Macklemore - Contradiction lyrics

The other day, me and XP opened for Souls Mischief I'm like "Yo, let's get on some angry MC showmanship and hit 'em" Rocked all the co*ky songs and not too many soulful lyrics Even a couple dissin' women callin' 'em groupies, hoes, and b**hes Got off stage, and I'm like "Yo, I know that we k**ed it" Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and supports us I said "Peace!" She said "Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute I know it's none of my business, but I wasn't impressed by your performance." I said "Word? sh**, I love feedback and criticism" She said "I miss the pa**ionate spirit, your political vision Quite honestly I wasn't offended by those references to women But you're only continuing society's conditioning" It hit the heart of me I told her that this was part of me I stand up for human rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated But every song can't be seepin' with freedom 'Cause the other side of me is s**ist then people will feel that I'm preachin' "Everything's peace and love?" uhh, that's somewhat misleading Because this world is f**ed-up and I'm a pro-duct to what I'm seeing Not to justify, but just to touch on my being I learn from these verses and my purpose gets surfaced with demons Now I am s**ist, I'm prejudice, I put that in my music She said she heard that perspective, but before she turned around She said "We have a flame, your fire's ignited with sound Are you building the empire up, or using your fire to burn it down?" [Chorus: x2] Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite, And through these songs you can witness it. The differences, I admit this sh**, because I'm just like you; Walking a fine line between saying and living it. [Overvoice:] Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down Light it up to burn it down, down, down Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down Light it up to burn it... down, down, down, down, down, down, down Now one thing that I've always struggled on Is how to incorporate d** and alcohol into my music Outside of sober songs 'Cause on that perspective, that's all over my records But the other side isn't represented unless it sessions with XP How can I admit that I love to smoke weed Knowing the kids are listening and many of 'em look up to me? Not to say that I'm a role model But I know that words are power And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am sending out the Message "It's okay," hey I believe that it is. Chronic can be medicine But it's all about your relationship with it See I'm either off in the wagon riding and everyday with the spliff Constantly looking for a balance but habit turns to addiction And hip-hop music & weed: they're inseparable So MCs that don't smoke or drink, talking about it to me seems questionable It proves how much people just want to be accepted And not seem straight-edge to their audience, so keeping it real is neglected 'Cause when I'm smoking, I wouldn't wanna bump a song like this Put on some Devin, break out the Swishers and a bong and some licks See that's a part of me too And I know that I would make more money if I wasn't as true To all the stuggles of the blunted consumption I'm going through Make music for the party, and the people support you I burn Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you? Bring it back around Am I building the empire up or using my fire to burn it down? [Chorus x2]