A Funky Introdcution of How Nice I Am

"Now here's a funky introduction of how nice I am
Tell your mother, tell your father, send a telegram
I'm like an energizer 'cause, you see, I last long
My crew is never ever wack because we stand strong

Now if you say my style is wack that's where you're dead wrong
I slayed that body in El Segundo then 'Push it Along'
You'd be a fool to reply that Phife is not the man
'Cause you know and I know, that you know who I am

A special shout of peace goes out to all my pals, you see
And a middle finger goes for all you punk MC's
'Cause I love it when you wack MC's despise me
They get vexed, I roll next, can't none contest me

I'm just a fly MC who's five foot three and very brave
On job remaining, no I'm chaining 'cause I misbehave
I come correct in full effect, have all my hoes in check
And before I get the butt, the jim must be erect

You see, my aura's positive, I don't promote no junk
See, I'm far from a bully and I ain't a punk
Extremity in rhythm, yeah, that's what you heard
So just clean out your ears and just check the word."

- Phife Dawgs verse from "Check The Rhime" by A Tribe Called Quest

It Was A Good Day

"Just waking up in the morning gotta thank God
I don't know but today seems kinda odd
No barking from the dog, no smog
And momma cooked a breakfast with no hog
I got my grub on, but didn't pig out
Finally got a call from a girl wanna dig out
Hooked it up for later as I hit the door
Thinking will i live, another twenty-four
I gotta go cause I got me a drop top
And if I hit the switch, I can make the ass drop
Had to stop at a red light
Looking in my mirror not a jacker in sight
And everything is alright
I got a beep from Kim and she can f*ck all night
Called up the homies and I'm askin y'all
Which park, are y'all playin basketball?
Get me on the court and I'm trouble
Last week f*ck around and got a triple double
Freaking niggaz every way like M.J.
I can't believe, today was a good day

Drove to the pad and hit the showers
Didn't even get no static from the cowards
Cause just yesterday them fools tried to blast me
Saw the police and they rolled right past me
No flexin, didn't even look in a niggaz direction
as I ran the intersection
Went to Short Dog's house, they was watchin Yo! MTV Raps
What's the haps on the craps
Shake em up, shake em up, shake em up, shake em
Roll em in a circle of niggaz and watch me break em
With the seven, seven-eleven, seven-eleven
Seven even backed on little Joe
I picked up the cash flow
Then we played bones, and I'm yellin domino
Plus nobody I know got killed in South Central L.A.
Today was a good day

Left my niggaz house paid
Picked up a girl been tryin to f*ck since the twelfth grade
It's ironic, I had the blunt she had the chronic
The Lakers beat the Supersonics
I felt on the big fat fanny
Pulled out the jammy, and killed the punanny
And my dick runs deep, so deep, so deep
put her ass to sleep
Woke her up around one
she didn't hesitate, to call Ice Cube the top gun
Drove her to the pad and I'm coasting
Took another sip of the potion hit the three-wheel motion
I was glad everything had worked out
Dropped her ass off, and then chirped out
Today was like one of those fly dreams
Didn't even see a berry flashing those high beams
No helicopter looking for a murder

Two in the morning got the Fatburger
Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp
And it read Ice Cube's a pimp
Drunk as hell but no throwing up
Half way home and my pager still blowing up
Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.
I got to say it was a good day."

- Ice Cube "It Was A Good Day" from the album "The Predator"

Northern Touch (Canadian Classic)

"Yo, We notorious
Ain't nobody can't bang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern Touch
Yo, why you people wanna bang wit us?
Ain't nobody can't hang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern (ticka) Touch, baby

(Misfit of Rascalz)

Check the lingo we spread through out the atmosphere
So distinctive no other style comes near
So when you here, you got to peer over the legde
To get a glance to know who is the man with the talent
Rippin' the words like my body on the apparatus
Sky's the limit so we're bound to break through the strattus
With these rhymes that are classic
Forget the fazzle, the fashion
Step in some make on the microphone
Hey, yo world domination the base of the foundation
No time wasted
Fire walk, we trail blazing
Burn to the next destination
Flexing on this world exploration,
Teamed with the best in the nation
Yes, so who dat be?
Cause I'ma design fine rhymes at this salary
All the way from T. to the Van City, all stars
School boys treat you like a fantasy
Word up

(Choclair)

Yes, yes, from the Northwest
Van City, T. O., uh
I like chillin', Monday night raw watching
Me and Dannio at the Skydome
When its in town my peoples know
I just be regular, so haters start dissing
But steady, reciting my lyrics up wit my, uh, in their mouth
They swallowing, talking `bout they need some oxygen
People need to know Choclair don't move in no slow mo
In doing me like a gyne-colo-gist
Dollars in business
Now how you gonna feel when you see the 6, triple O,
Wheels start to peel
Swab dawg appeal
Y'all know the deal
If you don't ask my man
Why dawg, he'll tell you to circle round the spot
T-dot, represent like my Northwest connects, Rascalz
They make the cash flows indeed
I down the Goldschlager, big seed puffed up
Choclair with the...

