"Redemption"

Main Entry: re·demp·tion Pronunciation: \ri-ˈdem(p)-shən\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English redempcioun, from Anglo-French redempcion, from Latin redemption-, redemptio, from redimere to redeem Date: 14th century: the act, process, or an instance of redeemingRedeem:Main Entry: re·deem Pronunciation: \ri-ˈdēm\ Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take Date: 15th century1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back 2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better : reform4: repair, restore5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good : fulfill6 a: to atone for : expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrievesynonyms see rescue— re·deem·able \-ˈdē-mə-bəl\ adjective

Last night I was feeling well enough to start recording track 2 of my album. Recording has been a struggle but I am chipping away at the stone. As much as I wish I wasn't ill the fact that this album is being recorded while I'm suffering means all the more to me. Everything about this album was born of suffering, of struggle. Anything that is true in this world comes by way of pain I believe, like the birth of a child.I had heard of Stanley "Tookie" Williams way before the movie had ever dropped about him, before he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize 3 times and before he penned his first children's book. The group I was involved with back in the day required I learn about our enemies. Their history, current statistics, ranks, present presence you name it, my crew took daily count more than the officers in the prison did. I never had direct beef with any Crip, I have actually built strong bonds with a number of Crips across the country.In 2005 someone gave me the movie "Redemption" the story of Tookie staring Jamie Fox. I have watched this film a number of times. I could relate deeply to the plight of Tookie. His life was far more harsh than mine but none the less the paths we walked in life were one in the same, I just got lucky; so far.At the time I first watched this movie I myself was seeking redemption in my own way. I was going through some really hard times, I just could not catch a break. It seemed like no matter how much I achieved it just was not good enough for society or anyone for that matter. I was feeling imprisoned though I had been free for over 4 years.When I finished watching this movie I was speechless. I couldn't believe what this brotha had achieved from so deep within the belly of the beast. You don't understand I know what it's like to be silenced in a dark cell. Just to get heard to see medical in the same building took weeks, months sometimes to late for some. Here this brotha was not only being heard all over the world, he was changing peoples lives, touching theirs hearts from death row. I saluted this brotha with the honor of an Inca Warrior.I had no excuses after seeing the film, I was on the outside struggling to be heard, he was buried alive and he was being heard all over the world. In the end Stanley "Big Tookie" Williams showed the world who he truly was, I know how much courage that took. It took a lot more courage than it took Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign his death warrant. Anyway this is the path I was stuck on when I saw this film, I wanted to be heard. I wanted to be heard for me and for every prisoner locked in cage that doesn't belong there. I have been misjudged all my life and I wanted redemption as well.Tookie inspired me just like he was inspiring children and adults all over the world. I had picked up this guitar sample that sent shock waves through my body. I took it DJ Emergency in Dirty Jerz and he constructed a weapon of mass destruction for me. I took that beat and within 20 minutes I wrote what I called "Redemption". I lifted Jamie Fox playing Tookie in the film for the intro. This track has moved crowds literally in 8 different countries. No matter how my sets go, once this track drops, it's over. The house becomes a prison riot.I wish the same pictures that flash in my mind as I am rhyming would flash up on a screen. There's a whole lot of truth in this song. It touches on what I have been through, it touches on the injustices, the brutality's I have withstood. It then touches on who I am becoming. I won't say who I have become for I am not finished, I grow daily. I finally touch on the conditions on the inside. No words can ever really describe what it's truly like, but I attempt to give you an idea. The last line of the song, referred to the fact that at the early stage of my being deployed to fight on the front lines of the struggle, I had already touched a nerve. I had received my first of I am sure many more to come death threat. I pissed someone off.For me Stanley "Tookie" Williams stood for hope, for children all over the world, for young prisoners and old, for me. The average American will most likely never view what Tookie accomplished really, they could never get past the fact that he was convicted of murder. That's where it ends for them. He is no longer worthy of anything. I had written Tookie a number of times. I didn't expect anything back hell I knew the brotha had better things to do with his time. But I knew he got the letters, I just knew it. Kites always reach their destiny's.When Tookies death warrant was put onto Governor Schwarzenegger's desk I went into action. I started writing to Arnold on a daily. I also promoted on the Internet and wrote to numerous publications. I did everything I could within my power. I tried to put together the money to join the protests outside of the prison, but like I said times was hard.I was promoting the petition to save Tookie till about 3 hours before he was executed. I had passed out and my friend had helped me into bed. I hadn't slept in days. I slept a little longer but woke up suddenly from a nightmare. I looked at the clock in an instant, I felt a surge of energy going through my body. It was 3:40am, My heart knew, he was dead. I lay back and prayed to God to not let Tookie have died in vain. I vowed to not let the hope that Tookie planted here die. I promised to continue seeking redemption. Because the redemption I am seeking, the redemption I am talking about is not just for me. It's for every single one of us.Though I never met Tookie or was never in direct contact with him I still feel the same bond a lot of prisoners build. Being able to identify with his struggle makes this track special. I felt his spirit before he was executed, and I felt his spirit when I wrote the track. Redemption has been received well. The energy it conjures up as the guitar riff slices through atmosphere like a razor is big, just like Tookie is. I can feel his spirit everytime I rock this track. Stanley "Tookie" Williams lives. In solidarity. "X"

