Click on the headline to link a Bob Feldman '68 blog entry- A Song In Honor Of Class-War Prisoner Marilyn Buck.
Showing posts with label Black Liberation Army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Liberation Army. Show all posts
Friday, June 30, 2017
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
From The Archives- The Black Liberation Army (BLA)
Click on the headline for more information about the Black Liberation Army.
****
Black Liberation Army
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Logo of the Black Liberation ArmyThe Black Liberation Army (BLA) was an underground, black nationalist-Marxist militant organization that operated in the United States from 1970 to 1981. Composed largely of former Black Panthers (BPP), the organization's program was one of "armed struggle" and its stated goal was to "take up arms for the liberation and self-determination of black people in the United States."[1] The BLA carried out a series of bombings, robberies (what participants termed "expropriations"), and prison breaks.
Contents [hide]
1 Formation
2 Activities
3 Members and associates
4 References
[edit] Formation
The Black Liberation Army was formed after the demise of the Black Panther Party. By 1970, police and FBI pressure (see COINTELPRO), infiltration, sectarianism, the criminalization of the Black Power movement (including long prison sentences and the deaths of key members, among them Fred Hampton, at the hands of police) had crippled the Black Panther Party. This convinced many former party members of the desirability of an underground existence, including the assumption that a new period of violent repression was at hand. BLA members operated under the belief that only through covert means, including but not limited to violent acts, could the movement be continued until such a time when an above-ground existence was possible. In this sense, the BLA's reasoning was similar to that of the Weather Underground.
The conditions under which the Black Liberation Army formed are not entirely clear. It is commonly believed that the organization was founded by those who left the Black Panther Party after Eldridge Cleaver was expelled from the party's Central Committee.[2] A fallout was inevitable between Cleaver and other Panther leaders after he publicly criticized the BPP, among other things accusing Panther social programs of being reformist rather than revolutionary. Others, including black revolutionary Geronimo Pratt (AKA Geronimo ji Jaga), assert that the BLA "as a movement concept pre-dated and was broader than the BPP," suggesting that it was a refuge for ex-Panthers rather than a new organization formed through schism.[3]
Some accounts of the Black Liberation Army argue that the BLA grew out of the BPP and its original founders were members of the Party. The organization is often presented as a result of the repression on the BPP and the split within the Panthers. It is said to have formed after the collaboration of several Black revolutionary organizations and consisted of the Black underground which came to be collectively known as the Black Liberation Army.[4] Assata Shakur, in her autobiography, asserts “… the Black Liberation Army was not a centralized, organized group with a common leadership and chain of command. Instead there were various organizations and collectives working together and simultaneously independent of each other.” [5]
The newly formed BLA believed that "the character of reformism is based on unprincipled class collaboration with our enemy"[6] and asserted the following principles:
That we are anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, and anti-sexist.
That we must of necessity strive for the abolishment of these systems and for the institution of Socialistic relationships in which Black people have total and absolute control over their own destiny as a people.
That in order to abolish our systems of oppression, we must utilize the science of class struggle, develop this science as it relates to our unique national condition.
[edit] Activities
According to a Justice Department report on BLA activity, the Black Liberation Army is suspected of involvement in over 60 incidents of violence between 1970 and 1976.[7] The Fraternal Order of Police blames the BLA for the murders of 13 police officers.[8]
On October 22, 1970, the BLA is believed to have planted a bomb in St. Brendan's Church in San Francisco while it was full of mourners attending the funeral of San Francisco police officer Harold Hamilton, who had been killed in the line of duty while responding to a bank robbery. The bomb was detonated, but no one in the church suffered serious injuries.[9]
On May 21, 1971, as many as five men participated in the shootings of two New York City police officers, Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Those arrested and brought to trial for the shootings include Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), Albert Washington, Francisco Torres, Gabriel Torres, and Herman Bell.
On August 29, 1971, three armed men murdered 51-year old San Francisco police officer John Victor Young while he was working at a desk in his police station, which was almost empty at the time due to a bombing attack on a bank that took place earlier - only one other officer and a civilian clerk were there. Two days later, the San Francisco Chronicle received a letter signed by the BLA claiming responsibility for the attack.
In January 2007, eight men, labeled the San Francisco 8 were charged by a joint state and federal task force with Young's murder.[10] The defendants have been identified as former members of the Black Liberation Army.[11] A similar case was dismissed in 1975 when a judge ruled that police gathered evidence through the use of torture.[12]. On June 29, 2009 Herman Bell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Sgt. Young. In July 2009, charges were dropped against four of the accused: Ray Boudreaux, Henry W. Jones, Richard Brown and Harold Taylor. Also that month Jalil Muntaquim pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit voluntary manslaughter becoming the second person to be convicted in this case. [13]
On the 3 November, 1971, Officer James R. Greene of the Atlanta Police Department was shot and killed in his patrol van at a gas station. His wallet, badge, and weapon were taken, and the evidence at the scene pointed to two suspects. The first was Twymon Meyers, who was killed in a police shootout in 1973, and the second was Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), who evaded capture until 2002, when he was arrested in New York on a separate charge, and was recognized as one of the men wanted in the Greene murder. Apparently, the two men had attacked the officer to gain standing with their compatriots within Black Liberation Army.[14]
In another high-profile incident, Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur), James Coston (aka Zayd Shakur) and Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli) were said to have opened fire on state troopers in New Jersey after being pulled over for a broken taillight. Coston (Shakur) and state trooper Werner Foerster were both killed during the exchange. Following her capture, Chesimard was tried in six different criminal trials. According to Chesimard, she was beaten and tortured during her incarceration in a number of different federal and state prisons. The charges ranged from kidnapping to assault and battery to bank robbery. Chesimard was found guilty of the murder of both Foerster and her companion Coston (Shakur), but escaped prison in 1979 and eventually absconded to Cuba. Squire was convicted of killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison.
The BLA was active in the US until at least 1981 when a Brinks truck robbery, conducted with support from Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert, left a guard and two police officers dead. Boudin and Gilbert, along with several BLA members, were subsequently arrested.[15]
Following the collapse of the BLA, some members - including Ashanti Alston, Donald Weems (aka Kuwasi Balagoon) and Ojore N. Lutalo- became outspoken proponents of anarchism. Weems died in prison of an AIDS-related disease in 1986. Alston remains active in prison support and other activist circles.
[edit] Members and associates
BLA members who remain in prison (as of January 2006), include the following:
Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli), convicted along with Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur) of the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973.
Jeral Wayne Williams (aka Mutulu Shakur), charged in part with conspiracy in 1979 BLA prison break of Chesimard (Assata Shakur), FBI's top ten Fugitive #380. Captured in 1986 and convicted of participating in the 1981 Brinks robbery, he received a 60-year sentence in a federal prison.
Herman Bell and Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), convicted of the murder of two New York City police officers in 1971.
