Apache
Grandmaster Flash & The Sugarhill Gang Lyrics

Ho, ho, ho
A call of greeting or surprise

Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Calling Tonto to ride his horse and move forward

Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Calling Kemosabe to ride his horse and move forward

Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Calling Custer to ride his horse and move forward

Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo
Calling the Apache tribe to ride their horses and move forward

A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm

I'm Big Bank, I am the chief
Introducing himself as the leader of the tribe

I got a lot of raps but I'll be brief
He has a lot of stories to tell, but he'll keep it short

I never need a horse, I like to chill
He doesn't need a horse to move around, he likes to relax

So I drive up in my new Seville
He prefers to drive a car instead of a horse

My tribe went down in the hall of fame
His tribe has become famous for their achievements

'Cause I'm the one who shot Jesse James
He takes credit for killing the famous outlaw

Pound for pound, I will never break down
He's strong physically and mentally

(Big Bank) no sir, I don't mess around
He doesn't joke or play games

Like Kemosabe, of course it's me
Referring to himself as Kemosabe, a term of endearment

I'm better known as the Master G
He's a well-known rapper

A firing squad, sensed the danger
He's intimidating, even to law enforcement

When they're stung by the rapping ranger
His style of rapping is like a sting to his rivals

Had a little talk with my medicine man
He consults with his spiritual advisor

He said, "Get them squaws, fast as you can"
His advisor tells him to attract women to his tribe

To all you girls, that want to join my tribe
Inviting women to be part of his tribe

Just move to my rhythm and feel my vibe
By following his lead, they'll fit in with the tribe

Put up a fuss, in the end you'll agree
Resisting his offer is pointless

When you come inside my teepee
His home is open to them

As I said before, you could sense the danger
His presence is intimidating

When you're stung by the rapping ranger
His lyrics are sharp and powerful

When Silver and I take a route
Referring to his horse, Silver, and starting a journey

All you suckers better step aside
He urges others to move out of his way

I sting squaws, then I run away
He flirts with women before leaving them behind

Hi-Yo Silver, is what I say
A call to his horse to move forward

A pow-wow, just rock it out
A gathering to celebrate and dance

Finger-poppin' to the break of dawn
Dancing energetically for hours

Keep it rockin' like the stuff that we call maize
Referring to a popular dance move

(What's that?) Hot buttered popcorn
The dance move resembles someone making popcorn

You just hippa-hoppa-dippa-boppa bang the boogie
The dance requires quick and distinct movements

Woogie, betcha want to boogie again
The dance is so fun, people want to do it again

And you can put me to the test at your request
He's confident in his abilities and challenges anyone to test him

I rock you out of your moccasin
His music makes people dance so much, they lose their shoes

Kemosabe got down, took off his mask
Kemosabe joins in the fun and removes his mask

He kicked off his shoes and did the Monster Mash
Kemosabe does a different dance move

Tonto came along, saw what was happenin'
Tonto joins in on the dancing

His head began to bop and his foot start to clappin'
Tonto appreciates the music and starts dancing too

Go slam, dunk, do the jerk
More dance moves to add to the fun

And with the mic is how my smoke signals work
His rapping is how he communicates ideas to others

They were jammin' off a record that said it best
Celebrating good music and dancing to it

"Now what you hear is not a test"
The music is real and they should enjoy it

Woo
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm

A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm