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Rhodes to Rome

by Nomis

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1.
A Million and One: VERSE 1: If I had to count up my mistakes it’d be a million and one i’d have to admit, the dumb was almost brilliantly done I have to forget regret because the path that we get is either hazardous or becomes our Lazarus pit now I emerge the young man who wrote Sisyphus Atheist taught in God body while I’m basking in the dissonance Splashed, got a buzz then it passed (cause) As for my momentum, honestly I’m vastly the antithesis Like Onesimus, free’d from my bondage when I flee’d made clean, now proceed paying homage we're displaying promise in the rhyme and I don’t define morals, but (I) draw from a time thats primordial I’m primed to defy normal while I’m, still a mortal in his prime through a means that is Oral, which means I’m immortal fall short of divine, trying to love all of my enemies but its hard to be cordial when you’re maligned Lord knows how they treat us, publicly they used to beat us devised a new way to delete us its equally egregious from the moment we’re a fetus feed us Trappin’ or Rappin’ or go and buy you some Adidas the cycle is completed they’ve depleted our psyche teaching whites to not receive us, ‘less they see us in Nikes or a great suit, or on a stage either way its all the same entertain or give them something they relate to lets celebrate us, lets celebrate all parts of our cultures for every part of our life's pardon my mic, I’m blessed to live in a country with these freedoms but I only pledge allegiance to my God and my wife police your tribe with two rules, I’ve named them Barney and Phife Love God & Love people in this life police your tribe with two rules, I’ve named them Barney and Phife Love God & Love people in this life, A Million and One VERSE 2: It's been a minute that your boy has been pursuing this, Wanted to quit the game but never could go through with it, I was touring, met a million different stewardess' But now they're asking "who is this?", and questioning my stewardship When I was new to this, I would hit the stage excited, a backpack and hooded sweaters for days It was pure, just hyped to put them letters to page now I’m coming for heads, and rhyming with a veterans rage Big Nom has gotten better in spades a generation of fine wine cause yo we’ve gotten better with, yeah, we’ve gotten better with age, my sage rhetoric's a medic to confederate ways And every Rapper claiming they're woke now I'm asking, before Eric Garner was choked down Before they smoked Brown everything that y'all wrote down The relevance, how many of them bars could you quote now? I swear this isn’t getting me biter just encouraging artists, think on what you pick to deliver I’m in full support of anybody speaking for justice but consistency is key to get the people to trust us they tease in disgust, cause they don’t see the truth is coming in my reign, like Im caesar Augustus thats deep, how deep? deeper than Atlantis deep within the ocean, no thats deep beneath the planet you’ll never catch me popping a molly but, my ancestors got it popping in Mali also Togo, Ghana was so close the irony I’m Cali, my people seem to rally at Gold Coasts my brother Science from the Valley my Co-host I’m Gallery, tally up we proudly some locals knowledge comes when you acknowledge you don’t (know), thats Socrates This is for the ones who never rocked with me, Million and One
2.
Agape 04:46
AGAPE LYRICS: This empathy’s a funny thing, the love below, a love supreme I’ve read about this crazy love thats living FOR THE LOVE I used to love her, I was made to theres no other As for music every season is the same you know I do this FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) Its quite the embarrassment, for me to see the plight of Americans When in sight speaking Arabic (than) you’re a terrorist But whites who would carry sticks with rhetoric shared with Hitler are spared from the very list They wish on any immigrant who has shared their midst Man I would need a therapist, their affairs are fair but you bare a fist No one cares to listen to their position in this (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For reals to deepen a man we fathom, type of treatment I can't imagine So I’m meeting you with compassion when I do this FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) Its awfully awkward when a man wants to box you in They’re telling you to smile but they’ve never been a mile in your moccasins ‘Cause often men are then brought to sin mansplaining their doctrine When its automatic “spouse in the house” they’ve locked them in (LOVE LOVE LOVE) They followed a rotten trend and they thought that their women won’t stop them by hoping to not offend But God within died for you, set the example thats not pretend To deepen a man we fathom, type of treatment I can't imagine So I’m meeting you with compassion when I do this FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) Its very disheartening, that if you ain’t openly partnering with us blacks They label you “bigot” but facts would say you don’t see what your partner sees A part from being the product of a different scene, we ain’t different we run on consistent genes Just asking don’t listen in passing or do it indifferently Live to become the man you wish, if you disagree I won’t brand you as a “racist” Table the labels and open the manuscript (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For reals to deepen a man we fathom, type of treatment I can't imagine So I’m meeting you with compassion yo I do this FOR THE LOVE This empathy’s a funny thing, the love below, a love supreme I’ve read about this crazy love thats living FOR THE LOVE I used to love her, I was made to theres no other As for music every season is the same you know I do this FOR THE LOVE This empathy’s a funny thing, could you be loved, a love supreme I’ve read about this crazy love thats living FOR THE LOVE I used to love her, one love there is no other As for music every season is the same you know I do this FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) Its truly tiresome, to get profiled then have to decide “should I try to run?”, ‘cause I don’t know under his badge if he’s real or a violent one Priors? None. As he approached from behind my trunk inside I sunk I’m riding clean, his hands beside his gun (LOVE LOVE) Incited some despair now inside I’m done, the backup arrived they come and then box me in I’m scared that I’m leaving inside of one (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For reals to deepen a man we fathom, type of treatment you can't imagine, so please meet me with compassion when you see me FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) Its totally troubling, when your better half’s womb is bubbling, but the baby inside is struggling’ Have you ever received a burden that has never been seen or heard of? The most cleverest doctors nervous Have you ever pretended to be strong when your wifey just couldn’t keep on, cause the life created together they’re saying as quick as it came could be gone? To deepen a man we fathom, a treatment you can't imagine, so please meet me with compassion when you see me FOR THE LOVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For reals its vexing me, like a venomous message hexing me, I ain’t benefit yet from the work done thats upsetting me (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For years Ive kept this dream, when nobody would believe I bet on me, though I body every beat I bless it don’t reflect on streams (LOVE LOVE LOVE) For fear of wretched things, I grind in rhyme to death but find the checks don’t meet the needs I failed my wifey and my seed For reals to deepen a man we fathom, a treatment you can't imagine, so please meet me with compassion when you see me FOR THE LOVE This empathy’s a funny thing, the love below, a love supreme I’ve read about this crazy love thats living FOR THE LOVE I used to love her, I was made to theres no other As for music every season is the same you know I do this FOR THE LOVE This empathy’s a funny thing, could you be loved, a love supreme I’ve read about this crazy love thats living FOR THE LOVE I used to love her, one love there is no other As for music every season is the same you know I do this FOR THE LOVE
3.
Act of Love 05:11
ACT OF LOVE: CHORUS: I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing I can’t hold my love in Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing Talk a little, live the motto “Walk a little, give a lot of” Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out (2x) VERSE 1: This reminds of the Oceanside Pier on the 4th of July Before the drinks gone and the Cops role by This reminds of a drive in the heat of the sun rays on a Sunday With “Summertime” and “Luchini” on repeat This reminds of my young days, with tackle Football at the beach Riding waves, rockin’ a Wave Cap trying to keep my Rows neat Acting foolish, we’d walk the shore for ladies go and seek And no ones stepping to us, ‘cause me and my Bros deep This reminds of a cold sip on a warm night, where’d the day go? discussing Micro Brews from San Diego This reminds of them endless cyphers in the parking lot And when we say we Freestyle, that means its off the top, no premeditated Late night sessions with a potency ‘Cause I’m from North County, and we breed some dope eMCees This reminds of a drive in the heat of the sun rays on a Sunday “It was a Good Day”, “Back in the Days” both on repeat (not a kid anymore) This reminds of a backyard boogie and a BBQ You know you are my loved one if I’m back there trying to argue you This reminds of a group of Skaters tricking candid I watch they bring me joy even though they seem to never land it This reminds of a group of 50 standing up shore To watch their homie baptize, now 50’s in an uproar This reminds of a drive in the heat of the sun rays on a Sunday With “Summertime” and “Luchini” on repeat (This is it what) CHORUS: I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing I can’t hold my love in Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing Talk a little, live the motto “Walk a little, give a lot of” Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out Bridge: I let my feet speak truth to those who haven’t got a clue because one act of love is worth a thousand words I rap to you Yeah, a thousand words I rap to you One act of love is worth a thousand words I rap (2X) Poem: And I’ll be honest, us artists, we use so many words yet we say so little I aim to be the opposite, I know I met you by the ocean, but let me take you to a palace of stars Verse 2: Galaxy bars yo the black Sulu is back Who knew I’d be that next Rap Guru in fact You can google this cat I teach a love based on action, but often times I’m frugal with that Like the time I met a man with no shoes and tried to give him mine But next thing it blew my mind As he respectfully declined, ‘cause all he really wanted to get from me Is a way to pass the time and what I do know is that When he asked me, “aye yo you got a way to play this music? I’ve got a pair of headphones but aint no way to use it” Grabbed my iPod then thought, “he ‘gon probably loose it” “I’m sorry bro”, I left there feeling pseudo and whack He was homeless I approached with a nod, and a greeting out the norm I could’ve sworn it was God that planned the meeting Tried to give where he was lacking its odd, the man was needing I could see it I wonder if his noodles in tact Then it hit me, I should’ve just asked him I decided what he needed and intent determined action I left the man no better than we met, bet Just telling stories through this music like the Kubo of Rap Bridge: I let my feet speak truth to those who haven’t got a clue because one act of love is worth a thousand words I rap to you Yeah, a thousand words I rap to you One act of love is worth a thousand words I rap CHORUS: I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing I can’t hold my love in Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out I’ve got so much love inside My soul is buzzing Talk a little, live the motto “Walk a little, give a lot of” Now I gotta walk it Now I gotta walk it out
4.