Yo, we notorious
Ain't nobody can't bang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern Touch
Why you people wanna bang wit us?
Ain't nobody can't hang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern (ticka) Touch

(Checkmate)

Yea, yea, yea
I'm runnin' with these villianous cats, sir
Flod the dock while kickin' it all about rapture
You heard of killer cats like this
Smooth, dominate your sessions
Like o's get boxin' when I'm flexing
Dilligent, running up on ya
So what you thinking?
I got rhymes like politicians steady politicing
Stick a move, I don't age, yo I'm improve
Been maximizing my time like
We fighting in the spotlight
'Aight then
You want a battle you must be tripping
Whack niggas should be served an ass whipping
We fortify your life with five figgas
____ season over land
Got people in Jamaica, Trini and London, Australia
I bring the soul to the front like my alias
Curb style, we'll make your nigger buck wild
Cold flippin', sad trip then I dip and thats it

(Thrust)

Notorious superstar
Just to see you smile and enjoy yourself
I know you up in here to release your delf
So I'm fronting with the loop, whoever's got the wealth
Where you?
I'm in the V I, undetected like a stealth
Girl you add a shape, simply you add a figure
Can I zoom zoom, like a shot you pull the trigger
Whatever you've seen hunny I'll show you something much bigger
When its said and done, you'll be like "ooh thats my n---a"
Started from scratch, baby blued eyed figure
Shes a gold digger
On to Hilfiger, got juice you wanna swigger
We even answer for them, 'cause we're that much bigger
Thrust
A regular over style that you wanna represent, present
In otherwords I pay the rent
I'm the past to the present and the future
What ever suits ya, its all the same
this kid's got game

We notorious
Ain't nobody can't bang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern Touch
Why you people wanna bang wit us?
Ain't nobody can't hang with us
Rascalz, Checkmate, Kardinal and Thrust
Choclair comin' down wit the Northern Touch,
the Northern Touch baby"

- Rascalz "Northern Touch" from the album Cash Crop

Tennessee (What!?! Wednesday)

"Lord I've really been real stressed
Down and out, losing ground
Although I am black and proud
Problems got me pessimistic
Brothers and sisters keep messing up
Why does it have to be so damn tough?
I don't know where I can go
To let these ghosts out of my skull
My grandma's passed, my brothers gone
I never at once felt so alone
I know you're supposed to be my steering wheel
Not just my spare tire
But Lord I ask you
To be my guiding force and truth
For some strange reason it had to be
He guided me to Tennessee

Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Let me understand your plan

Lord it's obvious we got a relationship
Talking to each other every night and day
Although you're superior over me
We talk to each other in a friendship way

Then outta nowhere you tell me to break
Outta the country and into more country
Passed Dyesburg into Ripley
Where the ghost of childhood haunts me
Walk the roads my forefathers walked
Climbed the trees my forefathers hung from
Ask those trees for all their wisdom
They tell me my ears are so young
Go back to from whence you came
My family tree my family name
For some strange reason it had to be
He guided me to Tennessee

Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Let me understand your plan

Now I see the importance of history
Why people be in the mess that they be
Many journeys to freedom made in vain
By brothers on the corner playing ghetto games
I ask you Lord why you enlightened me
Without the enlightment of all my folks
He said 'cause I set myself on a quest for truth
And he was there to quench my thirst
But I am still thirsty...
The Lord allowed me to drink some more
He said what I am searching for
are the answers to all which are in front of me
The ultimate truth started to get blurry
For some strange reason it had to be
It was all a dream about Tennessee

Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Let me understand your plan"

- Arrested Development "Tennessee" from the album 3 Years, 5 Months, 2 Days In The Life Of...

King of Rock

"I'm the king of rock, there is none higher
Sucker MC's should call me sire
To burn my kingdom, you must use fire
I won't stop rockin' till I retire

Now we rock the party and come correct
All cuts are on time and rhymes connect
Got the right to vote and will elect
And other rappers can't stand us, but give us respect

They called us ill, we're gettin iller,
There's no one chiller
It's not Michael Jackson and this is not "Thriller"
I'm one def rapper, I know I can hang
I'm Run from Run-DMC, like Kool from Kool and the Gang

Roll to the rock, rock to the roll
DMC stands for devestating mic control
You can't touch me with a ten foot pole
And I even made the devil sell me his soul

Now we crash through walls, cut through floors
Bust through ceilings and knock down doors
And when we're on the tape, we're fresh out the box
You can hear our sound for blocks and blocks
For every living person we're a verbal treat
It's me and DMC, Jay where's the beat?

