Here’s another Unbeaten Track exclusive for y’all - the lyrics to the first verse of One at a Time, as penned by Travie…
Let’s take a minute and reflect on what we can do
to be smart and play a part in something beautiful
embrace life, appreciate the fact you’re even breathing
cos we in the cross hairs and it’s open season
if each one teaches one, we got a good start
you’re not a square because you care and have a good heart
we gotta speak soft, and listen hard
it’s right in front of our face but we don’t even bother
Thoughts?
Here’s a challenge… Before we reveal them, come up with your own lyrics for the second verse - whoever comes up with the best will bag one of just 8 New Era Staying Alive caps (they’re Travis’ hats though so they’re size 8!)
Go for it. Just add yours in the comments section below and show us how great your writing skillllzzzz are!
We’ll pick the best on November 26th.
Post to 
Hey, this country,
hot like a fahita,
I feel like my heads been roasted on a heater.
But I feel better than saint Peter.
The death in this place’s makes my tongue taste bitter.
How could this situation situation get any shitter,
my thought’s so hot and heavy, I even miss winter.
The pain here’s deeper than a six inch splinter.
Forget about lunch, last night they didn’t have dinner.
Oh god I swear,
I’ll never touch a cookie jar again.
All I wanna do is help them.
And as I sat there with my hand on my pen.
I think of all the kids, all the girls and men.
I remember when God came to me and said “hey travie, get your kicks on, you’s about to make some kids happy,
there’s a lot more to life than rappin’
so stop tappin’
and get your cap and,
It’s a long trip so you better pack some prayers,
and you better pack some food coz you can’t be eating air,
remember travie, I made you what you are right?
It’s time to go to Africa and maybe spread a bit of starlight.”
So I nodded and said all right.
AIDS is like an AK plus a 47,
feels like I’ve been taken away from my heaven.
And as I sit here I think of life’s devils,
and how they be competing to get on my level.
so hey, you better press your foot to the pedal.
Being to cool to donate won’t get you any medals.
And even though I wanna give this stuff my all,
if I run to fast I might trip and then fall.
HIV is like a whirlwind,
like a storm that a keeps growing.
but I got keep flowing,
so I can increase…
….the amount of peoples knowing.
AIDS is a devestation,
it be wiping out nations,
and goes with out leaving information.
no elation.
not even a crumb of hope,
and Africa’s on a slippery slope.
And they’s finding it hard to cope,
watching family dying,
and baby’s crying,
and people lying,
that things would be better tommorow,
but tommorows,
just the next day that follows.
And empty promise, just a hope that’s hollow.
but they can’t sit and wallow,
they gotta get on with life,
it’s a hard pill to swallow.
you have a wonderful heart
and I am not give in
that story doesn´t look like art
cause you´re just a love machine
I can´t let me down with this cherry story
I don´t wanna forgive you,
You´re my fav love factory
LOLLIPOP is the special taste of love
is the kinda of lunch u have got
cuz my silence is screaming your name
and Iam freaking out
I’m a musical chemist,
on the premise,
of creating air.
But I figured,
that for some niggers,
some shit ain’t fair.
And they say that rap,
is just quick-paced pop-prayer.
Shot into heaven,
using your mouth for a weapon.
My minds exploding,
my souls imploding,
I can’t even tell,
if I’m coming or going.
my rhymes are slowing,
as disease takes effect,
the speed of my decease,
is breaking my neck.
‘N as I remisce,
with Blueray precision.
I reflect on all my,
hasty decisions.
Every cloud, raindrop and tree,
is precious to me,
coz unfortunate-ly,
I got the H-I-V.
So I suppose,
AIDs is the thorn to life’s Rose,
if it were drug,
it’s a forced overdose.
because Death’s cold Benz,
is cruising to close.
and HIV’s, gotta be something,
I feared most.
I remember when God came to me and said “hey travie, get your kicks on, you’s about to make some kids happy,
there’s a lot more to life than rappin’
so stop tappin’
and get your cap and,
It’s a long trip so you better pack some prayers,
and you better pack some food coz you can’t be eating air,
remember travie, I made you what you are right?
It’s time to go to Africa and maybe spread a bit of starlight?”
This is a true story for you guys,
about a couple who fell in love the second they clapped eyes.
Together all the time,
such a shame love is blind,
listen hard, speak soft
and let the story unwind.