yo i came up in this, rhyming on the school bus, we’d pull up/ (then) head to class, when schools up, Blackstar would school us / my teacher she never taught me ‘bout Mumia Jamal/ albeit was all that I could see or recall, ‘cause I was bleeding this call/ to be this leader with gall, to speak for black folks and the church alike/ that work could start, here just learn to work this mic/ a work of art, fear came with my following, symbiotically/ afraid my self expression would misconstrue my ideologies/ - apologies for deep seeded insecurities / its probably from these, peeps who killed whats pure in me/ That teacher irresponsibly she told me I’m a lost cause/ the thought of you falsely seeing me wrong, subconsciously I lock jaw’d/ True story, (that) starts before my families new glory/ bought a bigger house, but thats another tale, two stories/ Now I move forward in euphoria, loosed warrior, proof?/ renewed my mind, picked up the pen and slew four of you/ - Its Thomas Wayne meeting the Dark Knight, my son he made it/ Iron will, becoming tony stark like, when my chest is plated/ Went form show em god, to being Ill, to justice be the key/ A peace has been instilled when he revealed, I’m all three of these/ Divine bars of irony 3, is all deity / Full circle perspective, but the WHY’s got new scenery/ Identify with BDP, with Martin, Eric Dyson/ But its all overshadowed by the horizon/ THEORY OF SELF
5.
Siren Song 04:17
VERSE 1: In the modern time (space), they try and try, to redefine race redefine love, redefine God, if you say it enough than it's true is the mind state But truth doesn't change when belief does Stranded in Mars You would still be (earthling) Still needing (mercy) An Avion label on a bottle of Moscato You would still be thirsty -building a new road The materials hold us a healing Slowly revealing a new bulb I caught lightening in a bottle, but they don't know the feeling of true gold -oh that's too bold, and so the ceiling is too low But what I'm dealing is too cold Check my philosophy, Lost in the meeting of the minds John Locke is appealing to Rousseau Sucked in by the songs of the siren Shipwrecked in the arms of Poseidon I stereotypical black male I can't swim I'm at war with the stars but I can't Finn I’m gonna stand up and face them We all want a Lambo, and wanna be friends with Lando Till you land in his station You know your true friends When the ammo is facing your way but effects them from the powers that be, cause they hate what I say their direction a section church views me as a crazy leftist when I told of our plight yo they gave me exits Spoke of the broken, ears they are closing And pose like, nobody showed them Condemned by the world that the culture of church ain't diverse Then she claim me as hers but I'm nobody's token CHORUS: Viewed like I belong in asylum Song of the siren (2x) Those times yo I long for an island Song of the siren (2x) Chained by the limbs but i learned to grow With a name they condemn not affirm at home, in the vein of the Saints who were burned in Rome Song of the siren (2x)
6.
Foreshadow 01:08
7.
8.