Now we're the baddest of the bad, the coolest of the cool
I'm DMC, I rock and roll, I'm DJ Run, I rock and rule
It's not a Trick or Treat and it's not a April Fool
It's all brand new, never ever old school

You've got the music in your body and you can't comprehend
When your mind won't wiggle and your knees won't bend
Music ain't nothin but a people's jam
It's DJ Run, DMC rockin without a band

Now I walked on ice and never fell
I spend my time in a plush hotel
I stood on many stages, held many mics
Take airplane flights, at huge heights
So all you sucker MC's, you gotta say please
Cause when he jumps high, I'm pulling down weeds
Got a song so strong, it's knocking down trees
Is it hard to believe it's Run-DMC

I am from, around the way
And Run goes to school, every day
And Jay plays the records he has to play
And we get down with no delay, HEY!
I rock the party with the words I speak
And Run says the rhymes that are unique
And Jay cuts the records every day of the week
And we are the crew that can never be beat
So don't try to diss me, try to be my friend
Cause if you do, you'll get yours in the end
The rhymes we say, shall set a trend
Because a devestating rap is what we send

Every jam we play, we break two needles
There's three of us but we're not the Beatles
My name is Darryl, you can call him D
You can call me Darryl Mack, or you can call him DMC
People always ask, "DMC, what does it mean?"
D's for never dirty, MC for mostly clean

Like we said before, we rock hardcore
I'm DJ Run, I can scratch. I'm DMC, I can draw
And now we got the knack, to attract
Our rhyme's an aphrodisiac
We'll reign on your brain and rock your knot
When it comes to rock, give it all we got
To be MC's, we got what it takes
Let the poppers pop and the breakers break
We're cool cool cats, it's like that
That's the way it is, so stay the hell back
We're causin' hard times, for sucker MC's
Cause they don't make no songs like these
PERIOD!"

- Run-DMC title track from the album "King of Rock"

Moment of Truth

Guru of Gangstarr is in the hospital. He suffered a heart attack earlier this week and underwent surgery. Apparently he is doing okay, which is great to hear.

I thought it fitting today to play one of the best rap songs ever. It's from his group, Gangstarr. Enjoy!



"No matter what we face
We must face the moment of truth baby

They say it's lonely at the top,
in whatever you do
You always gotta watch motherf*ckers around you
Nobody's invincible, no plan is foolproof
We all must meet our moment of truth

Verse one

The same sheisty cats that you hang with, and do your thang with
Could set you up and wet you up, nigga peep the language
It's universal, you play with fire it may hurt you
Or burn you, lessons are blessings you should learn through
Let's face facts, although mc's lace tracks
It doesn't mean behind the scenes there ain't no dirt to trace back
That goes for all of us, there ain't nobody to trust
It's like sabotage, it's got me ready to bust
But I can't jeapordize, what I have done up to this point
So I'ma get more guys, to help me run the whole joint
Cultivate, multiply, motivate, or else we'll die
You know I be the master of the who, what,where, and why
See when you're shining, some chumps'll wanna dull ya
Always selfish jealous punks, will wanna pull ya
Down, just like some shellfish in a bucket
Cause they love it, to see your ass squirm like a worm
But just as you'll receive what is coming to you
Everybody else is gonna get theirs too
I ain't no saint, therefore I cannot dispute
That everyone must meet their moment of truth

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

Verse two

Sometimes you gotta dig deep, when problems come near
Don't fear things get severe for everybody everywhere
Why do bad things happen, to good people?
Seems that life is just a constant war between good and evil
The situation that I'm facing, is mad amazing
To think such problems can arise from minor confrontations
Now I'm contemplating in my bedroom pacing
Dark clouds over my head, my heart's racing
Suicide? nah, I'm not a foolish guy
Don't even feel like drinking, or even getting high
Cause all that's gonna do really, is accelerate
The anxieties that I wish I could alleviate
But wait, I've been through a whole lot of other sh*t, before
So I oughta be able, to withstand some more
But I'm sweating though, my eyes are turning red and yo
I'm ready to lose my mind but instead I use my mind
I put down the knife, and take the bullets out my nine
My only crime, was that I'm too damn kind
And now some skanless motherf*ckers wanna take what's mine
But they can't take the respect, that I've earned in my lifetime
And you know they'll never stop the furious force of my rhymes
So like they say, every dog has it's day
And like they say, God works in a mysterious way
So I pray, remembering the days of my youth
As I prepare to meet my moment of truth

(you should know the truth
and the truth shall set you free)

Verse three

Yo I got one lyric pointed at your head for start
Another one, is pointed at your weak ass heart
Now if I pull the trigger, on these fully loaded lines
You're gonna wish I woulda pulled a black nine, I mack dimes
Crack the spines of the fake gangsters
Yeah the biting trifling niggaz, and the studio pranksters
Yo lookin at the situation plainly: will you remain g?
Or will you be looked upon strangely?
I reign as the articulator, with the greater data
Revolving on the tascam much doper than my last jam
While others struggle to juggle, tricky metaphors
I explore more, to expose the core
A lot of emcees, act stupid to me
And we have yet to see, if they can match our longevity
But anyway it's just another day
Another fake jack I slay with my spectac' rap display
Styles, smooth but rugged -- you can't push or shove it
You dig it and you dug it cause like money you love it
The king of monotone, with my own throne
Righteously violent prone my words bring winds like cyclones
Storming your hideout, blocking out your sunlight
Your image and your business, were truly not done right
Throw up your he-allah-i now, divine saviors
You got no hand skills there's no security to save ya
No pager, no celly, no drop top benz-y
I came to bring your phony hip-hop, to an ending
My art of war will leave you sore from the abuse
Cause you must meet your moment of truth."

- Gangstarr title track from the "Moment of Truth" album

Go Ahead in the Rain

I was reminded of this track today by Dart Adams on Twitter. Enjoy!



