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The Achievement Gap

by Foci

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  • Limited Edition Framed Canvas Print of The Achievement Gap

    Very few things are Black&White...

    The Achievement Gap wasn't only meant to be audibly appealing but also visually engaging. The artwork, shrouded in a bit of mystery as Foci has yet to explain publicly what it all means, is now available in its entirety, for you to decipher.

    Commissioned by K "Foci" Wilson with close assistance from Mario "Antiix" Gutierrez and painted by Thomas Wu, set out to create a unique vision that reflected the content of the entire album.

    The image is set within a white wooden bevelled edge frame with dimensions of 27 1/4" wide and 11 1/2" height and is quite the site to behold.

    You aren't just getting a piece of Foci history for your collection but you are supporting "Team Foci" as the proceeds from the sales of this Limited Edition piece will go to getting them to...

    New York City, NY for the 10th Annual Underground Music Awards (bit.ly/iamfociuma VOTE NOW!)
    Atlanta, GA for the A3C Convention where they are schedule to perform (Sanctioned by the Grammy's as one of the Top 12 Must Attend Festivals in the nation)
    and most importantly
    Getting Foci back into the studio to record his follow up to The Achievement Gap, entitled "Bittersweet Lyrically" which will be offered for free right here to you that purchased this one of a kind print!

    We sincerely appreciate your support and
    ... more

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  • Signed Physical Copy w/ mystery merch item
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The Achievement Gap in physical form signed by Foci

    This 6 Panel DigiHub is truly a piece of art in itself.
    Upon opening the CD, The commissioned painting of "The Classroom" by Thomas Wu (LAUSD Art Teacher) reveals over 40 students packed in a tiny classroom with students skin tones going progressively from light to dark.

    This masterpiece speaks volumes to the actual definition of the achievement gap and is the central focus of the content on the album. A 16 picture photo collage represents each song on the album from tracks 1-15 and the last picture will resonate with those of you in education.

    In true tradition the artwork includes the thank yous and credits holding down all those involved.

    We'll also throw in a mystery merch item.
    It could be a sticker... it could be a beanie... it could be an upcoming concert ticket.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Achievement Gap via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more

