He’s smart enough to have ya, but dumb enough to let ya out.
- LL Cool J, “Mr. Goodbar,” Mama Said Knock You Out, 1990
- Grand Puba, “Slow Down,” from Brand Nubian’s One for All, 1990
To stop the confusion.
Let the fresh get fresh, and the stale get staler
And throw em in a pail of
Trash…with the other trash and smash down the lid,
For all the weak shit they did.
- Special Ed, “Ready 2 Attack,” Legal, 1990
We got to fight the powers that be!
- Chuck D., “Fight the Power,” from Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, 1990
Is one of the main reasons I don’t give a fuck.
- MC Ren, “100 Miles and Runnin’” from N.W.A.’s 100 Miles and Runnin’ EP, 1990
Bad and good, and ain’t nothin’ in between.
- Cold 187um, “Untouchable,” from Above the Law’s Livin’ Like Hustlers, 1990
But that’s a lie because I heard your moms breathing on the phone.
And if you really like me, let your moms know
She should mind her business…before I let go.
- K-Solo, “Your Mom’s in My Business,” Tell the World My Name, 1990
Every time that I called her, it seemed somethin was brewin.
I called her on my dime, picked up, and then I called again,
I said, ‘Yo, who was that?’
‘Oh, he’s just a friend.’
- Biz Markie, “Just a Friend,” The Biz Never Sleeps, 1990
- Chuck D., “Burn, Hollywood, Burn,” from Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, 1990
- Lord Finesse “Bad Mutha,” Funky Technician, 1990
You built a maze you can’t get through.
I tried to help you all I can,
Now I can’t do nuttin’ for you, man!
- Flavor Flav, “Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya Man,” from Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet, 1990
Boy you’re just a faker.
Name one city: ‘Uhh, Jamaica!’
Wrong! And I think that’s a shame,
An African look with an American name…
- King Sun, “Be Black,” Righteous but Ruthless, 1990
And if you need em I got crazy prophylactics.
- Q-Tip, “Bonita Applebum,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990
“Puttin rhymes into shape just like Jack LaLanne.” –Lord Finesse, “Baby, You Nasty,” Funky Technician, 1990
- KRS-One, “I’m Still #1”, from Boogie Down Productions’ By Any Means Necessary, 1990
