We were beginners in the hood as 5 Percenters,
But somethin’ must’ve got in us, cause all of us turned to sinners.
Tag: east coast
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AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994
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Hip-Hop got turned into Hit Pop,
The second a record was number one on the pop charts.
But don’t skip on the heart, it gotta start in the ghetto,
Let no one forget about the hard part.MC Serch, “Pop Goes the Weasel,” from 3rd Bass’ Derelicts of Dialect, 1994 -
There’s a million ways to live on this thing called a planet,
I’mma live everyday, I ain’t takin’ nothing for granted.Sadat X, “The Next Spot,” from High School High soundtrack, 1996 -
It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to.
Think of how many weak shows you slept through…
Time’s up, I’m sorry I kept you.Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987 -
Fuck a stray bullet, I take aim when the gun draws,
For everlasting fame, I will maim those who change the gun laws.
Cause post-traumatic stress disorder, ask any vet I’ve worked with.
My purpose? Catching bodies like safety nets at the circus.Pharoahe Monch, “Damage,” from PTSD, 2012 -
I bumped into Loon, he like ‘Well, As Salaam-Alaikum.’
You know I ain’t Muslim, my nigga, I’m about my bacon!Ma$e, “Higher,” from Kanye West Presents G.O.O.D. Music: Cruel Summer, 20122012, cruel summer, east coast, Harlem, hip-hop, humor, kanye west, Loon, ma$e, new york, Rap Quote, Religion -
I scored 1.1 on my SAT,
And still push a whip with a right and left AC.Redman, “Blackout,” from Method Man and Redman’s Blackout!, 1999 -
Yo, it’s 1 universal law but 2 sides to every story,
3 strikes and you be in for life, mandatory.
4 MC’s murdered in the last 4 years,
I ain’t tryin to be the 5th one, the Millennium is here.
Yo, it’s 6 million ways to die, from the 7 deadly thrills,
8-year olds gettin’ found with 9 mill’s.
It’s 10 P.M., where your seeds at? What’s the deal?Mos Def, “Mathematics,” from Black on Both Sides, 1999 -
I judge wisely…as if nothin ever surprise me,
Loungin, between two pillars of ivory.
I’m lively, my dome piece is like buildin stones in Greece.
My poems are deep, from ancient thrones I speak.Killah Priest, “4th Chamber,” from Genius/GZA’s Liquid Swords, 1995 -
Now what Clan you know with lines this ill?
Bust shots at Big Ben, like we got time to kill.Method Man, “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off),” from Wu-Tang Clan’s The W, 2000 -
They use the simple back and forth, the same, old rhythm
That a baby can pick up, and join, right with ‘em.
But their rhymes are pathetic, they think they copacetic
Using nursery terms, at least not poetic…Kool Keith, “Ego Trippin,” from Ultramagnetic MC’s Critical Beatdown, 1988 -
Putting styles on lock, and making beats by the bundle,
Scooping more props than Bryant Gumbel…and staying humble.Pete Rock, “Escape,” from Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s The Main Ingredient, 1994 -
These niggaz ain’t thugs, the real thugs is the government.
Don’t matter if you Independent, Democrat or Republican,
Niggaz politickin’ the street, get into beef,
Start blastin’…now a new cat is executive chief.Talib Kweli, “Ghetto Afterlife,” from Reflection Eternal’s Train of Thought, 2000 -
You’re mad cause my style you’re admiring…
Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring.The Notorious B.I.G., “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix),” 12", 1994 -
Let’s advance the game:
How many times can we rhyme about cars and chains?
How many bricks can a nigga really sell?
How many times can a nigga really go to jail?
How many murders can you do on one album?
Put ‘em together, must of did about a thousand.
I’m just saying, let’s change it up.
If not, nigga, hang it up.Lord Jamar, “Advance the Game,” The 5% Album, 2006 -
Battling me is some deadly shit,
So come equipped with rhymes, guns and two extra clips.
