It’s a number game, but shit don’t add up somehow
Like I got, 16 to 32 bars to rock it
But only 15% of profits ever see my pockets like
69 billion in the last 20 years
Spent on national defense but folks still live in fear like
Nearly half of America’s largest cities is one-quarter black

Idioms & Phrasal Verbs

• cash cow – the part of a business that always makes a profit and provides money for the rest of the business. Social media companies, such as Facebook, are cash cows! If I were you, I would invest my money in a technology company.
  
• a numbers game – a way of considering an activity that is only interested in numbers and statistics. Politicians do not care about the people they represent. For them, their careers are just a numbers game, and they only want your vote!
  
• add up – to be reasonable; to make sense. He told me the story about his stolen car, but it doesn’t add up. I think he’s dishonest, and he’s not telling us the truth.
• check out – to look at or examine something because it is interesting, attractive or new. Did you check out the new Lupe Fiasco track? “Animal Pharm” is amazing, and you best check it out!
• The straw that breaks the camel’s back – the last in a series of bad events that makes it impossible for you to accept a situation anymore. My girlfriend spent all my money. She came home late every night and “lost” my iPad. Then she told me that she hated hip-hop music. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back! I broke up with her. 
  • also, the final straw
• the grind – something difficult that you continue to do. The grind at work and school is killing me! I need a vacation soon.
  • also, to grind on
• end up – to find yourself in a situation that you did not intend or expect to be in. She was such a lazy student, and I did not expect her to end up creating a successful company. Her business is doing very well, and she’s making a lot of money.
  
• to push – to persuade or convince somebody to do or think something. The status quo keeps pushing us to believe the crime statistics of African Americans. They are people and not numbers. I wish they would stop dehumanizing them. 

Discussion Questions

Every country has social problems. America has to deal with gun violence, drugs, obesity, poverty and many other issues. What are current issues or social problems in your country? What group of people are affected the most by these issues and problems? Does your government release crime and poverty statistics? Do you think the government or status quo dishonestly manipulates statistics? Please write your comments below!

The post 10 New Idioms You Must Learn Now with Yasiin Bey appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.

Live from the other side what you see
A bunch of nonsense on my TV
Heaven on Earth is what I need
But I feel I’m in Hell every time I breathe
Reporting live from the other side what you hear
A bunch of nonsense all in my ear
Rich man, poor man, we all got to pay
‘Cause freedom ain’t free, especially ’round my way

Vocabulary

• peace (noun) – a time of no war or violence. Lupe Fiasco wants more peace to the teachers of blind kids. In other words, he praises teachers who are socially responsible.
  • peaceful is an adjective
  • peacefully is an adverb
• rebel (noun) – a person who refuses to accept the government’s power and uses force to oppose it. The government is trying to negotiate with the rebels.
  • rebel /REbəl/ – noun, person
  • rebel /rəBEL/ – verb, same spelling as noun but different pronunciation
  • rebellion – Also a noun, but a rebellion is an event and not a person
• racism (noun) – the belief that some races are better than others; the unfair treatment of people because of their race. Even in 2013, racism still exists in many developed countries. 
  • race is a noun
  • racist is also a noun
• corporate (adjective) – an organization or business that is a separate entity from the people who run and operate it. The corporate bailout is one of the reasons why the rebels are protesting.
  • corporation is a noun
• nonsense (noun) – foolish words or actions. Lupe Fiasco does not trust the mass media in America because he notices a lot of nonsense on TV.
  • nonsensical is an adjective
• freedom (noun) – not being in prison or not being a slave; able to do something without limits or restrictions. Many people argue that American freedom of speech has limits and restrictions.
  • free is a verb and adjective
  • freely is an adverb
• marvel (verb) – to show or experience great surprise or admiration. Many tourists marvel at the sight of the New York City. It is the true concrete jungle!
• protest (verb) – to express disagreement or opposition to something by strongly complaining about it. The students have been protesting the rise in tuition. 
  • protest /prəTEST/ – verb
  • protest /PROtest/ – noun
• truth (noun) – the actual facts about something. It is nearly impossible to get the complete truth in mainstream media, such as TV and newspapers. There is too much bias.
  • true is an adjective
  • trustworthy is also an adjective
• poverty (noun) – being poor. Many wealthy and developed countries still have poverty, especially with the increase of unemployment.
  • poverty line is a noun
  • poverty-stricken is an adjective

Famous Sample

“Around My Way” samples Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s classic song “T.R.O.Y.” Initially the hip-hop duo were unhappy that Lupe Fiasco sampled their song, but they eventually got over it.

Discussion Questions

Does society have many problems? What are the biggest problems that society faces? Do you trust the journalism and mainstream media in your country? Why or why not? What will you do to improve society? Is it possible to end all poverty and give freedom to everyone? Please write your comments below!

The post Learn 10 New Words with Lupe Fiasco appeared first on ESL Hip Hop.