#TREEKA - Intellectual

I’m an anime nerd. It’s just a simple reference to Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz at first glance, but when paired to the Immortal Technique name check, the couplet shows that I, and those like me, are battling against “d'evils”

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=hAuoznPuS04

“Team DAR” is the group that I represent musically and otherwise. We strive to make people think about life and cause change.

People often let pride get in the way when you offer assistance, so I’m left with a catch-22 that I must surpass in order to survive.

“[Hook - Skit] You don’t see my trying to...dress my best, trying to...keep my hair done or whatever. (Scoff) Or, you know, try and act like I’m all tough. Y’know, trying to be known. Y’know what I’m saying? You see me trying to do that? No. Trying to kiss ass with everybody? Trying to be up in everybody face...trying to be everybody friend, just so I can be known? No. [Bridge: Speed on the Beat] Truthful Revelations Encompassing Every Kaptivating Action, that’s why I preach that...”

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Another revelation: clothes and status don’t make the man. Nor does kissing ass to get to the top.

Here, I’m referencing my actual acquaintanceship with Treeka back in the day tongue-in-cheek. I had a huge crush on her, some would even insinuate that I made this song for her. But, if they were to actual listen to the song instead of just base assumptions on lyrics, they’d be able to know that it’s more to it than ANYTHING related to Treeka

A reference to the Kreayshawn song “Gucci Gucci,” I do my best to declare “bitch bad” before Lupe tried to.

Going back to that promise, I told them that I’ll keep fighting for the right until the day that I finally die.

In addition to doing this for my child(ren), I also made an unspoken promise to family that passed before me that I’d better the world. My cousin Justin, who died a day after my grandmother and almost a week before my son was born, was (at the time of recording) the latest fallen apple in my family tree. While I wasn’t as close to Justin as I should have been, it still hit me hard as hell–especially since my mother and other family members always told me to “talk” to Justin (since I was, in their eyes, one of the younger kids that actually made it in some way).

But, I really never knew what to say; Justin was kind of a quiet kid when it came to me. Plus, it’s only so much you can say when you, for whatever reason, only see a person three times a year.

John Speed, Sr. is/was my father. (1920-2008)

“Miss Tina” is/was my grandmother. (1920-2011)

Essentially, I’m just saying open your eyes–and your minds. By including “blue, clue or cop,” I’m presenting a challenge to the idea that all cops are corrupt and want to kill black people, etc. Also, Blue’s Clues was a 90’s preschool show with an ex-grunge skateboarder Tony Hawk lookalike Steve and an animated puppy that searched for clues on how to solve problems. It was quite successful and inspired at least two more generations of “Do you know where X is” a la Dora the Explorer.

As I’m ignoring the “devil’s” banter, I’m proving to be cancerous to ignorance, idiocy, and blind followers–in other words, I’m a free bird that’s trying to do what I need to do to make the world a better place.

Reference to True God’s song “Destined,” also known as one of the first tracks I produced after a long respite from music.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=68ayejUExmw

Simple wordplay on “DAR” as “DAR” stands for my team’s acronym and “Daughters of the American Revolution.”

Just an homage to Big KRIT’s “Made Alot” (and of course, the 8Ball & MJG song he sampled it from)

The “K” in “kaptivating” is a tongue-in-cheek way of saying “yeah, I know you think it’s about Treeka, but it’s not.” I even went as far as to base the single artwork off a photo of her JUST to prove a point/get into people’s heads.

See the album artwork (and buy the song) here

We, as people, are usually quite blind to the realities of life. Hence people always saying that criticisms are “hate.”

Knowledge is power. And while knowledge may hurt in the beginning, in the long run, it’ll make you feel at peace–especially if you’re able to grow and gain/bring about peace through it. The black fist is more used as a reference to how we must break free of the chains of society (even those that are viewed as “conscious” and think for ourselves).

Treeka is not relevant to this discussion, so I do away with thoughts of her–in any way.

