DJ Premier
Breakfast @ Denny’s (Uptown Version)
[Verse 1: Uptown]
Yo, peep the situation, my dictation is a splendid
Rhyme that proves race discrimination never ended
Four score and seven years ago, the dream first started
But it seem like it died with Dr. King when departed
How's that? Let me kick an ill fact, black
Many mean got the glory when my people died in combat
(Why, brother?) We was kings from the root and they knew that
Now we just another bull's-eye for them to shoot at
Here's a prime example in today's era
Of how the problems of the past still yields out the terror
Imagine being hungry, and man, you wanna eat
But you go inside a restaurant and can't get a seat
And before that, even though they open the door for those
When they see you coming, they put "Closed" on the windows
Is it 'cause I'm real? Is it how I'm dressed?
Just because I'm not the rest, they put a bullet in my chest
Dang, I thought that was back up in the days
But now it's returned in fifty ways — Denny's

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 2: Uptown]
Black civil rights went out when the lights went out in Georgia
You scheme to end the Black man dream and I applaud ya
But today, I'm looking at another way, ain't no time to play
I'm sitting on the dock of the bay
Thinking of a master plan to get the motherland
Back from the other man to do more than the others can (Liar)
When you play with fire then you burn
But how many people have to die before you learn?
My main concern is the law, what I'm living for
If the things you do today ain't no better than before
Furthermore, my literature you can't ignore
'Cause I explore what you should restore, so therefore
You have to break loose to see just how it used to be
But many having breakfast at Denny's

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3: Uptown]
Now when will it end? Feeling all the hurt from within
Backslap my race but on your face there's a grin
I'm all in, to put you on your knees when you bend
In the presence of my enemy, but acting like a friend
All men are created equal, can I speak?
You can put me through the test, but Lord blesses the weak
Can't sleep, you better pray to God your soul to keep
'Cause I was always taught that what you sow is what you reap
Hear the sling knowledge with the lyrics that I bring
I'm tired of hearing my people sing (Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya)
And we still ain't up to par?
By far, who you think you are? 'Cause I be
Another Black man pushing peace and unity
In my vicinity, there's no serenity
And my ability brings more hostility
But that's cool, 'cause in many ways I was a fool
And I was never taught that when I was back in school
Dang, I thought that was back in the days
But now it's returned in fifty ways — Denny's
[Instrumental Break]

[Outro]
Welcome to Denny's, take your order?
*laughs*