Macklemore - Wake Up lyrics

So I was relaxing at the spot
And some dude came through and was like, "Yo
You got flows?!" i was like, "Of course"
And I asked him if he rhymed
And he was like
"Only when I’m off this sizzurp!"
I love to rap
I don’t even care if you’re whack
You got, flows and a beat, we can do that
He was like, "Okay, but you go first"
So I spit an unedited
Spontaneous improvisational verse
And we were chillin'
Then this fool grabbed the mic and was like
"yeah, I be killin', stackin' millions
Eatin' children fuck a slut bitch"
I interrupted his ignorant ass and said
"Unless you’re trying to sound
Like Brother Lynch on shermstick
That the microphone you need to pass
You don’t got a Bentley


I just heard you talkin' about your bus pass"
He said, "Fool you don’t know me!
I’m crazy, blood! I'm a North End rider
Just ask my homies
I jack white boys like you" I replied
"You’re white too", he said, "Honky
I wear FUBU!
I’ll fight you! Let’s go head up!"
I told him, "My man slow your roll
Peep the flow and just wake up"

Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality

So I was talking to one of my teachers and
They asked me what kind of music I made
And I said, "Hip Hop
I’m an MC and I make beats"
And he laughed and he’s like
"Mm, you must be like Eminem"
First of all, hip hop is my life
My culture, my blood, and me being white
Doesn’t have anything to do with my skills
He said, "Oh you’re like
Will Smith, Puff Daddy
Dollar dollar bill bill?" nah bro
Never associate me with
Eminem, bling-blingers, r&B singers
I’m just sendin' out words that
The youth can relate to
So they can stay faithful
Themselves they regulate when ignorant
People degrade you
You should respect one another
You’re a teacher
And still haven’t learned you shouldn’t judge
A book by it's cover
He said, "Oh, I’m sorry brother, calm down
Homie, don’t bust a cap in me
Word to your mother"
I tried to help my teacher see the light
But ignorance leaves people in the dark
Seeing only black and white
I looked him in the eyes
And told him straight up
"You can’t teach if you don’t listen
Open your eyes and just wake up"

Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality

So I was at the bus stop kicking a beatbox
And started conversing with some
Lady about music
And she asked me if it was true that
"All people have guns, smoke blunts
And drink forties in hip hop?" so I told her
"Don’t believe everything that you hear
The news associates acculturate
Violence and fear fear extorts fear
Hip hop is universal
A positive outlet with energy flowing through
The circle expressing souls without rehearsal
A conscious movement in tune with
The mental physical spiritual side
Of the music it’s about love
Unfortunately, it’s stereotyped as a culture
That’s based upon thugs
Hip hop is not about guns
And like all cultures
Yes some hip hop heads do drugs
That’s not even relevant in moderation
Drugs can actually open eyes
And expand the elements
I’ve come closer to my ancestor’s remnants
Scripting my life through the force
Of their spiritual presence
I use my lyrics as the evidence
You question hip hop’s drug use?
You should be questioning the President’s

Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
Use your mentality, wake up to reality