tobyMac Album

Everybody everybody in the place to be
Open up your mind and let your soul be free
I can feel the Most High shining on me, so ...
Let's get this party started

Everybody everybody in the place to be
Open up your mind and let your soul be free
I can feel the Most High smiling on we, so ...
Let's get this party started

Blind-sided by the blitz
Come on baby it's on
I couldn't wait to get on this
You ain't no quiet storm
I'm gonna tell it like it is
There ain't no stopping us now
Somebody shut me up so I can live out loud

[CHORUS]

Them people thought I was gone
It's been a long time comin'
But straight out the box
We got the dark side runnin'
So Father, Most High won't You show Yourself
And shine on this record like nobody else

Welcome to the world of a kid named Mikey
Who had only one reason to be hated be whitey
Raised on a farm outside of South Bend
Where they hated on him cause he was African American
But three years later, Mikey was the town pride
Basketball Mikey went and got himself a full ride
Earned his acceptance on the hardwood floor
And that's something white America would never ignore

Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's goin' down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's goin' down

What's goin' down tell me what's goin' down
You wanna know just what's goin' down
What's goin' down I'll tell ya what's goin' down
You wanna know just what's goin' down

Take a look around
Everything is comin' down
Do you hear the subtle sounds
Of our morality slippin'
People on the go
We'll be reapin' what we sow
Yeah we say we want to know
But I got my suspicions

Welcome to the world of a girl named Susie
Susie's only crime was that she was born a cutie
Physically abused by her uncle and his friends
Alcohol let 'em all leave the house with grins
But Susie couldn't shake off the memories
Forced to find her own kind of remedy
A man-eater for the rest of her days
Three kids, three men, no daddies by eleventh grade

[CHORUS]

What be goin' diggy down
When you find what you lost
But you lose what you found

Hush little baby baby don't you cry
Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be alright
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight
Hush little baby don't you cry
Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be alright
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer

Last night I had a dream you was the homecoming queen
Today you're 18, happy birthday Irene
Quit school you had to drop out to raise your little child
Doesn't seem to be anyone around
You got to reach up to touch rock bottom
The powers that be keep you downtrodden
Daughter of Zion, I heard your prayer
Just cast your cares and please beware of snakes
They come in all shapes and sizes
Tempt you, put scales on your eyelids
Don't waste your sorrows
They'll give you strength ... tomorrow
Your Calvary's about to come so
Keep your head up, don't you ever let up
This storm will pass you be ready for the next one

Hey little girl with the pressures of the world on your shoulders
Don't say that it's over
I heard your prayers, just cast your cares
And I'll be there so don't you fear

[CHORUS]

Irene I carried you when you was too weak to walk
I took to you when you gave your heart to God
Faithful and true, that's what I'll always be to you
Believe in you, believe in Me and these mountains have to move
You have dreams and aspirations
I knew you before creation
Your foundation's solid
I will give you a palace, restore your soul
You'll be up for any challenge
Many storms are on the way better sharpen your faith
Count the cost, take up your cross
And wear it every day
Rest in Me and I will give you strength
Blessed is she, Irene who seeks my face

[CHORUS]

Father I'm stronger than when I first believed

(feat. Kirk Franklin)

[CHORUS]
I got a ticket, I got a ticket
I got a ticket to ride
(Gotta a ticket to ride to the other side)
I got a ticket, I got a ticket
I got a ticket to ride
(Gotta ticket to ride to the other side)

Ride ride wanna ride on the J Train
On the J Train wanna ride on the J Train
Ride ride wanna ride on the J Train
On the J Train wanna ride on the J Train

Sit back, relax put on your travelin' gear
No need to doubt so put aside your fear
"Destination" out of this atmosphere
It's the J Train baby, we depart from right here
No lines to fight no ticket to price
I'm rollin' first class 'cause I've seen the light
Try as you may but your money can't buy
A ticket on the J Line to the other side

[CHORUS]

Now I missed the Train more than once in my life
Til' the good conductor heard my Momma's cry
Hades to Glory in the blink of an eye
Hear me now, hear me now while I testify
Heard the whistle blow I felt a chill to the bone
"All aboard" is what I heard I was headed for home
Had a reclinable seat but I just had to stand
Up on the "J" all the way to the promise land

[CHORUS]

