I’m the epitome of catchin’ wreck, catch you when you cash your check
Smash you when you pass, then jack you for your fuckin’ Lex
Big Pun, “Beware,” Capital Punishment, 1998
I never boned a honey that I didn’t like
I never saw a mile that I couldn’t hike
I never had a spliff to make me choke
I never had a pocket that was broke
Dres, “Flavor of the Month,” from Black Sheep’s A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, 1991
It’s Christmas time and my rhyme’s steady bumpin.
Everybody happy, hair still nappy,
Gonna steal a gift for my old grandpappy…
Snoop Dogg, “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto”, Christmas on Death Row, 1996
Whether two birds of a feather fly or fall, it’ll be together.
Slim Kid Tre, “Otha Fish,” from The Pharcyde’s Bizarre Ryde II the Pharcyde, 1992
I’m from back then, bro, when the phrase was “fresh.”
…When Michael Jackson’s nose looked like KRS.
Breeze Brewin, “30 Something,” from The Juggaknots’ Use Your Confusion, 2006
I’m hooked on gin and tonics like your mama’s Hooked on Phonics
Tash, “Make Room,” from Tha Alkaholiks’ 21 & Over, 1993
I told her, “I got the chips if you got the dip.”
She said when I dip, that I better be equipped
and keep my hand on her hips…
Ludacris, “Be With You,” from David Banner & 9th Wonder’s Death of a Pop Star, 2010
You ain’t a gangsta, you a bitch with a beat.
Rhymefest, “More,” Blue Collar, 2006
Flows that go against the grain with a story so compellin’
I should mind The People’s Court, snatch the mic from Doug Llewellyn
Tash, “All the Way Live,” from Tha Alkaholiks’ Coast II Coast, 1995
Nigga this is personal, you can’t get no whiff of this
I rolled this shit myself and Imma smoke it til the end of it
Curren$y, “Daze of Thunder”, from the upcoming Return to the Winners Circle mixtape, Video, 2010
Some people learn from mistakes and don’t repeat them,
Others try to block the memories and just delete them.
But I keep ‘em as a reminder they’re not killing me,
And I thank God for teaching me humility.
Son, remember when you fight to be free
To see things how they are and not how you like em to be.
Cause even when the world is falling on top of me,
Pessimism is an emotion, not a philosophy.
Knowing what’s wrong doesn’t imply that you right,
And it’s another when you suffer to apply it in life.
But I’m no rookie…
And I’m never gonna make the same mistake twice, pussy.
Immortal Technique, “Mistakes,” The 3rd World, 2009
When I die, bury me butt naked and face down in the grass
So I can fuck the world while y’all kiss my ass
Ras Kass, “Bentleys & Bitches,” from Beatminerz Brace 4 Impak, 2001
Dyin’ ain’t the shit, but it’s pleasant.
Notorious B.I.G., “My Downfall,” Life After Death, 1997
There are few things that’s forever, my lady.
We can make war or make babies.
Method Man, “All I Need,” Tical, 1994
We got hookers with heaters that’ll stray pop and put more shells in your top than Adidas.
Kool G. Rap, “Fast Life,” 4,5,6, 1995
I had to travel light speed to dodge that black cloud
Rainin’ on my parade.
Sun shinin’ but there ain’t enough shade.
Blu, “Seasons,” Video, 2010
It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988
Damn it feels good to see people up on it.
Biz Markie, “The Vapors,” Goin’ Off, 1988
(Peace!) Piece of what?
You can’t mean P-E-A-C-E
Cause I’ve seen people on the streets
Shoot the next man and turn around and say ‘peace.’
But that’s leaving people in pieces
It’s not what the meaning of peace is.
Large Professor, “Peace Is Not the Word to Play,” Main Source’s Breaking Atoms, 1994
You can’t take the heat, get ya ass out the kitchen
Matter fact, take ya ass back in there and wash the dishes
Royce Da 5’9", “Deadly Melody,” from Black Milk’s Album of the Year, 2010
Erick Sermon (EPMD) • “You’re a Customer” • Strictly Business • 1988
I have a strong point of view on the way things run:
Just shut up, and listen, and learn, my son.
Erick Sermon, “You’re a Customer,” from EPMD’s Strictly Business, 1988
I rolls two spliffs, so now I guess I’m double jointed
Das EFX, “Undaground Rappa,” Straight Up Sewaside, 1993
Killer Mike (Run the Jewels) • “Oh Mama” • RTJ3 • 2016
I smoke the holy herb, get high as hell and meditate.
Swear to God, shit’s so good…fat boy’ll levitate.
God’s gift to man, how the fuck they try to legislate?
Mom’s, she recovering, tell me I overmedicate.
