For Real
Dual Core Lyrics

This one's for my MCs and real rap fans
This song is dedicated to those who truly appreciate the art of hip-hop and enjoy the lyricism of a talented MC.

The true heart of hip hop that still clap hands
MCs and fans who still honor the roots of hip-hop and engage with its fundamental elements.

Who go to the shows, feel the notes in their soul
True fans who not only attend hip-hop concerts, but also fully immerse themselves in the music, letting it resonate with their souls.

And listen to the wordplay enclosed in the flow
These fans appreciate not only the beats and rhythm of a hip-hop song, but also the clever use of words and rhymes within the lyrics.

Inscribe all the thoughts that they captured dreaming
These hip-hop enthusiasts are inspired by their dreams and thoughts, and they translate their ideas into lyrical form.

Spitting life into verses, giving words meaning
MCs who create powerful lyrics that bring life and meaning to their words.

The freestyle began, my intro to rap
The beginning of Dual Core's own journey into the world of hip-hop as an MC and freestyle rapper.

Making lines rhyme to the beat in a flash
Dual Core's ability to quickly come up with rhyming lines that fit perfectly with the beat of a song.

Other artists bragged to the bills in their stash
Many other artists in the hip-hop industry flaunt their wealth and material possessions.

But I had a student loan couldn't talk about the cash
Dual Core was not one of these artists, as he was still paying off student loans and did not have the financial luxury to talk about money in his songs.

Plus they had rims they would roll in the street
Other artists often showed off their flashy cars with fancy rims on the streets.

The first car I bought was almost older than me
Dual Core's own first car was not something flashy, but rather an older vehicle that he was proud of nonetheless.

I wrote like a pro, and spit what I know
Despite not having the same level of financial success as other artists, Dual Core still wrote and performed with the same passion and skill level as a professional.

Made a link with Six Four and I continued to grow
Dual Core continued to develop his craft by collaborating with fellow hip-hop artist Six Four.

Imagine the surprise when our eyes identified
The shared surprise that Dual Core and Six Four experienced when they discovered how many fans shared their love for hip-hop.

People shared our interests and listening with pride
The pride and joy that Dual Core and Six Four felt when they realized that they were part of a larger community of hip-hop fans who shared their passion.

Nerdcore, geeksta, whatever you may call it
Hip-hop sub-genres like nerdcore and geeksta are sometimes dismissed by more traditional hip-hop fans.

Reveal the real meaning, adjective agnostic
Dual Core argues that musical genres and labels are not important, and that what truly matters is the quality and meaning of the music itself.

This one's for my b-boys and skilled graf writers
This part of the song is dedicated to breakdancers and graffiti artists, who are also essential components of the hip-hop culture.

The true heart of hip hop that still craft fire
These artists are the ones who keep hip-hop culture alive and thriving by creating new and exciting forms of expression.

All sorts of reasons to demonstrate skills for
Breakdancers and graffiti artists find inspiration and motivation in a variety of different sources, from personal pride to environmental factors.

Out on the dance floor or up on the billboard
These artists showcase their skills in a variety of different settings, from street corners and dance battles to larger public events and even commercial advertisements.

Love the graf writers for their piecing and tagging
Dual Core admires graffiti artists for their unique aesthetic sensibilities and their ability to infuse urban landscapes with beauty and artistry.

It gave me a reason to enjoy the train passing
As a hip-hop enthusiast, Dual Core found himself drawn to the art and creativity of graffiti artists, even in unexpected places like passing trains.

Felt the inspiration and took to my flatscreen
Dual Core was inspired by the unique aesthetic styles of graffiti artists, and began experimenting with creating his own digital designs on his computer.

Warez group logos I designed all in ASCII
Dual Core started creating logos for pirated (warez) software groups using only text characters (ASCII art).

Wild font styles, change colors faded
Dual Core experimented with different font styles and colors, creating unique and eye-catching designs.

All the groups around, name an acronym I made it
Dual Core became known for his ability to quickly come up with creative designs and logos for any software group or acronym presented to him.

Tagged every item in the group that had passed through
Dual Core diligently labeled and organized all of the various files and software programs that he came into contact with through his work in the computer underground.

Memorized the characters, every single value
Dual Core developed a deep understanding and mastery of the technical details and character codes used in ASCII art and computer programming.

And freestyle was old if I had to tell the truth
While Dual Core originally got his start in hip-hop as a freestyle rapper, he eventually began to focus more on his skills as a graffiti artist and graphic designer.

Then I met Crazy Legs from the Rock Steady Crew
Dual Core had a chance encounter with the legendary breakdancer Crazy Legs, who helped him to appreciate the importance of all the different elements that make up hip-hop culture.

He said: Hip hop is you, it's in what you do
Crazy Legs taught Dual Core that hip-hop is not just a style of music, but a way of life that is reflected in all of the artistic and creative pursuits of its participants.

And it made me realize this is hip hop too
Dual Core began to view his work as a graffiti artist and computer designer as just as valid a form of hip-hop expression as his skills as an MC and freestyle rapper.

This one's for my DJs above and underground
The final section of the song is dedicated to the DJs, who provide the crucial musical backbone for all of hip-hop culture.

The true heart of hip hop that handles the sound
DJs are the unsung heroes of hip-hop, guiding the rhythm and beat that allows MCs, breakdancers, and graffiti artists to express themselves.

Writers' heads nod, b-boys dance around
The skill of a DJ can be seen in the way that even those who are not directly involved in hip-hop culture are moved by the music, whether by nodding along or breaking into dance.

They fuel the MCs please don't cancel them now
Without a talented DJ to provide the beats and rhythm, an MC would have nothing to rap over, and hip-hop culture would suffer as a result.

All wax or digital they've gotta create
DJs create their art using a variety of different tools and technologies, whether traditional vinyl records or modern digital software.

And somehow they're still out digging in the crates
Despite the abundance of new digital music available today, many DJs still find inspiration and unique samples by searching through old record collections and crate digging.

Bassline for mind, use the rhythm as voice
DJs use the power of music to create an emotional and intellectual impact, both through the use of a strong bassline and through the overall rhythm and flow of their tracks.

Laptop or turntable, weapon of choice
Whether using traditional turntables or modern laptop software, DJs choose the tools and technologies that allow them to best express their creative vision.

Beat juggle, flare, techniques so sick
DJs are true artists in their own right, and develop unique and complex skill sets that allow them to create amazing soundscapes through techniques like beat juggling.

The scratches, the blends, and the fades on the mix
All of the various techniques and styles that a DJ might use to create a rich and complex musical experience for their listeners.

Round out the package, finish it completed
DJs are the not-so-secret ingredient that ties all of the different elements of hip-hop culture together into a complete and unified package.

So much for you, so you see why they're needed
The importance of the DJ in hip-hop culture cannot be overstated, as they are the ones who bring all of the diverse elements of the culture together into a cohesive whole.

Think about the songs that you save and import
In a world where music is easily shared and imported across digital platforms, it is easy to forget just how much work goes into creating the beats and sounds that we love.

You'd have an incomplete playlist without Six Four
Dual Core acknowledges that without his collaborator Six Four, his own music and hip-hop journey would be incomplete.

It'd be a bit short, I mean you'd need a few more
The point Dual Core is making is that without the DJ as a crucial component of hip-hop culture, all of the other creative elements of the culture would be incomplete and lacking.

Because without the DJ there'd be no Dual Core
Dual Core himself acknowledges that without the DJ as a key component of hip-hop culture, he himself would not exist as an MC, graffiti artist, or computer designer.