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PHASES

by Joe Levi

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micky baker
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micky baker "If you never hear another word from me, this album should suffice."

I feel that line is the unofficial subtitle of this album. Part of a life laid out to share. Favorite track: Wordout Recap Interlude.
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1.
Royalty 04:11
Let me harken to a time and space of darkest let me talk to every mind and heart that's willing to walk while I'm spilling the thoughts, breaking feelings apart so I can fill in the parts you got a people, right just want their equal rights but every time that they try, can't seem to see the light been at it decades, but that's only a bit of the math cause centuries how long it's been since injuries cast on to the backs of those that have memories clash like, "I love life, but why am I subjected to that?" rejected and have to surgically dissect it in half compartmentalize the lies just to fit in and try filling the hole cause I'm only 3/5ths of a whole I mean, I call this place my home but it isn't my own I mean, they say all lives matter, is it written in stone cause I been questioning everything that I think that I know I've been looking for my body, looking for my soul I've been looking for my mind, been looking for so long I've been trying to find the answers, trying to make sense of who I am, and what all of this really is They snatched you from your throne and they robbed you of your crown and they stashed you on that boat this is for every soul that drowned and this is for every soul in the ground every soul still around, and every soul that has yet to come you're something beautiful, you're rich at heart you're part of a history known for its different parts from innovative sciences to the gifted arts you might miss it at first, but you'll discover this is us like melanin, been popping since forever and full lips, what better way to tell them this with passion, mistaken for just yelling and your culture, protect it, for it's evident you're modern day Kings and Queens your influence can be seen from black and white to everything in between I've been looking for my body, looking for my soul I've been looking for my mind, been looking for so long and I think I'm almost there, I can feel it in my bones when I reach it, I'll finally be where I belong Can you stop being this Can you stop being that Can you stop being bold Can you stop being bad Can you stop being dope Can you stop being mad Can you stop being loud Can you stop being Black Never apologize for your existence and never compromise on your resistance sometimes it's little things, like in a instant telling your boss: your volume, he'll have to live with refuse to silence myself, already done enough I'll take your admonishment as you don't know how to love the simple things in life, because you never had to be the lesser end of a better than just trying to reinforce you can be a force you can be a voice, you can be yourself you can be the choice moral of the story, worth more than the forty take hold of your glory and behold that you're royalty I was looking for my body, looking for my soul I was looking for my mind, had been looking for so long now I finally found them, I finally see I was royalty all along, now I'm finally free I've been trying to find the answers, trying to make sense of who I am, and what all of this really is and I think I'm almost there, I can feel it in my bones when I reach it, I'll finally be where I belong now I finally found them, I finally see I was royalty all along, now I'm finally free now I finally found them, I finally see I was royalty all along, now I'm finally free
2.
Bump what you heard and who you heard it from if you came for the words, I'm here to serve you some cause I got them, and I got plenty and I'm not selfish, and I'm not stingy cause I came from a background where you had to spaz out reaching for the mic if you gonna put your hand out and now, I'm standout that'll making you stand down if you wack, get to the back, and put your head down yeah, feel the shame if I couldn't do it either, I'd feel the same I'd feel your pain, but I fill the page with ideas and schemes and rhymes about plight and times of my strife the odds of my heights being high as my skill when I've been this nice defining my life a definition defined by my mic Y'all really don't get it I say gimme the mic, I'm really gon spit it all truth, give credit where it's due if I said it, you better believe I done did it see, it's all in the poems I can switch styles from written to off of the dome either way, it's the story of my life defined by the words, the rhythm, and my mic *SEAN RIDDELL* These rappers doing it just for the recognition they need to get pressed like a deposition I kept doing sets and repetitions til this music gave me definition reminiscent of the best that ever did it if you don't believe me, then you never listened I'm still doing demolition when the words come to me like a premonition or a prediction, a pro diction no fiction, so slick there's no friction I'm not rapping, I'm just speaking my mind it just happens to be in a rhyme, keeping the time appreciate the mindset of a rhyme vet time-tested, with much of mine vested and you know the ROI when I time fly so you know what I'm defined by *THE SOUL* First off, I’m not a rapper; I’m a dope emcee ice cold with the flows, let The Soul proceed not defined by the mic, but this life I lead on these beats when I rhyme, it’s the truth I speak old school wordsmith; cut my teeth in cyphers yo my blade stay sharp, ‘cause I roll with iron not hammers, nor heaters; just Good Peoples who Uppercut wack rappers on any track we eat on word to Gabe & Saron, when I claim the baton turn a hip-hop set into a (bomb) cuts deeper than a meat cleaver or a poet laureate freeing minds; that's a DEEP teacher black scholarship, to Black goddesses built like Layla is; sing free as Valencia black & white, put these facts on wax Sean and Joe with the Soul Emcee of Detroit (what up!)
