Lyrics:

Waking up in the morning, gotta make my prayer
Am I really gonna’ make it, when there is no one there?
Taking trips to the masjid (mosque), even when it’s tough
Am I going for the sake of Allah? Am I showing off?
Gonna’ get me the knowledge, gonna study Islam
Am I going just to build my ego? so they call me “the Man”?
Does it matter if the people respect me, when its not for Allah?
When I know anytime He can take me, without one real du’a (prayer)
Does it matter if they say I’m a big shot?
when I get no reward for my deeds
And I’m dragged on the Day of Resurrection
Cause of the folks that I wanted to please
Plus I know that Allah has the power
To raise me up in their eyes if it need be
I should always make my intentions, for my Lord, Allah completely

[Chorus]
Are my Intentions alright?
Am I doing for Allah?
When I’m looking deep, deep down inside
Do I have the right niyyah?

Wearing thoubs with a kufi, kufi
Miswaks leather socks like the old days
Am I trying to follow the Prophet? or am I seeking praise?
Giving talks on Islam to people
I’d be quoting Hadith and Qur’an
Am I speaking so they like how I’m speaking? and they say I’m “the Bomb”
Donating to Islamic centers, giving money so the Deen can grow
Am I giving for the sake of Allah? or is it for show?
Many times I have found my intentions
Are not what I want them to be
I know I start on the right direction
But Shaitan starts talking to me
And I forget that without my niyyah, I’m just wasting my time
My intentions cannot bring the reward, when they’re out of line
So I pray to Allah to help me, to do everything for Him only
Doesn’t matter if the people despise me
Cause with Allah I can never be lonely

Yah Allah, accept this niyyah
Coming from young Muslims striving to be believers
So on the day, our deeds You’ll measure. Know we only did this strictly for Your pleasure, Your pleasure
Your mercy, Your ajur (reward), Your Jannah (heaven), forever and ever and ever
And reward us for those who listen
Heeded to the message, changing their condition
And know that everything up until this point I’ve ever written
I submit as my repentance
And if its blessings You’re sending my way
I beg You hold them to the judgement day
so maybe in Jannah you can look back and say…it was a lovely day, a lovely, a lovely day, yes a lovely day
Are my intentions, alright, am I doing for Allah
When I am looking deep deep down inside, do I have the right niyyah (intention)?

[Chorus]
Are my Intentions alright?
Am I doing for Allah?
When I’m looking deep, deep down inside
Do I have the right niyyah?

Listening/Music Activity 3

English/Language Art Standard:

3.7.10 Compare ideas and points of view expressed in broadcast and print media or on the Internet.

Pair each student with a partner. Direct the students to the Educational website at http://ericnunnally.wordpress.com. Have the students click on the link to view the Native American Rap music video. Ask the students to listen carefully and look closely at the video. After seeing and hearing the video once, ask the students to return to the _ website and click the link to view the lyrics to Tru Rez Crew’s I’m A Lucky One. Have the students watch the video again, this time following along with the lyrics. Have partners pose questions to each other based on the information provided by the lyrics. Have partners discuss the video and the lyrics, in particular the artwork used and the people and places mentioned.

BONUS: Have the children make up their own rap about the Native American experience and perform it for the class.

Lyrics:

I’m A Lucky One (Tru Rez Crew)

This is for my Native American people, nation wide,

I’m A lucky one, my parents were always there
I’m amazed with their ways, made me bear to care
cherish, like a 24 karat gold I wear it,
let me share every time that there’s peace in the air.
Warm like fleece when our teeth we bear
If I’m smilin’ when I’m wiling then it must be a dare
If you bringin’ up beef, native pull up a chair
I’m the chief at this table and able to hold your stare
No relief when we start, life is never fair
You could get caught in the snare like you got caught in the ware.
Adrenaline flows and noses start to flare
I know what you’re thinking cause I use to be there
I could go to any reservation in the world
Have respect for every man and woman boy and girl
I flaunt for sure cause I’m an entrepreneur
But if you prefer I’m humble like the one that you were.

Chorus:
(I’m a lucky one)
Don’t look back don’t you ever look back don’t look back (and I wont look back) x4

Got to look towards the future

I blame no one, all that i can change is my self
but i wasted out the week instead of watchin’ my health
Instead of climbin’ the peak I just dwelled in my wealth
I fell in ways i seek through the pain I felt
reminiscing the past, where the relationships melt
All the seasons done past when I last lost count
I got no reason to laugh though I’m the last to pout
and I carry lots of flow, no matter what the cost.

We spent and flossed, when we chose to covet
And we drank it soft, when we rose above it
All our paths were crossed and like a rose we loved it
Yo I’ll meet you at the summit when we spit flows in public
Never have to climb cause we once were kings
Like my native men well locked down till spring
He’ll be back a year older when the birds start to sing
and we’ll change the whole world with the hope we bring

Bridge- This is dedicated to those among us
Who rose above us because they chose to love us
And when we didn’t push ourselves they were first to shove us
Sent from the sky to give birth to the toughest x4

Yeah, keep your heads held high and never ever look back
CHORUS