[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 are

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 "are", 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 want to rap? All of that can wait

I won't push, I won't beat around the bush

I want to 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 are & A stands for "Ra"

Switch it around, but still comes out "are"

So easily will I e-m-see-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 are-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 want to 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

'cause 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 be made a cut and advertised it

My melody's created for MC's in the place

Who try to listen 'cause 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 "are", I'll say "Oh never"

So Eric be cut it easily

And check out my melody...

Writer : ERIC BARRIER, WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group