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Ambition

by Gradient

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1.
[Verse 1:] I’m not gonna, not gonna, not gonna wait For the beat to hit before I can spit ‘Cause I’ve waited my entire life for this Writin’ this felt nice, it did, but it feels better to be recitin’ this I exist in life to try and fly as high as I can get Strive to just inspire minds of guys who might be likin’ it I liken it to a medicine Kill pain like Vicodin Rap game didn’t wanna let us in But it’ll get a lot better once I get in I got a mic and a pen and I might go and Go psycho quite like Michael did Or I might just write flows honestly When I’m on the beat that’s what my goal is So I must confess to feeling blessed that you are hearing this My only goal in rap is to reflect on my experience I testify that weirder kids can best the finest lyricists I step farther than stepfathers of Potter, yeah I’m Sirius Deliriously spitting sicker than a myriad Of punks and I can punctuate a line without a period I spit it correct and stay calm on the beat Like I’m Thom the grammar officer, comma police OK, computer saying I should stop the dated references Optimize my album quality with data sets and shit Nah, I say the things I wanna say, my weapon is The authenticity that’s often missin’ when they’re reppin’ shit [Chopped vocal sample:] …Rainy day, rainy day, rainy day [Verse 2:] 140 days a year it rains in my hometown I’m grateful every day that I was raised in my hometown Eugene, Oregon, a little insane and far from the humdrum Hope you don’t get bored but I wanna explain about where I come from Constant cloudy climate, say goodbye to your dumb umbrella ‘Cause daily showers here are not a conundrum I’m from, pizza drivers too high to deliver And I’m from pickin’ blackberries on the side of the river And I’m from often being asked real politely by a guy on the street If I’ll provide a dollar so he and his wife get to eat Unspoken poverty, got a lot of folks not ownin’ property But I don’t wanna focus on showin’ awful things There’s a lot that growin’ taught to me People want that dough monopoly But don’t want the battle, the burns and scars Shout-out to my family ‘cause they Showed me the value of workin’ hard In the backyard past the sunset Dad made us work ‘til we ask are we done yet Mom workin’ every night to feed us food And my sis taught me to succeed in school Clouds overhead but it’s okay Never be afraid of a rainy day Just seek that goal that you have before you ‘Cause nobody’s gonna grab it for you [Chopped vocal sample] [Poem: Halah Mohammed] When no one else will for you Will, for you, thunder claps A shower of praises 'til you crack A blue sky missing sun Storm Whether or not they see you Wet faces with your rainy day words You strike pain And never let up The will to will for you Whatever they won’t
2.
[Crowd noise intro:] And now, ladies and gentlemen… It. Ain’t. Nothin’. [Verse 1:] Yo I am a locksmith warlock, escaped from your box To make the floor rock and take the whole spot So great, the flow’s hot. They hate? They know not I came to go in when flowin’ so insanely fast How my brain reacts, when I lay the track I lay these wack rappers down like a pillow with some feathers in it I come clever with it, they be gettin’ hella faded, I’m about to elevate it Magnanimous animals when we handle calamities Bilingual like a camera’s manual Spit raw shizz while I’m wearin’ galoshes, I’m awesome, make you feel noxious, caustic I ain’t goin’ quietly when I have flows inside of me And you have notoriety for having no variety With piety you try to see as high as me to spy on me My rhymes are lookin’ better every year like Hermione [Chorus] Yeah, and I’ll be spittin’ a bit So kick your feet up and keep up and listen to this The historian who’s claimin’ all the glory As an Oriental boy up in Oregon, I’m born to tell a story and It ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’ Rhymes blow minds but yo It ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’ (it ain’t nothin’) ‘Cause I do this every day, yeah [Verse 2] I’ll back down from no challenge, the flow’s silenced By no Schmoe when folks know he’s got no talent You gotta know talent, so recognize I’ve been wreckin’ rhymes Since the frickin’ Mayans were inventing science I been on that. I’m bombastic, and I’ll brag Teach a long class, I’m beyond swag I be on that bomb rap, that go-and-tell-your-mom rap Go-and-show-your-grandma-the-song rap Sincerity and clarity are balanced with an air of arrogance But I’m talented and I’m sharin’ it I’m wearin’ it from the skin of my feet to my hair Other kids bearin’ only minimum pieces of flair Keep it classy like a nice dinner And I’m new school like the Weitz Center I’m just livin’ in the shadow of my college friends So here’s a shout-out to acknowledge them What’s up, Carleton? [Chorus] [Verse 3] I’m a venomous lyricist and the anger is back Here to set a superior set of standards to rap I’m a giant; you could even stand in my lap When I’m rhymin’ you can see that your hand’s gonna clap So in time, when the hits stop and they’ve made the very best hip-hop This is the advancement of that Not sayin’ I’m better than every veteran ‘Cause I’m indebted to them but I’m clever and Ever since gettin’ a mic I’ve been makin’ em dance to the track Let’s go [Modified chorus outro] Yeah, and I’ll be spittin’ a bit So kick your feet up and keep up and listen to this The historian who’s claimin’ all the glory As an Oriental boy up in Oregon, I’m born to tell a story and It ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’ Rhymes blow minds When I’m in it to win it I’m gonna finish the bidness Sinners gettin’ diminished, it’s like Dennis the Menace The sultan, you’d be so dim to insult him He’ll give you a cold grin, so Minnesotan It ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’ Rhymes blow minds With the timin’ impeccable, I’m inclined to go wreck a fool With the volume in decibels, but all you just better know that It ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’, it ain’t nothin’ Rhymes blow minds With precision, the pan’s sizzlin’ The kid with a damn vision I’m honored that fans listen So welcome to Ambition Shout-out to Ellis Johnston Odar, this beat is crazy
3.
