Panther Power - Intellectual

[Intro: Chuck D]

Panther power

[Verse 1: 2Pac]

As real as it seems, the American Dream

Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme

To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains

To deny us of the future, rob our name

Kept my history a mystery, but now I see

The American Dream wasn't meant for me

'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me

Promised me freedom, education, equality

Never gave me nothin' but slavery

And now look at how dangerous you made me

Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold

With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told

Promised me emancipation in this new nation

All you ever gave my people was starvation

Fathers of this country never cared for me

They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery

And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me

'Cept lie about the facts in my history

So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed

But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy

When my people are down, so they can screw us around

Time to change the government now

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]

Panther power!

[Verse 2: Ray Luv]

Panther power from the strength that resides within

Go toe to toe with a panther and you just can't win

Self-proclaimed best, suppress the rest

The rich get richer and the poor take less

The American Dream was an American nightmare

You kept my people down and refused to fight fair

The Ku Klux Klan tried to keep us out

With signs readin' and statin': "No blacks allowed"

With intimidation and segregation

We're still waitin' for our freedom, but now we're impatient

Blacks, the other skin - dead or sell-outs

'Freedom, equality', then, I'll yell out:

"Don't you never be ashamed of what you are

It's your panther power that makes you a star

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]

Panther power!

[Verse 3: 2Pac]

My Mother never let me forget my history

Hopin' I would set free chains that were put on me

Wanted to be more than just free

Had to know the true facts about my history

I couldn't settle for bein' a statistic

Couldn't survive in this capitalistic

Government 'cause it was meant to hold us back

Usin' ignorance and drugs to sneak attack

In my community, they killed the unity

But when I charged them, tried to claim immunity

I strike America like a case of heart disease

Panther power is runnin' through my arteries

Try to stop me, oh boy, you'll be clawed to death

'Cause I'll be fightin' for my freedom with my dyin' breath

Do you remember? That's what I'm askin' you

You think you're livin' free? Don't make me laugh at you

Open your eyes, realize, you've been locked in chains

Said you wasn't civilized and stole your name

'Cause some time has passed, seems you all forget

There is no liberty for you and me, we all ain't free yet

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]

Panther power!

[Verse 4: 2Pac]

As real as it seems, the American Dream

Ain't nothin' but another calculated scheme

To get us locked up, shot up, and back in chains

To deny us of the future, rob our name

Kept my history a mystery, but now I see

The American Dream wasn't meant for me

'Cause lady liberty's a hypocrite, she lied to me

Promised me freedom, education, equality

Never gave me nothin' but slavery

And now look at how dangerous you made me

Callin' me a mad man 'cause I'm strong and bold

With this gun full of knowledge of the lies you told

Promised me emancipation in this new nation

All you ever gave my people was starvation

Fathers of this country never cared for me

They kept my ancestors shackled up in slavery

And Uncle Sam never did a damn thing for me

'Cept lie about the facts in my history

So now I'm sittin' here mad cause I'm unemployed

But the government's glad 'cause they enjoy

When my people are down, so they can screw us around

Time to change the government now

[Chorus: 2Pac & Ray Luv, Chuck D]

Panther power!

Panther power on the hour from the rebel to you