Joseph Bowen
Robert Seth Hayes, convicted of the murder of a NYC Transit Police Officer.
William Turk (aka Sekou Kambui), convicted of two murders in Alabama.
Ojore N. Lutalo, convicted following a shootout with a drug dealer (released August 2009).
Anthony LaBorde (aka Abdul Majid) and James D. York (aka Bashir Hameed), convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1981.
Nathaniel Burns (aka Sekou Odinga), convicted of six counts of attempted murder for his participation in the 1981 Brinks robbery and other incidents.
Grailing Brown (aka Kojo Bomani Sababu), convicted of bank robbery.
Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), convicted of the murder of an Atlanta police officer in 1971.
Russel "Maroon" Shoatz, convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1972.
Other high-profile BLA members and associates:
Arthur Lee Washington, Jr., FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive #427, wanted for 1989 attempted murder of a New Jersey state trooper. {Removed from list in December 2000 as no longer meeting criteria}
Joanne Chesimard (AKA Assata Shakur), fugitive from justice and currently in Havana, Cuba.
[edit] References
^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base. [1]
^ Le Monde diplomatique, Caged panthers, 2005. [2]
^ Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party, 2001.
^ Umoja, Akinyele Omowale. “Repression Breeds Resistance: The Black Liberation Army and the Radical Legacy of the Black Panther Party.” New Political Science 21.2 (1999): 131-154.
^ Umoja, Akinyele Omowale. “Repression Breeds Resistance: The Black Liberation Army and the Radical Legacy of the Black Panther Party.” New Political Science 21.2 (1999): 131-154.
^ The BLA Coordinating Committee, Message to the Black Movement: A Political Statement from the Black Underground. [3]
^ Blast from the Past, 1979. [4]
^ New York State FOP, New York State Fraternal Order of Police Criticizes Judge's Decision on the release of Kathy Boudin. [5]
^ Van Derbeken and Lagos. Ex-militants charged in S.F. police officer's '71 slaying at station, San Francisco Chronicle (January 23, 2007)
^ Ex-militants charged in S.F. police officer's '71 slaying at station (via SFGate)
^ Black Liberation Army tied to 1971 slaying (via USA Today)
^ 8 arrested in 1971 cop-killing tied to Black Panthers (via Los Angeles Times)
^ 2nd guilty plea in 1971 killing of S.F. officer (via SFGate)
^ Fulton Co. District Attorney Report, [6]
^ CourtTV Crime Library, Ambush: The Brinks Robbery of 1981. [7]
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Liberation_Army"
****
Black Liberation Army
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Logo of the Black Liberation ArmyThe Black Liberation Army (BLA) was an underground, black nationalist-Marxist militant organization that operated in the United States from 1970 to 1981. Composed largely of former Black Panthers (BPP), the organization's program was one of "armed struggle" and its stated goal was to "take up arms for the liberation and self-determination of black people in the United States."[1] The BLA carried out a series of bombings, robberies (what participants termed "expropriations"), and prison breaks.
Contents [hide]
1 Formation
2 Activities
3 Members and associates
4 References
[edit] Formation
The Black Liberation Army was formed after the demise of the Black Panther Party. By 1970, police and FBI pressure (see COINTELPRO), infiltration, sectarianism, the criminalization of the Black Power movement (including long prison sentences and the deaths of key members, among them Fred Hampton, at the hands of police) had crippled the Black Panther Party. This convinced many former party members of the desirability of an underground existence, including the assumption that a new period of violent repression was at hand. BLA members operated under the belief that only through covert means, including but not limited to violent acts, could the movement be continued until such a time when an above-ground existence was possible. In this sense, the BLA's reasoning was similar to that of the Weather Underground.
The conditions under which the Black Liberation Army formed are not entirely clear. It is commonly believed that the organization was founded by those who left the Black Panther Party after Eldridge Cleaver was expelled from the party's Central Committee.[2] A fallout was inevitable between Cleaver and other Panther leaders after he publicly criticized the BPP, among other things accusing Panther social programs of being reformist rather than revolutionary. Others, including black revolutionary Geronimo Pratt (AKA Geronimo ji Jaga), assert that the BLA "as a movement concept pre-dated and was broader than the BPP," suggesting that it was a refuge for ex-Panthers rather than a new organization formed through schism.[3]
Some accounts of the Black Liberation Army argue that the BLA grew out of the BPP and its original founders were members of the Party. The organization is often presented as a result of the repression on the BPP and the split within the Panthers. It is said to have formed after the collaboration of several Black revolutionary organizations and consisted of the Black underground which came to be collectively known as the Black Liberation Army.[4] Assata Shakur, in her autobiography, asserts “… the Black Liberation Army was not a centralized, organized group with a common leadership and chain of command. Instead there were various organizations and collectives working together and simultaneously independent of each other.” [5]
The newly formed BLA believed that "the character of reformism is based on unprincipled class collaboration with our enemy"[6] and asserted the following principles:
That we are anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, and anti-sexist.
That we must of necessity strive for the abolishment of these systems and for the institution of Socialistic relationships in which Black people have total and absolute control over their own destiny as a people.
That in order to abolish our systems of oppression, we must utilize the science of class struggle, develop this science as it relates to our unique national condition.
[edit] Activities
According to a Justice Department report on BLA activity, the Black Liberation Army is suspected of involvement in over 60 incidents of violence between 1970 and 1976.[7] The Fraternal Order of Police blames the BLA for the murders of 13 police officers.[8]
On October 22, 1970, the BLA is believed to have planted a bomb in St. Brendan's Church in San Francisco while it was full of mourners attending the funeral of San Francisco police officer Harold Hamilton, who had been killed in the line of duty while responding to a bank robbery. The bomb was detonated, but no one in the church suffered serious injuries.[9]
On May 21, 1971, as many as five men participated in the shootings of two New York City police officers, Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Those arrested and brought to trial for the shootings include Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), Albert Washington, Francisco Torres, Gabriel Torres, and Herman Bell.
On August 29, 1971, three armed men murdered 51-year old San Francisco police officer John Victor Young while he was working at a desk in his police station, which was almost empty at the time due to a bombing attack on a bank that took place earlier - only one other officer and a civilian clerk were there. Two days later, the San Francisco Chronicle received a letter signed by the BLA claiming responsibility for the attack.
