Contradiction - Original

[feat. Evan Roman]
The other day, me and XP opened for Souls Mischief
Im like 'Yo, lets get on some angry MC showmanship and hit em'
Rocked all the cocky songs and not too many soulful lyrics
Even a couple dissin women callin em groupies, hoes, and bitches
Got off stage, and Im like 'Yo, I know that we killed it'
Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and supports us
I said 'Peace! ' She said 'Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute
I know its none of my business, but I wasnt impressed by your performance.'
I said 'Word? Shit, I love feedback and criticism'
She said 'I miss the passionate spirit, your political vision
Quite honestly I wasnt offended by those references to women
But youre only continuing societys conditioning'
It hit the heart of me
I told her that this was part of me
I stand up for human rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated
But every song cant be seepin with freedom
Cause the other side of me is sexist then people will feel that Im preachin
'Everythings peace and love? ' uhh, thats somewhat misleading
Because this world is fucked-up and Im a pro -duct to what Im seeing
Not to justify, but just to touch on my being
I learn from these verses and my purpose gets surfaced with demons
Now I am sexist, Im prejudice, I put that in my music
She said she heard that perspective,but before she turned around
She said 'We have a flame, your fires ignited with sound
Are you building the empire up, or using your fire to burn it down? '
[Chorus: x2]
Consumption, contradiction. Im conflicted with being a hypocrite,
And through these songs you can witness it.
The differences, I admit this shit, because Im just like you;
Walking a fine line between saying and living it.
[Overvoice:]
Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
Light it up to burn it down, down, down
Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
Light it up to burn it... down, down, down, down, down, down, down
Now one thing that Ive always struggled on
Is how to incorporate drugs and alcohol into my music
Outside of sober songs
Cause on that perspective, thats all over my records
But the other side isnt represented unless it sessions with XP
How can I admit that I love to smoke weed
Knowing the kids are listening and many of em look up to me?
Not to say that Im a role model
But I know that words are power
And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am sending out the
Message 'Its okay, ' hey I believe that it is. Chronic can be medicine
But its all about your relationship with it
See Im either off in the wagon riding and everyday with the spliff
Constantly looking for a balance but habit turns to addiction
And hip-hop music & weed: theyre inseparable
So MCs that dont smoke or drink, talking about it to me seems questionable
It proves how much people just want to be accepted
And not seem straight-edge to their audience, so keeping it real is neglected
Cause when Im smoking, I wouldnt wanna bump a song like this
Put on some Devin, break out the Swishers and a bong and some licks
See thats a part of me too
And I know that I would make more money if I wasnt as true
To all the stuggles of the blunted consumption Im going through
Make music for the party, and the people support you
I burn Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you?
Bring it back around
Am I building the empire up or using my fire to burn it down?
[Chorus x2]