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Sacrifice [DELUXE EDITION]

by Substantial

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with cover art that includes a fold out Substantial poster autographed by Substantial. If you'd like it personalized, include the name you'd like it made out to in a message when you purchase the CD.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Sacrifice [DELUXE EDITION] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a jewel case with cover art that includes a fold out Substantial poster.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Sacrifice [DELUXE EDITION] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 58 Substantial releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Apeks (Maxi​-​Single), Adultish (Deluxe Edition), Salt N Pepa ft. Black Root & Marcus D (Maxi-Single), 1580 ft. DJ RBI & T.Lucas, You've Grown ft. MLLN, Reed Richards, No Per Diem 2.0 ft. Mega Ran, Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 (Instrumentals), and 50 more. , and , .

    Excludes supporter-only releases.

    Purchasable with gift card

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  • Autographed Limited Edition 12" 180 gram Vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited 12" double LP of Substantial's classic sophomore album, 'Sacrifice'*. This is first time 'Sacrifice' has ever been pressed and it's 180 gram heavy black vinyl released just in time for it's 10 year anniversary.

    *Note: This vinyl pressing does not include bonus tracks.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Sacrifice [DELUXE EDITION] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Limited Edition 12" 180 gram Vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited 12" double LP of Substantial's classic sophomore album, 'Sacrifice'*. This is first time 'Sacrifice' has ever been pressed and it's 180 gram heavy black vinyl released just in time for it's 10 year anniversary.

    *Note: This vinyl pressing does not include bonus tracks.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Sacrifice [DELUXE EDITION] via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
Introduction 00:35
2.
Let It Go 03:49
HOOK I can’t hold back I gotta let it go Held on for too long I gotta let it go If I don’t find my way then I’ll never know Who I am truly let the beat move me V Then I’ll go where it takes me Releasing all the shit I’ve been holding in lately At this rate see fam it’s bound to break me Mess around and give new meaning to crazy And lately I’ve been dwelling on this fact Discovering new ways to keep my sanity in tact I can’t get back to carefree living Rent’s thirteen plus a month where we’re living So kids right now is a scary vision With my income support I’ll barely give them Afraid at times but strength’s rarely missing I crave to shine although every prison’s A bit over-crowed they’ll make an exception For a brother my size about my complexion Hell no Cuz that’s out of the question Though I’m often stressed and I fight with depression I realized life is a lesson I don’t always Like where I’m heading so I write with aggression Hard to be polite when you’re stressing Not a thing’s P.C. about my a-alikes and my brethren Made the mic our weapon found peace on loose leaf Classics manufactured on no more than two sheets I black out on bright white for you chief And rap ‘bout how this trife life is too deep It’s an ancient epic not a news brief Same shit under the sun just a new thief Man I gotta get it together handle my business Maybe if I handled it better they couldn’t steal this God given talent that I’ve taken for granted Still no call backs labels making me panic All the while black trying to chase this and manage A relationship avoiding heartache and damage To my soul damn it does a number to my spirit So I cry out in pain knowing someone will hear it If I don’t dumb down will they run from my lyrics My fear is some will shun the things I hold dearest So hear this from now on letting it all go Like there’s no tomorrow ‘fore I drown in a bottle Of top shelf liq’ with a twist of my sorrow If I finish it all yo we’ll both be hollow Life is what you make it is the motto I follow Hard to slow your roll when you’ve been living full throttle Trying to make my dreams manifest but it’s hard though Feel like I got a better chance at hitting the lotto See the blood sweat and tears staining my cargos From slaying fans waving hands screaming out bravo And encore like Jay - 26th letter Glad you think I’m dope but I’m trying to get better Some think I’m barely scratching the surface And I’ve probably held back in over half of the verses I’ve ever written and I probably shouldn’t spit’em ‘Cause that’s about as pointless as watered down venom You should feel it in your heart and veins when it’s in them But it seems it’s barely felt when the aim was to kill them so I… Hook Closing I’ll go where it takes me, take me home Burns I’ll go where it takes me, take me home I’ll go where it takes me, take me home God I’ll go where it takes me, take me home I’ll go where it takes me, take me home Lord I’ll go where it takes me, take me home Take, take me home, Take, take me home Take, take me home, Take, take me home… Let It Go.
3.
V1 Some sad shit even your adlibs was bad kid No way in hell you gon’ pack loot like Madlib Damn your crew abandoned you like dad did Did I do that shit? I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! It’s your friendly neighborhood “Fuck You I Rhyme Better” Man Bound to make more top ten list than David Letterman Meanwhile in a hot church you couldn’t get a fan Me lose? Never man I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! We got fly women at the showcase While that chick on your arm’s better off with no face Not even top 3 you’re luck to see forth place I stay doing tour dates. I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! And Stan could slap you out your SouthPole Keep it up and get your mouth stole ‘til you’re out cold Damn right I’m trying to make the name household Never will I fold. I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! V2 Shorty came in here with you. All on mine should be clinging to you But I really don’t mind it don’t seem that she do either Could be that I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! Or son it’s the swagger And that I lay pipe like a damn plumbing master If she ran away from you, I’m who she’s running ’Cause this bastard is THAT DAMN GOOD! And she can bare witness to that Knew from how she stared at the kid when he rapped Gone for 5 minutes and she missing a cat Guess she getting attached ‘cause I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! Or maybe your sticking is lame And that’s the real reason that you’re missing a dame Now you’re home jacking off ‘til your dick is in pain All ‘cause I’m spitting flames as I THAT DAMN GOOD! V3 I know the shit isn’t fair ’Cause you can’t see me like the vision impaired And I rip and I tear thru the kick and the snare Like the biggest of bears ‘cause I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! This grizzly gets busy! While you all handle balls like Doug Christie You’s a Sac King. Mute your yapping When I do the damn thing ‘cause I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! Yo… I’m a renaissance man If they ever broke the mold probably did it on Stan If you plan to go to war, keep spitters on standby Can’t lie man I’m THAT DAMN GOOD! On some full blown AIDS shit not to be played with Competition love it so much they have to hate it Frustrated, like handless thieves they can’t take it Real skills you can’t fake it I am THAT DAMN GOOD!