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1.
2.
Whattup Carl, peace to my man Carl Get’em Chorus (2x) C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em Say what say what yo where you at Los Angeles Say what say what yo where i’m from Los Angeles Verse 1 Yo, she like german (achoo) Gusenteit Yup and your outfit goes on tight It don't take any liquor to lick her But all within the building is kickin' scriptures for a picture Blinding paparazzi and the flashing lights She's talking crazy so the obvious goes down tonight Let's get out of here too many eyes too many ears Too many years of this nonsense to bring it here Somewhere isolated, (what) mono y mono (ha) Drinkin' irish and I ain't Bono But me and you too rockin' bloody Sundays The fun ways for them fun days This is Hip Hop I used to put it down at Spundae Tus poquito besitos got me looking dumb way Smile on face like the radio gave me some play You know it’s gotta happen, one day Chorus (2x) C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em Say what say what yo where you at Los Angeles Say what say what yo where i’m from Los Angeles Verse 2 I don't believe what you believe but I believe in freedom (freedom) I don't see what you see but I do believe I'll lead them (lead them) You'd rather be happy through someone else's misery (uh huh) And you can count me out the difference 'tween you and me And if she doesn't understand that's her problem B And if she doesn't feline land success on her feet Yo ha ha ha yea that's another problem C Her final grade will probably end up as a D No Es are given unless she's taken drugs But to fail is an F earned like fakin' thugs If she worships G's up over Jesus Some may just fall in love and H try to please her But never for I that's asking the heart to break These girls shady like J and always play for stakes And this man named K ain't got time to play Leave with an L loser for the lover's sake Chorus (2x) C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em, C’mon Get’em Say what say what yo where you at Los Angeles Say what say what yo where i’m from Los Angeles Verse 3 (Outro) LA (where you at) SGV (where you at) Southbay (where you at) South Central (where you at) San Fernando (where you at) MidCity (where you at) Eastside Eastside worldwide (where you at) Westside Westside worldwide (where you at)
3.
Verse 1 I always done my dirt all by my lonely Nature has this instinct for us to be Naughty Serves as a natural thinning of the heard Common in nature coming throughout the third Worlds, while we march to the same drum Ya'll off beat dumb follow false philosophy Show belonging an S after an apostrophe And on me, (cheh), there is no stopping we People want drama with blood and guts Not see us do laps see us crash it up Not see us pass then see us flash it up End of a pool game and not even rack it up If I said change is now would you mash it up Abstain from looking down while not seeing what is up Lifted higher than Sikorsky Sky Cranes Not for me I like laying low with a migraine Chorus (2x) Stop look remote control now What they feed you is holding us down Verse 2 No disdain I gain from my grains Say it aint so fly i'm far from a plane You can play it goes in the fast lane Minutes til take off I barely made boarding 'mang We link up stack up its daisy chained We drink cups fast up crazy train Rocky, Ozzy, Randy, and Daisley Heavy Metal Park Paisley the Prince mentality Now if the church molested Should we have killed the priests And within that resides a hidden beast Yo. Tauro on that Spanish Bullfighting running over any outlandish remark Bear witness to how the BS starts No bite to begin with yo it is just bark People don't think about what they start 'Til it ends with one with no beating heart Chorus (2x) Stop look remote control now What they feed you is holding us down Verse 3 Disappear in the earth hollow way as a group Holloway in Aruba Rest in Peace Your the type to try to force democracy in Cuba Ain't welcome to stay this is woodwind you Tuba Death meticulous and ridiculous Deciduous planted within the thick of this Sleep provides me the answers in me dreaming so To be related to death it has no meaning oh Equivalent to what on screen you are streaming And the various things they have you believing Direct my TV thousands of channels you on Channel 9 So many options, so why, would you follow mine
4.
Verse 1 Waking up dead from a nightmare Right there outer body feeling the might of fear The nights near Shadows stay resilient to form a silhouette as she dances to a minuet Triple time it's 3/4 quarters to a whole 3 points triple shot attempt to take my soul Try to walk away I feel it in my soles Looking for some class but the books stay on hold For it to connect its gotta be the shoes They look at me as I look at 40 of you Provisions don't line up with what is required I watch her movements as to what she desires As the clock strikes 10 31 Limited not by imagination but some sort of fund Mitigating circumstance in this institute The machine freezes as it attempts to boot Chorus They lied, they lied, I don't even know why I tried I tried, I tried, any and all attempts to save lives Your life your life who what when how where the why They lie, they lie, they lie, they lie Verse 2 Luring you in with an appetizing meal Selling you what you want to hear how good it feels Sign on the dotted line the deal is sealed Commence the nightmare I can't tell what is real Suffering through the heat of the devils kitchen Where children steal slices of pie during intermission My skin hurts and my mouth burns A sense of deja vu from the first year curse The name rhymes with another cripple The joke was on me they called it the riddle Pulling my strings song played on a fiddle Hallucinations purgatory laying down in the middle Now you want to give yourself to faith real quick It is sick for if you ever believed in it The characters around surround The rest laid off to silence now Chorus They lied they lied and I don't even know why I tried I tried I tried any and all attempts to save lives Your life your life who what when how where the why They lie they lie they lied they lied
