Move Ahead
KRS‐One Lyrics

Real skills, Bronx styles, Cypress Ave meets Cypress Hill
Authentic talent emerges from the Bronx's culture, where influences from Cypress Avenue converge with the sound of Cypress Hill.

Real hip-hop, bounce to this shit motherfuckers, READ EM!
Experience genuine hip-hop; engage with the energy and significance of the music, paying attention to its messages.

You know what's up, SHRAP!
Recognize the ongoing realities and truths communicated in the lyrics.

commissioner Gordon rock on
Acknowledgment to influential figures in the hip-hop community, emphasizing their role in the scene.

Tony Touch why'all rock on
Homage to DJ Tony Touch, encouraging him and others to continue contributing to the music.

Kid Capri yeah rock on
A shout-out to DJ Kid Capri, celebrating his importance in the hip-hop culture.

DJ Kenny Coffin yo rock on
Saluting DJ Kenny Coffin, urging him to persist in his efforts in the hip-hop realm.

In 199-sess, KRS is in his peak-in
In the year 1990s, KRS-One is at his height of creativity and influence.

You are weak-in and collapse like Mike, collect the beacon
You're feeble and will fail like Michael Jordan’s opponents, so pay attention to the warning signs.

You talk more ish than a cellullar
You engage in more meaningless chatter than a cell phone during a conversation.

You can't last, just call me Enema
You won't endure in the rap game; call me an enema because I cleanse the scene of impurities.

'cause I give that ass-troid, heaven and mergatroid
I deliver knockout blows in my raps, bringing heavenly verses and out-of-this-world impact.

I'm that six, umm, microphone-holdin humanoid
I’m the sixth element of hip-hop, embodying the essence of a true MC.

Pyschological like Sigmund Freud
My lyrics delve deep into the psyche, reflecting the insights of psychologist Sigmund Freud.

But I get annoyed 'cause these rappers have no brain
I feel frustrated because many rappers lack intellect and substance in their work.

These hardcore rappers crack me up like cocaine
These tough-sounding rappers are amusing to me, similar to the highs created by cocaine.

They got no skill or game
They lack true talent or artistry in their music.

They sellin that commercial let me say it
They are producing commercialized music that lacks genuine essence.

"Ask for Minoxadil with Rogaine"
Their style is as artificial as hair loss treatments—it's about appearances, not authenticity.

True skills I will explain
Let me clarify what real talent in hip-hop entails.

The teacher breaks this whole shit down plain
As an educator of hip-hop, I simplify and illuminate this complex culture.

West Coast beef must dead, no-ho-ho
Conflicts from the West Coast must cease, we cannot afford further division.

East Coast beef must dead, no-ho-ho
Similarly, feuds from the East Coast must also come to an end.

Time for us to move ahead, no-ho-ho
It's time for us to progress and forward our collective journey.

be-boy hip-hop is dead, no
The spirit of traditional hip-hop—b-boy culture—is not dead; we need to revive it.

We must move ahead (x8)
We have to advance, move forward, and leave past conflicts behind.

People always say when they see us, teach us
Observers often request guidance and knowledge when they encounter us.

so we move by the inch, teachin only some of it, believe us
We share our knowledge gradually, imparting only partial insights at a time.

Hustlas and players and hos will never leave us
Individuals engaged in the hustle—players and hustlers—are perennial figures in our culture.

They been around since Mary Magdalene and Jesus
These figures have existed throughout history, akin to biblical figures like Mary Magdalene and Jesus.

Run wit it, pimps and players run the government
The culture of manipulation and control is evident among powerful societal figures.

We been raised on a tonne of it that's why we're lovin it
Growing up exposed to this culture is why we embrace it deeply.

Bein a player is cool when you a kid
Living the player lifestyle seems appealing in youth.

until you get sent up for a eight year bid
But consequences arise, leading to long sentences in prison.

Now you use and abuse and serve like hell
Now trapped in a vicious cycle of drugs and servitude, suffering greatly.

til one day you are found face down upon the ground
Ultimately, you might end up lifeless, lying face down in despair.

two shots to the dome, we need to switch quick
Violence can strike suddenly; we must change our ways before it's too late.

Dyin over what you players, I think, call a bitch
Losing your life over trivial matters or conflicts about women is senseless.

I'm not a player hater 'cause I hate no one
I don't harbor animosity towards anyone, nor do I reject the player lifestyle.

but when you start destroyin hip-hop, you gots ta go, son
However, if you're undermining the essence of hip-hop, then you must leave the scene.

Government attack one who's brainwashed
The first target is those whose thinking is manipulated or controlled.

Government attack two who is, yes, brain rinsed
The second target is those who've been thoroughly indoctrinated.

Government attack three is for you and me
The third assault is on all of us, affecting our collective consciousness.

to constantly dream about the Lex with bulletproof tints
We continue to fantasize about luxury cars that conceal our vulnerabilities.

It's pointless to think I'm knockin ya
Don’t misunderstand my intent; I’m not here to criticize you.

If you a pimp, be a pimp, I'll be a philosopher
If you embrace that lifestyle, so be it; I’ll focus on deeper thoughts and insights.

So the....
Therefore, it follows that...

why-yes are the intelligent, we descend on every establishment
The intelligent community is present everywhere, ready to engage.

In the East or West, microphone grabbin it
Whether in the East or West, we seize opportunities to express ourselves.

Chess-to-chess, lyrical confrontation is dope
Engaging in clever, strategic lyrical battles is exhilarating, akin to a chess match.

for the hip-hop nation, yet our hope, your scope
This is for the hip-hop community, and our united vision must expand.

is broader than who can kill who and who got the biggest crew?
Our perspective must extend beyond rivalries and crew sizes.

That's why black people cannot seem to break through
This narrow mindset hinders progress within the Black community.

It's like crabs in a pot when one crab reaches the top
The struggle for success resembles crabs pulling each other down to prevent anyone from escaping.

other crabs wish to pull down and blood (BLOODS)
When one tries to rise, others try to drag them back down, often leading to conflict.

I'm not understandin what's all the fuss
I fail to grasp why there’s such commotion or turmoil.

Hip-hop belongs to all of us
Hip-hop culture is a shared legacy that belongs to everyone.

The East created it, the West decorated it
The foundation of hip-hop was laid in the East, while the West added flair and style.

Learn the lesson, the unified picture is black expression
Understand that the true essence of hip-hop showcases the expression of Black culture.

When black expression heights itself
As Black artistic expression reaches its peak,

it becomes black digression leadin to depression in health
It can lead to setbacks and negative consequences for mental and physical well-being.

Now question these ideas today
Reflect on these concepts and thoughts in our current context.

If hip-hop was destroyed could we blame the CIA
Should hip-hop face annihilation, would we point fingers at government agencies?

or the FBI, you'd be a motherfuckin lie-
If you suggest the FBI is solely to blame, you’re not being truthful.

er, li-are, pants on fire-er
Spreading lies is akin to the old saying about lies catching up to you.

Conspiracy theories are contrise or we keep them on the shelf
Conspiracy theories may seem compelling, yet we often ignore them.

We got no one to blame but ourselves
Ultimately, we must take responsibility for our circumstances.

So....
Therefore, it follows that we must act and take initiative.

We must move ahead (x8)
We need to continue progressing and evolving in our culture.

All beef is dead!
All conflicts and rivalries need to come to an end.