"All I wanna do is get down y'all
Have a ball y'all and freak freak y'all
Lifeless ventures ain't new boo
So don't boo hoo, yeah, you too
Gotta get a grip on the culture
Swoop down, swoop down like a vulture
The rhythms will lurk into people
All funk ain't created equal
Looking for the beat to rupture
Like the rapture, gotta capture
Don't let the storm of life scare ya
Get funky, let me prepare ya
For the days of grimness and oppression
Ayo bro, here's your lesson
Even though the rain starts pouring
Start reaching, start soaring
Don't stop, if you do, you're stalling
Rhythm savior, hear ya calling
Instrumental to be freaky
Go ahead in the rain and you'll see

Can't we make you see
I mean, the fact that is the key, I mean
Devoted to the art of movin butts, so get on up and...
Think about what's yours
I mean your culture and your laws
I mean, I label you a sucka
If you're dumber, just stay dumber, but...
Stay in line and keep grooving
If it's moving, if it's soothing
Don't let a little thing like rain keep you under
Or the fun-da, look at wonder
Stomp til your soul is lifted
Get with it, rhythm's with it
Get inside the groove and get nasty
Funky nasty, crazy classy
Money is a first on the list here
It's the good time, it's the good cheer
If you got the ride then ride it
Don't hide it, provide it
Drop, drop, drop down the pants, shake your fanny
'Cause it's handy, not an Annie
Rock to the roll with the hair down
Get the lowdown, rhythm showdown
The simple explanation is nada
Make it hotter, thanks, de nada
If you wanna hear what I'm sayin
Clean your ears and just come on and groove"

- "Go Ahead in the Rain" by A Tribe Called Quest from their debut album People's Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm 

It Takes Two (classic hip-hop)

"I wanna rock right now
I'm Rob Base and I came to get down
I'm not internationally known
But I'm known to rock the microphone
Because I get stupid, I mean outrageous
Stay away from me if you're contagious
'Cause I'm the winner, no, I'm not the loser
To be an M.C. is what I choose 'a
Ladies love me, girls adore me
I mean even the ones who never saw me
Like the way that I rhyme at a show
The reason why, man, I don't know
So let's go, 'cause

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

My name is Rob, I gotta real funky concept
Listen up, 'cause I'm gonna keep you in step
I got an idea
That I wanna share
You don't like it? So what, I don't care
I'm number one, the uno, I like comp
Bring all the suckers 'cause all them I'll stomp
Bold and black but I won't protest
All of my followers 'cause all I want is respect
I'm not a doctor, put them in rapture
A slick brother that can easy outfox ya
Cause I'm Rob, the last name Base, yeah
And on the mic, I'm known to be the freshest
So let's start, it shouldn't be too hard
I'm not a sucker so I don't need a bodyguard
I won't fess, wear a bulletproof vest
Don't smoke buddha, can't stand sess, yes

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

The situation that the Base is in
I'm kinda stingy that's why I don't wanna lend
A funky rhyme to a foe or a good friend
But listen up 'cause I want you to comprehend
'Cause I'm the leader, the man superior
I take care of ya and then ya get wearier
So just sit, my rhymes are not counterfeit
The record sells which makes this one a hit
It won't hurt to listen to Red Alert
Take off your shirt
Make sure it don't hit the dirt
I like the kids--the guys, the girls
I want the ducats 'cause this is Rob Base's world
I'm on a mission, ya better just listen
To my rhymes 'cause I'm all about dissin'
'Cause

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!

I stand alone, don't need anyone
'Cause I'm Rob, just came to have fun
Don't need friends that act like foes
'Cause I'm Rob Base, the one who knows
About things that make ya get weary
Don't cheer me, just hear me
Out 'cause I got the clout--shout (Ho!)
Before I turn the party out
I won't stutter--
Project my voice, speak clearly
So you can be my choice
On stage or on record
Go to the Wiz and select it
Take it off the rack, if it's wack put it back
I like the Whopper, fuck the Big Mac
If you want static, so let's go
So, throw upyour hands
Go for what you know
Bro', I got an ego
Yo, talkin' to me? No
Oh
'Cause Rob is in the front, EZ Rock is on the Back up
We're not soft, so you better just slack up
'Cause I'm cool, calm just like a breeze
Rock the mike with the help of EZ
Rock on the set, the music plays
Only cuts the records that I say

It takes two to make a thing go right
It takes two to make it outta sight
Hit it!"

- Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock "It Takes Two"

Passing Me By

"Now in my younger days I used to sport a shag.
When I went to school I carried lunch in a bag,
with an apple for my teacher 'cause I knew I'd get a kiss.
Always got mad when the class was dismissed.
But when it was in session, I always had a question.
I would raise my hand to make her stagger to my desk and
help me with my problem, it was never much,
just a trick, to smell her scent and try to sneak a touch.
Oh, how I wish I could hold her hand and give her a hug
She was married to the man, he was a thug,
His name was Lee, he drove a Z,
he'd pick her up from school promptly at three o'clock
I was on her jock, yes indeedy I wrote graffiti on the bus
First I'd write her name then carve a plus,
with my name last, on the looking glass,
I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass
She keeps on passin me by...

