1. |
Rocky's Revenge
03:17
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[Verse 1]
They tried to burn her at the stake but she escaped again
Had a daughter who became a holy medium
Who then gave birth to three, I was the youngest one of them
My lineage will never die, not for the smallest men
My mother spoke to spirits and it made her lose her mind
She healed them first but where were they during the worst of times?
I watched it all, I watched my sisters fall apart
I fuckin’ hate it, now I’m smarter than it all, harder than before
But now I understand the power I possess
I never speak a word, karma gets the rest
Me? I just assist
A Plague on Patriarchy, Murderer of Misogynists
I kill White Supremacists, White Feminists, White Apologists
Jesus can take his Birkenstocks and skate
I never pray to someone’s faith whose roots are pillaging and rape (Amen)
They tried to round us up and throw us in a pyre
But I’m Daenarys, I’m made of fire so all of you bastards die
My crew is savages, they so barbarian
My sun is Sagittarian, ascendant Scorpion
That means I shoot to kill
Protect my own by any means
I’m what they prophesized, The Philippines’ Wildest Dreams
[Chorus]
I want it, I need it, I gotta have it
Rocky’s Revenge
(Repeat)
[Verse 2]
They blasting at us, but they need bigger bullets, better guns
I’m Mother Nature so respect me…you ALL my sons
I’m raining on you, rising waters ‘bout to flood you out
I’m Lillith, I don’t buy Adam’s shit, I just kick him out
And leave him with that E-V-E who’d rather shut her mouth
And take the blame for why his holy dick is always out
I pray to Gods of many faiths, in multiple forms
Let Mother Nature take its course if she wanna abort
You tried to burn us but instead you cleared the brush so we could
Multiply and spread and heal the damage that you did to us
I hid my magic in Hail Mary’s and rosaries
They drank the Kool-Aid but religion ain’t the drug for me
I carry seven thousand islands on an ocean breeze
Inside my womb, while I’m plottin’ on my enemies
A baby on my back, a bolo in my hand
Protecting my future
Die for my descendants have their own land
I’m Mother Nature so respect me, you ALL my sons
(Repeat 4x)
Repeat Chorus
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2. |
Bad News
02:42
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[Verse 1]
You ain’t gotta shed a solitary tear for me
Or even pray for me
I hear the message loud and clear, what they say to me
They say we went a thousand years with a chain on me
So now I’m flossin all the freedom that I gave to me
Now, don’t it look nice?
I don’t owe nobody no favors, I don’t ask twice
And when the shooters get to shootin’, I’ma get mine
Just like the women before me, I join the front line
But it’s new day, it’s a different game
And when I hit the sun the melanin change
That’s how I know I got the blood of a militant gang
A Katipunan Pampagueña, ain’t a damn thing changed
And I’ma always keep it G, Guerilla with a U
Assata comin thru with the shotta, looky-loos
Get popped on the news, right out they lucky shoes
So lady don’t sing me the blues
[Chorus ft. Niko]
‘Cause I’m tuning you out, I’m tuning you out
I’m so tired of the sad songs, I’m tuning you out
(I’m so tired of the bad news, I’m tuning you out)
[Verse 2]
Now you ain’t even gotta worry ‘bout me, or concern-troll me
I think that I survived enough to have my wits ‘bout me
I know your people prolly don’t give a shit bout me
Feelin’s mutual but you still get rich off me
I don’t pray to your temple or give an offerin’
We gave our land, our labor, we still sufferin’
That cross on your chain, the rosary you still clutchin’
Stereotypes, you still perpetuating
Ain’t a damn thing changed, my last name changed
And I still don’t know when my accent changed
From a native dialect to a hip hop slang
It’s a ‘hood thang baby, you just wouldn’t understand
How we….came from a place that had everything but we still poor
So what the fuck we still here for?
