I’m just an addict, addicted to music
Maybe it’s a habit…I gotta use it.
Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987
Tag: Rap Quote
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And I’m telling you now the frustration
The future’s facing from the anger in the nation.CL Smooth, “Anger in the Nation,” Mecca and the Soul Brother, 1992 -
“I’m just an addict, addicted to music/Maybe it’s a habit…I gotta use it.”- Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” Paid In Full, 1987. Via Ego Trip’s excellent Behind the Video piece.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/) -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
There’s a war going on outside no man is safe from.
You can run but you can’t hide forever.Prodigy, “Survival of the Fittest,” from Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 1995 -
I’m the one-man army Ason
I’ve never been tooken out…I keep MC’s lookin’ out.
I drop science like girls be dropping babies,
Enough to make a nigga go craaaaazy!Ol’ Dirty Bastard, “Brooklyn Zoo,” Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, 1995 -
Rhymes more fresher than a virgin in a ‘frigerator.
Lord Finesse “Bad Mutha,” Funky Technician, 1990 -
What’s hip? When hip is just the norm?
Butterfly, “Where I’m From,” Digable Planets’ Reachin – A New Refutation of Time and Space, 1993 -
Mr. Beck, Mr. O’Reilly, Mr. Limbaugh, Mr. Hannity,
How could you sell white America your insanity?
You tell them that they’re different and manipulate their vanity
When truthfully, financially, their life is a calamity.
Otherwise they wouldn’t be listening to the remedy,
So they is not as broke as the people that they don’t want be.
Convincin’ em that rich Republicans is what they gonna be,
So they act like Ronald Reagan, and like him they awful actors
Who look up to the rich, like dumb kids look up to rappers,
And that’s about as dumb as a donkey pullin a tractor.
Yes, that’s a Democrat diss, I’m a detractor,
So whether you vote right or vote left, it’s not a factor
When you ain’t got no care for your health…ay this America
They gon’ put your ass in debt…sumtin terrible
So you can disrespect presidents, and call them Socialists
But Palin and Pelosi both gon’ have you broke as shit.Killer Mike, “That’s Life II,” Pl3dge, 2011 -
Roll big blunts, a whole ounce of reefer
Rocked that ‘Black and Yellow’ before Wiz Khalifa
It’s a killer bee color schemeGhostface Killah, “Legendary Weapons,” from Wu-Tang’s Legendary Weapons, 2011 -
Always exhale the facts, cause I don’t inhale lies.
Dove, “The Bizness,” from De La Soul’s Stakes is High, 1996 -
So when the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never,
Because the dance with the devil might last you forever.Immortal Technique, “Dance with the Devil,” Revolutionary Vol. 1, 2005 -
You’ve been fightin again and you forgot why.
Hey kid, walk straight…master your high.Slick Rick, “Hey Young World,” The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, 1988 -
We went from candy bars, to handle bars, to hangin’ in bars, to being behind bars
MF Grimm, “Three Story Building,” from Copywrite’s The Life and Times of Peter Nelson, 2010 -
De La Soul, from the soul, black medallions, no gold.
Afrika Baby Bam, “Buddy”, from De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising, 1989 -
The pressure is harsh and maybe I was destined to break,
Stay official when your brother’s a fake.Has-Lo, “Build Jewelz,” In Case I Don’t Make It, 2011 -
You don’t want your kids to hear songs of this nature…
But you take em to the movies to watch Schwarzenegger!Bushwick Bill, “Talkin’ Loud Ain’t Saying Nothin’,” Grip It – On That Other Level, 1989 -
I gotta make a move, I gotta do this now,
If they don’t know your dreams, they can’t shoot ‘em down.J. Cole, “Too Deep For The Intro,” Friday Night Lights, 2010 -
Now I got my new girl, or as I say my baby doll,
But I’m still gettin’ crazy calls, my ex-girl’s got balls…Guru, “Ex Girl to the Next Girl,” Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992 -
You ain’t as hard as you act.
