Firas Durri

How did Detroit end up with the best lyricists in hip hop? Elzhi and Royce flow exceptionally well on this Motown-sampling beat from Black Milk.

‘Motown 25′ is a triple threat of killer production, collaboration, and lyricism.
— Kevin Nottingham.

Motown 25, eLZhi ft. Royce da 5’9″ [youtube link]

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eLZhi:

Say my name three times in the mirror and if I hear ya,
I’ll appear clearer, extend both arms and pull you nearer

El and Royce, double team, hotter than a cup of steam
Tub ya spleen and bury you, just as deep as a submarine

Flawless, should be that very reason you applaud us
You saw us laying down a law just as raw as a crawfish

Royce da 5’9″:

Me and Elzhi, yeah we split—he sick, I’m sick
I’m sick of how sick he is, he sick of how sick me is
Me baby me, sickest in the D!

Back into my rhyme again, niggas call me arrogant,
Thats because I’m confident, I found it when I found a pen

From Milan to Iran I’m a Don, and when I’m around
Niggas calming down eating like it’s Ramadan.

Bonus:

Glow (Jake One, Elzhi, Royce da 5’9″) [youtube]

Elzhi:
Create an illy scene, here’s what I really mean
I make the whole city glow like the video for Billy Jean
Possess it, I was destined to be fluorescent
You less slick, guess it’s just the finesse that you blessed with
I’m a, livewire for hire, fire in entire spurts
To jump up and get blew out like fireworks

Royce da 5’9″:
The Midwest in the building, we shining from here to St. Louis back to Chicago
I flow, I’m so pro, I can go fast go slow so you hoes know,
Watch me, if you living Islamic or Christian you are now about to witness
The strength of knowledge and wisdom
I’m never out of position, I play my position,
I brought it back boy, El and Royce is back for more… plaques

Rosie Boycott Bingo:

So here it is! Your cut-and-keep guide to what people say vs. what people really mean: post-coming out edition. Hope you find it useful too! I’m considering making a board game version of this and calling it Rosie Boycott Bingo.

• When someone says:
  “I have too much respect for myself ever to do that.”
  What they mean is:
  “My self-esteem is so fragile that stepping outside the mainstream would mess it up for life.”
• When someone says:
  “She’s not even that good-looking.”
  What they mean is:
  “This woman’s choices make me uncomfortable but I don’t have the intelligence to address that so will criticise her looks instead.”
• When someone says:
  “See? Other people in her family have problems. That explains everything.”
  What they mean is:
  “In spite of the fact that all families have difficulties, I’m going to pretend otherwise in order to make an ad hominem attack.”
• When someone says:
  “Stories like this glamourise a trade that enslaves and kills women.”
  What they mean is:
  “I don’t actually know the difference between the separate issues affecting call girls, massage parlours, brothels, and streetwalkers, and I’m not going to bother finding out.”
• When someone says:
  “I wouldn’t pay £300 for that.”
  What they mean is:
  “I think a woman’s value, sexual or otherwise, is entirely based on her looks.”
• When someone says:
  “I have similar factors in my life and didn’t choose this route.”
  What they mean is:
  “I am unfamiliar with the notion that free will more or less assures that people will makes decisions I would not have done.”
• When someone says:
  “If she liked the job so much why isn’t she still doing it?”
  What they mean is:
  “I don’t believe people can, or should, change direction in their lives without self-hatred and regret.”