Actin' Up
EPMD Lyrics

When one-two starts actin' up
When someone starts misbehaving

Homey duck, homey duck, homey duck, homey duck
Get out of the way, avoid confrontation

BLAOW! Somebody shoulda told that dude
An exclamation to express a warning or surprise

BLAOW! Somebody shoulda told that dude
An exclamation to express a warning or surprise

"One, two, three, four, five"
Counting, possibly to start a song or section

Oh-six through oh-eight, this is oh-nine live
Referring to different years, possibly the era in which the song was made or performed

And for the new year I pack a chrome fo'-five
Starting the new year prepared, possibly referring to a gun

And keep it straight raw like Shady fo'-five
Keeping it authentic or unadulterated like the rapper Eminem (Shady) and his music

It's I, youngest in charge, a.k.a. so fly
Introducing oneself as the youngest person in charge, with a cool demeanor

Act up, I'm your neck like a fuckin' bowtie
Warning others not to misbehave, or else they will be subject to punishment

Back up, show respect to the newest multi-million sold,
Asking for respect as a successful artist with millions of sales

And that's only in the N.Y., oh!
Possibly referring to New York City as a hub for music and success

Get low when that kickback blow
Advice to move out of the way when a gun is fired, due to the recoil (kickback)

I put a X on you squares, call it tic-tac-toe
Metaphorically marking someone as defeated or inferior, like marking a square in the game tic-tac-toe

{click clack blow} Put a lil' tag on his toe
The sound of a gun firing followed by the singer saying they have just killed someone

I call it yeast infection faggot how I get that dough
A vulgar boast about making money through illegal means, which the artist likens to a sexually transmitted infection

So who want beef, and I'm a shoot it 'til my shooter come through
Challenging anyone who wants to fight or argue, saying they will shoot until backup arrives

Hop out the Cougar put a hole in your medullah
Referring to a car (Mercury Cougar) and saying they will shoot someone in the head (medulla oblongata)

It's mo' back at it I'm stoned like crack addicts
Returning to the music scene, high on drugs like crack addicts

Hocus pocus sayonara I'm gone, black magic
Using magic words to say goodbye, and suggesting they are powerful (black magic)

That EPMD we a hip-hop phenom'
An introduction to the group EPMD as a phenomenon in hip-hop music

This style I birthed it, I am the mom
Taking credit for a particular style of music, as though it were their child

The illest (Slow Flow) and the one-two
Boasting about their skills as a rapper, with a slow flow or rhythm

(Without D.M.C. I'm who they Run to)
Referencing the hip-hop group Run-DMC and their influence on the artist

Who they come to, to get their swag
Boasting about influencing other rappers' fashion sense and style

(I've been that little boy with the duffel bag)
Recalling a time when they were young and carried a bag filled with belongings or money

Ain't anything changed, keep cash bags with me
Saying they still carry bags of money, despite their success

(I'm a threat, so I keep trash bags with me)
Saying they carry trash bags for body disposal, implying they are dangerous to others

Okay! Dem lay, and if they dumpin'
Acknowledging a potential threat, suggesting readiness for violence

Double pumpin' shotgun action, who's askin?
Describing double-barreled shotgun use, asking who wants to fight or question them

You! (Can't be for real)
Addressing someone directly, in disbelief that they are serious

(You eatin', but you ain't finish your meal)
Insulting someone for not being able to accomplish their goals, using a food metaphor

Uhh, I'm the blueprint for those who can't lose
Saying they are a model for success and perseverance

(I wrote them checks so I paid them dues)
Saying they worked hard and paid their way to success

Yeah Sermon, who walked in my shoes?
Asking someone named Sermon who has experienced the same level of success and fame

You better be Bigfoot (if not stay put)
Saying that only someone like the mythical creature Bigfoot could have had the same experiences

So I'm the future of this music, bet your life on that
Predicting they are the future of hip-hop music, with certainty

Since construction paper and Crayolas I've been writin' raps
Saying they have been writing raps since a young age, before becoming successful

So don't confuse me with these bamas that, ain't got no talent
Asking not to be confused with untalented or unskilled rappers

And just all of a sudden up and decide to rap
Critiquing rappers who start without any prior experience or notable skills

Ain't no disguisin' that bullshit, they ride to that bullshit
Saying that people know when rappers are faking their personas or their music

Who bought 'em that bullshit? Your mom and them?
Questioning who supports or funds these fake rappers

She probably mad, 'bout to whup your ass for not again
Suggesting that someone's family is upset with their choice of career or persona

But don't feel bad, you just tryin' to win
Encouraging people to pursue their goals and not let others bring them down

Talkin' 'bout designers and your diamonds what you drivin' in
Insulting people who boast about their material possessions, such as cars and jewelry

And you ain't even behind the wheel, go to the passenger side of it
Saying that people often pretend to own flashy cars or material possessions, but do not actually own them

Tell me, why is that niggaz do that? That nigga ain't do that
Questioning why people lie about their possessions or experiences, saying they are not truthful

He lyin', he ain't never lived through that
Saying someone is not truthful about their experiences or possessions

Even people that know you hear you and be like "Who that?"
Saying that despite someone's claims of success or fame, others do not recognize or know them

That nigga ain't do that (uh-uh, I don't believe him)
Reiterating that someone is not being truthful, saying they do not believe them

I been knew that, been seen through that
Saying they have always noticed when people are not telling the truth

Hear you yappin' 'bout some weight you never sold
Critiquing rappers who talk about selling drugs, but have never actually done so

People you ain't never shoot at
Suggesting that people who talk about violence and shooting have never actually been in those situations themselves

Take it down, let's see whatever fairy tales you bring back
Demanding proof or evidence of someone's claims, referring to them as fairy tales

(You do got a good imagination though, I can tell you that)
Complimenting someone's imagination, despite their claims being false

This force is all boss, to fakers of all fakers
Asserting their dominance over fake or phony people in the music industry

Just face it, you all talk and it's phony baby
Advising people to accept that someone is not genuine or truthful