Watch the official music video for 'Respiration' to see the urban imagery that inspired the track's lyrics: Black Star - Respiration ft. Common BlackStarVEVO YouTube• Jun 16, 2009
: Listen to the album version or the official music video on YouTube.
The track uses urban life as an extended metaphor for "respiration," depicting the city as a beast that breathes, eats, and sleeps. Black Star Respiration
: Focuses on the duality of the city. He compares New York to a "bruised but sweet" apple, warning that those who "choose to eat" might lose their teeth—a metaphor for the dangers beneath the city's surface.
: There is a notable remix by Dr. Luke and another by Pete Rock. Watch the official music video for 'Respiration' to
: You can find "Respiration" on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
: Captures the feeling of being trapped and small. He describes "deep city breaths" taken while sitting on "shitty steps" and looking for God in a sky filled with smog and "broken dreams". : Focuses on the duality of the city
: Samples a monologue from the 1983 graffiti documentary Style Wars , setting a gritty, authentic New York tone.