In January 2007, eight men, labeled the San Francisco 8 were charged by a joint state and federal task force with Young's murder.[10] The defendants have been identified as former members of the Black Liberation Army.[11] A similar case was dismissed in 1975 when a judge ruled that police gathered evidence through the use of torture.[12]. On June 29, 2009 Herman Bell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Sgt. Young. In July 2009, charges were dropped against four of the accused: Ray Boudreaux, Henry W. Jones, Richard Brown and Harold Taylor. Also that month Jalil Muntaquim pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit voluntary manslaughter becoming the second person to be convicted in this case. [13]
On the 3 November, 1971, Officer James R. Greene of the Atlanta Police Department was shot and killed in his patrol van at a gas station. His wallet, badge, and weapon were taken, and the evidence at the scene pointed to two suspects. The first was Twymon Meyers, who was killed in a police shootout in 1973, and the second was Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), who evaded capture until 2002, when he was arrested in New York on a separate charge, and was recognized as one of the men wanted in the Greene murder. Apparently, the two men had attacked the officer to gain standing with their compatriots within Black Liberation Army.[14]
In another high-profile incident, Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur), James Coston (aka Zayd Shakur) and Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli) were said to have opened fire on state troopers in New Jersey after being pulled over for a broken taillight. Coston (Shakur) and state trooper Werner Foerster were both killed during the exchange. Following her capture, Chesimard was tried in six different criminal trials. According to Chesimard, she was beaten and tortured during her incarceration in a number of different federal and state prisons. The charges ranged from kidnapping to assault and battery to bank robbery. Chesimard was found guilty of the murder of both Foerster and her companion Coston (Shakur), but escaped prison in 1979 and eventually absconded to Cuba. Squire was convicted of killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison.
The BLA was active in the US until at least 1981 when a Brinks truck robbery, conducted with support from Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert, left a guard and two police officers dead. Boudin and Gilbert, along with several BLA members, were subsequently arrested.[15]
Following the collapse of the BLA, some members - including Ashanti Alston, Donald Weems (aka Kuwasi Balagoon) and Ojore N. Lutalo- became outspoken proponents of anarchism. Weems died in prison of an AIDS-related disease in 1986. Alston remains active in prison support and other activist circles.
[edit] Members and associates
BLA members who remain in prison (as of January 2006), include the following:
Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli), convicted along with Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur) of the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973.
Jeral Wayne Williams (aka Mutulu Shakur), charged in part with conspiracy in 1979 BLA prison break of Chesimard (Assata Shakur), FBI's top ten Fugitive #380. Captured in 1986 and convicted of participating in the 1981 Brinks robbery, he received a 60-year sentence in a federal prison.
Herman Bell and Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), convicted of the murder of two New York City police officers in 1971.
Joseph Bowen
Robert Seth Hayes, convicted of the murder of a NYC Transit Police Officer.
William Turk (aka Sekou Kambui), convicted of two murders in Alabama.
Ojore N. Lutalo, convicted following a shootout with a drug dealer (released August 2009).
Anthony LaBorde (aka Abdul Majid) and James D. York (aka Bashir Hameed), convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1981.
Nathaniel Burns (aka Sekou Odinga), convicted of six counts of attempted murder for his participation in the 1981 Brinks robbery and other incidents.
Grailing Brown (aka Kojo Bomani Sababu), convicted of bank robbery.
Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), convicted of the murder of an Atlanta police officer in 1971.
Russel "Maroon" Shoatz, convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1972.
Other high-profile BLA members and associates:
Arthur Lee Washington, Jr., FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive #427, wanted for 1989 attempted murder of a New Jersey state trooper. {Removed from list in December 2000 as no longer meeting criteria}
Joanne Chesimard (AKA Assata Shakur), fugitive from justice and currently in Havana, Cuba.
[edit] References
^ MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base. [1]
^ Le Monde diplomatique, Caged panthers, 2005. [2]
^ Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party, 2001.
^ Umoja, Akinyele Omowale. “Repression Breeds Resistance: The Black Liberation Army and the Radical Legacy of the Black Panther Party.” New Political Science 21.2 (1999): 131-154.
^ Umoja, Akinyele Omowale. “Repression Breeds Resistance: The Black Liberation Army and the Radical Legacy of the Black Panther Party.” New Political Science 21.2 (1999): 131-154.
^ The BLA Coordinating Committee, Message to the Black Movement: A Political Statement from the Black Underground. [3]
^ Blast from the Past, 1979. [4]
^ New York State FOP, New York State Fraternal Order of Police Criticizes Judge's Decision on the release of Kathy Boudin. [5]
^ Van Derbeken and Lagos. Ex-militants charged in S.F. police officer's '71 slaying at station, San Francisco Chronicle (January 23, 2007)
^ Ex-militants charged in S.F. police officer's '71 slaying at station (via SFGate)
^ Black Liberation Army tied to 1971 slaying (via USA Today)
^ 8 arrested in 1971 cop-killing tied to Black Panthers (via Los Angeles Times)
^ 2nd guilty plea in 1971 killing of S.F. officer (via SFGate)
^ Fulton Co. District Attorney Report, [6]
^ CourtTV Crime Library, Ambush: The Brinks Robbery of 1981. [7]
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Liberation_Army"
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur’s "Rebel Of The Underground"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
********
Rebel Of The Underground lyrics-Tupac Shakur
Rebel.. rebel.. REBEL
Rebel.. rebel..
[2Pac]
They just can't stand the reign, or the occasional pain
from a man like me, who goes against the grain
Sometimes I do it in vain, so with a little bass and treble
Hey Mister! It's time for me to explain that I'm the rebel
Cold as the devil
Straight from the underground, the rebel, a lower level
They came to see the maniac psychopath
The critics heard of me, and the aftermath
I don't give a damn and it shows
And when I do a stage show I wear street clothes
So they all know me
The lyrical lunatic, the maniac emcee
I give a shout out to your homies
And maybe then, the critics'll leave your boy alone, G
On the streets or on TV
It just don't pay to be, a truth tellin MC
They won't be happy till I'm banned
The most dangerous weapon: an educated black man
So point blank in your face, pump up the bass
and join the human race
I throw peace to the Bay
Cause from the Jungle to Oaktown, they backin me up all the way
You know you gotta love the sound
It's from the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Rebel he's a rebel, rebel of the underground [4X]
[2Pac]
Now I'm face to face with the devils
Cause they breedin more rebels than the whole damn ghetto
And police brutality
shit it put you in the nip and call it technicality
So you reap what you sow
So reap the wrath of the rebel, jackin em up once mo'
Now the fox is in the henhouse, creepin up on your daughter
While you sleep I got her sneakin out
Tupac ain't nuttin nice
I'll be nuttin how I wanna, and doin what I'm gonna
Now I'm up to no good
The mastermind of mischief movin more than most could
So sit and slip into the sound
Peep the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Rebel he's a rebel, rebel of the underground [4X]
[2Pac]
They say they hate me, they wanna hold me down
I guess they scared of the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
But I never let it get me
I just make another record bout the punks tryin to sweat me
In fact, they tryin to keep me out
Try to censor what I say
cause they don't like what I'm talkin bout
So what's wrong with the media today?