Redemption:

I've waited decades for my turn, now without concern
I'm a spit this fire, sit back and watch the world burn
man this is for every cop, that's ever called me a spic
as I was pistol whipped, and beat with night sticks
and this is for every public pretender, that conned me into taking a deal
thinking I was hitting the pavement, but wound up behind bricks and steel
and this for every judge, that sent me up state
where I grew bitter and cold, filled wit anger and hate
mang I've been misunderstood, from the second I came out the pussy
no I ain't no killa, but don't go and push me
I've been plotting this, since my days in solitary confinement
where I prayed to God, to show me the light through the darkness
well to your dismay, my prayers have been answered
and since that day, my words have been spreading like cancer
no you can't stop it, cause the truth always prevails
man every letter in this verse is like a bomb, being mailed
to everyone that's wrote me off, said I was worthless
a born loser, that served no purpose
and to every C.O. that told me to lift up my nut-sack
spread open my ass-crack, and said I'd be back
man fuck that, I'm over turning every sentence
coming with a vengeance, and claiming my redemption.....
(Break)
I was born guilty, in the eyes of my oppressors
kept under surveillance, and under constant pressure
They've been feeding me lies, ever since I was an adolescent
well now watch me flip the script and teach these punks a lesson
yea I've lied to survive, but I've never lied to myself
I know I'm going to heaven, cause I already been through hell
lock down in a cell, a corporate slave
but now I'm rising, like Christ from the grave
and I'm not talking on some Bad Boy shit, or RocaFella
I'm talking Filiberto Ojeda Rios, and Nelson Mandela
Malcolm-X, Karl Marx and Medgar Evers
I'm wielding my machete, till the dragons 7 heads are severed
I ain't just talking about, we need a change,
I'm breaking the shackles, handcuffs and chains
they tried to break me, but they just made me stronger
they thought they silenced me, but they couldn't have been wronger
I'm bringing the noise like Public Enemy, speaking truth like Technique
seeking vengeance for my people like an Arawak chief
talk is cheap, so I'm backing my words with action
draw first blood, we'll see what happens
don't forgot the golden rule, what goes around comes around
and keep in mind that you can't keep a real brotha down.....
(Break)
Just like my brotha Q-Unique, vengeance will be mine
that's why I'm coming at ya's like the judge, just gave me an asshole full of time
I got homicide on my mind, revenge pumping through my veins
for every inmate locked in the hole, literally going insane
I feel their pains, tears falling like acid rain
I know most of ya'll don't give a fuck, except for capital gain
well I'm gonna spit with a ferociousness, that will rattle your brains
make you see todays prisoners, ain't much different than yesterdays slaves
captured enchained, locked up in a cage
forced to work like third world children, that are under age
housed in conditions, the ASPCA would find inhumane
surrounded by TB, HIV and Aids
365 days could turn into a death sentence
but they keep on warehousing, inmates by the millions
I served 13 years, made me worse not better
cause they plan from day one, was to make me a repeat offender
but like Ojeda Ríos, I refused to surrender
man they ain't never seen me, as anything more than a commodity
but now they're looking at me, like I'm their worst fuckin enemy
spittin verses of truth, that reek of revolution
I got these fucks trying to raise, Willie Lynch from the grave
to try to regain control, of this renegade slave.....
Capital-"X" 2006

Note: Shortly after the execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams and the first test recordings of my track "Redemption" inspired by Tookie, I was booked for my first European tour. This to me was the beginning to my redemption. I feel Tookie's power as I think and pray for him every day. As a Catholic clutches roseries daily to remember the life of Christ, I grab the mic and fire out Redemption celebrating the life and legacy of change left behind by Stanley "Big Tookie" Williams. 1-4-18 mi hermano. 11-12