5.
Verse 1 Laying legendary plans me Ben Kingsley Saw money thought i would take care of her easily Eyes got real big she wanted it from me I strategize now look up and just king me Checkers better game play is up in chess Could you imagine this sound emanating from my chest Malt with science while history ruin Mayans Looking back to see fail less more trying It's so serious How she'll plot for the lot real estate in your pockets Caught up in a problem call up Houston Rockets Won't make play offs launches heart in lockets So I don't cop it and you're better off to stop it But kinetic motion got you dropping all them off Reasons to hate but wait, what you gained is your loss Set it straight ok bottom feeders accost Let it stay nayguy she just made you soft Chorus 2x Gone with the wind and the wind just blows Love them leave them Rick James (Cuts) Verse 2 There are pathetic women out there plotting preying & waiting Trapping men & playing 'em pull them a stray then hating To leave you entranced yet shaking Waking hours of making A situation of faking Emotions lies and changes Her deranged mind will actually make you cave in Fighting a battle to lose an idiots way to game it Whether college educated drop out or she made it Far enough to say you're like my dad yea i'll say it Lie to your face place it in stages pages engaged in Pacing hospital floors enraged in Brief never long winded bringing a jingle to mingle every single emotional case in Yo shut up listen no water out of a dry basin So strange she initiated some sort of frat hazing Rather than support a grape she sucks you dry to raisin Gazing to stir and take away any complacence Chorus 2x Gone with the wind and the wind just blows Love them leave them Rick James (Cuts) Verse 3 Surely looking at her different was a sight to see So many ran up in her nickname track meet How this track meets her without being discrete Will make it harder for her to walk these streets Stained sheets on the bed that she made With the thought of someone to be framed With the thought of someone to be blamed This was not just a game played one way Oncoming traffic never saw the headlights Wandering blind through men for that head right? The want for stacks and racks you need to stay off During your 9 to 5 she's out in a tradeoff Ball players only love her during playoffs She's gone with the wind when you get laid off This is what happens when you go for the flips Wants you to fall but only makes you trip Frankly my dear I just don't give 2-0-1-1 Gone With the Wind Let me say it again for 2-0-1-2 Gone With the Wind
6.
Verse 1 Yo, ha what you asking me to do Similar strained ways a formula so obtuse Auto lose a race in pit stop before you start Dropping heavy words and bombs fall apart Explosive wrecking ball all casualties Prior to foundation being made a sort of fallacy To believe or not to believe Words chose the suspect wisely Finance interrogate Isley Eyes see esquire acquire the taste for the law Taste for the rules laid down in a cause An effect to digest inspect any flaw And the rest of what's left is drowned till they fall Chorus Yea, ah, yea And it's freezing outside she got nothing she just told me this is her favorite song And she said Let's go Verse 2 Sliding slippery slope BP'd on the gulf coast And to see the obvious back flash into a ghost Ha it's eyes closed with dots An intensity spilled a cap never forgot To contain but you go against my grain You bring in the insanity to claim some fame Without one defining moment of one restraint Speak in your action and never sound waves Chorus Yea, ah, yea And it's freezing outside she got nothing she just told me this is her favorite song And she said Let's go Verse 3 Some keep pitching in these low digits Same thing used to lift everybody’s spirits Now a days to make calls you don't need dimes Quarters present itself much easier to find Even if equivalent to you divided by 5 Is equal to something coming more along the lines of truth Governed too exceed a limit to soothe Some emo dude that don't comprehend feelings No matter which way shape form you are dealing Those cards on deck while everybody's stealing It's something that Gemini told me was revealing Diverse provided the solution to her scheming, ways
7.
Chorus (2x) This goes out to my real DJs That do more than just press play Just touched down Rock them crowds Make em say heyyy Verse 1 Been on for days weeks years over a decade When DJs really did the real thing Record breaking and taking no payola Spinning on actual plates my crates full of Crayola On the decks we so cold she shows stiff areola You could get it if you roll in Royce or roll a Corola Get down with Cholos and Cholas that tote pistolas With a Rolex or a g shock for all of my soldiers When we drop it on the 1 yes it begins And the craze to dance make B-boys do head spins Just like the vinyl at 33 1/3 Technics decks and music with the realest verse The Mixer is in effect 57 or the 909 Had a Scratchmaster but no DJ lights The milk crates, yo hey, stuffed with the vinyl Did it so great we graduate Serato survival yup Chorus 2x This goes out to my real djs That do more than just press play Just touched down Rock them crowds Make em say hey Verse 2 Yo it used to be up to us Can you tell me what happened how we fell off the bus Hoop jump double dutch wouldn't spin out like a double clutch Shifted gears listen to program directors too much What's the rush stations stay getting’ the payola Still can't get by on hard work and the days over Out of towners you pardon me if I get pissed I'm from the West Coast where are our own music don't get spins In our own districts the public asks what is this The locals for years yearn for the realness Labels and radio cheating Same song every hour they feeding