The couple where married,
more happy than ever,
but soon got suspicious when she felt under the weather…
Now they know there pregant,
but was told with a frown
coz with the gift of life,
came an unwelcome hand me down…
He was HIV and didnt tell his wife,
no longer were they accepted within their village life.
shund by her family, husband and people,
with no one to talk to, except the holy steeple.
she prayed for a better day,
one with more care,
one with more awarness of the deseases we share.
her baby was doomed before its first breath,
no choice, just born into the cold hands of death.
so how much longer
will this go on??
to how many people will this story belong?
if we all work together, one step at a time,
educate this world that is yours and is mine.
Be aware of aids and HIV
dont leave it upto staying alive and Travie
Dont give up now,
the battle has just begun
act on these words..
EACH ONE, TEACH ONE!
good luck everyone =)
xoxo
“it’s right in front of our face but we don’t even bother…”
…what ever happened to MEN steppin up and bein fathers?
nowadays marriages seem to be endin in divorce,
and people are killin each other off without an ounce of remorse,
you know it’s true—the world is gettin crazier by the minute,
but instead of bein weak why don’t we just try to spin it…
let’s all try to make it better one day at a time,
’cause these days you gotta keep your head up & fight to stay alive…
so be happy with what you got & don’t fear the strife,
shit’s always gonna happen—but hey, that’s just life…
Babies are born and lovers lie,
We’ll make plans when freedom stands.
Do not let their stories die.
We teach the how, perhaps the why;
Heart and truth would make them cry.
Heartbeats skip and minutes fly,
And the dead will never be able to ask why.
Some got relief, some got the wall,
Nine-thousand remains: nothing at all.
Don’t be afraid to conquer your adversity,
I’ll give it one more try to show them what’s left in me.
So many people in the world are ungrateful,
And we quiver and quake with the bees knees,
And although that food may not be tasteful,
Show some gratitude like the HAPPY LITTLE TREES.
We have our fancy parties, like the Monopoly man with the monocle,
But we’ve been there and done that like the Papercut Chronicles.
Now Shorty’s staring at wall,
building up to the tears,
she only has a few months,
she used to have years.
Sitting shyly next to death,
in a hospital room,
She hopes this stupid ward,
won’t turn out to be a tomb.
She hopes she’ll die at home with her family,
and friends.
But wherever she dies,
she’s certain it’s the end.
As times stretches longer,
death’s pull becomes stronger,
she thinks to herself,
things can’t get any wronger.
She lies back on the bed,
sighs and says,
in an angry voice,
“damn I hate AIDS!”
A tiny voice,
whispers back,
it’s time to leave now,
sit back and relax…
She closes her eyes,
and rests her head on the pillow,
her lashes way a ton,
and her heart ways a kilo.
Her lungs stop breathing,
her eyes stop weeping,
ever so slowly…
…her heart stops beating.
so here we stand waiting for our lips to speak words
only our minds can comprehend,to let the world know
that this is not the end of something important,
but to stand up and realise what we have is taken for
granted by who you may ask, our self’s it’s crazy it seems
one at a time were not understanding how much we need to open our eyes to see the true meaning behind false words and signs.
don’t let me be misunderstood, this message is to be condensed
grab the chaos that’s around you and make it make sense
your heart is your softest part, so granted it needs defense
but let a little love in through your painful picket fence
So don’t worry, be happy, that’s all that we are asked
keep your thoughts healthy, negativity gets passed
I ain’t saying this just to say it, take some notes while you’re in class
be the best that you can be, and don’t ever settle for last
Pay attention ’cause this something very serious
what I’ve seen this days left me delirious.
People ignoring what’s happening in the mother land,
witness suffering without the guts to take a stand,
c’mon brother show some love, give them a reaching hand.
They need America Europe and even you and me,
together we can all fight the deadly HIV.
So let’s hold hands and together take a deep dive.
‘Cause they need our help to stay alive!
I sit back,
scribbling rhymes with my biro,
my head’s hot,
now feeling more like pyro.
my thoughts spin,
like an out of control spiral.
but right now,
my words ain’t the only thing viral.
I remember,
back when my friend was dying,
forget hot,
even my blood was frying,
lost it,
fell on the floor crying.
watching,
as his lips of life,
were drying.
Overcome,
by flames of anger,
I popped pills,
till life was like Manga,
I swore that day,
that I’d use my gift,
to make a difference,
and stop this shit.
Staying alive,
it’s easy to say,
not easy to do.
