Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out a cigar I'm lettin knowledge be born, and my name's the R A-k-i-m, not like the rest of them, I'm not on a list That's what I'm sayin, I drop science like a scientist My melody's in a code, the very next episode Has the mic often distortin', ready to explode I keep the mic at Fahrenheit, freeze MC's to make 'em colder The listener's system is kickin' like solar As I memorize, advertise, like a poet Keep you goin' when I'm flowin', smooth enough, you know it But rough that's why the moral of my story I tell E.B. Nobody beats the R, check out my melody So what, I'm a microphone fiend addicted soon as I seen One of these four MC's so they don't have to scream I couldn't wait to take the mic, flow into it to test it, Let 'My Melody' play, then a record suggest it I'm droppin bombs, but I stay peace and calm Any MC that disagree with me wave your arm And I'll break, when I'm through breakin' I'll leave you broke Drop the mic when I'm finished and watch it smoke So stand back, you wanna rap? All of that can wait I won't push, I won't beat around the bush I wanna break upon those who are not supposed to You might try but you can't get close to Because I'm number one, competition is none I'm measured with the heat that's made by sun 'Cause I'm playin ball or bobbin' in the hall Or just writin my name in graffiti on the wall You shouldn't have told me you said you controlled me So now a contest is what you owe me Pull out your money, pull out your cut Pull up a chair, and I'm a tear shit up My name is Rakim Allah, and R and A stands for Ra Switch it around, it still comes out R So easily will I e-m-c-e-e My repetition of words is check out my melody Some bass and treble is moist, scratch in and cut in a voice And when it's mine that's when the rhyme is always choice I wouldn't a came and said my name and run same 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 The rhyme is rugged, at the same time sharp I can swing off anything even a string of a harp Just turn it on and start rockin, mine, no introduction 'Til I finish droppin science, no interruption When I approach I exercise like a coach Usin' a melody and add new verse(?) and notes So when the mic and the R-a-k-i-m It's attached, like a match I will strike again Rhymes are poetically kept and alphabetically stepped Put in a order to pursue with the momentum except I say one rhyme out of order, a longer rhyme shorter, A pause, but don't stop the tape recorder I'm not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor Melody arranger, poet, etcetera Extra event, the grand finale-like bonus I am the man they call the microphonist With wisdom, which means wise words bein' spoken Too many at one time watch the mic start smokin' I came to express the rap I manifest Stand in my way and I'll veto on the word's protest MC's that wanna be vissed(?), they're gonna Be dissed if they don't get from in fronta All they can go get is me a glass of Moet A hard time, sip your juice and watch a smooth poet I take 7 MC's put 'em in a line And add 7 more brothas who think they can rhyme Well, it'll take 7 more before I go for mine Now that's 21 MC's ate up at the same time Easy does it, do it easy, that's what I'm doin' No fessin', no messin' around, no chewin' No robbin', no buyin', bitin', why bother This slob'll stop tryin', fightin' to follow My unusual style will confuse you a while And if I was water, I'd flow in the Nile So many rhymes you won't have time to go for yours Just because of applause I have to pause Right after tonight is when I prepare To catch another sucka duck MC out there 'Cause my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe And after this you'll call me your majesty My melody Yes, my melody Eric B. Marley Marl synthesized it, I memorize it Eric B. made a cut and advertised it My melody's created for MC's in the place They try to listen cuz I'm dissin them so pick up your face Shook off your neck cuz you try to detect my pace Now you're buggin', almost doggin' off my rhyme-like bass The melody that I'm stylin', smooth as a violin Rough enough to break New York from Long Island My wisdom is swift, no matter if My momentum is slow, MC's still stand stiff I'm genuine like leather - inclined to be clever MC, you'll beat the R, I'll say "Oh never" So Eric B., cut it easily and check out my melody...