1. |
I Never Left
04:27
|
|||
No need to say that I'm back
No need to say that I'm back
I've been right here
I never left
I speak from my soul again
switching my flow again
that is just the way I get down
no need to be threatened
I don't have a weapon
I'm repping with lyrics and sound
I was indifferent, now I am different
I’m making a difference here
I've been in obscurity with insecurities
by faith I'm facing my fears
I've felt like I have wasted my years
I'm making it clear I'm changing the gear
My drive to survive, thrive and go clear
is getting much stronger every year
Yes I'm articulate and I'm intelligent,
excellent with every verse
That isn't arrogance really it's confidence
this gift here can never be cursed
No need to say that I'm back
No need to say that I'm back
I've been right here
I never left
This is a marathon it's not a sprint
though you better be swift to catch my drift
Overnight success? That is a myth
I'm testifying not pleading the fifth
I'm no hitchhiker needing a lift
But my mind travels through paradigm shifts
Speaking in parables seems to be natural which rap genius will decode this
My mind is dancing the steps are lyrics
After I'm done I'm doing the splits
Until then I am handling biz
this dreamer has been in the pit
I've been in a sewer of suicide kid
Somehow I’ve crawled out of it
By keeping the faith is how I now live
working it out bit by bit
No need to say that I'm back
No need to say that I'm back
I've been right here
I never left
As I am rambling business I'm handling
taking risks but no I'm not gambling
I'm beating the odds
'Cause It is my job
Doing my victory dance again
Beats I am making 'em
Verses I'm blazing 'em
Facts I am stating 'em
Don't waste your time debating 'em we should be loving them instead of hating them
I'm not gonna be letting them
drag me down to their own level man
Instead I'm gonna try show 'em that they can rise up and beat the devil man
Flow like a current I'm relevant
Moving with Divine intelligence
My lips were blessed with eloquence
That is why I speak with no hesitance
No need to say that I'm back
No need to say that I'm back
I've been right here
I never left
|
||||
2. |
Human Being
03:29
|
|||
I’m just a human being
being human
being me
I’m not a brand or a meme I’m human
You can’t fit my soul in tweets I’m human
I’m more than what you perceive I’m human
You might try to reduce me I’m human
Beautifully human flawed not perfect
I don’t have to be perfect to know I’m worth it
I’m deeply human I’m not an object
Don’t care if you object I’m not subject
To what you project negative or positive
Your thoughts can’t trap me and I’m lovin’ it
No amount of pixels can cover it
What you see through your filter I’m above it
When you think of me is a reflection of you
Whether it’s a lie or whether it’s true
If you try to put me down you are beneath me
Take that in and understand it deeply
I will always just be me
My roots are strong and they’re deep
There will be no moving me
That is just how it will be
I know my truth your lies can’t reach me
None of your ridicule can ever defeat me
Your bitter acts fall short so sweetly
What you sent returned to you completely
Your ridicule reveals you are the clown
Your disrespect shows that you are down
So low your low blows are pitiful
You’re so insecure mindset minuscule
but see I get it we’re all human
Garbage in garbage out what are you consuming?
I know you’ve been hurt inside you’re fuming
I see through all this bile that you’re spewing
You just want a laugh you just want escape
You just want attention well here you go take
You’re begging for it here’s some change I donate
Now remember you’re human and be on your way
I will always just be me
My roots are strong and they’re deep
There will be no moving me
That is just how it will be
Knowing my truth is a shield from your lies
I know who I am deep down inside
I have the antidote to your poisonous strife
I speak life, deep life it nullifies
all threats sent with malicious intent
though you viciously vent I will always transcend
and ascend above fads and trends
After twists and bends I know how this ends
I hope this sends a clear message out
as I remain calm I won’t be stressing out
and if I need to vent I’ll be letting out
Everything I’ve held within I’m getting out
I’m getting it now
unresolved issues you’re projecting ‘em out
You’re wrestling with insecurity and doubt
You try to hide it all with the words that you spout
Chasing cheap clout
|
||||
3. |
Me, Myself & Vibes
03:37
|
|||
It’s just me, myself and I
And this vibe that I feel inside
In this time of post truth and alternative facts
I want to post truth and facts but alas
Most are impressed with big numbers and popularity
More than truth and moments of clarity
They ask me How many subscribers do you have?
