Just because no one can understand how you speak,
Don’t necessarily mean that what you be sayin is deep.
Talib Kweli, “Good Mourning,” from Reflection Eternal’s Train of Thought, 2000
Tag: east coast
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Even when I say nothing, it’s a beautiful use of negative space.
El-P, “The Fire In Which You Burn,” from Company Flow’s Funcrusher Plus, 1997 -
New York, New York is where we live and we’re thorough,
Never taking shorts, ‘cause Brooklyn’s the borough.
Peace to Uptown, to Queens and The Bronx,
Long Island and Jersey get as fly as they want.
But I must tell you, where we rest is no joke…
So let me break it down to sections for you slow pokes:
Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy, Flatbush, Brownsville,
Crown Heights and East New York will be down till,
Medina takes respect for the styles we bring,
‘Cause in Brooklyn we be into our own thing.Guru, “The Place Where We Dwell,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992 -
I refuse to abuse my savings and loans,
So if you want some ends, baby, you best go get your own.
Now I said it once before, and I’m a say it again:
Best believe you won’t receive no dividends.E.S.T., “Funky Dividends,” Three Times Dope’s Original Stylin’, 1988 -
We got to stay awake for all these lizards and snakes;
Some of them come as friends, some of them come as Jakes.Q-Tip, “Ill Vibe,” from Busta Rhymes’ The Coming, 1996 -
I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor.
MC’s be out like bank robbers,
Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor;
DJ…the getaway driver.GZA, “Living In the World Today,” Liquid Swords, 1995. Pearl Harbor Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary. -
The purpose of life is a life with a purpose;
So I’d rather die for a cause than live a life that is worthless.Immortal Technique, “The Martyr,” The Martyr, 2011 -
Breathe in…inhale vapors from bright stars that shine,
Breathe out…weed smoke retrace the skyline.Mos Def, “Respiration,” from Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 1998 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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. -
Success is what you make it, take it how it come.
A half a mil in twenties, like a billion where I’m from.
An arrogant drug dealer, the legend I become,
CNN said I’d be dead by 21.
Blackjack…I just pulled an ace,
As you looking at the king in his face.Pusha T, “So Appalled,” from Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2010 -
People say, ‘Grimm, you’ve been shot like 50.
So why don’t you just rhyme like 50?
Then, you could get the money like 50,
Otherwise, before you see success…you’ll be 50.’MF Grimm, “Boing,” American Hunger, 2006 -
Won’t cha…picture life as my wife, just think:
Full length mink, fat X and O links,
Bracelets to match, conversation was all that,
Showed you the safe combinations and all that.
Guess you could say you’s the one I trusted…
Who would ever think that you would spread like mustard?Notorious B.I.G., “Get Money,” from Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s Conspiracy, 1995 -
It’s weak to speak and blame somebody else
…When you destroy yourself.Chuck D., “Welcome to the Terrordome,” from Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, 1990 -
Everything has a price…
No matter if it’s fortune, fame or your life.
I understood later that it’s all about paper,
Everything has a fee in the land of the free.O.C., “Land of the Free,” from Show & A.G.’s Live Hard, 2007 -
Ghostface, catch the blast of a hype verse,
My glock bursts, leave in a hearse, I did worse.
I come rough, tough like an elephant tusk,
Ya head rush, fly like Egyptian musk.Ghostface Killah, “Bring Da Ruckus,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 1993 -
The God’s tropical…ladies call me ‘Black Fruit Punch.’
Ghostface Killah, “Ice Water,” from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995 -
38-24-37…
You and me, hun, we’re a match made in heaven.
I like to kiss ya where some brothers won’t…
I like to tell ya things some brothers don’t.Q-Tip, “Bonita Applebum,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990 -
You’re too light to fight, plus you’re too thin to win.
Who ya gonna call when I break your glass chin?Tek, “Wrektime,” from Smif-N-Wessun’s Dah Shinin’, 1993 -
We were beginners in the hood as 5 Percenters,
But somethin’ must’ve got in us, cause all of us turned to sinners.AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994 -
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