Your simple words just don’t move me…
You’re minor, we major.
You all up in the game and don’t deserve to be a player.
Prodigy, “Shook Ones Pt II,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995
Tag: new york
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These ante meridiem cats, insomniacs…
Four in the mornin’ we throwin back some Cognac juice.Prodigy, “Give It Up Fast,” from Mobb Deep’s Hell On Earth, 1996 -
I used to be in love with this bitch named E&J,
Don’t fuck with her no more, now I fuck with Tanqueray.
Tanqueray introduced me to her first cousin Gold,
Last name was English and the first name Olde.Prodigy, “Drink Away the Pain (Situations),” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995 -
You not cut from the same cloth, you chinchilla soft,
I’m Brillo Pad coarse…take your skin off.
You rub me the wrong way,
You a suit and tie nigga…P hoodie all day.Prodigy, “The Life,” H.N.I.C. 2, 2013 -
Take these words home and think it through;
Or the next rhyme I write might be about you.Prodigy, “Shook Ones, Pt II”, from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995 -
I got lots of love for my crew, that is;
No love for them other crews and rival kids.
All them out-of-town niggas know what time it is,
And if they don’t? They need to buy a watch, word up.Prodigy, “Just Step,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. More from Mobb Deep. -
Havin’ cash is highly addictive, especially when you’re used to havin’ money to live with.
Prodigy, “Give Up the Goods (Just Step),” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. More quotes from QB’s finest… -
Life is a gamble, we scramble for money,
I might crack a smile, but ain’t a damn thing funny.Prodigy, “Eye for an Eye (Your Beef Is Mines),” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. More gems from P > -
What’s poppin? My gun on ya head, nigga.
What’s crackin? The bones in ya head, nigga.
What’s really good? Nothin but the doe.
What’s really hood? You already know.Prodigy, “You Already Know,” Mobb Deep & 50 Cent’s G-Unit Radio, Pt. 17: Best In The Business, 2006. More lyrics from P… -
When the slugs penetrate, you feel a burning sensation,
Gettin’ closer to God in a tight situation.Prodigy, “Shook Ones Pt. II,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. More lines from Prodigy… -
I’m only 19 but my mind is older…
When things get for real, my warm heart turns cold.Prodigy, “Shook Ones Part II,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995 -
I think we all motherfuckin’ hypocrites,
Asking God for life and we ain’t even livin’ it.Stro Rockets, “From Me,” Grade A Frequencies EP, 2017
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Music is a form of expression,
Imma use mine just to teach you a lesson.– Joey Bada$$, “FOR MY PEOPLE,” ALL-AMERICAN BADA$$, 2017
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Leave it up to me while I be livin’ proof,
To kick the truth to the young black youth.Inspectah Deck, “C.R.E.A.M.” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 1993 -
The world is kinda cold and the rhythm is my blanket.
Q-Tip, “Verses from the Abstract,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991 -
I’m not a ‘Businessman,’ I’m a Business… man! Let me handle my business, damn!
Jay-Z, “Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix),” from Kanye West’s Late Registration, 2005 -
Where I come from, young ones pump chumps for lump sums,
Bustin guns, trust none, become son.
Truth spells broke loose shells that propel,
Where I’m dwellin, niggas bail…tellin what you sellin.”Inspectah Deck, “Elevation,” Uncontrolled Substance, 1999
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Said she loved my necklace, started relaxin’.
Now that’s what the fuck I call a chain reaction!Jay-Z, “Money Ain’t a Thang,” from Jermaine Dupri’s Life in 1472, 1998 -
I have a strong point of view on the way things run:
Just shut up, and listen, and learn, my son.Erick Sermon, “You’re a Customer,” from EPMD’s Strictly Business, 1988
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Too much weak talk, and not enough real hip-hop.
Guru, “Watch What You Say,” Jazzmatazz Volume 2: The New Reality, 1995
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Allah Be a Born, Cee Divine, Equality,
Father, then after that, there’s the G-O-D.