When I GPS ‘pussy,’ I end up at your welcome mat…Vakill, “Appetite to Kill,” Armor of God, 2011 -
I got nothin’ to lose, much to gain–
In my brain, I got a capitalist migraine.Ice-T, “New Jack Hustler,” New Jack City soundtrack, 1991 (via ninetynow) -
Maybe I need somebody that could save me
From the parts of myself that keep making me crazy.Slug, “If I Was Santa Claus,” Lucy Ford: The Atmopshere EPs, 2001 -
Back in the days, our parents used to take care of us.
Look at ‘em now…they even fuckin’ scared of us.Notorious B.I.G., “Things Done Changed,” Ready to Die, 1994 -
Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive.
Kanye West, “Otis,” Watch the Throne, 2011 -
You owe dough? You ain’t give up that cheese? Hey…
Sooner or later, you’ll Pay, Pal (no eBay).Joell Ortiz, “Seven Deuce,” from The Life and Times of Sebastian Rios, 2011 -
The police…I’m givin’ them fits.
A young brother in a Benz legit,
I don’t sell no drugs and take no shit…
Park my ride and the ladies hit.Kool Moe Dee, “They Want Money,” Knowledge Is King, 1987 -
You the devil in drag.
You can burn your cross,
Well, I’ll burn your flag…Ice Cube, “I Wanna Kill Sam,” Death Certificate, 1991 -
How many rappers in the game have “little” in front of their name?
Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ Boosie it’s a lil’ shame
Lil’ Flip, Lil’ Cease, yo they not the same
Lil’ Wyte, Lil’ Mama, where Lil’ Zane?
Little Brother, Lil’ Jon, and Lil’ Fame
Real hip hop, not about your lil’ chain
Lil’ Keke, Lil’ Kim a lil’ freaky
Lil’ Fizz, Illegal with Lil’ Maliky
Lil’ Mo, Lil’ Bow Wow had beef with Lil’ Romeo
A lil’ teenager told me so…Edo G., “Little Young,” Arts & Entertainment, 2009 -
Can you cook darlin? At the stove you’re revolvin’…
Bake macaroni, turkey wings, a nigga starvin
Here take my number, let me pull the chair from under
I had fun, plus your backyard speak with thunder!Ghostface Killah, “Camay," Ironman, 1996 -
See them Cubans don’t care what y’all niggas do,
Colombians ain’t never ran with your crew.
Why you acting all spicy and sheisty?
The only Italians you knew was ICEEs.Dove, “Itsoweezee,” Stakes is High, 1996 -
We all in the game, just different levels…
Dealing with the same hell, just different devils.Jadakiss, “Big Dog Status,” The Champ Is Here, Pt. 2, 2009 -
Miss can I get a second to speak and quietly mention,
That I am so into who you are, can I get your attention?Busta Rhymes, “I’ll Do It All,” Big Bang, 2006 -
You gotta try hard to be yourself…
Cause you can’t go to heaven being anybody else.Blu, “Below The Heavens, Pt I,” Below The Heavens, 2007 -
Damn, I can’t wait until it get dark,
So I can light these fireworks up at the park,
And celebrate my independence,
It’s the 4th of July, but I ain’t got 10 cents.Kam, “Holiday Madness,” Neva Again, 1993 -
I come prepared with the white suit and stethoscope,
Listen to your heartbeat, delete beep beep BEEP.
Your insurance is high, but my price is cheap.Dr. Octagon, “Blue Flowers,” Octagonecologyst, 1996 -
Last time I failed is when I fell in love with distractions.
Lil B, “Exhibit 6,” Angels Exodus, 2011 -
Rap is something you do, Hip-hop is something you live.
KRS-One, “Hip-Hop vs. Rap,” B-Side to Sound of Da Police 12", 1993 -
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 -
It’s a new year, new year, new money, money!
Rick Ross, “Speedin’ (Remix),” 2008 -
It’s deep-rooted, the music of being young and dumb,
It’s never muted, in fact, it’s much louder where I’m from.Kendrick Lamar, “Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter,” good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012
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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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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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Raise your right palm: We do solemnly swear
To stack more dough more calmly this year.MF Doom, “Get ‘Er Done,” from Jake One’s White Van Music, 2008 -
We fight every night, now that’s not kosher.
I reminisce with bliss of when we was closer,
And wake up to be greeted by an argument again,
…You act like you’re ten.
