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No Empires! (feat. April Rucker & Civil)

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First by Ray Curenton

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lyrics

[Verse 1]
It’s a matter of truth
And our people being robbed of youth
It’s a matter of strife
And what matters most is we have life

They don’t build it by themselves
Then don't share with no one else
On their own won’t make it right
Have to fix it with our might

[Chorus]
Sounding the fire bell!
Cue amplifiers’ yell!
Together we’re stronger
So what are we waiting for?

End occupier’s spell!
Tear down empire’s hell!
Can’t take it no longer?
Then what are we waiting for?

[Verse 2]
If it’s a matter of love
Then we should work to make what we speak of
If it’s a matter of time
Well then the commitment should fit the crime

Graven images of greed
Keep us all from what we need
If we never signal change
It will become more deranged

[Chorus 2x]

[Bridge]
They don’t build it by themselves
Then don't share with no one else
Fighting for access to health
As conditions kill in stealth
On their own won’t make the change
They just do not have the range
Take up arms and stake a claim
Stop the reign in Jesus’ name

[Rap Verse]
Uh, Civil
How long is how long?
They keep the pile-on
Wearing kicks you can’t even put a mile on
I ain’t never been the type to call “bygones”
See the vision
Freedom I got my eye on
There’s a lot of this co-opting and appropriating
Skin folks get bought out, and I don’t have the patience
Phobias and -isms create these mental prisons
Division that’s placed on us and stop our living
We manipulated
We be punchin down
Crabs in a barrel instead of rising to snatch the crown
And I ain’t backin down
A mix of Sandinistas
And I’m “Black and I’m proud”
Done with later, it happens now
Ain’t tryna eat solo, I want us at the table
Time to rage against the machine and snatch the cable
You don’t see it Holmes but your time is coming too
When they done coming for us they gonna come for you

[Chorus 2x]

credits

from Believer, a​.​k​.​a. The Last Shall Be the First, released June 2, 2023
Written by Manasseh Ray Curenton-Dillinger, Brandon Adams, and Christian “Civil” DeJesus
Produced by Brandon Adams and Ray Curenton
Vocals co-produced by Tim Dillinger
Programming and instruments by Ray Curenton and Brandon Adams
Guitars: Brandon Adams
Saxophones: David Williford
Trumpet: Zachery Douglas
Recorded at: The Dungeon (Nashville, TN) and Moja’s House (Antioch, TN)
Mixed by Brandon Adams
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC

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Ray Curenton Nashville, Tennessee

Spiritual R&B artist. Black liberationist. Cultural worker. Songwriter.

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