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Re​-​Gifted: Thrift Shop Experience

by John Public

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1.
A Vintage Charity “This album is dedicated… well to the dedicated… cuz… Most don’t know – Where it’s gone and where to find it – Less than most – Looked inside while I rewinded – Born in a park from busted speakers where giants was meetin – I stand defiant in speech with – Fire in eyes like Cyclops sees it – Fist shoved deep in pockets, my kicks hella scuffed – …Jeans inked wit subway grime, livin on a one-way ride – Easy like Sunday, I’m czecin faces at several paces keepin things in time – Ain’t gotta say nothing as I trace my way uptown on the railway line – My future in window glass more like an empty past – Where least resistance reached with the quickness (witNESSed my leap!) – Tryna pull me back – Gotta get it movin to keep what I’m doin at the (FRONT) and prove I’m usin my gifts to keep the balance over drugs and outfits, thugs, cowards, love verse pounds it – Went from Pac to X to Mos to Em to Buffett, got on my own dick – (Now I’m) Rock, country n boom bap wit a little bita Florida coastin– Readily etch, this legacy kept bars, convict spits, A – Head of me steadily goin hard for dough with back pockets ripped – I been down since ’96, surrounded by lifeless kids ciphin with – Tired spits while I showed ya’ll what desire is – Brought it back to basement basics just to attempt what’s not been – Our flaws is perfect, everyone’s fine (SO) the lyin need ta be stoppin – Kids got it twisted THO excusing youth for these standards slippin – Errything gifted and given, taken with violence and no ambition – YO I’m a musician first, salesman last, the rest I own – White boy, black noise, rollin stone with mad hats at home – (John Pub!) – I’m talkin hope of the present, fork in the road to follow – The pill to swallow to forget tomorrow or still livin with a chance to borrow – THIS is where I stand, where as a man, I’ma always be – Where I was born, I fit and how I’m me – vintage charity.”
2.
Secondhand Minutes feat. Mike Maven Time on your side, you know you gotta use it Stay on my grind, you know I gotta do it Losin my mind... streets is makin music You know you gotta say it for sure... …Rise and shine to this Jersey grime – Rub sleep from the eye – Another day, another freestyle pass by – What’s left to say, all I gots this rhyme – Bus stop sluggin water out the bottle slow – Day heatin up like a throttle pushed forward – CHEAH Rush a crowd shovin - Journal Square Path buzzin – Back on the wall in the car and it all went black, cousin – September shooken, remember how it looked when - I inhale memories of this footprint – ...City life is easy, a fistfulla change – (But blood still run and maintains) – Jim Buffett kicks, a second-hand war- Press to this fence ‘fore I’m told, “Get it goin” – Clock sorta stopped, stepped to move on – Odd... I look back now and it’s gone…” Time on your side, you know you gotta use it Stay on my grind, you know I gotta do it Losin my mind... streets is makin music You know you gotta say it for sure... “Situation hot like August straphangin – People brush past the spot I was standin – 
Construction soundtrack got me thinkin – Where I’ve been took, what’s the reason – Monday is sidewalk cleanin, treated – Supposed to find a routine now to believe in – Back hella stiff my gift from a 10-hour shift… Smell of fish on the block stinkin like shit – Round the corner bikes and a jukebox screamin – Tales of these heroes, talk of late last evenins – Past tables, taxis, birds that’s fly – My dude showin love thru the fire – Pour the Jack prescription when I’m home illin – Till I crash, emcee, J.O. willin – 2am, prayin the jungle can hear me – While the picture look fuzzy I come thru clearly – CMON Jeans like that morning, swag of a killer – Talk to me New York, it’s only getting iller – You know I’d stay now but Johnny on his grind – Broke as fuck, and none of us afford time, let’s go…” Time on your side, you know you gotta use it Stay on my grind, you know I gotta do it Losin my mind... streets is makin music You know you gotta say it for sure... “Eight thirteen went 33 minutes more – Fifty six minutes back broke in the fall – End of the day still hasn’t come for me – Not haunted, I’m drawn back to it’s memory – …For everyone that it buried alive – Where my best friend served and Pat Tillman died – Home of the brave three colors wave – 6:50 sunrise prayer for the day – Our stories is the walls of the city – Voices camped on the corner gettin busy – Do what you gotta for the war and religion – For peace I believe it's more inner demons – (IT’S LIFE) Clock poised like a tough guy – ...Maintain as the midnight oil run dry – I keep a candle lit in the streets til it die… With respect that God give a damn how it fly, New York…” Time on your side, you know you gotta use it Stay on my grind, you know I gotta do it Losin my mind... streets is makin music You know you gotta say it for sure...