So immature, I try to concentrate on a cure,
And keep lookin’ at the front door.Large Professor, “Looking at the Front Door,” from Main Source’s Breaking Atoms, 1991 -
I go to Queens for queens to get the crew from Brooklyn,
Make money in Manhattan and never been tooken.
Go Uptown and the Bronx to boogie down,
Get strong on the Island, recoup, and lay around.Rakim, “Juice (Know the Ledge),” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992 -
I’m stuck in a time capsule when rappers’ actually factual;
Meaning: shit you spit might cause killers to come and clap at you.Killer Mike, “Get It,” from Killer Mike and El-P’s Run the Jewels, 2013 -
I’m complexicated like a Rubik’s Cube puzzle,
Who said I drink? I don’t drink, I guzzle.Subroc, “Sweet Premium Wine,” from K.M.D.’s Black Bastards, 1994 -
It ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.
Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987 -
CIA, FBI, all they tell us is lies.
And when I say it, they get alarmed…
‘Cause I’m louder than a bomb.Chuck D., “Louder Than a Bomb,” from Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, 1988 -
I can drink a whole Hennessy fifth.
Some call that a problem, but I call it a gift.Xzibit, “Get Your Walk On,” Restless, 2000 -
I chop ‘em into salad and my name ain’t Caesar.
Black Thought, “@15,” from The Roots’ Rising Down, 2008 -
I ain’t the captain of the yacht, but I’m on the boat;
I ain’t acting what I’m not, knowing that I don’t.
You niggaz acting like you will, but I know you won’t.
Man, I read between the lines of the eyes of your brows,
Your handshake ain’t matchin your smile…Beanie Sigel, “Feel it in the Air,” The B. Coming, 2005 -
Whether chocolate or vanilla, or you’re somewhere in between,
A cappuccino mocha or a caramel queen,
Rejected by the black, not accepted by the white world,
And this is dedicated to them dark-skinned white girls.Murs, “D.S.W.G.,” Murray’s Revenge, 2005 -
I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem,
Or use my arrogance as the steam to power my dreams.
I use it as my gas, so they say that I’m gassed,
But without it I’d be last, so I ought to laugh…Kanye West, “Last Call,” The College Dropout, 2003 -
‘You claim to be the man, you want me for a lover,
So you can do my girlfriends and my sister and my mother?’I said, ‘You’re very blunt,’ with quickness to the cue,
‘So whassup with your mother, does she look as good as you?’Dres, “Similac Child,” from Black Sheep’s A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, 1991 -
I thank the Lord for every morning he allows me to rise,
And though the sun is shining, there’s a cloud in the sky
Lettin’ me know that at any moment there could be rain.
And as beautiful as life is, there still can be pain.
Down the park, I hear the sirens, just screamin’ away,
And then the inevitable happens, the end of them days,
As sad as it sounds, but that’s the price we all gotta pay.
And the whole world knows God giveth, and will taketh away.
I live and I learn, I sit and watch my cigarette burn
Down to the ash. It reminds me of the now and the past.
I say a little prayer, cause eventually I’ll stand in the path
Of the souls and dark rows that lead to rest.Scarface, “What Can I Do?,” The Fix, 2002 -
Never looking back or too far in front of me,
The present is a gift, and I just want to Be.Common, “Be,” Be, 2005 -
Cloned chickens walking around without heads,
The food is contaminated, the water got lead in it.
Population control, make the babies sick,
All these RFID chips, RU-486…
This is a war against consciousness,
Controlling your soul, sort of a psychological dictatorship.
And we are on the front lines,
Guilty as charged if intellect is a crime.Pharoahe Monch, “W.A.R.,” W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), 2011 -
My mama didn’t see it comin, my daddy was there.
What’s my excuse? Cartoons were the root.
Started with Yosemite Sam
With the gun in the palm of the hand,
What couldn’t I demand?Pusha T, “Young Boy,” from The Clipse’s Lord Willin’, 2002 -
Actions have reactions, don’t be quick to judge,
You may not know the hardships people don’t speak of.