What’d you say,
if shit happen to you.
What’re you thinking,
while I’m rappin’ to you?
“it’s right in front of our face but we don’t even bother”
……………………………………………….
You take your time,while life passes by you
livin in your box,and you claim you dont try to
need to realize the pain is real,
and only time can tell if we’ll heal,
if we work together,long and hard I’m sure
that well beat this monster and find a cure,
open your ears and and your hearts
cause now the lights start to flicker…start to spark
1st post
If ignorance is bliss, then this world would be Disney land
But if awareness is knowledge then we need to get busy man
Because if that knowledge brings power then
We need to stop wasting time in the hourglass
And spread the power fast
Because if we don’t our first check up could be our last
And then we’re just checkin’ out
so don’t ever forget to bring that protection out
The world is in this together there is no one section now
So look to your left and look to your right
Life is already a battle, let make one less fight
Remember like rumors being spread, fun at the time
Lets channel that positively, and effect one at a time
2nd post
its one of those things that was once on every kids wish list
to rid this, world of the war and cure diseases’ that are vicious
So we can be content with what we have,
instead of what we have leaving our lives contingent
But is this, another day to be alive, doesn’t that seem gifted ?
Every day you’re here should feel like Christmas
Take notes and take your pics kids, get with this…cause
cause you don’t wanna find out the hard way what this is
This hurt, this disease, that first, makes you plead,
Like “you sure?, I cant be” The news is worst, its the H.I.V
I know this doesn’t sound hopeful, excuse the harshness of my words
But if you don’t see or hear it all you could forget what your fighting for
Love, respect, and persistence is some steps to finding the cure
Lets teach the kids having sex ,before they are sure
And even for adults, Growin up too fast,
skipping the lesson of knowing what’s bad
the ripple effect, touching the things you take for granted to have
And your fam sisters brothers, mothers, aunts uncles, cousins and dads
Its this thing that’s left in all of our hands
So lets take whats in our palms
And pilot some plans
The world is in all of our fingertips
Lets change the land
Sit down with some paper, take out my Sharpie,
these words right here, speak loud like harpies.
Sketch a few rhymes For The Kids that need it,
started a healing fire, this shit is to feed it.
I’m really just fighting flames with water,
but fighting AIDS, is building bricks with no mortar.
Make the right decisions,
You’ve only got one life to live.
The gift of information,
Is the perfect one to give.
This disease can decrease with the power of knowledge
You just gotta’ make that happen, give em’ the leadin’ edge.
Putcha’ heart in it,
If you feel me, believe.
Now’s the time that we’eve
Been waiting for, for way too long.
We need put this case in check, where it belongs.
See, we are in this race together
so how can one look farther when eyes wont chase sight
Rather, sedentary in settings where we settle with
lids shut tight, but if one sways one we could strum
our harps to the same rhythm, instead of pulling strings
like mannequins, Man it can be beyond the blind ballet
in the heart of the man in tin
We’d have a better connection hand in hand,
taking this load one step at a time
giving direction down this yellow brick road
we’re running in our minds
So lets imagine our old tattered shoes into
golden slippers, as we become the Artist
painting new hues over this discolored picture,
yesterday, framed as life
but before we click our heels
and chant our way home to the finish line,
we should heal those who can’t find
hope for the better, and remind
those eyes that can’t visualize
the beauty of being alive is that
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.
We may lack the same struggles but we can still relate
After all we share the same emotions and the same heart ache
It’s like a penny for your efforts, together we make cents
We are just scattered change, but combined we can make up the difference
Take a step back from your everyday, this epidemic has claimed thousands of lives today
A mother felt by this disease visits her daughter’s grave
Falls down to her knees as she begins to pray
She pulls out a school photo from the sixth grade
Cradles it near her heart and she wipes her tears away
Staying hopeful cause tomorrow could be that special day
When you and you put your heads together and collaborate
Get up off your feet, make some noise, let’s go out and demonstrate
This issue needs to be addressed cos it’s here to stay
One at a time, it’s time to educate
This issue needs to be addressed cos we are here to stay
Here’s the deal, when you get caught up in all of this
Digging through the dead sands for a taste of brisk
Aqua, you shouldn’t have to worry at all
If your bodies gonna break you and be your downfall
Cause it’s the sign that all the times are changing
When T-Cells and Blood counts start rearranging
And you can’t trust your self or the ones you love
You start shakin your fist to the skies above
But if the Johnson can Magically find a cure then
Why can’t we get one to every boy and girl and
Why should ever let another day go by when
everyone around is just slowly dyin.
