Rappers can’t sleep, need sleepin’,
B.I.G. keep creepin’,
Bullets heat-seekin’,
Casualties need treatin’,
Dumb rappers need teachin’.
B.I.G. keep creepin’,
Bullets heat-seekin’,
Casualties need treatin’,
Dumb rappers need teachin’.
- Notorious B.I.G., “Unbelievable,” Ready To Die, 1994
I was always taught my do’s and don’ts:
For do’s I did, and for don’ts, I said I won’t.
For do’s I did, and for don’ts, I said I won’t.
- GZA, “I Gotcha Back,” from the Fresh soundtrack, and also on Liquid Swords, 1994
Don’t you like when the winter’s gone,
And all of a sudden it starts gettin’ warm?
The trees and the grass start lookin’ fresh,
And the sun and sky be lookin’ their best…
And all of a sudden it starts gettin’ warm?
The trees and the grass start lookin’ fresh,
And the sun and sky be lookin’ their best…
- Biz Markie, “Spring Again,” The Biz Never Sleeps, 1989
Look: if I shoot you, I’m brainless,
But if you shoot me, then you’re famous.
What’s a nigga to do?
But if you shoot me, then you’re famous.
What’s a nigga to do?
- Jay-Z, “Streets Is Watching,” In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, 1997
Ain’t nothin’ like hip-hop music;
You like it cause you choose it.
Most DJ’s won’t refuse it,
A lotta sucka MC’s misuse it.
You like it cause you choose it.
Most DJ’s won’t refuse it,
A lotta sucka MC’s misuse it.
- Daddy-O, “Go Stetsa I,” from Stetsasonic’s On Fire, 1986
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is;
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis.
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis.
- Guru, “DWYCK,” from Gang Starr featuring Nice & Smooth DWYCK 12”, 1994
This country of ours was built on violence;
If your ass got in the way, you was killed in silence.
And these been the ways since back in the days:
Just ask the Indians or the African slaves.
If your ass got in the way, you was killed in silence.
And these been the ways since back in the days:
Just ask the Indians or the African slaves.
- Masta Ace, “The Ways,” A Long Hot Summer, 2004
“I been to many malls from state to state,
But I’ve never been in, say, one this great.
I hate to say, about the other shopping centers that’s left,
But the Albee Square Mall is the doo-doo-def!”
But I’ve never been in, say, one this great.
I hate to say, about the other shopping centers that’s left,
But the Albee Square Mall is the doo-doo-def!”
–Biz Markie, “Albee Square Mall,” Goin’ Off, 1988
Brooklyn’s Albee Square Mall, at the intersection of Fulton Street and DeKalb Avenue, was razed in 2007 to clear way for the City Point retail space and upscale living community, opening in Spring 2012.
