The Roots: Quills

Remarks:

This is from their 2002 album “Phrenology”. It never charted.

The other morning it was playing while I was waking up. This line jumped out at me:

Hella thought known as the cure for cancer

Only I heard it this way:

HeLa thought known as the cure for cancer

Because the day before I saw this in my dictionary:

HeLa cells – pl.  n. human epithelial cells of a strain maintained in tissue culture since 1951 and used in research, especially in virology.

– ORIGIN: 1950s: from the name of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical carcinoma provided the original cells.

Here is Henrietta Lacks:

Lyrics:

Yeah uhh uhh uhh

Don’t stop tonight
(uhh don’t stop yo)
(cheeba cheeba yo soul shock yo hah)
You know it’s [incomprehensible] day yeah
(give it everything you got yo)
(once again it’s time it’s time)
It’s time to ride
(it’s time to ride ride ride)

Yo piss in the staircase blood on the pavement
I fill the quills with it let it spill on the pages
Compose another anthem for the killers and manglers
Villains and wranglers fifth still in the chamber

Shit i’m scientific but my reflex’s gangsta
Pull outrageous arms from the floor of the basement
Then bust ’nuff talons if my people’s in danger
I’m larry davis duckin’ helicopter hoverin’ government agents

We muscle the language what we spit
Will leave your shit in utter amazement
I’m hot brolic call it contagious the shit the roots started
Got these other artists going through changes

My vision is the strangest the rhythm is anguish
Y’all niggaz on the titty in your formative stages
Is something in the iris and the way i spit
That tell these other crab rappers i ain’t fo’ no shit

Black traumatic so there you have it
My battin’ average abort full of graphic assault it’s all classic
Though put ass backwards rappers in a small package
Experience is all that is i’m well established

Me and the mic in holy matrimony like a marriage
The technique in your reach if only you could have it
For me it’s automatic it’s natural i’m mad thorough
Poet for hired pack metal you feel me?

Don’t stop tonight
(uhh don’t stop yo)
(cheeba cheeba yo soul shock yo hah)
You know it’s [incomprehensible] day yeah
(give it everything you got yo)
(once again it’s time it’s time)
It’s time to ride
(it’s time to ride ride ride)

Yo the load heavy we walk around a little edgy
All ready and steady withdrawal like darryl strawberry it figures
Niggaz mad from them ghetto sandwiches and swine
Cryin’ hard times disadvantageous man listen

The story in the ghetto the same
Seem like it’s just some things that never will change
Give birth to a style and won’t give it a name
Talk ’bout consciousness it’s a different thing

Envision again the honorable ‘riq general hannibal speak
The understandable diabolique animal style
Out of your dreams kids you’re proud that you’ve seen this
Fifth supreme linguist a lyrical genius

Inject you with the broke down english
The most freshest and cleanest three g’s guess what the fame is?
Kareem beat’s makin’ me fiendish
Don’t act shaky and squeamish if you real make me believe it nigga

Don’t stop tonight
(uhh don’t stop yo)
(cheeba cheeba yo soul shock yo)
You know it’s [incomprehensible] day yeah
(c’mon give it everything you got yo)
(once again it’s time it’s time)
It’s time to ride
(it’s time to ride ride ride)

Yo the rebel che guevara you felt another date
You better don’t copped off create it just saved your cheddar
I hit the studio with a pen and a vendetta
Sippin’ an ice cold beck huffin’ the tenth letter

Driftin’ shots lickin’ while the plot thickens
Sands in the hourglass thinnin’ the last inning
The flash and the cash and the fast women
It’s nothing a lust for a crab keep the passion in it

Blow kissin’ my tablet with firing pins
Poke holes in the plastic for oxygen
Mcs jumpin’ out shoes and socks again
Must have seen their face in the news it’s gots to been

Hella thought known as the cure for cancer
Same corrupt city as mumia the panther
Man to man hammer cocked blocked and standoff
Bang gunfire slang up in the dance hall

Yo i hold the mic that could be thrown as a pipe bomb
Bring it just to sling it at your favorite icon
Think about my music is it ain’t shit like y’all?
Though diesel like a twenty-eight inch python

You know what i was sayin’?
When i’m on the mic there won’t be no delayin’

Don’t stop tonight
(uhh don’t stop yo)
(cheeba cheeba yo soul shock yo)
You know it’s [incomprehensible] day yeah
(c’mon give it everything you got yo)
(once again it’s time it’s time)
It’s time to ride
(it’s time to ride ride ride)