3.
Come and sit with me come and get a little history how I got so dope on the mic how I know what to write how to flow to the different beats and I wish I could be modest and I'm just trying to be honest when I say that I'm gifted, see let me thank you, and thank you, and thank you for the time that you spent with me Check it - let me explain what it means when I say I'm a Nine no, it's more like demonstrate when I sit and shape the words like these, with more rhyme schemes get a fork, knife, please cause when I pen a 8 it's more filling than the fillet on your dinner plate even when it's late, I'm still in it like petty theft with every breath, I never left, so I been in place slow down, this is more my speed whoa now, keeping score, I see I been at pace doubletime, so the numbers are a little funny cause I'm at 6, but it's like 4x3 I didn't wait, so I'm gone and I'm giving chase to the flow when I get a taste oh, what a soul I be til I'm sore I'll be spitting rhymes cause I'm a Nine my god, what a feeling, ay? ok, let me explain what it means to be Cypher Affiliated see where the hype all originated where I emerged with the words they know I'm nice and they really hate it let me break it on down you get a little Soul when I shake it on out on the record when I'm aching and relating on how we can make it out the matrix, breaking on out Rhythm, with the style in the middle mind of a riddle time only will tell how all will develop down with the Big L, classics just the sound of a mastermind in the mouth of the madness went from asking questions to finding the answers Blackness, Passion always found in the action now, let me explain what it means to be a member of that Independent Media gang shoot a shot then they see that your brain is wired different than the median, range above, beyond the scene in the frame big picture, gotta see to the aim seat at the dang table gotta see where you came from judge, and see if you changed for the better or worse, of course see what I'm saying? OK, just a different breed we the center piece of the centerpiece of a piece of art centered on inner peace wrapped in similes and metaphors never met a better four with the mettle for flipping words in a set bars than those referenced in the second part of this letter on how it all came together for me to tell it all, so I'm telling y'all when I'm letting off
4.
My Heart & I always at odds, we don't see eye to eye cause I think I'm a smarter guy see, I look at it like this til I'm living out a wish there's no sense in me trying to get a kiss dismiss misses I'm not tripping over this, cause if I want attention I can get it from my mistress but he thinks I'm too smart for my own good tries to remind me what it's like taking flight with a nice young lady be quiet, it's no good don't dare tell me that without it I'm lonely cause I'm not and not only is that an excuse it's a poor one, so you gon have to try again, homie and that he does with a familiar sound fragrance from past days brought to the here and now then I'm caught with a feeling how it used to be join forces with my senses and this is what they do to me refresh thoughts that I thought I forgot so it's moving me in two or three directions an old and a newer me the question though is who to be-leave-me alone I know what's true to me my thoughts, of course cause my heart's the foolish me but either way it goes I can't deny we're both telling the truth in this tune we sing
5.