When I dream of fairytales I think of me and Shelly.
See she's my type of hype and I can't stand when brothers tell me,
that I should quit chasing and look for something better.
But the smile that she shows makes me a go-getter.
I haven't gone as far as asking if I could get with her.
I just play by the ear and hope she gets the picture.
I'm shootin for her heart, got my finger on the trigger.
She could be my broad, and I could be her...
But, all I can do is stare
Back as kids we used to kiss when we played truth or dare
Now she's more sophisticated, highly edu-ma-cated
not at all over-rated, I think I need a prayer
to get in her book and it looks rather dry
I guess a twinkle in her eye is just a twinkle in her eye
Although she's crazy stepping, I'll try to stop her stride
Cause I won't have no more of this passin me by
Time for me to voice my opinion of not even pretending she didn't have me
Sprung like a chicken, chasing my tail like a doggie
She was kind of like a star, thinking I was like a fan
Damn, she looked good, down side: she had a man
He was a rooty-toot, a nincompoop
She told me soon your little birdie's gonna fly the coop
She was a flake like corn and I was born not to understand
By letting her pass I proved to be a better man

She keeps on passin me by...

Now there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian
And now the world around me be gets moving in slow motion
whenever she happens to walk by - why does the apple of my eye
overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try?
Wait, no, I did not really pursue my little princess with persistance;
And I was so low-key that she was unaware of my existance
From a distance I desired her, secretly admired her;
Wired her a letter to get her and it went:
My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me but I know you very well
Now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you
When I try, or make some sort of attempt, I symp
Damn I wish I wasn't such a wimp!
'Cause then I would let you know that I love you so
And if I was your man then I would be true
The only lying I would do is in the bed with you
Then I signed sincerely the one who loves you dearly, PS love me tender
The letter came back three days later: Return to Sender

Damn!

She keeps on passin me by...

She keeps passing me by."
 
- "Passing Me By" by the Pharcyde from the album Bizarre Ride II Tha Pharcyde

Post Teen Crisis

This is one of my favourite songs. "Post Teen Crisis" by superGARAGE.

This is an unofficial video but at least you get to hear the song.

Enjoy!



"Rise up with a morning shower
Pile my face like a flower on... the floor
Check myself out in the mirror
Lines on my face so much clearer than... before

Try to let it go
Try to let it...

Tuck my face inside my blubber
Pull my sheet until the cover's on... my ass
Today I think I'll exercise
My body tells me otherwise... pass

Try to let it go
Try to let it...

Before I get old
(try to let it)
Oh, before I get old
(try to let it)
Hmmm, try to let it go
(before you get it)
Before I get old
(try to let it)
No

More there must be
More this can't be my... life
No - space - rat - race
Must - keep - this - place... tonight

Try to let it go
Try to let it...

Before I get old
(try to let it)
Before I get old
(try to let it)
Try to let it go
(before you get it)
Before I get old
(try to let it)
No

Try to let it go
Try to let it...

Someone's got to help me try to find myself before I get old

(try to let it)
Oh, before I get old
(try to let it)
Hmmm, try to let it go
(before you get it)
Oh, before I get old
(try to let it)
Oh, before I get old
(try to let it)
Oh, before I get old
(try to let it)
Oh, I try
(before you get it)
Hell, I try
Oh, before
(try to let it)
Oh, before
Ohhhh... I get old... Hmmm, I get old... I get old"

- superGARAGE "Post Teen Crisis" from the E.P. Duct Tape

Worst Comes to Worst

(DJ Babu)

"Worst come to worst my peoples come first
worst...come.....to worst
worst come to worst my peoples come first
worst come...to...worst
worst come to worst my peoples come first"

(Evidence)

"Yo, some people got good friends,
at night I live my life right
Intense, on the edge
On the wild, I'm from the group where friction leads to fire
Stack your bricks, the time is take your pick
Do or don't, the track - Alchemist
My life is good, I got my peeps in the mix, so..."

"worst come to worst my people come first"

(Iriscience)

"I got worldwide family all over the earth
And I worry about 'em all for whatever it's worth
From the birth to the hearse, the streets, the guns burst
Words I disperse are here to free minds
And if mine are needy I need to feed mine"

"when worst come to worst..."

(Evidence)

"Set up shop and write a verse
Actually 'what?', that's best come to best
My lyrics take care of me, they therapy
Get sh*t off my chest
Extra stress, three-four over the score
Different patterns of rhyming prepare me for war
So next time you see us we'll be deadly on tour"

"worst come to worst my peoples come first"

(Guru)

"Word up, if worst comes to worst, I make whole crews disperse
You know it's family first
Gifted Unlimited with Dilated Peoples
Babu, Evidence, Iriscience
And a shout out to my man Alchemist on the trizzack"

"worst come to worst my peoples come first"

(Iriscience)

"I'm a glutton for the truth, even though truth hurts
I've studied with my peoples on streets and in church
We make it hard when we go on first
Long road, honor of the Samurai Code
These California streets ain't paved with gold"

"worst come to worst my people come first"

(Evidence)

"Uh, I got them back, at the end of the day
We could go our seperate ways but the songs remains, it won't change
Got my target locked at range
I might switch gears but first I switch lanes
Without my people I got nothing to gain
That's why"

