The Answer
Foreign Exchange Lyrics


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Yo, I'm one of the chosen few, could dispose of you
And anybody else who think they flowin' too
Here's your last chance, brothers besta show 'n' prove
Why y'all in the vocal booth, but your flow is mute

Ain't no excuse, lot of niggaz thinkin' they cute
Drippin' they S-Curl juice on their gators and suits
Ain't it the truth, lot of cats gay and it's proof
Platinum rainbows and jewels on the necks of their crews

I'm bad news like obituary sections
The rhymes I write describe the loss of a life the previous night
At an open mic or any type of venue
There ain't no tellin' where I'm goin' 'cause of what I've been through

As I begin to attract the attention of fans
Will I be able to withstand the supply and demand?
Can I expand, turn mics in my hands to grands?
If you really ask me, dog, I think I can

Yo, we liven it up for the world to understand it
We do it for the fans that's all across the planet
Kenn Starr, Oddissee, Phonte's the answer
No question y'all take your chances

We liven it up for the world to understand it
We do it for the fans that's all across the planet
Kenn Starr, Oddissee, Phonte's the answer
No question, y'all take your chances

Yo, uh, yo, crackin' for miles and 'Te's in full effect
He's laughin' and browsin' over these wanna be cats
Yappin' their mouths and spittin' all these 'rerun' ass rhymes
Like we on some 'what's happenin' now' shit
Go get the MP3's start extractin' the files

Mulatto-slave flow Te's back in the house
Just tryin' to see what y'all rappin' about, so quit
Practicin' now, ninth inning, he's battin' a thousand
Put a mic in my hand and I'ma damage a crowd, man
With technique and above-average style, man
My raps speak to all you savages now, man

The time is right here, so let's get it
I'll be glad to proofread your rhymes, if you want to step with us
Serve your whole team with a run-on, death sentence
You can't adopt this style 'cause I ain't tryin' to give it up
And fuckin' with 'Te ain't in your best interest

We liven it up for the world to understand it
We do it for the fans that's all across the planet
Kenn Starr, Oddissee, Phonte's the answer
No question, y'all take your chances

People in the U.S., just rock with us
Cats over seas, just rock with us
People worldwide, come on, rock with us
Come on, rock with us, just rock with us

Kenn Starr is back off a hiatus
Y'all been warned so back off us, why hate us?
Be actin' like they strapped and packin' gats when they not tough
They tough actin' like Tinactin'

Give me applause, I spit classic
Give me a broad with a thick accent
Skinny and tall or a big, fat chick
Plenty of y'all, sic into your dog
If she give me the drawers, I'm leavin' the chick back bent

The fact is, if you choose to propose
End up with a fatlip and a bruise on your nose
That's hot, give up now, my crew's in control
If not, get shut down like schools when it snows

Get got for your shoes and your coat
Bogard, I go hard like nipples on boobs when it's cold
And show y'all how simple the mood and the flow
Can determine whether you earnin' or losin' your doe
Make moves on the low

We liven it up for the world to understand it
We do it for the fans that's all across the planet
Kenn Starr, Oddissee, Phonte's the answer
No question, y'all take your chances

People in the U.S., just rock with us
Cats overseas, just rock with us
People worldwide, come on rock with us
Come on rock with us, just rock with us

Just rock with us, just rock with us
Come on, rock with us, just rock with us





Just rock with us, just rock with us

Overall Meaning

The Foreign Exchange's song "The Answer" features the rhymes of Oddisee, Phonte, and Kenn Starr. With it's heavy beats and clever lyrics, "The Answer" is a call to action for all aspiring rappers to step up and prove their skills in the vocal booth. The opening lyrics describe the confidence and skill of the featured rappers, who are willing to take on anyone who thinks they can flow as well as they can. The lyrics also touch on the superficiality of the rap industry, with reference to S-Curl juice and designer clothing.


The song also serves as a rumination on the potential success and pitfalls of the rap game. Phonte wonders if he can withstand the pressure of supply and demand as his career takes off, but ultimately asserts that he's up to the task. The final verses urge fans from all over the world to join in and rock with The Foreign Exchange, and the song closes with a final call to just "rock with us".


Line by Line Meaning

Yo, I'm one of the chosen few, could dispose of you
I am very unique and powerful, and could possibly get rid of anyone who tries to compete with me in the music industry.


And anybody else who think they flowin' too
This applies to anyone who believes they are talented enough to be a competitor.


Here's your last chance, brothers besta show 'n' prove
This is the final opportunity for others to showcase their skills and potential.


Why y'all in the vocal booth, but your flow is mute
Even though you might have the resources, you are still powerless in comparison to my skills.


Ain't no excuse, lot of niggaz thinkin' they cute
Many people believe they are talented, but in reality, they are not as good as they think they are.


Drippin' they S-Curl juice on their gators and suits
They are trying to portray an image of success and wealth, but in reality, it is just a facade.


Ain't it the truth, lot of cats gay and it's proof
There is proof that many people who portray themselves as macho and tough, actually have homosexual tendencies.