*ALL* It's late night, I call you up we in the ride, we feel the vibe you spend the night so we can gon and get it right cause I know that s/he wants me s/he know that s/he wants me I know that she know that I know that she know she wants me *CHRIS IS* You know that, you know that I need it now I'm a fiend for the thing and you own the crown new groove, new you, but I own the sound Fifty Shades of the D yeah, Chris Is will see you now close your eyes when you see it now feel around til you peep the style yeah, I get it now but you know that I may be spoken for but I'll just keep stroking your insides til you cry out all night til the candle lights die out tell your friends that you found it til they know for themselves, they'll doubt it but you the one that I give it to cause when you need it, I got it, you got it -chorus- Time to get reckless, get loose with it get a little vodka with the juice in it or the Red Bull for a boost with it doing it til you got the urge to let Bruce Bruce hit it but he's not here, so... gon show me what you do with it remove the camera phones and computer screens just do your thing while I study it in true vision let me touch it, Ooo that thang in 3D all up in my face 'Ass seen on TV' it's more than a handful and you best believe I got a plan for it cause the way you making it clap round of applause, the audience stands for it
6.
Let me creep into your mind deep into your heart sink into your thoughts sync into symbiotic romance we both dance slow and the corporeal percussion is us performing with no hands and no band, and no fans just your moans for more and please don't call, we won't answer no, we won't answer too busy revealing ourselves healing our wounds when it's all said when it's all through this is us and this is our truth and this is beyond all the kisses and touching listen, my darling, this is the start and when it all finishes, this is my heart and I'm giving it willingly, isn't it something when two souls from who knows where come together with the truth or dare spin the bottle for a chance to hold hands no question who goes there the answer to the prayer that goes who knows where, when, who? I don't know, but they had to send you you don't what the hell I been through to get to the heaven that's within you it's been so long I've been so gone I did those wrongs forgive my old ways I've spent those cold days but with you here, girl never been so warm
7.
I know we just met, so I don't wanna stress but I don't wanna guess, I just wanna know and I don't want a no, I just want a yes and I just want the best, and I don't think I'm perfect it's not about the sex, but it's got a lot of worth and no need to play it down just give me the word and we can play around just give me them curves just give me them lips I can do it all or just give it a kiss or we can lay around and just get into this bed a moment to just be in the midst of the silence, an island away to just be and exist a way to just be and exist here with you, it's just me and the ifs I know it's getting late, but I'm laying here awake and I'm waiting on you to come through you been on my mind, and now I think it's time think it's time to do what we've been waiting to do I know we just met, so I don't wanna stress but I don't wanna guess, I just wanna know and I don't want a no, I just want a yes and I just want the rest to just give it a rest I'll give you my all, then I'll give you the rest I'll give you my breath, I'll give you my life I'll give you my right and I'll give you the left and we can do it all enjoying the ups, enduring the falls and during the fall, we learn to be fly sharing our dreams whether we spinning propellers or developing wings flying til we find it an island to just be and exist a way to just be and exist here with you, it's just me and the ifs -chorus- I know we haven't met, so I don't wanna stress but I don't wanna guess, I just wanna know and I don't want a no, I just want a yes gotta confess, got a lot up on my chest and I'll tell you everything and I promise to be honest never doubt it's nothing less cause I don't wanna lie with you unless I'm lying right beside of you obsessed with your laugh and your hugs your path to the answer when asked what is love what it is, what it was what is life when you add what you add when you add what is us it's so uncertain never know what'll pass, what'll come til then, just be and exist here with you, it's just me and the ifs
8.
From music to life, I just wanna do it whether I'm doing wrong or I'm doing right cause as long as I'm doing it, then I can do as I like that's why as soon as I write, I just zoom to the mic iron out the kinks as I go mix it down, play it out cause I'll listen to it straight through the night and no one but your fellow cohorts understand how you feel when you dwell on your work that's why it seems that we can't settle down it's not that we can't we just won't accept anyone telling us how cause I wanna love, but as far as life at this point, I gotta say, it isn't number one cause we have such a fragile existence so I'm trying to capitalize on my passion and gifted nature so in the back of my mind, I'm thinking "why can't I just find someone exactly as I?" personality catching my eye, so we dance all of this taking place in split-second fractions of time now that's love, so to life I wish good deeds to breed new heights I say I wanna do it all, and I do but I'm content if I don't, I just know that through it all I hope I remain close to those that knew it all the public, the private, the truth and all the things I wouldn't wanna say that I did but I do to y'all, given all that's due to y'all and of course, I'm afraid of the failure but I keep telling myself, everyday that I'm fortunate to have the luxury to come to see that I wanna pursue something in every way that I can cause I'm never certain 'bout my place as a man but I take up the pen for the sake of my answer
9.