It’s best to step back, and observe with couth,
For we all must meet our Moment of Truth.Guru, “Moment of Truth,” from Gang Starr’s Moment of Truth, 1998 -
I’m your idol, the highest title, Numero Uno,
I’m not a Puerto Rican, but I’m speakin so that you know,
And understand, I got the gift of speech,
And it’s a blessin, so listen to the lesson I preach…Special Ed, “I Got it Made,” Youngest in Charge, 1989 -
Peace before everything, God before anything,
Love before anything, real before everything,
Home before any place, shoot before anything,
Style and state radiate, Love Power slay the hate.Mos Def, “Priority,” The Ecstatic, 20092009, east coast, God, hate, hip-hop, love, mos def, new york, peace, Rap Quote, real, The Ecstatic, yasiin bey -
You keepin it real, but ain’t got a clue what reality really be;
See, the diameter of your knowledge is the circumference of your activity.Ras Kass, “Soul On Ice (Remix),” Soul On Ice, 1996 -
Every coast gotta know, I’m the most with the flow,
No joke I’m a pro, I’m like The Pope on the low.AZ, “I Am the Truth,” The Format, 2006. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church yesterday. -
I don’t know what’s better: getting laid or getting paid.
I just know when I’m getting one, the other’s getting away.Kanye West, “This Way,” from Dilated Peoples’ Neighborhood Watch, 2004 -
They love the fact you made it, but hate the fact you got it.
The stairway to heaven is packed…I’m in the lobby.
Too scared to go to sleep, cause most times I often doubt my dreams.Big K.R.I.T., “R.E.M.,” King Remembered In Time, 2013 -
…The greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th.
God bless his soul, rest in peace, kid.
It’s because of him now at least I know what beef is.Canibus, “Second Round K.O.,” Can-I-Bus, 1998. RIP Christopher George Latore Wallace, best known as The Notorious B.I.G., born May 21, 1972, died March 9, 1997 at the age of 24. -
You know it ain’t no stoppin’
All the doggs I’m droppin’
It’s Friday night, so everything is poppin.Ice Cube, “Friday,” from the soundtrack to Friday, 1995 -
You stackin cheddar cause you working at the burger place.
Inspectah Deck, “It’s Raw,” CZARFACE, 2013 -
What is the meaning of C.R.I.M.E.?
Is it Criminals Robbin’ Innocent Muthafuckaz Everytime?GZA, “I Gotcha Back,” Liquid Swords, 1995 -
You can tell by the rhyme it’s my time to shine;
Let’s eat, motherfucker, I don’t dine on swine.
I don’t beef with turkeys, I told you the God’ll fold you,
Hard to digest: I suggest that you take tofu.Sean Price, “Like You,” Jesus Price Superstar, 2007 -
The business of beauty isn’t a natural model;
It’s built to be the opposite of the cultures we topple.
These magazines got you caught in a hustle,
Cause when you starve yourself, your body doesn’t burn fat, it burns muscles.Immortal Technique, “Natural Beauty,” The Martyr, 2011 -
You know them days you just got the blues,
All stressed and depressed from just watchin’ the news?
No matter what good you do, it seems you always get screwed.
Got you caught up in your feelings, now you off in the mood.
Shake that attitude and do what you can,
Set a couple goals, follow through with your plans.
Time waits for no man and tomorrow’s not promised,
So if she’s still alive, shoot a call to your mama.
Cause the fighting and the drama, it’s just not worth it,
Nobody’s perfect, ain’t none of us worthless.
We all got a place, and we all got a purpose.Murs, “Yesterday & Today,” Murray’s Revenge, 2006 -
Mix me with violence, blend me with peace,
Combine me with hate, and I can’t face defeat.Diddy, “Someone To Love Me,” from Diddy-Dirty Money’s Last Train to Paris, 2011 -
Music business hates me cause the industry ain’t make me,
Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be makin.
I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars…
They criticized me for it, yet they all yell ‘HOLLA!’
If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli.
Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense,
But I did five mil…I ain’t been rhymin like Common since.Jay-Z, “Moment of Clarity,” The Black Album, 2003 -
Why give you the cure when the disease makes money?
