Haile Selassie

## **from the album *Drogas Wave***

"**Haile Selassie**" is a song by Lupe Fiasco, released from his mixtape *Lost in the Atlantic* (2014) and album *Drogas Wave* (2018) on October 24, 2014. It includes guest vocals from Nikki Jean on the chorus, with production handled by Soundtrakk.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Chorus: Nikki Jean, Lupe Fiasco]

Haile Selassie, high as the eyelids of osprey, I'm thriving

Poseidon, your trident can't stop me, from diving

I'm looking for my, looking for my, looking for my, as I float

Brand new shell for my ghost, tattoos all on my coast

[Interlude: Lupe Fiasco]

"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted

The indifference of those who should have known better

The silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most

This, has made it possible for evil to triumph."

- Selassie, uhh

[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]

Man's limitation, transfiguration

Haka dance done at the welcome to the demo

Modern man comes to the weddin' in the limo

Mixin' doves with the rice rain

Uncle Ben's off the rails on the night train

And that storm took us to the platform, pushas

Back to the bachelor's backdoor, unhook us

Hope this track take you back to where the fat girl pushed us

And that's very old

Like Blackberry Bold but the juice

Sweeter than where the party at, or

Releasing these n\*\*\*as from the roofs, and

Leavin' these n\*\*\*as on the loose, or

Keepin' these n\*\*\*as in the coops, and

Leavin' these n\*\*\*as on the noose, free!

Shamu fan got a world to see!

[Chorus: Nikki Jean, Lupe Fiasco]

Haile Selassie, high as the eyelids of osprey, I'm thriving

Poseidon, your trident can't stop me, from diving

I'm looking for my, looking for my, looking for my, as I float

Brand new shell for my ghost, tattoos all on my coast

[Interlude: Lupe Fiasco]

"Then until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior

Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned

That until there no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation

Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes."

- Selassie

[Verse 2: Lupe Fiasco]

To the limit, the limit in the Methadone clinic

Ridin' with the pack like a Peloton

Flyin' with the sack in the trap like the pregnant

As it breaks in the backs from the cracks that we step upon

If I triple my worth, will it cripple my mom?

If I simple my search, will it mental my calm?

Will it hurt if I give you my palm?

To tell in it, don't put a nail in it

How you gonna see the world if you a whale in it

And readin' my palms like there's braille in it (braille in it)

Is it the trail or the forest? (forest)

Or the forest with the trail in it?

That's a sail with a 12 in it

Water coming through from impalin' it (water come through for me now)

Nothin' left of the boat but my holes

Still I fill up the world and I float like Haile

[Chorus: Nikki Jean, Lupe Fiasco]

Haile Selassie, high as the eyelids of osprey, I'm thriving

Poseidon, your trident can't stop me, from diving

I'm looking for my, looking for my, looking for my, as I float

Brand new shell for my ghost, tattoos all on my coast

[Interlude: Lupe Fiasco]

"A qualified man with vision, unmoved by daily selfish interests

Led to right decisions by his conscience

In general, a man who knows from whence he comes

And where he's going will cooperate with his fellow human beings

He will not be satisfied with merely doing his ordinary duties

But will inspire others by his good example

You are being watched by the nation

And you should realize, that you will satisfy it if you do good

But on the contrary, you do evil

It will lose its hope and confidence in you."

- Selassie

[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]

Hydrant open wide, on the side of the colonized

Swimmin' in the street, fell asleep on my mama thighs

Blockin' out the noise that destroys little boys

Live enjoy, ships ahoy, get deployed by the rock-a-byes

D-d-d-deep into the sea of my dreams

Lyin' fall asleep at the feet of my queen

Hawk, I'ma write to the beat of your wings

Song for the Ethiopian King, Haile

[Chorus: Nikki Jean, Lupe Fiasco]

Haile Selassie, high as the eyelids of osprey, I'm thriving

Poseidon, your trident can't stop me, from diving

I'm looking for my, looking for my, looking for my, as I float

Brand new shell for my ghost, tattoos all on my coast

Haile Selassie, high as the eyelids of osprey, I'm thriving

Poseidon, your trident can't stop me, from diving

I'm looking for my, looking for my, looking for my, as I float

Brand new shell for my ghost, tattoos all on my coast

## References

1. ↑ Lilah, Rose (October 24, 2014). "Haile Selassie". *HotNewHipHop*.