Your baby boy here dating this September 1st been in Austin now for four years I drove here in my '03 Malibu all alone ironically, leaving the crib searching for home here it's been good, I've grown here been to a number of shows here appreciating the fact it's not really cold here it's pretty warm here OK, I'm rambling, let me get to the point here I miss you, man didn't think I'd be crying guess it doesn't really hit you til you sit get to wishing that I could say it in person or over the phone, or open my home come and visit, you take the bed I'll hit the couch or the floor it doesn't matter long as you hanging out with your boy would have loved to have you just come and chat for however long you please or however long you need or however long it ever was you'd be It's crazy, years just seem to fly by... the scene I can't bypass is... my feelings mixed, a lot of things I feel I missed... it's crazy, the years seem to fly by I don't give it a second thought til I'm thinking am I colder than I thought where was your heart? where was your mind? where did you fail? you should've tried see, the scene I can't bypass is the time that I didn't hug you or say I love you not knowing that, that time was the last time I would have time for me and dad time my feelings mixed, a lot of things I feel I missed but little kids don't understand they'll later be adults feeling this if they don't take the time to make memories and fill them in, in order to reminisce see, what I'm saying is I got comfortable with you not being around so the idea of coming to Grandma's house was a burden cause then I'd have to be in a house with a side of my family I felt like a different being around So the chip is on my shoulder... so I reacted in kind to keep the act up... it's like that weekend was meant for me to see that... then that just grows and fester as I get older and supposed to be known for knowing better so the chip is on my shoulder whether short sleeve, coat or sweater ain't no taking it off, gotta wear it even in the warmest weather this led to me taking on feelings of the other three trying to spare their younger brother the disappointment that they'd come to be accustomed to so I reacted in kind to keep the act up of trying not to put my trust in you and it's fucked up when you feel like it's a punishment to spend time with your father cause you think "what would come from this?" surprisingly, it turns out to be he who you got your personality and some of your best stuff from, kid It's like that weekend was meant for me to see that you shouldn't take time and life for granted and I've seen that but that don't comfort me when I want to see you or wanna speak so I stare at mirrors hoping that you see back and see me trying to be me hope I make you proud even if it's just a little cause I have my doubts but imagine there's at least a thing or two about me that you would've brag about but let me end it with this I'm sorry for being stubborn hate the time that we missed and I'm sorry for being foolish can you try and forgive cause I'm dying to reunite with you and try it again, Pops
10.
It's the reason for the pride it's the reason for you to open your eyes and see that no one's surprised we woke and know that it's time it's the reason for the hate it's the reason for a space where we can be anything that is great it's the reason for the caution it's the reason that we're awesome it's the reason that you lost and it's the reason that the cost is so much higher it's the reason life is tragic beautiful at the same time it's the reason for that black girl magic it's the reason you don't have it it's the reason you can't say it, can't sing it and for sure don't ask if it's the reason all lives don't matter the same it's the reason for the politics had at the games it's the reason you just don't see it and why you'll never ever know it's the reason that we'll never let it go We just wanna live our lives to the fullest We're not trying to die by your bullets We just wanna seize the day We don't wanna be in pain so give us the reason why we can't do it not asking for permission, just telling you the facts it's the reason for everything we carry on our backs it's Our history, it's Our soul, it's the reason we carry on *THE SOUL* Reason being, we be da true and the illest Blacker the berry, the sweeter juice; deeper the roots Beyond physical form We are the seed that was planted in the image of God My spirit animal somewhere between Mansa Musa & Black kids learning judo Not before mastering capoeira Dance to the rhythm of African drums, a warrior’s song Our fighting style different than yours That’s the reason y’all try to keep us divided Afflicted by the poisonous vices that make us homicidal Addicted to fortune and fame, or hustling for some change Casualties of war lost to the game Children y’all made martyrs, like leaders who fought for us But you can never kill us all, or take the joy from us From Nia Wilson to Emmett Till, the love is real These black unicorns thrive where the struggle lives
11.
