I Know U Got Soul
Eric B & Rakim Lyrics

It's been a long time I shouldn't have left you
It's been a while since my last song, I shouldn't have taken a break

Without a strong rhyme to step to
Without a powerful and impactful lyric to engage with

Think of how many weak shows you slept through
Think of how many unimpressive performances you've endured

Time's up I'm sorry I kept you
Time has passed, and I apologize for keeping you waiting

Thinking of this you keep repeating you miss
You keep saying that you miss the lyrics of the solo microphone artist

The rhymes from the microphone soloist
The lyrics of the solo microphone performer

And you sit by the radio hand on the dial soon
You sit next to the radio with your hand on the dial ready to adjust the volume soon

As you hear it pump up the volume
When you hear the song, increase the volume

Dance wit the speaker 'til you hear it blow
Dance next to the artist until it malfunctions and ruptures

Then plug in the headphone 'cause here it go
Plug in the headphones because the song is about to start

It's a 4 letter word when it's heard, it control
When it is heard, it controls like a 4 letter word

Your body to dance (You got it) soul,
Your soul makes your body dance (You've got it)

Detects the tempo like a red alert
Senses the tempo and beats like an alarm system

Reaches your reflex, so let it work
Affects your reflexes, so allow it to work

When this is playing, you can't get stuck wit
When this song is playing, you can't be stagnant

The steps, so get set and I'm a still come up wit
The dance moves, so prepare yourself, and I will still create something new

A gift to be swift, follow the leader, the rhyme will go
I have a skill of being quick, follow me as a leader, and the lyrics will keep flowing

Def wit the record that was mixed a long time ago
Skillfully rapping over a record that was produced a long time ago

It can be done but only I can do it
It is possible to produce this, but only I have the skills to do it

For those that can dance and clap your hands to it
For those that can dance and applaud to it

I start to think and then I sink
I start to ponder and then fall into a trance while writing lyrics

Into the paper like I was ink
Deep into the paper as if I became ink

When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines,
When I'm composing lyrics, I am caught between the lines

I escape when I finish the rhyme
I am released when I complete the verse

I got soul
I have passion and intensity

You got it
You possess the same energy and passion

Picture a mic, the stage is empty
Imagine a microphone, and the stage is bare

A beat like this might tempt me
This type of rhythm may entice me

To pose, show my rings and my fat gold chain
To model, to demonstrate my jewelry and gold chains

Grab the mic like I'm on Soul Train
Seize the microphone as if I were on Soul Train

But I'll wait 'cause I mastered this
But I will wait because I have perfected it

Let the others go first so the brothers don't miss
I will let others go before me so that they receive the opportunity

Eric B. break the sticks (you got it)
Eric B. initiates the rhythm (you understand)

Rakim will begin when you make the mix
Rakim will begin when the beat is mixed

I'll experiment like a scientist
I will innovate like a scientist

You want to rhyme, you gotta sign my list
If you want to rap, you must request permission and be added to my list

'Cause I'm a manifest and bless the mic I hold
Because I will prove my skill and bless the microphone with my performance

You want it next? then you gotta have soul
Want to go after me? You must possess the same passion and fervor

'Cause if you ain't got it, I'm a make an encore
Because if you don't possess it, I will return for another performance

Take the mic, make the people respond for
Take the microphone and impress the audience

The are, 'cause that's the way it'll have to be
The truth, because that's how it will need to be

If you want to get on after me
If you'd like to perform after I do

Think about it, wait, erase your rhyme
Consider it, wait, and discard your current lyrics

Forget it and don't waste your time
Abandon them and don't use your time on them

'Cause I'll be in the crowd if you ain't controlling it
Because I'll be among the audience if you aren't captivating them

Drop the mic, you shouldn't be holding it
Cease rapping, you shouldn't be the one performing

This is how it should be done
This is how it must be accomplished

This style is identical to none
This style is completely unique

Some try to make it sound like this but you're getting me
Some try to copy this style, but I am the real thing

So upset that I'm wet 'cause you're sweating me
So anxious that I am drenched because you are in awe of my skills

I drip steam like a microphone fiend
I am so enthusiastic that I emit steam like a mic fanatic

Eager to MC is my theme
Eagerly rapping is my central motivation

I get hype when I hear a drum roll
I become excited when I hear the sound of drums

Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul
Rakim is rapping on the microphone, and I have a lot of passion and energy

Now I'm a stop to see what you got
Now, I'm going to pause and investigate what you have to offer

Get off the mic before I get too hot
Finish your performance before I become too passionate

I want to see which posse can dance the best
I want to see which group can dance the best

It should be easy 'cause the beat is fresh
It should be easy because the beat is new and appealing

Now if your from Uptown, Brooklyn- bound,
Now, if you're from Uptown or headed to Brooklyn

The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound,
The Bronx, Queens, or near Long Island Sound

Even other states come right and exact,
Even people from other states come and show their skills

It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
It isn't your location, it's your current skill level

Since you came here, you have to show and prove
Since you came here, you must prove yourself

And do that dance until it don't move
Continue dancing until the music stops playing

'Cause all you need is soul self-esteem will release,
Because all you need is passion for dancing, and self-esteem will follow

The rest is up to you, Rakim 'll say peace
The rest is up to you, and I will bid you farewell