4.
HOOK Jump, Move, Kick, Scream Wild out, Get mean Break, Smash, Have fun Chain Re-ac-tion REPEAT HOOK V1 (It’s Showtime) strap yourself in Once the rapping begin you can start packing in (I’m a goldmine) watch him drop gems Got them rocking, popping, locking (Closed minds) I open them wide The quotes that I write have you hoping I died Got you open tonight lets go for a ride (Sky high) from the dope I provide (Why try) that would really be silly duke Can’t you see that they clearly ain’t feeling you Lyrically leaving crews visibly miserable (He’s too invincible) these dudes are pitiful Giving you heat since Invisible man And to this union you know who I am All Nighter (raw writer) Pyro rhyme flow (more fire)!!! HOOK V2 …Are you making the face yet? Dropped in 1st round go get his replacement (Album’s finally here you’ve been patient) Though you wanted it so bad you can taste it Took my time with it the vision was beautiful Couldn’t just hit it as business as usual Something exquisite so it’s just more musical Sad this caliber of hip-hop is new to you (Who is you?) Substantial the merciless One of the nicest they don’t mean I courteous Don’t get beat down ‘til you’re bluish and purplish Doubting my skill ‘cause you never heard of this (Purposeless hate) You’re truly wor-th-less Only crew you got’s emergency services Murdered it Berkowitz style (The Summer of Stan) Now give it up for your man HOOK BRIDGE If it moves you Why not move two Better yet three Or four get me V3 I’m from the place where music was cranking before it was crunk Life is an elevator Joe live it up (U.V. is here) ‘til you’re sick of us On some Neosporin shit (we in the cut) ‘Til we peel like a scab! Rappers Like strippers revealing their ass! That’s only surface but what’s with your inner beginner Remember to spit from your soul Spit something cold as Cube in his prime Why would I sell out I’m doing just fine Perusing no crime doing no time Donnan Links gave me a tune that’s sublime (So hate on!) But you know what your momma think You sensitive sounding real soft and pink ‘Cause I stole the show before you blinked Plus wifey’s a fan you saw her wink HOOK BRIDGE
5.
V1 Yo Navi, it’s my birthday I should party for my birthday Have a house party for birthday Dog I’m serious… it’s really my birthday But I ain’t trying to hit up the club tonight And I shouldn’t have to pay to get buzzed tonight Plenty liq at the crib so I fittin’ to get On the horn and have something sick where I live Move all the furniture in the back room Put a sign up that says don’t shit in my bathroom Hide anything that looks expensive Shower so the body odor isn’t offensive Draped in Up & Up and a blazer by Concep And other fresh shit that you haven’t got on yet Gon’ get my neighbors real heated with this one House party of the year this that shit sun! HOOK This is for my people that’s sick of the club If you miss house party’s then give me some love and say… Oh la oh la eh! (Ladies) (Oh la oh la eh!) REPEAT HOOK V2 No sausage parties you know what we need bruh So I call ladies 1st like Latifah Speaking of which grab some old school hip-hop & classic soul to guarantee your shits hot Like MJ I wanna be starting something Grab reggae to get the party jumping Oh and I better not forget the slow jams For when we get close and I don’t mean hold hands Oh damn! Too late to get a DJ Normally I’d call DP with no delay Or Kool Herc ‘cause that’s my people He started this shit so there’s no equal Don’t wanna bother so I do it myself ‘Cause back in the day I use to do this myself Use to hustle mixtapes ‘fore the raps was fire But never mind gotta cop the appetizers HOOK BRIDGE Bring only fam here with you All love here leave your pistol Bring chips and liquor with you Just don’t break my momma’s crystal U act like you don’t party Relax and move your body Fam it’s a celebration Feels like constant elevation V3 At a house party is where you can find me Everything’s peace no fools that’s grimy No pat downs from a dude named Tiny Drinks are free and the food is fine B (HEY!) Watch all the people jumping Like the dance floor is a trampoline or something Wifey grinding on me while the beat is pumping Fronting like “I’m no freak or nothing” We’ll see about that when these negros go home Did I just hear something break love hold on As much as I hate to be a party pooper Break my shit are you stupid (Bounce!) But that’s just the price you pay For letting all these party people in your house today While the neighbors complain ‘cause it sounds like a riot And that’s why their punk ass wasn’t invited HOOK BRIDGE
6.
