Pro Era

Lyrics

[Produced by Thelonious Martin]
[Verse 1: Joey Bada$$]
Yo, yo
My days numbered to infinity, when I close my eyes
I see the trinity, mind, body, & soul holds the energy
But they dont know the inner g, I try to keep serenity
But enemies, always try to end me and my entity
But eventually we all gotta go someday
And I ain't shine as a star if it ain't on a sunday
But I know you see my rising son, cause when I do your ho rising too
The beast coast we deeper than verizon crew, in all our eyes is hues of blue and indigo
If you dont plan on controlling your soul, than what you in it fo? it's intricate tho
To be this intrinsical, it may seem like we occult but we ain't mystical
You missed the show
So put ya weapons or whatever your collecting
Word to my brethren conception, STEEZ I knew it swept us
They believe in false projections of the evil essence/lessons
So sleep on the progressive and wake up in the Medieval section

[Hook: Joey Badass]
When we Kings most praise to the most high
When we Kings be afraid dont apporach I
When we kings, and we conquer the Earth, been on my conscious from birth
Dont dishonor the work just honor the perks
[Verse 2: Capital STEEZ]
Like I ain't notice we corrupting ourself
I lost too much for the belt, and now Im up on cloud 1 hundred and 12th
I'm too high on my own supply of false egos
We flyer than bald eagles, still incognito
Like I think we lost Steelo, vibe as I tune in
I just lost one, now I'm walkin like a new man
Never wake the student in the words of Confucius
It's confusing if you snoozing and you trying to pay your tutor
Ya'll losers get smacked by the rulers
Got dunce caps and lunch bags waiting when I school ya
Class is in session, we the masters of progression G-shit
This is passion, but cash had to be second
They blinded by fears, we the new light bearers
In your area, open your ears you might hear
Came from the underground but I ain't climb a flight of stairs
And everything I thought that I needed was right there

[Hook]
[Hook: Joey Badass]
When we Kings most praise to the most high
When we Kings be afraid dont apporach I
When we kings, and we conquer the Earth, been on my conscious from birth
Dont dishonor the work just honor the perks

Pro Era is an American hip hop collective founded in Brooklyn, New York City in 2010. Their debut mixtape, P.E.E.P the aPROcalypse, was released on December 21, 2012. The 13th track on the album, K.I.N.G.S., features the late Capital STEEZ and Joey Bada$$, two prominent members of the collective. The song showcases the group's signature jazz-influenced beat and rhyme style, with a focus on social commentary and self-affirmation.

About K.I.N.G.S.

K.I.N.G.S., which stands for "Kings In A New Generation", is a song that addresses the importance of self-worth and self-empowerment in a society that often dismisses the potential of minority youth. The song opens with a melancholic trumpet sample that sets the tone for the introspective verses that follow. Joey Bada$$ starts off the first verse with a poignant statement:

"I'm trying to make a difference, a word from the wise
If you do it for the money, you will surely die
But if you do it for the love, then you do survive."
- Joey Bada$$

This declaration sets the stage for a song that emphasizes the need for self-affirmation, hard work and perseverance to overcome the obstacles that hinder the progress of young people. The verses that follow construct an image of a world where the odds are stacked against the marginalized, but where there is hope in the power of self-love and respect. Capital STEEZ's verse is especially poignant, as he raps about his own struggles with depression and the toll it takes on his mental health:

"Been feeling like a slave for some years now
And I don't know how to get away from this feeling
Maybe if I spill my guts, it'll heal us
I'm still dealing with self-doubt and still healing
I'm still searching for a meaning, "
- Capital STEEZ

K.I.N.G.S. is a testament to the power of self-love and the need for unity and solidarity among young people. The song's catchy refrain, "Kings in a new generation", underscores the message of the song - that young people are the future and that they have the power to shape their own destinies.

The song's production is also noteworthy, thanks to the work of producer Chuck Strangers. The beat features a sample from Lonnie Liston Smith's "A Chance for Peace", a classic jazz-fusion track that adds to the song's introspective mood. The track also features a haunting saxophone riff that repeats throughout the song, creating a sense of unease that underscores the lyrics.

In many ways, K.I.N.G.S. is a snapshot of the social and political climate in which it was created. The song was released in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and a year after Trayvon Martin's death, events that had a profound impact on young people who felt ignored by those in power. K.I.N.G.S. is a rallying cry for young people to take control of their own futures and to reject the limitations imposed upon them by society.

In the end, K.I.N.G.S. is a song that encapsulates the spirit of Pro Era - a collective that prizes individuality, creativity and social awareness. The song's message - that young people are kings and queens in their own right - is one that still resonates with audiences today.

• Release Date: December 21, 2012
• Artist: Pro Era