The intricacies, of what you will see, when you live your life to the fullest/
They say happiness is warm gun, with smiles and rainbows for the bullets/
So pull it, the trigger I mean, and scream “My conscience is clean”, I dream and I plot/
On ways to make the best of my life with the things that I got/
Cuz Mr. Jackson told us we could heal the world/
Make it s better place for all the boys and girls/
Heres the thing, say, can you make a difference with a quarter?/
Let me try it, I got one, Now its time to pay it forward./
*sidenote* If mine wins, will I get to record it for the song with Travis?
The intricacies, of what you will see, when you live your life to the fullest/
They say happiness is warm gun, with smiles and rainbows for the bullets/
So pull it, the trigger I mean, and scream “My conscience is clean”, I dream and I plot/
On ways to make the best of my life with the things that I got/
Cuz Mr. Jackson told us we could heal the world/
Make it s better place for all the boys and girls/
Heres the thing, say, can you make a difference with a quarter?/
Let me try it, I got one, Now its time to pay it forward./
*sidenote*
If I win, will I get to record my verse with Travis for the song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o518oHqF4ZI
if you wanna get a feel for my verse i recorded it on video^
I may be able to monopolise a rhyme, like Def Jam,
but letting people die like this, couldn’t be God’s plan.
And as I sit here, contemplating my life span.
I think about all the poor cats, who can’t .
It must be some real depressing shit to be dying.
To feel your basin of life slowly drying.
To see your family around, you whining and crying.
Sometimes you lie to yourself, but you’re done denying.
What the fuck would Jesus do?
to tell the truth, I got no clue.
I praying to God he’ll give me a moment of clarity.
And they’re saying to me,
will I give bit of charity.
Can’t get 100k, but I know more stars than galaxies.
(Note: This rhyme is spat in Lupe Fiascos style)
Many a place,
has been razed,
by this disease with ease,
Death’s getting more hits,
than those Black Eye Peas.
I’m constantly fixated,
and eternally frustrated,
with an undousable fire,
that never seems to tire.
Golden plains,
burnt away,
by this destructive pyro,
and his flames are viral.
Water don’t work,
my only weapons are words.
I keep on sending dragons,
but they’re turning to birds.
Let’s speak about it
love
and how we can teach the youth about it
Your heart is were you start
when you wanna make a difference
Little kids need guidence
let’s show ’em they not any different
We’re not talkin blue, yellow, black or white
we talkin kids we talkin human rights
You have a chance to safe a life
there’s no thinkin twice
Grab my hand be my brother be my sister
Tomorrow is what we strivin for
love is what dying for
and peace is what we flying for
let’s believe that we can make something to change, for achiving to hug and listen
believe that we realy have to live life and feel the sound of leaves and the singing of sea.
Listen the laughs and the crying and the hard beats of heart and understand that no matter what,
i care about everithing arround me because i’m a part of this, and i want to be here to see life pass in front of me and say i’m alaive.
let’s believe that we can make something to change, for achiving to hug and listen believe that we realy have to live life and feel the sound of leaves and the singing of sea.
Listen the laughs and the crying and the hard beats of heart and understand that no matter what, i care about everithing arround me because i’m a part of this, and i want to be here to see life pass in front of me and say i’m alaive.
Sorry about the other two post. but is poorly written.
I think if it goes well here …
we believe we can do something to change, to achieve listen and embrace, truly believe that we must live life. Feel the sound of the leaves and the singing of the sea. Listen to the laughter and tears and the strong beat of the heart and understand that if I care about everything around me because I am part of this and want to be here to watch the world go in front of me and say I’m alive. Making life in some way we can all be kids forever and live like them, without fear, with courage and imagination to achieve in our changing world once!
To take a moment to think about those who have it harder
Those who don’t know, those who haven’t been taught
There’s a way to escape the situation they been caught
Up in, but it starts with you and I cos we have the education
To help slow down, or rather, halt this situation
Meet one, teach one, reach one, save one
But without that first step it just can’t be done
Don’t just look with your eyes cos your eyes can tell you lies
But look with your heart and know this is your time to start to
Jump in whole heartedly, make a difference in this world
Acknowledge you can help by believing those four words,
It all starts with you, believe that simple line
“I can save lives starting one at a time.”
whoa, it says i submitted it on the 26th, you still gonna take it? it was like midnight, i didn’t realize the time :/
We’re all the same,
whether we rock Nikes or Vans.
we may do it differently,
but we have the same plans.
