Verse One:
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 in Fahrenheit, freeze MC`s and 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 middle of my story I tell E.B.
Nobody beats the "R", check out my melody...
Verse Two:
So what if I`m a microphone fiend addicted soon as I sing
One of these for MC`s so they don`t have to scream
I couldn`t wait to take the mic, flow into it to test
Then let my melody play, and then the record suggest
That I`m droppin bombs, but I stay peace and calm
Any MC that disagree with me just 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
Whether playin ball or bobbin in the hall
I just writin my name in graffiti on the wall
You shouldn`t have told me you said you control me
So now a contest is what you owe me
Pull out your money, pull out your cut
Pull up a chair, and I`ma tear shit up
My name is Rakim Allah, and R & A stands for "Ra"
Switch it around, but 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, scratchin and cuttin a voice
And when it`s mine that`s when the rhyme is always choice
I wouldn`t have came to ?set? my name ?around the? same weak shit
Puttin blurs 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
Now tear it up, y`all, and bless the mic for the gods
Verse Three:
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, mind no introduction
Til I finish droppin science, no interruption
When I approach I exercise like a coach
Usin a melody and add numerous notes
With the mic and the R-a-k-i-m
It`s a task, like a match I will strike again
Rhymes are poetically kept and alphabetically stepped
Put in order to pursue with the momentum except
I say one rhyme and I order a longer rhyme shorter
A pause, but don`t stop the tape recorder
Verse Four:
I`m not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor
Melody arranger, poet, etcetera
Extra events, 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 lead a ??? words protest
MC`s that wanna be dissed 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
And 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
If I was water, I flow in the Nile
So many rhymes you won`t have time to go for your`s
Just because of a cause I have to pause
Right after tonight is when I prepare
To catch another sucka duck MC out there
Cos my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe
And after this you`ll call me your majesty
My melody...
Verse Five:
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
Who try to listen cos I`m dissin ???
?Take off your necklace, you try to detect my pace?
?Now? you`re ?buggin? over ??? 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, don`t try to be clever
MC`s you`ll beat the "R", I`ll say "Oh never"
So Eric B cut it easily
And check out my melody...