Aim for the head, ‘cause you don’t wear a vest there,
Bullet makes a window, your brain needing fresh air.MF Grimm, “Emotions,” Scars & Memories, 2005 -
Next time you see a brother down
Stop and pick him up,
Cause you might be the next one stuck.Grand Puba, “Mind Your Business,” Ya Know How It Goes 12", 1992 -
Never become so involved with something that it blinds you.
Never forget where you from; someone will remind you.DMX, “It’s On,” from DJ Clue’s The Professional, 1998 -
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal,
MC’s spit rhymes to uplift their people.KRS-One, “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been),” 2007 -
I will endanger your species like an ostrich,
Hold you hostage, and crazy feed you swine sausage!Busta Rhymes, “Do My Thing,” The Coming, 1996 -
Braniac dumb-dumbs, bust the scientifical,
Approach to the course and the force is centrifugal.
Can you find your way through the lyrics that be catchin’ ‘em?
Throw another rhyme across the room, they be fetchin’ ’em.Masta Ace, “Jeep Ass Niguh,” Slaughtahouse, 1993 -
How far must you go to gain respect? Um…
Well, it’s kind of simple: just remain your own.
Or you’ll be crazy sad and alone.Q-Tip, “Check the Rhime,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991 -
I want a girl with extensions in her hair,
Bamboo earrings, at least two pair,
A Fendi bag and a bad attitude,
That’s all I need to get me in a good mood.
She can walk with a switch and talk with street slang,
I love it when a woman ain’t scared to do her thing.LL Cool J, “Around the Way Girl,” Mama Said Knock You Out, 1990 -
I left my Phillie at home,
Do you have another?
I wanna get blunted, my brother.Smooth B, “DWYCK,” from Gang Starr’s Hard to Earn, 1994 -
Some seek fame cause they need validation,
Some say hating is confused admiration.Nas, “Stay,” Life is Good, 2012 -
Once in awhile, I’mma cheat and get dome,
But best believe that I’mma always come home.
Shorty, I luv you.Meyhem Lauren, “Let’s Hold Hands,” Respect The Fly Shit, 2012 -
Type to tote the glock and use gats…
You the type to vote Barack cause dude’s black.Sean P, “Grown Man Palettes,” from Meyhem Lauren’s Respect The Fly Shit, 2012 -
Your reign on the top was short like leprechauns,
As I crush so-called Willies, thugs, and rapper-dons.The Notorious B.I.G., “Kick in the Door,” Life After Death, 1997 -
Why’s my name the Large Professor?
Cause I milked your cow, in other words I hit your heifer.Large Professor, “Live at the Barbecue,” from Main Source’s Breaking Atoms, 1991 -
Scared of a bunch of water? Then get out the rain.
Order a rapper for lunch, and spit out the chain.MF Doom, “Sofa King,” from Danger Doom’s The Mouse and the Mask, 2005 -
Shoot eagles on the Jack Nicklaus course,
Porsche with the triple exhaust,
Seats soft like a midget’s cough…Action Bronson, “Midget Cough,” from Mick Boogie’s Represent the Stripes, 2012 -
And when I smiled, ‘Bing!’ I almost blinded her.
She said, ‘Great Scot, are you a thief?
Seems like you have a mouth full of gold teeth!’
Hahahaha, had to find that funny,
So I said, ‘No child, I work hard for the money.
And calling me a thief? Please…don’t even try it,
Sit down, eat your slice of pizza, and be quiet.’Slick Rick, “Mona Lisa,” The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, 1988 -
Music just ain’t what it used to;
We used to have songs that you could shoplift or boost to.Jadakiss, “Hip-Hop (Remix),” from Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack, 2008 -
I got a ill gift, I’m real swift
They be like, ‘Damn, he’s still rich.’
When I send my Men in Black,
Listen, none of them niggas named Will Smith.Cam’ron, “60 Rackz (Remix)”, 2012 -
Hood forever, I just act like I’m civilized.
Really what’s in my mind is organizing a billion Black motherfuckers
To take over JP Morgan, Goldman and Sachs
And teach the world facts and give Saudi they oil back.Nas, “No Introduction,” Life is Good, 2012 -
If rhyme is a crime, my mic is my co-defendant.