Chapters 03:30
CHAPTERS: VERSE 1: “Last time was the last time” is what I said repeatedly and felt but the last time said the same when confiding in a friend when I said I needed help but from last time nothing changed, trying mind over matter man I’m never beating self when it hurts and its doomed for disaster my story aint done time to write a new chapter I had the whole thing figured out never again are the canning me I had a dream and a plan in me (execute) then I’ll be providing for my family Im grinding while they’re lying on a canopy the currency aint coming was I living in a fantasy? ‘cause planning aint providing what I plan to keep when it hurts and its doomed for disaster my story aint done time to write a new chapter he was verbally abusive, but for some reason you went back again and they were gunned down for being different in this land of the free, someone tell me hows this happening and she was run down for just being in his path, he was trappin’ now she’s trapped in Human Trafficking when it hurts and its doomed for disaster our story aint done time to write a new chapter Bridge: On and on and on and on, the beat goes (4x) Chorus: Mind the storms and find the refuge best believe the best is yet to come the saga continues (3x) rest in ease the stress will test you best believe the best is yet to come the saga continues (3x) Verse 2: the never ending story to enlightenment but the problem is we liken this to negativity so naturally we aint liking it well yeah its bad news but I’m saying, end of the tunnel has light in it we’re pouring on the clovers and the sedatives our story isn’t over though they said it is trapped in this head abyss i’ll get ahead of this tragedy I’m Oedipus competitive etiquette bet it gets the best of us you’re on the precipice of an exodus when it hurts and its doomed for disaster our story aint done time to write a new chapter and I know turning the page isn’t effortless buried in the lesson is a triumph when he’s testing us a narrative to save the death of us but spoke through song, because he set the precedent in Ephesus eliminate that negative that rest within the pessimist when it hurts and its doomed for disaster our story aint done time to write a new chapter Bridge: On and on and on and on, the beat goes (4x) Chorus: Mind the storms and find the refuge/ best believe the best is yet to come/ the saga continues (3x) rest in ease the stress will test you/ best believe the best is yet to come/ the saga continues (3x)
9.
Rhodes to Rome: VERSE 1: I was told Rome wasn’t built in a day work hard stay, stay humble, and everything you built gonna stay then away went the creative space thats essential then placed in a state existential I’m so dramatic but the reason, an artist like me then creates is we have to, this art is like breathing but dog I’m tired I tried to blame Karma, she a dog gone liar and honors attacked, Dr. King suffered, the same fate as Osama Bin Laden wheres the Karma in that? Big Pharma’s intact with an opioid crisis I believe in “cause & effect” so now I’m looking to my vices Rome wasn’t built in a day (3x) But for all who bleed through it, do all roads lead to it but on an odd night I saw light, looked in the mirror, and then remembered the reflection there is God like bearing the image of omnipotence the sentiment was there, but buried in the fear of tryna get the rent (Fear), that's the operative now isn't it Once I learned that, all the gray went away as if a prism lit Full color spectrum of infinity It all works for good, which directly effects my identity i've gotta find the lesson, (I'm working on it) For reals I've gotta find the lesson, (I'm working on it) Just another tale of the doubtful The lesson isn't if we fail, it's the tale of learning how to CHORUS: Rome wasn’t built in a day But for all who bleed through it, do all roads lead to it (4x) VERSE 2: today you took another L Well live in that, hell swim in that, dive deep immersed in the depths 'till your eyes meet Your revelation, disguised in betrayal and pain My teeth grit, then I eat what's been Then spit, but the gems I keep 'Cause "blessed is the one whose sin The Lord will never count against them"... IV Rome wasn’t built in a day (3x) But for all who bleed through it, do all roads lead to it when in speak, I'll truth you with no plan To "YouTube guru", or “5 step program” they lie cause they know the needs Of their followers, is to follow their steps with total ease to benefit masses, is A generous mask For you to see to make you believe they hold the keys And since we brought it up, I rebuke the falsehood That if you isn't popping now, then you ain't working hard enough forget that school of thought Ditch that pull to stop, knowing you can out spit that fool Let them drums knock at gutter shows, Ink dry and shutter close Vectorize or finalize that novel that you should've wrote Arose from the concrete another rose, Utter those words In another words believe in yourself Give an offering that's all of you, Put in the hours, works as hard at your craft as you do with your follow through Call a crew and build with your friends, not just to build follows and don't follow trends let them follow you Be inspired by dopeness, take license but theres a line dividing inspired and Mike Tyson Be inspired by your favorites but truthfully that line is what truly separates you from the greatest No guaranteed success in the traditional way but Rome wasn’t built in a day they told me that... CHORUS: Rome wasn’t built in a day But for all who bleed through it, do all roads lead to it (4x)
10.
