CRUEL HAND / CRUEL WORLD

by ILLWORDS

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CRUEL HAND / CRUEL WORLD - LIMITED CASSETTE
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Limited pressing of "CRUEL HAND / CRUEL WORLD" from ILLwords 100% DIY / 100% ILL. Designed and packaged by Deejay Kellan.

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1.	Cruel Hand 02:02	lyrics	buy track
(Intro - DRENT & Kleenkut) HIP HOP ISN'T DEAD...WE'RE KEEPING IT LIVE Homicide, murder beats, assisted suicide. Feeble emcees, transparent, we see through Who's too afraid to bite these hand that feed you (Verse - DRENT) This ain’t engraving, it’s victim an impact statement Hip hop's been on trial on several occasions Ya’ll rap for the cam because you’re in front of it All lobbyist and publicists we ain’t fucking with Consciousness don’t profit, nor does prostitution People fuck you over then say, “I fuck with ya movement” The world’s cruel, that’s the hand of survival ILLWORDS, bite the curb....leave em dead on arrival (Hook - DRENT & Kleenkut) Sharpened edges, left beheaded, choppy message, Death sentence, If I wrote it, then I fucking meant it Wordsmiths, ill and literate, murderer's cursive Murdering words with, curses, words refurbished Sharpened edges, left beheaded, choppy message, Death sentence, If I wrote it, then I fucking meant it Wordsmiths, ill and literate, murderer's cursive Murdering words, with curses, words refurbished (Verse - Kleenkut) Working graveshifts, souls admist grey mist Looks soulless, I gotta admit, no ones got dope shit Orange lamps lit, reveal dim wits as graves shift No condolences when ethered, I've got nothing to dig Creativity lost spirit, we're carrying spades and scythes to bury slain emcees throwing shade Pretruding gates, six feet is shallow to our depth Whatever doubts you have, illwords will put it rest (Hook - DRENT & Kleenkut) Sharpened edges, left beheaded, choppy message, Death sentence, If I wrote it, then I fucking meant it Wordsmiths, ill and literate, murderer's cursive Murdering words with, curses, words refurbished Sharpened edges, left beheaded, choppy message, Death sentence, If I wrote it, then I fucking meant it Wordsmiths, ill and literate, murderer's cursive Murdering words, with curses, words refurbished
2.	HANDSTANDS 03:15	lyrics	buy track
DRENT: I'm like Sir Locksley swagged out on Grand Seven Ya'll say pause...I show my discretion Evacuate the premise, DRENT has arrived I'm gonna black out until you see the white in my eyes I'm sick of tired of rappers, instagram and shit You connect with the fans, punches don't hit Ya'll whack as fuck...using schemes ain't unique You like a bad bitch, I like a woman with mystique I’m like Nas when Nas wrote "Nas Is Like" Messiah type giving Jesus eternal life I’m bridging the gap, it’s time to make room Hip Hop isn’t dead til my body’s been exhumed I’m here now, most times I’m alone In between independence and being on my own Not signed to a label yet…constant debt Torn between things I say and things I project You either gain respect or entertain the masses I hate trap rap but allowed that to happen Constant back and forth...passing of the torch Hip hop saved my life when I was on life support But nowadays, check XXL Not making the list, that's an honor in itself You can call me a bitch, I don't like Lil Boat We ain't cut from the same cloth, hoe...I'm a cutthroat (Hook - Kleenkut & DRENT) Hands up (stand up) and feel this live segment Hands up (stand up) cause we're robbing your attention Hands up (stand up) no warning or indiscretion If you ain't got your hands up, then get to steppin’ [x2] DRENT: I'm like Redman, muddy waters get blurred Ya'll like to say "facts" but really you're unsure On stage I pour myself out like Old English Even in front of a crowd, you're still hard to distinguish Witness hands up, I stand up with presence Fuck who’s on deck…I murder sets in succession I’m locked and loaded, I cock back, ya folded They say murder was the case…here’s my motive I'm like 24/7...I feel like The Warden Ya'll been blowing up online but you're really not important Verified on social media across the board Fuck who got the plug…I’m here to cut the chord Ya’ll go live on the air without a fanbase Even if you reach the masses, you don’t hold weight Wait, I was talking shit, that's whack a bit Yo Kleen...should I rap? "Man get back to it” You either gain perspective or lose sight of vision Everyone's the same, no one cares that I'm different Passing of torch isn't something that they'll do So I'll leave a legacy where no one remembers you But nowadays, there's no other options Either you're timeless or soon to be forgotten ILLiterate Wordsmiths, bitch we the GOATS We ain't cut from the same cloth, hoe we're cutthroat (Hook - Kleenkut & DRENT) Hands up (stand up) and feel this live segment Hands up (stand up) cause we're robbing your attention Hands up (stand up) no warning or indiscretion If you ain't got your hands up, then get to steppin’ [x2] PUT YA ILLZ IN THE SKY...STAND THE FUCK UP, HANDS UP!
3.	MIRROR \| MIRROR 03:46	lyrics	buy track