Cormega, “Focused Up,” from Large Professor’s Professor @ Large, 2012 -
I had a cigarette for breakfast, just for beginners,
Cried for my lunch, and sleep for dinner.G. Dep, “Everyday,” Child of the Ghetto, 2001 -
I don’t like a girl that be hanging with a slut crew,
I can’t sport a female who’s crossed-eyed with a buck tooth.
I need a female I can sport when I’m outdoors.
I’m not choosy…I got a rep to look out for.Lord Finesse, “I Like My Girls With a Boom,” Return of the Funky Man, 1992 -
It’s a thin line between paper and hate,
Friends and snakes, nine millis and thirty-eights,
Hell or the pearly gates…I was destined to come,
Predicted, blame God, He blew breath in my lungs.Nas, “Hate Me Now,” I Am…, 1999 -
EPMD in effect, I’m clockin’ mad green
Like Kermit the Frog, sloppy like Boss Hog,
Girl was runnin’ wild…ate her like a corn dog.Parrish Smith, “Chill,” from EPMD’s Business Never Personal, 1992 -
It’s ninety-six degrees in the shade…
Before I catch blood on my blade.Keith Murray, “Hostile,” from Erick Sermon’s No Pressure, 1993 -
On the square…I’m not riffin’ like Andy Griffith,
Just fed up, goin’ head up, with competition.Positive K, “Step Up Front,” 12", 1988. Legendary television actor Andy Griffith died of natural causes today at the age of 86. -
If you ain’t never been to the ghetto,
Don’t ever come to the ghetto,
‘Cause you wouldn’t understand the ghetto,
So stay the fuck out of the ghetto.Treach, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (Ghetto Bastard),” from Naughty By Nature’s Naughty By Nature, 1991 -
Keep my planets in orbit,
Never forfeit or quit,
Move forward…
I talk with the awkward slang,
I walk with the Wu-Tang.RZA, “Tragedy,” from Rhyme & Reason soundtrack, 1997 -
This generation lacks true knowledge of how the past has trapped you with psychological lassos over Adam’s apples.
Reks, “Unlearn,” REBELutionary, 2012 -
The D’s for doin it all of the time.
M is for the rhymes, that are all mine,
C’s for cool, cool as can be,
And why you wear those glasses? So I can see!D.M.C., “Here We Go,” Run-D.M.C., 1983 -
Bass! How low can you go?
Death row…what a brother know.
Once again, back is the incredible,
The rhyme animal, the uncannable “D!”
Public Enemy Number One.
Five-O said, “Freeze!” and I got numb.
Can I tell ‘em that I really never had a gun?
But it’s the wax that the Terminator X spun.Chuck D., “Bring the Noise,” from Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, 1988 -
When you say you love me, it doesn’t matter.
It goes into my head as just chit-chatter.
You may think it’s egotistical or just worry-free,
But what you say, I take none of it seriously.MC Lyte, “Paper Thin,” Lyte as a Rock, 1988 -
So concisely, musically we are the herb
So sit back and light me.
Inhale…
My style’s kinda fat, reminiscent of a whale.Q-Tip, “Sucka Nigga,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, 1993 (via egotripland) -
Ayo, the arm bone connected to the hand bone,
Nigga, the hand bone connected to the damn chrome!Sean P, “Don’t You Cross the Line,” from Boot Camp Clik’s The Last Stand, 2006 -
You know the wisdom is reflected in the knowledge when it’s manifested;
If not fed in due time, the mind is anorexic.Cormega, “American Beauty,” The Realness, 2001 -
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge?
If you popped that junk up in the Bronx, you might not live!KRS-One, “South Bronx,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, 1987 -
A rap villain: chillin’ and I don’t give a fuck about a killin’ cause I’m still in effect when you’re illin’.
Kool G. Rap, “Jive Talk,” from Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo’s Wanted: Dead or Alive, 1990 -
Fake MC’s – they always act hard
But won’t walk the streets without their bodyguards.Guru, “Suckas Need Bodyguards,” from Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn, 1994 -
The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken,
It’s all contractual and about money makin’.Black Thought, “What They Do,” from The Roots’ Illadelph Halflife, 1996 -
Back in the days when I was a teenager,
Before I had status, and before I had a pager,
You could find The Abstract, listening to hip-hop,
My pops used to say it reminded him of be-bop.
