Old School
DANGERDOOM Lyrics

One two three, in the place to be!
Announcing their presence and ready to perform.

MF Doom, Talib Kweli, ah here we go
Introducing themselves as the performers of the song and starting the performance.

On born days, I used to blow out the candles; and every Saturday Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels
Describing their childhood routine of celebrating their birthday and then watching cartoons followed by a TV show hosted by Ralph McDaniels.

I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl And a paused beat from my stereo
Describing how they used to develop their rap skills while having cereal and listening to music.

Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach
Boasting about their powerful and impressive lyrics.

Yeah I'm gangster like the frog on Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse Maybe I'm trippin and it's just a cartoon to you But I got chills when I heard how Doom flipped the Scooby Doo
Making a reference to cartoon characters, including one being portrayed as a gangster. Sharing how they get inspired by cartoons and gave an example from a song by MF Doom.

And, I might be buggin but it seem to me That cartoons be realer than reality TV They inspire my decision to be open and listen But folks got it all twisted, like a yoga position
Stating that cartoons have a realness to them that is often lacking in reality TV, which inspires them to be receptive and understanding. However, people misunderstand this like a complex yoga position.

Like, in order to spit it dope, you gotta have a criminal past That's similar to the cast of Different Strokes
Dismissing the belief that one needs to have a criminal past to produce good rap and comparing it to a similar misconception about the cast of Different Strokes.

Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke
Sharing how they and their friends get together to eat and smoke while engaging in enriching conversations that are subjective to one's definition of being financially broke.

I draw on anything for inspiration A fond memory, a piece of paper, walls in a train station
Describing how they find inspiration for their rap anywhere and from anything, including a pleasant memory, a piece of paper or even walls in a train station.

Fellas grab your nutsacs, chicks squeeze your breastesses We ain't all that grown, it's still funny like Goin to the store on your own with rainbow money
Making a humorous reference to sex organs and stating that despite growing up, they can still find amusement in simple things like going to a store with colorful money.

Since then had an insane flow sonny Walkin to the corner rhymin in the rain, nose runny Breakdancin maybe ten, bummy Is when Subroc would run up handspring Arabian somee!
Recalling their early days of developing their rap skills and sharing about their friend Subroc's impressive acrobatic skills.

Ooh wee, like a Hong Kong Phooey kick Or a weekend afternoon, karate movie flick Slept good, no justice, no peace Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police
Drawing influence from Asian martial arts pop culture and movies. Sharing how they were able to sleep well without worry due to not involving the police.

Shot the fair one nobody ran to get the gat Or felt they had to put it up in they raps to set it fat And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat? What type of chitlins is that?
Reflecting on how people used to settle things without resorting to violence or using weapons as an intimidation tactic. Questioning the trend of associating good rap skills with violence and questioning its relevance.

The Super Villain as the bat, hide your tonic Whoever willin to ride, provide raw chronic
Ending the song with another reference to another character and offering comfort to those willing to ride with them by providing ‘raw chronic’.