"Slide Show"(feat. John Legend)
[Verse One: T.I.]
When I think about all my time and all my struggle
Through all my grinding and all my troubles
Man I came up from nothing, all I had was a hustle
with a blindfold trying to find pieces to the puzzle no muzzle
I tell it like it is, that's that
Right or wrong I'ma call it like I see it don't forget
That impossible is nothing your environments irrelavant
just don't let your emotions overpower your intelligence
Refuse to give up, your mistakes don't define you
they don't dictate where your headed they remind you
The Time keep ticking let your mind keep clicking
Never stop thinking be aware of your positions
Be aware of the collisions and the potholes sitting
on the road that you travel on your life long mission
just listen every day is like a snapshot taken
if you live you can learn to be patient
[Hook: John Legend]
Cuz life is like a slideshow
all the places that I go
and I the things that I know
through all the highs and low
Cuz life is like a slideshow
All things that I've seen
and all the things that I've dreamed
you can't take away from me
cuz life is like a slideshow
[Verse Two: T.I.]
As I look back at a fly young cat
who could rap with a dream look where I took that
Beginning on Bankhead then it spread out
vision in my head all I had to was get it out
when I walked out of my house and looked at my street
All I seen was opportunity that led me to truency
I ain't really have a role model to infleunce me
Uncle Quinn in prison they say next it's going be you in it
As I juvenile caught cases so fluently
Look at my life and learn from it don't do it
if I only knew back then what I know now
how much better life would of been if I'da slowed down
Maybe I'da been Kanye instead of seeing Gunplay
But God got a plan, I'll understand one day
But one day of life, like a snapshot taken
Just believe you can make it have faith be patient
[Hook]
[Legend singing]
Ohhhh, ohhh, ohhhhhh~!
Looking back on my lifetime
see the slides go by, sometimes I wonder why
looking back on where I've been
I remember when
do you remember then
The genre of this song is Hip Hop music. However, this song in particular differs from Hip Hops' usual features of hardcore lyrics, rythmic beats and great hooks. This song has a message. Not saying that other music in Hip Hop doesn't, but it's clear that Hip Hop portrays alot of negative things and not many positive things. This genre exists in urban African American homes. This music touches families from "ghetto" to "ghetto" all over America. This is our escape, when you have nothing else. Music like this in particular inspires the African American community to rise up and change, to think first before making stupid decisions. It is a song of that is full of HOPE and positivity. It shows T.I.'s growth as not only an artist, but as a real person. This song shows society's values, and then it also show's T.I.'s. It tells the story of his mistakes, and how he learned from them. It gives wise advice to young adults, the target audience for this song clearly. He is basically telling the youth and young adults that life's opprotunities are endless. It shows that no matter where you come from you can be successful and truly embrace all the great things that life and this world have to offer. For some little black boy or black girl who has the world telling them "they can't", this song says "you can" and to never let anyone overpower your intelligence. It tells you to never let your past define you. Anything is possible. This is one of the most inspirational Hip Hop songs I have ever heard. This song actually relates to another genre, inspirational music. No, it's not quite gospel, but for someone who doesn't believe in GOD or themselves, this song could be the influencing factor they need. T.I. geniously conveyed his message, he intelligently phrased inspirational lyrics that lift you off the ground literally. T.I. makes an emotional connection to the song because he is basically recalling his life through this song. He opens himself up to his fans, and tells them about his mistakes, but also inspires them with his growth. He is a leading example that your environment doesn't constrain you. He is living proof that everyone from undeveloped neighborhoods are not as "stupid" as they have been conveyed to the world ;) This song is a powerhouse around the concept of trust. It basically says if you trust in yourself, and stay true to YOU and on the right track, ANYTHING is possible and NOTHING can stop you. He looks back and recollects on life lessons and truly inspired me with this song.
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