Rakim, Clark Kent bring it on

[Repeat: x2]
What you wanna say to make me stay awhile
What you wanna say to make me wanna stay

Just me and my peeps we getting buzzed, looking for clubs
Misses with kisses and hugs, looking for love
She gotta be nice with hers, even with cooking some grub
Once I'm in I meet her friends, then I'm hooking my thugs
We'll be blowing hundreds, always knowing where the fun is
Roadrunners finding more spots than Columbus
Pocket full of phone numbers from some of the world wonders
I take my time, and find where the right one is
Smooth as jazz but more than a half, ready for math
And on a steady path, like Betty Shabazz
And when I see the whiz I'ma step to my biz
And there she is, let's see if she pass the quiz
It's appropriate we go get soaking wet
Toast, we met, become close associates
The place is ours by now I can embrace your style
So much flavor I can taste your smile, stay awhile

[Chorus]
Why don't you, stay a little while
Stay, stay a little while, child
Baby, why don't you, stay a little while
Stay, stay a little while, child
Baby, why don't you

We on the low mating, infiltrating, negotiating
We both be making moves and dough, M.O.'s relating
She ain't taking I want it but yo I know she waiting
I throw the bait in, and before you know we dating
I want the format, to the doormat
Contacts fast, callbacks and all that
Your deepest ecstasy see you wear accessory
Your secret recipes to your bear necessities
She real exotic body feel like Lucile Roberts
Name brand closets, culturized products
Claws like a scorpion caught me in deeper
But juice sweeter, enough to buy a two seater
Every mile I plan to have your mind beguiled
Til it informs me more than you would normally allow
Raised more than an eyebrow with a flagrant style
By now I can taste your smile, stay awhile

[Chorus]

Sometimes it's hard to fight it and not let her see me get excited
But she know I like it, she know the deal like a psychic
Mind is haunted, because I always find her on it
She know what I want, where I want, when I want it
Blowing up my Motorola, daddy you coming over?
She on the sofa, holding a remote controller
Candles burning lower, favorite dish getting colder
She hot as solar, cause I told her I wanna hold her
But her mission she sitting in one position like Yoda
A TV show is on to top it off she dead sober
Then I open the door up, and kiss her on the shoulder
She say I'm rolling, like Mr. Lover Lover
We had a hard day, ready to parlay
My thirsts they obey everything that God say
Okay let's play awhile and I'll embrace your style
So much flavor I can taste your smile, stay awhile

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

Rakim's song Stay A While is a portrayal of the rapper's lifestyle, as well as a narrative about his experiences with women. The song's central theme is the search for love, with Rakim chronicling his nights out with his friends and his encounters with women. Rakim employs a smooth, effortless flow over a mellifluous beat that complements his lyrics.

The song begins with Rakim and his friends getting ready for a night out, looking for clubs, and seeking romance. Rakim stresses that the woman he desires must be "nice with hers," in addition to having the ability to cook a good meal. Once he has found a woman he likes, he takes his time getting to know her, collecting phone numbers, and spending a significant amount of time mingling with her friends, and then introducing her to his friends.

Rakim is captivated by the woman's style, and they soon begin to spend more and more time together, taking their relationship to the next level. Rakim emphasizes that their relationship is passionate, but he also recognizes that there are certain challenges that they must overcome. Despite this, he remains committed to her and seeks to savor their time together.

Overall, Stay A While is a simplistic yet expressive song that offers a window into Rakim's complex personality.

Line by Line Meaning

Rakim, Clark Kent bring it on
Rakim and Clark Kent are introducing the song and encouraging the listener to listen and enjoy.

What you wanna say to make me stay awhile
Rakim is asking someone what they can say to make him stick around for a while.

Just me and my peeps we getting buzzed, looking for clubs
Rakim and his friends are drinking and searching for nightclubs to have a good time.

Misses with kisses and hugs, looking for love
They are also looking for romantic partners to give them love and affection.

She gotta be nice with hers, even with cooking some grub
Rakim is looking for a girl who is skilled in cooking, among other qualities.

Once I'm in I meet her friends, then I'm hooking my thugs
Once he gets to know the girl, Rakim introduces her to his crew and gets them involved with her group.

We'll be blowing hundreds, always knowing where the fun is
Rakim and his friends are spending a lot of money and always finding new, exciting places to go.

Roadrunners finding more spots than Columbus
They are very successful in finding and exploring new, unknown places.

Pocket full of phone numbers from some of the world wonders
Rakim has many phone numbers from potential partners from all over the world.

I take my time, and find where the right one is
He is taking his time to carefully select the right girl to be with.

Smooth as jazz but more than a half, ready for math
Rakim is smooth in his approach, but also intelligent and strategic.

And on a steady path, like Betty Shabazz
Like the inspirational and steadfast Betty Shabazz, Rakim is also staying focused and steady in his life path.

And when I see the whiz I'ma step to my biz
When he sees a girl he is interested in, he makes a move to get to know her.

And there she is, let's see if she pass the quiz
He is testing her and seeing if she matches his expectations.

It's appropriate we go get soaking wet
Rakim suggests it's time to have some fun together, possibly by going for a swim or getting caught in the rain.

Toast, we met, become close associates
After getting to know each other, they become close friends or potentially romantic partners.

The place is ours by now I can embrace your style
They are comfortable with each other and he enjoys her personality and mannerisms.

So much flavor I can taste your smile, stay awhile
He is really enjoying her company and wants her to stick around for longer.

We on the low mating, infiltrating, negotiating
Rakim and the girl are pursuing a secret or undercover relationship, and they are negotiating the details.

We both be making moves and dough, M.O.'s relating
They both are making power moves and money, and their strategies are aligned.

She ain't taking I want it but yo I know she waiting
Although he is interested in her, she may not be taking his advances seriously, but he believes she is interested in him too.

