08. mad crew
KRS-One Lyrics


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So in the clubs I get (mad)
On the mic I get (mad)
On the beats I get (mad)
Yo,

[Chorus]
I got the
(Mad, mad crew up in the house)
I'm wit the
I be chillin' wit the
I'm rollin' wit the

See, this is what I'm sayin' and I know you don't see this
Wack, underpriveledged MCs think they can see Kris
They watchin' too much television and they rocka
This ain't the TV show "Taxi," and I ain't Lotka
I break an MC off proper, yo don't check me
Ask your Moms and Pops, yo they respect me
But here you stand, tryin' to get yours, but gettin' nothin'
You probably can't spell "Boogie Down" or "Productions"
I play for jeeps, I play for keeps, I play for streets, believe me
Put down the microphone and consider a squeegie
You're rated PG
Again I win when I begin
I'm slammin' again, no win, try to comprehend
I don't bend
I ravage and damage
I'm wild like a savage, kickin' asses
Hot flashes, your style's with trash's
Stay out of my classes, PUNK
Stay out of my classes - yo

[Chorus]

Twinkle, twinkle to the little rap star
I got all type of MC tongue in a pickle jar
So here's a quick freestyle to my target:
My core audience, *fuck* the rest of the market!
'Cause I spark it, styles I loan shark it
Then break your legs if you try to chart it
I got heart, it
Doesn't take a lot to rock a record, get wit it
Some MCs can't rock for five minutes
Sorry, that's not the way to approach me
Use caution
I rip up lyrical crews and MCs often
You probably don't know this:
I give birth to MCs
And I also give abortions
I'll do a number to your body structure
You look like supper
And I'm that hungry motherfucker!
You don't want to be on the menu!
I'll end you, twist you up and bend you
Like Gestapo
Pick up the microphone and crush up MC like a taco
No, we're never sad because we nah deal with sorrow
That's why dem challenge me, jah man you know dem challenge trouble
Me are number one of me there is no double!
And you don't want no trouble
'Cause Blastmaster KRS is flashin' lyrics on the double

[Chorus]

Check
Me comin' on quick, me cominadance, now me a sing
KRS-One in a party, man me do me own ting
Nuff MC test, but you don't hear vowel one
All you hear is when the BDP crew slap them up
We have the champion belt and lyrical cup
Any DJ they want my title filled, no way now man step up
But when you lose, now understand you get fucked up
This ain't no game upon the mic
Me bring the noise to you like Chuck

[Chorus]

Kid Capri got the
Gang Starr got the




Ill Will got the
Flavor Unit got the

Overall Meaning

The chorus of KRS-One's "Mad Crew" is a proclamation of his skill and the reputation of the group he represents. He claims to have a "mad crew" that is with him at all times, urging the listener to know that he rolls with the best. KRS-One addresses the competition, calling out "wack, underprivileged MCs" who can't compete with him. He makes it clear that he is not interested in commercial success or pleasing mainstream audiences because he is the real deal. KRS-One lets it be known that he is not to be messed with on the mic or on the beats.


KRS-One uses metaphorical images to reinforce his lyrical prowess. He compares his domination over other MCs to a loan shark who breaks legs if people try to chart his style. He also speaks about his creative genius, creating new MCs and aborting others he considers unworthy. He declares that he is a champion with a lyrical cup and champion belt that DJs want to fill. The song ends with KRS-One referencing other influential rap groups that represent the fundamental skills of hip-hop.


Line by Line Meaning

So in the clubs I get (mad)
The singer becomes agitated when in clubs.


On the mic I get (mad)
The singer becomes agitated while performing rap.


On the beats I get (mad)
The singer becomes agitated while listening to music.


I got the (Mad, mad crew up in the house) I'm wit the I be chillin' wit the I'm rollin' wit the
The artist is surrounded by a group of angry people.


Wack, underpriveledged MCs think they can see Kris
Lesser skilled rappers have no chance against the artist.


This ain't the TV show "Taxi," and I ain't Lotka
The singer is not a fictional character and does not share their qualities.


I break an MC off proper, yo don't check me
The singer is an established rapper and should not be challenged.


You probably can't spell "Boogie Down" or "Productions"
The listener is not knowledgeable about hip hop culture.


Put down the microphone and consider a squeegie
The artist suggests that the listener should consider a career change.


You're rated PG
The listener's rapping style is very basic and not aggressive.


Again I win when I begin I'm slammin' again, no win, try to comprehend
The singer is confident in their rapping abilities and has won many battles against other MCs.


I don't bend I ravage and damage I'm wild like a savage, kickin' asses
The artist is aggressive and not easily intimidated.


Hot flashes, your style's with trash's Stay out of my classes, PUNK
The listener's style is not on par with the singer's and they should not attempt to compete with them.


Twinkle, twinkle to the little rap star
The listener is not taken seriously by the singer and is not a true rapper.


I got all type of MC tongue in a pickle jar
The singer has defeated many other MCs.


My core audience, *fuck* the rest of the market!
The artist does not care about appealing to mainstream audiences and is content with their current fan base.


I rip up lyrical crews and MCs often
The artist is known for consistently defeating other rap groups and individual rappers.


I give birth to MCs And I also give abortions
The singer is responsible for creating and destroying other MCs.


You look like supper And I'm that hungry motherfucker!
The listener is vulnerable and the singer sees an opportunity to defeat them.


No, we're never sad because we nah deal with sorrow That's why dem challenge me, jah man you know dem challenge trouble
The artist is never unhappy due to their fearless nature, which is why they are often challenged.


Me are number one of me there is no double! And you don't want no trouble
The artist is the best and most skilled rapper, and the listener should not try to compete with them.


But when you lose, now understand you get fucked up This ain't no game upon the mic
If an MC challenges the artist and loses, they will suffer severe consequences.


Me bring the noise to you like Chuck
The singer brings excitement and energy to their raps, similar to the legendary musician Chuck D.


Kid Capri got the Gang Starr got the Ill Will got the Flavor Unit got the
Various rap artists and groups are mentioned, possibly indicating alliances or rivalries in the hip hop community.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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