He or Her, I Islam, then Justice,
King of Kingdom, Love, Hell or Right, we still exist.
Master, Now in Cypher, Power’s the Queen,
Rule of Rulers, Self of Save, the Truth of the square, the same.
Universe, Victory, Wisdom, Unknown,
Why, Zig Zag Zig…and now we’re back home.GZA, “Alphabets,” Pro Tools, 2008
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Some type of grief you must experience
In order to appreciate happiness.
‘Cause if you are always satisfied,
Life will just pass by; you would’ve never tried.MC Lyte, “Search 4 The Lyte,” Act Like You Know, 1991
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Now, harmony is a total love of things
For those who are inclined or better yet like to sing.
But piece of mind it is my right for the spark will ignite
Till I can catch a cab at the town at midnight,
Till I can be myself and not be thought as worse,
Till I can buy a slice from Howard Beach to the ‘Hurst.
Till I can get the pill without fear of eject,
And occupations which I seek I can have if I select.
Now, if I so select and reach out to make touch
How can you say that I ask for too much?Dres, “Black with N.V.,” from Black Sheep’s A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, 1991
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When I look at a human, you can say I’m color blind,
Cause I see them with my eyes but I judge them with my mind.Tony D, “Stop Racism,” Droppin’ Funky Verses, 1991
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People round town talkin’ this and that,
Of how we sound like The R, and our music was wack.
Dropped the album Strictly Business, and you thought we was bold.
Thirty days later…the LP went gold.
So what you sayin?Parrish Smith aka PMD, “So Wat Cha Sayin?,” from EPMD’s Unfinished Business, 1989
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As the jewels jingle from the hot young and single little stunt,
A forty and a blunt…that’s all she really wants.
But she’ll spend your papes, and she’ll use up all your plastic.
And if you swing an ep, you’d better wear a prophylactic
Cause things are getting drastic…
Slide up in the wrong one, you’ll end up in a casket.Grand Puba, “Slow Down,” from Brand Nubian’s One For All, 1990
1990, aids, Brand Nubian, east coast, girls, grand puba, jewelry, money, new york, one for all, safe sex, sex -
There’s divinity within because we come from the divine,
A force that’s not seen, but you feel it every time:
When the wind blows, and the world turns,
And the rain drops, and the baby cries,
And the bird flies, and the ground quake,
And the stars gleam.Q-Tip, “The Remedy,” from Get on the Bus Soundtrack, 1996
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Now he from the BX, but he really soft,
And he from BK, but his guns don’t go off.
He from cop-killer Queens, but he still getting robbed,
And he from money-makin, but he ain’t on his job.
Now he from LA, but he’s scared to bang,
And he from Texas, but he will do the damn thing.
He’d stay in VA, but he is scared of the streets,
And he’s from Chi, but he’s sweet as a peach.Keith Murray, “They Tell Me,” from EPMD’s We Mean Business, 2008
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Was crazy poor, now I’m tryna get mad rich;
With a good girl…you couldn’t tell, cause she’s a bad bitch.Ka, “Chamber,” Grief Pedigree, 2012
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Reality’s really the individual’s mentality;
Some seek eternal life, while others seek fatality.Juju, “Peace Akki,” from Al’ Tariq’s God Connections, 1996
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To increase your life line, strengthen your heart.
Eat fish…that brain food will get you smart.
Yoga…deep meditational tactics,
You no good? Then just practice, cause practice makes perfect.
Stop burying your lies, and bring the truth to the surface.Ghostface Killah, “Food,” from BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah’s Sour Soul, 2015
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Christmas is over and this is my resolution:
To stop the confusion.
Let the fresh get fresh, and the stale get staler
And throw em in a pail of
Trash…with the other trash, and smash down the lid,
For all the weak shit they did.Special Ed, “Ready 2 Attack,” Legal, 1990
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Well I’m a sire, I set the microphone on fire,
Rap styles vary…and carry like Mariah.Inspectah Deck, “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 1993
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My nationality’s reality.