[Verse 1: Ogar Burl] It’s the team from your dreams and you’ll see what I mean It’s the theme, as the steam builds up it seems to scream Kettle on the flame, we don’t settle for the lame Set ‘em up, we knock ‘em down It’s not the same when we’re done See it’s fun but I’m serious And if you’re feelin’ this you’re getting’ lifted like my spirit is You hearin’ this? If not then pay attention I’m benchin’ a thousand pounds of funk without flinchin’ It’s a cinch and I wouldn’t have it any other way My conversations rhyme; I’ve been trainin’ every day There’s no wastin’ time because we’re down to the last minute So gimme the beat and I’ma try to be fast with it I’m past gimmicks, over the shenanigans My eyes are closed, I’m focused and I’m feelin’ like a fan again The state of hip-hop is sad but we’re savin’ it Odar, Sammy, Ogar, Ev and Gradient [Verse 2: Gradient] So is it too much to ask, that if you call yourself a rhymer You try and supply a meaningful line from time to time ‘Cause there’s an overwhelming amount of these underwhelming emcees Who follow where the trends be, it honestly offends me They often ask “Dude, how’d I sound? Did you like the show?” Yeah, I liked the part where you put down the microphone You see, I lost interest in your flows ‘cause all you say is “Yo, I got bitches and some hoes” Oh whoa, this dude has messages and talented rhymes It’s not like I’ve heard that sexist shit a thousand times Act tough but you’re so not vicious That growl in your voice; have some throat lozenges With complicated rhythms I can shock your faded vision They often pay admission just to watch the way we’re rippin’ I’ve been kickin’ flows since I was kickin’ in my mother’s womb When you’re onstage I’d rather listen in the other room [Chorus] Yeah we just wanna let you know You are now tuned into the spectacle We rock stages and wreck the flow It’s amazin’, it’s called the spectacle [Verse 3: E.Ville] You’ve been vetoed, finito, you suck more than mosquitos Talkin’ about how you got money, but you’ve never seen a C note Everything you do illegal, actin’ like you’re big as Beatles But unto a little leaguer as I am the Great Bambino I’m Pig Pen filthy, Latino amigos they say “Este gringo es pinche cochino!” Career run cold? Well that’s a bummer I’m hotter than 27 sweaters in the summer So I’m shittin’ on your writtens ‘cause they’re cuter than kittens You’re not convincin’ when you’re fibbin’ that you’re swimming in women ‘Cause I don’t get a dick about the tits you grip, whips you flip Bet you bought your kicks with a Groupon coupon Dude, I’m the Pooh like Winnie, bruh Make a guttural sound if you feel me (ungh!) When a punk jumps up to fuck with Chuck Brown They’re a bank on Memorial Day: shut down [Verse 4: Sammy Warm Hands] Giving you the runaround, potty mouth Listening to Guttermouth and Body Count So underground that I’m rotting out But I’ve got an affinity for obliterating any emcees in a given vicinity Reducing the little shits to Kibbles ‘n Bits You and this music didn’t mix, like Skittles and Ritz I’ll turn your ego to emo like slitting a wrist Yeah, who shot Mr. Burns? Who got pissed and turned the mic into a weapon to exacerbate depression? Abusing music for therapy under scrutiny’s terribly harder But only going farther, I’d suck a dick just to fuck with my homophobic father Wait – I’m getting déjà vu Gradient’s resurrecting features like Ra’s al Ghul I guess Odar, Ecid, Task, Ogar, Guante and E.Ville have all signed on for the sequel!
4.