3.
“American Block Party” yeah, yeah… yo we all right here, man… they said it’s getting tight around the collar these days, but uh… you know what? it’s the perfect opportunity for us to take a step back and cool it off… little Saturday special, Margaritaville dreamin on ya front steps… let’s go, c’mon! [an yo]: “Summertime! It’s hot in America – Summertime, it’s hot in America – Been hard in here the last few years but we gone put it on hold like an operator (cheah) The sun came up today and the breeze is nice – The Yanks beat up the Sox in the Bronx last night – Got some food for the grill, couple bags of ice – The lady’s lookin good, fam feelin alright – TV man tellin me a storm is comin – That we in for a bad one, that we all goin under – I said, Damn straight, called up my mom – Bring the pecan pie, the blender is on – Pop tops up and we’ll get to kickin back – Talkin loud in the kitchen as… nephews and nieces – Sneak cookies with the radio up high – This the soundtrack to my summer… in July cuz… Chorus: “We’re gonna have a block party Have a good time cuz the struggle won’t get us down We’re gonna have a block party Sit out late, feel real good, spread love around” “Whoever said it first is the last one soaked – My beer’s by the pool and the dog got the hose – Streets is flooded when the hydrant burst – Sand in my suit by the lake is good work – Money train runnin and I’m too tired to fuss – No problems today ‘bout who’s lyin to us – No one in the streets fightin, all the soldier’s home – Surprise visits now at the BBQ roast – Everyone’s hands up, they clappin at the sound – Fireworks lightin eyes tired of tears runnin down – We gone be alright, we gone be okay – We always are, on your last name – Ya put ya peace sign up as our flag wave high – Know tomorrow’s yours til the day you die – And until then, let’s celebrate this year – This is our moment, this time, right here. CMON! Chorus: We’re gonna have a block party Pick each other up, ain’t no problems in my town We’re gonna have a block party Help my people find a little bit of common ground Chorus “We’re gonna have a block party Havin a good time cuz the struggle won’t get us down We’re gonna have a block party Sit out late, feel real good, spread love around We’re gonna have a block party Pick each other up, ain’t no problems in my town We’re gonna have a block party Help my people find a little bit of common ground We’re gonna have a block party Find a way to make it better, better America you are beautiful – Lets dance out in the street right now… Everybody come together!”
4.
“Throw Ya Hands!” (prod. M-Phazes, written by John Public) Throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care Just clap ya hands to the beatbox, just clap ya hands to the beatbox Just throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care From the depths of the sea, back to the block – A little bit of the bounce for the tic and the toc – (cough) Mic check, one two and it’s on – The boy on fire, I transform (Johnny Storm!) – Went from intern to journalist, manager – To spittin iller than these muhfuckas on my camera – The label knew I was murderin mics – Now they artists is scared I’ma murder they hype – It’s like yeaaahhhh, act like you know, sing along – ‘Fore I stomp ya block n scoop ya girl like King Kong – Rock ya showcase A-B-C – Thinking you be illin like you DMC – (who am I?) John Public, and I’m all that – So trust me, let yaself go and fall back – Cuz when the beat get to bangin and the people get to screamin I’ma be the one with the mic, nuts swinging like Yo! Throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care Just clap ya hands to the beatbox, just clap ya hands to the beatbox Just throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care Ok…I got the backbeat bumpin – Whole place shakin like crack fiends humpin – Peep the scheme out killa, now how it feel, uh – When I melt-ya-ice-to-cream quicka? – Money mean and greener, I’m so illa – Billfold look swole like stuffed tortillas – (COUSIN) You ain’t know I came came def on cassette decks? – Talk blogs put me on to collect checks? – FUCK YA’LL – I got here my own two – Kicked in the door, waved in the metaphors – That incredible impeccable cerebral Kneival Muhfucka you ain’t touchin me this lethal – ...My shit for these hip-hop heads – ...While you got ‘em wonderin if hip-hop dead – Long live the sickness when I’m on the mic spittin – Tape like AIDS boy, it stay in ya system... get it? Throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care