And, yo: a prejudiced man is of a devil mentality.Kool G. Rap, “Erase Racism,” from Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo’s Wanted: Dead Or Alive, 1990
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Now what’s the problem?
You ain’t nothin’ like you said on your album.
I thought you was wildin’,
Bustin’ your guns and runnin’ the Island.
You wasn’t violent, you was silent tryin’ to get college credits.
How pathetic…did it to get out of calisthenics.Big Pun, “Drop It Heavy,” from Show & A.G.’s Full Scale EP, 1998
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Rhymes are dynamic, voice is titanic,
Gigantic…suckers get frantic, and then panic.
A smooth talker, ‘cause I’m a Queens New Yorker,
My rhymes bring more Good Times than Jimmie Walker.Kool G. Rap, “Bad to the Bone,” from Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo’s Wanted: Dead or Alive, 1990
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Your whole alphabet in four seconds.
Now rewind it, play it again, and check it:
It’s correct. Well, what do you expect?
My mental capabilities are too high-tech!King Sun, “It’s a Heat Up,” XL, 1989
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I start to think, and then I sink
Into the paper…like I was ink.
When I’m writing I’m trapped in between the lines,
I escape when I finish the rhyme…
I got soul.Rakim, “I Know I Got Soul”, Paid in Full, 1987
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We love it where we from, but we kick it where we at.
Ladybug Mecca, “It’s Good to Be Here,” from Digable Planets’ Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), 1993
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Flawless victory, you niggas can’t do shit to me:
Physically, lyrically, hypothetically, realistically.– Big Pun, “Beware,” Capital Punishment, 1998
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Save the temptation, money, keep the limos;
Cause that’s not hip-hop, that’s a fashion show.– PMD, “Shadē Business,” Shadē Business, 1994
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Got a freaky, freaky, freaky-freaky flow,
Control the mic like Fidel Castro.– Jeru Tha Damaja, “Come Clean,” The Sun Rises in the East, 1994
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Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for your dreams
A dime for your goals and a quarter in your jeans
Trying to make a dollar outta forty-one cents
Caught up in the barbed wire, shorty on the fence– Masta Ace, “Young Black Intelligent (Y.B.I.),” The Falling Season, 2016
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Rap is an art, you can’t own no loops.
It’s how you hook ‘em up and the rhyme style, troop.
So don’t even think you could say someone bit
Off your weak beat, come on, you need to quit.Guru, “Take it Personal,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992
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Rip every stage with grace, look right dead in they face,
Live the Tribe principle of havin’ impeccable taste.
Enjoy that breath like that one was your last one left,
If you don’t believe me, there’s truly life after death.– Q-Tip, “Black Spasmodic,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s We Got It from Here…Thank You 4 Your Service, 2016
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Funny what seven days can change…
It was all good just a week ago.Jay-Z, “A Week Ago,” Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life, 1998
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You need to smile a lil’ bit, frown a lil’ less.
Read a couple of books, and then smoke a lil’ sess.
Get your mind right, but don’t OD,
Cause overdoin’ it ain’t doin’ it with quality.– Posdnuous of De La Soul, “Smile a Lil Bit,” from Oh No’s Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms, 2006
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Life is love, heartache and strain,
Yet the strength to overcome it all keeps me sane.OC, “Gotta Luv It,” from Ray West and OC’s Ray’s Café, 2014
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I’m not the one to kiss ass for the top position,
I take mine off the top like a politician.
Where I’m from, doin dirt is a part of livin…
I got mouths to feed, I gots to get it.– Dead Prez, “Hell Yeah (Pimp the System),” RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta, 2004
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You can’t raise a man if you ain’t one yourself,
Getting all your cred from the gun on your belt.– Troy Ave, “Drug Game,” Roland Collins, 2016
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I bomb atomically, Socrates’ philosophies and hypotheses
Can’t define how I be dropping these mockeries.