DRENT: Ya setting standards, but really don't set none Giving birth to styles, acting like step sons Incompetent, face the music or a consequence If I say, "I don’t like you" take it as a compliment Either step to me or walk around and tip toe I got your album and didn’t listen past the intro I kept it on the low but relatively speaking When ya say bring it back…it ain’t worth repeating I’m tired of rapping, ya don’t seem to get it Nowadays, hunger and hustle feels desperate I’m an emcee first, always been a Wordsmith How ya fed verses, your performance is malnourished? I’m just upset with how things progressed I’d rather transcend, ya’ll just follow trends set I’m left without options…the pens to my temple Reflective surfaces, I look down on who’s resembled Kleenkut: I heard gangstas move in silence, my minds wildin Suspecting biased rappers speak vibrantly violent If it were real they'd be quiet, not lyrical riots Type writing shit, their words can't flip scripts Doesn't ring bells in the end, no ones left in a crypt Real killers don't run on tracks, fabricating facts They walk across streets, hands full with smoking gats Not utensils, so how'd you build your credentials? Story time, I fall asleep over nursery rhymes Concocting tall tales with large scale disbelief Whens the last time real beefs been cooked over beats? Usually grilled great, over skillet grates on long trays No debate, you can't argue with no murder case I can tell from someone's exhale alone if they're fake Motherfuckers who pretend thinking we'll easily bend Will learn the hard way of writing like cursive in pen (Hook - Drent & Kleenkut) What we both see is matter of perception Two different people with a opposing perspectives Double sided mirrors...different reflections Look in one direction, it’s what’s reflected Kleenkut: It's not as easy as the flick of the wrist to extend or flex It's about mastering when to tense and when to rest See, I roll up on crews necks like sleeves on sweats And take respect from the hardest man in your whole set Shouldn't misrepresent characteristics from you Come correct, no ill intent and stay true Don't present material too dense or leave exposed Never half step for show, only say what you know Four lessons, it isnt hard and time to start, or depart No forgetting, cause someone will test ya heart This is how who I am blurs lines like runny ink And I'm more sincere than emcees care to think Vivid image, detailed descriptions, exquisite diction Gets people to listen, whether or not its non fiction Not saying you can't spread your wings when winds pop Just pay attention to your feathers when following flocks DRENT: Yo, this shits garbage, how you thinking you’re the hardest The difference‘s mines an art form, you’re just an artist I rap on days off, you struggle on off days I’m out making moves and record in a crawl space I guess that means the team’s more tight knit I got a table of contents, your shits counterfeit I’m like Tony...Mahoney laced me that Scarface Ya’ll better stay in your lane and refrain from the car chase I’m driven...ya’ll just acting ambitious Saying “fuck these hoes” but still rapping like bitches Wanna get outta pocket, I’ll give you the business I’m not raising my voice when I say you’ll get lifted I’m on a new level...ya’ll refuse to track the movement Fuck constructive criticism, ya’ll don’t show improvement I got class, I surpass and keep it cool Fuck the new school...go and get me some better students
4.	LEGENDS NEVER DIE 04:08	lyrics	buy track
(Intro - Kleenkut) Reasons for living caught on despair and disdain? Thinking loneliness will be the only thing we can claim And take to our graves, with mistreatment killing the urge In search of presenting this world our true worth! (Verse - Kleenkut) A mentor told me, anger is having your fist clenched Which meant you can't hold onto being upset or vexed But the same grip on the mic I wrap around Is what I'll use to punch emcees in the mouth and shut em down Worked out, lifting weight off like a bench press but Drent expressed "somethings are better left unsaid" Which makes sense, in my head, a saying I believe But to his disbelief this time I gotta disagree To remember me, I'm addressing this nonsense on this topic everyone's dodging, let me be honest First to hip hop, I'm sorry I wandered off, got lost Left it all, didn't stick, move, or ever fought Doesn't mean I'm loveless, over all I love this I hate to watch life abuse your culture with injustice Sucker emcees, we're back together like venom Reuniting his symbiote after spider man thought he dead him (Hook - DRENT) Ya’ll write schemes and hooks, it's all about the bars But when you fade away, no one knows who you are Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance We write dreams and push every once til we fall But when you speak for the dead, they don't have to respond Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance (Verse - Kleenkut) Every mic I get on, anywhere, I rep Providence Yet not once, do people even acknowledge it Preposterous they consciously disguise obnoxiousness As an arrogant attitude covered in false confidence A facade, a ruse they play, it's all a game Like everyone else, whats original if you act the same? It's stupid