I tell her, “Holy fuck, Jesus Christ, give me a fucking break!”
She said, “Don’t curse your mama, goddammit,” and threw a dinner plate.
Killer Mike, “Oh Mama,” from Run the Jewel’s RTJ3, 2016
Guru • “Watch What You Say” • Jazzmatazz Volume 2: The New Reality • 1995
Too much weak talk, and not enough real hip-hop.
Guru, “Watch What You Say,” Jazzmatazz Volume 2: The New Reality, 1995
GZA/Genius (Wu-Tang Clan) • “Alphabets” • Pro Tools • 2008
Allah Be a Born, Cee Divine, Equality,
Father, then after that, there’s the G-O-D.
He or Her, I Islam, then Justice,
King of Kingdom, Love, Hell or Right, we still exist.
Master, Now in Cypher, Power’s the Queen,
Rule of Rulers, Self of Save, the Truth of the square, the same.
Universe, Victory, Wisdom, Unknown,
Why, Zig Zag Zig…and now we’re back home.
GZA, “Alphabets,” Pro Tools, 2008
Prime Minister Pete Nice • “The Rhapsody” • Dust to Dust • 1993
Back in ’86, Rakim hit “The Melody.”
Ever since then, shit jumped off steadily.
Prime Minister Pete Nice, “The Rhapsody,” from Prime Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich’s Dust to Dust, 1993
MC Lyte • “Search 4 The Lyte” • Act Like You Know • 1991
Some type of grief you must experience
In order to appreciate happiness.
‘Cause if you are always satisfied,
Life will just pass by; you would’ve never tried.
MC Lyte, “Search 4 The Lyte,” Act Like You Know, 1991
Dres (Black Sheep) • “Black with N.V.” • 1991
Now, harmony is a total love of things
For those who are inclined or better yet like to sing.
But piece of mind it is my right for the spark will ignite
Till I can catch a cab at the town at midnight,
Till I can be myself and not be thought as worse,
Till I can buy a slice from Howard Beach to the ‘Hurst.
Till I can get the pill without fear of eject,
And occupations which I seek I can have if I select.
Now, if I so select and reach out to make touch
How can you say that I ask for too much?
Dres, “Black with N.V.,” from Black Sheep’s A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, 1991
Mr. Man (Da Bush Babees) • “Gravity” • 1996
It’s time to invent the future, cause there ain’t nobody else
Who can make it happen right, so make it happen for yourself.
Mr. Man, “Gravity,” from Da Bush Babees’ Gravity, 1996
Tony D • “Stop Racism” • 1991
When I look at a human, you can say I’m color blind, Cause I see them with my eyes but I judge them with my mind.
Tony D, “Stop Racism,” Droppin’ Funky Verses, 1991
Parrish Smith aka PMD • “So Wat Cha Sayin?” • 1989
People round town talkin’ this and that,
Of how we sound like The R, and our music was wack.
Dropped the album Strictly Business, and you thought we was bold.
Thirty days later…the LP went gold.
So what you sayin?
Parrish Smith aka PMD, “So Wat Cha Sayin?,” from EPMD’s Unfinished Business, 1989
Grand Puba (Brand Nubian) • “Slow Down” • 1990
As the jewels jingle from the hot young and single little stunt,
A forty and a blunt…that’s all she really wants.
But she’ll spend your papes, and she’ll use up all your plastic.
And if you swing an ep, you’d better wear a prophylactic
Cause things are getting drastic…
Slide up in the wrong one, you’ll end up in a casket.
Grand Puba, “Slow Down,” from Brand Nubian’s One For All, 1990
Q-Tip • “The Remedy” • 1996
There’s divinity within because we come from the divine,
A force that’s not seen, but you feel it every time:
When the wind blows, and the world turns,
And the rain drops, and the baby cries,
And the bird flies, and the ground quake,
And the stars gleam.
Q-Tip, “The Remedy,” from Get on the Bus Soundtrack, 1996
Lauryn Hill (The Fugees) • “Doo Wop (That Thing)” • 1998
How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
Lauryn Hill, “Doo Wop (That Thing),” The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1998
Keith Murray • “They Tell Me” • 2008
Now he from the BX, but he really soft,
And he from BK, but his guns don’t go off.
He from cop-killer Queens, but he still getting robbed,
And he from money-makin, but he ain’t on his job.
Now he from LA, but he’s scared to bang,
And he from Texas, but he will do the damn thing.
He’d stay in VA, but he is scared of the streets,
And he’s from Chi, but he’s sweet as a peach.
Keith Murray, “They Tell Me,” from EPMD’s We Mean Business, 2008
RQ Playing Cards Volume 1: East vs. West
Exclusive poker deck featuring 54 quotes from legendary East and West coast artists.
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