This meal we rip it to pieces Not into the force fed radio feces Yup defecating more than upon a microphone See how it turned Lauren to break and Krayzie to leave bone Real recognize real and they're strangers Radio needs us like staples center needs the Lakers, L.A. Chorus 2x This goes out to my real djs That do more than just press play Just touched down Rock them crowds Make em say hey Verse 3 Some see it as hot dogging jealous within their soul It's unconventional our initiative we are meant to blow Managers try to control but should just let it go Leaders focus and unleash it That's why Gemini and I act like we don't see it Reason as to why it's not where you’re from its where you’re at It’s knowing where you came from to be where you’re at And if it’s not your destination you are hustling backwards Trying to prove something unproven to a slew of slackers So what as Djs are we supposed to do Support each other's events music and even crews Don't date each other’s girls even if she's in your world Leave it at the door they just nuts for the Squirrels Real life inspiration use anything to bring it out If you don't want to support we'll just clean you out Throw you all in the laundry and just ring ya'll out Drop you with a clothesline no need to hear you out
8.
Chorus Huuuuh, staring out the window wondering about it all Huh huh huuuuh, feeling kind of lonely ‘cuz I don't know who to call Hey, I said no better blues Ho, I like em no better blues Hey, mirror looking at you It reflects what you see but never what you knew Verse 1 He thought he had it made Lucked up with the chick he had since the 10th grade Put it all in football But those eggs in that basket will eventually hit a wall And it did after days of playing arena Settled down with the same one badder than a misdemeanor But if you missed her demeanor it was like a felony Then you never really ever seen her despite what you're telling me Two faces opposite the bat's man A cat scan could only reveal a trapped plan Benign but it could've looked like cancer Getting out of the league was the only answer So back to his music beats on beats Got with a sick tight click called the GC And these dudes were lyrically pleasing To any who found it within reason To play treason in a day and age where seeing isn't believing The seasons come and go without ever pleasing Any and every soul because what he wanted wasn't even Along the same lines of any of the meetings And it was revealing when he walked away From all the hard work in the linking of the chains With that link out I continue to explain With that link out more still remain Chorus Huuuuh, staring out the window wondering about it all Huh huh huuuuh, feeling kind of lonely ‘cuz I don't know who to call Hey, I said no better blues Ho, I like em no better blues Hey, mirror looking at you It reflects what you see but never what you knew Verse 2 Blair kids called him Carlos Mencia Hard-pressed to find someone that smoked more cheeba Than him with eyes glazed red glistenin' The idea came after listenin' Ghostface Chillin' inside what was not your average rehab She's glad at the fact he like he man And he like he can do it he won't ruin what they have The greens used to keep him focused in the lab An addiction to something on a distant path The path interfered with everything they had He was choosy with groupies never smoked on a Lucy But loosely spoke off lips when he was grooving to that green leaf And swore to the green peace Leanin' on that crutch to keep him up on two feet And it was relieving when he walked away With that link out more still remain Chorus Huuuuh, staring out the window wondering about it all Huh huh huuuuh, feeling kind of lonely ‘cuz I don't know who to call Hey, I said no better blues Ho, I like em no better blues Hey, mirror looking at you It reflects what you see but never what you knew Verse 3 So what remains of the last from that GC A dude with a mission and a mind of a real king Yola told him can't be a proffit in his scene As he used to put everyone else in front of he On that chivalry but never attached to any Why would this guy settle when there always came a plenty Why should the sky tremble when the eyes see the twenties Rollin on a boulevard of stars and dollars pass up pennies Let the cream rise to the top cash rules every around so we never stop Or ever quit 'cuz them seeing his progress makes them sick may make him rich Focused with that plan as he never went astray It was revealing when I walked away All that hard work in linking of the chains With that link out I still remain
9.
Verse 1 I need a grown woman not a grown girl With a mind that focus' on an empire not pearls She realizes to get them diamonds She must stand up for what she beliefs against all silence Why it has to be what it never is Why we gotta be full of take but never give Not to be like how will I ever live Must realize the full potential is within your skin And maybe that's really where it all begins Find yourself you were never lost to be found in You've always had the map you've turned the compass You're in the right direction ain't that something Take steps self analyze when reflected Hit back so hard look what you erected And yes yes it is fully respected And yes yes you know so deep you always felt it Chorus Take your steps with me and forever hold So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land And when we see the lights you already know So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land Verse 2 And yes I really went there You know I like it like that you ain't never scared Fear for what life throws at you perseverance Success obtained by few and yet you're so near it So close baby (Uh huh say what yo what up with you) You're so close baby (Uh huh say what what you gonna do) Questions asked and it’s so beautiful The approach to answer is so true to you She understands what this life’s about She shuts down those that only can run their mouths And even