[Verse 1: Gradient] Y’all rappin’ clowns that are rappin’ now better Consider immediate retirement Can’t make it in the rap school when There’s a writing and reading requirement Ain’t found that wordplay, or rhymin’ ability? Try and acquire it Y’all sound like Earth Day Recycling lyrics, save the environment But I turn off the cruise control and I roll like drivin’ manual cars But I can outrap you on a bicycle too Don’t you know that I can handlebars? Yup Tell me that I need to rehearse? I consider that libel I don’t think you could get any worse when y’all Couldn’t spit a verse if you were chokin’ on the bible So consider this an Exodus from your rap career The Revelation’s next and it’s Not lookin’ good for you So bow down and respect my new testament Thou shalt not kill this shit I’m the only murderer, man you know me Motherfucker, you’re not tight You flop like Manu Ginobili My rhyme’s like Kryptonite So don’t pick the fight when I grip the mic I’m steady kickin’ it, burnin’ it, put your shit in a tourniquet Then I make a blackout like I flicked the light Got nothin’ on me like nudity This rappin’ shit’s not new to me I’m stackin’ bread, not gluten free, so What the fuck you gonna do to me? [Chorus] It’s elevator music, yeah that’s elevator music All these rappers online sound like elevator music It’s elevator music, yeah that’s that elevator music Y’all are boring all the time like elevator music [Verse 2: Acumental] I got witch hunters in Burkittsville Big numbers and a urge to kill Bump 30 milligram Percocets To the dirty version of Purple Hills Find Ac on the blacktop in a red coat like Cliffjumper A piff puffer like Chris Tucker Chug whiskey then skip supper Let’s go over the basics We’re dope and nobody hates us Vocal homeostasis So all the homies go ape ish Your tape gets played in elevators while I’m playin’ Sold out shows at Reggie’s next to Record Breakers Catch me later [Terminal Knowledge] What it be? What it is? Nobody gets me at all Throwing shit at the wall (splat!) Just to see if it sticks Puffin’ tree in the whip, roamin’ the streets Keep that weed smoking aroma He don’t even know what it mean like mesothelioma Iconoclastic squadron Finna max the profits I got some narcotics stashed in my pockets And a wad of cash in my sock Just keep calm, be nonchalant Commandant and phenomenon Sleep in a coffin, call me the Count Reach in your pockets all the way down Bottom line: if you fuck with our clique, I’m not surprised Who wouldn’t? You pushin’ a large abundance of redundant garbage And the problem lies behind your plot to economize As opposed to open your chakras wide A conscious mind is not a crime Stone Age philosophies fossilized [Chorus] [Verse 3: Gradient] So when I pick up the mic I’mma use it well And I’mma think of a rhyme I can truly tell Is gonna shake up the status quo in this hip-hop shit And now you’re knowin’ that when I spit I’m itchin’ to get in a position To show a coward that I can brawl Fire Emblem the entire section I’m overpowered like Ike in Brawl I smash flows, then I play a little game of Super Smash Bros. Unmatchable and I lack foes ‘Cause everybody’s too afraid to attack, bro! So I tell a hater, like Gary Oak, “I’ll smell ya later” Risin’ up and I’m excellin’ greater When I’m ridin’ up in my elevator And I’m out
5.
[Verse 1] Man, I’ve exhausted my confidence all in this authorship Hip-hop is just often provocative But if I can just pause with the pompousness I’ll admit that I’m flawed with some awkwardness Can’t stop it, I’m not Biggie or Pac But more of big flop when I’m talkin’, and often it’s When I’m with a girl that I’m attracted to All my words and my thoughts get caught in the esophagus Since middle school, constantly ridiculed Confidence miniscule, I’d commonly been a fool And honestly I’ve always been fallin’ For these girls, man I often go all in Saw when you approached me in the hallway It all changed, and the way you smiled didn’t hit me in a small way All day I would think about you Thought would ruin me to ever be without you, how true [Chorus: Isabelle Rivers-McCue] We tried to keep it going But it was all beyond control It all fell apart so fast But I would not change the past I wanna thank you [Verse 2] When we dated I was so infatuated with those eyes I left my old self at the roadside I was so blind, never did I wanna say goodbye So I became a man I didn’t even recognize Hypnotized, I was thinkin’ I could sacrifice everything Satisfy your every need, happy we’d forever be But it was unsettling as hell When we admitted we had reached codependency You said it seems wrong for us to constantly be settling Belittling our own goals, forgetting our other friends Eventually you had to go and sever things It was incredibly hard for you But you wanted better things for me It was a selfless act I didn’t think so at the time because I felt attacked But looking back I appreciate you helping me And I really wish I had the chance just to tell you that But maybe some day [Chorus] [Post-chorus] I wanna thank you; from you I learned to stay true I know the things you taught me I keep them with me every day Though I had to let you go I just wanted you to know I wanna thank you [Verse 3] So I’m just sayin’ through the failures and tribulations You’ll prevail with a bit of patience As a child I was frustrated I was a weird kid who never had a real relationship So I was filled with some anxiousness And when I found someone great to relate with I gave up faith in who I was So if ever you find someone stay true, it helps And don’t fall so hard that you lose yourself That’s all I’m sayin’
6.
[Verse 1 (A-H): Gradient] Alright, I’m alphabetically attacking any actors Authentic assonance is always what I’m after Bragging bodaciously, battling bastards Need balance? Better buy a bigger bundle of bannisters Caucasian canister of conquered colonies I’ll calmly copy Carlin for the cold-hearted comedy Diligently dominate dingy daft dentists But didn’t dare daydream of dissing DeGeneres Ellen is elementarily elevating elephants Every edge ending even and eloquent Forging fan fiction for federal fantasies Fourty-fourth president facing forced fallacies Going green gallantly, with gratitude gone Gradient getting grimy, grabbing glue guns Holding hospitals for hostage and hiding bright hues Happily hyping up the highest truth and writing haikus Bet you can’t follow that Whatcha got, Brian? [Verse 2 (I-P): Brian Steveson] I imitate, I idolize, infiltrate with idle eyes Investigate ideas my inspired mind has improvised Jazzin up the jingle, just jaunty like I’m Jabberjaw Jungle juice, jokin’, Jack’s jumpin’ like in Jagger’s song Kickin’ your keister through your khakis, kid’s keepin’ it cocky Kinda kinky, kill ‘em with kindness, (vroom vroom!) Kawasaki Levitated Lincoln Logs, left for lunch lickety-split Locked and loaded limbo game, lost by a little bit Mighty Morphin movie major, merry melodic Mexican Meticulously mustering music is my method, man Narcissistic novelties, never the noblest nut you knew Neo-noir, near and far, Nutcracker’s Netflix queue Operating ocarina, onomatopoetic ogre Oozing oldies out the orifice till it’s over Part of the problem, I panic and ponder, caught in a pickle, life is plain But I pick up the pace, pack the punch, prepare myself and push the pain Aww, puns! I could have said puns! That’s like my thing! Hey Thomas, can I try that again? [Verse 3 (Q-Z): Gradient] Questioning the quantified, qualified to quake Quirky queens quarrel on a quest to quaternate Rushed like I’m Romo, riding Rivers like Cuomo Rhyming rhetorical ready to rage, read it on Reddit and rocked the race Stop the stage, somebody’s sinning and socked a sage, steadily spitting A similar syllable selling a salmon and salad until she swapped and saved Twenty-two terrible teenagers trampling a tote Takin’ a timid approach to eating tons of Texas toast A unicorn’s uniform is usually untestable Veterinarian vetting a vermin to verily eat your vegetables Vulpix, Will-o-Wisp, wordy with a willingness To work the wickedest walkway and watch you waive your will to this Xenophobic xylitol Xerox the xylophone… Xenon… uhh… I don’t know They used to yell “yuck!” Now they’re yelling, “Yay! You win!” Zeroed in, I’m zany in the zone, you can zoom in
7.
