NINJAH: REGGAE ASSASSINS (2013) 

Epic Fail

 Head ringing a new day's begun

And the blinding sun is public enemy number one

And when I try to recollect from the night before

I realize we're standing on a different floor

In a different house on a different street

Take a second, think, rinse, wash, repeat

I can't gather my thoughts the night's a mystery

The memories are risky and there’s casualty

Then I reach into my pocket for my cellular phone

But it's missing and it seems it took my wallet along

Walk up to a pay phone and I call collect

Phone up my baby girl, and she won't accept

And the operator said she had some words for me

But they're a four-letter combo that she can't repeat

I don't know what to think I don't know what to say

But then I think it's gonna be one hell of a day

In a hell of a week, in a hell of a life

Spend my days solving problems that I made in the night

But I cannot complain I've come to see

I am my own worst enemy

Then that's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

It's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

I'm fishing for the memories, but it's catch and release

Like a jigsaw puzzle that is missing a piece

Bruises on my body that I can't explain

And a headache that feels like I got a vice on my brain

Ain't no time to reflect I got work at eight

It's a four mile walk and I'm already late

Alone with my thoughts I am forced to reflect

On the night that resembles some movie train wreck

Past four forty minutes I arrived at the spot

And a couple squad cars parked out in the lot

Look around to see what earned the call of the law

I see my '98 Accord in the building store wall

I quietly tried to make an escape

See my boss seeing me point fingers my way

I don't know what to think I don't know what to say

But then I think it's gonna be one hell of a day

In a hell of a week, in a hell of a life

Spend my days solving problems that I made in the night

But I cannot complain I've come to see

I am my own worst enemy

Then that's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

It's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

Then that's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

It's an epic fail no matter how I spin it

Epic fail from ending to beginning

One step forward, two steps back

On a one way track, as a matter of fact

*

Pocket of Ones

Everything I am is like nothing that I planned

Unconventional existence, steadily refuse assistance

Passionate in my persistence, realize I got all the symptoms

Of a dreamer who's been left in vain

But I will not complain.