Lyrically perform armed robbery,
Flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me…– Inspectah Deck, “Triumph,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu-Tang Forever, 1997
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Survive the droughts? I wish you well.
How sick am I? I wish you health.
I wish you wheels, I wish you wealth,
I wish you insight so you could see for yourself.– Jay-Z, “American Dreamin,” American Gangster, 2007
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Truth brings light, light refracts off the mirror,
Visions of yourself and error could never be clearer.
The truth is that you ugly…
Not on the outside, but in the inside.
On the outside, you frontin’ you lovely.– Pharoahe Monch, “The Truth,” Internal Affairs, 1999
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They say I’m so low key, I’m socially awkward,
Only those that really know me are the ones that I talk with.
They smile in the light, hate in the dark,
You call it beef, to me it’s just a fuckin’ walk in the park.– Nas, “I Do It for Hip-Hop,” from Ludacris’ Theater of the Mind, 2008
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Come on, let’s be real:
You only think you can deal.
That’s why i’m holdin’ the steel,
I rock shit to make you feel
Like, damn that looks easy! Maybe I can do it.
So you take a fat beat and put your wack rhymes to it.
And God only knows what can make you pursue it,
For those who can’t dance and clap your hands to it.– Everlast, “No Doubt,” from House of Pain’s Truth Crushed to Earth Will Rise Again, 1996
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Microphone checka, swingin’ sword lecture,
Closin’ down the sector, supreme neck protector.– Method Man, “Da Rockwilder,” from Meth and Red’s Blackout, 1999
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They never understood, many people were so slow.
My funky type of rhyme, and my style is pyscho.– Kool Keith, “Raise It Up,” from Ultramagnetic MC’s The Four Horsemen, 1993
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To try and to fail:
The two things I hate.
Succeed, and this rap game:
The two things that’s great.– Jay-Z, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” The Blueprint, 2001.
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Life’s a bitch, who are we to judge each other?
I know I got faults, I ain’t the only muthafucka.– Guru, “No Shame in my Game,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992
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When worse comes to worst, my peoples come first.
Try to react, and get them motherfucking feelings hurt.
Havoc, “Survival of the Fittest,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. More from the QB duo… -
My crew’s all about loot.
Fuck looking cute,
I’m strictly Timb boots and Army-certified suits.
Puffin L’s, laid back, enjoying the smell,
In the Bridge, getting down…it ain’t hard to tell.
Havoc, “Survival of the Fittest,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995. -
From the bottom of my heart, that’s where the love starts:
The love for breakdancing, my love for the art.
And with this love, I do hip-hop from the soul,
A real MC, who never sweats how many copies are sold.
Yeah, I want to go gold, platinum, et ceteras,
But why put out some wackness when no one will respect ya?
I’m staying true, nuff respect to those that paved the way,
From Bambaata down to Shah (that be my DJ).
Without my peeps, I dont know how the hell I’d make it, word…
Sometimes I feel that my career is headed for the curb.
One love for the lendin’ hand and givin’ all your help,
Believing in me when I didn’t believe in my own self.
The Abstract, with whom I’m always making rugged tunes,
Kid Hood, restin’ in heaven, I hope to see you soon.
Phife Dawg, “Peace, Prosperity, and Paper,” from the High School High soundtrack, 1996. More from the Five Foot Assassin. Rest in power to Malik Taylor, better known as Phife from A Tribe Called Quest. 1970-2016. -
Question: Why is that MC’s be wack
And major labels wanna sign that crap?
A-yo…funk that!Phife Dawg, “One Two Shit,” A Tribe Called Quest’s The Love Movement, 1998. More from Phife. Rest in forever peace, Malik Taylor, the rapper known as Phife Dawg, who died Wednesday at the age of 45. 1970-2016. -
Your whole appearance is a lie and it could never be true.
And if you really loved yourself, then you would try and be you.Phife, “Butter,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991. More from Phife. Rest in forever peace, Malik Taylor, the rapper known as Phife Dawg, who died Wednesday at the age of 45. 1970-2016. -
I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian.