My Two Sense 02:00
Verse 1: I feel my heart congeal and start to freeze/ I fear my heart will peel apart from me/ I feel it parked in these houses, how they treat spouses/ he was blasted across the street/ Im feeling at odds with friends I don’t often see/ Im feeling that y’all condone how the cops did Keith/ (“Nomis why you gotta preach?”)/ I see its cool for me to speak online but not on beats? WORD/ Im feeling at odds at church the Black Sheep Peer/ when folks get back from Pakistan, Iraq, they clap and cheer/ Yeah I’m glad you’re safe/ but I can’t blindly back the praise of actions made when back in action, when I’ve known your ratchet ways and how you acted here/ (But for reals though, Im glad you’re home safe), Attracting jeers for years/ They’re ravenous, came to battle us/ aim remain the catalyst/ estranged but strangely named the same/ Panic’d and drained/ at these inanimate manikins panning for fame/ I need a healing new hope ‘cause I’m feeling like Anakin/ Im feeling like Darth the Vader is haunting, Vader is taunting/ I gave my concerns then made a response/ They painted my “Nuts”/ I kicked the canvas down, your paint of me sucks/ Im tainted and came to erupt/ On the corrupt I bang/ while bumping Kurupt, they targeted us to hang and named it “War On Drugs”/ Verse 2: I’ve seen my path, I’m fighting natures call/ Ive seen the Graff the writings on the wall/ Ive seen them ALL scream and shout, how their team is stout/ I dreamed that route but forced to take the scenic/ I dream about my genius how/ A following brings them out, if I turned machine they’d say they seen it/ (Cyborg Terminator) NO, (so turn the fader) SLOW/ And sing this one my son I mean this/ ‘Cause you know the King will come before the Kingdom comes/ I saved the fetus, rise through him, MAKE WAY THE PHOENIX/ By the day my seed is hatched imma pray they catch they need this/ Shedding the fat and asking where the meat is/
11.
Heart Headed: Chorus: heavy is the head who wears the crown but ready is the head that never needed it the levees being fed and let us down it’s headed for your head you best believe in it Verse 1 (Sintax): The God of Abraham hard-hearted the Pharaoh cold  killer as he delivered the children of Israel let em go  skin shiver me to the soul  like the angel of death he's trying to neck with me bro  it's hair raising apparently so how arrogantly slow we narrow path go  like an arrow to that sparrow you got your eye on blow  we're broken all the way down to the ion node  I've actually seen the waters divide and land dry  hands high and the sun resist it's path in the sky  locust and the fly holy host with my own eye  deliverance personified in bronze to make alive  and guess what? I called it a lie I said the things I've seen were actually contrived  Cause we can see God and not see at the same time  I call it being legally heart and head blind  he speaks to us in seasons and mathematical primes  so you can feel the reason in the sublime  but we're so heart-headed too thick to resign  Lord God forgive the failings of our feelings and mind - heart headed Chorus: heavy is the head who wears the crown but ready is the head that never needed it the levees being fed and let us down it’s headed for your head you best believe in it Verse 2 (Nomis): this is where compassion meets intellect the Rastas fostered me as family, but also taught me Menelik long before I’ve been a vet, my listeners have benefit ‘cause making this more than just rhyming (yo) I’ve been adept in effect this, “this is bigger than hiphop” and I’m rendered ineffective when i forget yeah i’ll quote them, though its evident we don’t see eye to eye but I & I recalls a super power built on misguided dead presidents (DEEP) bars homie let it sink in speaking with the depth of a novelist, I’m 20,000 leagues up in the Nautilus everything could crumble but I've gotta risk it all 'cause my Agape is the way I show my God exists we can debate ’til we're blue in the face about how to erase poverty and guns in school I can't control the spending habits of the needy, but I know from when I'm reading it's our job to keep their stomachs full come up out your wallet run that A dollar won’t correct our loses, but it meets a need in the process (yeah) ’til it meets the greed of the bosses they’ll stay, apathetic but keep on feeding us “progress” and we don’t need a Colossus or Weather Witch (brain storm), find the one, leave the 99 where the flock is walk in one spirit, ‘til none fear it sons peer it young, so I start in front mirrors Bridge: I got one lyric pointed at your head for start the other one is pointed at your heart (2x) Chorus: heavy is the head who wears the crown but ready is the head that never needed it the levees being fed and let us down it’s headed for your head you best believe in it Can I teach peace can I (4X) Bridge: I got one lyric pointed at your head for start/ the other one is pointed at your heart/ (2x)

credits

released June 26, 2018

Written & Produced by Nomis
Scratches by Nomis
Live Bass by Jeff "Sly" Simon
"Act of Love" Co-Produced by Jordan Santana
Siren Song Produced by KDaGreat & Royce Music Group
Evolve Produced by Dylan Kidd

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