AEON 03:22
[Verse 1] I put raw spitters in hospitals Make war and it’s not civil Nah, they say I’m fruity Watch this star burst when I got Skittles Taste the rainbow and make the flame grow I hate the fake and don’t say the same flow Keep the bass low and make a name When I turn a phrase like a vertebrae ‘Cause I’m back It’s a big disaster for the pricks and bastards I pick the crass words and spit ‘em faster You can hear it when it’s mixed and mastered So easily This game I’m controlling I’m not on Molly (Weasley) J.K. Rolling. Wanna spaz on a track when the savage is back That ravenous rap? I’m the master of that Don’t act like I never told you So bad that I’m good like Birdemic and Troll 2 Show me what you’re gon’ do Stay cheesy like fondue But I’ll placate the fun kids When I make hasty couplets Then say lazy dumb shit So fuck your assumptions Square in my roots Like logarithmic functions Just quoting the facts And I know that you’re wack You’re alive but you’re dead like Schrödinger’s cat Yo, when I’m ripe you can bite me, like a vegetable I might be slightly intellectual I’ll stick ‘em with an IV, medically gonna inject ‘em With a chemical, they’re so ineffectual My etiquette is energetic hit ‘em with a better bit of Elegant and effortless lyrics, whoa But never would I wanna let a little bit of arrogance Ever effect what you’re hearin’ yo On a song I’m rude But when I’m home then I’m often cool And I still love you enough to hug you to death Up at Carleton too, chicka chicka chick Gradient Creationists say I’m eloquent with rhyme clearly It’s 'cause my music proves intelligent design theory [Chorus] Awesome eclectic and often neglected Wrong kid to mess with, rockin’ the best shit Your awful inflections are causin’ a head spin Cost me some meds when I bought some Excedrin Awesome eclectic and often neglected Raw with the message, lost in perspective They all disrespect this, stop and accept it Awesome eclectic and often neglected [Verse 2] Killin’ the beat is my philosophy I’m awfully close to a product of Watsky, Kant, Tupac and Socrates Commonly stompin’ these boring commoners, I’ll hop on a raw beat And make a war monger out of Mahatma Ghandi And steal all your fans who were At the show to see you rappin’, now they’re absent like Bueller I take you as seriously as a comic sans humor And see through your shit like a hologram sewer I’m annoyed by the wack rap often Yappin’ in the trap crap then I put you back in a coffin Didn’t anybody ever wanna hear you rap since Back when the Ducks played in the Pac 10 You’ll never see me in a sports car But they chant “Ay ay ay!” like they’re reading my report card Y’all rappin’ ‘bout hogwash, fellas My lyrics paint a picture makin’ Bob Ross jealous Started from the bottom now I’m Hiura, still a peon But beyond a fleeting phase, rockin’ for an aeon I write punches that hit harder than right punches Destroy the track then take my mom out for a nice luncheon You could never be a cunning street linguist My grandma raps better and she doesn’t speak English I’m running these lyrics that elicit death I’m the reverse of what you thought like cough syrup made from crystal meth Yo, I gotta catch a breath But when I’m shakin’ up the game, I’ll erase you Etch A Sketch
8.
Wax: "This is Wax. This message is for Gradient, AKA Tom Hiura... you're a mark-ass, trick-ass, just fuckin' weakling of a human being. And if I ever saw you in real life, I would dump beer on your head, and fuckin' knee you in the fuckin' groin. That's what I would do. 'Cause that's how you deserve to be kicked. Brian Steveson: "Kick Thomas in the nutsack!" Wax: "Right in the fuckin' groin. I wouldn't even waste my fist on your face, I'd just fuckin' knee you right in the groin..."
9.