Do you wanna ride say
To the other side say
If you wanna ride say
Get on the Freak Line

Do you know where you're going to
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to
Do you know

This goes out to my man his name is True Blue
For all the nights that your Daddy spent away from you
For all the days that I told you "Maybe next time"
Laid up in the studio consumed with my next rhyme
What kind of lyric can I drop to make you think twice
About the trials that you're gonna face in this life
I can lullaby even point you to the Most High
Prayin' every little thing is gonna be all right
Someday my love isn't gonna be fulfilling
Try as I may, human love it hits a ceiling
But I can sow the seeds, say a prayer, this I know
If faith can move a mountain
Surely God can make His spirit grow in you

[CHORUS]

This goes out to my little man t Mac
For all the junk you've been carrying on your back
My burden's easy and My yoke is a featherweight
And this you know yet you're still a man of little faith
What can I do to spring your knowledge into how you roll
Don't you have the Spirit and the letters that My people wrote
My love stretches farther than your mind can conceive
I've got a hand full of grace, a heart full of mercy
Someday My son, your gonna find My love fulfilling
Hope as I may, you've got to turn in when you're willing
I'll take you as you are and just to add a human touch
I gave to you a son so you can understand the Father's love for you

[CHORUS]

God will light your path if you want Him to
Just emphasize His lead and your dreams will come true
From the Father to the Son to the multitudes
He's the lover of you soul, spiritual, baby do you know

[CHORUS]

Think think dad your pity pityful
Think think dad your pity pityful
Think think dad your pity pityful
Think think dad your pity pityful
Think think dad your pity pityful (oh oh ok)
Think think dad your pity pityful (and sing a song)
Think think dad your pity pityful (oh, oh, ok)
Think think dad your pity pityful (and sing a sing a song)
Think think dad your pity pityful (down baby do baby down baby do baby)
Think think dad your pity pityful (down baby do baby you're a tru dog)
Think think dad your pity pityful (down baby do baby down baby do baby)
Think think dad your pity pityful (down baby do baby you're a tru dog)
[repeat...]

[Toby:] You on the mic again?
Yes...
[Toby:] You know you're not supposed to be in here.
WHY??
[Toby:] It's daddy's studio.
Ok Daddy!
I can't get off the chair!

Somebody said you better let go
'Cause they said so
But I could never let this thing go
Don't they even know what that means
They call me obscene
Say I wear my faith on my sleeve
But I ain't here to seek no glory
End of story, I know the judge and the jury
People always gotta ask who, what, when, and why
But never wanna step to the light

So I hear you say you wanna come and get some
Should I mention I got your attention
Know that I'm a man on a mission, my position is
Momentum

[CHORUS]
Been on a roll for two thousand years or so
We've got momentum baby

Livin' on the edge of obnoxious
They call me raucous
I'm a freak, I can't stop this
Ardently enthused about God
No hand-me-down nod
Your gonna get all I got
High-steppin' from the twenty on in
Knees to my chin
I'm rollin' deep in momentum
Burnin' with the hard core flame
No shame in this game
I'm followin' my heart not my brain

[CHORUS]

Been on a roll
Cause we got souls that won't die
And this party ain't over 'til we take flight
You've been told that we come bold on this side
You ain't never known the dilly 'til we testify
Cause have you ever heard of turnin' water into wine
And have you ever heard of givin' sight back to the blind
It's undeniable we're droppin' the Truth on this track
Cause once you start an avalanche there ain't no turnin' back

[CHORUS]

Every time I turn my back I get the feeling that
I'm 'bout to take a shot to the skully with a bat
I'm out of control, need you to fill my soul up
And could you shed a little light on the skeletons holed up
My past is taking me to task
And I can't guarantee how much longer I'll last
Without You I'm a hopeless wreck
So I cry out Your name as I drop to the deck

Don't get me started, don't even get me started
Don't get me started, don't even get me started

I'm Yours
Take me as I am
I'm Yours
So take this space between us and fill it up again
I'm Yours
Take me as I am
I'm Yours
So take this space between us and fill it up again

Simple minded little punk
Thought I was the junk
Nobody ever told me that my doo-doo stunk
What was I out of my mind
Or was I just trippin' on an ego
But You filled up the space and You never let me go
Bullseye to the center of my soul
One shot but it rocked like a fatal blow
This love was Your gun, mercy Your shells
Now I'm a dead man walkin' down a skinny trail

I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
Give it all I got
Shout it from the rooftops
So you can take your best shot
I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
Give it all I got
Shout it from the rooftops
Like it or not

I'm a dead man walkin'
I'm a dead man walkin' down the boulevard

And we're back...it's me,
your around-the-way girl
rollin' through the night on the
Quiet Storm.
Tonight is kinda special...
we got Toby Mckheen up in here
so let's get down to it
now, Toby-
what's up?

