Way Of Life
Hell Razah and 4th Disciple Lyrics


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G.G.O., Ghetto Government Official
Razah, 4th Disciple

[Chorus: x2]
Hip hop is a way of life, it's in my breath
The way I, breathe and step, not the way I dress
East to west, throw your arms right to left
Give me a mic and a crowd, and a turntable set

Alotta niggaz turned thugs, after 2Pac died
Puttin' dust in they weed, after they heard How High
KRS was the main one, I heard Stay Wise
Before, N.W.A., you never thought of drive-by's
Slick Rick was the kingpin of all fly guys
Rakim kept it civilized, now it be Nas
cool G. Rap made rhymes for the organized crimes
On the Road to they Riches, selllin' nickels and dimes
Cypress Hill made you feel, How Can I Just Kill a Man
Niggaz turned killers after Wu-Tang Clan
Startin' formin' into groups, so they can put on they fam
Puff Daddy had you samplin' old records to dance
Biggie Smalls made you ball after One More Chance
The radio promotin' death, until there's no more fans
Alotta playas want to play, but the game is advanced
The true culture of this hip hop, let's spread it to France
M.O.P., kept it hardcore, from Onyx to DMX
Now it's on Soundscan sells and BDS
When the Fat Boys, to Big Punisher and Fat Joe
EPMD, to me was, the best duo
Nah, Run-DMC, still be number uno
Now every artist that you know, want to drop solos
Half naked to sell records, in magazine photo's

[Chorus: x2]

Back to '83, the era of the Treacherous Three
When the Cold Crush, bumrushed the Force MD's
Now the pussy is free, but the crack cost money, oh yeah
Melle Mel, brought the mentals, but we couldn't digest it
Cause all the niggaz in the eighties started gettin' arrested
Sugar Hill caught an ill deal, Rapper's Delight
Back when artists got signed just for grabbin' the mic
Kangols and rope chains, this when LL came
Ain't nobody had a metaphor like Big Daddy Kane
Public Enemy was deep before Do the Right Thing
MC Shan had Queensbridge under his wing
Marley Marl did The Symphony, it blew instantly
Made hip hop history, now it's industry
Everybody either look alike, or sound gimmicky
Not noticin' the energy was hid' in Tennessee
Never thought they ever see a young black Master P
Go to France and see a white boy blacker than me
Suge Knight or Eazy-E, had black labels
Why the rest eat the crumbs off the master's tables





[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The song "Way of Life" by Hell Razah and 4th Disciple is a commentary on the evolution of hip hop culture from its roots in the 1980s to its present state in the 21st century. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of hip hop as a way of life, rather than just a style or trend, and celebrates the art of MCing, DJing, and breaking as the essential elements of hip hop culture. The artists highlight the way that hip hop has been co-opted by mainstream culture, with many artists turning towards violence, materialism, and commercialism rather than the original message and values of the culture. They urge listeners to keep the true spirit of hip hop alive and spread it to new audiences.


In the verses, the artists reference various artists and trends that have influenced hip hop over the years. They mention the death of Tupac and the ensuing rise of thug culture, as well as the impact of KRS-One, N.W.A., and Rakim on the genre. They also reference the commercialization of hip hop, with artists like Puff Daddy and Biggie Smalls using sampled beats and half-naked women in their videos to sell records. The artists express nostalgia for the golden age of hip hop, with artists like EPMD, Run-DMC, and Big Daddy Kane representing an era when the culture was more authentic and focused on music rather than money.


Line by Line Meaning

Hip hop is a way of life, it's in my breath
Hip hop is more than just music, it's a culture that defines the way I breathe and live my life.


The way I, breathe and step, not the way I dress
Hip hop culture is not just about the way I dress or present myself, it's about the way I move and carry myself in this world.


East to west, throw your arms right to left
Hip hop is a universal culture that transcends geographical boundaries and brings people together from all corners of the world.


Give me a mic and a crowd, and a turntable set
As a true hip hop artist, all I need is a microphone, a crowd, and a turntable set to express myself and connect with my audience.


Alotta niggaz turned thugs, after 2Pac died
After the tragic death of 2Pac, many people started glorifying the thug life and emulating his aggressive persona.


Puttin' dust in they weed, after they heard How High
After watching the movie 'How High', many people started mixing drugs like PCP or cocaine in their weed to enhance their high.


KRS was the main one, I heard Stay Wise
KRS-One was a true pioneer of conscious hip hop and always encouraged his fans to stay educated and wise.


Before, N.W.A., you never thought of drive-by's
Before the emergence of groups like N.W.A, the idea of a drive-by shooting was not commonly associated with hip hop culture.


Slick Rick was the kingpin of all fly guys
Slick Rick was a true icon of hip hop fashion and style, inspiring many to dress in elaborate and flamboyant outfits.


Rakim kept it civilized, now it be Nas
Rakim was a master of lyrical poetry and paved the way for many conscious rappers, including Nas.


cool G. Rap made rhymes for the organized crimes
Kool G Rap was known for his gritty and realistic portrayals of life in the criminal underworld.


On the Road to they Riches, sellin' nickels and dimes
Kool G Rap's album 'Road to the Riches' chronicled his early days selling drugs on the street and his journey to becoming a successful rapper.


Cypress Hill made you feel, How Can I Just Kill a Man
Cypress Hill's music often addressed issues of violence and drug abuse in the inner city, as demonstrated in their song 'How Can I Just Kill a Man'.


Niggaz turned killers after Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan's aggressive lyrics and violent persona were emulated by many fans, leading to an increase in violent behavior in some communities.


