Ah Yeah
KRS-One Lyrics


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Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down
Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown
Ah yeah, stay alive all things will change around
Ah yeah, what? Ah yeah

So here I go kickin' science in ninety-five
I be illin', parental discretion is advised still
Don't call me nigga, this MC goes for his
Call me God, cause that's what the black man is
Roamin' through the forest as the hardest lyrical artist
Black women you are not a bitch you're a Goddess
Let it be known, you can lean on KRS-One
Like a wall cause I'm hard, I represent GOD
Wack MC's have only one style gun buck
But when you say, "Let's buck for revolution"
They shut the fuck up, kid, get with it
Down to start a riot in a minute
You'll hear so many Bowe-Bowe-Bowe, you think I'm Riddick
While other MC's are talkin' bout up with hope down with dope
I'll have a devil in my infrared scope, woi
That's for calling my father a boy and, KLAK KLAK KLAK
That's for putting scars on my mother's back, BO
That's for calling my sister a hoe, and for you
Buck BUCK BUCK, cause I don't give a motherfuck
Remember the whip, remember the chant, remember about rope and
You black people still thinkin' about vot-ing
Every president we ever had lied
You know I'm kinda glad Nixon died

Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down
Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown
Ah yeah, stay alive all things will change around
Ah yeah, what? Ah yeah

This is not the first time I came to the planet
But every time I come, only a few could understand it
I came as Isis, my words they tried to ban it
I came as Moses, they couldn't follow my commandments
I came as Solomon, to a people that was lost
I came as Jesus, but they nailed me to a cross
I came as Harriet Tubman, I put the truth to Sojourner
Other times, I had to come as Nat Turner
They tried to burn me, lynch me and starve me
So I had to come back as Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley
They tried to harm me, I used to be Malcolm X
Now I'm on the planet as the one called KRS
Kickin the metaphysical, spiritual, tryin to like
Get wit you, showin you, you are invincible
The Black Panther is the black answer for real
In my spiritual form, I turn into Bobby Seale
On the wheels of steel, my spirit flies away
And enters into Kwame Ture

Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down
Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown
Ah yeah, stay alive all things will change around
Ah yeah, what? Ah yeah

In the streets there is no EQ, no di-do-di-do-di-do
So I grab the air and speak through the code
The devil cannot see through as I unload
Into another cerebellum
Then I can tell 'em, because my vibes go through denim
And leather whatever, however, I'm still rockin'
We used to pick cotton, now we pick up cotton when we shoppin'
Have you forgotten why we buildin' in a cypher
Yo hear me kid, government is building in a pyramid
The son of God is brighter than the son of man
The spirit is, check your dollar bill G, here it is
We got no time for fancy mathematics
Your mental frequency frequently pickin' up static
Makin you a naked body, attic and it's democratic
They press auto, and you kill it with an automatic

Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down
Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown




Ah yeah, stay alive all things will change around
Ah yeah, what? Ah yeah

Overall Meaning

"Ah yeah," you know KRS-One will crush a duck


The lyrics to KRS-One's song Ah-Yeah are powerful and thought-provoking. The first verse begins with the lines, "Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down. Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown." This is a call to action for those who witness injustice and oppression to stand up against it, to not let the devil hold power over them. The following lines encourage the listener to stay alive and have faith that change will come. The repetition of "Ah yeah" throughout the song serves as a rallying cry, a reminder to stay strong and keep fighting.


The second verse continues with KRS-One's signature style of kicking science, or delivering knowledge and insight through his lyrics. He proclaims that he is an ill MC but also cautions parental discretion. He rejects being called the racial epithet often used against Black people and instead demands to be called God, asserting the inherent divinity of Black people. KRS-One then goes on to uplift Black women, declaring that they are not bitches but instead are goddesses. He offers himself as a source of support, stating that people can lean on him because he is hard, representing God.


Ah-Yeah is a powerful song that addresses themes of oppression, Black empowerment, and standing up for what is right. It calls on listeners to be vigilant and to fight against injustice, while also celebrating the resilience and divinity of Black people.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you see a devil down
Expressing satisfaction that an enemy has been defeated or brought low.


Ah yeah, that's whatcha say when you take the devil's crown
Expressing triumph over an opponent or obstacle.


Ah yeah, stay alive all things will change around
Encouraging perseverance in difficult times with the belief that circumstances will improve.


Ah yeah, what? Ah yeah!
An exclamation of confidence and excitement.


So here I go kickin science in ninety-five
Beginning a new era of rap music that emphasizes knowledge and social commentary.


I be illin, parental discretion is advised still
Warning listeners of explicit language and content.


Don't call me nigga, this MC goes for his
Demanding respect and recognition as a skilled rapper.


Call me God, cause that's what the black man is
Challenging societal views on race and elevating Black identity to a higher level.


Roamin through the forest as the hardest lyrical artist
Navigating the rap genre with confidence and skill as one of the greatest rappers of all time.


Black women you are not a bitch you're a Goddess
Affirming the beauty and worth of Black women and rejecting harmful language and attitudes towards them.


Let it be known, you can lean on KRS-One
Assuring listeners of support and reliability from the artist.


Like a wall cause I'm hard, I represent GOD
Comparing himself to an immovable object and affirming his connection to a higher power.


Wack MC's have only one style: gun buck
Criticizing the lack of depth and creativity in certain rappers' styles.


But when you say,
Introducing a hypothetical situation.




Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Lawrence Krsone Parker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@UNKNOWN-tx3mq

Dad: turn it off!!!
Me: Why?
Dad: we have bigger speakers downstairs!

@REAL33ism

One of the greatest songs ever produced!!!

@fugyaself2133

"They tried to lynch me, burn me and starve me. So I had to come back as Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley"
- The Vedic Hindu Scrolls

@GuillermoCorriz-eo7iy

I first heard this album in 95 i was rhe only one in nEw mexico bumpin it no cap, im still rockin it today ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ

@BrotherNkosi

Love it. II am a few days for 62 and I Still love it.

@savagelychill2858

It's crazy cuz the brothers who need to hear this aint even up on this. We need Real Hip Hop Back! This generation is lost!

@charlenewilliams9476

I sgree.

@moebee3837

๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿพ

@evelynprice2753

Right!๐ŸŽค๐ŸŽถ๐Ÿ‘‘

@alanashford9207

Heard this age 14....I gotta teach a hip-hop 101-102 class...I gotta introduce this to some youth bumpn' lil ' what ever kid name is...we have to straighten the focus of our youth..

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