START WITH WHERE YOU'RE AT (feat. Camo)

Start with where you're at
build with what you've got
work with what you have
create with what you've brought
start where you are
express what you've felt
give us what you've learned in terms of higher self

what you seek cannot be bought
though some say they just happen to sell what you've always sought
ain't no merchants of breadth and depth
they sell a surface fix
express that you lack success
and the purpose is to encourage purchases
infect a healthy self-respect with the sense you've been left bereft
and must get the next image that they project
and such it is with relationships initiated with a graceless impatience
that's based from the gettyo on a scenario not unlike an unboxing video
flush with the rush of cash acquisition
practiced lines, imitated sex positions
uninspiring to say the least, but an adequate distraction for a couple of weeks
funny to see and sad to say,
as a general rule, music's the exact same way
and wack MCs hate me for sharing this one weird trick
they won't come near it
because It's easier to flow with casual coldness
than to show what the soul's true role is
in action and practice, right?
so they check ad campaigns and act all plastic-like
looking over their shoulders, get a crick in their neck
skim across the surface, missing the depth
and blame their ex for this and that
make wack battle raps - man, who wanna listen to that?!

Start with where you're at
build with what you've got
work with what you have
create with what you've brought
start where you are
express what you've felt
give us what you've learned in terms of higher self

what I've lived cannot be condensed in a pop format
with the lessons dispensed to express with intent
to make drones of youth who resent these attempts
to pretend that the truth is a brand to assume in place of identity
and other such intangible traits like integrity
but shortcuts got mass appeal
energy drinks to mask the feel of a deep fatigue
from a long and shallow stroll through malls and sales and so-called value, yo
the thrill of a new love distilled, on sale
never to fulfill with the true love that's real
and represents work and a skill at listening
rappers just wanna spit disses, lips glistening
like movie trailer crescendos of violence and sex,
each one about the same as the next

Start with where you're at
build with what you've got
work with what you have
create with what you've brought
start where you are
express what you've felt
give us what you've learned in terms of higher self

the problem with words is words can be misused
twisted and turned into wicks - a lit fuse
or more like a retro LED display
counting down on a detonator hidden away
underground fashions are like that, too
the mullets, the sewn-on fabric patches and tattoos
it's bad news for musical styles as well
dubstep synth bass drops crescendo swells
all of these are superficial aspects
that can be taken and changed into commercial assets
like hipstamatic photo filters that imitate the cachet
of experience from back in the day
but the heart is expressed in the long term
a lifetime path intact with the long burn
dimensions of love and grace that's
inaccessible through commercial-style infatuations
they ain't selling no patience or perseverance
or belief in your love or adherence
to the principal traits that enable you to create a more
authentic self like what we've been waiting for

Start with where you're at
build with what you've got
work with what you have
create with what you've brought
start where you are
express what you've felt
give us what you've learned in terms of higher self