I Know You Got Soul
Eric B. & Rakim Lyrics

It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you
It has been a while since I have presented with a strong rhyme.

Without a strong rhyme to step to
Without a good rhyme to perform with.

Think of how many weak shows you slept through
Reflect on how many poor performances you have experienced.

Time's up I'm sorry I kept you
Time has passed, and I regret not creating better content for you.

Thinking of this you keep repeating you miss
As you contemplate this, you continuously express your longing for

The rhymes from the microphone soloist
The lyrics from the rapper who performs without a band.

And you sit by the radio hand on the dial soon
You sit near the radio, waiting to adjust the volume soon.

As you hear it pump up the volume
Reacting to the beat of the music as it gets closer and louder.

Dance wit the speaker 'til you hear it blow
Keep dancing even after the music reaches its maximum volume.

Then plug in the headphone 'cause here it go
Listen, now, with headphones to experience the music on a more personal level.

It's a 4 letter word when it's heard, it control
The beat of the music affects a person's state of mind and body.

Your body to dance (you got it) soul
The body reacts through movement, and the soul feels the emotion consistent with the felt rhythm.

Detects the tempo like a red alert
The soul recognizes the rhythm immediately and automatically.

Reaches your reflex, so let it work
The sound reaches a reflex action that should be embraced without conscious thought.

When this is playing, you can't get stuck wit
When this music is on, don't limit yourself to specific movements

The steps, so get set and I'm a still come up wit
The movement is not dictated by a particular step, and I will continue to create innovative sounds.

A gift to be swift, follow the leader, the rhyme will go
Speed is a talent, follow me as the frontman, capturing the rhymes as they flow.

Def wit the record that was mixed a long time ago
My rhymes are consistent and impressive, even if the music is from an earlier time.

It can be done but only I can do it
It takes a certain level of skill to do, and I am the only one who can do it justice.

For those that can dance and clap your hands to it
For those that can appreciate the rhymes and the rhythm of the music, by moving and applauding.

I start to think and then I sink
As I contemplate my craft, my focus intensifies.

Into the paper like I was ink
My creative thoughts pour out onto the page like ink.

When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines
While writing, I am absorbed in the meaning of the words, and it's challenging to disconnect.

I escape when I finish the rhyme
I complete a piece when I write a pivotal stanza.

I got soul
I have a lot of emotions that allow me to create real and honest music.

You got it
You also have the same set of emotions and talent necessary to embrace the music.

Picture a mic, the stage is empty
Imagine the image of a microphone, void of a performer or audience.

A beat like this might tempt me
I would be encouraged to begin performing with this beat.

To pose, show my rings and my fat gold chain
To present myself and my accessories to the audience during the performance.

Grab the mic like I'm on Soul Train
Take hold of the microphone while dancing on stage, similar to the performers on 'Soul Train'.

But I'll wait 'cause I mastered this
I have patience because I have perfected my craft.

Let the others go first so the brothers don't miss
Wait so other artists have an opportunity to perform before the audience goes without hearing them.

Eric B. break the sticks (you got it)
Eric B. will begin the beats when he is ready, and yes, you understand.

Rakim will begin when you make the mix
When the mix is complete, I will begin my performance.

I'll experiment like a scientist
I innovate and explore new sounds like a researcher in a laboratory.

You want to rhyme, you gotta sign my list
If you want to perform with me, you must let me scrutinize what you have to offer first.

'Cause I'm a manifest and bless the mic I hold
Because when performing, my message is influential, and I remarkably grace studio microphones, maintaining it as a musical cornerstone

You want it next? then you gotta have soul
If you want to be next, you must have a similar, impressive gift for music.

'Cause if you ain't got it, I'm a make an encore
If you are not up to par, I will perform again to prove myself.

Take the mic, make the people respond for
Take the microphone and engage the crowd in a response.

The R, 'cause that's the way it'll have to be
I represent 'The R,' which signifies royalty, and I am bound to this honor.

If you want to get on after me
If you want to perform after my performance finishes.

Think about it, wait, erase your rhyme
Take your time to consider your work before performing, and refine your lyrics as much as possible.

Forget it and don't waste your time
If you decide to abandon the effort, do not expend any additional energy.

'Cause I'll be in the crowd if you ain't controlling it
If you cannot control the audience, then I will be present to intervene.

Drop the mic, you shouldn't be holding it
If the audience is insulting or threatening, and you cannot prevent it, drop the microphone and exit the stage.

This is how it should be done
This is the level of excellence that should be present in all musical performances.

This style is identical to none
This style of music is in its unique class, with no equal.

Some try to make it sound like this but you're getting me
Others attempt to replicate my style, but my sound is authentic.

So upset that I'm wet 'cause you're sweating me
Because my performance is so good, the audience is sweating with enthusiasm and excitement, which, in turn, causes me to perspire.

I drip steam like a microphone fiend
I exude passion and talent, causing me to perspire intensely.

Eager to MC is my theme
Performing for the audience is what drives me to create music.

I get hype when I hear a drum roll
The beat of the drums excites me and helps me to create music.

Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul
I am performing this evening and am pleased to be delivering inspirational and original music.

Now I'm a stop to see what you got
It is now my turn to pause and allow others to perform.

Get off the mic before I get too hot
You must retreat from the microphone before I become angry or passionate.

I want to see which posse can dance the best
I am eager to see which group has the best dance moves.

It should be easy 'cause the beat is fresh
The music is new and should inspire many new moves that are easily orchestrated.

Now if your from Uptown, Brooklyn- bound
If you come from any of the specified places,

The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound
such as Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound

Even other states come right and exact
People from other states should try to get in on the fun.

It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
Your origins are not significant. What is essential is how you dance tonight and the energy you bring.

Since you came here, you have to show and prove
If you have come here, you must have wanted to prove that you can dance.

And do that dance until it don't move
Dance until the music ends or until you cannot physically move any longer.

'Cause all you need is soul self-esteem will release
All you need to excel on the dance floor is the courage to try, your soul, and the self-esteem to succeed.

The rest is up to you, Rakim 'll say peace
The onus is on you to come up with the moves, and my message to you all is good night and peace out.