In studying the landscape of your musical evolution,
it appeared as though you were maturing beyond your,
"so-called" rap years... (toby chuckles in background)
now suddenly like a ghost from the past
you present the public with this....
Toby Mac CD?

I've played in L.A. and D.C., Manhattan and Sydney
And Kingston, Jamaica where my Mandy was made
It's 98 degrees in the straight-up shade
I say I'm stickin' with her for the rest of my given days

"Somebody told me that you're takin' a break
A sabbatical from rhymin' on the records that you make
A little birdie said that wasn't the case
They blamed your exodus on "DC" partners Kevin and Tait"

"Hold up, I didn't say all that"

I wanna move the people on a hot summer's day
I wanna serve up the Truth like it's pink lemonade

[CHORUS]
So if you're wonderin' why I
Continue to try my
Skills at this rap game
Girl, I can't get enough
I been rockin' the black folks
And tellin' those white jokes
And people are people
So just throw your hands up
If you're wonderin' why I
Continue to try my
Skills at this rap game
Girl, I can't get enough
I been rockin' the church folks
And tellin' those same jokes
So all of God's people
Won't ya throw your hands up

I've been away for some down time
But thought it was 'bout time
To give my freaky people what they came here for
I guess I needed some head space
And felt that by God's grace
My homosapiens would still be up for some more
I'm talkin' God in my hip-hop
If not, then my show stops
And everyone around me knows I ain't gonna sell -out
To those bad guys, they pushin' them white lies
Tweak the word freak and you'll be airing tonight guys

[CHORUS]

I wanna move the people on a hot summer's day
I wanna serve up the Truth like it's pink lemonade
I wanna give my people what they can't deny
I wanna light up the skies like the Fourth of July

Suggestions, questions
People want to know
Is there life after talk
Cause there's talk on the row
Twistin' words that I've never even said
To the ones that I trust
Or my "Boo" in our bed
Will he make it, I bet he won't
As they're runnin' through the minutes
On their cell phones
So the picture's painted
You got the point
And that junk's creepin' into my solo joint

Sometimes I feel God in the middle of the night
In the cool of the shade in the bright sunlight

[CHORUS]
I always feel like somebody's watchin' me
Watch baby, watch baby, He got my back
See I'm down with the King
So I got it like that

It's no joke, I've been roped in
Chokin' on a bone
From a fish in the school of your twilight zone
You shook me, took me to another place
Where the air I'm breathin's like mace in my face
If this controversy is your way
You need to know I'll never doubt my destiny
'Cause I'm stickin' to my guns like a son of the Light
Feelin' Dad, I'm feelin' Daddy in the air tonight

Sometimes I feel Grace in the middle of the night
In the cool of the shade in the bright sunlight

And sometimes I feel God in the midst of a show
As the palm trees sway in an afterglow

[CHORUS]

(Anyways I told the guy, 'Nice coat!
Who shot the cow?!')(laughter)
(Hey how ya doin today?)

I'm doin okay.

(Eh, that's dandy. Hey, what can I get for ya?)

I would like a triple skinny, two-thirds
decaf, half chocolate, no whip-

(Hey-uh, hold up here,
lemme break out the pen here,
we got kinda a tall order goin on)

I would like a triple skinny,
two-thirds decaf,
half chocolate no whip Grande Mocha.

Oh yeah, extra foam.
To go-o-o.