Gradient is back for you rap cats and I’m makin’ scratches At the game, never been the same, finna light a flame with a book of matches I’m a disaster when I rap casually, I’m a problem so mathematically It’s a fact that I’m irrational like three point one four one of y’all to say that I’m quite wack? Well the way that I’d strike back is to say “That’s just like, your opinion, man,” but I’m like Shaq ‘Cause I just don’t do go away, even if you’ve had quite enough of me I’mma be an individual, ‘cause there’s never gonna be another me Life is a classroom, it just depends on your outlook I’ll be in the front row with five pencils and a notebook ‘Cause I’m so hooked on absorbing every little bit of knowledge that I can Knowledge plus wisdom is power in your hands And I wanna get my hands quite full, tryna be a better human being ‘Cause I got a lotta opportunities a lotta people never seen A lotta people got dreams but spend too much time wishin’ Hard work is a virtue, make your dreams come to fruition ‘Cause their ain’t no tuition at the university of Wikipedia You could spend an hour on there and learn a lot more than the media Will report in a whole week ‘Cause their audience is all sheep I’m talking ‘bout cable news, man, ‘cause a lot of us are asleep And it’s not just Fox News, man, it’s also MSNBC Anyone to try to put me in a box, never been a friend to me I’m more clever than the enemy, so they’re never gonna get at me And they better be on Ketamine, if they ever think I’mma let it be We can do better than this, y’all, just think independently You don’t have to pretend to be anything less than you wanna be When I’m on the beat, and I’m droppin’ heat I’m an animal, like a wallaby, like I ought to be This is how I say I don’t quite fit the dichotomy We live in a false economy and eat each other up, like piranha be But I’mma be different ‘cause I wanna feed, I don’t wanna eat And I’m gonna be very proud of me, and you’re gonna wish you never doubted me Whoa, sorry for that rant, y’all, I just really had to get that outta me
10.
Content advisory: This song begins by discussing communication and conflict resolution challenges in a society which privileges dominant masculine voices at the expense of true gender equality. Non-graphic references to sexual assault and victim-blaming are included. [Verse 1: Gradient] The hardest realization that I’ve faced in all my years Came when patiently gazing upon her face and fallen tears I felt my world end, she knew not what to say to me I became aware my girlfriend was afraid of me It all started when we had our first argument Swallowing her thoughts, she’s afraid to claim agency And I’d never try to harm her but she’d always hide her trauma ‘Cause in times of drama I didn’t make her feel safe with me To gain her faith in me there’s nothing I could say to her When she was emulating what had always been displayed to her Played the roles perfectly, way before we ever dated It’s a shame that we perpetuate the things we’re inundated with When I was young they taught me, “Take what’s yours. Dominate with force. Don’t hesitate, just do it. Quit acting like a girl, man, display your masculinity.” Fuck the way you’re pinning me; I’ll claim my own identity [Chorus] One, my nerves flash Two, I heard that Try to blame the victim but nobody deserves that Let’s acknowledge this From neighborhoods to colleges Take responsibility ‘cause this affects all of us One is one too many Two is far more We can’t ignore a problem when it’s pounding our door [Chorus ending 1] I’m enraged at the state of this Patriarchal relationship Ashamed that I’ve perpetuated it [Verse 2: Guante] The hardest realization that I’ve faced in my life Is I’m a part of a system that isn’t one that I like And it’s not as easy as just peacin’ out of prime time TV Or even speakin’ our minds against these lies like Unplugging the WiFi doesn’t stop the signal like Bein’ a nice guy doesn’t mean she owes you a nice time That sense of entitlement’s so toxic And it’s past time we lost it I don’t believe in nice guys, good guys, heroes or allies I only believe in actions In fact every interaction we have is an opportunity To deconstruct the tongue we’ve been taught to speak fluently Yo, because it’s not the stranger in the bushes It’s the boyfriend, the girlfriend, the best friend It doesn’t take a villain to be a bystander And it doesn’t take a hero to put this to an end like [Chorus] [Chorus ending 2] We complacently claim that we’re not who’s to blame But you can’t be neutral when you’re on a moving train [Verse 3: Gradient] Every second, every minute, man I swear that she been livin’ In a world where women have to constantly be vigilant The privilege that I’m given isn’t equally distributed And if I don’t resist then to the problem I’ve contributed I’m not saying that men are never victims We got some issues too but you should check on the statistics I’m not surprised that one in five women are affected ‘Cause I’ve heard the way my fellow guys talk to each other about sex Like it’s a prize to be won; “Yeah, she wants it” As if it’s what you do to her, and not something that’s mutual And how we make excuses, I see why it’s scary Cause often she reports the crime and people wanna ask what she was wearing “She’s gotta give it up if you provide her with commodities, just buy her some jewelry, ‘cause women like property” They say I’m sensitive and that’s a womanlike property I say we need to stop treating women like property [Chorus] [Chorus ending 3] It’s so toxic, it happens so commonly But we need to stop treating women like property
11.
