As The Rhyme Goes On Eric B. & Rakim

[00:18.09] Knowledge will begin until I finish this song
[00:19.83] Cause the rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme goes on
[00:22.68] You sweat as you step about to get hype
[00:25.35] Or should you just listen to the man on the mic
[00:28.02] You're physically in this with me but how could you tell
[00:30.71] If it's meant to be hip-hop if you're not mentally as well
[00:33.42] Ready to absorb the rhyme that I just poured
[00:35.29] Into the mic and so unite and this won't be so bored
[00:37.97] If you just keep kickin' listen - to the mix
[00:40.75] And think you'll sink into the rhyme like quicksand
[00:43.44] Holds and controls you 'til I leave
[00:46.11] You fall deeper in the style - it's hard to breathe
[00:47.95] The only time I stop is when somebody drop and then
[00:50.60] Bring 'em to the front cause my rhymes' the oxygen
[00:54.28] Then wave your hands - when you're ready I'll send you
[00:56.06] Into your favorite dance so let the rhyme continue
[00:58.78] And so on and i'ma go on simultaneously
[01:01.54] And even if I stop - the rhyme remains to be
[01:04.29] Rising to the top - and I came to drop it
[01:06.92] Catch it and quiz it - is my topic
[01:09.65] Universual cause I move everybody to come
[01:12.36] By exercising your mind you'll coincide as one
[01:14.11] You look around and see how packed the party starts to get
[01:16.85] I draw a crowd - like an architect
[01:19.56] The five borroughs react and all the islands attract
[01:22.33] And every state can't wait - so they attack
[01:25.08] Off a spot on the floor - squeeze in 'cause it's packed
[01:27.74] It'll be more room if mc's play the back
[01:29.59] I'm the r the a to the k-i-m
[01:32.22] If I wasn't, then why would I say I am
[01:34.94] The microphone fiend if I was a fake
[01:37.68] Whoever said it's just buggin' off the rhymes I make
[01:40.35] I had you biting your tongue for what I brung and recite
[01:43.03] Sung it on stage some said it don't sound like
[01:44.93] The voice on the record - I see what you mean
[01:47.68] Because the system was wack, so I had to scream
[01:50.35] So just - give me a mic if it's loud I'll blow it
[01:53.05] If not - into the crowd I'll throw it
[01:55.77] Pull out my cordless mic and entertain you well
[01:57.52] Before I let go i'ma spark your brain cells
[02:01.11] I took time to write - tonight I will recite
[02:02.91] So poetically inclined when the mic is held tight
[02:05.64] Rhymes start flowin' kisses are blowin
[02:08.36] Mc's are knowin' that's why they're goin
[02:11.02] Home to tell a friend when the party ends
[02:13.82] "Yo, man you know rakim? that brother struck again"
[02:16.53] 'Cause mic by mic and stage by stage,
[02:18.31] Tape by tape and page by page,
[02:21.07] When the crowd is moving I compete with the mix
[02:23.72] The rougher the cuts - the rougher the rhyme gets
[02:26.43] Deeper and deeper - I hope you understand it
[02:30.03] I made it up myself and I planned it
[02:31.89] For other mc's who waste time
[02:34.65] Writing jokes, riddles, and maybe a rhyme
[02:36.49] I cross my arms and I was waiting - but I was hating
[02:40.04] The rappers on the microphone was fronting - just faking
[02:42.79] They wasn't breakin', which means I was achin'
[02:44.57] To get up on the microphone and then start takin'
[02:47.28] Control of the mic - uptight when I grabbed it
[02:49.08] So hug the speaker- your ear's a magnet
[02:51.70] Attracted to a freestyle put in effect
[02:54.53] You listen to my man while you're sippin' moet
[02:57.27] So eric, pick up the needle (yeah) put it in the middle (ahhight)
[02:59.96] Give me a scratch, turn my mic up a little,
[03:02.66] I want you to hear this perfectly clear
[03:05.31] Catch what I'm sayin'? you get the idea?
[03:07.14] I hope you knowledge the beginning 'cause I'm finished this song
[03:09.82] The rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme flows on...
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