Got brothers sellin out cause they greedy to get paid
But me, I'm comin from the soul
And if it don't go gold, my story still gettin told
And that way they can't stop me
And if it sells a couple of copies, the punks'll try to copy
It's sloppy, don't even try to
I'm a slave to the rhythm, and I'm about to fly through
So yo to the people in the ghetto
When ya hear the bass flow, go ahead and let go
Now everybody wanna gangbang
They talkin street slang, but the punks still can't hang
They makin records bout violence
But when it comes to the real, some brothers go silent
It kinda make you wanna think about
that ya gotta do some sellin out, just to get your record out
But 2Pacalpyse is straight down
So feel the wrath of the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Tupac is a rebel, rebel of the underground [8X]
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
********
Rebel Of The Underground lyrics-Tupac Shakur
Rebel.. rebel.. REBEL
Rebel.. rebel..
[2Pac]
They just can't stand the reign, or the occasional pain
from a man like me, who goes against the grain
Sometimes I do it in vain, so with a little bass and treble
Hey Mister! It's time for me to explain that I'm the rebel
Cold as the devil
Straight from the underground, the rebel, a lower level
They came to see the maniac psychopath
The critics heard of me, and the aftermath
I don't give a damn and it shows
And when I do a stage show I wear street clothes
So they all know me
The lyrical lunatic, the maniac emcee
I give a shout out to your homies
And maybe then, the critics'll leave your boy alone, G
On the streets or on TV
It just don't pay to be, a truth tellin MC
They won't be happy till I'm banned
The most dangerous weapon: an educated black man
So point blank in your face, pump up the bass
and join the human race
I throw peace to the Bay
Cause from the Jungle to Oaktown, they backin me up all the way
You know you gotta love the sound
It's from the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Rebel he's a rebel, rebel of the underground [4X]
[2Pac]
Now I'm face to face with the devils
Cause they breedin more rebels than the whole damn ghetto
And police brutality
shit it put you in the nip and call it technicality
So you reap what you sow
So reap the wrath of the rebel, jackin em up once mo'
Now the fox is in the henhouse, creepin up on your daughter
While you sleep I got her sneakin out
Tupac ain't nuttin nice
I'll be nuttin how I wanna, and doin what I'm gonna
Now I'm up to no good
The mastermind of mischief movin more than most could
So sit and slip into the sound
Peep the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Rebel he's a rebel, rebel of the underground [4X]
[2Pac]
They say they hate me, they wanna hold me down
I guess they scared of the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
But I never let it get me
I just make another record bout the punks tryin to sweat me
In fact, they tryin to keep me out
Try to censor what I say
cause they don't like what I'm talkin bout
So what's wrong with the media today?
Got brothers sellin out cause they greedy to get paid
But me, I'm comin from the soul
And if it don't go gold, my story still gettin told
And that way they can't stop me
And if it sells a couple of copies, the punks'll try to copy
It's sloppy, don't even try to
I'm a slave to the rhythm, and I'm about to fly through
So yo to the people in the ghetto
When ya hear the bass flow, go ahead and let go
Now everybody wanna gangbang
They talkin street slang, but the punks still can't hang
They makin records bout violence
But when it comes to the real, some brothers go silent
It kinda make you wanna think about
that ya gotta do some sellin out, just to get your record out
But 2Pacalpyse is straight down
So feel the wrath of the rebel -- the rebel of the underground
Tupac is a rebel, rebel of the underground [8X]
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur’s "Military Minds"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
Military Minds lyrics-Tupac Shakur
[Tupac Talking]
Stand in formation
My motherfucking real troopers
Lets do it like soldiers
All in together now
Ready?
Hell yeah
No retreat no surrender
Death before dishonor motherfucker
Do it to them
Come on
Never got thuggish
Uhh
Yes yes YES
Say whut
Westide eastside ride
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at? (Huhuhu)
The cases of a drug dealer
Real thugs, where you at?
Yo a motherfucking army
Do it to them
Do it to them
They love the way we do it to them
We do it to them
Calvary
[Verse 1: Tupac]
Suppress the revolution of premeditated scheme [echo]
Introduce a drug called crack
To us ghetto teens [echo]
Got a law for raw niggas now
Playa what it be like? [echo]
When will niggas see they got us bleeding with 3 strikes [echo]
Can't seem to focus
Hopeless
With violent thoughts
I wrote this
Got these devils petrified
Hiding from my hocus pocus
And so I learned to earn my currency
And over time [echo]
Affiliated
Clearly click a military mind [echo]
May god forgive us
Though we dwell inside a paradox
Thugged out and drug dealing
>From the womb to the block [echo]
My live mind got me surviving 5 shots [echo]
My 45 got me fortified with live rounds
When shit stick
We plot hits
When our block spits
All hail
Out on bail
Wrath of 2pacalypse [echo]
Forever ghetto
Necessary picture food stamps
Outlaw thug niggas
Never left the boot camp
[Verse 2: BuckShot & Cocoa Brovas]
I'm a nigga for assignment
One of the suqads finest [echo]
Skilled in gorilla warfare
And blessed
Work with firearm [echo]
My rap shit
Contains sections of bomb sessions
Says I'm responsible for black smith and wessons [echo]
Putting up on ?? in the military state of mind [echo]
Dangerous like chronic and yard when combined
Cocoa Brovas pan the borderline [echo]
That's the sound and your dead son
Man to man
I'm facing the devil with a plan [echo]
Judo stance
First glance
I'm making my advance [echo]
Animal instincts
Intelligence of an assassin [echo]
Mask my ninja style
Surround me ready to attack [echo]
I react swiftly
What father taught me sticks with me [echo]
Never forget the methods stick and move strictly [echo]
Shit be seeming like its closing in
With no regrets I hold position
Cause I circles
I'm one of the chosen men [echo]
Picture being put in position to move [echo]
And you can't move
Cause your move is blocked by the knight at 12 O'clock
That's when the madness beings [echo]
So I start to focusing
My thoughts on the war
Cause the rule is the law [echo]
And the law that we live by is to stay true to self
In this case beady eye [echo]
Why try
Everybody lie
About the block
True soldier mentality
This is how we rock and move [echo]
Stick and move
Time to show what kinda nigga
Move or get moved on
Lets see whos strong [echo]
In the days of the strange
Where nothing stays the same
With new faces come through with similar game [echo]
And who you thought them
Really ain't they (echo)
Catching deja vu
Of the game people play [echo]
It's a call for re-adjustment
Fine tune your positions
You slipping and tripping
Instead of bobbing and dipping [echo]
Will never let this world of stress get me [echo]
Taking breathing techniques
Slay you with tai chi [echo]
What did you change
To get a break
In the world of snakes
And those who fake
Elimination I'm facing
Destruction
Outlaw till I duck down [echo]
From po po's bustin'
No one to trust in
Rushing to the goal line
Catch a nigga
Beat him
Treat him like he stole mine [echo]
No swine
I'm a soldier
Told cha I control mine [echo]
Time to take you back into time
Follow this here
One way out
This black hole
For this black soul
Shit is outta control
I'm fighting for my position
To be a fetus in this world I am entering [echo]
And my face is sentencing for repentance [echo]
Before my body was fully formed into a human [echo]
I was already consuming weed
Cause my mom's use to smoke back in the 70's [echo]
Maybe that's why in the 90's
I drop g's when I drop degrees [echo]
When I ease across the block
With Pac [echo]
And got all you niggas shot
You didn't think
Boot Camp click would link
With the outlaw minded
If you do you press rewind
And you can peep gorilla tactics in every line
[Tupac]
Yeah
And this is how we do it
Where my real thugs?