"worst come to worst my people come first"

(Iriscience)

Special victims unit, catalyst for movement
Creates to devastate, since '84 show improvement
Definitely dilated peoples comes first
Cross-training spar, we raise the bar
And we put it in your ear no matter who you are

(DJ Babu)
"worst come to worst my peoples come first"
"worst....come...worst my peoples come first"
"worst...worst....worst....come to worst my peoples come first"
"...my..my...my peoples come first
"oh, when you need me"

- Dilated Peoples "Worst Comes to Worst" from the album Expansion Team

The Phuncky Feel One

A buddy of mine introduced me to this group when I was in high school. At first I didn't get it. I thought B-Real sounded like Mickey Mouse. I almost dismissed them because of his high-pitched flow. I'm glad I didn't. This tape really rocks.

This is one of my favourite songs by Cypress Hill "The Phuncky Feel One" and it dates back to 1991.

Enjoy!



B-Real

"Well I'm the Real one, yes the Phuncky Feel One
Cypress Hill has come, any quest/just ask them
Cause we are answering, any brothers that've been
On the dick swinging, and straight gathering
Enter the info, cause yo what you're in for
Is a crazy day, strapped in a pimp mode
Trapped like a prophet, but I still profit
Even when you're off it, bank's in my pocket
Cause of my music, what you call me chumpy?
In my trade, the Tribe is known to get funky
Hif is here to hack you down, Son is here to buck you down
Joke's on you, if you're the biggest duck in town
You got to relax, we got to kick back
Brothers just sit back, enjoy me like a six pack
As I let the rhyme flow, into the hook
Yo where you getting took, but that's another story black

Cause I'm the Real one, yes the Phuncky Feel One
I'm the Real one, yes the Phuncky Feel One
I'm the Real one, yes the Phuncky Feel One
You know I'm the Real one, yes the Phuncky Feel One"

Sen Dog

"Night in a stiff block, hanging up the pimp's jock
Used to call me Pimp Poppa, cause I likes to hip-hop
Cause I'm down with Cypress, illing well I might
Begin to take your girl, your girl she's the flyest
Flyer than the other broad, working off the pitched rod
Isn't that odd, instead of saying my dick's hard
It's not about knocking you, do you feel like clocking loot?
Forget it act stupid little sucker I'll be clocking you."

B-Real

"With the right or left hand, duck they was still stand
Troopers on the side step, bucks him down to death man
With the greater lyric, if you can spare it
Just an ass kicking, is what you inherit
So don't try to snake off, you know I can't be shook off
Why the suckers took off? Well that's another story black."

Chorus

B-Real and Sen Dog trade off lines here,

"Standing on the corner, close to the real estate
Clones they really pull sticking brothers try to imitate
Meaning when they simulate, but they can't stimulate
Like a faded joint, stiff from the breath I take
Make me act loco, they switching up my vocal
Out to catch you so-called, MC's with a roll call
Then you gotta close your eyes, you can't stand the sunlight
There is just one light, the Tribe's bucking heads tonight
Buck buck buck ya head! Sorry that red is dead
Deader than a doornail, someone cold made his bed
Didn't just break out, the sucker got cracked out
Hit the pipe and blacked out, with the shit from back down
So much more integrity, just another hooker
Was a funky looker
But that's another story black."

Chorus

- Cypress Hill "The Phuncky Feel One" off their self-titled debut album.

2009 Rap Up

This first What!?! Wednesday needs to be Skillz take on the year that just wrapped up. Hence the 2009 rap up.

Enjoy!


"We mourn this year
I got to say
every other day
someone passed away
...

It was a very sad year
to say the least
so to everybody we lost
rest in peace

Ya boy Skillz
and I did it again
Welcoming y'all to 2010!"

- Skillz "2010 Rap Up"

Santa Baby (hip-hop version)

I think I need to make a Christmas mixtape of all my favourite songs. There are some great Christmas songs that don't get played often enough on the radio.

This song is by no means the best song ever but it is catchy and captures the Christmas spirit. It felt right to serve it up for What!?! Wednesdays today. Enjoy!

Run of Run-DMC

"It was December 24 on Hollis after the dark
My man Santa saw a rabbi and gave the strangest remark
He said that giving was his living and I had to take part
So I grabbed a bag of goodies and I hopped up on his cart
I laced the pockets of the poor and gave the hoodie a play
Dropped some dollars up on Hollis and I went on my way
I hear your jingle Mr. Kringle peep the single, my man
so Santa hit a brother off and come as quick as you can!"

[chorus]
Santa Baby
Just slip a Benzo under the tree for me
A '98 convertible, light blue
I'm looking for a fly guy, like you
So hurry down the chimney tonight...

Ma$e

"Now all Mase know
When its eight twenty-four
He be looking at the door for the ho ho ho
Cause I know
When there's a Christmas uptown
Ain't no chimney for Santa to come down."

Puffy Daddy

"Now to me, PD I had a lot
Appreciated everything that I got
Though I used to take my pops
Who ain't caught me shaking the box
Cause I knew I couldn't wait till it turned 12 o'clock."

