Classic Verse: Black Star’s “Respiration” (Video & Lyrics)

I know, I know, we already did a Black Star track (see "Definition"), but "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star" is a classic album, so there shouldn't be any doubt that it contains more than one classic track. In fact, "Respiration" is not just one of my favorite tracks ever, it may just be my favorite track ever. Period. Goddamn I miss Mos Def rhyming like this.

Lyrics are below the video:

"The new moon rode high in the crown of the metropolis
Shinin, like who on top of this?
People was tusslin, arguin and bustlin
Gangstaz of gotham hardcore hustlin
I'm wrestlin with words and ideas
My ears is pricked, seekin what will transmit
The scribes can apply to transcript, yo
This ain't no time where the usual is suitable
Tonight alive, let's describe the inscrutable
The indisputable, we New York the narcotic
Strength in metal and fiber optics
Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips
For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets
Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin class watches
Skyscrapers is collosus, the cost of living
Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options
No batman and robin, can't tell between
The cops and the robbers, they both partners, they all heartless
With no conscience, back streets stay darkened
Where unbeliever hearts stay hardened
My eagle talons stay sharpened, like city lights stay throbbin
You either make a way or stay sobbin, the shiny apple
Is bruised but sweet and if you choose to eat
You could lose your teeth, many crews retreat
Nightly news repeat, who got shot down and locked down
Spotlight to savages, nasdaq averages
My narrative, rose to explain this existance
Amidst the harbor lights which remain in the distance

And I obviously know it's not a verse, but as long as we're here there's no f**king way I"m not including one of the best choruses of all time. (Cue Kanye. Oh all-time!)

"So much on my mind that I can't recline
Blastin holes in the night til she bled sunshine
Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine
Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline
Heard the bass ride out like an ancient mating call
I can't take it y'all, I can feel the city breathin
Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening
Sigh before we die like the last train leaving"

It should go without saying that Kweli and Common also drop verses that rank among the greats, but do you understand how fucking impossibly dope that Mos verse is? Do you? If there's ever been a more poetically dark description of New York City, I've never heard it. I mean, "Strength in metal and fiber optics / Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips / For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets / Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin class watches." Are you motherfucking kidding me with that!? I'm sorry for all the swearing (no I'm not) but this is how excited I get about hip-hop when its at its best. We all have that song that truly made us love hip-hop, and "Respiration" is one of mine. How about you?