Talib Kweli, “The Traveller,” from J.Period’s Rage Is Back mixtape, 2013 -
Real, rough and rugged, shine like a gold nugget,
Every time I pick up the microphone, I drug it.Jeru The Damaja, “Come Clean,” The Sun Rises in the East, 1994 -
She’s got charm, a firearm to match mine,
Goin to the movies packin his and her nine’s.
Wearin Carhartt and leather, motherfuck the weather,
On Valentine’s Day doin stick-ups together.
No one to blame, no shame in her game,
And when we fuck, she makes me scream out her name.Apache, “Gangsta Bitch,” Apache Ain’t Shit, 1994 -
Fuck Compton.
Tim Dog, “Fuck Compton,” Penicillin on Wax, 1991. The Bronx rapper Tim Dog died today from a seizure following a lengthy battle with diabetes, reports The Source. He was 46. Rest in Power, Timothy Blair (1967-2013). -
…Shorty’s laugh was cold-blooded as he spoke so foul,
Only twelve tryin to tell me that he liked my style.
Then I rose, wiping the blunt’s ash from my clothes,
Then froze, only to blow the herb smoke through my nose.Nas, “One Love,” Illmatic, 1994 -
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a funny bastard…
But when it come to money, son, I’m not the one to laugh with.Big Pun, “Firewater,” Endangered Species, 2001 -
Some of you been trying to write rhymes for years,
But weak ideas irritate my ears.
Is this the best that you can make?
Cause if not, and you got more…I’ll wait.Rakim, “Move the Crowd,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987 -
I’m givin’ more flat lines to niggas than loose-leaf.
Kool G. Rap, “Go For Your Guns,” from Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo’s Live and Let Die, 1992 -
Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet?
Why did Judas rat to the Romans while Jesus slept?Ghostface Killah, “4th Chamber,” from GZA’s Liquid Swords, 1995 -
I wanna live like Arnold, Willis and Mr. Drummond…
And keep my paper sturdy, big birds and tight herbs.Pimp C., “Ridin’ Dirty,” from UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty, 1996. Rest in Peace Conraid Bain, better known as Mr. Drummond from the beloved TV sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. He died today at the age of 89. -
I don’t get pat down, you know what’s on the waist,
I don’t mean Jazz when I say I “count base.”
Fly Louis sneakers, Purple Tape coming out the speakers,
Bumped into my high school teachers,
They said I wouldn’t be nothing, sitting on the bleachers.
Now I’m sitting in the Phantom, trynna figure out the features.
I’m a big fish now, I watch for the leeches.Sheek Louch, “Pour tha Martini,” from Wu-Block, 2012 -
You got game like me? I doubt it.
They say pimping ain’t easy…what’s so hard about it?A.G., “Fat for the 90’s,” from Lord Finesse’s Return of the Funky Man, 1992 -
I thought I’d probably die in prison, expensive taste in women,
Ain’t have no pot to piss in, now my kitchen full of dishes.
Nose bloody from that sniffin’, your heroin addiction
Trigger finger itchin’, fuck parental supervision…
Purple sippin’, finger twistin’, teeth glisten like it’s Memphis
A bunch of hypocritic Christians, the land of no religion.A$AP Rocky, “LongLiveA$AP,” LongLiveA$AP, 2013 -
Hard times spreading just like the flu,
Watch out homeboy, don’t let it catch you.Run-D.M.C., “Hard Times," Run-D.M.C. 1984. Visit the Flu Trends map on Google for more information on how the flu is impacting your community. Theme song: Beatnuts "No Escapin’ This”. -
For 9-6, the only MC with a flu.
Yeah, I rhyme sick, I be what you tryin’ to do.Jay-Z, “Brooklyn’s Finest,” Reasonable Doubt, 1996. Visit the Flu Trends map on Google for more information on how the flu is impacting your community. Theme song: Beatnuts “No Escapin’ This”. -
Take a look at the police and how they treat you,
Take a look at these corporations that cheat you.
Democrats and Republicans are all see-through.
Now we votin for the lesser of two evils…
Man, don’t let ‘em deceive you.
This is an autocracy, not a democracy,
But to call this a democracy without mock interest
In the laws of society? That’s called hypocrisy.KRS-One, “Pick It Up,” Maximum Strength, 2008