I said, ‘Well daddy don’t you know that things go in cycles.
The way that Bobby Brown is just ampin’ like Michael.
It’s all expected, things are for the lookin’,
If you got the money, Quest is for the bookin’.Q-Tip, “Excursions,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991 -
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid.
KRS-One, “I’m Still #1,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By Any Means Necessary, 1990 -
Niggas is decaf, I stick ‘em for the C.R.E.A.M.
Method Man, “Bring the Pain,” Tical, 1994 -
Rappers can’t sleep, need sleepin’,
B.I.G. keep creepin’,
Bullets heat-seekin’,
Casualties need treatin’,
Dumb rappers need teachin’.Notorious B.I.G., “Unbelievable,” Ready To Die, 1994 -
Deja vu, tell you what I’m gonna do,
When they reminisce over you, my God.CL Smooth, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),” from Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s Mecca and the Soul Brother, 1992 -
Stop raising your voice at me,
Stop messing around with my sanity,
Got me in a bubble, I can barely breathe…Truth Enola, “Voicetress,” 12", 1999 -
God works in different ways and it shows…
And everybody knows, love comes and goes.Ed O.G., “Love Comes and Goes,” from Ed O.G. and Da Bulldogs’ Roxbury 02119, 1993 -
There oughta be laws against you yappin’ your jaws.
Guru, “Take it Personal,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992 -
I own the night…the heat’s my receipt.
Ka, “Cold Facts,” Grief Pedigree, 2012 -
Niggas running around fantasizing like they’re Peter Pan…
Your life’s a scam and I’mma fuck it up like Neverland.MF Grimm, “Fame,” The Hunt for the Gingerbread Man, 2007 -
Your mom’s in our business…she’s in our business…
Can’t you see, girl, that your mom’s trying to end this?K-Solo, “Your Mom’s In My Business,” Tell the World My Name, 1990 -
What’s the remedy? Suckaz better get their own identity,
And to the enemy, you better roll like there’s ten of me.A.G., “Next Level,” from Show and A.G.’s Goodfellas, 1995 -
Laugh now, cry later: this is the karma.
Hip-hop never died, it’s just sick of the drama.Cormega, “Journey,” Born and Raised, 2009 -
Lookin’ out at the world through my window pane,
Every day has many colors ‘cause the glass is stained.
Everything has changed but remains the same,
So once again the mirror raised.
And I see myself as clear as day,
And I am goin’ to the limits of my ultimate destiny,
Feeling as though somebody somewhere is testin’ me.
He who sees the end from the beginning of time
Looking forward through all the ages:
Is, was, and always shall be.MCA, “B-Boy Bouillabaisse (A Year And A Day),” from Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique, 1989. Rest in power, Adam Yauch (1964 – 2012). -
Let me spell my name out for you, it’s Ricky:
R: Ravishing, I: Impress,
C: Courageous or Careless,
K: for the Kangols which I’ve got,
That I wear everyday and Y: Why not?Slick Rick, “Mona Lisa,” The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, 1988 -
Put this in your CD-ROM:
www dot Canibus dot com.
You can find me on the Internet, talkin’ to chicks
That was sweatin’ me off the ‘Music Makes Me High’ remix.
I be talkin’ mad trash, tryin to get ’em to laugh.
See, if I click and drag long enough I’ll get the ass…Canibus, “Making a Name For Ourselves,” from Common’s One Day It’ll All Make Sense, 1998 -
I’m not sayin I’m a pothead, cause I’m not.
I’m just sayin that I smoke a lot.Keith Murray, “High as Hell,” It’s a Beautiful Thing, 1999 -
And how ‘bout the non-blunt rollin’ females
That always fucks it up ’cause they don’t wanna break their Lee nails?Redman, “How to Roll a Blunt,” Whut, Thee Album?, 1992 -
Infrareds on little people standing with some big heads,
I was Captain Kirk, walkin’ with a black t-shirt.
