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Producer Amerigo Gazaway and Napoleon Da Legend flex their creative chemistry on a new collaborative project, “The World Changed”.
Connecting on the outset of the Covid pandemic, the duo’s rapper-producer formula showcases NDL’s introspective lyricism while highlighting Gazaway’s growth and evolution as a beatsmith.
“Amerigo and I connected in a time of great turmoil and change both on a planetary scale but also on a personal scale in both our lives. His ear for highlighting the “soul” of a sample really gave me the space to dial into the many emotions I was sorting through during that period.” - Napoleon Da Legend
Working in tandem to keep the cohesion heard throughout the album’s 16 song tracklist, NDL finds his pocket on a range of emotions over versatile beats composed with Gazaway’s signature nuances, scratch hooks and interview soundbites.
“This is an album about survival...it’s about navigating and adapting to an ever-changing world while struggling to maintain one’s sanity and peace of mind. Napoleon is a true master of his craft as a poet/storyteller and I think that’s something that really shines through on this record." - Amerigo Gazaway
With assists from vocalist La Bruja, Brooklyn’s Skyzoo, and three appearances from rapper Awon, The World Changed delivers focused bars rooted in Boom-Bap and Soul.
lyrics
[Napoleon Da Legend intro]
B.R. Double O K. L. Y. N
B.R. Double O K. L. Y. N
[Napoleon Da Legend verse]
Word to Gil Scott
The Revolution starts in the heart
No diss to Jill Scott
Brooklyn ain’t a walk in the park
School to prison pipeline they smoking pipes on the Ave
When guns shoot and knives stab you can’t get ya life back
Nah haggle at the store get the price slashed in half
Kings plaza dollar vans on the strip like Gaza
Billboards with liquors ads peep the bigger math
Petty beefs tit for tat yo we live for cash
Must be something in the tap water
Disrespectful energy we bring it back towards ya
That’s reciprocity
They speculate on property
It’s a game of monopoly where oligarchs exploit the poverty
From red lining cross the yellow blue and red line
Legendary kingpins are dead or doing fed time
The best rappers you know live there curse and a gift there
It’s mixed bag many did that and got big there
[Napoleon Da Legend hook x2]
B R double O K L Y N
King’s County NY from beginning to end
What’s known ain’t gotta be said its where the greatest sparks
Spread love that’s Brooklyn u know in ya heart
[Napoleon Da Legend verse]
Vultures swoop to water down culture and truth
Dressed in suits contaminate and poison our food
And uproot foundations we laid
Cause that minimum wage synonymous to population enslaved
Corporations paid wintertime pavement is cold
Fashion avant-guard Brooklyn Nets logo be the avatar
Grimy kids try to sabotage you gotta know the codes
Some will overdose others seek the Holy Ghost
With goals of climbing up the totem pole
Bet you ten mil every 10 years we known for bending social roles
Lofty dreams turn to broken hopes and vice versa
Careful what you wish you bound to find the right person
From the Navy Yard Bushwick to Carnarsie
To Brownsville late night vigils that honor Sean P
Trends die ladies fly new babies is born
Raised in the hustle in radiant form
[Napoleon Da Legend hook x2]
B R double O K L Y N
King’s County NY from beginning to end
What’s known ain’t gotta be said its where the greatest sparks
Spread love that’s Brooklyn u know in ya heart
[Napoleon Da Legend verse]
Cops patrol the block while we socialize
Lotta scammers to survive gotta recognize and know the lies
When tensions in the air we know the vibes
You better dip before these bullets make ya choke on ya pride
Caribbean flags for Jouvert a new day for
Another dollar in the bank plus a new decor
Corner pocket hit the 8 ball mental napalm
Nuke shelters under buildings case they drop an A Bomb
Cop Modelos from bodegas while our phones capture data
Friends turn their backs names appear on affidavits
Split second calculations that’s second nature
I peeped from my peripheral the way they heads was shaking
Feature presentations girls dressed quasi-naked
Bass thumping out cars my inner child awakens
It’s where I got my start at hard facts
Through life Africa’s inside my soul
Brooklyn’s where the heart at
[Napoleon Da Legend hook x2]
B R double O K L Y N
King’s County NY from beginning to end
What’s known ain’t gotta be said its where the greatest sparks
Spread love that’s Brooklyn u know in ya heart
credits
from Return to Crooklyn (Remix feat. Skyzoo & Awon),
released December 10, 2021
Written & Performed by Napoleon Da Legend
Produced & Mixed by Amerigo Gazaway
Executive Producer: Rickey Mindlin