I wonder why that’s an important question to ask
I’ve dropped out of the popularity contest
Seeking truth and speaking truth is my kind of quest
Popularity was never the goal for me
but expressing what's in my soul you see
and so you see a soul that broke free
from a crazy desire for many to know me
I’m seasoned I serve gourmet verses live on stages
But when read in dead silence
still alive on pages
tasty food for thought nibble on this
Something for those thirsty take a sip
I don’t know what vibe you’re on
But see me I just wanna have fun
Bask in the bright rays of the sun
and when I’m done I will be gone
They say truth is stranger than fiction
but I think its strange how fiction has become an addiction
Our brains are wired to love stories and narratives
That’s not embarrassing it’s normal
but also challenging
because many love myths and legends
and can feel threatened by harsh reality
There’s nothing wrong with myths and legends
But fake news is propaganda and fantasies
Are more appealing
when it is with pain you’re dealing
We’ve all had fake smile concealing
Deep wounds that still need some healing
But through those wounds light enters in
Like sun rays through wall cracks again
I say this to all of you listening
Catch these jewels as you listen in
|
||||
4. |
Summer Love
02:58
|
|||
How they met was like destiny or fate
or maybe random then they had their first date
They met up at this little cafe
He had some tea she had a latte
They went back and forth with the small talk
That date morphed into long walks
You know how it is when boy meets girl
girl meets boy, boy promises the world
They're trying to figure out if it's love or lust
Maybe it's just infatuation
a crush
They decided to slow down and not rush
They were always together
and never lost touch
He likes her, she likes him
So why do I think the chances are slim
That what they have will last, I think
It's just summer love it won't even see Spring
Summer's coming to an end, here comes Autumn
Did they fall in love? The heat is scorching
Like the way she felt for him
but did he feel
that same fire within?
The small talk morphed to deeper conversation
They talked a lot about their situation
She was thinking way beyond the summer
but on his calendar it's like there were no numbers
He looked at her and said
"let's live for the moment"
She replied "but our future, we have to own it"
he said
"ain't ya heard the future is now?"
she said
"I hear what you're saying, please tell me how"
He said "listen focus on the present
Let's take one day at a time and lessen
your worry about how things will turn out..."
She interjected "what if things burns out?"
He paused for minute
He looked away into the distance
He drank from his cup
until his whole drink was finished
She waited for his answer
and searched his face while drinking
The words "summer love" rang in his mind as he was thinking
|
||||
5. |
Smashing Glass Ceilings
03:41
|
|||
Oh my
What a feeling
We're smashing
Glass ceilings
I'm not a doom prophet but I sense a lot danger
I see familiar strangers in echo chambers
Stuck in their own bubbles breathing fire
Seeking validation it's all confirmation bias
I say they like I'm not part of it
It's a matter of the heart that's the heart of it
So many sleepwalking claiming they woke
It's like there's sleeping pills in a lot of their quotes
all I see is memes with grammatical errors
Fear is being fed fattening their terror
A lot of times truth isn't what is sought
You wanna know where your heart is?
Check what you bought
Sharpen your mind challenge your thoughts
Some things can't be taught
they can only be caught
So whose report, will you believe?
or will you just believe everything that you read?