Snoop Dogg

"Cookies and Milk
Satin and Silk
I'm chilling in the living room, wrapped in a quilt
I'm waiting on this fat Red Suit wearing-comparing
My gifts to my homeboy next door to me
A gift here, none there, but who cares
My little sister needs a comb just to braid her nappy hair
But here we go again waiting on the enemy
To slide down the chimney
Look here, that ain't reality."

[chorus]

Salt & Pepa

"Santa Baby, are you really real?

Kris Kringle
Let me see you make my pockets jingle (ching ching)
We need some jobs in the ghetto
Too much gang banging where kids are playing
I hear the church bells ringing
On Christmas eve
I believe
Jesus-calling me
Forget the gifts and the shopping lists
And the new kicks
Your just falling for tricks
(you better praise him)

[chorus]

Fredro Starr of Onyx

"It's the gritty-the grimy
The low down, the shifty
Yo Sticky, Christmas time in the city
Late night, stars are bright
We getting rocked!
With the 50 St. Nicholas
Start ripping this

Sticky Fingaz of Onyx

"Its the Grinch who stole Christmas
Climbing down ya chimney
Kids open up they gifts
They all gonna be empty
Just like mine was
I hate to say it
But if I wasn't a boy I wouldn't have had nothing to play wit!"

Keith Murray

"On December 25th I knew I wasn't getting jack
when I saw Santa Claus on the corner buying crack
I ran up on him with the (blur) and asked him "yo whats up with that?"
He said "there ain't no Christmas kid" and I can't get him back
Back in the days, Christmas was deep
My moms put presents under the tree while I played sleep
And peeped ha! Santa Claus never gave me nothing
Seen them mad faces, lying and fronting
So do some good to the ghetto, Mr. Kris Kringle
Come and stay awhile, kick it with God's Angel
Take and acknowledge my wisdom and understand
That Santa Claus is a black man
word up."

[chorus 2 times]

"Santa Baby
Just slip a Benzo under the tree for me
A '98 convertible, light blue
I'm looking for a fly guy, like you
So hurry down the chimney tonight"

- Run and Friends "Santa Baby" remix

Ghosts that Haunt Me

The sound quality isn't very good but I wanted to share this with you. This is the title track from the debut album by Crash Test Dummies.

I absolutely love this album. I can listen to it no matter what mood or state I am in. It has a nice feel good vibe to it.

I hope you enjoy it.

"There's a skeleton in everybody's closet
I can think of one or two in my own room
But I would like to introduce them both to you
You'd shake their bony hands and so dispel the gloom

'Cause you're so kind
I know you would not mind
You'd send away the ghosts that haunt me now
And the things I fear
Just wouldn't seem so near
And when I stroll out late night
There would be nothing rattling at my heels

There are nights when all my aching bones won't let me sleep
And demons come to plague me as I lie in bed
But I know if you were sleeping there beside me then
That you could fend them off and they would let me rest

There are nights
When the wind comes howling through my old place
I have dreams
And I wake up with the sweat pouring down my face
And I wait till the morning comes

There will come a time I fear when all my days are done
And they will come collect my corpse and bury me
And then I hope you'll come over to the Other Side
To join me in out new life, keep me company

'Cause you're so kind
I know you would not mind
You'd send away the ghosts that haunt me now
And the things I fear
Just wouldn't seem so near
And when I stroll out late night

There would be nothing rattling at my heels"

- The Ghosts That Haunt Me, the title track from the debut album by Crash Test Dummies

Free Album by D-Sisive

D-Sisive has released a free album today. You can find some of his other albums for free but this one he has released for free ON PURPOSE. So if you feel his music, go check this one for free and support him by buying his other stuff.

http://d-sisive.bandcamp.com/

To celebrate this release, I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite tracks from his last album.

"I’ve spent many moons with my head on the pillowcase
Retinas to the ceiling, John Lennon dreaming
John Lennon jealous of the dreamers that achieved it
I’m better off John Lennon (laying in) bed and sleeping
I John Lennon don’t believe in Jesus
But I’m running out of people I can speak with
I was never one to get on kneecaps elbows on my mattress
Both palms pressed below the whiskers on my glass chin
I don’t give a shit if Kanye said it
Or Rhymefest wrote it, or whoever gets the credit
Nobody walked for me except my dad and my mom’s legs
And both of them are missing from my holidays
Pardon my francais, f*ck your pumpkin pie
All I need is a notepad, open wide
And a sharpened pencil for my thoughts to jot you a letter from my heart
Signed, a nobody with a notepad

I’m just a nobody with a notepad
Forever standing in the shadows of my old man
I’m just a nobody with a notepad
Forever standing in the shadows of my old man

Red pen pressed against the pages
Laving ink stained trails as I pen my pain
Instruments speak through my speakers
Influencing the pictures my right fingers paint
Self portraits exposing my flaws and traits
And facing uphill crawl for props and praise
‘Cause I’d rather draw than trace
R. Crumb, I keep on trucking, feet keep running
At Usain Bolt speeds, pen bleeds to the rhythm
Chest pounding, before I rip through the rib and kill the kick to the snare
Fists hit the air, now hit me with your rolls like we’re living on a prayer
Take my hand we’ll make it I swear
Solemnly so, I got me my note… pad
And a sharpened pencil for my thoughts to jot you a letter from my heart
Signed, a nobody with a notepad

I’m just a nobody with a notepad
Forever standing in the shadows of my old man
I’m just a nobody with a notepad
Forever standing in the shadows of my old man"

- D-Sisive "Nobody with a Notepad"

Glory

Welcome to What!?! Wednesdays. Every week I share with you a song and since today is Remembrance Day, I couldn't think of a better track to share with you.

This is "Glory" by D-Nice.



"Back in the civil war days of 1863
was the year that free blacks would try to adapt as soldiers
Live as equals and get what's owed us
And in this time they had yet to find inner peace
Which comes from the heart and mind
So listen close as I explain the story
of the regiment of blacks on the path to find Glory

Here's an example of courage and strength
that dwelled in the men that went the whole length
To prove that each can stand as a man
And demonstrate, he can carry his own weight
But there was some tryin to add to the plight
of the black man, denyin his right to fight
as an equal, for self-esteem
Ran through the crew or so it seemed
Cause even in times when life seemed colder
He still remained proud to be a black soldier
Waitin for the chance to advance
and under the circumstance, managed to enhance
his courage, and when put to war
he'd do much more than what's bargained for
And each man, that can tell the story
knew from the start deep down in his heart they'd find Glory

These brothers have died and cried, for power and freedom
But now look what we've done
We're robbin and killin our own race
Black and rap will be lost without a trace
So take heed to the knowledge I'm bustin
You're sellin yourself short, that's "Self Destruction"
The song I sing to let freedom ring
So listen to the knowledge I bring as I speak about Glory

Courage, spirit, and honor .. as I speak about Glory
Courage, spirit, and honor .. yeah

Courage, spirit, and honor
Courage, spirit, and honor"

- D-Nice "Glory" from the album Call Me D-Nice and the soundtrack to the motion picture Glory

I Quit (I Give Up)

"Could it be possible, I'm all dried up, it's all gone?
My worse fears confirmed,
in other words,
there's no more songs.
The ones I had before, so, they were never really mine.
Woke up today to face a steady decline.
And everything I've ever built myself up to be

in my own head
is a misperception of self,
maybe I was born dead.
These moments I thought I lived,
well, hell they're just dreams.
I was wrong about, you, me, everything.
And maybe this little bit of hope
the one I feel now is a lie too,
it's also not real
and none of it's been anything more than a mirage
and I'll keep going, going, till I'm gone.

(chorus)

I quit, I give up

nothing's good enough for anybody else,

it seems."

- OK Cobra "I Quit (I Give Up) from the album Delirium Tremens

I found this song by just randomly using YouTube as a jukebox this week. I'm glad I stumbled across it because this track is fire. I hope that I transcribed the lyrics correctly and that you enjoy this video.

If you want to hear some more great hip-hop today, head on over to my main blog, Silent Cacophony to check out the Cale Sampson podcast and interview transcript. It was after I found his videos to embed in this week's post that I stumbled across this video.

Enjoy!

Eat My Brain

"My droopy-eyed Madonna
a triple fire alarm
all the other rogues and darlings
get sent to the farm

I don't need to deceive you
'cause I feel no pain
maybe I should let you
come on and eat my brain.

There's an art to perception
so see it as you will
can you adjust my reception?
just give me the latest pill.

I don't need to deceive you
cause I feel no pain
maybe I should let you
come on and eat my brain.

I know you tried to forget me
well today is remembrance day
so if you're willing then let me
it's time to make your play

I don't need to deceive you
cause I feel no pain
maybe I should let you
come on and eat my brain."

- Odds "Eat My Brain" from quite possibly the best album ever released "Good Weird Feeling."

I can listen to this album over and over again and I never tire of it. As I got ready this morning, I started singing a song off of this album to myself with seemingly no provocation. I'm taking the album in the car now so I can listen to it on my way to work. In the meantime, you can enjoy this song.

Our Song

"I was riding shotgun with my hair undone in the front seat of his car
He's got a one-hand feel on the steering wheel
The other on my heart
I look around, turn the radio down
He says, "Baby is something wrong?"
I say, "Nothing I was just thinking how we don't have a song."
And he says...

"Our song is the slamming screen door,
sneaking out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date 'man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have'
And when I got home ... before I said amen
Asking God if He could play it again"

I was walking up the front porch steps after everything that day
had gone all wrong and been trampled on
and lost and thrown away
Got to the hallway, well on my way to my loving bed
I almost didn't notice all the roses
And the note that said...

Our song is the slamming screen door,
Sneaking out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date 'man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have'
And when I got home ... before I said amen
Asking God if He could play it again

I've heard every album, listened to the radio
Waited for something to come along
That was as good as our song...

Cause our song is the slamming screen door
Sneaking out late, tapping on his window
When we're on the phone and he talks real slow
Cause it's late and his mama don't know
Our song is the way he laughs
The first date "man, I didn't kiss him, and I should have"
And when I got home, before I said amen
Asking God if He could play it again

I was riding shotgun with my hair undone
In the front seat of his car
I grabbed a pen and an old napkin
And I... wrote down our song."

- Taylor Swift "Our Song" from the her self-titled album