Startin' formin' into groups, so they can put on they fam
Many up-and-coming rappers formed groups as a way to support and promote themselves, and to use their collective influence to achieve their goals.


Puff Daddy had you samplin' old records to dance
Puff Daddy was known for his extensive use of sampling in his music, often taking classic records and transforming them into new dance tracks.


Biggie Smalls made you ball after One More Chance
The catchy and upbeat track 'One More Chance' by Notorious B.I.G. became an instant club hit, inspiring many to dance and party.


The radio promotin' death, until there's no more fans
Mainstream radio often glorifies violence and encourages dangerous behavior, leading to a cultural shift that normalizes these destructive tendencies.


Alotta playas want to play, but the game is advanced
Many people aspire to become successful hip hop artists, but the industry is highly competitive and requires both skill and dedication to succeed.


The true culture of this hip hop, let's spread it to France
Hip hop is a global culture that should be shared and celebrated around the world, including in France.


M.O.P., kept it hardcore, from Onyx to DMX
M.O.P. were known for their aggressive and unapologetic approach to hip hop, paving the way for other hardcore acts like Onyx and DMX.


Now it's on Soundscan sells and BDS
Nowadays, the success of a hip hop artist is often measured by their sales figures on platforms like Soundscan and BDS.


When the Fat Boys, to Big Punisher and Fat Joe
Hip hop has always celebrated larger-than-life personalities, from the comedic Fat Boys to the intimidating Big Punisher and Fat Joe.


EPMD, to me was, the best duo
EPMD were a legendary hip hop duo known for their smooth rhymes and infectious beats, earning them many fans and admirers over the years.


Nah, Run-DMC, still be number uno
Despite the many great duos in hip hop history, Run-DMC still stand out as one of the greatest and most influential groups of all time.


Now every artist that you know, want to drop solos
Many hip hop artists aspire to go solo and make a name for themselves, rather than stay in a group or duo for their entire career.


Half naked to sell records, in magazine photo's
In recent years, many artists have resorted to hypersexualized images and nudity to sell more records and gain more attention in the media.


Back to '83, the era of the Treacherous Three
The early 80s were a defining era for hip hop, marked by groups like the Treacherous Three who helped shape the genre into what it is today.


When the Cold Crush, bumrushed the Force MD's
The Cold Crush Crew were known for their energetic and aggressive live performances, inspiring many others in the hip hop community to step up their game.


Now the pussy is free, but the crack cost money, oh yeah
While sex and sexuality have become more openly discussed and visible in hip hop, drug addiction and the associated costs of addiction continue to be major issues in many communities.


Melle Mel, brought the mentals, but we couldn't digest it
Grandmaster Melle Mel was known for his thought-provoking and socially conscious lyrics, which were at times challenging to understand and digest for some listeners.


Cause all the niggaz in the eighties started gettin' arrested
As hip hop culture gained more and more popularity in the 80s, many young black men were increasingly targeted and arrested by law enforcement for their involvement in the scene.


Sugar Hill caught an ill deal, Rapper's Delight
Sugar Hill Records, one of the first major labels to sign hip hop artists, was known for taking advantage of its artists with exploitative contracts and shady business practices.


Back when artists got signed just for grabbin' the mic
In the early days of hip hop, artists were often discovered and signed based solely on their raw talent and ability to hype a crowd with their rapping and DJing skills.


Kangols and rope chains, this when LL came
Hip hop fashion in the 80s was defined by distinctive accessories like Kangol hats and thick rope chains, which were popularized by artists like LL Cool J.


Ain't nobody had a metaphor like Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane was known for his clever wordplay and metaphorical lyrics, which set him apart from his peers and cemented his place in hip hop history.


Public Enemy was deep before Do the Right Thing
Public Enemy were known for their politically charged lyrics and social commentary, which helped raise awareness and promote change in many communities across the country.


MC Shan had Queensbridge under his wing
MC Shan was a prominent figure in Queensbridge hip hop, known for his affiliation with the Juice Crew and his smooth flow and delivery.


Marley Marl did The Symphony, it blew instantly
Marley Marl was a legendary hip hop producer and DJ, known for creating classic tracks like 'The Symphony' that had an immediate and lasting impact on the genre as a whole.


Made hip hop history, now it's industry
Hip hop has undergone a massive transformation from its humble origins as a street art form to a massive industry with global reach and influence.


Everybody either look alike, or sound gimmicky
Many modern hip hop artists tend to emulate popular trends and styles rather than cultivating their own unique voice and identity, leading to a homogenization of the genre and a lack of originality.


Not noticin' the energy was hid' in Tennessee
Despite the pervasive influence of mainstream hip hop, there are still many talented and innovative artists from all corners of the country who are pushing the boundaries of the genre and creating new sounds and styles.


Never thought they ever see a young black Master P
Master P was a true pioneer of southern hip hop and built an empire with his label No Limit Records, helping to shatter longstanding racial barriers and stereotypes in the music industry.


Go to France and see a white boy blacker than me
Hip hop has truly become a global phenomenon, with artists and fans from all walks of life and backgrounds embracing the culture and making it their own.


Suge Knight or Eazy-E, had black labels
Suge Knight and Eazy-E were influential players in the early days of west coast hip hop, helping to launch the careers of many prominent artists and establishing their own powerful record labels.


Why the rest eat the crumbs off the master's tables
While some hip hop artists have achieved great success and financial rewards, many others continue to struggle and scrape by, forced to settle for less than they deserve in a system that values profits over creativity and individuality.




Lyrics © TUNECORE INC

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