The Cat's Whiskers - 4 REAL

Translation by Carpfish; reprinted with permission.

Attention, attention, attention
If you don't know, now you know
Paradox Live
TCW 4 Life, straight up

Superior taste and burning passion overflowing
That's right, it's me: the No.1 Golden Rookie
A.K.A. The Director of Dopeness[1], is what they call me
Have a Ryuu-kun specialty cocktail as an aperitif
Indomitable attitude and a love for challenge
But I'm a problem child, so don't touch me
Imitating trends just makes you disposable
I'm grasping for an immovable crown, as proof of my era

Grass without roots, once withered and dead
Now given new life by my ones beloved
I won't let go of them, never again
I won't give in, the cry of my resolve echoing loudly
That's right, though history may mock the weak
Strangers finding fault with strangers to whom they'll never speak
This bud of self-respect will not be put out
Just like the quiet, searing fireworks blossoming in my heart

(Hey Yo) We always keep it real
We never change, straight up
(Okay) We always keep it real
We'll take you Higher
(Hey Yo) We always keep it real
We'll make it louder
Our ever-burning passion
From back then till now
What we do is keep it going, 'cause we must
What we do is keep it going, till you get it
What we do is keep it going
Don't be fake
In between tradition and revolution
A new breakthrough

What are we fighting for?
Showing with our presence, a persevering true pride
What are we fighting for?
Give us a moment's opening, we're sure to fight back
What are we fighting for?
From dirty back alleys rises a superhero
Only the realest survive
TCW, this is our Black Entertainment

Rather than armchair philosophy, I stand at the lectern
My mood each night changes my last order
Obsolete commands over me have no power
It's time to put it down and take over
Art that values its roots, deep as the Shadow-Facing Pine[2]
I refuse to be ruthless, what I'm looking to incite is a
Run up - come along to follow me to repaint this roadmap
With a pocketful montage of memories

A new order of real estate
With no use for any brokers[3]
Anonymous calls dialed to 110[4]
The back alleys are abnormal
At the junction of night and day
Step on the gas and pull ahead with a hangover
With liquor that fits right with the rhythm
I'll shake a moody drink with no doubt
The backbone that my blood runs through is
My reason, Imma stand my ground and never go back

(Hey Yo) We always keep it real
We never change, straight up
(Okay) We always keep it real
We'll take you Higher
(Hey Yo) We always keep it real
We'll make it louder
Pride and arrogance are two sides of the same sheet
Mistake one for the other, it's game over
What we do is keep it going, ‘cause we must
What we do is keep it going, till you get it
What we do is keep it going
Don't be fake
Offering prayers of conversion
We'll cleave open a new future

What are we fighting for?
Showing with our presence, a persevering true pride
What are we fighting for?
Give us a moment's opening, we're sure to fight back
What are we fighting for?
From dirty back alleys rises a superhero
Only the realest survive
TCW, this is our Black Entertainment

Straight Up TCW
4 Real

[1] Original pun is "Dopeness no Dobunezumi" which is the "Henchman/Rat of Dopeness", but I wanted an alliterative title to capture the original spirit
[2] The Shadow-Facing Pine (Yougou no Matsu) is a famous 600 year old pine tree at Zenyouji temple in Tokyo that is designated as a natural monument of Japan
[3] I don't know if y'all know how incomprehensible Yohei's verses are sometimes, but my best guess interpretation is that he's shading Alter Trigger's real estate shenanigans with Bar 4/7 in this part.
[4] 110 is the police emergency number in Japan

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