Can’t Stop ThisThe Roots

[Intro: Black Thought]
("Saved Message. Today at 5.47 PM")
Ayo, my man Jay Dee was a true hip hop artist
I can't explain the influence that his mind and ear have had on my band, myself and the careers of so many other artists
The most humble, modest, worthy and gifted beatmaker I've known
And definitely the best producer on the mic
Never without that signature smile and head bouncin' to the beat
Jay Dee had a passion for life and music, and will never be forgotten
He's a brother that was loved by me, and I love what he's done for us
And though I'm happy he's no longer in the pain he'd been
Recently feelin', I'm crushed by the pain of his absence The name's Dilla Dawg and I can only rep the real and raw
My man, Dilla, rest in peace

[moans]

[Samples]
"Ooh, but baby youuuu..."
("Who is it ... is it?")
"There comes a time...."

[Verse 1: Black Thought]
Last of the red hot hip-hop lovin' emcees
That came up on grits and government cheese
The only thing I ever really loved in my life, was a mic
Some of my niggas fell in love with MPs, come on
Work the bass, nigga, juggle them keys
I'm tryin'a get a piece of this government green
And smack 'em in the melon with another LP
C'mon, help a couple people in the struggle get free
We from the block, where people stay prepared to rock
And it's hard, cause opportunity be scared to knock
And mo' people in the hood found dead from cops
Than guns that drop, that sprayed off random shots
But whatcha know good, people say they in the hood fo' good
You ain't a prisoner, the world got mo' to it
Sky's the limit, it don't take but a minute
Don't fear for your people, nigga, my hood, yo hood
Yeah... we did it

[Hook]
I know in these tryin' times it feels confusin'
That's why I can't tell y'all to dance to the music
Unless, we face it first and try not to lose it
Even if it gets worse, they can't stop this (stop this)

[Verse 2: Black Thought]
Can't Stop This, I want my peoples to rock this
Bang this music in your speakers and boxes
Langston Hughes is about as a deep as my thoughts is
Sit back and I'mma paint you a portrait
Disgust can make you think that you've lost it
This shit can have you exhausted
Just, picture the planet and imagine it's yours, kid
Don't ever let nobody knock you outta your orbit
I never seen a bridge we couldn't shuffle across it
We got a lotta people livin' a life, that's pure trivia
Real hip hop, and they tryna get rid of ya
Can't have that, because here come, the city of Philly
Put an end to all the trivia really
Where I'm walkin' everybody ain't pretty or friendly
It's work, my whole life, they ain't give me a penny
Comin' up between a rock and a hard, watchin' for God
People hip hopping with no option at all
Yo... it's how it's goin' down

[Hook]
I know in these tryin' times it feels confusin'
That's why I can't tell y'all to dance to the music
Unless, we face it first and try not to lose it
Even if it gets worse, they can't stop this (stop this)

[Verse 3: Black Thought]
We ripping hearts to pieces, part of rap's a special sound
The robe's long enough to be considered a gown
Thought's brim is sharp enough to be considered a crown
When the plate come, take some, pass it around
It's the last of the hip hop lovin' emcees
In front of an audience that never been pleased
I'm comin' from all the streets that never been cleaned
And speakin' for any face that never been seen
This debonair style of my words is high-calibre
Speakin' my mind for every day that's on the calendar
Cause I done been quiet, about as long as I can handle it
Walked a mile in these boots that I'm standin' in
Mellow soul brother with his lyrical dean on
The stages I'm seen on, mic I fiend on
When a song full of soul, that's when it mean more
I never hesitate to give a shoulder to lean on, yo
Check it out, man

[Hook]
I know in these tryin' times it feels confusin'
That's why I can't tell y'all to dance to the music
Unless, we face it first and try not to lose it
Even if it gets worse, they can't stop this (stop this)

[A series of people pay tribute to J Dilla to fade]