[Verse 1] Do you believe in god? Ehh, you must be stupid Influencing the youth with a truthless movement No holy conviction, all stories and fiction And there’s nothing you can do to prove it See I’m, sick and tired of these Christian conservatives Reveling in ignorance and never really learning shit Their problematic behavior is verily extensive The fact that they exist is inherently offensive They’re all racist homophobes, I can’t stand it I’m demandin’ that we send them all to another planet Why anybody one voted for Romney is beyond me The GOP is comedy, killin’ our economy And I’mma be real with you, I’m done with manners These redneck fucks with their guns and banners Man I know they’re all trash, they think the same way Yeah I’ve never really spoken to any of ‘em but hey it’s all [Chorus: Ecid] Context combat I’m next on that Gotta correct the man standing with the wrong facts You would too if you read the right history Steady sayin’ “fuck you” if you disagree Put your left or your right hand in the air with me Do the follower’s therapy Don’t you wanna be like everybody else? I just wanna be like everybody else [Verse 2] You don’t believe in God? Wow, you must be stupid You’re buyin’ the lies from these scientists and consumed but But just try and decide from lookin’ high in the sky If he’s divine and benign You’ll see just what the truth is The proof is right here, he saved us, just look You say faith is wrong but have faith in your textbooks Did you actually perform that experiment? Or are you just believing the source from which you’re hearing it I get joy from liberals when I piss ‘em off Blast Tim McGraw and hit a skinny indie rock fan with a cinder block ‘Cause I’m so fuckin’ manly I’ll kick ‘em in their gametes, then they won’t need Plan B I hate people that I don’t even know But that’s the world we’re livin’ in, so you know how it goes I’m over it though; it’s through this lens that I need to see Fuck fact-checking ‘cause my friends all agree with me It’s middle school mentality My cultural context defines my reality Dehumanize the enemy; it helps in the war These blanket statements keep me sheltered and warm in this [Chorus] [Outro] Don’t you wanna be like everybody else? I just wanna be like everybody else
12.
[Verse 1: TASK1ne] (DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, after TASK1ne's frequent plagiarism was publicly exposed, I discovered that a handful of Task's punchlines on this song were bitten off of Jarren Benton songs.) Yo. T.A.S.K. Spit flames like it’s kerosene While y’all hang around like David Carradine So fly like I came with a pair of wings Take the hottest chick to a Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen?) I’m very clean My brain isn’t where it seems It’s in fertilizer turn a cypher to a scary scene Go hard when I slaughter rappers then I’m autographing all their coffins after I suggest all of y’all should back up Out of this world I got a call from NASA Causing laughter It’s not an option Banging chicks older than Dolly Parton Eat a rapper like it’s Olive Garden But here’s just something you gotta pardon A wack verse makes me act worse So eat a dick like it’s bratwurst I’ll put a mothafucka in the grass, dirt Or a black hurst when I attack first So don’t you throw your life away Nothing else you can try to say Your whole camp could just die today, brains fried like I stuck it in a microwave I’m high today but no purple in my lungs Run up on a nigga with the Terminator gun Killing all these features like I’m murdering for fun And I lost a lotta weight but these verses weigh a ton Raaaawrrrrr Sac-town alien Nothing else y’all can say to him Boy I’ll bust you right in your cranium and I play to win with Gradient [Chorus] We’re shuttin’ shit down We're gonna merc ‘em in a minute with the automatic flow They’re wonderin’ how They didn’t think we could do it but we let ‘em all know The fun is in town Eugene to Northfield to Sacramento Travel the map, attackin’ the rap, when it happens you know it ain't accidental We’re shuttin’ shit down We're gonna merc ‘em in a minute with the automatic flow They’re wonderin’ how They didn’t think we could do it but we let ‘em all know The fun is in town Wicked the way that we bust And we’re comin’ for the crown And you can’t take it from us [Verse 2: Gradient] Whoa, this some kinda phenomenon I’mma need a bowl of ramen I’m just feelin’ hungry and the beat is lunch So I’m eatin’ up this song I’m on You can’t fuck with Task and him You throwin’ parties, we’re crashin’ them This beat is bananas and we just need our potassium I plan to ravage any average rapper while my tracks I burn Savagely attack emcees then have ‘em file my tax return Yeah I said it Got no loans and I got good credit But I went broke to make this album I don’t care about income, I care about outcome You’re in the middle like Malcolm While I’m line dancin’ with Bryan Cranston But I might just make him mad Like Walter White from Breaking Bad Bring the heat like there’s no tomorrow You can’t beat us so you follow Me and Task1ne are two leaders like a soda bottle So just wallow in your hopelessness, I’m focusin’ I’m knowin’ that my flow is sick, I’m hopin’ that you don’t exist ‘Cause they’re mistaken if they think there’s something they can do Biblically killin’ ‘em ‘cause I Cain And I’m Abel too [Chorus]
13.