*ARI LYNN* Although it's slow I'm gonna make it This road I'm on I'm gonna make it *SEAN RIDDELL* I'm out here trying to make it on my own in the real world, putting payments on my loan water, gas, electric, cable, and my phone earn a stable pay, turn this place into a home food on table, cause I'm trying to provide a secure space for my family and I to reside that's not outside of my mind it won't be long and I can watch my first child arrive it's a sign of the times, just fate, getting older since a kid, I carried the weight on my shoulders never forgetting the struggle is a blessing even if real, real life gets real, real depressing it's worth more than surviving, it's worth striving it's why I look towards the horizon I'm not perfect, but I'm sure trying put in work everyday, that's the person I am *CHRIS IS* Joe asked for a verse, but I was focused on percussion miss me with the rap talk, I'm known for my production 2 years later and I still hadn't written it but now it’s up to Chris Is to sit down to finish it share my thoughts and feelings being broke and hitting ceilings kissing skies, entangled lies man, it sounds appealing how do you find happiness? you'll know it when you have it can you pay your bills should you kill your bad habits can you live modestly or do you need the lavish I remember time before the social or the social status but if you ask me, I’m 32 and married happily I don’t know about the future, what'll happen after me I think about the past and I appreciate the lessons understand that waking up at morning is a blessing as I lay down with my wife for the evening content that I’ll live the life I'm meant to til I leave it -chorus- Used to fret about the big things and sweat about the little but the older I get I try to settle 'round the middle got a bit more perspective to respect it's what I get for the steps in my direction said it once and I'll say it again playing king to the throne whether taking a loss or taking a win but never say that I'm lost I stay on the course even if I can't say where it ends I just don't want for me now to talk to me later and feel like I'm always making amends so I take it day-by-day as I'm taking it in making my rounds while I'm also making my ends and show love to my people, cause time is so fickle no dime or no nickel you find holds an equal and that's what it's been about enjoying life, love and laughter to the fullest while I'm still around
12.
I hear your voice whenever choirs sing words of wisdom fly even on broken wings push me towards my hopes and dreams keep pressing on making good music is key to surviving this ugly beast though it's roaring and bearing teeth bear with it know your wisdom will guide me through my troubled seas oh so blue to the seashores of truth haul anchor may the winds carry me back if ever I travel back I'm coming back home to you Through that which is intriguing your very perception I marry my presence with every breath and carry my blessings into dimensions beyond so even when gone, I'm still here deep in your lungs playing hide and seek on your tongue even though tears on your cheek run you and I are secretly one there's no need to be down deep in the slums no physical, but words can equally turn me into a visual thought syllables, pick them apart see how I'm a digital spark filling your heart real as the art picture spilling over into your dreams believe we are appealing as those that give into the farce I wish we could be unlimited so I'm attempting to be infinitely sung so please don't miss me just know I'll be blowing kisses so that's what you're listening for I love the way that you make me feel, I'm feeling so alive I love the way that you make me feel, I'm feeling so alive And if ever I should go, I'm coming back to you And if ever I should go, I'm coming back to you
13.
