Sphinx Competition Finals Concert 2026

THE FACTOTUM SUITE 

Baritone: 

On God! We've come too far to turn around now. 

After all the things we've worked for, it could all come crashing down. 

I hear the rhythm of the clippers and the ringing sounds. 

This shop is my temple, these walls are my ground. 

A legacy rooted. Unshaken and unbound. 

This is my chair, and I hold the crown! 

You're looking at a proud, black king on the throne. 

I gotta watch it and protect it now that pops is gone. 

I got love in my heart for this place I call home, 

so Imma look out for my own. 

I bleed for black legacy. 

Gotta keep pushing our people along. 

Gotta switch up, turn on the lights, 

so that we can see that it's on us 

to pull ourselves up cuz we all we got. 

I'm standing right here with my people today. 

If there's something that you need, 

I'll go out of my way. 

That's why I keep grinding 

so that when I'm long, long gone 

I got some-thing to leave that will carry on. 

It was nineteen sixty-three, 

my granddaddy took a train from Chicago to DC 

to link arms with Lewis and King. 

Before there was a Michael, 

this was the OG Dream Team. 

Black visionaries who got down 

on hands and knees 

to build the bricks, and the tiles, 

and the concrete to pave the way, 

so I can sit and go as I please. 

Legacy. 

Now it's on me. 

I'm putting in the work, 

black mamba mentality. 

To make sure that my daughter's life 

on this earth is a better reality. 

Legacy. 

Pushin' my sons 

so they don't end up in chains 

or become a fatality. 

Ev'ry move that I make 

through the pains and the aches, I do it for the family. 

Soprano: 

Standing here dreaming 

of my hand wrapped in yours. 

Enchanted by the songs 

you sang to me. 

A voice of an angel 

lifting me with melody. 

I remember when you starred 

in all the high school plays. 

You stole the show ev'ry time 

you walked on the stage. 

We shared so many laughs 

such special memories from those days. 

Except the night we cried 

and held on to each other 

when I told you that I had to move away. 

I sometimes wonder 

if I should have stayed, 

oh so close. 

Was it fantasy or love? 

I want love. 

// 

Baritone: 

Now I'm not sure where you been goin', 

but I know where you haven't been. 

It's right here in my chair, 

why don't you sit right there. 

Hey baby won't you check him on in. 

If ya don't know, now ya know. 

You may have heard the rumors goin' around. 

But no need for hearsay. 

I'll show you why they call me 

the baddest barber in this town. 

Oh my God! 

What’s up with this hairline? 

Whoever cut ya really ain’t yo’ friend. 

Glad you came to me. 

Take some advice for free. 

Don't you visit that barber again. 

'Bout to hook you up with the fresh cut, 

so ease on up as I throw it on down. 

And when I’m done with you 

all the ladies will be lining up 

from ev’ry part of the town 

cuz I’m the baddest, 

the baddest barber around. 

When you lay those clippers in my hand 

you'll know I'll throw it down. 

If you ask around about who's the man in town. 

It's me, 

the baddest barber all around. 

So wait! What we doin' to it? 

Do you wanna Caesar with the crispy lines? 

Fade it away like a jump shot. 

Leave a little bit on top 

and make it short on the sides? 

Like a rocket man, 

we can make it go up with the faux hawk. 

Trim up this beard. 

Mix it in with some color 

and sponge it around. 

If you're feeling kinda diff'rent and weird, 

I can pick it out, even it up, 

take it back to the seventies with the mini fro. 

Maybe cut it down and shape it nice, 

make the taper right, 

have it sittin' real low. 

I can part it on the left, 

I can part it on the right, 

in the back, tell me what's your style? 

And when I'm done with you, 

you'll be walkin' down the block 

havin' all the ladies runnin' wild. 

Cuz I'm the baddest, 

the baddest barber around. 

When you lay those clippers in my hand, 

you'll know I'll throw it down. 

If you ask around about who's the man in town. 

It’s me. 

The baddest barber all around. 

Soprano: 

Hold up, wait a minute, 

let me put my two cents in it. 

I'm sick of you boys 

actin' like you know anything 

about you stylin' some hair. 

So please put them razors down, 

come around, pull up a chair, 

have a seat over there. 

Yo' Gat tops and high fades 

I'm afraid really don't even begin 

to compare to the magic I make in this shop 

now stop. 

I'll show you who's the baddest everywhere. 

Wakanda forever, 

a Nubian twist with the wrist 

I'm legit on your girl. 

Take this nappy head, 

put it on lock, Lauryn Hill. 

Give them dreads a twirl. 

Braids, braids, and micro braids, 

box braids are my specialty. 

I'm on portrait mode focus top shelf, 

now you know this Houdini 

with so many tricks up my sleeve.