V1 God Damn ya! Body’s calling Only right that I answer, and I’m fluent in body language So speak to me, So I can have you reaching peaks Frequently as you feel you need to be ‘Cause you freaking me, is as necessary As a brother breathing see the hottest February, In east coast history. I see you giving me the eye Magic stick wizardry it’s like I live between your thighs With this powerful staff like Gandolph Got your wrists pinned down me got this hands off Me run tings for now baby wait your turn I’ll school an apt pupil love watch and learn. Headed south of the border turn you out turn you over Put my mouth and it on ya’ yo somebody should’ve told ya’ ‘Cause now ya’ know the reason for the way I behave This explains why I have to shave every three days I’m so nasty!!! HOOK Come test me now, you’re so sexy gal You can get it, get it, get it This is risky biz so lets get down, Me don’t mess around You’ll get it, get it, get it! REPEAT HOOK V2 This here ain’t nothing to laugh at ‘Cause it hurt so good like getting your ass smacked More than hair get pulled when I do the damn thing So physical I damn near pulled a hamstring For what I’m planning you’ll need a physical trainer And it’s a bad thing to use the term no-brainer Girl take it and love it like a thief in the night Hope you didn’t plan on sleeping tonight What I’m seeing I like, it’s looking like something That I need in my life you better stop fronting Got me fiending just like a junky got me lunchin’ ‘Cause them jeans hella tight the way they compliment your onion Now my eye’s getting misty plus you got this look Like you’re dying to hit me off don’t be shook Round 2 (ding) I heard you talking ‘bout you’re tired Gave your inner thighs hickeys now that got you inspired And re-energized quickly can you ride with me Saddle up gal I get it nice and sticky Bedroom rodeo wanna see them things You were promising to show me though, girl I’m here to work Please observe my portfolio! HOOK BRIDGE 1) I know it sound brutal, but I’m only being truthful 2) When I say that you can get it get it 3) So if you’re down to go at it I’ll be glad to let you have it 4) You can get it get it V3 In the worse way, standing up in a hammock In the back of Yugo ‘til we both can’t stand it I’ll smash ya in the middle of Alaska Even give it to you in a natural disaster The real thigh master keeps them hips working To ensure that your orgasm is certain And I’ll put a hurting on your pretty little kitty So you miss me when I’m gone like Sex in the City And I’m sorry if it’s throbbing and it feel kinda tender But baby that’s the way I leave you something to remember And I promise I won’t miss a millimeter on your body You can’t get this kinda work out with Pilates or Taebo I know you’re conscious of the figure that you’re packing Don’t lose all that goodness dieting with Atkin’s ‘Cause a brother like me need something to hold on Keep a steady pace so the marathon’s prolonged So make the face when I take a taste You look great in lace but better in nada The veteran rocker of aqua mattress Beyond off the hook it’s off the atlas Take all your baddest behavior’s bring those Leave your bra and thong behind because you won’t need those ‘Cause I can’t promise they won’t get tarnished Hot sex on a platter minus the garnish (OH!) HOOK You’re so sexy gal, Come test me now You can get it get it get it This is risky biz so let’s get down I don’t mess around You can get it got it good!
7.
HOOK [Steph] MCs kick rhymes to beats or acapella Graf artists tagging year round through all weather Our culture’s evolving what next will it bring Hip-hop is one of my favorite things DJ’s b-boys and b-girls are so clever They called it a fad but we’re hip-hop forever We love our culture to it we shall cling Hip-hop is one of my favorite things V1 Hip-Hop culture a way of life that’s preyed on by vultures To fatten up their pockets some really thought they’d stop it And called it a fad all to the bad when you dissing they’re way of life Son is a trip button your lip peep what I say tonight See it started in the South Bronx but this brother here’s from Maryland Home of Mambo sauce and emcees who be shining like sterling That’s a whole ‘nother song moving along back to the subject H-I-P to the H-O-P man I love it It consist of four elements some say five or more If you didn’t know that until now what the hell you rhyming for There’s breaking & rhyming, deejaying & graf I add on beatboxing because I practice that craft Like (beatbox) it’s crucial When you ain’t got a beat in the cipher it’s quite useful Then there was breaking see I stopped that quite early Didn’t like the idea that some dance moves could hurt me But still find popping and locking to be mad nice Just now all my energy is used only to grab mics And rock rock on to the dawn of early morning Still do graffiti just took my moms warning And kept it on the paper to avoid central booking But to hell with jail I was more scared of butt whuppings Now I’m a grown man with hip-hop still way up in me And I’ll love it for life even if I never see one penny HOOK V2 See an ignorant man made a statement that’s so wrong When he said rap music is an oxymoron True most of us don’t sing some curse when they’re rapping Some of us use sample and others utilize scratching But it’s still all music stop judging and listen Some of the joints you don’t like were the best songs ever written No genre that was conjured has accomplished what rap has Filled with brilliant poets who you thought just rap fast And that’s sad, only heard when using curse words Racial slurs and calling women out of their name And they claim that our graffiti isn’t real art Like they rule the art world please tell me when did this start See art is opinion only techniques have guidelines Smarter than what yall think and I haven’t even reached my prime Don’t try to diss breaking see I find that quite funny I peeped yall in time square giving breakers yall money ‘Cause you know you love it from our clothes to our lingo That’s why most trends start with us blacks and latinos Don’t take that as a diss ‘cause I’m telling you that it’s not All kinds of people have contributed to hip-hop Making my culture more beautiful than it’s ever been Hip-hop heads worldwide from Japanese to Mexican Taking me places I’ve never been, peace to the veterans Swear on my life it will never end HOOK BRIDGE [Steph] Whether I rock mics in the spotlight Or remain underground Hip-hop will still be my favorite thing As long as the earth’s still round
8.