to catch side looks from the scene "Man, they shout you out on stage but they don’t call you Kleen" It's not about your creative bars, rather your intention Details you've penned in, hows your audience affected Can we sense your affection? How long were you pensive? Are you approaching honestly or only seeking attention? Disappointed this has to be brought up or even mentioned But I'm tired of half assed writing by marks in question Who misunderstand tension and run on like long sentence It's never about aggression, it's about how you finesse it (Hook - DRENT) Ya’ll write schemes and hooks, it's all about the bars But when you fade away, no one knows who you are Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance We write dreams and push every once til we fall But when you speak for the dead, they don't have to respond Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance (Verse - Kleenkut) Exposing who should be your heroes, with malice and scorn I'm tired and torn from being ignored and even bored By rappers who claim they're hot, are actually lukewarm With forced rhymes mispronounced but they proudly endorsed Thinking they're better than me, having no way to fucking prove it With wack attempts, cheap results that seem useless And it bothers me they preach quality like top scholars But dumb down lyrics in attempts to double dollars Now that's worthless, forgettable hooks, feeble verses, Off dubs under the surface, and production is a disservice What do I improve if I'm already the best? Truth is...I've mastered most need several attempts Despite intent, delusions can't cash reality checks So I've come to push weakness out like last reps Not feeling anyone, stiffens necks like rigor mortis Time to put you guys away for a while like rented storage (Hook - DRENT) Ya’ll write schemes and hooks, it's all about the bars But when you fade away, no one knows who you are Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance We write dreams and push every once til we fall But when you speak for the dead, they don't have to respond Passing of the torch isn't something you can inherit Legends never die...they don't stay in remembrance
5.	GRENADES 03:49	lyrics	buy track
(Verse - Kleenkut) My whole life has been a fight I'm constantly losing Love hate relationship, some say it's abusive My conclusion is I have to live more conducive And ruthless according to careers I'm pursuing (Verse - DRENT) I’m a failure sometimes I feel like I don’t belong here People take you at your word, actions are insincere To be clear, I won’t adhere to the populous I can’t change the world around me so I’m stuck in Providence The pressure keeps building, I start to inhale I’m never gonna make it, just accept it - you failed This is my breath, so when I feel these chest pains I can’t escape…than I blow up like grenades My egos inflated, sense of self gets absorbed I've done shows in New York but I’ve never really toured I can’t afford to go out on a limb just yet I’d rather blame pay to play for my lack of success (Verse - Kleenkut) Great connections take kinetic energy but I sit Listening to time's echo boom with each tick Running out like hourglasses sands pour and drift With each turn and twist, another paradigm shift Gloves equipped to hands only war entertained Salted taste, a veteran recognizing his fate Completely fazed, memory haze unerased Blinded, crazed, blowing up like grenades Exposing my bitter face while bridges disintegrate Bad habits rarely change, mistakes forever remain Subdued, let loose through grooves I stepped to But finding new reasons to doubt my chess moves (Verse - DRENT) And it's hard to acknowledge my lack of progress I'm a rapper that pretends to be socially conscious Selling music online for insufficient funds Constantly obsessing over things I haven't done This is too much, I can’t take it anymore I’m never gonna change, I’m the same as before Feeling drained…that my writing doesn’t resonate Set to detonate and I blow up like grenades Music is a lifestyle...I don't wanna live it Because I have no fans and I'm my toughest critic I crave success to replace feeling confined Sadly the goals I set...are the ones I set aside (Verse - Kleenkut) I've made miscalculations of how life's supposed to go Fanbase grown, spotlights, headline shows Major sales, flashes, sunglasses status Pathless without action..why it hasn't happened I haven't conformed to how business cascades Falling into last place, it's all fast paced My worth trades like words exchanged on stage Take pressure off and I'll blow up like grenades Demonstrating charm and wit, accompanied with Honesty, grit, honestly it's honed my sales pitch My rhyming niche, cuts costs, split prints Problem is wealthy hearts won't displace pocket lint (Verse - DRENT) Look into my eyes, tell me what you're seeing If you go deep inside, you'll hear I'm still screaming That's why I keep going, hoping to make peace Don't hold onto something you intend to release (Hook - DRENT & Kleenkut) Every hand I shake no longer holds weight And I wait for reimbursement every price I've paid No one trusts the business deals I've made Yet anticipate...I'll blow up like grenades

