i. Question

This song introduces the project, establishing about what the project will cover, introducing themes (realities of life moving from the east to the west, different facets of culture, generational realities, the importance of knowing our story, etc), various melody and “hook” statements that will return in different ways across the project, as well as certain realities I found interesting, but don’t fit specifically within the stretch from Martindale-Brightwood to Riverside.

Sonically this song also introduces the project, introducing much of the soundscape that will be present within the project.

C H O R U S
I know
It’s been a long road
So tell me where do we go?
Just to find hope

I know
It’s been a long road
But know they can’t take yo soul
And no they can’t kill yo glow
No matter what they control
Just keep yo faith and be strong

V E R S E 2
I had to pull up just to praise all the waves
that’s flowing in the west and the east
Talking bout Brightwood, Fall Creek, Riverside,
and everything in between
I caught Black Indy fever,
I looked at a whole bunch of different features
From the farms to the fashion, peeped the magic
and realized that there was something deeper
Tried not to form an opinion
Only really listened to those who witnessed
I learned a whole lot about handling business
And having good times with people you live with
And build with
There’s a beauty to it
Can’t escape the hard times but we gettin through it
Like how to honor the past, take your foot off the gas,
take what comes with the clash, and still keep it moving?
Well

C H O R U S
I know
It’s been a long road
So tell me where do we go?
Just to find hope

I know
It’s been a long road
But know they can’t take yo soul
And no they can’t kill yo glow
No matter what they control
Just keep yo faith and be strong

T A G
1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get free
Tell me how you get free
Show me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get free
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

V E R S E 2
I reminisce about the old days
But too much talk on all of that and you’ll be stuck to your ways
Aye you could love yo almanac and still be true to yo faith
Nuance is key to be great
Memories on memories
Collecting all these moments just to set em free
Traversing all this trauma that you won’t believe
Just to give a honest time and honest rhymes
About our people’s history

Like how the Black Panthers here got started in Haughville
And how some stores that seen it all are here standing tall still
And how to keep a certain bar to reach to be called real
And how no matter circumstances know we gon ball still
And how the system always changing, so they don’t keep it fair,
The fight just to stay aware requires an atmosphere
Like happenings surrounding all my people in Fountain Square
The story way too big than the focus we tapped in here

So 1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you get free
Our bubbles different but our struggles hittin similarly
If we can learn each other’s story maybe we can find peace
And a comfortable beat to share our deepest grief

1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you survive
With all these swirling factors moving in on your peace of mind
She told me never too much
Move at the speed of yo trust
And always stay in tune with artistry that lives in your love