[Intro] No matter what’ll happen I’mma swing for the fences [Verse 1: Masetti] I never was the one to focus on the salary I'd rather be the one you come to when in actuality Reality is somewhere that I never thought I’d make it So I practiced, made it perfect, now I'm going back to basics Basically this used to be the place to be, I would hate to leave Sitting on the bench while chewing gum and waiting patiently Minutes turned to hours, hours turned into a race to be The best that I could be, this music league and where it's taking me Pacing back and forth and lately I don't see the problem With being up to bat with bases loaded at the bottom Of the ninth inning, mind spinning, thinking and I’m plotting And this voice is telling me to leave the competition rotting Gradient, he told focus on the game and I believe him I bet that’s why I'm getting better season after season All the people hatin’, I don't really need ‘em at all Watching from the crowd screamin’ I'mma leave ‘em in awe Get up brush myself off keep my eyes on the ball And swing and let the world have it as my problems dissolve [Chorus: Masetti] I’m looking as far as I can see But thoughts of the future, they keep stressing me Like where did the day go, and if I will stay low Or will I find the treasure at the end of the rainbow It’s all perspective and in my mind I try to respect it but I can’t find The meaning of all of it seems so pretentious But I can take the bench or I can swing for the fences [Post-chorus] No matter what’ll happen I’mma run ‘til the day I die And if you’re looking for me you can find me in the sky [Verse 2: The Jokerr] Look, I'm tryna be remembered in history as a rhyming legend A methodological prodigy, I'm obliged to refine my methods I've come to discover I've been entrusted with a message To bring to the blind a timeless and divine vestige To bring hope to a generation of truth-seekers And take the focus off the jewelry and the new sneakers To bring the most important issues to the forefront And knock the wind outta you naysayers like a core punch Before, once, I was struck with a hunch That life was more than sippin' Jalousie and puffin' the blunts 'Til I was hit with the conviction I should bring it to the masses With my black size 13 aimin' for asses And straight started kickin' like a buck wild stallion They sent me off alone and now I'm comin' back with thousands Espousing to bring light to billions of lives And keep it live while we aimin' for the sky [Chorus & post-chorus] [Verse 3: Gradient] I think we all got our sights on a path to fulfillment We’re filled with the might to reignite the filament Inside that had flickered and died, feelin’ sick and deprived Tryna rekindle the fire we felt as children And still I feel a call that’s instilled in us all It’s the will just to always be building, exploring Ignoring the crowd of the loudest of doubters In order to vow to go do what we’re proud of I didn’t believe I would ever be able to spit on a beat And be makin’ a crowd jump Never was thinkin’ of doin’ it seriously Now I’m makin’ an album And how come I was paralyzed with insecurity Now my rap heroes hear my rhymes and wanna work with me From Ireland to Berkeley the passion develops ‘Cause now I’m catchin’ attention from international fellas When I rap I’mma drop something poignant in your speakers ‘Cause now I call the shots like I’m pointing at the bleachers With Jokerr and Masetti on the features [Post-chorus]
14.
[Verse 1] I thank my father for the person that I am today He and my mama gave me everything I have today He came to every single game so I was glad to play Cheering for every stolen base and every basket made And if you’re askin’ me, he really has some brains Mom fell in love with that, and his handsome face When I asked him any question he would answer me I’d hang on every single word that he had to say Man I had to be just like my dad ‘cause hey He was the biggest rock star for a man his age So he got me a guitar and an amp to play And my love affair with music all began this way So I’m channeling his passion when I fan the flames It’s his love burning in me when I command the stage Can’t tell you how many times I catch myself saying “Man, that sounds like something that my dad would say” [Chorus] Because you’re all that I know And in all that I do I’m grateful for every single thing we’ve gone through Yeah it’s all true And this song’s for you [Verse 2] I was always the annoying little brother In my sister’s room playing with her toys when I was younger It was boisterous and fun but it was so beyond hard To get away with stealing all her Pokémon cards I don’t know why we’d argue; I was fantastic I even did her the kind favor of eating all her ChapStick And I remember almost needing a hospital Visit when I stuck her favorite bead in my nostril We made golf courses out of VHS cassettes Hit her head on the wall when she was rockin’ out to Elvis Made up a game Near & Far And flung each other ‘round the room, you can see the scars Still, in spite of the odds though it all ended up great And she just graduated from the toughest college in the state And during times I miss her, I’m admiring pictures Thinkin’ I couldn’t have a more inspiring sister [Chorus] [Post-chorus] And I’ll carry this name with me always Livin’ life in the way that they taught me So don’t thank me for anything that I have done ‘Cause it’s my family that made me who I’ve become [Bridge] And even though we didn’t have a lotta capital And even though we’re kind of incompatible Too much awesomeness for one house to hold I’m never lost ‘cause I’ve got you all and I know [Verse 3] That I’m never gonna break down I meant it when I said that I got everything okay now I wanna see what could ever cause harm to me When I got my mom with me Honestly, no one compares on this Earth Now I gotta slow it down so she can hear every word Mom When we moved from Japan to America You had to be scared but you handled it very well And when plans fell apart you were there for us, cared for us That’s just a part of your character Watashi no nihongo wa jyozu jyanai kedo Boku mama tottemo daisuki dayo So whether it’s Nihon or the American Republic I’ll never be ashamed to hold your hand in public [Chorus + post-chorus] x2
15.
Watsky: "Hey!" Gradient: "Sup George?" Watsky: "Thomas, my friend!" Thomas: "Thank you so much, man. You made my day." Watsky: "I love how hard you rock out, man." Thomas: "It was awesome." Watsky: "Thank you. This is Watsky, you my friend are listening to Gradient; prepare to have your earholes pleasured... by Ambition. Enjoy."
16.