Because I'm living free, no confirmation

Chasing dreams with no hesitation

I took the risk, it's clearly labeled

There's no fun in living stable

One more year and I'll run the table

I'm on the grind until I am able

To look back in retrospect

With no hint of regret

I got a pocket of ones, a bottle of Jack

You know I'm headed south and I ain't coming back

Leave a message for me at the tone

I'll see you when I see you if I make it home...yeah

Oh oh yeah yeah na na na na na na yeahhh

Treading water isn't good enough

I can barely keep my head above

A quarter century already spent

In a state of self-inflicted discontent

But I got no remorse and I can't repent

I'll be damned if I don’t circumvent

Shadows that have been cast

By men who've walked this path

I got a pocket of ones, a bottle of Jack

You know I'm headed south and I ain't coming back

Leave a message for me at the tone

I'll see you when I see you if I make it home...yeah

Oh oh  Yeah yeah na na na na na na yeahhh

*

 Morning After

Morning after waking up to see

That she's lying in bed right next to me

With a empty bottle of C&C

And oh my God what a night of debauchery

There's a thin line between haste and action

A thin line between obsession and passion

But I walk the line and ain't no time to waste

Emotionally driven I got a dream to chase

But nobody ever said you gotta walk it alone

Every man deserves a pretty girl at home

With the love that she supplies, we share the highs and lows

You look into her eyes, she just smiles and it shows

You get weak knees when she comes around

And you can’t speak free cause of how you think it sounds

Butterflies creeping up into your chest

And the whiskey logic has you thinking you should confess

But there's a thin line between haste and action

So just sit back and enjoy the chain reaction

You can't force a moment, can't create the divine

If you wait patiently, it's something you find

Because it's morning after waking up to see

That she's lying in bed right next to me

With a empty bottle of C&C

And oh my God what a night of debauchery

There was a bottle of wine, a case of beer

90 minutes flat we made it disappear

We had a couple of laughs she had a look in her eye

Had a couple thoughts as to the reason why

It was summer time, we were living in ease

On an overcast night with an under blown breeze

There ain’t never been a site quite as pretty to me

As a brown eyed flower child drinking straight whiskey

There was liquid courage running through my veins

And we went bar to bar, running through the rain

The kind of love drives a man insane

An oasis of bliss amongst a desert of pain

But there's a thin line between haste and action

And now I'm crossing lines in search of satisfaction

Truth of the matter, it's as simple as this

Happiness can't exist until you take a little risk

Yeahhhhhhhhh yeah....

Last call, the destroyer of dreams

We were making a scene they had to ask us to leave

So we took it past what we once conceived

With a moon lit walk along an empty street

She looked at me with a close lipped smile

Said she's not going home tonight

My reply, quite simply put

Will you still love me in mornings light?

Morning after waking up to see

That she's lying in bed right next to me

With a empty bottle of C&C

And oh my God what a night of debauchery

*

One Foot

When I was 16, full of dreams and cum

Completely dedicated to the act of getting some

I formed a plan in my head, devious in nature

Shooting fish in a barrel, using dynamite to make sure

The plan succeeds we had a big ass bag of weed

A trip to the liquor store took care of everything we need

Bullet proof plan for the night was in store

Empty house is an opportunity you can't ignore

Rookie mistake but it seemed a good idea at the time

Negative outcome never even came across my mind

Chose to ignore the advice that had been given to me

Given the chance son, I'd do it all again you best believe

Cause I put one foot in front of the other

As I walk away from mistakes I made

There's no point in reminiscing over all your bad decisions

Because they are the most fun to make

I put one foot in front of the other

As I walk away from mistakes I made

There's no point in reminiscing over all your bad decisions

Because they are the most fun to make

So we told a couple friends who told a couple more

Pretty soon there was a tidal wave crashing through the door

Natural disaster that had carnage in its path

Immeasurable damage but let's try to do the math

There was a blender in the toilet, a couch out in the yard

A coffee maker missing and a violated car

Woe is me please forgive the ignorance of youth

A bad idea, granted... I required proof

Rookie mistake but it seemed a good idea at the time

Negative outcome never even came across my mind

Chose to ignore the advice that had been given to me

Given the chance son, I'd do it all again you best believe

Cause I put one foot in front of the other

As I walk away from mistakes I made

There's no point in reminiscing over all your bad decisions

Because they are the most fun to make

I put one foot in front of the other

As I walk away from mistakes I made

There's no point in reminiscing over all your bad decisions

Because they are the most fun to make

Story ends but we made it out alive

Seems that hardships turn into good stories with time

Summer spent cleaning houses in the heat

Rookie mistake, one that I'd gladly repeat

*

Grind

Well the nicotine and caffeine it’s like morphine to my mind

And I’m feeling on that tequila putting it back to pass the time

I’ve got no reason in my life

I got a plethora of rhymes

My feet are pounding on the ground to the sound of keeping it on the grind

Dawns cracking and my my feet are smacking

On the pavement as I step into the light

The shade of my eyes and I got my 40 in my hand

I’m trying to balance out the feeling of last night

People think I’m crazy and I’m not one to disagree

But if crazy is how I’m living

I’m gonna live my life vicariously

Because I found a million bottles

I plan to drink them unit l there gone

If you want to join me you can find me when I’m done with this song

Cause I’m back, I’m back, on the Grind

Getting work in, I’m hitting up some overtime

Yeah e Yeah e Yeah e Yeah

I’ve got money

I’ve got Money on my mind

Brings me back, back on the grind

I got a quarter in my pocket

I ain't talking about no change

Some people find that kind of deviant

But I just don’t think it’s all that strange

Because 4 o’clock is here

20 minutes until our daily holiday

Keenan and I are going celebrate and

I think we all agree there is only one way

And now I’m back, I’m back, on the Grind

Getting work in, I’m hitting up some overtime

Yeah e Yeah e Yeah e Yeah

I’ve got money

I’ve got Money on my mind

Brings me back, back on the grind

Ba ba

Well the money, the cash, whatever you want to call it

It’s a necessary evil of the world that we are all in

Ya the Benjamin’s, the lute, whatever you want to call it

It’s a necessary evil of the world that we are all in

Cuz otherwise I’d play guitar all day

Unfortunately I have got bills to pay

Otherwise I would get high all day

But unfortunately I have got bills to pay

So…..