when they try to sprint Spray Malathion when try to bug our marathon and split Doesn't ever hesitate to be my teacher Straight schoolin' me what to do with all those features She has respect for what goes on in this world She is who can take it down and save my world Chorus Take your steps with me and forever hold So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land And when we see the lights you already know So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land Verse 3 So blunt and to the point without being rude Got brute strength but gracefully so smooth On that back just spread that cocoa butter Likes chocolates makes the sound's heart wow and flutter While sky high lateral controlling rudder And burning rubber to get up and smash out of the covers Seek and hide only the weak will try To argue in the face of truth to end with lies Never to sleep in until the weekend Vacate for a couple days when that week ends The other days that business hustle In the evenings gym time flexin' the muscle Nighttime she got that sick tight fit Looking so good so the kid likes it Showin' off the curves never faking out on swerve Now show me tell me all of that of what you just learned Chorus Take your steps with me and forever hold So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land And when we see the lights you already know So c’mon baby c’mon baby c’mon baby go You're in good hands now you understand Let me take you all the way to the Promised Land
10.
Yea, it's so lonely Uh, yea, it's so lonely Uh, what, it's so lonely outside, yea It's so lonely It's so lonely It's so lonely Verse 1 On a Tuesday a mental dungeon he had met To retreat was something better than what he had kept The way to treat another I guess A different way to relieve stress The mess the blood he got a change of clothes After a short drive and walk Highland Park to S.M. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday was the Day of Judgment Was told yo, you gotta leave can't be here anymore So then he roamed and left out of that door Walking down Baldwin each step he would dread Walking slower 'til he was surrounded by the feds A thanks to his girlfriend They drew down and he was soon apprehended Hmmm, it’s a sad story of survival of the fittest He, wasn't fit nor did he have people that were willing You, would think you'd go out with a bang or even die kicking But, substance abuse depression can keep you living Chorus And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air (yea) And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up Verse 2 No one stood up to take him out of the spiral No remedy to what was more than viral It's the illness but excuses were committed A little bit ago I washed my hands of him I washed my hands of a human? How could I have been I'm partially at fault Fell to the depths and got up but didn't maul His father told us he needed help Can you save my son before he takes his own health Give him assistance against his own fragility Saw his son breaking into pieces losing the abilities Injecting and ingesting all these drugs so willingly Which really was a turn for the worse, literally Unintended sensation for a need of what it means What we take for granted his son needed it internally You will never understand the mind of a killer Until you deal with a similar hand without the filler Chorus And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up in the air (yea) And if you ever lost one put your peace signs up B Section In his mind it could've been justified But I’m sure it was the cocaine that made it right Antidepressants uppers and downers don't like To get along within the same body type Verse 3 It was a Tuesday he bludgeoned her to death Repeat he literally made her skull collapse Brain matter meets golf club that's how he released the stress The mess the blood he managed to get a change of clothes It was a stay of a few days and then he was told Yo, you gotta leave can't be here anymore So, then he roamed and left out of that door Upon the walk down a street named Baldwin It's crazy after all of what pops said But my brother sold him drugs for a sum instead Hard to believe as it was completely undercover It was that same night he killed his own mother Yea, it's so lonely Uh, yea, it's so lonely Uh, what, it's so lonely out there, yea It's so lonely It's so lonely It's so lonely It's so lonely out there
11.
Verse 1 I do not live for drama but they always cast me No roll in trauma units nurses run past me Lights Sirens Cameras and the blinding action You can only take it whole not as a fraction Mashing smashing at a high velocity Crashing half empty akin to my philosophy The rates framed by cinematography Not down with women that focus on cosmetology The way it looks if you've been through the half You'd understand that there is no stopping my path Action is called yet everyone remains silent Quiet on the set and I’m the only one wilin' To hear complaints and the wine of a violin Laced with a way to raise up all the violence Have your defenses played down to a science Alliances built for one to defy compliance Chorus 2x Been through a whole lot of negative So in my lyrics I'm supposed to let it live "El Veterano You could only pray to learn what I know" And what I know there may not ever be tomorrow Verse 2 Some choices leave you in pieces taken apart and torn I will literally take the bull by its horns And Drag it through the mud so be forewarned Thorns don't stop me that is word to my unborn Scores of my pain can never be ignored Came in the same vein for exchange of more My music equals reels of Motion Pictures adorned Watching my movie live can't catch the flicks in stores Never it's not commercially accepted And if you speak the truth you won't be selected But I’m happy with what the reflection projected And I’m snappin' against anyone who doesn't respect it And I have to say that it's the rawest of intentions I read through thoughts and will complete any