I will never take advice from an imperial force
You can check my background for an empirical source (uh huh)
[Repeat Chorus]
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3. |
Am I Lyin
02:47
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[Intro quote by Oprah Winfrey]
I had to do a clearing in my life of some people whose energy, I realized, was not supportive of who I wanted to be in the world. So, not only are you responsible for the energy that you bring. You’re also responsible for the energy you surround yourself with
[Verse 1]
See, I’m taking applications for a new crew
All them hoes hella dry, they don’t suit you
Had fun with ‘em, yeah, maybe used to
But they colors showin’ through and it ain’t true blue
You see, these people always had they own agenda
Talkin’ shit but to your face they your best friend, bruh
Don’t let nobody, start talkin’ when you leave, though
You’ll see if they defend your name and shut it down, yo
And if they don’t…better cut them off
9 out of 10 they want yo plug,1 outta 3 just want your life
How many folk is callin’ you “Cuz”?
But “Cuz” never showed love when it got real
And “Cuz” only hit you when you close that deal
So I don’t give a (fuuu) if you blood or not…
Right here’s where the buck’s gon’ stop
[Chorus]
What I’m sayin’, am I lyin’? Am I lyin’?
I think I’m doin just fine
(Repeat)
[Verse 2]
Let me say it like this…
Let me tell ya like this
Never Had a Friend Like Me, like Krish
Never had a bitch roll up to ya block
With the knockouts on, ‘bout to handle your shit
Never had a friend believe in your shit
Money on your biz, help feed your kids
Put ya in the lab, did YOUR ad-libs
Now you act like a victim, hate to admit
Naive, but I learn quick
Always keep my friends close, no bullshit
I ain’t got no enemies ‘cause my heart’s clean
And I don’t blame nobody else for my actions
No more distraction, no more friendly transactions
If ya come around me with ya problems
I’m tell ya take it to ya local pastor
[Bridge]
I just want a friend that ain’t
Friends with everybody, I just
Need someone to trust
Tell me are u that somebody?
Tell me are u that somebody?
Or just an opportunist tryna slide up in my party?
[Repeat Chorus]
There are some energy suckers in your life, just *sucking noise* literally sucking the life force out of you
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4. |
Old School Interlude
01:05
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[Chorus]
Kid, you want an old school
But you got that student loan
So you gonna hustle hard
Just to bring that money home
We’re from long nights, Ocean Beach fires
Local runway by that high-rise
Bumpin’ Mac Dre, go to dolo for the day
Everyone wants to know where’s the afterparty
Seeing those old schools just ridin’ by
Wonder if I’m that cool one with the leather inside
Yeah that’s finna be my ride
Give me a few years and you’ll see my drive
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5. |
Jealousy
02:35
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[Verse 1]
Imagine if all your enemies were your friends, legends were only lies
Stories that you were told, double as alibis
Family that you love, sold you out to the feds
Lovers that you once trusted had others inside your bed
I’m…spinning in circles and tumbling in my sleep
Beware the voices you hear, the company that you keep, will tell
All of your secrets the minute they get upset
Fingers twisted behind their back while they pinky swear you to death
They putting’ it on they mama, eventually they betray
The father you idolize got a bastard on the way
Your brother said he’d protect you, your sister that you adore
Now you sufferin’ from neglect, they not here for you anymore
[Chorus]
The jealousy, envious of the gift that you were blessed
The jealousy, hate…simmering deep inside their chest
The jealousy, stemming from resentment never addressed
The jealousy, reason for why empathy is suppressed
The jealousy, couldn’t see it before but now I see
The jealousy, when all I want is reciprocity
The jealousy, archnemesis of loyalty
The jealousy, difference between…you and me
It’s the jealousy
[Verse 2]
Imagine if you were blessed with abilities unforeseen
Divination came easily, message inside your dreams
You were given a secret language, communicate with the Spirits
Savage beasts were tamed, but mortals, they only fear it
Instead, they whispered rumors you dabble in Dark Magic
Hated your independence, converted you to a Catholic
So you, you could be guilted for sins never committed
And said, you were hysterical, spiritually-conflicted
The lies they circulated, they punished you severely
All in the name of God, to serve the Patriarchy
So you, were beaten and humiliated on the daily
Gaslighted and slighted, telling you that you crazy
[Chorus 2]
The jealousy, reason why women hide behind religion
The jealousy, men have for never bearing children
The jealousy, Mother Nature facing annihilation
The jealousy, destruction threatening our creation
The jealousy, tired of being threatened on the daily
The jealousy, worth more than wages that they pay me
The jealousy, bottomless pit of envy, it’s a shame
When you hear them singing my words and chanting my name
It’s the jealousy…
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6. |
Warning
02:45
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Man, I don’t want no fake love or fake hugs
Fake thug motivation from a fake thug
Fake laughs, fake friends with fake pasts
Kiki-ing ‘on the ‘Gram, wit yo fake ass
I be writing real raps, on some real shit
Real life situations, real spit
Real deal life lessons go and write ‘em down
On a talk show with a Cheetah Girl
Lettin’ all my demons out
[Bridge]
I think you like me, bitch you love me
Fuckin’ obsessed (On my whole dick)
Put no one above me (You tryna fuck me?)
But you can’t do, what I can do
Show love to me
That’s what a fan do (that’s what ya man do)
(Repeat)
[Chorus]
They tellin’ lies and they all talk
Bitchin lyin’ all around the clock
But they swangin’ on my whole jock
And they hangin’ with my old friends
But I been cut ‘em off like a road rage incident
(Repeat)
[Repeat Bridge]
[Repeat Chorus]
Final warning, I draw the line
Don’t cross the line
Gettin’ too close to mine
(Repeat 4x)
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7. |
Best Shot
03:00
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[Verse 1]
Picture perfect, I paint a perfect picture with precision on my wordplay
Fuck it when these herbs say somethin’ bout my curse words
They just wanna pick fights, say it with your chest, ho
Always choose my words right, I’m nobody’s archetype
I just speak MY truth, yo
Illy wit these similes, ready wit these metaphors
Fuck a meta-narrative, when I give my testimony
Never been to grad school but Master of the Ceremony
Never been to Catholic school and I lost my native tongue
I’m tryin’ to find my way, where the hell I’m comin’ from
Follow at your own risk, I be on my own path
Not “The One You Waiting For”
I’m the one that’s late to class…
Controversial, the truth is bout to hurt ya
I hate to disappoint you and you surely ain’t my mama
I’m just tryna tell my story ‘fore they try to tell it for me
So excuse me for the language in my music allegories
[Chorus]
Hit me wit yo best
Hit me with yo best shot
Hit me wit yo best
Hit me wit yo best (AH!)
Hit me wit yo best
Hit me wit yo best (POP!)
Hit me wit ya best
Hit me wit ya best (RRRAH!)
(Repeat)
[Verse 2]
I’m nobody’s savior, Professor Xavier
Fuck respectability, rampant misbehavior
All up in my lineage, all up in my DNA
How you think I overcame the obstacles that’s in my way
They just wanna box you in, warn you if you cross the line
“You ain’t really rappin’ if ain’t rappin in double time”
“You ain’t for The People if you problematic when you rhyme”
Like I can’t evolve without you digging up old tweets of mine?
They wish that they can call you out with some old dirt
I graduated public school, did my homework
So I will never let ‘em hurt me, get your facts straight
I can grow from my mistakes, don’t instigate
You got no right to burn down what you ain’t built
Try your best shot, make sure that you aim still
Most of y’all act brave, but you ain’t real
Hatin’ on the low, something that I can’t feel
[Repeat Chorus]
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8. |
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9. |
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[Verse 1]
80’s baby with a 49er starter
A pack of Now-and-Laters listening to 40 Water
Yo, I was just a shorty on a mission just to fit in
Paid attention to the language and the lyrics, learning English
(It was) An introduction to a culture I adore
Since I came to San Francisco at the tender age of four
I was learning all my lessons through the music
Pardon if my tongue gets twisted, I’m splittin’ it
So then I sacrificed my native dialect to talkin’ local slang
Hella Bay from the beginning, I’m soaking up the game
From the culture I adopted when I had to leave my own and
Survive another continent so far away from home
Learned to pop the slang, kick it with the baddest
For better or for worse but oftentimes it’s problematic
Yo, I can take a hint and play the back if I offend
Only the utmost…when I bless the paper wit my pen
[Chorus]
Good music, Bay Music (4x)
(group clap)
[Verse 2]
Used to freestylin’ when I was in college
I could not control the words that’s comin’ out my mouth, and
It became a problem, but I couldn’t stop it
Why you think I like to rap about specific topics?
Never had control, my mouth was always on a roll
(That goes to show) I weaponize my words, yeah, it became so easy
I became a target and a little lost, so
I devised a plan to hit em back when they would tease me
So pardon me if my opinion is abrasive
Authenticity is what I speak ‘cause I’m a native
But humble is, as humble does
And you ain’t humble, if you holier than thou
But you never had to struggle like the people you defending
The ones you organizing, the students in the lecture hall
Stop infantilizing
Meet me on my level, never turn your nose up on me
‘Cause my story is MY story, you can never tell it for me
[Repeat Chorus]
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10. |
Not Ez (ft. Jazz Mafia)
03:12
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[Verse 1]
Yeah we fight and we break up, kiss and we make up
That’s the kind of love we got, never would I trade us
Other younger couples wanna be us (please)
Ain’t nobody perfect I just call it like I see it
Hope that we can make it, we just day-by-day it
Music’s what we share and forever will we play it
On the day that he proposed and I said yes, it was enough
I don’t need to hit the church and wear a ring to earn your trust
Babe, I hope we make it ’til our babies have babies
’Til our faces get wrinkled, ’til our daisies push daisies
But the work is what we got, and we GOTTA do the work
In the garden pulling weeds with our fingers in the dirt
I love the way you hold me down, hate the way we fight
Would rather be together than insist on being right
Guess I’ll rise to the occasion, be a better me for you
I just hope you do same before we have to bid adieu
[Bridge]
Yeah we fight and we break up, kiss and we make up
That’s the kind of love we got, never would I trade us
(Repeat)
[Chorus]
Love me when we fight, love me when I’m wrong
Love me when I’m weak, tell me that I’m strong
Me and You Against the World, middle finger high
We ain’t perfect but we work it ’til we get it right
[Verse 2]
(Adapted from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran, On Marriage)
Separate but together like the strings in a guitar
When we strumming our melodies, can’t tell us apart
But we have to keep the space between ourselves in our song
‘Cause I’d rather get along, than resent when you wrong
You’re the Cypress, I’m the Oak
I’m the fire, you’re the smoke
Sometimes we gotta lighten’ up
Laugh, and learn to take a joke
You’re the water, I’m the cup, and the seasons always turn
If I stay defensive when we fight, never will I learn
Babe, I hope you listen
When I’m Speaking From The Heart
Not just hearing to reply, formulating where to start
I know there’s more to our relationship than images they stan
Used to kick it with the girls and now I’m building with my man
It’s a part of growin’ up, and I’m glad that it’s with you
When I bring you ‘round my people, all my people say “TRUE”
Ain’t nobody perfect so we gotta put the work in
For the kid, and the baby girl
All of it is worth it
[Repeat Chorus]
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11. |
Like You
02:32
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(Audio from my first ever interview with The Jacka in 2005)
Prolly never feel the same about the Bay again
It’s too sad of a song for me to play again
Since they murdered Jack on 94th & Mac, I swear
We never gonna be the same again
Don’t think to call me just to mourn another dead rapper
I’m tired of cryin’ up on the newscaster
I’m tired of eulogizing to a Vice cracker
I’m tired of losing friends to gun clapper
They don’t get the story right, so I had to do it
Hadn’t written in mad long, I was going through it
How long do I have to mourn so I pushed thru it
You told me to See It Thru, I’ma tattoo it…
Just to remind me…of the better days
Yeah them Ruckus days, Reggae Tuesdays
Inside the tunnel at Club Six, we gettin’ lit
At every festival traveling with our own shit
We was on that bullshit, but you never disrespected
Everybody came correct or had to get ejected out the VIP section
Our friendship was a blessing
Every now and then, I see a troll is second guessin’
And I wonder if I imagined it: the love and respect is so rare
I hope you know how much it meant
I hope you know that we gon’ always keep it lit
And I’ma always See it Thru
Every day, I thank Allah for a brother like you
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Rocky Rivera Oakland, California
Rocky Rivera is an emcee from San Francisco. Her early beginnings as a journalist in publications such as Mass Appeal, The Source and Rolling Stone inform her music, as she describes her progressive upbringing growing up in the Bay Area. Rocky’s music is a journey into the spirit of resistance, blending social justice, feminism and West Coast-style hip hop. ... more
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