V1 You can rot in hell Hip-hop’s alive and well At least that’s the word that I’ve heard from over thousands of my clientele I excel very far beyond just rhyming well Labels no I don’t wear a sign saying I’m for sale Devils aren’t built for this watch the God fire hell A path of bodies leading to my thrown for those that tried and failed You’re softer than Cottonelle belong in a garbage pale Throwing stones at French women’s the only way you’ll rock the bells You ain’t good at nothing else so you gotta sale But you ain’t good at this either far as I can tell Give it up like prom night I bomb mics Still stay cooler than Snoop in Antarctica eating Klondike On any given calm night I will reek havoc And make your top 5 MC’s look like weak rappers 10 year vets sounding like they need practice Take’em to school and you know I really teach classes V2 And I’ll show you why everything I touch is critically acclaim Feeble spitter reconsider before dissing me again I stay mentally advance though we’re physically the same So a battle’s pointless not to mention literally insane When it came to moving units I sold a fraction of most But on the great paper chase you know who captured the most (Me) Mostly because I paid attention in math class And I won’t let a record label pimp my black ass Scratch that I mean it’s down right embarrassing Quality music now a days is a rarity That’s all I want to make until the day they bury me Rather be a great artist than a celebrity Sounds weird but good like PB and celery Am I less real because I never got a felony My goal isn’t to rest in the hills of Beverly But make these hell like hoods a little more heavenly V3 Yeah I’m known to get it live and still work a 9 to 5 But you never take a job that don’t benefit your company Pimp those bastards till their asses had enough of me Laughing in their faces while they’re thinking that they’re fucking me Luckily it’s temporary because I’m a visionary Getting paid for using slang you can’t find in the dictionary Bama asses take that to your grammar classes Spitting diction that you couldn’t envision with MC Hammers glasses Meanwhile this jam surpasses any and all preconceptions And you thought it wouldn’t happen like Bush’s re-elections Genius 4 more years of him and the penis Won’t break the focus of most of the cats that I’m teamed with So in this selfish game we remain self-contained Rest of yall getting shaft bet’cha ass in hella pain Get a brain pathetic lame I’m something you’ll never tame Substantial’s the effin name and it’s time to let reign forever!
9.
V1 Not much of a thug, first to admit I’m a sucker for love My life is living proof that love is a drug A teenage love… It happened over summer vacation She used to call me Slim, she was something amazing But I was two years younger in age then Yeah, she wasn’t that old true But I lied like most dudes And leave it to your sis to come out and expose you But she didn’t mind… ‘cus I was deep in her mind and heart Likewise, sex I’m eagerly tryna start! Tight thighs I was fiending to pry and part Now she’s crying “Stop”, ‘cus she’s a former rape vic’ Said I could have her but I had to get her pregnant Though I wanted sweetie badly I wasn’t ready to be a daddy in a long distance relationship So now I reminisce of Stevie Wonder’s Song called I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer HOOK Damn… Damn….. Damn!! I know it’s you That’s how I felt in the beginning love Guess I was wrong, ‘cus look at how we ended up Damn!! I know it’s you! But maybe that’s how love go? Tell me if I’m wrong baby I don’t know BRIDGE (It’s like) we… Love to live and live to love Oh how… tough it is to give it up When there’s… enough to get, can’t get enough And when it gets rough, you ask yourself, “Is this love?” V2 I got my swagger back (hey!) After a long stretch And mustered up the courage to step to this songstress Beautiful youngin I had met in the chorus And we connected while we were on the tour bus Yo, she taught me ‘bout trust and religion Next thing you know, love started flooding my vision I know it sound flaky, but I cherished her greatly When life tried to break me, her whole family embraced me And I had been to more funerals than graduations A bit unusual, but far from an exageration But death was something that was still new to her I had no idea what it would do to her (Nope) The losses that she suffered, forever changed how we interacted Seems like our magic had flipped and turned tragic So, “End it while we’re still friends” is what I suggested And she replied “I was hoping that you would get the message” HOOK BRIDGE V3 I moved on from songstress to cheerleader Older, wiser, and my gears cleaner Cuts my baby locks now her family speaks to me Got closer though we didn’t hang out frequently Stole my heart like she mastered thievery Words can’t describe what this girl means to me Or meant to me, it feels like centuries ago Of course yo we broke up, eventually, you know Easy come… hey you know how the cliché ends I even told her that we’d be friends, think again I know I hurt this aspiring actress Probably uses my pics for firing practice Then outta spite, she fucked the man that I’m closest to At that very moment, I was officially over you Damn heart, just do what you s’posed to do! Guess I was wrong when I said that I know it’s you HOOK
10.
V1 Your hock-loogie do not move me Gangster rapper got rich got boushie Me, known to burn more rappers than hot groupies And I leave the toughest motherfucker stomp gooey Spitacular! The wrong MC to spit after ya Change your stage name to when did he rock Not the stage manager but they’re giving me props And your wife’s code name for me is isn’t he hot Not surprised there’s mad dummies on the idiot box Only dude from the hood with a buzz who didn’t get shot Give me the rock Saint Nick Van Exel shoot gift The more I hear the wacker you get With Sean’s pen I’m dumb nicer than I am Sam Overseas looking for fly shit to buy my fam Slain by my hand if you continue to rhyme pink A card carrying member of Fuck You Die Inc. HOOK We can go tit for tat or go spit for spat Once I get the track you know it’s a wrap I won’t give it back my flows mix and match I’m so sick with that don’t you agree?!?! V2 Heaven help me I’m hella nasty It’s like breathalyzers verses alkies you’ll never pass me When the beat is sick though I spit in my sleep Like Beatrix Kiddo believe he’s this dope Flames and fire that may retire Your decoy and destroy the lames you hired No hope 4 real you ain’t got Jack shit Like you stole from Jill I pull cards You know the deal so fresh so clean Like Kosher meals or spokes on villes And I’m known to kill grim reap on them beats Cereal spitter in stereo killer been iller Record at your local hospital 1st MC that’s sponsored by Scott Tissue The shit I am thoughts travel faster than Shinkansen Freestyle’s decent but I’m great with pens HOOK Stantastic credits read Substantial Those who oppose are clearly insufficient My foes flows aren’t nearly as consistent Repel frail shit I’m clearly wack resistant Should’ve left that there in the old rap vault I palm scalps now hold that thought Now you’re in store for assault Told you I rhyme better so who’s at fault Sign at the door reads if you value your life Don’t be a jackass and try to battle tonight Bite my rhymes bite the curb Anything other than “Substantial’s nice” is fighting words I’m quite disturbed by your presence alone Must be on the same drugs that the presidents on Plus I’ve seen you walking ‘round with the jaws of life She be swallowing the future and you call her wife! HOOK
11.
A P.G. Boy 05:17
V1 Born and raised in P.G.C. where being me was easily The hardest thing I had to do. Knuckles stayed black and blue And if your gear wasn’t in style knuckas they would laugh at you Booking dames with game but if you’re lame youngins’ is smacking you (Down there) I’ve seen it all from robbery to murder And all my dogs be using slang you probably never heard of Bush is slang for bullshit, the irony That it shares it name with the same suckers that lie to me Beat is on some O.G. shit the perfect grove to ride with me P.G. vs. D.C. was like constant sibling rivalry We’re all family through the positive and negative These wars in our streets repetively take our relatives see… P.G. at it’s worse can eat alive a family I’m lucky just to share this verse surviving the insanity These eyes have seen some things that most people could never stand to see That killed a little boy and brought alive the man in me HOOK This is for Landover, Cheverly, Forestville, Suitland C.H., D.H., whatever hood you in Hyattsville, Mitchellville, New Carrolton, Largo And everywhere else in between youngin’ yall know From the average Joe or folks that’s rapping and sing To the local Go-Go bands and bamas clapping them things Before my ass moved to the County of Kings I was a Prince George’s Boy just doing my thing V2 I’m from the home of cats like Sugar Ray Leonard and Martin Lawrence Where I first picked up a microphone ready to rip opponents Where fools be ditching school for a truckload of wings and mambo And movies like menace had the whole hood thinking they’re gun-ho Some know, but don’t have a clue how we do. Rappers borrowing our slang and try to use it like it’s new But we’ve been calling bamas young since the days of old When you didn’t get shot maybe your face got stole If you’re never on the map then you’re forever in my heart Regardless where I end up at P.G.’s where I got my start. Where every hood I lived didn’t respect me until I fought And a bad one’s what they caught if “He’s pussy” is what they thought Same youngin’ that did karate and stayed drawing and rapping Rather go to your body than get involved with some clapping Never thought I was Gangsta but I’m real without a doubt. Dudes be joning on your mama ‘til you steal them in the mouth HOOK This is for Marlow Heights, Bladensburg, Laurel O.H., T.H., wherever you call home Upper Marlboro, Greenbelt, College Park, Lanham And everywhere else in between youngin’ stand up From the average Joe or folks that’s rapping and sing To the local Go-Go bands and bamas clapping them things Before my ass moved to the County of Kings I was a Prince George’s Boy just doing my thing V3 They use to tell me “Stan dog you gotta spit that realness” Long before other brothers did it for a deal shit But I never killed shit at all maybe steal from a mall Getting draws from a youngin’ that I chilled with Battle rhyming wasn’t popping in my hood like that They didn’t hate though ‘cause little youngin’ could write raps Got serious with while living on Brightseat Road I became known for choosing unlikely goals But we gotta make the most of these lives we chose All the shit I saw in MD help me write these flows Not as wild as I use to be wifey knows Young, dumb and full of cum could barely wipe my nose Seen them all from righteous queens to trifling hoes Fronted on ya boy Stan ‘cause they ain’t like his clothes Was a nice guy so why come they spite me fo’ Oh yeah didn’t have that hundred dollar Nike doe Acting boushie ‘cause their fam moved from South East to Bowie Or Landover to Fort Wash. our rents less than their door knob Even broke with no job they watched this youngin’ go hard Wherever I rest I’m holding down home like Coast Guards HOOK This is for Seabrook, Bowie, Greenbelt, Morningside Ft. Wash, Langley Park any where you reside Clinton, Adelphi, Brandywine, Brentwood P.G.’s in the muthafuckin’ building don’t it feel good From the average Joe, folks, that’s rapping or sing To the local Go-Go bands and bamas clapping them things Before my ass moved to the County of Kings I was a Prince George’s just doing my thing
12.
