meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
In Our Headphones

BLK ODYSSY - COMPLEX OF KILLING A MAN (feat. Baby Rose)

In Our Headphones

KEXP

Music, Music Commentary

4.41.1K Ratings

🗓️ 11 August 2022

⏱️ 3 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

BLK ODYSSY - "COMPLEX OF KILLING A MAN (feat. Baby Rose)" from the 2022 album BLK VINTAGE: THE REPRISE on BLK ODYSSY / EMPIRE.

BLK ODYSSY aka Juwan Elcock is a dynamic artist who nixed his former Americana sound for a soul-infused hip hop solo project. The Austin-based musician dropped his debut album BLK VINTAGE under the moniker in August of 2021 and, after the record slowly caught fire for its rich jazzy soundscapes and deeply personal and political lyrics about the plight of Black Americanhood, is now following it up with the deluxe edition BLK VINTAGE REPRISE.

One of the new tracks to be included is “COMPLEX OF KILLING A MAN.” With Grammy-nominated R&B singer Baby Rose adding her lush vocals, the song is a downtempo slow burner with heated lyrics about being caught in a culture of violence and oppression with seemingly no way out. “What's the complex of killing a man?/ Can't help but think that this scenario's part of a plan/ That's word to Willie Lynch and Uncle Sam.”

The story is one that hits close to home for Elcock, as his brother was killed at the hands of police offivers when living in New Jersey. With that in mind, the chorus of “Ghetto child, ghetto child/ Running wild, running wild/ This Glock gon' change your ways/ So count your days” hits especially hard.

Watch the video for "COMPLEX OF KILLING A MAN" and read the full post at KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I thought I'd been the road, had the candy being the sky, I was thinking on the floor

0:22.4

and he knew about the window, though his anger shut this wall, took us to the kitchen, put the must, I don't understand why I'm like

0:29.1

I wasn't in the beat, it's like we're in taxi, I'm in the sea, my fish get past the heat

0:36.8

Tony grabbed the strawberry, passed me to meet him, my heart's racing, I passed him too much, breathe up

0:42.7

He's taking steep breaths, he leans up out his seat, wants to come back to killin' a man, can't help but think that it's a never-y old spot of a plane

0:49.9

That's where to really linchate, no go say get the shell, get the shell go to the child, run you out, run you out

1:03.9

This clock will change your way, show how to dance

1:08.7

Okay, that night I said next to my clutches, she said look at you, that is so monstrous

1:15.3

Black boy Ace, I'm great, he's unresponsive

1:18.2

I'm top, I'm top boy, he's dead

1:20.4

I've seen his signature effort

1:22.1

But he's spitting me to Jesus, he's trialin' me on foot

1:25.0

He's intended to be on my father's trial, and so I'm up to

1:27.8

Tell me that he had a plan for him, when he was up to

1:30.8

Could've been a doctor, me, they were all safe and don't know the

1:33.6

Matter of fact, a black president bringin' his clothes up

1:37.0

What's the gotta say, he's killin' a man

1:39.2

Can't help but think they say he's watchin' and clippin' his head

1:41.9

As a king, bangin', I have to retire for fame

1:44.0

Get the chance, get the time

1:46.8

Get the chance, get the time

1:49.8

Run you out, run you out

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from KEXP, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of KEXP and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.