LAPD, the nurse asked did my knee hurt?
I was in pain, little Martians tryin’ ta take my brain,
Hospitals came, detectives wrote down my name.
I was to blame, my life never been the same.
A true story; I tell ya, it’ll never bore me.
My classmate died, my other friend named Cory
Drinkin’ 40s, he jumped out the project window,
Stabbed himself with a yellow number 2 pencil.Kool Keith, “Object Unknown,” from DJ Spooky featuring Kool Keith Object Unknown, 1998 -
Destiny made a mistake and gave my fate to someone else.
Joe Budden, “Going Thru the Motions,” Mood Muzik: The Box Set, 2012 -
Friends: how many have ‘em?
How long before they split like atoms?
Don’t ask me, but what I do stand behind
Is someone havin’ your back seems hard to find.Posdnous, “The Book of Life,” from De La Soul’s Plug 1 and Plug 2, First Serve, 2012 -
Shorty, let me tell you about my only vice:
It has to do with lots of lovin’, and it ain’t nuttin’ nice.Q-Tip, “Electric Relaxation,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, 1993 -
I’m like an eclipse on a Friday the 13th,
With black cats and Haley’s Comet,
Blazin’ blunts in my driveway…Redman, “Cosmic Slop,” Dare Iz a Darkside, 1994 -
I am the manifestation of study,
NOT the manifestation of money.
Therefore, I advance through thought,
NOT what’s manufactured and bought.KRS-One, “Original Lyrics,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990 -
…Cops just surrounding me with pistols everywhere.
They put me in the backseat of their car handcuffed,
Pushed out them chests like they’re big rough and tough.
A cop come and said ‘You’ll never sell your guns now.’
I said ‘It doesn’t matter, you’ll sell them anyhow.
You take the guns from me, you sell them for a fee;
Anyway you put it, they’ll get in the city!’KRS-One, “100 Guns,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990 -
She’s not impressed by your fancy car.
She got a body so she’s snotty and she don’t care who you are.
So don’t get mad and dis her reputation
Callin’ her a floozy, any conversation.
Mad grammar, backstabber, girls they wanna be her.
But like Stevie Wonder, none of y’all can see her!Positive K, “A Flower Grows in Brooklyn,” The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills, 1992 -
Don’t you like when the winter’s gone,
And all of a sudden it starts gettin’ warm?
The trees and the grass start lookin’ fresh,
And the sun and sky be lookin’ their best…Biz Markie, “Spring Again,” The Biz Never Sleeps, 1989 -
Look: if I shoot you, I’m brainless,
But if you shoot me, then you’re famous.
What’s a nigga to do?Jay-Z, “Streets Is Watching,” In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997 -
Brothers ain’t half-steppin…they’re walking backwards.
A.G., “Back to Back Rhyming,” from Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth’s Funky Technician, 1990 -
This country of ours was built on violence;
If your ass got in the way, you was killed in silence.
And these been the ways since back in the days:
Just ask the Indians or the African slaves.Masta Ace, “The Ways,” A Long Hot Summer, 2004 -
Some girls barely speak, but always askin’ for a dollar.
Big L, “No Endz, No Skinz,” Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, 1995 -
I call wild niggas together like Cyrus,
And knock off more birds than the West Nile Virus.Freddie Foxxx, “I Come to War,” 12", 2001 -
…And Sunday’s the one day I rest, give thanks, and bless.
Special Ed, “Ready 2 Attack,” Legal, 1990 -
How can polar bears swing on vines with the gorillas?
Brother J, “Grand Verbalizer,” from X-Clan’s To the East, Blackwards, 1990 -
I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian.
Phife, “Electric Relaxation,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, 1993 -
We speak the love language, they speak from pain and anguish.
Some don’t love theyselves, so they perception is tainted.Talib Kweli, “Love Language,” from Reflection Eternal’s Train of Thought, 2000 -
Say somethin’ positive? Well positive ain’t where I live.
I live right around the corner from West Hell,
Two blocks from South Shit, and once in a jail cell.Treach, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (Ghetto Bastard),” from Naughty By Nature’s Naughty By Nature, 1991