Before
Chris Lowe/Neil Tennant Lyrics

Never heard it like - quite like this before
The song is unique and unlike anything heard before

Never heard it like - quite like this before
The song is unique and unlike anything heard before

Now first off the bat, nah y'all who dat?
Introduction to the artist and questioning listeners' familiarity with them

Think about where you first heard the skull snap
Asking listeners to reflect on their first experience with a particular sound in hip-hop

First of all, y'all don't know me
Listeners do not actually know the artist personally despite hearing their music

I'm on the cover of the XXL between Steel and Jarobi
The artist was featured on the cover of a hip-hop magazine between two other prominent artists

"The Greatest Day in Hip-Hop History" is to be marked
Referring to a significant historical event in hip-hop

Mad contacts just got sparked
The artist has made many new connections and opportunities in their career

F'real, that's why I'm here
The artist is fortunate to be in their current position and acknowledges the impact of their hard work

Sleeping Bag wasn't cursin me, this my 10th anniversary
The artist has reached a milestone in their career with a label they previously had issues with

I trooped it back from the day in Connecticut
Referencing the artist's journey and hard work in their career

y'all live, real niggaz lick shots, peace to Shaolin
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life and paying respect to a particular place and culture

Let's get it rugged like rough rugs and stuff
Motivating listeners to embrace a rough and raw sound

And break shit down like construction trucks
Encouraging listeners to break down barriers and be bold in their approach to music

Word up to M.O., to the ten year demo
Shouting out a particular person or group and acknowledging a demonstration of success over time

I made him come clean, one mean lean machine
The artist was able to motivate someone to change and become successful

I tell you like this, if y'all prefer
Providing listeners with a choice or option

You gon' hear this funk shit 'til your vision a-blur
The artist will continue to make music in a certain style regardless of popular opinion

y'all millionaires pay attention, player hatin and dissin
Calling out successful individuals who may not support the artist or their work

Sharp minds'll find this the shit y'all missin
The artist believes those who are intelligent and open-minded will appreciate their music

See I'm all about the skin I'm in, back to black
The artist is comfortable with and proud of their appearance and identity

Let's begin again, my complexion like cinnamon
Moving forward and acknowledging the artist's skin tone in a positive way

Best believe somethin up my sleeve
The artist has a trick or surprise in store

With no competition, just can not achieve
The artist is not in competition with others and is simply focused on their own success

A sexy sucker, but the mind is sane
The artist may have a seductive image, but they are also intelligent and level-headed

Havin nothin to lose but my goal's to gain
The artist is ambitious and has nothing to lose by pursuing their goals

That's plain to see, that's on the strength of Mic G
The artist's abilities and success are evident and influenced by someone or something

Yes lord I hold it down real tightly
The artist is confident in their abilities and is able to maintain their success

I take it to the top one time for all y'all
The artist is striving for the highest level of success and wants to include everyone in their journey

The ladies and the gentlemen, hustlin and pedalin
Acknowledging a diverse and hardworking audience

Whoever you are, I know your type by far
The artist understands and is familiar with their audience

Have some respect and keep that act up to par
Encouraging listeners to have respect and maintain a certain standard of behavior

The rules of my game for your protection (protection)
Providing listeners with guidelines for their own safety or well-being

To keep you movin in the right direction
Encouraging listeners to stay focused and continue on their own path towards success

The ball in your court, Chris Lowe shoot the shot
The artist is handing control over to themselves and will take their own shot at success

Some brothers, might like it, some brothers, might not
Acknowledging that not everyone will enjoy or appreciate the artist's work

Do it different? Not at all, the funk don't fall boy
The artist will continue to make the same style of music as they have in the past

You nuts, niggaz got classic cuts
Acknowledging the talent and success of other artists in the same genre

Check the script, as I flip, it ain't nuttin
Flipping the script or changing things up, but it is no problem for the artist

I hear presto rappers, instant, pushin for buttons
Acknowledging a trend in popular music where artists try to create instant hits with mainstream appeal

But this here original, from analog to the digital
The artist's music is unique and diverse, spanning both older and newer technology

It's clear to see that mean it's rippable
The artist's music is both enjoyable and easy to relate to

to death, the last funk nigga left
The artist is dedicated to making funk music and is one of the last remaining artists doing so

I needed a record, to save my last breath
The artist's music is important to them and gives them motivation and purpose

Push it up, cause you might not ever hear me again
Encouraging listeners to enjoy and appreciate the artist's music because they may not have the opportunity to do so in the future

I'm Chris Lowe, see y'all in another ten
The artist is confident in their success and predicts they will still be around and making music in the future

Never heard it like - quite like this before
The song is unique and unlike anything heard before

Never heard it like - quite like this before
The song is unique and unlike anything heard before