Be who you are. Fuck being “cliqued up.” That’s the gist of this hook/skit

I’m not just for blacks or whites or what have you. I’m an equal opportunity helper–and equal opportunity offender. I mean, shoot, just check out my blog

It takes money to make money, as it also takes playing “the game” to know how to beat it and make your own ::ahem:: #newrules.

Another song namedrop. Pair it with the “one big room” line and we’re left with a “fuck swag” vibe on this verse. This is a constant theme in my music–to get beyond simple “swag.”

The only direct reference to Treeka that deals with my failed attempt(s) to get with her.

^Photo from 11th grade.

I could go on for years about this story (I almost had it published), but long story short–don’t let a crush crush you if she says no. Use that to grow. Also, try to stay cool with her after everything blows up in your face, because they can still provide insight to your life. Treeka was one of the people who actually made me see “hey, holy shit, Speed. You’ve a power to change the world.”

I’m from Baltimore, even though some in Baltimore don’t respect what I’ve done–musically or otherwise. I return to this issue in “Hometown Glory (Remember Me)” from the #TEAMDAR mixtape The End is Coming which can be listened to here

http://mixconnect.com/disk3/mp3/370b8fc738e27779e0ad1.mp3
The above MP3 is the “Hometown Glory” song in question.

I went to City College, a high school in Baltimore. Around the first recording of this song, I received news that one of my classmates, Maranda Hunter, had passed because of cancer. Instead of making a long tribute song, I used this line as both a reference to the camaraderie City graduates often had and as a sort of “I’ll never forget you” type of thing.

For those wondering, YES, that Maranda is the same Maranda referenced as being one of my inspirations to rap in “Just Can’t See Myself (Miss Music)” from the upcoming Songs For… album. This picture was taken in 2003.

America is constantly losing ground in regards to how well our students are prepared for real life. Just look at any education article/website. America is also seem (by some) as being one of the most morally corrupt countries in the world. Therefore, because of these things, it’s only elementary (again, to some) that America is doomed to fail–unless things change (and that’s to all)

A simple call out of “activists” and revolutionaries that run away when they’re really confronted. Also, a diss of sorts, to “hug-a-thugs” and the like.

This skit was based on a conversation I actually had with a young woman named Treeka Baylor during my high school years. The topic of the conversation was how life would be better if people stopped living for others. Contrary to belief, the woman speaking in these skits is NOT Treeka.

The song itself has been in the works since early 2011, but finally was released on my first full-length effort “RAQUEL RELOADED (The Devolution and Death of the Modern Male).

Here is a demo version from early ‘11
http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=p2AsijxYQ_Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUw2NkQtyu03tBL58TnPthQQ

The song has also been recently turned into a Baltimore Club mix called “Treeka’s Revenge” from DJ Baltimore Supplier.

My crew–and those that I surround myself with and aid–we’re all on some next-level shit. Therefore, we don’t need to promote violence to get our point across.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/watch?v=aVy2v_vTYgQ

I’m doing my part to right the wrongs of the world, both for the sake of the world, but also for the sake of my son’s future. As I’d rather him not grow up in a world where fuckery happens on the regular, as a father, I’ve made it my duty to better the world for him–as all fathers should for their kids.

“Even cool kings” was part of a mixtape that I put out before RAQUEL RELOADED entitled #BECKYTKID or Baby, Even Cool Kings Yearn/The King is Dead. The album dealt partly with the fallout between a close friend and I over some things that I did regarding a young woman named Becky (hence the “baby, even cool kings yearn” aspect/acronym). These bars are partly a “Hey, dude, my bad for fucking up things over a chick that you were dealing with.” They also reference my nickname as the “No-Fi King” and how I hope that I’ll get that chance to finally go what I need to do in the world.

Often, we allow things to slide due to it being chalked up to “self-expression” and/or how swagged out a person is, or how turnt up they are.