sentence Place punctuation citations must be mentioned Just so I know it's within proper comprehension Chorus 2x Been through a whole lot of negative So in my lyrics I don't let it live "El Veterano You could only pray to learn what I know" And what I know there may not ever be tomorrow Verse 3 Can you still hear when a trees fall in a forest no one is near I don't speak on much of any tribulation but it still happened A round of applause are when the guns start clappin' To put down a man's ovation when he's standing In the foreground shows a red nosed clown to be laughing Chuckling like it's a joke But he too is trapped hiding behind the smoke Of what he knew which had him And now he's broke for his actions Always spoke Louder than him trying to get traction In so many forms he's a distractor Not an actor of real life A sinister character of the like Of the mark of a beast Or a mark in the fat boy in his feast Greedy and obese not sharing eyes glaring Wearing that of what can't fit So I stand here declaring Chorus 2x Been through a whole lot of negative So in my lyrics I don't let it live "El Veterano You could only pray to learn what I know" And what I know there may not ever be tomorrow
12.
Verse 1 Best word to describe what goes on now pathetic I stand to refute the demands of any who defend it If you align with a lame that says you can spend it With a negative account broke ballin' with 2 cents in My 2 cents win so I follow my senses You're where you belong deaf dumb blind convention My dishonorable mention to you extended The unprepared crash and burn like the Zeppelin Rock out real hard with the OG L E Ds Veterans are who I learn from Hideo Rest in Peace!!! These young cats take test with an open book Still getting wrong answers thine eyes never looked Influenced by those that ain't got 10 in A career ending decision before you ever begin I live by the fact that the driven never settle Out of gas and you trying to push pedal to the metal Damn Verse 2 My free projects cost me a lot of duckets 'Cuz I pay for my tracks yup a little somethin' If you don't pay for beats you're not an emcee You're an opportunist the trap is in what you don't see Tired of the idiots tired of the tontos Got no employees and claim to be the head honcho When it rains it pours you ain't even got a poncho Villa nope you're more like a poquito puerco We don't do swine and we don't waste time Blue Phi to my Sigmas shout out Devine Nine Put my money in to support and watch it grow People come so my numbers get better at each show On stage with me but dissin' on the presale Its only pay to play when what you do don't sell Instead of hating just do what my fans do Stick around after the show for an autograph or two Verse 3 G Dep taken a step back 10 times 3 If it was meant to be is that what it will be Struggle to tow between destiny divinity G'd up from feet up throwing C's up eventually Afros to fades look like Julius Cesar Napoleonic complex some carry a piece up Ready to take anyone down to meet that Jesus Keep it real your fake like her upgrade to a D cup So while you try to talk about illuminati Listen to music poppy diversion razi chismosa mock me Society mocks thee worry about you For another L.A. Riot Marshall law curfew As the blind man attempts to seek truth And when I see you yup I will see through you The battered subject themselves to domestic abuse I do like J. Lo in enough your life I refuse
13.
Verse 1 They say when it rains it pours coming from the clouds To replenish the grounds You still making roots grow so look at me now How you held me down since we were yay high You kept me level right You moved like fluid guy My cup never dry Yea you seen me cry And you seen me lie But you never tried to judge me, that’s who you were Always above me but you never ever would Hold it over me before the days of Foothills During Pop Warner me with speed us learning skills Dreams of All-Star league could've paid our bills Wish you Chris Rix'd me Amat could take me still Chorus Pain still remains as we stray away from our sorrow An hourglass holds the sands of time of which we have borrowed Some say it is thy will and some refuse to ever follow Someday we'll breathe for today and tomorrow Verse 2 How you doin' man It's been a long time It's been a long climb Up on a long vine But all week it’s been pouring raining from the sky They say it only happens when the heavens cry ... And when the tears fall from your mother’s eye's To keep her up, your sister brother father try For we to share in pain only understates the ways For us to be thankful, for what we have today For what we have lost is within the heaven's gain Forgive me for wanting you so selfish in the same, ways Like how we were kids and we always played Could it all be so simple back in the day Chorus Pain still remains as we stray away from our sorrow An hourglass holds the sands of time of which we have borrowed Some say it is thy will and some refuse to ever follow Someday we'll breathe for today and tomorrow B Section We all thought the temper from the G in me Would be what made me the o-n-e Verse 3 Yes the good die young so I remain to misbehave Who am I kidding I’m reformed you made my edges straight That day in court somehow you made me say those words Wrote only hours prior to the cause this pain deserves, In so many different ways you were controlling me My mind thoughts actions to have the nerves to be ... You always had faith in my music and my words Ideas you had so I listened and I heard But the other guy your mom told me leave alone No show to the trial memorial funeral It's hard to grasp this feeling in myself It’s hard to hold back my mind hasn't dealt Its so hard to withstand how it kills my health Emotional rollercoaster lays in stealth Counting the days and months to years and how we feel We all have emotions that lie to us still Inanimate in death some say God's will Is it any different when intent was ill If the red slayer think he slays Or if the slain think he is slain They know not well the subtle ways I keep and pass and turn again Chorus Pain still remains as we stray away from our sorrow An hourglass holds the sands of time of which we have borrowed Some say it is thy will and some refuse to ever follow Someday we'll breathe for today and tomorrow