Name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu Nation.Phife, “Electric Relaxation,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, 1993. More from Phife. Rest in forever peace, Malik Taylor, the rapper known as Phife Dawg, who died Wednesday at the age of 45. 1970-2016. -
Used to have a crush on Dawn from En Vogue.
It’s not like honey dip would wanna get with me,
But just in case I own more condoms than TLC.Phife Dawg, “Oh My God,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Maruaders, 1993. Rest in forever peace, Malik Taylor, the rapper known as Phife Dawg, who died Wednesday at the age of 45. 1970-2016. -
Shorty thought she subtle but she really was blatant…
When she shook her thing and violated,
Now these wolf-like thoughts are formulated.Q-Tip, “Vivrant Thing,” Amplified, 2000. More from Tip… -
Peace to every single rapper on this whole earth;
Sellouts got no worth…
I think they better go soul search.A.G., “Next Level,” from Show & A.G.’s Goodfellas, 1995 -
Battle physically, conquer mentally.
CL Smooth, “Take You There,” from Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s The Main Ingredient, 1994 -
I’m so def, I need a hearing aid with an equalizer.
Big L, “Yes You May (Remix),” 1992 -
They say, ‘Sorry son, accept it,’ same old song of the subjectors.
Sorry, sirs, but we don’t sing along to anthems or your pledges.
In your garbage rose the rulers of the restless: do not test us.El-P, “Rubble Kings Theme (Dynamite),” from Rubble Kings soundtrack, 2016. More from Run the Jewels… -
We live to love, and we love to rock mics.
We speak in ghetto tongue, cause ghetto’s the life.Doodlebug, “Where I’m From,” from Digable Planets’ Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), 1993. More from Digable Planets… -
MC’s are just hopeless:
They think record sales make them the dopest!KRS-One, “Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight),” I Got Next, 1997. More from KRS… -
Stay far from timid.
Only make moves when your heart is in it.
And live the phrase ‘Sky’s the Limit.’Notorious B.I.G., “Sky’s the Limit,” Life After Death, 1997. More from Biggie… -
I cause disasters, I am the master,
Turning little bastards into fucking Casper.
So put your name on a tombstone…
Cause when you try to kill me, I refuse to die alone.MF Grimm, “Crumbsnatchers,” Scars & Memories, 2005. More grim quotes from Grimm… -
If you can’t live, you dying,
You give or you buy in.
Keep it real or keep it moving,
Keep grinding, keep shining.Raekwon, “Gorgeous,” from Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2010. More from Chef… -
Why fuck with these cornball rappers when you can have the real thing?
Lord Finesse, “The Rhythm,” from Bas Blasta’s The Rhythm 12″, 1995. More from the L-O-R-D-F-I-N-E-double-S-E -
She claims she loves my mind, cause I’m so intelligent,
But fuck my mental…she was scheming on my mint.Jeru tha Damaja, “Me or the Papes,” Wrath of the Math, 1996. More from Jeru… -
The thing that men and women need to do is stick together,
Progressions can’t be made if we’re separate forever.Q-Tip, “Verses from the Abstract,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991. More from the Abstract… -
You know, I used to be a player…flygirl-layer and a heartbreaker,
Lovemaker, backbreaker, but then I made a mistake.
Yes, I fell in love with this ill chick,
Sweatin’ me for money, my name and the dilsnick.
My homeboys told me drop her cause it would be to my benefit;
She used to say I’d better quit hanging with those derelicts.Guru, “Ex Girl to the Next Girl,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992. More from Guru… -
Serve the curves, I never swerve I’m superb;
Every word you heard played tricks on your nerves.LL Cool J, “Jinglin’ Baby (Remixed But Still Jinglin’),” Mama Said Knock You Out, 1990. More from Uncle L… -
Smoke good, fuck, eat, drink.