Ambition 08:00
[Verse 1] Nate Kiz gonna scratch wax because that cat’s the man While I’mma blast tracks in a hatchback sedan Gotta backpack full of raps that’s within And man I feel like I can do anything Yo, people wanna see you throw in the towel They stopped listening before you even show ‘em a vowel They’re mad when they see that you been doing it well, but It’s all because they couldn’t do it themselves, They’re lookin’ foolish as hell… outta the way, haters They’re full of horse shit so I call ‘em naysayers They won’t be able block your dedication Whether it’s rockin’ stadiums or Autzen Stadium Don’t stop when chasin’ it, if it’s often rainin’ You just shake off the pain and keep walkin’ each day I can honestly say that it’s kinda cliché But with some dedication you can have anything [Chorus] And it’s alright now If you never back down, whoa When it’s tough keep makin’ the best of it Keep pushin’ through the pain and the stress Be anybody, anything, everything you wanna be But you have to believe, oh Keep movin’, don’t give it up on that vision ‘Cause you can do it with enough ambition [Verse 2] I was 11 when I heard the Marshall Mathers LP I had the edited version but I remember explicitly He was spittin’ wicked similes that blew my mind I was thinkin’ maybe I could do it sometime But when I threw some rhymes down with the pen and a pad It was never the cleverest stuff that Em and them had I was wack, I thought that I’d forever be bad So I ended that dream and I never went back ‘Til I had to do an art project for the Odyssey, sophomore year But I couldn’t draw a thing So I wrote a rap and the classroom applauded me And honestly, it felt unbelievable Call it Pearl Jam, baby, I’m Alive and can Even Flow And even though I’m white, I respect this art form I’m not from the place of the pain and strife But I believe in hip-hop ‘cause it changed my life [Chorus] [Verse 3] This is for single mothers tryna search for employment For military soldiers on their third deployment For the schoolgirl that the popular haters avoided Now she operates at the hospital replacing organs For success after massive rejection For sixth-graders running in their classroom elections For those who have had some depression For same-sex couples who no longer have to mask their affection For dedicated teachers who shape education For college dropouts bumpin’ Late Registration The family who just paid their home loan, barely The trans girl undergoing hormone therapy The young coach bringing hope to the youth For any fans of my music, the old and the new For any broke 20-something who don’t know what to do For anybody feelin’ this, I wrote it for you! [Chorus] x2 Higher (feat. Exit 69 A Capella) [Verse 1] I got a lot of people who been doubtin’ me But I’m back in the game and you’re ‘bout to see my shine Never lackin’ the flame, gonna rap ‘Til I get ‘em in the balcony when I rhyme I’m droppin’ the hot shit, hop in the mosh pit Often obnoxious, not with an off switch You can’t turn me off I’m comin’ for the crown that I’m worthy of Turn me up and let’s elevate And get high as hell ‘cause I’m hella great People at my shows say “That was dope” ‘Cause I’m ahead of the curve like an asymptote Lay back, G Like Burgundy, stay classy That young talent? Hey, that’s me And y’all old sport, Jay Gatsby Newsworthy, you heard the station Gonna get ‘em in a minute with the verbal blazin’ Rip the bong, that’s percolation I rip the verse with no perforation Precipitation, get an umbrella Like Jay-Z when I Roc-A-Fella We can even do it in a capella Gradient and Exit, we’ll take you [Chorus] Higher, higher than you’ve ever been See things you never thought You thought would never exist Higher, higher than you’ve ever been Where we go we won’t fall, we’ll stay there ‘Cause there’s a place (a place) With no walls (no walls) It’s been ages (it’s been ages) Since we’ve gone (since we’ve gone) Get away (away) So long (so long) Levitate, higher than you’ve ever been Higher [Verse 2] Now I’m blastin’ off 3-2-1 like an astronaut Half Neil Armstrong, half Asher Roth And if you joke about me, I’mma laugh it off In my rhyme book, I have it all Not a cook book ‘cause I’m rappin’ raw Up in the air when I perform Like Michael Jordan playin’ basketball Haters stick like glue and Velcro But do I care what they’re doin’? Hell no It’s sick shit when my mixes get me green like blue and yellow Hello, I’m on top of this shit ‘Til death I’ll be droppin’ this shit Often wishin’ that the opposition Would stop and listen and rock to this shit But they don’t really hear me though And they don’t really wanna hear the weird kid flow Not quite like ScHoolboy Q But I’m a schoolboy too, and I’m lyrical Hop on a beat, no crew can ignore us Not from the streets, I grew from the forest And I hope I don’t screw up the chorus Yeah [Chorus] [Bridge] Higher (Higher than you’ve ever been) Higher (Higher) Higher (Higher than you’ve ever been) Higher [Verse 3] Okay, let’s rise to a higher state of consciousness Anyone can talk about their awesomeness And I said a lot of ways that I’m the best But I didn’t always have confidence Back in the day, I was feelin’ low And what had happened, it ain’t quite ethereal But it came along, and it made me strong And I’m rappin’ today, it’s a miracle Had the stress but I trounced that Had depression, I bounced back Thinkin’ I was never gonna get a benefit without a better medicine But I found rap And I’m proud that I’m still here after Half-Japanese queer rapper Not quite what you saw before But when I recite, I’ll leave your jaw on the floor What do you expect when you see me? You’re thinkin’ it’s a blessing to be me? Like I’ve never been a mess, or been tested With no strife and my life is easy? We all got challenges and imbalances But if you’re down to listen then now's the lesson: You can be the best And if you’re feelin’ down I’ll take you higher

about

Check out my music video for It Ain't Nothin'!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynMCuVtG7eM

My debut studio album, written and produced entirely by my friends and I.

credits

released August 22, 2014

Album art and design by Ken Schiller
Engineering, mixing, and mastering by Sammy Warm Hands
Executive produced by Odar & Sammy Warm Hands

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Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.

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Gradient Eugene, Oregon

Newest video!!
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