Where they at?
Let me see my real thugs
Where you at
Wont you see my real thugs
Where you at
Let me see my real thugs
Where u at
Now
Where my real thugs
Let me see where you at
Tell me where my real thugs
Gots to see where you at
Where's my soldiers
Where you at
Where's my real soldiers
Where you at
Where my soldiers at
Where you at
Where you at
Get your strap my nigga
Where you at?
Where you at?
Where my soldiers at
Where you at?
Where you at?
Hit your thug niggas
Where you at?
With your strap
Where my soldiers at
With my true thug niggas
No longer drug dealers
Cause we now thug niggas
Where my soldiers at?
No longer drug dealers
Cause we now thug niggas
Let me
Where my
Where my soldiers at
Put your pistols in the air
Where my soldiers at
Put your guns up
Tell me where my soldiers at
Put your pistols in the air
Where my, soldiers
My true thug rollers
Yes
It just doesn't quit
Yes
This is that real hip hop shit
Yes
Fuck what you heard
From the ghetto to the 'burbs
Know we meant every word
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Put your hand on your pistol
Point your pistols in the air
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
When Bob Dole and Deloris Tucker wanna know, where my soldiers at
Code Fo'
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
Military Minds lyrics-Tupac Shakur
[Tupac Talking]
Stand in formation
My motherfucking real troopers
Lets do it like soldiers
All in together now
Ready?
Hell yeah
No retreat no surrender
Death before dishonor motherfucker
Do it to them
Come on
Never got thuggish
Uhh
Yes yes YES
Say whut
Westide eastside ride
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at?, where you at?
Where my real thugs?
Where you at? (Huhuhu)
The cases of a drug dealer
Real thugs, where you at?
Yo a motherfucking army
Do it to them
Do it to them
They love the way we do it to them
We do it to them
Calvary
[Verse 1: Tupac]
Suppress the revolution of premeditated scheme [echo]
Introduce a drug called crack
To us ghetto teens [echo]
Got a law for raw niggas now
Playa what it be like? [echo]
When will niggas see they got us bleeding with 3 strikes [echo]
Can't seem to focus
Hopeless
With violent thoughts
I wrote this
Got these devils petrified
Hiding from my hocus pocus
And so I learned to earn my currency
And over time [echo]
Affiliated
Clearly click a military mind [echo]
May god forgive us
Though we dwell inside a paradox
Thugged out and drug dealing
>From the womb to the block [echo]
My live mind got me surviving 5 shots [echo]
My 45 got me fortified with live rounds
When shit stick
We plot hits
When our block spits
All hail
Out on bail
Wrath of 2pacalypse [echo]
Forever ghetto
Necessary picture food stamps
Outlaw thug niggas
Never left the boot camp
[Verse 2: BuckShot & Cocoa Brovas]
I'm a nigga for assignment
One of the suqads finest [echo]
Skilled in gorilla warfare
And blessed
Work with firearm [echo]
My rap shit
Contains sections of bomb sessions
Says I'm responsible for black smith and wessons [echo]
Putting up on ?? in the military state of mind [echo]
Dangerous like chronic and yard when combined
Cocoa Brovas pan the borderline [echo]
That's the sound and your dead son
Man to man
I'm facing the devil with a plan [echo]
Judo stance
First glance
I'm making my advance [echo]
Animal instincts
Intelligence of an assassin [echo]
Mask my ninja style
Surround me ready to attack [echo]
I react swiftly
What father taught me sticks with me [echo]
Never forget the methods stick and move strictly [echo]
Shit be seeming like its closing in
With no regrets I hold position
Cause I circles
I'm one of the chosen men [echo]
Picture being put in position to move [echo]
And you can't move
Cause your move is blocked by the knight at 12 O'clock
That's when the madness beings [echo]
So I start to focusing
My thoughts on the war
Cause the rule is the law [echo]
And the law that we live by is to stay true to self
In this case beady eye [echo]
Why try
Everybody lie
About the block
True soldier mentality
This is how we rock and move [echo]
Stick and move
Time to show what kinda nigga
Move or get moved on
Lets see whos strong [echo]
In the days of the strange
Where nothing stays the same
With new faces come through with similar game [echo]
And who you thought them
Really ain't they (echo)
Catching deja vu
Of the game people play [echo]
It's a call for re-adjustment
Fine tune your positions
You slipping and tripping
Instead of bobbing and dipping [echo]
Will never let this world of stress get me [echo]
Taking breathing techniques
Slay you with tai chi [echo]
What did you change
To get a break
In the world of snakes
And those who fake
Elimination I'm facing
Destruction
Outlaw till I duck down [echo]
From po po's bustin'
No one to trust in
Rushing to the goal line
Catch a nigga
Beat him
Treat him like he stole mine [echo]
No swine
I'm a soldier
Told cha I control mine [echo]
Time to take you back into time
Follow this here
One way out
This black hole
For this black soul
Shit is outta control
I'm fighting for my position
To be a fetus in this world I am entering [echo]
And my face is sentencing for repentance [echo]
Before my body was fully formed into a human [echo]
I was already consuming weed
Cause my mom's use to smoke back in the 70's [echo]
Maybe that's why in the 90's
I drop g's when I drop degrees [echo]
When I ease across the block
With Pac [echo]
And got all you niggas shot
You didn't think
Boot Camp click would link
With the outlaw minded
If you do you press rewind
And you can peep gorilla tactics in every line
[Tupac]
Yeah
And this is how we do it
Where my real thugs?
Where they at?
Let me see my real thugs
Where you at
Wont you see my real thugs
Where you at
Let me see my real thugs
Where u at
Now
Where my real thugs
Let me see where you at
Tell me where my real thugs
Gots to see where you at
Where's my soldiers
Where you at
Where's my real soldiers
Where you at
Where my soldiers at
Where you at
Where you at
Get your strap my nigga
Where you at?
Where you at?
Where my soldiers at
Where you at?
Where you at?
Hit your thug niggas
Where you at?
With your strap
Where my soldiers at
With my true thug niggas
No longer drug dealers
Cause we now thug niggas
Where my soldiers at?