THE WAKE UP CALL HOOK Mr. Robinson this is your wake up call Better get it together don’t take to long Get up! And get on your job! Gotta gotta gotta make it though I know it’s been hard REPEAT HOOK V1 Yeah you work hard and I see you working overtime You’re a star but you don’t shine like you suppose to shine That’s one of the many things that’s been on my mine Not enough people know that you’ve been on your grind And regardless of the fronting you ain’t working hard for nothing Think it’s time you did something for your time pass It’s time to take some action and finally make it happen And have all the people asking to rewind that ‘Cause after reviewing all of the facts It appears your own choices are what holding you back. Yo I wanna see you make it dog really I do But it’s like some of the songs you write are really ‘bout you Yeah you’ve got what you want but haven’t got what you needed I can’t even front I can hear your heart bleeding And they… still manage to front on your ass It’s enough to make you pick up something and blast And say to hell with it but you didn’t you dealt with it You need to be commended for your ongoing commitment To overcoming the odds it isn’t easy to do In fact we know it’s been hard but by believing in you You’ve accomplished more things than most of your peers And became a bit content with it over the years Your destiny is bigger than this. Who knows you better than me it gets no realer than this ya know. HOOK BRIDGE Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it happen Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it happen Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it happen Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it happen Gotta gotta gotta get it together and make it HOOK V2 I’ll support you when nobody does I was even with you when didn’t know who I was Sometimes I wish you didn’t love so hard And I wish you had the balls to scream fuck your job Thank God that you don’t lust for cars Now if I could only get you to trust your heart A little bit more and be sure you go with your gut Your literature is pure and your flow has been nuts So stop letting other people tell you how to rhyme ‘Cause for one they can’t tell the sun how to shine And for two none of these dudes is hardly signed Tell’em thanks but no thanks dog I’ll be fine (PEACE) I really wish you saw your family more You need each other what you think they call them family for dog? Take better care of yourself ‘Cause lack of sleep can really put wear and tear on your health Shit but I can’t talk this is a wake up call right But that doesn’t mean you need to stay up all night But easier said than done we never said its fun We need the bread to come ain’t easy to get it sun So you compete with a drive that’s frightening And make music to leave minds enlightened And I love you for how hard you’ve worked But there is more to be done so give it all you’re worth. HOOK OUTRO Black man get on your job! REPEAT
13.
Labor Pains 04:36
V1 Tired of nine to fives in my case two to tens Refuse to choose methods that others use to win If my talent ain’t involved. Working got my head hurting To the point you couldn’t fix it with a quart of Tylenol No stranger to labor. On the whole, it’s pointless If in the end I haven’t been working toward my goals So I stay hunting for green like Lex Luthor So I can dead any beef I might have in the future with my super Man rent’s due! We’re on our last roll of toilet tissue Plus queen and I be having issues when doe’s tight Suddenly I’m less concerned with getting my flow right Restless barely caught a wink through the whole night Running on fumes could blackout in an instant On “E” with barely enough to finish this very sent… Tense muscles! Sometime I wonder Did blacks invent struggle ‘cause we know it well Rich in many things but I’m still broke as hell And what’s red and black without some greenbacks A fund less revolution is money the solution More money more problem more bills less truth More lies less you mobilize lets move And get that cheese for cats get me But I’m clever as Jerry so never you worry I’ll provide for fam long after I’m buried HOOK 3 Months past benefits kick in 6 months past and I feel like quitting Promotion after 9 a whole new beginning Made insane by these labor pains REPEAT HOOK V2 It’s like morning sickness when I wake up for work filled with ill will Wanting to murder my boss like Kill Bill The real feel what I’m saying ‘cause it’s realer talk Wishing I was still a little kid watching Silver Hawks Now that’s a distant memory now my days are spent At the bar during happy hour sipping hennesy Like it’s a remedy for these growing pains So insane but I hope for change Like homeless pan-handlers yall’d rather ignore me ‘Cause hearing this song is like listening to your story It would be nice to retire at forty But my mom hasn’t and she’s over age sixty Probably do better if she wasn’t plagued with me But they say babies are a gift from God But they feel like a burden when shit gets hard Over due utilities I’m knowing you is feeling me These hard times are meant to be something you learn from So hard work essentially is something you should earn from Money don’t grow on trees but it leaves And even harder to get for underground MC’s It’s enough to make you hate breathing Working two or three jobs just to break even Labor pains is the reason why I ain’t sleeping Fuck sloppy seconds! Why can’t my people eat like they eating Even when we ain’t eating we always cooking Like Ope be telling me I’m hoping felonies Ain’t in my forecast because lack of my own Got me looking at your cash but I earn my shit And try to save something never burn my shit So we can cop homes a Brooklyn brownstone And maybe I’ll own land back in MD For whenever we need to escape the big city So let’s get busy and start our business We’ll succeed if our hearts are in it I’ll work for me and not for another To provide jobs for all of our brothers and queens ya’nahmeen HOOK
14.
V1 My fault or is it yours, hardly kick it any more Yo I’d love to do it all with you (But I can’t) The grind was designed with no kind of time To recline with some fine as you (So we rant) And rave instead of pant and bathe Like romance is played (I know that can’t be true) I’d rather love and please touch and tease Hug and squeeze (Or just dance with you) Use to phone bone ‘til we’re home alone Where we moan and groan (Like lovers do) But the mood gets worse, you’re confused and hurt You think the music’s 1st (And you’re #2) I’m trying to show you different, I hope you listen If you don’t I’m fittin to be (Out of my mind) Let’s get out of dodge, get us a lodge Can I get a massage (And some quality time) HOOK Girl hear me when I am speaking so we can hook up a meeting At whatever spot you frequent or we can just spend a weekend Of sneaking and creeping, no sleeping, keeping the furniture squeaking Here to learn what you’re teaching in other words all I’m needing is… You to hear me what I’m speaking so we can hook up a meeting At whatever spot you frequent or we can just spend a weekend Of sneaking and creeping, no sleeping, keeping the furniture squeaking Hear to learn what you’re teaching in other words all I’m needing is QT! BRIDGE We gon’ work it out Baby we gon’ work it out (I know we will) We… we work it out Baby we gon’ work it out (You know the deal) V2 How does poetry sound? We can go to a lounge Girl I’m hoping you’re down (Oh you are that’s dope!) Got real jig ‘fore we left the crib I bet its brick (Let me get my coat) ‘Cause if it is that’s just another reason to get real close And stay warm. Or dead that and stay home. Sometimes doing nothing at all is something special Or I can just swing to your job and come and get you Take you on a date and do something unexpected ‘Cause time in relationship terms is an investment So let’s not waste it. Yes I’m anxious ‘Cause none at all can test out patience HOOK V3 Sometimes these words I can’t (Get’em out) I know you’re someone I can’t (Live without) Let me get to the point and stop dancing around Seems the little things we can’t (Figure out) Then why waste time on such nonsense Letting it linger in our subconscious Drowning in BS ‘til we get noxious Is it such a task for us to be honest (With each other?) Baby give me your all not a piece of you What you got to hide, you in deep cover? Wouldn’t you rather be in bed covers deep? Sharing one another’s heat while we’re under sheets But are you cool with that tough? Or we can keep it moving mad slow at no… Cost at all. I know the arguments are off the wall We’re back walking tall once it’s all resolved HOOK BRIDGE
15.