Just clap ya hands to the beatbox, just clap ya hands to the beatbox Just throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care I gotta – kick a flow so ya’ll could know I live large n in charge like Charles was a sumo so – Peep out the manuscript and handle it – All the honey’s gonna dance to this (it don’t stop!) – Phazes… Let the beat drop as the speaks pop and honey’s hips smashin on my jock – Veteran game, yo, rookie relax – John’s dick like catnip the way the pussy react – …Uh, throw your hands if tryin to have fun – Make noise if the beat got ya mind goin numb – EYYYY Don’t hold her hand stupid – This is boom bap, it ain’t slow jam music – Bump it high, or turn it off quick – Tryin to reminisce the last time the task force flipped – So do like me and right now and take it low - And bring it up on 1, 2, 3, 4! Throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care Just clap ya hands to the beatbox, just clap ya hands to the beatbox Just throw ya hands in the air, and wave ‘em like ya just don’t care
5.
Jack n Ginger (Ale) words by John Public, music by 6th Sense Now and then… you gotta stop and reminisce, ya’ll – Nothing more nothing less, than what it is... Maybe life ain’t been what you supposed it be – Broken dreams, things you hoped to see… just walk with me… Park bench chillin, I could recollect – How the girl used to used to get in – Saturday Sigma Chi illegal – Scorpion bowls lethal, there with me and my people – She… went from nuttin but a conquest to huggin and lovin – To somethin I wanted, reggae on the rooftop bumpin – Took it to break ups to make ups to over – To four years in a prison where I couldn’t get sober – Wrote an album of songs and moved on – Feelin dead n gone, it ain’t even lukewarm – I know she had a few guys and changed their lives – …Remembered better when her notes survived – The lost one tryin to stay alive and go figure – A way home where you safe alone in Vermont winters – Hope ya found that glass slipper and it stayed intact – I hated those times, but wouldn’t take ‘em back with....” A bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Raise up a glass if you livin well – Got a bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Ladies blow a kiss... put wind in these sails – This Jack and Ginger Ale – What’s these lies you tryin to sell? I could tell, in this Jack & Ginger Ale – Now gimme a glass for I get mad as hell! “Had a friend, we all had a friend… Left college and son was slippin… Talked about dreams of the money, the cars, the women – A good guy with a bad boy image – You’d find him laughin on that Coke and Captain – But as it often happens it wasn’t cola in the bag when – He’d be out roamin solo and alone – Think he seen one too many scenes with Johnny Depp in Blow – Got to talking about life, makin a forever – Believed it shakes us to make or break us for the better – Facin odds, we made it this far – Carved out a foot hold on toppa the bar – Good friends in a pic, eyes on the cam and future – A panaram view… wit rounds for what we knew ta – Be this life as we learned it – …So now we sippin one back in the purge with…” A bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Raise up a glass if you livin well – Got a bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Ladies blow a kiss... put wind in these sails – This Jack and Ginger Ale – What’s these lies you tryin to sell? I could tell, in this Jack & Ginger Ale – Now gimme a glass for I get mad as hell! “Life ain’t been what I supposed it be – Rewindin times in my mind fightin broken dreams – Everything in my palms I’d hoped to see – Spent it like I let it go for free – Workin dead end jobs for a lower fee – To support my music, goin broke and cheap – Ask my girl, she know my stee – Loves the kid anyways, she go for me – I gotta pen these lines in the booth – From the heart through the darkest parts of the truth – Gotta be honestly out spittin whatcha couldn’t – When ya beyond words thinkin prayin to God ain’t worth it – Broke out the labeled box, believe it! – Filled a glass and lifted it for all ya’ll see it – We need to reminisce if just to stay alive – This for everyone with dreams like mine and…” A bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Raise up a glass if you livin well – Got a bottle fulla Jack and some Ginger Ale – Ladies blow a kiss... put wind in these sails – This Jack and Ginger Ale – Where ya lies ain’t prevail, I could tell... In this Jack & Ginger Ale – Now we got our glass and they mad as hell!