Sum It Up 05:47
How do I sum it up? by the time you hear this I'll be stepping inside of 31 see, I just wanna come to peace with it all I'm tired of being at odds with what is what like, what is the point of waking up open my eyes to find they murder us so murderous, we hurting but they've heard enough, so shut it up corporate sponsors pick a side, they burning stuff we pay a price to say what's right you playing nice, you stay at heights so high but deep down you paid it twice no running back when you want it back now what is that? And what is this? gotta watch all things I'm putting to my lips trying to switch my mentality from stuffing my face to being more mindful of what's on the plate alarms going off to remind me take another pill not trying to be another brother blood pressure kills and it's crazy never thought I'd say these things til I was 80 got me going insane see, now everything's changing cause the minute I feel off I start thinking of last days these days healthcare is never the forefront until that health scare and even then we taking a chance cause rarely do we have the means to pay in advance so it's either live with it and get over it or die working to pay the debt from the overages that's why I'm focusing on the front end see, a pill is to mitigate I'm trying to eliminate get the weight off my shoulders, hips and the waist change the story here extend my life at least another 30 years And over half of that I've known a cool dude who has had my back we've grown to two fools that have had some laughs made songs you'd move to catalogs of tracks congratulations, he just tied the knot had so much to say but I just had to stop so I'll say it here come and take a chair chop it up with your brother been a major year between changing jobs and just making strides trying to find what it is to keep the flame alive that creative spirit I know you got stories for days you just gotta give the people a way to hear them and that's coming from me we're two sides of the same coin so we know how the other thinks and speaking of your other half it's funny, been there from the beginning that was the difference between her and the other women I got to see it bloom from first meeting to brunch weekends to us speaking about life on hot nights AC on blast, chilling in your room during my toast, I made that joke about friends being stolen but I never got to flip the motive no, it's quite the opposite I'm not losing a brother I'm gaining a sister therefore, I wish for nothing but the best and I just had to make it clear so it's never guessed whenever, yes, my time is yours y'all moved a few times but the closeness has never left In fact, a bit jealous cause I don't wanna guess I just wanna know and I don't want a no I just want a yes you gotta watch your steps you gotta watch the stress you're wearing on your heart and I'm out here dodging death but I wanna find the one give me something to believe in beyond a season, I'm talking knee-deep we in this for the long run til they hook them cords up til they pull the plug cause I'm no longer breathing see, I talk about it but it's always perfect, no fault about it and imagine all the theory but the execution takes far more work than you thought about it spent so much time knowing yourself without it you don't know who you are when you aren't without it still growing, still getting the hang still find yourself still shifting the blame and you know it's not fair you seeking what you wanting but you can't seem to distinguish the teaching moments from the red flags you gotta ask yourself, am I giving it my all? am I giving it my best? why or why not? why am I not fine with what I have? and why am I shocked? why is this hard? who said it was easy? maybe it's all the things in the movies and TV I just wanna know and I just want a yes and I don't want a no and I don't wanna guess And I am but a guest in this life I'm paying visits to anyone I cross paths and if we are friends, keep me dear to your heart, fam if I ever wronged you, I hope it never left a mark cause some scars may define who you are and I apologize for it if you ever see me and want it face to face no problem, I'm on it no problem I'm wanting cause it's hard enough just trying to vibe with my budget and my debt and my life and my death and my work and my play and my nights and my days and my passions and my thoughts what I say, from my heart, it's always in all ways, I just hope that it's good every all day to my mother, you're a star, hey and I appreciate the calls just to talk even after working hard days and to my brothers, you know I love ya I ain't even have to say it but I did cause I wanted to capture the sentiment from beginning to end don't know when it is but this way, you'll know what it is and can play it back I said it first so you could say it back call and response when you say it that way essentially, wanna do away with the misery I just wanna be fine with what I've given these past thirty something years, find the symmetry a balance between who I am and pretend to be trying to answer these questions never know what to expect but in the end, if my head and heart agree then that's all I need, I'm all at peace

about

If you never hear another word from me, this album should suffice.

credits

released September 30, 2018

All tracks written in collaboration with featured artists
Produced by Joe Levi and Chris Is
Recorded and Mixed by Brian Levi
Mastered by Eugene Lee
Artwork by Renard McDaniel

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Spotless Minds Project Austin, Texas

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