I get that work in everyday

It brings me back, right back to the grind

Getting work in, I’m hitting up some overtime

Yeah e Yeah e Yeah e Yeah

I’ve got money

I’ve got Money on my mind

It brings me back, back on the grind

* 

Free Taste

un deux trois quatre

Fake hair, fake nails, always dressed to impress

10,000 dollar smile, but the cause is suspect

Looking for mister right but all he is is mister right now

He said he could entertain her an hour if she'll allow it

She accepts his request, now he’s watching her undress

Nibblin on his neck, running fingers down his chest

Passion in the air and whiskey in their veins

They got no concern for ruin once hormones take the reins

Silver tongue foxy sayin' she's one of a kind

20 minutes in the sheets brings a new frame of mind

And now they're talking about love and the life they're gonna share

While he's thinking about exits and the cost of cab fare

Sayin hold up a second girl, that wasn't in the deal

I enjoyed the free taste, I ain't orderin the meal

I ain't trying to be rude, hope you understand

We can be lovers, I ain't gonna be your man

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow

She's droppin all the right lines for the all the wrong reasons

Mischief in her eyes she stays steadily teasing

Treason, she's clearly a train wreck

But his body is vetoing his head's well deserved objections

Questions, speculate to her intent

Analyzing every single move she's made and what they meant

Verdict in, she a bonafide basket case

But he's always been a sucker for a pretty face

So throwin caution to the wind he starts moving in

Shorty's so eager to sin demands they begin

Hook, line, and sinker she’s the apple of his eye

He offers her the moon while she offers this reply

Hold up a second boy that wasn't in the deal

I enjoyed the free taste but I ain't ordering the meal

I ain’t trying to be rude, hope you understand

We can be lovers but I ain’t looking for a man

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow

It's disaster to begin confusing passionate thrills

With matters of hearts despite the battle of wills

It's a catalyst fueled by fear of commitment

From a life of bad decisions on behalf of your equipment

It's consistent with the seasons changing endlessly...

So stay persistent with the reasoning of blatant honesty...

Honestly dishonesty can only hurt the situation...

When you actively pursue the act of sex for recreation...

It's a powder keg mixed up with a time bomb...

Hopefully we find some common ground to meet upon when time comes...

To make a break cause its a delicate affair...

and if you get sloppy you should be prepared to say...

Hold up a second girl that wasn't in the deal...

I enjoyed the free taste but I ain’t ordering the meal...

Ain’t trying to be rude, hope you understand...

we can be loves but I ain't gonna be your man...

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow...

Ba da da ba da da ba ba dow ba da da dow dow dow...

* 

Food Chain

This life is a hustle, learn to embrace

People stab you in the back while they're smiling at your face

Every action’s executed behalf of number one

Disregarding morality because it's cumbersome

The affliction is contagious

I am rapidly losing patience

Every millisecond passing

Digressing through the stages

Bright eyed young man but he never had a chance

The world don't give a fuck about your so called plans

He started to be vicious to survive the hell

And now he's burning bridges just because he likes the smell

In a world shaped like this

Fair play is a myth

Only the strong will remain

Climb that food chain

Cold, callous, so so unforgiving

Stuck inside a world that is littered with misgiving

But there's no clear remedy or fix

Your own eyes are capable of pulling tricks

So, if you are inclined, can I have a moment of your time?

I have been looking for that reason to weave in with my rhymes

Searches ended up in vain

Truth and lies are opinions all the same

Active in the mischief, they are cleverly deceptive

Always altering appearances, depending on perspective

So don't buy into everything you're reading

History is written by the men who start the bleeding

In a world shaped like this

Fair play is a myth

Only the strong will remain

Climb that food chain

*

Nostaglia

Sometimes there's so much change

I just can't rearrange

Sometimes I fail to range

Fuck it, we're all insane

No sunshine, there is rain

No happiness in pain

Sometimes we stay the same

It took all night but that beast we tame

Yeahhhhh ohhhh yeahhhhhh

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

Gold years have long passed

Took it for granted but it went too fast

Now, simplicity is never unsurpassed

And it never pays living in the past

Miss the joys of innocence

Fuck playing safe and common sense

We always use to pull for the fence

But it all got traded for dollars and cents now

Yeahhhhh ohhhh yeahhhhhh

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

(interlude)

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

Days keep passing and we all get older

Times getting harder, youth is getting colder

I'm learning to resent the lessons I'm learning

And the world keeps turning, world keeps turning

*

Struggling

I dream the most when I'm awake I've found

Lofty expectations keep my feet upon the ground

Life is too short for settling

The road less traveled is the one that I tend to take

Relishing the challenges as proof I'm awake

Life is too short for settling

So I take the journey day by day

Giving everything with no restraint

But the fear of failure remains inside

The pain reminds me I'm alive

I'm happiest when I am struggling

I've been warned but I will not succumb

To preparing for a future that I'm not sure will ever come

Life is too short for hedging bets

Passion's all that I have left in my possession

So I'll put all the faith I have in rhymes and chord progressions

Life is too short for settling

So I take the journey day by day

Giving everything with no restraint

But the fear of failure remains inside

The pain reminds me I'm alive

And that it's all I've known

It's all that's real

The only thing I will ever feel

The only regret I'll admit

Is I've only got one life to give

I'm happiest when I'm struggling

*

White Boy Reggae

Just another suburban stereotype

I got the love for the rhythms and the grooves despite

That I'm not from the islands I'm the palest of white

I put the reggae grooves together with the words that I write

But I can't relate to a struggle that I've never seen

I can't praise a God I don’t believe

You might think I been lying when it comes from the seams

But I'm not a fucking lion I'm a drunk with a dream

And I'm a million miles from everything I thought I'd become

I've lost all of my faith in the Lord above

And if I work real hard, keep my convictions

I can still fail and satisfy everyone's predictions

So I drink to stay numb but I sing to stay alive

There's no shot big enough to keep me satisfied

No rhyme smart enough for me to save my pride

There's a fire burning in me and I cannot deny it

And I am not preaching shit all I want is to be able

To make enough money with music to quit waiting tables

And my blood runs cold as I try to comprehend

All the words we deify that are creations of men

I'm just a hopeless romantic with the focus on hopeless

Writing love song after love song and I hope that I can cope with

The truth of my reality but it's hard for me to swallow

The realest love I know is between my liver and a bottle

Decidedly rough, I've confided enough

I am forever in possession of unrequited love

So I tether my confessions to the words I supply

I would rather die alone than settle for a lie

Because I'm a dying breed

The extinction of a race

Separating head from shoulders

So I can spite my face

Been coming around, looking for the right sound

To escape from the moat that I've worn in the ground

With the walls closing in on my coffin of sin

I would like to explain but before we begin

If you're waiting for me to fall

Take a seat and hold your breath, it's almost last call

And I'm just one shot away from an early grave

I've been running at a pace that I can't maintain

There's a demon living in me who's controlling my brain

A poison running through me that I'll never contain

So I siphon it off with a mic and a pen

The growth is exponential, it's drawing me in

Acting inconsequentially, I'm lost in the sin

You call it white boy reggae

I call it sanity's end...yeah

Sanity's end

Sanity's end...end

Sanity's end... yeah

*