No longer drug dealers
Cause we now thug niggas
Let me
Where my
Where my soldiers at
Put your pistols in the air
Where my soldiers at
Put your guns up
Tell me where my soldiers at
Put your pistols in the air
Where my, soldiers
My true thug rollers
Yes
It just doesn't quit
Yes
This is that real hip hop shit
Yes
Fuck what you heard
From the ghetto to the 'burbs
Know we meant every word
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Put your hand on your pistol
Point your pistols in the air
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
Where my soldiers
Where my soldiers at
When Bob Dole and Deloris Tucker wanna know, where my soldiers at
Code Fo'
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur’s "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
*********
I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto lyrics-Tupac Shakur
[Chorus: I wonder if heaven got a ghetto (4X)]
I was raised, the little young nigga doin bad shit
Talk much shit cause I never had shit
I could remember being whupped in class
And if I didn't pass mama whupped my ass
Was it my fault papa didn't plan it out
Broke out left me to be the man of the house
I couldn't take it, had to make a profit
Down the block, got a glock, and I clock grip
Makin G's was my mission
Movin enough of this shit to get my mama out the kitchen and
why must I sock a fella, just to live large like Rockefeller
First you didn't give a fuck, but you're learnin now
If you don't respect the town then we'll burn you down
God damn it's a motherfuckin riot
Black people only hate police so don't try it
If you're not from the town then don't pass through
Cause some O.G. fools might blast you
It ain't right but it's long overdue
We can't have peace til the niggaz get a piece too
I want G's so you label me a criminal
And if I die, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Here on Earth, tell me what's a blick life worth
A bottle of juice is no excuse, the truth hurts
And even when you take the shit
Move counties get a lawyer you can shake the shit
Ask Rodney, LaTasha, and many more
It's been goin on for years, there's plenty more
When they ask me, when will the violence cease?
When your troops stop shootin niggaz down in the street
Niggaz had enough time to make a difference
Bear witness, own our own business
Word to God cause it's hard tryin to make ends meet
First we couldn't afford shit now everything's free
so we loot, please don't shoot when you see
I'm takin from the, cause for years they would take it from me
Now the tables have turned around
You didn't listen, until the niggaz burned it down
And now Bush can't stop the hit
Predicted the shit, in 2Pacalypse
And for once I was down with niggaz, felt good
in the hood bein around the niggaz, yeah
And for the first time everybody let go
And the streets is death row, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it take to make this
one better place, let's erase the wait state
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
Cause both black and white are smokin crack tonight
And only time we deal is when we kill each other
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And though it seems heaven-sent
We ain't ready, to have a black President, huh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
The penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
I wake up in the morning and I ask myself
Is life worth living should I blast myself
I'm tired of being poor and even worse I'm black
My stomach hurts so I'm lookin for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a ne-gro
Pull a trigger kill a nigger he's a hero
Mo' nigga mo' nigga mo' niggaz
I'd rather be dead than a po' nigga
Let the Lord judge the criminals
If I die, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus (to :27 from fade)]
Just think, if niggaz decide to retaliate
(Soldier in the house)
I wonder if heaven got a ghetto [4X to fade]
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxist high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
*********
I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto lyrics-Tupac Shakur
[Chorus: I wonder if heaven got a ghetto (4X)]
I was raised, the little young nigga doin bad shit
Talk much shit cause I never had shit
I could remember being whupped in class
And if I didn't pass mama whupped my ass
Was it my fault papa didn't plan it out
Broke out left me to be the man of the house
I couldn't take it, had to make a profit
Down the block, got a glock, and I clock grip
Makin G's was my mission
Movin enough of this shit to get my mama out the kitchen and
why must I sock a fella, just to live large like Rockefeller
First you didn't give a fuck, but you're learnin now
If you don't respect the town then we'll burn you down
God damn it's a motherfuckin riot
Black people only hate police so don't try it
If you're not from the town then don't pass through
Cause some O.G. fools might blast you
It ain't right but it's long overdue
We can't have peace til the niggaz get a piece too
I want G's so you label me a criminal
And if I die, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Here on Earth, tell me what's a blick life worth
A bottle of juice is no excuse, the truth hurts
And even when you take the shit
Move counties get a lawyer you can shake the shit
Ask Rodney, LaTasha, and many more
It's been goin on for years, there's plenty more
When they ask me, when will the violence cease?
When your troops stop shootin niggaz down in the street
Niggaz had enough time to make a difference
Bear witness, own our own business
Word to God cause it's hard tryin to make ends meet
First we couldn't afford shit now everything's free
so we loot, please don't shoot when you see
I'm takin from the, cause for years they would take it from me
Now the tables have turned around
You didn't listen, until the niggaz burned it down
And now Bush can't stop the hit
Predicted the shit, in 2Pacalypse
And for once I was down with niggaz, felt good
in the hood bein around the niggaz, yeah
And for the first time everybody let go
And the streets is death row, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it take to make this
one better place, let's erase the wait state
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
Cause both black and white are smokin crack tonight
And only time we deal is when we kill each other
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And though it seems heaven-sent
We ain't ready, to have a black President, huh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
The penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
I wake up in the morning and I ask myself
Is life worth living should I blast myself
I'm tired of being poor and even worse I'm black
My stomach hurts so I'm lookin for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a ne-gro
Pull a trigger kill a nigger he's a hero
Mo' nigga mo' nigga mo' niggaz
I'd rather be dead than a po' nigga
Let the Lord judge the criminals
If I die, I wonder if heaven got a ghetto
[Chorus (to :27 from fade)]
Just think, if niggaz decide to retaliate
(Soldier in the house)
I wonder if heaven got a ghetto [4X to fade]
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur’s "Hold On Be Strong"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
**********
Hold On Be Strong lyrics-Tupac Shakur
Hold on... [lighter flicks up]
Yeah it's gonna be alright, don't trip baby [inhales]
It'll get better... [coughing]
Ay do this Thug style main, Thug style
When this whole beat drop we just gon' run it to em bet
It's all good, uhh
I never had much, ran with a bad bunch
Little skinny kid sneakin weed in my bag lunch
And all through Junior High, we was just gettin by
And drivebys robbed my homies of their young lives
I never did cry, and even though I had
pain in my heart, I was hopeless from the start
They couldn't tell me nothin, they all tried to help to help me
The marijuana had my mind gone it wasn't healthy
I travelled places, caught cases, what a ill year
I felt the pain and the rain but I'm still here
Never did like the police, let the whole world know
Now I gets no peace, cause they chasin me down
And facin me now, what do I do?
