Get all 12 Alphabet Rockers releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Movement, Slide, The Word is Love, Juneteenth (Alphabet Rockers + Fyütch), The Love (GRAMMY®-nominated), Throw Shine on Black History, My Holiday (Single), Rise Shine #Woke (GRAMMY Nominated), and 4 more.
1. |
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In California, there are in excess of 250 languages. 250 distinct cultures and communities. Becoming familiar with these nations, these peoples is so very important.
Coast Miwok
Bay Miwok
Karkin
Chochenyo
Tamyen
Ramatush
Awaswas
Rumsen
Mutsen
Chalon
Salinan
Yokut
Esselen
Those are just a few of what we recognize Central Coastal California Bay Area.
This album was recorded on Ohlone land with our community—YOU.
You are powerful.
You are brave.
You're brilliant
You believe me.
You ask questions.
You accept me.
You stand up for people who don't look like you.
You make new friends.
You show us that we are still changing.
You are legacy.
There's only one you.
You are the love.
You are the love.
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2. |
We Royal
03:02
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CHORUS:
We are
The liberators start with T— A to Ze
We are
The game changers
We are
The ones who lead
We are
The curious
The line erasers
Brave hearted
Born Royal!
Here forever no finish to what we started
We are
In every culture everywhere ever since
We are
The move makers
We are
The won’t quit
We are
Your neighbors
Your children
Its prolly hard to read it
We Royal!
Believe it when you see it
VERSE 1:
MISS MAJOR—standing up for incarcerated sisters
Didn’t really care if you called them mister, couldn’t miss them MISS MAJOR—they are mother father daughter son healer mender, but above all that Transgender
Culture keeper, love seeker
Lifting up all their people just like
HATSHEPSUT—who was leading all of Egypt on the Regal Queen in male clothes plus a pharaoh
One of the greatest wonders of yesterday today tomorrow
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
We are royal - sing it!
We are everywhere
We are cis and transgender Non binary non-conforming From Stonewall Marsha P Johnson stood up for queer liberation With the same drive that SYLVIA RAY RIVERA
battled discrimination
Love beyond limits
We are Intersex, Two-spirit, Our own thing
Sylvia - Pushing the limit for equal homes, jobs and all
in all good quality of life
Lit up the city of lights with her fight for human rights
Like- Ben Barnes
Like- Ostiche and We-Wha
Culture keeper like
VERSE 2:
LOZEN AND DAHTESTE—Two spirit heroes
Sidin and ridin’ with Geronimo
Unafraid of the impossible (Chiricahua Apache)
Breakin molds, fierce, vision, never fold
SHARICE DAVIDS - First two-spirit to get in and through
US Congress
(Ho-Chunk Nation - Get Your Knowledge)
Dropping love into the fire
Loud and prouder a fighter
Culture keeper lift ‘em higher and show em who
CHORUS
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3. |
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VERSE 1:
Until you’re free - I’ll be learning bout your life and rights Lookin out for what you need,
Working to adjust my sight see
Until you’re free - i’ll be stepping up physically
Putting focus on the real pic
Taking responsibility
I’m not trying to live in a world that wants to remove you I’m trying to be in a place with space to include you
We out here playing by rules that muffle the truth Which eventually becomes sound proof
Say it loud
I’m the one standing up (x2)
I’ll be lifting you up (x2)
I will never slow down (x2)
No better time than now (x2)
CHORUS:
I’m not free
Until you’re free
And we will be
Louder, stronger, together
Time’s Up dream
Time’s Up speak
Time’s Up lead
Time’s Up believe
That the time is now - that we got the power
Stand up side by side impossible to break us down
(Repeat)
BRIDGE 1
We can make a bigger voice
We can make it twice as loud
We can make a better choice
We can we can be proud
Ven conmigo y alcemos una sola voz
Que se escuche en cada esquina de este mundo
Tú decides, puedes elegir mejor
Sentir orgullo de lo que logramos juntos
(Translation in English)
Join me, let's make a single voice
That is heard in every corner of the world
It's up to you – you can make a better choice
And feel proud about what we can do together
VERSE 2:
Now is the time tho
Yeah, but you gon need some spine tho
Yea, I mean You gon need some backbone
We lost love, it’s time to find it bring it back home Turn the lights on, where the lights at
Your presence is a present, it’s time to fight back
Stand up, stand out
Do everything but stand down
Have heart, play your part
Do what you can now
The future aint no Mystery
Your choices dictate everything that you finna see
You either spectate or you create
You’re either at the table or be what’s on the plate
BRIDGE 2
Somos más fuertes cuando nos unimos
Ser solidarios es lo que elegimos
No se trata de lo mío, no se trata lo tuyo
Yo te apoyo, doy mi mano, lo hago con orgullo
(Translation in English)
We are stronger when we unite
We choose solidarity
It's not about what's mine or what's yours
I will support you, lend my hand, and I'll do it with pride.
CHORUS +
Are we free
If you’re not free
Can we be
Louder, stronger, together
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4. |
Live Your Life
03:18
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VERSE 1:
I just gotta be myself
It’s my body and it’s mine to live in
I don’t want to have to toughen up or build a thicker skin
Don’t fight with me about who I am
Fight WITH me FOR who I am.
See me now seein’ how this is real right now better fade the doubt Just believe the me I be and then you’ll see
You hear me then don’t turn me down
So get me listen up,
So get me turn me up
So get me better run yea we gotta keep up
Times up/ flip it up
CHORUS:
Do what it takes to live your truth
Be who you are—cuz we need you
Body heart and mind like humans do
Live your life cuz we need you
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
Somebody protect me
So I know that you get me
Just ride with me
Sea to shining sea
You’ll see
There is no normalcy—like you thought you see
Feel your back against the wall
That’s me
I’mma be here just lean on me
I got you I am you in you I believe
I won’t leave
CHORUS
I deserve the respect love and happiness.
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5. |
They/Them (Interlude)
00:48
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6. |
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VERSE 1:
Let me tell you that
I -- feel free in the skin that I’m in though I wonder when
I -- can wake up kick back walk thru the world never thinking bout
Why - you put limits on my body n’tell - me how to live my Life - Listen I’m free - - so free
PRECHORUS
Please don’t try to read me, place me or displace me
You cannot erase me - the sky is the limit - and that’s where I’m livin’
CHORUS
I -- don’t need to blend in, fit in the binary
I -- got a little bit of this and a little bit of that in me
I -- look-like a queen and a king I’m not going to
Hide - my pride I sparkle inside and outside
PRE CHORUS
BRIDGE
Ever since I was a little kid
People try to box me in, try to make me fit Girl or boy, like that’s all there is
I’m a magical being beyond all that bizz Family, history
Keeping me strong
Pushing them boundaries
Sing a new song
Been waiting for the world to finally
Call me (call me) non-binary (know about me)
PRECHORUS
CHORUS
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7. |
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CHORUS:
Who’s here to make a real connection with me Yea we gotta link it up now
Let’s talk, let’s walk
Everybody belongs
Inhale, exhale—everybody be strong
Try to make a real connection with me
Cuz we gotta link it up now
Let’s talk, let’s walk
Everybody belongs
Inhale, exhale—everybody be strong
VERSE 1:
When I am sad I can write a song
Chop it up with a friend bout it all day long
And I know that I’m never alone
Even when it’s just me I’m never alone
When I am scared I can pray in every way
And when I am overwhelmed I can meditate
Knowin’ my pain might not go away
it’s mine to feel, I can love it anyway
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
When I feel judged—I keep my mind clear
Lean on a friend—who listens and hears
Lets me laugh out—and shed a loud tear
Lettin' me feel—what I feel, no fear
When I’m hurt—I tell someone I trust
So they can hold me down—help me lift my chin up
Knowin my pain—might not go away
It’s mine to feel—I can love it anyway
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
I got my feelings
You got your feelings
We gotta feel them
So come on let’s go
I got my own thing
You got your own thing
We gotta own them
So come on let’s go
Even If you’re having one of those days
We can make it through stress and strain
Staying ready wins the race right now
Break patterns put the blinders down
CHORUS
Try to make a real connection with me
Everybody
Be strong
Just be.
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8. |
You (Interlude)
01:05
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9. |
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HOOK (Samara Atkins)
Don’t hide your shine, just let it flow Yea you got it—that black girl glow Now is the time to let them know That’s it right there—that black girl glow
VERSE
(Lillian Ellis and Maya Fleming) Straight and curls that’s my world Even if its short, I’m a beautiful girl That’s who I am, that’s who I’m gonna be Doing my hair with my family
(Samara Atkins)
Surround myself
With amazing black people
Can't Stop Won't Stop
til we're all equal
Bringing that rawness
Realness, focus
Staying on my grind to deliver that ---- dopeness
(MADlines)
Gotta thank my lucky stars
‘cause I’m so in tune
like a flower in Spring
all I do is bloom
MAGICAL
not too much
bright like moon
look don’t touch
(RyanNicole)
Gravity giving
Sanity bringing you back down
To earth the maternal
Reflections eternal
We back now
The magic is real from head to toe Facts
I’d let you feel (but) the fro too ill for that!
CHORUS
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There she go!
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There they go!