everything has a slant, everything has a lean
even when I'm honest and say what I mean
I see a lot of fragility, fragile egos
Toxic masculinity, here we go
peep the bravado
man's swear they're hard though
There's an embargo on all your cargo
This system was designed for your failure
The wool over your eyes stitched by a good tailor
Are you just following a prewritten script
On the set turning up saying "this is lit"
Helplessness can make one fatalistic
It's hard to not feel like a statistic
Racism, sexism, fascism, neocolonialism
lack of wisdom
lack of vision, souls trapped in the system
Falling through the cracks packing the prisons
I cling to The Faith though I've lost my religion
I stopped attending service it felt like escapism
Online I see the back and forth debating
It's amazing what I see people saying
Some say how can a black man
worship a white God
They say Christianity is whitewashed
Others say The Faith came to Ethiopia
before slavery n colonialism came to Africa
But none of these guys are Ethiopian
Their version of religion came from Europeans
So through a westernised lens they are seeing
History shows we're seen as lesser beings
That inferiority has been internalised
If you've bought a lie, how can you rise
God ain't white, Jesus ain't white
He has bronze feet doesn't have blue eyes
Greater is The Spirit on my inside
My spirituality keeps me energised
Our humanity daily is demonised
We're treated as the other marginalised
The mixture of fear and ignorance
produces hate that is ridiculous
an eye for an eye leaves the world blind
Hate seems to win but love can't die
|
||||
6. |
The Art Of Letting Go
03:25
|
|||
One day I just had to let it go
when I did that everything just flowed
I wanna share some knowledge make some sense
Make a change, while I make some pounds and pence
Along the way I lost and I’ve made some friends
I’ve made mistakes, I try to make some amends
When I’m in the ends
I don’t stand out I just blend
I’m not bait so I won’t trend
I’m just myself I won’t pretend
I don’t mind if you don’t know me
Deep inside I know my soul’s free
That is why right now I flow free
I feel so free though I’m lowkey
I just keep on scribbling dreams
Writing visions sizzling scenes
Before my inner eyes they gleam
I’m more than meets the eye you see
So I’m calm if you’re not impressed
By the verses that I express
I’m not moved by lack of interest
I just shine on and manifest
I wanna say I’m grateful I’m still here
I’ve got some supporters and they still cheer
They give me their ears and they still hear
My nearest and dearest are still near
I still feel fear
Sometimes my eyes fill with tears
I wish I could roll back the years
No reversing so I shift gears
Skkkrrrrrr there’s no swerving here
In my own lane this person here
Has learnt to push and persevere
through situations so severe
Life can really get
tough right
And you can feel so
stuck right
So many things are
not right
At least we’ve got hope
We’ve got life
Yes I know there is
much strife
and if it’s not in the
spotlight
Some act like they’ve not
Got sight
living life can be
odd right?
I wanna share my heart and touch some souls
Honestly that right there is a personal goal
this rhythm and poetry will never get old
My passion burns hot in a world so cold
as life unfolds
I break through and I do break moulds
Of opportunities I take hold
Life has drama and I play roles
But not just that I make scrolls
direct scenes write scripts and so
I don’t have to go with the flow
I become the flow and show
that there’s much more to me
there’s much to us
there’s much more man trust
more things I’ll discuss
There’s more gems in my catalogue
as culture shifts across the map
I evolve and adapt
I express change through rap
Those stuck in the past wonder how I do that
|
||||
7. |
Do You [Bonus Track]
03:45
|
|||
Do you
Be you
It’s ok to be you
I shine so brilliant
there’s no concealing it
through verses I’m revealing it
not signed but I’m sealing it
real is what it really is
You’re feeling it I’m spilling it
wheeling and dealing it
love is where the healing is
That’s why I’m spreading it
Not forgetting it, it’s embedded in
My melanin even my skeleton
Love for self is breath my friend
More than just a fading trend
I love the skin I’m in
in the sun it’s glistening
as you are listening
Hope you’re envisioning
Brilliance deep within
If you’re asleep within,
this is the awakening
Open up and take this in
Barriers we break again
I’ll shake you up then shake your hand
This is where the hatred ends
No self-hatred here
over here of self-care
we are very much aware
even if I shed tears
and (I’m) forcefully fed fears
By love I’m led here
we keep a clear head here
Do you
Be you
It’s ok to be you
and it’s ok not to be ok
You’ll get through
Yeah it’s cool to be me
I was fooled to believe
That the tools to succeed
Weren't inclusive of me
But the clueless can’t see
That it’s foolish to speak
Like I’m stupid and weak
as I move through the streets
Now I move to the beat
