Freedom of Speech
Above the Law Lyrics

Yo, what's happenin, man?
Introduction to the song.

Yo, they tryin to come down on the ATL when whe speak
The government is trying to censor the rap group Above the Law (ATL).

They say we on a negative tip
The government says their music is too violent and negative.

Now I'ma kick a way-out style that's smoother than usual
The rapper will use a unique and smooth style of rapping for this song.

It's from Above The Law, so see, it's crucial
The song is important and unique because it is by Above the Law.

Hype beats are kickin and rippin, yo, with a funky touch
The music is upbeat and funky.

It's done the Ruthless way, some say it's too much
The song is produced in the trademark style of the record label Ruthless Records, some people think it is too extreme.

D-o-p-e, please don't misdefine it
Dope (good) is a slang word and shouldn't be misunderstood.

That's the way that I live and, that's the style of my rhyme
The rapper's lifestyle and rhyming style both embody the word 'dope'.

That's on time, just like your watch keeps tickin
The rapper's style is always on time, like a clock.

(KM.G) on my side, so that my knowledge keeps stickin
KM.G is with the rapper, so his message will spread further.

Now what's really known as a radio cut?
What qualifies as a song that can be played on the radio?

When you can't say (shit) and you can't say (fuck)
Swear words can't be used in radio cuts.

I really think you want to hear it
The listeners actually want to hear the explicit lyrics.

But the radio stations, you see, they still gonna fear it
Radio stations are afraid to play explicit songs.

Yo, I thought this country was based upon freedom of speech
The rapper questions the country's supposed protection of free speech.

Freedom of press, freedom of your own religion
The freedom of speech includes freedom of press and religion too.

To make your own decision, now that's baloney
The rapper believes that the idea of making your own decisions is a lie.

Cause if I gotta play by your rules, I'm bein phoney
If he has to censor himself, he feels fake.

Yo, I got to cater to this person or that person
The rapper feels like he has to please different groups of people.

I got to rhyme for the white or the black person?
He feels like he has to cater to two different races.

Why can't it all be equal?
He wishes everyone could be treated equally.

Music is a universal language for all people
Music can bring people together regardless of race or culture.

I better get off the rebellious tip
He will stop being rebellious.

Before somebody out there say I'm startin to slip
He will stop before someone thinks he's losing it.

I ain't trippin, I'm steadily flowin and throwin
He's doing his thing and staying true to his roots.

Givin you a dope style
He's giving you his unique and cool style of rap.

Keepin me on top of the pile
His style keeps him popular.

Cause ATL'll soon take over the nation
He believes his group Above the Law will become nationally popular.

And if you don't want to hear us, well, change the station
If someone doesn't like their music, they can switch to another station.

Boo! I sneak in your mind your mind
He's getting into the minds of his listeners.

Sink in your mind, creep from behind
His message is sinking in and spreading.

So fast that you won't have time
His message is spreading quickly.

To deny a brother that's from the streets
He doesn't want society to ignore the struggles and experiences of someone from the streets.

Tryin to teach, hopin to reach
He's trying to educate and connect with his listeners.

Yo, 187's not one that's known to preach
He's not known for being preachy.

But I wish for each to have freedom of speech
He wishes for everyone to be able to speak their mind.

(Congress shall make no law
He quotes the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Respecting an establishment of religion
The government cannot endorse a religion.

Or prehibiting the free exercise thereof
The government cannot prohibit people from practicing their religion.

Or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press)
The government cannot censor or limit free speech or press.

They'll milk you to make it understood
The government will manipulate and control the public's opinion.

They make it good, so that it taste real good
They make their message appealing.

To you, so see, you fall right in it
The public blindly follows the government's message.

Your minds are small, they feed you like infants
The government treats the public like they're unintelligent.

Like children they'll bring you along
The government manipulates and controls the public like children.

They say we're wrong for makin a rap song
Critics say that rap music is inappropriate and wrong.

But ATL'll hit you straight up jam after jam
Above the Law will keep producing popular, catchy music.

Long as we say what we want, make our stamps, we don't give a damn
The group will express themselves freely even if critics don't like it.

Those that want to sell out need to get the fuck out the business
Artists who compromise their values should leave the music industry.

Cause they ain't doin nothin but bluffin
Sell out artists are fake and not true artists.

Me, I get wild every rhyme I release
The rapper is passionate about his music and lyrics.

Whether I talk about violence or talk about peace
He expresses himself on different topics.

Cause violence is somethin that happens in society
Violence is a result of social problems.

When people are livin low and don't kow where they can go
People turn to violence when they feel hopeless.

But peace, I think we all want peace
Everyone desires peace.

But it's too much to face, and it's too far to reach
Attaining peace is a difficult task.

Whether I say my rhymes fast, slow, sloppy or neat
He raps in different styles.

See, I wish when I'm doin, to have freedom of speech
He wishes to express himself freely.

Now if they ban me, I don't give a fuck
He's willing to be banned for speaking his mind.

Chalk it up as experience (yeah, bad luck)
Being banned is just another life experience.

Because I'm ballin with Laylaw's clout
He has Laylaw's support and power behind him.

And if he say that it stays, the shit comes out
If Laylaw approves, the music will be released.

Cause in the early days when rap first began
He reflects on the early days of rap music.

Some fool jumped up and said it soon would end
Someone foolishly predicted that rap music wouldn't last.

But nowadays I hear song after song
Rap music continues to thrive.

And it proved to me that the fool was wrong
The critic was proven wrong.

So yo, cut the bullshit, all set aside
He's done with the nonsense and ready to speak his mind.

It's time for the people to realize
The public needs to wake up and understand.

About the things that happen in the ghetto which those try to hide
He wants to bring attention to problems in poor neighborhoods that are ignored.

When they know we just strive to survive
People who live in poverty are just trying to make it through life.

(The homie said he'd have a job, if you'd give him a break)
The rapper speaks for someone who can't find work.

But when he gets it (he goes by the other man's ways)
When he finally finds a job, he has to follow someone else's rules.

Now see, there's just one more thing I have to talk about
He has one more issue to address.

'bout how they say rap music is turnin kids out
Critics say that rap music negatively influences children.

You got to give your child credit for what he can do
Parents should trust their children's abilities.

Plus the way that they're raised is really up to you
Parents are responsible for raising their children.

Rap music, a form of literature
He believes that rap is a form of literature.

Words and verbs and adjectives
Rap lyrics consist of words and parts of speech.

Painted up like a picture
The lyrics create an image in the listener's mind.

Yo, it's gonna hitcha, yo, it's gonna getcha
The music will affect and impact the listener.

And when I'm all finished up, it's gonna fitcha
When he's done, the listener will be hooked.

(Hittin the nation) station to station (heavy rotation)
His music is gaining popularity and being played on many stations.

So strong that it's keepin the pace, and
His music is so popular that it's setting the trend.

We will speak out on any situation
He will speak out on any issue.

But while we're doin
While he's rapping,

Yo, we gotta have freedom of speech
He insists on his right to free speech.