Drive nice car, wear all green mink.Action Bronson, “Terry,” Sincerely, Mr. Wonderful, 2015. More from Bronsolini… -
I never want a jheri curl up under my hat,
The woman in my bed has got to be strictly black,
I never want money if my lyrics are wack,
So I must…rock…the mic.KRS-One, “Mortal Thought,” Return of the Boom Bap, 1993. More from The Blastmaster… -
I’m a beast on the microphone, a night stalker,
A killing machine, a savage street talker,
Jason with an axe, but I put it on wax
To eradicate the suckers who thought I had relaxed.LL Cool J, “Jack the Ripper,” Walking with a Panther, 1989. More from Uncle L… -
The greatest lesson ever learned has yet to be taught.
Nas, “One Plus One,” from Large Professor’s The LP, 1996. More from Nasir… -
Who do I blame if I’m not a success?
Do I blame it on my pops that left
When I was feedin on my mama’s breast?
Or do I blame it on society?
With all this black/white stuff…man this shit is real tough.Freddie Foxxx, “So Tough,” Crazy Like a Foxxx, 1993 -
I know I’d be the man if I cold yanked the plug on R&B…but I can’t, and that’s bugged.
Q-Tip, “Buggin’ Out,” The Low End Theory, 1991. More from ATCQ… -
I guess nobody told you a little knowledge is dangerous,
It can’t be mixed, diluted, it can’t be changed or switched.
Here’s a lesson if you’re guessing and borrowing:
Hurry, hurry step right up and keep following the leader.Rakim, “Follow the Leader,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More from Rakim… -
I wouldn’ta came and said my name and run some weak shit,
Puttin’ blurbs and slurs and words that don’t fit
In a rhyme, why waste time on the microphone?
I take this more serious than just a poem.
Rockin’ party to party, backyard to yard,
I tear it up y’all…and bless the mic for the Gods.Rakim, “My Melody,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987. More from Rakim Allah… -
Now, yo: Juice Crew’s the family, Slick Rick’s a friend of me
And Doug E. Fresh, Stet, KRS and Public Enemy.
Blahzay-blah, you know who you are:
The red, black and green, the sun, moon and star.
Knowledge of self is being taught here on after,
Peace in the name of I, Self, Lord and Master.
I come to teach and preach and reaching each
With the speech every leech I’ll impeach.
Drop science and build with math,
And the dumb, deaf and blind’ll feel the Wrath…of Kane.Big Daddy Kane, “Wrath of Kane (Live),” It’s a Big Daddy Thing, 1990. More from Kane… -
Got the new Hummer in the summer when,
I was a newcomer then,
Drugs and Mac-10s, hugs from fake friends.
Make ends: they hate you,
Be broke: girls won’t date you.Notorious B.I.G., “Long Kiss Goodnight,” Life After Death, 1997. More from Biggie… -
Y’all niggaz ain’t rapping the same,
Fuck the flow, y’all jacking our slang,
I seen the same shit happen to Kane,
Three cuts in your eyebrow trying to wild out.
The game is ours, will never foul out,
Y’all just better hope we gracefully bow out.Jay-Z, “Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up),” Vol. 2…The Life and Times of S. Carter, 1999. More from Jay… -
Lyrically def and connecting, complete mic-wrecking…
No double-checking, vocals kill like weapons.Guru, “Mass Appeal,” from Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn, 1994. More from Guru… -
‘Cause in my physical I can express through song,
Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong.
I drink Moet with Medusa, give her shotguns in hell
From the spliff that I lift and inhale…it ain’t hard to tell.Nas, “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” Illmatic, 1993. More from Nas…1993, east coast, Guns, illmatic, large professor, moet, motrin, nas, new york, queens, queensbridge, weed -
Deep like The Shining, sparkle like a diamond,
Sneak a Uzi on the Island in my army jacket lining.
Hit the Earth like a comet…invasion,
Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian: half-man, half-amazing.Nas, “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” Illmatic, 1993. More from Nas…