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There we go with it
There we grow with it!
There we glow with it
Ha. We go!
HOOK
Black Girl Magic
Activate that black girl magic
VERSE
(Lillian Ellis and Maya Fleming):
You know people get judged for who they are
But just remember -- you’re a star
Yea - you got it - It’s not an illusion
(MADlines)
Big up yourself
If you feelin kinda low
Speak your truth
Go ‘head and let em know
(I love my reflection) I love my complexion x2
(RyanNicole)
Big small skinny thick
Light dark whatever it is
You lit cuz you the light
Don’t dim your glow
Shine, shine it bright
Get it girl, get it get girl
From the hills, the flats the city girl
It’s your world betta show em how to run it Stay True to your heart, never turn from it If you dance baby go Ailey
you ballin, shoot daily
Go hard cuz Your gift it go crazy
You can code it, Vogue it, presidential POTUS, do it all at once just own it
Imma look u eye 2 eye hold you to your greatness
U can guarantee w me no fakeness
Im proud already, see ya style already,
all my girls (who) leading the crowd y’all ready?
Wear ur crown nice (n) steady
Yeah yeah you got it
There’s no doubt about it
CHORUS
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10. |
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VERSE 1:
You know I’m sorry I’ve been raised on a binary with a stance That says girls are delicate and soft and boys are hard with heavy hands
They’d say get over it
When I didn’t really understand
The knowledge passed undermanned
Misinformed disenganged
Not well planned
Wasn’t even aware I couldn’t stand it
I was told to rise above it
Really just cover it up meaning stay stranded
Man up with the branded
Wishes will be granted
Just put all your pain hurt and love into this bag man
Don’t worry that no one’s askin’ but assuming how you feel though
You and I both know you’re really not allowed to emote
Every emotion to be concealed
To be continued never revealed
Scratchin on broken wheels of steel
The Record is warped and not real
Oh man
We ain’t gotta do the bro dance
We above the bromance
We can feel what we can when we can how we can
Now we can now we knowin’
We runnin’ past cycles of history like jesse owens
Being mind blowin
CHORUS:
I’m wearing yesterday
Cuz somethings in the way
Some layers have to peel
So I can see what’s real
I wanna know how it feels
I wanna know how you feel
VERSE 2:
They say that boys shouldn't cry
You know that's just a lie
It's time to sideline them bad mind and rise
To be a man is something that you'll understand in your own time Please don't rush things'll be fine
To be aligned in yourself is most important
Your health is your wealth life provides an assortment of challenges
Find your balance and be still
Lift your family and community
cause this is how we build from the
Bottom to top top to the bottom
Can get caught in the negative cause problems we all got ‘em Still we flourish I wrote these rhymes nourished
You're heart with some strength love and courage
Don't be afraid you know the way they can't define you
God blessed you beautiful it's time to find you
You're living proof you got the truth wrapped up inside you Now it's time to let it shine through
CHORUS
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11. |
I Know You See Me
02:49
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CHORUS
I know you see me - I know you see me
I know you see me - I know it, know it, know it, know it
You know you see me - you know you see me
You know you see me - you know it, know it, know it, know it
VERSE 1:
I hear your words as I’m walkin by,
you think you’re spittin kryptonite?
But I’m not listening
Not superman not superwoman -
I’m super fly and super human
I’m marvelous—yea
You won’t get power from putting me down
You won’t get a cape when you bring that bring that hate around
I’m the powerful one
Don’t you know I love who I am
I am the ultimate me beyond the he she ultimately be free
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
I see ya clothes - I see ya style
How yah don’t conform to these judging eyes
Undeniably you
The way you walk in your own way
Makes me wanna give you space
Undeniable truth
You don’t fly a jet but I see that you fly
Got that lasso of truth on these on these open eyes
You’re the powerful one
All assumptions be gone
You’re the ultimate you just do what you do and I’ll see you thru
BRIDGE
Yea, and when you see it-
Maybe you find the space to be free too
But eh so you know
I see you and i love you
I’m not asking what, I’m asking who
I’m not stuck
You’re not confused
I’m still me
You’re still you
I know you Live it everyday
And want the words to go away
Except these words I know are true
I believe you
CHORUS
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12. |
Us (Interlude)
01:24
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13. |
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VERSE 1 (Mahawam):
Pleased to meet you
Me? I’m me
Who are you?
Let’s take a tour of it
Top of the class
Clever to boot
Swish when you shoot
It’s a good look when you
You wear what you wanna wear
There’s a unique flair to your hair
You’re so pretty and so debonair
You’re a beautiful soul to be shared
PRECHORUS:
Be
Be—who you wanna be
who you wanna see
When you walk
down the street
Be
Be—who you wanna be
who you think of
And it makes you
Feel free
Be
Be—who you wanna be
And it makes you feel good
When you think
“That’s me!”
