You know that one auntie, you don’t wanna be rude,
…But every holiday, nobody eatin’ her food.
Kanye West, “Family Business,” The College Dropout, 2004
Category: Uncategorized
-
-
Age ain’t nothing but a number, that’s what Chi-Ali said.
OK, then why don’t you get that through the judge’s head?Biz Markie, “Young Girl Bluez,” All Samples Cleared!, 1993 -
We were at the same table when the chips were checked,
A gamblin’ rebel who inspects the deck.
Just when you thought we would fold our hand,
Against all odds, we raised the bet like we changed the plans.
It was live on air, but in between station breaks,
I was holdin a pair and just made the table stakes.
Split the demos, put insurance on tapes,
A safeguard against the crusaders in capes.
If I double-down, they say the Gods are sharks;
If we win against the house, they thought the cards was marked.
We draw hit after hit from a royal flush menu,
While the dealer promoted the full house venue.
A spade in the club with the heart to wear diamonds,
The high roller who got credit upon signin’.
They look puzzled when I shuffle, most of ‘em stunned by the hustle,
Recourse of bluff game’s your muscle.GZA, “Back in the Game,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Iron Flag, 2001 -
There’s a very big difference between what’s rap and what’s real,
When those worlds collide, that’s when rappers get killed.
Trappers, they go to jail, die without leaving a will,
There’s a very big difference between what’s rap and what’s real.Saigon, “Rap Vs. Real,” The Greatest Story Never Told 2: Bread and Circuses, 2012 -
My life is full of empty promises and broken dreams…
I’m hopin’ things look up; but there ain’t no job openings.
I feel discouraged, hungry and malnourished,
Living in this house with no furnace, unfurnished.
And I’m sick of workin’ dead end jobs with lame pay,
And I’m tired of bein’ hired and fired the same day.
But fuck it, if you know the rules to the game play,
Cause when we die, we know we all going the same way.Eminem, “Rock Bottom,” Slim Shady LP, 1999
-
City lights shine bright on my complexion,
Self-reflection…red hairs flashing at the intersection.
Life is a green light, one star, no script,
Supporting actors…fresh peaches, no pit.Action Bronson, “Randy The Musical,” Rare Chandeliers, 2012 -
In my world, even sure bets are not certain;
‘Cause you’ll get the picture, then find out it’s the cropped version.Joe Budden, “Going Through the Motions,” Mood Muzik: The Box Set, 2012 -
I know the game, it’s old and lame:
You’re holdin’ a flame for my name and my fame.
Livin’ like Givens schemin’ on Tyson,
But she got lucky ‘cause he was a nice one.
But I ain’t nice and I don’t play that,
If it ain’t tax, I don’t pay that.Kool Moe Dee, “They Want Money,” Knowledge Is King, 1989 -
You can do all them push-ups to pump up your chest,
I got a 12 gauge Mossberg to pump up your chest,
Have you gasping for air after that shell hit your vest.
Fear me like you fear God, ‘cause I bring death.50 Cent, “We All Die One Day,” from Obie Trice’s Cheers, 2003 -
Put a quarter in your ass, ‘cause ya played yourself.
Big Daddy Kane, “The Symphony,” from Marley Marl’s In Control, Vol. 1, 1988 -
I get atomic, hypo-galactical…
Word to mom, I’m in my own world.
Galaxy rays? Powerful.Kool Keith, “Raise It Up,” from Ultramagnetic M.C.’s The Four Horsemen, 1993 -
Y’all mythological niggas is comical,
The astronomical is comin’ thru like tha flu bombin’ you…
And embalmin’ in your crew, too.
With the musical, mystical, magical, you know how I do.Keith Murray, “The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World," The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World, 1994 -
How could you possibly stop the apocalypse when I’m atomic bombin’ the populace?
Crooked I, “Loud Noises,” from Bad Meets Evil’s Hell: The Sequel, 2011 -
Little brats yellin ‘Trick or Treat’ all through my screen door,
When y’all should be at home sleep,
Instead of at my front porch 15 deep.
The jack o’ lantern came in handy…
I can turn my porch light out like I ain’t got no candy.
But ain’t that somethin?
You buy a Halloween costume and a pumpkin,
Almost gave your children a heart attack.
It’s a tradition, but who the hell started that?Kam, “Holiday Madness,” Neva Again, 1993 -
You never know: rain, sleet, hail, snow,
See you gotta accept that’s how things go.
Prepare for the rainy day, or the sun’s glow,
But there’s clouds movin’ in and the clouds gonna blow.Q-Tip, “Keep it Moving,” from Hi-Tek’s Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip, 2006. Hurricane Sandy resources: How to Prepare for a Hurricane (Ready.gov). Map with weather and path (Google Crisis Response). New York City Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder.