[Nas]
There comes a day in your life when you wanna kick back
Straw hat on the porch when you're old perhaps
Wanna gather your thoughts, have a cold one
Brag, to your grandkids about how life is golden
So I will light a cigar in the corridor of the crib
Pictures on the wall of all the things that I did
All the money and fame,
8 by 10's
of the whole Rat Pack inside of a big frame
Collidin' with big names that could've made your career stop
All that, and your man is still here and I'm still hot
Wow, I need a moment y'all
See I almost felt a tear drop
[Chorus]
When was the last time you heard a real anthem
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme
Never on schedule, but always on time
[Chrisette Michelle]
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me, truly this is what made me
Break me, not a thing's gonna break me [2x]
Ohh, I'm that history I'm that block
I'm that lifestyle I'm that spot
I'm that kid by the number spot
That's my past that made me hot
Here's my lifelong anthem
Can't forget about you
(Can't forget about, Can't forget about you) [2x]
[Nas]
Can't forget about the old school, Bam, Cas, Melle Mel, Flash
Rocksteady spinnin on they back
Can't forget when the first rap Grammy went to Jazzy, Fresh Prince
Fat Boys broke up, rap hasn't been the same since
So irregular, how it messed you up
when Mr. T became a wrestler
Can't forget about Jordan's retirement
The shot Robert Horry hit to win the game in the finals kid
Some things are forever, some things are not
It's the things we remember that gave the world shock
They stay in a place in your mind so snug
Like who the person was with whom you first make love
When was the last time you heard a real anthem
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme
Never on schedule, but always on time
[Chrisette Michelle]
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me, truly this is what made me
Break me, not a thing's gonna break me [2x]
Ohh, I'm that history I'm that block
I'm that lifestyle I'm that spot
I'm that kid by the number spot
That's my past that made me hot
Here's my lifelong anthem
Can't forget about you
(Can't forget about, Can't forget about you) [2x]
[Nas]
Unforgettable, un-submittable, I go by N now
Just one syllable, it's the end cause the game's tired
It's the same vibe, Good Times had right after James died
That's why the gangsta rhymers ain't inspired
Heinous crimes help record sales more than creative lines
And I don't wanna keep bringing up the greater times
But I'm a dreamer nostalgic with the state of mind
The past the past enough of it, aight then
But nothing gives me chills like Douglas and Tyson
Or Mike when his talk was live
Or when he first did the moon walk on Motown 25
When was the last time you heard a real anthem
Nas, the millionaire, the mansion
When was the last time you heard your boy Nas rhyme
Never on schedule, but always on time
[Chrisette Michelle]
These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me, truly this is what made me
Break me, not a thing's gonna break me [2x]
Ohh, I'm that history I'm that block
I'm that lifestyle I'm that spot
I'm that kid by the number spot
That's my past that made me hot
Here's my lifelong anthem
Can't forget about you
(Can't forget about, Can't forget about you) [2x]
[Nat King Cole sample]
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
- "Can't Forget About You" – Nas featuring Chrisette Michelle
I have been described by several of my friends and acquaintances as an old soul on more than one occasion, and it's never been a description that I have tried to avoid. I make no apologies about my dislike for a great deal of today's music, media, and with several things that are considered acceptable in today's culture. Maybe I should have grown up in the 50s and 60s, because lately I've been feeling like almost everything that's going on is just plain garbage… until last night.
Most native ATLiens are aware of and have attended at least one FunkJazzKafe event. This past Saturday, FunkJazz came back after a 2 year hiatus. I admittedly left the last event in 2005 upset and almost wanting my $25 back. I honestly thought the event that I came to look forward to about 4 times a year had run out of gas. All good things must come to an end right? From 1997-2000, it was pretty much a given that on Thursday night, you'd find me at the Yin Yang Café just a bit north of the Varsity. My heart was broken when they closed down. Apache Café is a decent venue, but that same feeling you used to get from Yin Yang just isn't there anymore.
This past Saturday was indeed a blast from the past for me – walking into the Tabernacle for the first time in 2 years was an exciting moment for me. Seeing the artists creating beautiful painting on the spot in the hallway – the Poetry suite on the 3rd floor with the band – just the good vibe was exhilarating. People stopping to let you walk by – people apologizing for merely brushing against you… just an great feeling that I understand has to be somewhat controlled, but it's a shame that we just can't be like this all the time anymore. The event wasn't without the surprise guests either – Angie Stone, Dead Prez, Bonecrusher, and Dawn from EnVogue each made an appearance and rocked the house. It was yet another incredible experience and I'm once again a fan. After all, a bad FunkJazz still beats the best night in a club in Atlanta.
As a side note – this Chrisette Michelle is off the chain… once you get over hearing the one song that the radio is running into the ground the rest of the CD is indeed one for the collections, as that is something that is hard to get me to say these days.