Be
Be—who you wanna be
All you gotta do
Really really
You’ll see
CHORUS
Who you gotta be?
Just gotta gotta be me (x3)
Just gotta be, just gotta be me
VERSE 2 (Billy Dean Thomas):
Top of the class
I got more A’s than an alphabet test
Living my best
proud of myself like a pat on a back
Loving this black
Skin that I’m in I was destined to win
Support all my friends
Queer liberation
Put your hands up high
it’s a celebration
hands to the sky
elevation
Every days a new one
win some lose sum
Your a nucents
I’m a new sun
Making more moves
Laws of newton
We all equal
becuz we human
my people
I feel like Huey
Latifah
That’s U N I T
Why be angry
When we can love
Each
Other friends fam and mothers daughters and our brothers
it don’t matter the gender
And it don’t matter the color
Don't care if you blue
Don't care if you pink
Don't care if you green
I want you to think
About what you want
And how you can share
Your part of the world with love in the air speak your truth
Till somebody hears
And don’t ever think that nobody cares walk with courage
lions and bears
And never be scared
Never be scared
Show them what you bout
you are the youth the future
you got the power the super
Be who you are be you now
VERSE 3 (Mahawam):
There’s no one quite like you
That makes you like me
It’s wearing some blue when they tell you all pink
It’s having a dance when they tell you to speak
It’s becoming the things that were once make believe
How you show up in the world is the key And that’s way more than just what you see
You’re best when your mind and your body are sync’d
So be who you are and you’ll be more complete
PRECHORUS
CHORUS
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14. |
Not Alone
03:04
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VERSE 1:
As my friend
There is something that I might need you to do
Just because you say we need equality too
Will you speak out step up and defend my truth
If you do
I’ll go with you
Cuz as my friend
You will know the truth and love just who I am
You will use your voice and make them understand
You don’t always see when they’re lashing out at me.
I need to know that you will still believe me
Standing up for me when they say those hateful things.
Hold my truth.
Hearts beat louder
Voices rising
Will you be there for me always riding
Side by side, reaching out - where will you be when
CHORUS:
I need you
Standing beside you holding you up
When you--Falling apart and you can’t get up,
Know that you-We’ll be alright, cuz
You know that I got you-
You are not alone
VERSE 2:
As your friend
There are ways that I have changed, I won’t go back
To where I was before I met you on this track
I will step up speak out
meet you where you’re at
You know that
I got your back
So as your friend
I will go with you, no matter where or how far
Cuz I know your truth I love who you are
I’ll be around even when you don’t see me.
I’m not afraid to get teased even if it means
Standing up for you when they say those hateful things.
They’re not true.
Hearts beat louder
Voices rising
I’ll be there for you always riding
Side by side Listening out for when u say
CHORUS
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15. |
We (Interlude)
01:00
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16. |
Someday
03:07
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CHORUS
Someday
Someday we will learn
How to step back and create space
Life’s a cycle to be changed
One day
I can be
you can be change
Today
VERSE
I’m looking to the future while trying to be present
But if I take a real look back in generations
Over and over we witness history repeat
How to break the cycle I know that it starts with me
I need the real truth, all the pieces of the puzzle
Please don’t hide the pieces of pieces that give you trouble
I’m brave and asking, because I know knowledge is power
And what i do is for the love and peace for all of ours
CHORUS x2
(James Baldwin, read by Malachi Garza)
There are days, this is one of them...
when you wonder
what your role is in this country
and what your future is in it.
BRIDGE
By all rights we should be angry
The elders say anger won’t save me
It’s so clear that fear breaks and separates families
Fear breaks and separates families
Then History repeats
History repeats
Look back
Step back
Go back
Go back
Way back
Step back
Look back
Lookback
Stepback
Goback
Goback
Wayback
Stepback
Lookback
Lookback
Look back
VERSE
I’m looking to the future while trying to be present
Searching for the stories now of all of the seeds planted
Weaving bravery courage love into the fabric
Are they taken - erased - silenced - I can’t understand it-
If I had all the pieces and the knowledge
I’d take a big step back to acknowledge
The healers the prayers the lovers the callers
The dreamers the migrants the freedom fighters growing taller
CHORUS x2
(James Baldwin, read by Malachi Garza)
In my point of view, no label, no slogan,
no party, no skin color,
and indeed no religion
is more important than the human being.
Someday.
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17. |
The Love (Outro)
01:32
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Alphabet Rockers Oakland, California
GRAMMY-winning Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change. Created with young people for all people.
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