I throw the bait in, and before you know we dating
He puts out the bait and before she knows it, they are dating.

I want the format, to the doormat
He wants to know all the details and specifics of their relationship, down to the doormat.

Contacts fast, callbacks and all that
He is building a strong relationship with her, including frequent communication and follow-ups.

Your deepest ecstasy see you wear accessory
He sees her as his partner in all aspects of life, including his deepest pleasures and desires.

Your secret recipes to your bear necessities
He wants to know everything about her, even her deepest, most essential secrets and habits.

She real exotic body feel like Lucile Roberts
He finds her very attractive, and her body reminds him of a famous fitness club chain.

Name brand closets, culturized products
She has expensive, well-known clothing and products, showing her class and sophistication.

Claws like a scorpion caught me in deeper
He is getting more and more attached to her as time goes on.

But juice sweeter, enough to buy a two seater
Although he is getting more involved, he is enjoying it more and more, and it's worth it to him to spend his money and have a nice car.

Every mile I plan to have your mind beguiled
He plans to continually captivate and intrigue her with his words and actions.

Til it informs me more than you would normally allow
He wants to know everything about her, even the things she might not tell someone else.

Raised more than an eyebrow with a flagrant style
He is confident in his bold personality and approach, which may surprise or impress others.

By now I can taste your smile, stay awhile
He is really enjoying her company and wants her to stick around for longer.

Sometimes it's hard to fight it and not let her see me get excited
Sometimes he struggles to keep his feelings in check and not be too eager around her.

But she know I like it, she know the deal like a psychic
She knows him well and is aware of his feelings and tendencies.

Mind is haunted, because I always find her on it
He is continually thinking about her and cannot stop thinking about her.

She know what I want, where I want, when I want it
She is aware of his desires and is in tune with him.

Blowing up my Motorola, daddy you coming over?
She is calling him frequently, asking him to come over.

She on the sofa, holding a remote controller
She is relaxing on the sofa, holding the TV remote control.

Candles burning lower, favorite dish getting colder
She has prepared a nice meal for him, but it's getting cold as they spend time together.

She hot as solar, cause I told her I wanna hold her
He finds her very attractive and he wants to embrace her.

But her mission she sitting in one position like Yoda
She is focused on something, and sitting very still like the character Yoda from Star Wars.

A TV show is on to top it off she dead sober
She is watching a TV show, and he realizes that she is not drinking or getting drunk.

Then I open the door up, and kiss her on the shoulder
He makes a move on her and kisses her on the shoulder.

She say I'm rolling, like Mr. Lover Lover
She finds him very charming and smooth like the famous Reggae artist, Shaggy.

We had a hard day, ready to parlay
They have had a long, difficult day and are ready to relax and have some fun.

My thirsts they obey everything that God say
He is following all of his desires and impulses, almost like a religious practice.

Okay let's play awhile and I'll embrace your style
He suggests they have some fun together, and he will accept and appreciate all aspects of her personality.

So much flavor I can taste your smile, stay awhile
He is really enjoying her company and wants her to stick around for longer.

Why don't you, stay a little while
Rakim is encouraging the person he is talking to, or the listener, to stick around for longer, to enjoy the time together.

Stay, stay a little while, child
He is calling the person he is talking to, or the listener, a child and is asking them to stay with him for longer.

Baby, why don't you
He is addressing the person he is talking to, or the listener, with a term of endearment, and asking them to stay longer.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Brian

on R.A.K.I.M.

43w

Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra

R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'

I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Ayo, when Rakim Allah attack, it's a wrap, y'all, relax
The almanac, just show me where the party's at
Seminars and tracks, cause, comas, and cardiacs
Broads and cats screaming, "oh, my God, he's back"
Just imagine, I hit the lab and get it crackin'
A thousand styles in one verse, rhythms will switch patterns
Chicks get stabbed in the back, 'til they get spasms
Known to spit a magnum, or split an atom
Who woulda known that Jesus would come back to the ghetto
On that level, and that thorough, like a black hero
And pack metal, so rap rebels, will back pedal
The pharaoh of five boroughs, and take over the rap world
Gettin' bizarre, hardcore, this is for y'all
The crib or the park, play it when you get in the car
Chill at the bar, sip somethin' or split a cigar
Get with your dogs, don't be alarmed, this kid is the bomb

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Uh, yeah, yo, I used to paint this flow, on ancient scrolls
And learn to make this dough where gangstas roll
Think like the late great Capone when the bank is closed
It's cats that claim they bold, but they ain't this cold
I'm from New York City even pretty chicks act up
Niggas get clapped up, you stack up, they stick that up
Quick to strap up, you'd think my name was "kid, back up"
Big niggas, pick that up or lift that up
Raised by gangstas and gamblers, hustlers, con artists
And convicts, killers and dons
Drug dealers, players and pimps, smooth talkers
Stick-up kids, thugs, real niggas and gods
Haunted by every soul that lay dead in the turf
Cursed by every spirit that never made it to birth
Since the Moon separated from Earth
That's why they say I'm the greatest that ever orchestrated a verse

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne

Ayo, toast to that, it's the cat that broke backs
To a soul clap, I smoke a track, how dope is that
Pope of rap, wrote backs that most slack
That note back before they turned coke to crack
To my dogs hearin' sirens on the firearms
Outcome die in wars or behind iron bars
The boulevard, retire frauds when I evolve
Try and rob my dialogue, I am God
Chicks moan just to get next to my throne
And sniff my cologne and get Ra alone
Sex pots at home, I'm testosterone
Caress spots, dress drops, bed rocks the bone
Hit the floor, it's hot for 2003
Hits galore, who rock a style as wild as me?
Rest assured, when I rock def crowds and scream
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne