Murder to Excellence

[Produced by S1 and Swizz Beatz] [I. "Murder"] [Intro: Jay Z] Uh, bloody murder, murder, murder Bloody murder, murder, murder, murder Bloody murder, murder, murder, murder Bloody murder, murder, murder [Chorus: Kanye West] Paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" Paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" again [Verse 1: Jay Z] Uh, this is to the memory of Danroy Henry Too much enemy fire to catch a friendly Strays from the same shade, nigga, we on the same team Giving you respect, I expect the same thing, uh All-black everything, nigga, you know my fresh code I’m out here fighting for you, don’t increase my stress load Niggas watching the throne, very happy to be you Power to the people, when you see me, see you [Verse 2: Kanye West] And I’m from the murder capital where they murder for capital Heard about at least three killings this afternoon Looking at the news like, "Damn! I was just with him after school" No shop class, but half the school got a tool And a "I could die any day"-type attitude Plus his little brother got shot reppin' his avenue It’s time for us to stop and redefine black power Forty-one souls murdered in fifty hours [Chorus: Kanye West] The paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" The paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" again "Murder" again [Verse 3: Kanye West] Is it genocide? 'Cause I can still hear his mama cries Know the family traumatized Shots left holes in his face about piranha-sized The old pastor closed the cold casket And said the church ain’t got enough room for all the tombs It’s a war going on outside we ain’t safe from I feel the pain in my city wherever I go 314 soldiers died in Iraq, 509 died in Chicago [Verse 4: Jay Z] I arrived on the day Fred Hampton died Uh, real niggas just multiply And they say by 21, I was supposed to die So I’m out here celebrating my post-demise If you put crabs in a barrel to ensure your survival You're gon' end up pulling down niggas that look just like you What up, Blood? Uh, what up, cuz? Uh, it’s all black, uh, I love us [Chorus: Kanye West] The paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" The paper read: "Murder, black-on-black murder" again "Black-on-black murder" again "Black-on-black murder" again [II. "Excellence"] [Interlude: Jay Z] It’s a celebration of black excellence, black tie, black Maybachs Huh, yeah, uh [Verse 5: Jay Z] Black excellence, opulence, decadence Tuxes next to the president, I’m present I dress in Dries, and other boutique stores in Paris In sheepskin coats, I silence the lambs Do you know who I am, Clarice? No cheap cologne whenever I “shh-shh” Success never smelled so sweet I stink of success, the new black elite They say my Black Card bears the mark of the beast I repeat: my religion is the beat My verse is like church, my Jesus piece Now please, domino, domino Only spot a few blacks the higher I go, uh What’s up to Will? Uh, shout out to O, uh That ain’t enough, we gonna need a million more, uh Kick in the door, uh, Biggie flow I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go, uh [Verse 6: Kanye West] Yeah, it’s all messed up when it’s nowhere to go So we won’t take the time out 'til we reach the T-O-P From parolees that hold G’s, sold keys, low keys We like the promised land of the OG’s In the past if you picture events like a black tie What the last thing you expect to see? Black guys What’s the life expectancy for black guys? The system’s working effectively, that’s why I’ll be a real man, take care of your son Every problem you had before this day is now done New crib, watch a movie 'Cause ain’t nothin' on the news but the blues Hit the mall, pick up some Gucci Now ain’t nothing new but your shoes Sunday morning, praise the Lord You the girl that Jesus had been saving me for So let’s savor this moment and take it to the floor Black excellence, truly yours