14.
Verse 1 Just say no? I say watch it more We are no different we fight never ending wars Gang warfare no winner destruction implored We don't even differ from the governmental whores Worn and thin and torn within Few take the time to see where parallels begin Night turns day awake most get played Paychecks gets cashed so nothing being saved Girls and boys drop E at raves Call them outcasts back underground they stay Never appreciating the good that's done One slip up Oscar is Grant’ed a gun To the back and a face to the floor Through the lens of a phone that can record They resort to acts society deplores And they try to have all of us ignore Chorus (2x) And I don't quit (quit) And I don't stop (stop) And I won't flip (flip) And I won't flop (naw) Uh huh from Pasadena to Medina uh huh But over here the grass really ain't greener Verse 2 They still lock their doors and they still hold their purse It doesn't matter my profession it's the ignorance they nurse Curse me beat me lynch me to try to defeat me Give my kids molesting preachers and teachers can't define meaning What they do on their own time is really on them? Behind close doors lies spit then coated in phlegm You disgust me fronting like you something lovely Trust is nothing coming monthly Anger for how I speak so bluntly Expecting a coat of sugar to say somethin' sweet I spread salt to gain grips against icy streets We just kept it moving and you can keep it rollin' See how we stroll in keep an eye on what Nate’s Holdin Minorities need more than a scolding My priorities bleed core fans that are golden To watch the way we govern It’s California southern The vultures still hover But never a keeper’s brother Chorus (2x) And I don't quit (quit) And I don't stop (stop) And I won't flip (flip) And I won't flop (naw) Uh huh from Pasadena to Medina uh huh But over here the grass really ain't greener Verse 3 From above and below its written in your mood Your attitude can be determined by the altitude If you’re destitute it ain't rude to lose your cool Action Affirmative reppin' Title One Schools ugh I'm as much a part of it as it is a part of them Constantly have to fight against pre judgment A path that is pre set using free will to reset Lack away to see tests pleading to all your regrets So much is done to try to shut you out So much is done to make you shut your mouth The music they push on you is one route Lack of lyrics reality calculated doubts Can't you see they trying to hold us down And what we choose now affects us now Try to separate us and lead astray If you don't get it press stop rewind then play Chorus And I don't quit (quit) And I don't stop (stop) And I won't flip (flip) And I won't flop (naw) Uh huh it's the streets of Pasadena Uh huh over here the grass really ain't greener And I don't quit (quit) And I don't stop (stop) And I won't flip (flip) And I won't flop (naw) Uh huh It's the schools of Pasadena Uh huh the problems is the schools of Pasadena
15.
Yea Uh huh Diverse, Diverse, Diverse, Jay Raw McCraw Yo DJ Gemini and Foci Verse 1 Standing still got too much of a reason to move Switching mood broods a different type of attitude Stay committed force negligent heads to give in Dedication never questioned wheels keep spinning Time to go yup um let's roll Getting tired of the same lames that can't flow The desire of the strange lanes that must go Finding my place on top I’m on my plateau You know! Bluuuuuuuuu Status it’s the way she wants it Your water weak struggling to come down the faucet Better believe the agnostic the pain of the caustic You believe nothing but believe in this loch ness We beasts ragga muffins yes we monster Unique exclusive extraordinary mobsters Men that act like female fear is their sponsor Here off of a scared dove of what taunts her Chorus (2x) Yes, this is where you rise up The hook to get you cooked up and higher Gemini I don't think they heard me Diverse yo are these people worthy Verse 2 Coming from the S to the G to the V Hold my tongue for no one c’mon please Stick to my guns so awesome when I need Rather die standing than live on my knees The escrow said to lay low 'til close In the past you trippin' off of that Jim crow You self segregate you separate and withhold Only fools fall in love with ratchets and bimbos Lifetime of punishment worse than that corporal Follow your own path who said it was simple She comes close but hidden in her dimples Is another secret held from her own kinfolk With no slopes uphill still pressing brakes Why would you refuse to accept your fate Music is my religion and I worship it That entrepreneurship opposite of hurtin' it Chorus (2x) Yes, this is where you rise up The hook to get you cooked up and higher Gemini I don't think they heard me Diverse yo are these people worthy Verse 3 Left in the smoke of the tires To hope to get inspired It's similar to what liars do You'd end up as lion’s food Speak to complain is like what the winers brood Prey on the weak we prey on the strong They prey for that newspeak we don't prey to get on Make it happen through life and through song Lay it trapped in sights fiend for clues drawn Get fly when startled crash into skies above Success is a gift and a labor of love But a curse if you don't know what it’s made of If you are weak hearted this ain't for paid gloves It's fitting to see how that Mark got caught Nocturnal instincts ripping through the dark To get right with ignition to write the art Prepare for opportunity get it from the start Chorus (2x) Yes this is where you rise up The hook to get you cooked up and higher Gemini I don't think they heard me Diverse yo are these people worthy Yes