V1 [PACK FM] First we got Kevin, thirsty, hot and sweating in the kitchen with no shirt Computer shutdown before he got to save his homework Now he’s really heated, blood boiling heart racing Looks around “Where’s Traci?” I told her not to use the A/C She must’ve caused a power outage, screams out the window to his sister In the knick of time, a speeding care barely missed her Black Lex screeching to a halt in the intersection Collided with the ambulance going down the street in the wrong direction Driver jumps out of his car, left the engine running High tails it up the block, screaming at the top of his lungs, “Don’t Worry, Momma! I’m Coming!” Crowd starts to gather, cops make it to the scene Paramedics in the ambulance trying to save a patient But it doesn’t look like the driver’s even gonna make it He’s hemorrhaging from the neck, nothing they can do to stop it Then a shot fires from the crowd. “Get your hand outta my pocket!” HOOK Mind open, eyes wide Try and focus follow the signs Mind open, eyes wide Try and focus follow the signs ‘Cause you never know if today is the day Better be sure that you mean what you say And keep your mind open eyes wide Gotta focus follow the signs (Come On) V2 [Tonedeff] “I don’t wanna die like this”, he keeps thinking Repeatedly, blinking, as his eyes are stinging from the bleeding People screaming on the scene, he breathes the steam in He believes he’s dreaming, even he sees Freeman, his team leader, he covered for this evening He pulled the favor, but never asked for a reason, Gasping and wheezing, too late to scream at dispatch with his grievance He’s trapped with the wheel in abdomen, feeling is passing…it leaves him Deceased in flash, and the screams come Accidents happen, man, the summer’s a hazardous season The camera pans to man with a clean gun And it gleams sun, when he moves to reach up, to squeeze slugs right into the chest of a typical street thug He screams police, and people freeze up Now introducing Dee, he ducks and the cop thinks that he sees something, And he bucks, and now the brother needs to be cleaned up And now we cut to a girl with D-cups, Holding a pair of green chucks, and a tee covered in Dee’s blood, who really seems crushed Now, she weeps but seems touched In an weird way, like crying on the outside but inside she’s thanking Jesus She leaves us, as she’s being hugged, By a man resembling the cat the paramedic thought he might have ID’d or dreamed of As the camera swings up, we see Kevin, and he’s rushed To make it to class, He thinks “And of all days to be stuck” He busted his ass, for three weeks on his thesis to impress Professor Greenlove Who doubts that he’ll pass, teetering on a D+ plus He got be up at the School of Electrical Engineering at 3 cause If he don’t, well, then he’s fucked, with loans and no degrees to speak of We pan back to the rear of the ambulance, the second medic administers treatment On a old woman, who’s spleen’s ruptured from deep cuts She’s really in need of, a heart surgeon, Well, yeah this part’s disturbing Cause the medic dips and leaves the lady with debris stuck. In her veins, Gee shucks, that’s deranged, Kevorkian steeze And according to me, there’s more to this here than it reads cause. HOOK Seemed like one of those days when nothing was clear Plus the temp’s 10 degrees above a hundred out here (Flashback) phone rings Traci rushes to pick it up Worried look on her face. Arm hairs sticking up “Don’t tell me on the phone” “OK well meet me downstairs in 5. I called out and I’m already ‘round here.” Surprised Traci was, she felt a chill in the air Got her mental prepared for the shit she would hear And then darkness… I ain’t talking ‘bout Charlie Murphy But every single light in the community wasn’t working Elsewhere Professor Greenlove can’t contact his mama ‘Cause little did he know she had her own batch of drama Felt ill called 911 before she was a goner Cut herself while collapsing she ain’t made out of armor see Dee left the pharmacy he has no honor Now mama Greenlove can’t get the meds prescribed by her doctor (Meanwhile) Professor’s driving and he’s not seeing proper It was too dark to find his glasses in his freaking locker Yall know that that’s a hazard right blazing thru the traffic light That wasn’t on at a glance he crashed into an ambulance Same one his mama’s in when does the drama end Fore’ that Freeman told Traci she’s carrying apart of him Dee’s watching them hug and read a sheet while his head twirl He dipped out of the pharmacy to win back his ex-girl Eternally stressed heard them mention a paternity test Then he rushed Free. A cop came to come see What the ruckus was about Dee reached for Free’s pocket While reaching in his own for what might have been a wallet Then they heard a gun buss aloud now Dee’s no mo He used to beat on Traci. Kevin told her he was loco So she broke up with the mofo and gave her freedom to Freeman ‘Cause Dee was a prisoner of his own inner demons (Nearby) Professor flees his Lex to find his mom But can’t find her, for the medic served as a reminder How her mama tortured her like this woman treated her son Felt obligated to rid the world of this person All the while Kevin’s crying over spilled milk 3 bodies on his block he’s lucky he didn’t get killed Couldn’t get through to the school so he stayed his ass home When he finally did he heard the date had been postponed So he took it as a sign wisely utilized his time passed with flying colors now the brother’s doing fine Days later he stopped by the power plant to find There’s an opening Greenlove was forced to resign Facing criminal charges while Kevin’s working for me And the fella’s doing well and I trained him personally Oh and by the way I’m way put the power on Pay attention to the signs and see what’s going on. HOOK
16.
