Verse 1:
I fell in love with rap and Hip Hop, before the nine trey,
Way before the ninth grade, in Californi-A,
When naughty lyrics in the house are not allowed
Just a lost child, listenin’ to Doggystyle, walkin’ wild
And prior to the days of Kanye becomin’ famous,
The great hoopla was Snoop Dogg and what his name is,
Doc Dre was signed to Death Row
Then ‘Pac came to light the west coast
A fan and loyal listener, how come I can’t rhyme?
Thinkin’ that the W was just another gang sign,
I’m stuck in traffic, but the jams of Warren G,
Bumpin’ when this freeway be borin’ me,
I couldn’t spectate, wait, better yet, I’ll regulate,
And get the All Eyez On Me double cassette tape,
Controversial, not commercial, sick of Hollywood,
Because I grew up in the era when Hip Hop was good…



(Hook 2x):
Shots out, to all the old school cats,
Who’ve been in the game and didn’t change and know true rap,
Throughout the ages, the fakers have made us go through crap,
Though a different day, don’t let ‘em tame or hold you back…



Verse 2:
And durin’ higher learnin’, I’d start to love the underground
Writin’ early, no worries as chirpin’ birdies come around,
Then I would rap for students who would groove in our room,
We got high and played music to muted cartoons,
Developin’ my lyricism and rhythm, I’m battle ready,
I was rapping messy to a beat that’s sample heavy,
Imaginin a band that’s jammin’ on my rooftop
Who’d a thought I’d use a lot of pen and pad and boom box,
With 2Pac, The Roots, and AZ
A few dropped the truth and raised me
To a higher level with the air to win a marathon,
Better songs got me gettin’ up quicker than Pharoahe Monch,
Carry on, today feces is catered,
The industry forgets and left my species endangered,
Although a label pays you with 10 G,
Signin’ contracts doesn’t make you an emcee…


(Back to hook)


Verse 3:
Shots out to ill cats, still rappin’ for the love of it
Because you’re not killin’ your craft for a couple chips
And if you agree, get buck wild like the Hammer dance
Sag your baggy pants like they just had an avalanche
‘Cause hey now, today’s route has lame clout,
And they doubt I’ll leave this old and gray style that’s played out
Just know that I don’t care, you can call me dinosaur
Rhyme is more to me, if you don’t like it, help me find the door
See, I’m among the children of the archives
A slim kid who’s chillin’ on the Pharcyde
Don’t let the media drown you with how to think
And you bet I’d feel foul if some albums were out of print
It’s Me Against The World gettin’ Doe or Die
I’m askin’ “Do You Want More???!!”, you betta vocalize
‘Cause I was flowin’ back when there was a growing rap trend
I’m just sayin’… Hip Hop was doper back then…

(Back to hook 3x)