The Art-ful Dodger
I got so many things to do, so I don't spend my time on you
When all you're trying’a do is help and guide me though
but when I think about you, I'm a mess without you
‘Cause the beauty about you is, you remind me of who
I used to be when I was artistically free
artistically proud and artistically me
Not yet a statistic without an artistic degree
Or an artist in bondage through contractual decree
I was a passionate being, not too crass or extreme
But the mainstream seems to just clash with that dream
It says you have to adapt to be seen and acting's a tactic for publicity
Ed tells me that I can’t rap, I just met him an’ it makes me smile
See, I don't give a crap, ‘cause I know it'll upset him if I spit my style
In fact, I take comfort that some folks won’t feel this
Some people need dumb crap, while others need realness
I feel I've lost my patience to deal with degenerate generations
An‘ radio stations complacent
playing the same crap that belongs in the basement
An’ the message they’re pressing is not acceptable
‘Bout sex ‘n’ breasts, when children are susceptible
No need for perpetual intellectuals to see through this spectacle
I'm sceptical of these pop stars’ influential instrumentals
‘Bout “disco sticks” an’ "If you seek Amy"
It makes me sick, but do you blame me?
There’s children out there making babies
while plainly, Britney just cares bout where the fame is.
I see so many incredible artists and I see me
I'm screaming at them and I'm screaming at me
I'm like "Don't stop!”
Your potential is so more than what it seems
You transform through whatever means
to bring some heart into this scene
But nowadays we can’t co-exist without throwing fists
While we're so involved with substances
we've forgotten what actual substance is
And the TV always makes such a flashy fuss of this
so don't be surprised if your kids are hustlers
Rappers ain’t role models, this I must insist
Every second line gotta swear or cuss in it
I've done it too, but I'm prepared to put a hush on it
I gotta get the message through, even if I'm busking it
