24/7, 365 (Black History Lives)

[Verse 1] From the ships to the ships we own From the fields to the crowns and thrones They taught us we began in chains We began in gold They erased our names Mansa Musa Richest on the map Caravans of color That’s a fact Moors in the courts Charts and math Built whole worlds they don’t teach in class Marcus Garvey packing up the docks Red Green Black on a flag that rocks Back to Africa inside our minds Pride in the bloodline every time [Chorus] Black history 24/7 365 Not a month It’s the way we stay alive From the past to the babies in our arms We carry all that power All that charm (yeah) Black history Every breath Every beat From the block to across the sea Say the names Let the stories speak 24/7 365 We’re deep (we’re deep) [Verse 2] Rosa Parks sat down Whole world stood up Bus ride turned into a tidal flood Harlem on fire with the books and bars Poets painting galaxies We reached for stars Malcolm X with the hand outstretched Love yourself first That’s how you bless Martin marching in his Sunday suit Dream in his throat Boots in the truth From the Cotton Club lights to the corner stores Jazz in the walls Wisdom in the floors Ancestors hum in the breeze at night We the proof their prayers took flight [Chorus] Black history 24/7 365 Not a myth It’s the reason we survive From the drum in the heart to the streets we walk Every step is an elder’s talk (oh yeah) Black history Every breath Every beat From the books to the cyphers in the heat Say the names Let the stories speak 24/7 365 We’re deep [Bridge] Who taught the world the rhythm? Who turned pain into prism? Who made a way where there was none? We did Still do Still won (hey!) [Chorus] Black history 24/7 365 Not a date It’s the way we move and thrive From the roots in the soil to the crowns we raise Every day is our day Our praise Black history Every breath Every beat From the elders’ songs to the kids on the street Say the names Let the stories speak 24/7 365 We’re deep We’re deep