Somebody gotta tell you this:
Cancer kills way more Americans than any Arabic terrorist.
We use more money to fight them than finding a cure,
So a little kid sits there with his chemo-therapist.
Hair falling out while his vital signs weaken…
He’ll be dead while his parent are in debt for his treatment.

Crooked I, “Never Been,” 2008

In time, you’ll see a thin line between friend and rival.
Between you and me: stupidity and men’s bravado.

Ka, “Iron Age,” Grief Pedigree, 2012

Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal,
MC’s spit rhymes to uplift their people.

KRS-One, “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been),” 2007

Shakespeare’s gone, don’t even think about it.

Dr. Octagon, “Blue Flowers,” Dr. Octagonecologyst, 1996

She’s not impressed by your fancy car.
She got a body so she’s snotty and she don’t care who you are.
So don’t get mad and dis her reputation
Callin’ her a floozy, any conversation.
Mad grammar, backstabber, girls they wanna be her.
But like Stevie Wonder, none of y’all can see her!

Positive K, “A Flower Grows in Brooklyn,” The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills, 1992

My radio, believe me, I like it loud,
I’m the man with a box that can rock the crowd.
Walkin’ down the street, to the hardcore beat
While my JVC vibrates the concrete.

LL Cool J, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” Radio, 1985

Life without knowledge is death in disguise.

Talib Kweli, “K.O.S.,” from Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 1998

I come prepared with the white suit and stethoscope,
Listen to your heartbeat, delete beep beep BEEP.
Your insurance is high, but my price is cheap.

Dr. Octagon, “Blue Flowers,” Octagonecologyst, 1996

Gangsta rappers can’t fight, so they rap about guns.

Sean Price, “Onion Head,” Monkey Barz, 2005

You wanna know my occupation?
I get paid to rock the nation.
I go to work.

Kool Moe Dee, “I Go To Work,” Knowledge is King, 1989

I’m not a ‘Businessman,’ I’m a Business… man! Let me handle my business, damn!

Jay-Z, “Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix),” from Kanye West’s Late Registration, 2005

Too bad your inner sheep never forgets to follow…

Aesop Rock, “Fast Cars,” Fast Cars, Danger, Fire & Knives, 2005

I got you open like supermarkets!

Busta Rhymes, “Everything Remains Raw,” The Coming, 1996

I didn’t get turned on, I just got turned.
I wasn’t as aroused as I was concerned.

Slug, “The Woman with the Tattooed Hands,” from Atmosphere’s Lucy Ford, 2002

Stop tryin to be loud as me, cause you can’t do that,
Think about it…playing Russian roulette with an automatic!

Fredro Starr, “Slam,” from Onyx’s Bacdafucup, 1993