6.
“It’s been a helluva time for most folks I know – They either laid off or payin on debts they owe – Could tell ‘em it’s gone get better, that it’s life – That Obamanomics and a promise gonna make it right – But they ain’t hearin it, cuz when it rains it pours – Bailed out Detroit for cars we can’t afford – Gave the banks bonus money now instead of putting the onus on the ivy dummies who loaned it out funny style – Pointin fingers at Bush, who pointed them Clinton – How bout you politicians shut up and listen – Invest a trillion in the people, books, schools – Educate the kids, equip ‘em with the tools – If future is tech, ship fruit to Brazil – (yeah) We’re smart enough to see this here is for real – (yeah) Got beef with the system, not my people in it – (yeah) With God as my witness, we will not be victims” (yeah)
7.
“Hurt me soul, all the worlds ills on welcome mats of good will – From burbs to the hood it feel like it would when it’s real – A piece of me, a slice of heaven and all of God and is how it work – To get it back to good like it should but knowin don’t soften the hurt – Cancer and abuse of alcohol and drugs, too little love, more TV, no funds, humor sprinkled with guns – There’s these jokes of crack peddling, broken down cars to sell again – Lack of melanin, news embellishments, room with an elephant – Healthcare, disease, depression, aggression and peace – Military aid received where war machines rippin dreams – it’s all Bottled inside and drunken down weekends til it’s gone – Tilt it, fill it, but don’t spill it, keep it quiet, riot, don’t talk – I’m seein it from afar because I’ve seen it up close first – Personal journal entry from a girl to a boy and vice verse – This is more than together, conversations of mild weather – This is our soul’s prep and it’s final test for our forever – If you believe in something more stick your fist in the sky – Shout love if you want yours and you tryin to survive – LOVE you see? This my selfish pursuit – Let’s be selfish and sell fish like Jesus would do, cuz uh…”
8.
9.
Interlude (HandMeDowns) “Bring it back when the spot get crackin - Drop bars, no aderol added - Fam lampin, pop cans with - My girl dolled up, Cosmo fashioned - ...Sour mash, fitted crooked - Johnny come get it, quit it, now look it - Dust memories like old footage - Feel how I should like good home cookin - Wake up from snores to spins - Thin line in Sunday morning sins - Feet still sandy, brush off the lies - Dick yellin piss but I’m tired - Roll out, new day, inspired - Yesterday lost to the fire - Found my purpose (survived!) - I got ripped pockets where all my money go - In torn up jeans honey threw to the floor - Handmedown shirt aged 10 years - Holes in the sleeves, ya’ll could see my tears - ...Handmedown notebooks and tapes - That I kept as a kid to rewind fate - Pick my spots to go in or go easy - Go fish, go big with a cigar n doze, sleepy - Lay prone, let the girl go deeply - Or take hold ‘this handmedown life that won’t leave me - ...I just play in every ciph I get in - There backstage when no mic to spit with - World confrontin me, there’s gonna be music - Feet up under me, brother, we together now thru it - ...Every memory, person, place and time - Ya’ll right there with me long as I’m alive - THRU Pennsylvania fields, Texas - Cali beaches, Jersey exits - New York’s in my blood til death - With saltwater skin, and whisky breath - Yo I am what I am because of where I’m from - So I never hang my hat where at hat get hung - Now, Now... lemme, pour this drink - I need some fuckin time to think - Bout where I’ve been, and whatcha’ll is callin impossible- ...Saved ya some hand-me-down in the bottle...”
10.