These thangs that a Thug goes through
And still I rise so keep ya head up, and make ya mind strong
It's a struggle every day but you gotta hold on
[Chorus: repeat 4X]
Hold on, be strong, hold on
Be strong, hold on
When it's on it's on
There's, never a good day, cause in my hood they
let they AK's pump strays where the kids play
And every Halloween, check out the murder scene
Can't help but duplicate the violence seen on the screen
My homies dyin 'fore they get to see they birthdays
These is the worst days, sometimes it hurts to pray
And even God turned his back on the ghetto youth
I know that ain't the truth, sometimes I look for proof
I wonder if heaven got a ghetto, and if it does
Does it matter if you blood or you cuz
Remember how it was, the picnics and the parties in the projects
Small time drinkin gettin high with them armies
Just another knucklehead kid from the gutter
I'm dealin with the madness, raised by a single mother
I'm tryin to tell you when it's on
You gotta keep your head to the sky and be strong, most of all hold on
[Chorus]
[Interlude:]
Hold on, be strong
I know them ain't tears comin down your face
When it's on it's on but
Wipe your eyes
Hold on, be strong
In this world
When it's on it's on but
Only the strong survive y'know
Hold on, be strong
Hmm, I know it's hard out there
When it's on it's on but
Welfare
Hold on, be strong
AIDS, earthquakes
Cause when it's on it's on but
Muggings, carjackings
Hold on, and be strong
Yeah we got problems
Cause when it's on it's on but
But believe me when I tell you
Hold on, and be strong
Things always get better
Cause when it's on it's on but
God don't like ugly
Hold on, and be strong
And God don't like no quitters
Cause when it's on it's on but
You know what Billie Holiday said bay-bee
Hold on, and be strong
God bless the child that can hold his own
Cause when it's on it's on but
Y'know?
Hold on, and be strong
You got to stand strong
Cause when it's on it's on but
And when these bustas try to knock you out your place
Hold on, and be strong
You stand there to they face
Cause when it's on it's on but
Tell em hold on, and be strong
Hold on, and be strong
The game don't stop
Cause when it's on it's on but
Hmmm
Hold on, and be strong
This here is black main
Cause when it's on it's on but
If you don't never leave nothin, learn one thing
Hold on, and be strong
It don't stop, til the casket drop
Hold on
Thug, for Life... feel me?
All my homeboys and my homegirls, stay strong
When things get bad, especially come the first and the fifteenth
Stay strong, and stay ballin, hold on
I'll catch y'all at the next life, we in traffic
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
**********
Hold On Be Strong lyrics-Tupac Shakur
Hold on... [lighter flicks up]
Yeah it's gonna be alright, don't trip baby [inhales]
It'll get better... [coughing]
Ay do this Thug style main, Thug style
When this whole beat drop we just gon' run it to em bet
It's all good, uhh
I never had much, ran with a bad bunch
Little skinny kid sneakin weed in my bag lunch
And all through Junior High, we was just gettin by
And drivebys robbed my homies of their young lives
I never did cry, and even though I had
pain in my heart, I was hopeless from the start
They couldn't tell me nothin, they all tried to help to help me
The marijuana had my mind gone it wasn't healthy
I travelled places, caught cases, what a ill year
I felt the pain and the rain but I'm still here
Never did like the police, let the whole world know
Now I gets no peace, cause they chasin me down
And facin me now, what do I do?
These thangs that a Thug goes through
And still I rise so keep ya head up, and make ya mind strong
It's a struggle every day but you gotta hold on
[Chorus: repeat 4X]
Hold on, be strong, hold on
Be strong, hold on
When it's on it's on
There's, never a good day, cause in my hood they
let they AK's pump strays where the kids play
And every Halloween, check out the murder scene
Can't help but duplicate the violence seen on the screen
My homies dyin 'fore they get to see they birthdays
These is the worst days, sometimes it hurts to pray
And even God turned his back on the ghetto youth
I know that ain't the truth, sometimes I look for proof
I wonder if heaven got a ghetto, and if it does
Does it matter if you blood or you cuz
Remember how it was, the picnics and the parties in the projects
Small time drinkin gettin high with them armies
Just another knucklehead kid from the gutter
I'm dealin with the madness, raised by a single mother
I'm tryin to tell you when it's on
You gotta keep your head to the sky and be strong, most of all hold on
[Chorus]
[Interlude:]
Hold on, be strong
I know them ain't tears comin down your face
When it's on it's on but
Wipe your eyes
Hold on, be strong
In this world
When it's on it's on but
Only the strong survive y'know
Hold on, be strong
Hmm, I know it's hard out there
When it's on it's on but
Welfare
Hold on, be strong
AIDS, earthquakes
Cause when it's on it's on but
Muggings, carjackings
Hold on, and be strong
Yeah we got problems
Cause when it's on it's on but
But believe me when I tell you
Hold on, and be strong
Things always get better
Cause when it's on it's on but
God don't like ugly
Hold on, and be strong
And God don't like no quitters
Cause when it's on it's on but
You know what Billie Holiday said bay-bee
Hold on, and be strong
God bless the child that can hold his own
Cause when it's on it's on but
Y'know?
Hold on, and be strong
You got to stand strong
Cause when it's on it's on but
And when these bustas try to knock you out your place
Hold on, and be strong
You stand there to they face
Cause when it's on it's on but
Tell em hold on, and be strong
Hold on, and be strong
The game don't stop
Cause when it's on it's on but
Hmmm
Hold on, and be strong
This here is black main
Cause when it's on it's on but
If you don't never leave nothin, learn one thing
Hold on, and be strong
It don't stop, til the casket drop
Hold on
Thug, for Life... feel me?
All my homeboys and my homegirls, stay strong
When things get bad, especially come the first and the fifteenth
Stay strong, and stay ballin, hold on
I'll catch y'all at the next life, we in traffic
Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur’s "Ghetto Star"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
**********
Ghetto Star lyrics-Tupac Shakur
For all my low life thug niggas,
For all my niggas in the hood,
Livin the life of a ghetto star,
Ha ha ha Makavelli,
Just holla my name
And witness game official
Niggas is so shame
They stare stiff like scared bitches
While I remain inside a paradox
Gone my block
Though gun shots is promised to me when will I stop
I hit the weed
And hope to god I can fly high
Witness my enemies
Die when I ride by
Ita's shit to try
Send they bodies to they parents up north
With they faces they wrists and they nuts cut off
Fuck em all what I scream as I dream
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless.