and prove through my speech
that deep truth can reach
I’ve got deep roots in me
And the fruits on my tree
are juicy and sweet
It’s passion fruit I eat
I’m choosy you see
I choose carefully
though I’m so carefree
I do care deeply
for those who care for me
Popularity
Is overrated see
I don’t need you to like me
If you’re like me then it’s likely
That just being free
free to just be
Is what you seek
In a world that’s bleak
Spreading love and peace
Will be my legacy
So be you freely
I will always be me
Do you
Be you
It’s ok to be you
and it’s ok not to be ok
You’ll get through
Do you
Be you
It’s ok to be you
|
||||
8. |
Moments [Bonus Track]
04:04
|
|||
Inhale
Exhale
Don’t forget to breathe
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe in real deep
Life can be a real challenge
Things can make you lose balance
So many things happen
You start noticing patterns
Things move in cycles
Many things are vital
For our survival
And it can all spiral
Out of control
But I get back in my flow
I quiet down my soul
I recharge and glow
I’m thankful I’m breathing
As I take in air deep in
and when doubt creeps in
Somehow my faith deepens
We are all living this life
Moment by moment right
They leave as they arrive
Like waves with the tide
Someone once said time
Is a construct of the mind
It is something we’ve defined
something that has been designed
To help us manage life
Help us be organised
It’s something we monetise
They say time is money I
Get through the stress and strife
Counting my blessings I
View moments with my eyes
Sometimes they make me cry
Moment by moment time is passing by
appreciate the moment time tends to fly
Inhale
Exhale
Don’t forget to breathe
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe in real deep
At times, time seems fast
Other times it seems slow
We want some moments to last
But quickly they go
The memories they hold
Are stored in our souls
All our memory banks
are full of gold
If you’re in a great moment
It’s easy to miss it
You’ve got to embrace it
Hold it, kiss it.
‘Cause soon it will be gone
and for it you will long
Or it becomes a song
and through that lives on
It is just the way it is
This is my experience
I was once indifferent
moments make a difference
I cherish precious times
Treasure yours I treasure mine
When in pressure you will find
It’s a way to measure time
Precious memories
I keep safe in my mind
The freshness of them
Can fade as time goes by
That is why is we reminisce
Sharing stories is bliss
Past moments we do miss
That’s why I’m saying all of this
Moment by moment time is passing by
appreciate the moment time tends to fly
Inhale
Exhale
Don’t forget to breathe
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe in real deep
|
||||
9. |
||||
I came just as I am
I wanted to take a stand
I did not understand
The full scale of the plan
I’m moving underground
Below the the radar man
I came in with a boom
and I’m going out with a bang
Yes my ministry of sound is underground
And I am not showing signs of slowing down
Gently down the stream I’m rowing down
Like a never ending river flowing now
Yes this beat poet had been beaten down
But I’m beating the odds undefeated now
I might seem around the bush I’m beating round
But I’m always on point when I’m speaking out
I feel like I’m fulfilling prophecy
And there’s no stopping me
Just keep on clocking me
I know you’re watching me
I do it properly
Spitting philosophy
Like I was Socrates
I keep on rocking these
Beats I’m dropping see
How they’re poppin’ sheesh!
Some keep mocking me
It is shocking B
There’s not locking me
I stay up you see
I’m way up and free
I came just as I am
I wanted to take a stand
I did not understand
The full scale of the plan
I’m moving underground
Below the the radar man
I came in with a boom
and I’m going out with a bang
Even if you start off weak you can finish strong
I know when things are peak it is really long
But keep moving on things will move along
And just sing along to this sing along
Sing it strong at the top of your lungs
And understand who is your strength and your song
Turn this up even when things are going wrong
And all you can say is what is going on?
In my life so many things have shaken me
They keep breaking me
Down they’ve taken me
Some have blatantly
Forsaken me
And they’re hating me
But just wait and see
I am breaking free
As I’m making heat
With these blazing beats
and amazingly
From within raising me
Is something crazily
To greatness waking me
There’s no erasing me
|
Karl Nova UK
Having fallen in love with poetry and Hip Hop as a child, he discovered his passion for lyrics and found his
voice.
He toured extensively with award winning collective GK Real but has also managed to carve his own niche and create his own lane by going against the grain and not being afraid to speak his heart and mind.
He's a versatile lyricist that wears his heart on his sleeve with great flair
... more
Streaming and Download help
If you like Karl Nova, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp