Sorta like the tribe would always suggest we check the rhyme Talib Kweli – Rare Portraits
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He likens his hustle to the legendary hip-hop group named A Tribe Called Quest, playing on their name and their song, “Check the Rhime”
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Kweli is from the 90’s, the Golden Era of Hip-Hop and was part of legendary group Blackstar also featuring Mos Def who are both generally considered some of hip-hop’s greatest rappers of all time.
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Blu is in a very calm place at this point in the song. He has recently observed the sunset and now he is slowly painting his dreams. This could be taken literally as he is bringing his future into reality as he fulfills his dreams.
When one tries to remember his dreams, they often are struck with some shotty images and blurry events; Blu is taking his time recalling all parts of the dream and painting it in a very patient manner.
He even took the time to play a couple keys on the piano just for fun.
For irony’s sake…her is a picture of a painting of a man playing the piano
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With the preceding 2 lines in mind with the terms death and no arteries Blu continues the thoughts on the mortality of himself. He likens the actual thought of having no arteries (connected to the heart) to metaphorically giving your heart (a special place in your mind) to someone through leaving a letter for someone. We don’t know what it is Blu left but we do know it was carefully written and thougtful to the person it was intended for.
What Blu wrote was from the heart
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“Stand up guy” is a popular phrase meaning you are trustworthy and loyal. Nothing shady from Ab is present at all.
The contradiction is that he figuratively a stand up guy even when he is sitting down.
Picture of Walken and Pacino in the film Stand Up Guys
With a barrel and a arrowhead and put the fire out Ab-Soul (Ft. Da$H) – Shade 45 Freestyle
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In a twisted version of Dante’s Inferno Soul explains he feels so unlimited with where his style can go that he will go to Hell and back to prove to that. He would only take a couple things with him to put the fire out.
Soul must be carrying some real talent if he can single-handedly take out Hell’s fire.