I'ma bring ya back to 1997 – PUFF said there’s No Way Out but BIG left for heaven – …Missy Elliot rocked that garbage bag parka – …WuTang was forever while hell was gettin hotter – Tribe got a Grammy nod, mediatin beef – While Saturday’s were Uptown in NYC - (Lo-i) El and Bis battled bout a tattooed mic – Pun and Mos heard the rhyme for the first time that night – Master P had us screamin UGHH and no limit – I found a Pac tape, listened to it and started pennin – Jay dropped Volume 1 pushed it past critics – And Slim finished second at LA’s Rap Olympics – Hootie’s phenomenon was dead, No Doubt was hot – But Gwen wasn’t Eve yet and Fergie wasn’t hip-hop – …Loud Records had the streets on smash – But Napster had eyes on that industry cash – Yeah… Diana died, a comet lit the stars – Bill Clinton re-upped for a second victory cigar – But I ain’t Mad Skillz and this here ain’t the rap-up – I want the Nod Factor, tho, so let me just back up – Yo, I literally lived in Media Play coppin Mase joints – Steady rewindin that Pac tape and really tryin to b-boy – That year and time with memories now in my pocket – Bring me here today, to this stage, belt with these notches – And thru these threads and spits, long nights, wrong chicks – Kegs we kicked to heal hurt or celebrate all of it – I finally realize I can’t flip what I don’t know – I hate hip-hop fashion, chains, wack lyrics and am I pro-Obama? No, but... can you remember?"
11.
every line has a purpose, every rhyme has a meaning, every life has a story, all time is fleeting... some will gather dust and choose as such... this is my Thrift Shop Experience!
12.
Untitled Life feat. Jubilation & The Mercy Project (words by John Public) Chorus: This untitled life (it’s everything I know) – Our untitled life (it comes and it goes) – Untitled life – I’ll do what I can – So untitled life: Here I am! [first verse]: Midnight on the avenue scheming – Change in my pocket ain’t the kind I’m seein – Move past faces blurred in action – Memories in time, purpose and passion – Layin groundwork, this life and times – All I need is ya ear, a mic and this rhyme – ATM dish out survival goodness – Lose sleep and or my future, I’d die if I couldn’t – Find the inside of the mood and let it breathe – Real world bearin down, dirty heart on my sleeve – Boat shoes scuffed, city grime gets ill – Thrift shop tags, polyeruethane tales – Pinstripes, papers, billboard books – Words lost in space but no one wanna look – We seek to find, but within it’s livin – Reach out experience, base up, re-gift, get it? Chorus: This untitled life (it’s everything I know) – Our untitled life (it comes and it goes) – Untitled life – I’ll do what I can – So untitled life: Here I am! [second verse]: Feelin vintage, but so brand new – Walk backwards forward, swing like Duke – They bake tomorrow’s bread, man I ain’t with it – Yesterday’s crumbs and some Jack and Ginger – Frustrated but still in love with this music – Drop lines, jump hoops kid skip thru it – Socks pulled hella high get my Cali on – Florida in my heart, N-Y grown – Parked on the couch with my girl we dreamin – Prayin to God for the world we believe in – Friends in long-order, close circle bound – Recallin laughter movin slow uptown – Bills pilin up, tho, cash getting low Grandpa getting sick wit no job to show – America heavy maybe down in our spirits – But this experience, me to you, regifted – we singin for Chorus: This untitled life (it’s everything I know) – Our untitled life (it comes and it goes) – Untitled life – I’ll do what I can – So untitled life: Here I am! Bridge: For all the people like you and I – Thinkin today is do or die – Take a breath, hold it deep inside – Let it out and shake ya soul – All the faces we might see – All the places we might be – Oh I’m sure these times is ours to hold Chorus: This untitled life (it’s everything I know) – Our untitled life (it comes and it goes) – Untitled life – I’ll do what I can – So untitled life: Here I am!

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released December 15, 2010

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John Public Jersey City, New Jersey

Find me somewhere between Mos Def & John Mayer: organic hip-hop with smokey, funk-laden rock n blues. I have roots in Jersey City, am a DXNext, have opened for DMC, J. Cole, Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas, Brown Bag All-Stars, The Cunninlynguists, Das EFX & Immortal Technique and currently live in Washington, DC. My album "Re-Gifted" is available for free DL at DJBooth.net or for purchase on iTunes. ... more

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