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You don’t have to be that smart to tell that Kane has a nice ass flow.
This line and song title may have had some influence on Nas.
Kane’s Get Down was released in 1991, while Illmatic released in 1994
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Kane referring to Big Daddy Kane
and Kool & the Gang (60’s band)
Kane often had songs which sampled parts of Kool and the Gang
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HD is an underground artist and most of his tracks are under rated & complex. He drops bombs by dropping lyrics that blow up like bombs and compares it to the middle east (where most bombings take place).
Also, testing sites for some bombs are underground because it is safer than doing it above ground.
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Scars meaning surviving tribulation and having something to take from it, whether it be a lesson or a moral.
Lions are prideful beings and kings of their environment, Ab could be drawing from this generalization to tie into himself.
Scar and Lion could be a reference to the Lion named Scar in the popular film “The Lion King”.
Walking through fire is a brave and courageous task and not for the faint of heart. (Badasses Only)
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This line talks about establishing yourself before you can help those below you. Bas is currently on the rise with Dreamville, the release of Last Winter, and singles with J.Cole. First of all, Bas has to set himself apart and become well-established before he can lend a hand to his homies below him.
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The term being in check is used in chess to imply that you’re king (the most important piece in the game) is in danger and must be moved.
In the game, you must move your king in order to continue playing (if you can’t then the game is over), however in life…if you’re in check; the opposition may not give you time to move what’s important to you.
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#Double Entendre
The line can be interpreted in two ways:
1. Referring to money as bread. Along with the fact he can’t afford a stale mind.
2. Literal bread that just sits dormant will eventually go stale
Implying that Bas getting money means he’s keeping a sharp mind, he wants to keep that trend going.
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In the movie Donnie Brasco the character of Donnie Brasco is known for being a jeweler.
Joey Pistone (Johnny Depp) becomes Donnie Brasco to gain intel on the mafia; seen here post-mustache shaving
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A beautiful line explaining the condition of humanity
#We always want more!
Human to human an apprentice learning from their teacher/master is the most practical example of learning from someone who is more knowledgeable than you; but eventually you will come to learn all that you think they know and feel as if you don’t need them anymore.
#See Star Wars and The Rule of Two
Our condition is to continue advancing, but our problem is that we do not know how/when to stop.
The next advance Blu makes is that even the most righteous (Preachers) can become consumed with themselves and even convince themselves they are more than they originally thought.
Some religious leaders who claim to be servants for a God eventually believe themselves to be a/the God.
Not limited to Christianity by any means, but here is a list of people who have claimed to be a reincarnation of Christ while being a religious leader
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The two colors of the objects are switched
Skies are generally blue
While hearts are always red
What Blu could be doing here is flipping them to exemplify the kind of art that is missing from contemporary times.
The blue heart could be his feelings of depression or disappointment with the current art we have;
While the red skies are a metaphor used in novels to exemplify something leaving (the beautiful art from the past perhaps)
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