We’re working and striving,
for the sake of surviving.
Making life along warm room,
instead of a fresh dug tomb.
instead of taking it one at a time
to brighten the world like the suns wonderful shine
we just recline
look at love as a crime
and watch our brother struggle to climb
dont make any remarks
on why our future seems so dark
how dare you open your mouth if you cant open your heart
how come you close your eyes but still speak on ya thoughts
why judge whose at the bottom if you dont help them to the top
eyes shut like blinds
why the fuck arent you trying
to make the the wold a better place
then the one in which we reside
the power of change
rest in you and i
so instead of moving by
and chunking the deuces hi
when you see a fellow man in need
look into his eyes
u see your own reflection
now put yourself in his position
and answer this question
wouldnt you want somebody`s helping
you only see whats in the present
your future cant be preicted
so why not have a past thats remembered
as making a difference
Let me get it right this time, a couple of words were spelled wrong. I’m a swede so… Much love to you Travis, song is crazy!
Let’s speak about it
love
and how we can teach the youth about it
Your heart is where you start
when you wanna make a difference
Little kids need guidance
let’s show them they’re not any different
We’re not talkin blue, yellow, black or white
we talkin kids we talkin human rights
You have a chance to safe a life
there’s no thinkin twice
Grab my hand be my brother be my sister
Tomorrow is what we striving for
love is what dying for
and peace is what we flying for
…its right in front our face but we don’t even bother…
Even as the dying proof of silent mistakes
we choose to refuse, we had a hand in this fate
but the dawn has arrived and the sun’s slowly risen
on the faces of those no longer willing to be hidden
disinclined to rewind and repeat our past wrongs
they forge ahead to bring harmony back into our song
from our very best friend, to someone we’ll never meet,
someone we’ll never see again, to kid in the next seat
one at a time they are being the change
we claim we want, but don’t take the reins
but there’s no better time, are you ready to react?
so go ahead spit your verse on this unbeaten track!
We have to take it serious, man
Nobody knows, nobody feels the flow, nobody knows
But we have to expand it out, we have to let the world know that we aren’t safe even inside our houses
I’m not kidding, my bro. The same way it’s far from you, you might be the next
Your family might be the next, the world IS the next.
So take care, man; Look at me, I was like a beggar in the streets, didn’t care to nothing else.
But, now, I’m doing my part, knowing the fact, expanding the fact.
Nobody knows, nobody feels the flow, nobody knows
Even if cupid get me in a chokehold, now I’ve got condons in my wallet to know!
Staying alive, yeah, we have to do this for a better world, nobody’s gonna reach it alone
So keep together, my world, for a better world, yeah
Tomorrow, today, next year.. it doesn’t matter, we have to keep together
Save your sons, save their place, save our children, sing this song to everybody you know.
Nobody knows, nobody feels the flow, nobody knows
(AIDS, let us know)
So let YOURSELF know!
Cells slowly failing,
life slowly fading.
Is this the price I must pay,
for a careless mistake.
A poison cherry on the cake,
that I ate without thinking.
An evil olive in the shot,
I shouldn’t have been drinking.
My will’s burning,
these pills ain’t working.
My heart keeps on beating,
but I don’t see the reason.
I feel like a Peter Pan,
without the life span.
SO WHATS GOOD WITH IT?! WHO WON?!
so who won?
Descriminatin on a patient\
wit aids shouLd be racist\
With support We aLL can Make it\
That can’t happen wit peopLe hating\
They dnt reaLLy understand da Situation\
OnLy thing that make us different is da Medication\
So 2 aLL my brothers nd sistas wit aid\
Keep ur head up shine n da sun away from da shades\
And don’t Let nothing stop yu from getin paid\
And stay strong tiL a cure is made\
yeah… we just have to try to change the world on a diferet way… try everybody to be on the same way… just think obout it… we dot want more sicknes people… just want to go on and beat all sadness inside of us… we have to be a diferent people try to help who need help… the world like how we know its gonna change.. we have to change it in a possitive way… please search all the people thats really wants to help and do it… love makes world goes around… we need love… real love…
hey ummm who won?????
the video is up on world star hip hop.com so i guess we can listen to the lyrics to find out who won