about

While this is a concept project that addresses various facets of academic success, this album also touches on revealing Foci’s insecurities (Motion Pictures), his search for love and companionship (Promise Land), and the murder of his best friend and manager Cesar Morales (Cesars Song).

The Achievement Gap as a whole serves as a statement on the current condition of Hip-Hop, which ultimately culminates in the songs (Real DJs & Desperado). Unlike many of the new artists that are coming out today whose success is simply measured by how well their album charts, Foci is more concerned with making sure that this album measures up to the standards of the legends that he has shared the stage with.

For Foci, his responsibility is clear; whether working with students in the classroom with a lack of proper materials (Devil in Disguise) or taking listeners to school on wax (Three's A Crowd), one way or another, Foci will do whatever he can to make sure that The Achievement Gap is nothing more than a distant memory.

credits

released February 28, 2013

Featuring Production by: Diverse, Jansport J, Nathan Allen, Emani, and Science.

Additional Vocals by: Christine Ariya, Annie Elliot, and The Alumni
Cuts by DJs: 4080 & Gemini

Art Direction: Thomas Wu
Tracking Engineer: Chris "Emani" Terry-Smith
Mixing & Mastering Engineer: Omar "Ikuestion" Loya

All songs were recorded at theJTCollective Studios - Pasadena, CA
Executive Produced by theJTCollective

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Foci Pasadena

It takes a unique type of individual to dedicate their entire existence to exposing their life experiences to entertain, but more importantly to educate, the masses. Such education can take shape in various forms: music, leadership, mentoring, and academics. In the case of FOCI, he combines it all. ... more

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