seasons
CunninLynguists feat. Masta Ace Lyrics

As we spring back to the past, it was all happening fast
Reflecting on the past and how quickly everything happened.

We glorified coke and smoking crack in a glass
Romanticizing drug use and addiction.

When b-boys danced to the latest jam
Recalling and honoring the art form of breakdancing.

You could say this man was the greatest fan
Expressing deep passion for hip-hop culture.

When shoelaces were fat, and all the rapper's faces were black
Remembering fashion trends and racial diversity in the early days of hip-hop.

And light-brown, a box with the right sound was all you needed
Minimalistic approach to the music - all you needed was good beats out of a single audio device.

When it blast... they must move
When the beat dropped, you couldn't help but dance and move your body.

You just proved you're hard like L in Krush Groove
Referencing a legendary hip-hop moment and proving oneself as a true fan of the culture.

And songs started to drop - Ain't nobody start at the top
Noting the struggle and hard work it took for artists to get where they are today.

Before Preme (DJ Premier) learned the art of the chop
Acknowledging the skill and mastering required to become a true DJ and producer.

This is way before SP's... and MPC's
Reflecting on the technology and equipment used in the early days of hip-hop production.

And long before CD's and MP3's
Continuing to recognize the technology differences in music consumption over time.

The game started to bloom and blossom
Noting the growth and success of hip-hop culture.

And masters ready for the ceremony, like a groom in costume
Equating hip-hop pioneers and legends to groomsmen at a wedding ceremony, ready to celebrate the culture they helped create.

Growth from the rain of the previous years
Acknowledging that growth and success comes from the struggles and hardships of previous years.

I took notes from what I heard through these devious ears
Gaining wisdom and knowledge from the ups and downs of hip-hop culture.

As Summer's heatwaves ascended in it's splendid manner
Describing the hot summer days and their beauty.

Green was flooding our scene, although the skin was tanner
Celebrating the diversity of the hip-hop scene and recognizing the differences in skin color.

"Fuck The Police!" jumpin over radio scanners
Referencing the political messages present in hip-hop music.

It was hot in the shade, wet paint all over the canvans
Describing the creative and artistic nature of hip-hop culture.

Fuck Vanilla Ice cones, we had T, Cube's Amerikka's Most
Dismissing pop music in favor of true hip-hop artists like Ice-T and Ice Cube.

Talent pools were full and fresh for swimming
Noting the abundance of fresh talent entering the hip-hop scene at the time.

Backstrokin' through Dark Sides and Illmatic beginnings
Referencing classic hip-hop albums as inspirations and influences on new artists.

Them lemonade stands would make you street platinum
Noting the entrepreneurial spirit and DIY mentality of hip-hop artists.

It was 2 Live. Florida crews caught heat for rappin
Referencing the controversy and backlash faced by some hip-hop artists at the time.

But free speech pollination kept bee's colonizing in hives
Celebrating the importance of free speech and expression within the hip-hop community.

And stung Delores Tucker right in her pride
Referencing Delores Tucker's crusade against rap music and the community's backlash against her.

The Tribes ocean splash was rising the tide
Recognizing the success and influence of groups like A Tribe Called Quest in the hip-hop community.

Strictly 4 My Niggaz that were ready to die in the ride
Referencing Tupac's album of the same name and celebrating the authenticity and realness of hip-hop music.

I wish the summer's vibe could've lasted forever
Longing for the beauty and vibrancy of the summer hip-hop scene.

To bad we had to have a change in that weather. that shit was beautiful
Acknowledging the inevitability of change and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.

"Seasons Change, mad things rearrange" - Lauryn Hill, "How Many Mics"
Referencing Lauryn Hill's lyrics to acknowledge the ever-changing nature of the hip-hop industry.

"Play me in the winter, play me in the summer, play in the autumn, any order"- Ladybug, "9th Wonder"
Referencing Ladybug's lyrics to celebrate the timeless and versatile nature of classic hip-hop music.

"Trees bright and green turn yellow brown, autumn caught em See all them leaves must fall down" - Andre 3000, "13th Floor/Growing Old"
Referencing Andre 3000's lyrics to acknowledge the cycle of change and growth present in both nature and hip-hop culture.

As the East vs. West winds blew, causing two Legends to Fall like maple leaves from escalated beef
Noting the tragic events surrounding the Tupac/Biggie feud and the influence of regional differences in hip-hop.

Assumed that the worst was over Til these cats started wearing shiny costumes like the 31st of October
Acknowledging the disappointing turn towards commercialization and gimmicks in hip-hop fashion and culture.

The weather's colder, but the word jacket/jack it Is what they did to people's styles, not what they covered they backs with
Playing on the double meaning of 'jacket' to critique the loss of authenticity and creativity in hip-hop style.

Tactics of the skill impaired No Limit to what they'll do when the green is scarce
Noting the negative impact of greed and lack of skill in the industry.

Some be Thanksgiving for who they know, while others get jerked for loot Cause gettin signed ain't a turkey shoot
Acknowledging the cutthroat nature of the music industry and the struggle for artists to be recognized and signed.

No respect for the pilgrims who paved the way so you could rock that Just pop crap and Plymouth Rock-Rap
Critiquing the lack of reverence and gratitude for hip-hop pioneers and the commodification of culture.

Beyond gimmicks and fake plastic tits Outkast and Raekwon dropped fall classic discs
Celebrating the authenticity and artistry of true hip-hop artists like Outkast and Raekwon.

Born to Roll, so I'm taking you back to school days of autumn Before the bottom dropped out in 2K
Taking listeners back to the early days of hip-hop and reminiscing about the genre's success pre-2000s.

By the dawn of the new millennium we saw bright chains Winter brought along platinum causing the ice age
Noting the changing trends in hip-hop style and the rise of materialism and commercial success.

No more Gold, no more YO! MTV RAPS Now we got R&B cats stealing classic rap tracks
Critiquing the shift away from classic hip-hop programming and the appropriation of the genre by R&B artists.

In winter it's snowed in like the temperature's below ten Citizens open up shows for more snowmen
Playing on the double meaning of 'snowed in' to comment on the abundance of fake and copycat hip-hop artists.

Scrawny boys rock bubblegooses to pose like grown men And you can catch freezer burn from women when they show skin
Critiquing the superficial and toxic nature of hip-hop culture and its impact on gender roles and expectations.

Jolly, fat, white men get paid when rap hits the shelves And artists themselves get treated like Elves Matter of fact, Santa's gotten so greedy when a rapper sells You even need clearance to sample Jingle Bells
Critiquing the cultural appropriation and greed that often accompanies the commercial success of hip-hop music.

What the hell! You need cells and 2 ways for chicks to bone ya? And so much ice on ya body that you can get pneumonia
Mocking and criticizing the excessive materialism and misogynistic attitudes present in some hip-hop music.

Even at the beaches of Daytona it's gotten colder But it's about time for the cycle to start over (echo)
Acknowledging the cyclical nature of hip-hop culture and recognizing that change is inevitable.