I clear my throat before I grab the mic
I need uno momento
Them cynics gonna ride me like a pinto
No resentment do you comprehend my innuendo
You still can't leave the party til you drop your crucial info
Am I jaded in assuming that you're simply bound to do me
Like them other lyricists who's message ain't so gloomy
Pan my positivity cause love has let you down
Cuz if they taste the love you tasted
They'd be making sweeter sounds, 'T

Government checks they flex with no dollars
Two turntables and a plate full of collards
Royalty checks reflects with few dollars
But my DJ makes the people wanna holler

[CHORUS]
Love is in the house and the house is packed
So much so I left the back door cracked
Mama always said it's a matter of fact
that when love is in the house the house is packed
Love is in the house and the house is packed
So much so I left the back door cracked
Daddy always said that I wish I was black
cuz when love is in the house the house is packed

Packed like a baby nine months in the womb
Man it was packed like the closet full of Nike's in my room
Singin' Oh sweet Lord take me to the next level
Where the love's much thicker than the stares of my devils
So whether or not this is a dream or reality
Let me appeal to the graces of His majesty
Amazing it will be when this tree bears life
My roots run to the river and the Giver of Life

Corporate jets they flex with big dollars
Two palm pilots and a room full of bawlers
Royalty checks reflects with few dollars
But amazing grace makes the people wanna holler

[CHORUS]

Woke up this morning, didn't know what to do
There was people all around me tellin' me to sing the blues
Said they ain't seen no happy since 1992
Then they turned to me thinking I'd agree and I offered
this humble view

We're livin' in extreme days

Comin' at ya like a whirlwind
A hundred miles an hour's where we'll begin
I spy the eye of apprehension
Show me risk and you'll get my attention

Come on, can ya take it
Bang to the bip I make ya wanna flip
Take my trip and you can bust your lip

I never fear 'cause I live fearless
Don't even think for a second you can get with this

Come on, I never fake it, come on
These are extreme, extreme days
We're livin' in extreme days
These are extreme, extreme days
We're livin' in extreme days

I'm a freak from the burbs of the chocolate city
Luther Jackson was my middle
Pine Ridge my elementary
School of hip hop 1979
And Sugar Hill had the skills that taught me to rhyme

Got hip to Kiss and I tripped on Zeppelin
So Mr. Therapist, "Why did I go this direction?"
God had a plan to end all my schemes
I had a dream He said to be ... extreme

[CHORUS]

Just the other day I saw a kid
Who flipped his hat to the back and he called it a lid
You know what else he did?
He stacked books from the floor to ceiling
Said somethin' bout trying to get to heaven
And he was only eleven
So he climbed to the top with outstretched arms
And he screamed at the top of his lungs

Move out my way
Give up the mic
"X" to me is extremely Christ
Livin up in me
Like it or not
Put an "X" on my chest
'Cause X marks the spot

Do you remember
The southern breakfast treat
Referred to as grits
But it looks like cream of wheat

[chorus:]
Don't bring me down
Please, please
Don't bring me down
[repeat chorus]

Check this
Yo, I know a secret
Too hard not to tell
(Don't bring me down)
If grits was locked up
Gotee would post bail

[repeat chorus x2]

Are you familiar
With the southern breakfast treat
(Don't bring me down)
Referred to as breads
But to me it looks like
Spooky cream of wheat

[repeat chorus x3]

I had a dream last night about the other side
And I must confess that it was quite the ride
I had a dream last night and the fact that you weren't there
Gave me quite the scare
People were afloat all around me
Yet their weightless state never seemed to astound me
Everything was grand till I noticed one thing
That you, my friend, weren't on the scene

There in the air

I've been workin' all morning trying to spin my dream
Cause I just can't believe you weren't in my dream
Remember you and I said we would paint the sky
And the leaves on the trees and the stars at night
We made beats and we even wrote rhymes
And played golf, I think, a million times
Now we never got around to spiritual matters
But we sure made time for our mindless chatter

[CHORUS]

I wanna see you there
In the the air
One day we'll be singin' (Hallelujah)
I wanna see you there
In the the air
One day we'll be singin' (Hallelujah)

Hello, wassup (wassup), how ya doin' (just fine)
I was sorta wonderin', could we make the time
(Just kick it) why not (at our usual spot)
Latte's in May, mine cold, yours hot
(So where we goin') much deeper than our usual chat
(Like who's beats is weak and who's beats is phat)
Nah, my man, this some next level junk
(Like when we discussed if Tiger Woods could dunk)
Just meet me there, seven o'clock, rain or shine
With a fat cup of bean and a wide open mind