Platinum rainbows and jewels on the necks of their crews
They have expensive jewelry and accessories that they try to flaunt to make themselves look wealthy.


I'm bad news like obituary sections
My music and style is not something to be taken lightly; it's serious and potentially harmful.


The rhymes I write describe the loss of a life the previous night
My lyrics detail violent or dangerous occurrences that happen in the world.


At an open mic or any type of venue
These occurrences might happen at public events or shows.


There ain't no tellin' where I'm goin' 'cause of what I've been through
I have experienced a lot of hardships, so it's hard to know where my music will take me or what I'll write about.


As I begin to attract the attention of fans
My music is starting to become popular amongst people.


Will I be able to withstand the supply and demand?
I wonder if I can keep up with the amount of success and attention that is coming my way.


Can I expand, turn mics in my hands to grands?
I wonder if I can turn my current level of success into greater success in the future.


If you really ask me, dog, I think I can
Despite my fears and doubts, I believe I have the potential for more success.


Yo, we liven it up for the world to understand it
My music is meant to entertain and be understood by everyone.


We do it for the fans that's all across the planet
My fans come from all over the world.


Kenn Starr, Oddissee, Phonte's the answer
These artists contribute to the success and excellence of our music.


No question y'all take your chances
People will have to put themselves out there and take risks to succeed in the music industry.


Crackin' for miles and 'Te's in full effect
Our music is making a big impact and gaining a lot of attention.


Yappin' their mouths and spittin' all these 'rerun' ass rhymes
Other artists are unoriginal and just copying what has already been done before.


Like we on some 'what's happenin' now' shit
Some artists try to follow whatever is trending at the moment.


Mulatto-slave flow Te's back in the house
My unique style draws from both African and European musical traditions.


Just tryin' to see what y'all rappin' about, so quit
I'm trying to understand the appeal behind other artists' music, but it's not impressing me.


Practicin' now, ninth inning, he's battin' a thousand
I am at the top of my game and performing exceptionally well.


Put a mic in my hand and I'ma damage a crowd, man
When I perform for a live audience, I leave quite an impression.


With technique and above-average style, man
My skills and style are exceptional and above average.


My raps speak to all you savages now, man
My music speaks to those who have experienced hardship or struggle.


The time is right here, so let's get it
This is the moment for me to shine and achieve success in the music industry.


I'll be glad to proofread your rhymes, if you want to step with us
If other artists want to compete with us, I'm willing to critique their work and help them improve.


Serve your whole team with a run-on, death sentence
My lyrics can destroy and defeat an entire team of artists with just one verse.


You can't adopt this style 'cause I ain't tryin' to give it up
Other artists cannot mimic or copy my style, because I am unique and not willing to change it.


And fuckin' with 'Te ain't in your best interest
It's not wise or beneficial for other artists to try to compete with me or steal my style.


Y'all been warned so back off us, why hate us?
Other artists have been warned and should not try to compete with us, so why are they being hostile?


Be actin' like they strapped and packin' gats when they not tough
Other artists are trying to portray themselves as strong and powerful, but they really aren't.


They tough actin' like Tinactin'
Their tough-guy persona is false and ineffective.


Give me applause, I spit classic
My music is timeless and deserves recognition.


Give me a broad with a thick accent
I am attracted to women with unique and exotic qualities.


Skinny and tall or a big, fat chick
My physical preferences are diverse and not limited to one specific type.


Plenty of y'all, sic into your dog
I have plenty of fans who are loyal to my music and follow my career closely.


If she give me the drawers, I'm leavin' the chick back bent
If a woman is interested in me and we hook up, I make sure to satisfy her completely.


The fact is, if you choose to propose
If someone tries to challenge me or start a feud, they should be prepared to face consequences.


End up with a fatlip and a bruise on your nose
They will most likely face violence and injury as a result of challenging me.


That's hot, give up now, my crew's in control
My team and I have the upper hand and control over the music industry.


If not, get shut down like schools when it snows
If someone tries to challenge us and does not succeed, they will be shut down and dismissed like schools during snowstorms.


Get got for your shoes and your coat
People who try to compete with us will be robbed and left with nothing.


Bogard, I go hard like nipples on boobs when it's cold
I am very strong and powerful, and will stop at nothing to achieve success.


And show y'all how simple the mood and the flow
My music is simple and easy to understand, but still maintains a high level of quality and skill.


Can determine whether you earnin' or losin' your doe
The quality of your music can be the determining factor in whether you make or lose money in the music industry.


Make moves on the low
Sometimes it's best to keep your plans and ambitions to yourself, and make moves in secret.


People in the U.S., just rock with us
People in the United States should support and listen to our music.


Cats overseas, just rock with us
People around the world should support and listen to our music.


People worldwide, come on, rock with us
Everyone in the world should listen to and enjoy our music.


Come on, rock with us, just rock with us
Let's all enjoy and appreciate our music together.


Just rock with us, just rock with us
All we ask is that you listen to and appreciate our music.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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