**********
Ghetto Star lyrics-Tupac Shakur
For all my low life thug niggas,
For all my niggas in the hood,
Livin the life of a ghetto star,
Ha ha ha Makavelli,
Just holla my name
And witness game official
Niggas is so shame
They stare stiff like scared bitches
While I remain inside a paradox
Gone my block
Though gun shots is promised to me when will I stop
I hit the weed
And hope to god I can fly high
Witness my enemies
Die when I ride by
Ita's shit to try
Send they bodies to they parents up north
With they faces they wrists and they nuts cut off
Fuck em all what I scream as I dream
*Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By- Tupac Shakur's "Dear Mama"
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless
*********
Dear Mama lyrics-Tupac Shakur
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
*******
Markin comment:
Sometimes the truth comes out a little raggedy and not in our Marxism high-flown style but it is the truth, or a close approximation of it nevertheless
*********
Dear Mama lyrics-Tupac Shakur
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
Monday, August 16, 2010
*Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By-The Late Hip-Hopper Biggie Smalls' "Juicy"- Some Home Truths For The Obama Age
Click on the title to link a YouTube film clip of the late hip-hop artist, Bigger Small, performing Juicy.
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
**********
Markin comment:
Ya, Biggie Smalls was speaking some truth. Not our refined language Marxist truth but on the same page, mostly. Here are the lyrics raw, like life. Christmas kind of missed us, and birthdays were the worst days around my home too. Living while being poor, black or white, is a m----------r, that's for sure.
*********
Biggie Smalls LYRICS
"Juicy"
[Intro:]
(Fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.
Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I'd never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughters,
and all the niggaz in the struggle, you know what I'm sayin'?
Uh-ha, it's all good baby bay-bee, uh
[Verse One:]
It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin' pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
[Chorus:]
You know very well who you are
Don't let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty
[Verse Two:]
I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they write letters 'cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin' life without fear
Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[Verse Three:]
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two G's flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin'
Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'
Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, damn right I like the life I live
'Cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all...
(It's all good)
...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Uh, uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Representin' B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight
[Thanks to jarulesbabe66@aol.com for these lyrics]
[Thanks to michael.dunbar@us.sanofi.com, dhall15@bellsouth.net for correcting these lyrics]
In this series, presented under the headline Songs To While Away The Class Struggle By, I will post some songs that I think will help us get through the “dog days” of the struggle for our communist future. I do not vouch for the political thrust of the songs; for the most part they are done by pacifists, social democrats, hell, even just plain old ordinary democrats. And, occasionally, a communist, although hard communist musicians have historically been scarce on the ground. Thus, here we have a regular "popular front" on the music scene. While this would not be acceptable for our political prospects, it will suffice for our purposes here. Markin.
**********
Markin comment:
Ya, Biggie Smalls was speaking some truth. Not our refined language Marxist truth but on the same page, mostly. Here are the lyrics raw, like life. Christmas kind of missed us, and birthdays were the worst days around my home too. Living while being poor, black or white, is a m----------r, that's for sure.
*********
Biggie Smalls LYRICS
"Juicy"
[Intro:]
(Fuck all you hoes) Get a grip motherfucker.
Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me
I'd never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the
buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on
me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughters,
and all the niggaz in the struggle, you know what I'm sayin'?
Uh-ha, it's all good baby bay-bee, uh
[Verse One:]
It was all a dream
I used to read Word Up magazine
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine
Hangin' pictures on my wall
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack
With the hat to match
Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would
Call the crib, same number same hood
It's all good
Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
[Chorus:]
You know very well who you are
Don't let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty
[Verse Two:]
I made the change from a common thief
To up close and personal with Robin Leach
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me
Now they write letters 'cause they miss me
I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin' life without fear
Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
[Verse Three:]
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur
Phone bill about two G's flat
No need to worry, my accountant handles that
And my whole crew is loungin'
Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'
Thinkin' back on my one-room shack
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back
And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay
Uh, damn right I like the life I live
'Cause I went from negative to positive
And it's all...
(It's all good)
...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Uh, uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh
Representin' B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight
[Thanks to jarulesbabe66@aol.com for these lyrics]
[Thanks to michael.dunbar@us.sanofi.com, dhall15@bellsouth.net for correcting these lyrics]
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
*In Honor Of Our Class-War Prisoners- Free All The Class- War Prisoners!- Free Abdul Majid (Anthony Laborde)!
Click on the headline to link to more information about the class-war prisoner honored in this entry.
Make June Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month
Markin comment
In “surfing” the “National Jericho Movement” Website recently in order to find out more, if possible, about class- war prisoner and 1960s radical, Marilyn Buck, whom I had read about in a “The Rag Blog” post I linked to the Jericho list of class war prisoners. I found Marilyn Buck listed there but also others, some of whose cases, like that of the “voice of the voiceless” Pennsylvania death row prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, are well-known and others who seemingly have languished in obscurity. All of the cases, at least from the information that I could glean from the site, seemed compelling. And all seemed worthy of far more publicity and of a more public fight for their freedom.
That last notion set me to the task at hand. Readers of this space know that I am a long time supporter of the Partisan Defense Committee, a class struggle, non-sectarian legal and social defense organization which supports class war prisoners as part of the process of advancing the international working class’ struggle for socialism. In that spirit I am honoring the class war prisoners on the National Jericho Movement list this June as the start of what I hope will be an on-going attempt by all serious leftist militants to do their duty- fighting for freedom for these brothers and sisters. We will fight out our political differences and disagreements as a separate matter. What matter here and now is the old Wobblie (IWW) slogan - An injury to one is an injury to all.
Note: This list, right now, is composed of class war prisoners held in American detention. If others are likewise incarcerated that are not listed here feel free to leave information on their cases in the comment section. Likewise any cases, internationally, that come to your attention. I am sure there are many, many such cases out there. Make this June, and every June, a Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month- Free All Class-War Prisoners Now!
Make June Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month
Markin comment
In “surfing” the “National Jericho Movement” Website recently in order to find out more, if possible, about class- war prisoner and 1960s radical, Marilyn Buck, whom I had read about in a “The Rag Blog” post I linked to the Jericho list of class war prisoners. I found Marilyn Buck listed there but also others, some of whose cases, like that of the “voice of the voiceless” Pennsylvania death row prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal, are well-known and others who seemingly have languished in obscurity. All of the cases, at least from the information that I could glean from the site, seemed compelling. And all seemed worthy of far more publicity and of a more public fight for their freedom.
That last notion set me to the task at hand. Readers of this space know that I am a long time supporter of the Partisan Defense Committee, a class struggle, non-sectarian legal and social defense organization which supports class war prisoners as part of the process of advancing the international working class’ struggle for socialism. In that spirit I am honoring the class war prisoners on the National Jericho Movement list this June as the start of what I hope will be an on-going attempt by all serious leftist militants to do their duty- fighting for freedom for these brothers and sisters. We will fight out our political differences and disagreements as a separate matter. What matter here and now is the old Wobblie (IWW) slogan - An injury to one is an injury to all.
Note: This list, right now, is composed of class war prisoners held in American detention. If others are likewise incarcerated that are not listed here feel free to leave information on their cases in the comment section. Likewise any cases, internationally, that come to your attention. I am sure there are many, many such cases out there. Make this June, and every June, a Class-War Prisoners Freedom Month- Free All Class-War Prisoners Now!
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