about

"CRUEL WORLD / CRUEL HAND" is the second project from PVD duo ILLWORDS (a.k.a. ILLiterate Wordsmiths) embodying an immense and pivotal change in their sound and scenery. This EP embodies the physical, emotional, artistic endeavors that were not only reevaluated but evolved internally and externally in the personal lives of DRENT & Kleenkut. "CRUEL HAND / CRUEL WORLD" not only serves as a testament to how to the world interacts with you but also how we can strive to combat the forces that attempt to change who we are. The damage has already been done but the path isn't irreversible, it's just ever-changing.

credits

released May 1, 2018

All songs/lyrics written by ILLwords (Owen "Drent" & Christopher "Kleenkut" Collado)
All songs produced by Tony Mahoney
"Cruel Hand" & "Legends Never Die" recorded @ DNGR Studios by Nicholas "DJ Head Honcho" Sorel in Warwick, RI
"Handstands", "Mirror | Mirror", and "Grenades" recorded @ Crawl Space by Joe Brown in Dover, NH
Mixing & Mastering by Nicholas "DJ Head Honcho" Sorel @ DNGR Studios
Album Artwork/Design by Mike Phillips of Conscious Robot - Graphic Design
Photography by Alec Ematrudo of Ematrudo Productions

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about

ILLWORDS Providence, Rhode Island

DRENT & Kleenkut a.k.a. ILLiterate Wordsmiths aren't just a play on words. ILL WORDS are a deadly combination of haymakers, hard hitting punchlines, boom bap beats, and knock out performances that'll make any MC hit the deck!