I see palm trees along the Highway 5
Walking through this beach town writing
My vibe is always thinking about you <Kelley>
And when you get up
And when you get up
We’ll find this wine town on a map
Four nights until we get back
WestJet stopover in Calgary
Put the keys in the lobby opening
My hobby is travelling
My mind is thinking about other things
Palm trees along Highway 5
I forgot my suitcase in the car
And I take a walk through the parking lot
And I get the suitcase
It’s very hard to lift
Go for a cold juice
Chorus (with Em Prime)
As the sun goes down on this California beach town
As the sun goes down in this California beach town
As the sun goes down on this California beach town
As the sun goes down on this California beach town
As the sun goes down in this California beach town
As the sun goes down in this California beach town
As the sun goes down on this California beach town
As the sun goes down in this California beach town
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10. |
Snow Tires
03:14
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Verse 1
It’s Epic coming with another song, dark
I grew up in the North Park parts
I’d see my physical brother, Asthma and Reece
When I was looking over at the Canada geese
Ken got bottled there was blood everywhere
At some point I went back to the university
Selling mixtapes outside the backpack
Then Kenny got smoked outside the Crack Mac's
The whole time we went to your art parties, homie
Trying to find some sort of inspiration
Go on with yourself, we really mean it
If you found your life occupation
So many people died not far from the banks of the Saskatchewan River
But sometimes when we were the youth we needed the snow tires
Because we act a fool
Chorus
We needed the snow tires, the snow tires to slow down, we needed the snow tires, the snow tires
We needed the snow tires, the snow tires, we needed the snow tires to slow down
In Western Canada we needed the snow tires, we needed the snow tires to slow down
In Western Canada we needed the snow tires, we needed the snow tires to slow down
In east side Saskatoon we needed the snow tires, we needed the snow tires to slow down
Me and my friends we needed the snow tires, we needed the snow tires to slow down
We–
Verse 2
My east side Saskatoon dancing queen
At the Bessborough tipping pop machines
And Broadway kids that grew up to litigate
Behind Bob’s Gun Shop on the fire escape
Nick hit the liquor store with a backpack
And nothing I say is gonna bring my brother Asthma back
He had his hands back like Jocelyn climbed the hill and fought Scotty Stampback
Shit’s wack to me
You need to take that Saskatoon rap shit back to your gated community, community yo
I hit you over the head with a hockey stick like if the Hafford Hawks are playing Unity
Always ready to fight, my covered face
Walking across the Broadway Bridge in a North Face
No disgrace, I’m good in the north central side of the city many kids succumbed to a paper chase
They built this hospital
On the east side of the river
Overlooking the most beautiful art gallery
Nowadays I’m a vegetarian with my rice drink
Are you even a Canadian if you’ve never seen someone sucker punch someone on an ice rink?
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11. |
Hey Robot Vacuum
02:29
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Intro
Check, check, uhhh
Verse 1
Hey robot vacuum, why don’t you get the fuck out of my bathroom
All up in this piece, I got a maximum headroom
You don’t want to believe it, Ecid on acid
Miracle at Lake Placid
Classic, I’m like Rocky Balboa
Alcoa aluminum cans, my man
The Prairie of Canada
And I have all those fans
Don’t change your plans
‘Cause I’m gonna spit something North Park Saskatoon dope
Bathroom bars
Approaching 50, I’ll grab a little young rapper by the throat
And then casually throw him to the alligators over on the sidewalk
Go fuck yourself if you think I’m gonna put my name in a hat
And rap in front of the people that make fun of my asthma
Chorus
Hey robot vacuum, get the fuck out of my bathroom
Hey robot vacuum
Hey robot vacuum, get the fuck out of my bathroom
I gave you a chance, buddy
Hey robot vacuum, get the fuck out of my bathroom
Why don’t you just go somewhere else and get out of my hair
Hey robot vacuum, get the fuck out of my bathroom
I gave you a chance, buddy, and you’re still there
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12. |
Northern Lights
02:56
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Chorus
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Verse 1
Not going to bed like Ernie and Bert
‘Cause we’re all here putting in the work
Gruff the Druid
Ah fuck, you knew it
You still put me through it
Mildred, that’s awesome
There is no more doubt about it
Let’s go outside and glide to the left
We can all get a little bit of a better perspective
On the sky last night, everyone’s talking about it
They’re talking about it in Saskatoon
They seem to dance in the sky
My 69 uncle described it as out of sight, the northern lights
A 2000 millennial started texting me about
And me, I was born in 1972
Chorus
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Verse 2
This very morning I took a deep, deep breath
I must have left the air conditioner on
The newspaper always comes under the door and everyday when I see it, it’s sliding on the floor
Moved to a temperance colony with warm, warm nights
You look up into the sky and see the northern lights
Shining beautiful many nights in a row
I walk slow and talk to my dog
Driving in California
He pointed in a hill in the fog and he said, "That’s where I grew up"
I was thinking about it that when I was walking my dog
About how we formed the group called Creepin' Through the Fog
Bridge
You put an instrumental as your first song
So I turned it off and didn’t listen to you rap
I didn’t listen to your first song rapping
Because you put your first song as an instrumental
Chorus
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
Northern lights, northern lights
You shine so bright
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13. |
Properly Swim
03:15
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Intro
I’m in the last half of my life
Illadelph Halflife
Verse 1
The third rapper to step into the cypher
And it will become very apparent that I am always nicer
I’m quicker
Go to the post office and mail you my stickers
You inspired me all the time, my friend <Chaps>
Get the car parts at Car Mart
Hope it starts by December
And I hope I say something clever
I’ve been doing this for a long time
Always come with the right rhymes
Have a nice time
Chorus
My butterfly stroke breath
I hope I properly swim this year
My butterfly stroke breath
I hope I properly swim this year
My butterfly stroke breath
Verse 2
At approximately 10:15
Every Thursday I go to the recreation centre
Watch me give thanks to my old mentors
And the white woman who puts a band around my wrist when I enter
Groceries at the Superstore location close to me
Don’t ever step to me
Buck 65 at 7 in the morning at the Broadway Roastery
Notice me
Just like Kunga 219, this is an auspicious coincidence
How did I end up in a safe space?
With chlorine on my face
But let’s take it back to this recreation centre
Sometimes I accidentally touch the hand of a passing swimmer
Everybody loves a star when he starts to fall
Like Doug E. Fresh
I seen him take his last breath
My butterfly stroke breath
Chorus
I hope I learn to properly swim this year
My butterfly stroke breath
My butterfly stroke breath
My butterfly stroke breath
My butterfly stroke breath
I hope to properly swim this year
I hope to learn how to properly swim this year
I hope I learn to properly swim this year
I hope to properly learn how to swim this year
I hope I properly learn how to swim this year
This year
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Hand'Solo Records Toronto
Operating out of Toronto, Canada since 1996, Hand'Solo Records is devoted to releasing quality hip hop that is creative, clever and often experimental. Early releases, now out of print, include Buck 65, Sixtoo, Moka Only, and others. Currently home to The Dirty Sample, Ol' Gorilla Bones, Epic, Tachichi, No Town Vandal, Fortunato, Magick Show and Mickey O'Brien. ... more
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