HOOD HOPE Verse 1 I’ve seen many things over the years even shared many Dreams with fam, friends and peers and it seems that Life is hardly ever fair making clean living Nearly impossible and rare. When I was younger And that hunger for more came to the door Knocks sounding like shots wasn’t sure what it fucked with me for Now I know it was the push I needed I wish everybody from my hood received it I gotta be their light that shines minus the strife and crime And keep our struggle in mind when I write these rhymes ‘Cause them dudes in my hood didn’t back me for nothing For me to move to Brooklyn just to catch me there fronting I’m gonna represent until they bury me in Harmony Cemetery where I will lay to rest with my pop and niece Properly! So when I’m gone a good quote To describe what I represented is hood hope HOOK [Steph & rnb] I give hope to Folks just like you And yours so watch me Nothing can stop me REPEAT HOOK V2 Pardon the way I come at yall but my boy once said That if it wasn’t for the devil wouldn’t have no fun at all I knew I had to stall so I could see what I was facing And now this older man can overstand his situation Forced to work with nothing so I’m naturally creative And joe I’m not surprised when they’re mad to see I’ve made it But what do you expect I was forced to adapt And not every single one of us is caught in the trap Like me… I chose to keep my hustle unique Getting money for my art wasn’t nothing to me In case you’re wondering what’s that have to do with this song Basically I made a living out of proving them wrong They said I wouldn’t be shit now they’re hearing me spit Pops said I couldn’t draw but he wasn’t right at all was he? Look what I’ve done with the little I’ve worked with Far from perfect but the struggle was all worth it HOOK V3 We fighting AIDS, liquor stores, crack addicted whores Absentee fathers, nicotine, bottles Of Hennessey, self hate and racism Crack cocaine and all sorts of laced izm Poverty even crooked ass police A shady government and did I mention no peace Illiteracy, war, gentrification And on top that constant humiliation Just to name a few but you can’t buckle or crumble Though it’s hella difficult overcoming our struggles But I’m living proof that it can be done And I’m still battling until victory’s won I’m as real As you and your issues are no different from mine Except I’ve found a forum where folks can listen to mine So when I’m spitting these rhymes motivate is what I try to do ‘Til the day I rest I do my best to inspire you HOOK Nothing can stop me Nothing can stop me Nothing can stop me Nothing can stop me [Steph] Nothing can stop me now REPEAT SACRIFICE HOOK Give It Up, Let it Go Keep it Moving, Move On REPEAT HOOK V1 I need a shower haven’t slept in 30 hours And before I hit save my computer losses power But I’ll do it over just to get a step closer To my dreams and get this boulder size chip off my shoulders I’m getting older trying to make it for my time pass Wishing I could stick a cork in that hour glass Jeopardizing my health to make my dollars stack Silently fronting while I’m wishing they would holla back I’m saying all of that better yet all of this Because you don’t make these kind of sacrifices just to quit So I welcome pressure like I can’t get enough of it Grit on all my doubters then I tell them all to suck a Dick Cheaney… now we’ve moved to the Bush Commutes a little farther but there’s music to push Life’s a little harder but you use it or shush No time for excuses, cause this dude isn’t pus! A survivor, dodged 2 shots one point blank Basically I’m everything that you toy’s ain’t A man does everything that a boy can’t That’s the way it’s been since the tender age of 10 When I took my pop’s seat at the head of the table Still sitting there just as head of my label Stayed strong for others when I barely was stable Found my true self getting buried in fables I sacrificed being hard for peace Though I know they both are apart of me That’s what I tell the seeds when they talk to me Get my point across like crucifixes and archery Too long I’ve been selfless time to be selfish Collect my respect for the dues I’ve paid And revaluate all the moves I’ve made Questioning what’s inside like its Tupac grave HOOK V2 Nothing in this life come easy ‘cept God given talent So when these hard times got a brother feeling violent I think about the sacrifices made That help me reach the point where I’m standing at today [KOOL HERC] HOOK
17.
18.

about

"Sacrifice" is the second full-length studio album by Maryland Hip Hop luminary and longtime QN5-affiliate/Extended Famm member, Substantial. The official follow up to the Nujabes-produced "...To This Union A Sun Was Born," Sacrifice showcases the remarkable growth and musical maturity that this soulful barritone has undergone. From braggadocio to introspection to classic party starters, it's all here. Tackling a wide range of topics from the inside out, Sacrifice features production by Kno (CunninLynguists), Tonedeff, Algorhythm & Burns, as well as guest vocals by fellow QN5 labelmates Extended Famm.

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released January 8, 2008

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Substantial Alexandria, Virginia

Virginia based International Hip Hop Recording Artist from Maryland.

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