Lessin
KRS-One Lyrics


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Yeah, uh-huh, underground, never stop y'all
Underground, K.P. y'all c'mon!

[Chorus]
Ain't no stoppin what we done
Don't give up this fight is won
There's no way they can hold us down
Cause with power and strength we gonna take it now
Take that stand realize the truth
Knowledge intellect bringin' minds anew
There's no way they can hold us down
Cause with power and strength we gonna save you now

[KRS-One over Chorus]
Uh-huh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh-huh
Tell them again, tell them again!
Uhh
Get 'em up now, word
Just get it up now, uh-huh
ALL OF THE MASSIVE!

B, R, O, N, X
See these cars, see these checks, intellect
See these thugs, ain't no sweat, intellect
A thousand miles, how do you do it? One step
Now check out this flow, they wanna be down, but they can't
Original "Criminal Minded" flow, they just ain't
ready for the real, ready to peel off the paint
Your style is fake, the teacher returns to debate
You the best? That's bull, you questionable
Highly flexible, wasn't you sexual?
Now you hardcore? You need to see God more
I sit on the faculty; you, you sophomore

[Chorus]

[KRS-One over Chorus]
Uhh, get 'em up
Yeah, get 'em up uhh
Yeah, uhh, that's right
That's right uh-huh, tell 'em again
It go, get 'em up
Yeah, that's right, uh-huh
Uh-huh
Another Kenny Parker exclusive!

Time to get it, now you did it, tryin' to spit it
You don't fit it, ask the critics, already did it, skipped the gimmicks
I don't mimic, metaphysics, you'll admit it, better to live it
Better to give it, so I spit it every minute so you get it
My lyric is wicked an' full of culture y'all
Huh? Battle, nah - get back in your car
Either you never heard of me or you really wanna get with me
But as your teacher let me test you for a learning disability
You feeling me? Cause you can't, get it through your head
This is, sui-CIDE!! You're better off dead
Let me not amp you up, cause this style you can't do what
My stomach can take it and your stomach it'll cramp you up
This is, breath control, breath control stylee
I get up all in that ass that (?) heinie
Try me, back in the days you woulda had sorrow
Try the teacher today, and you won't see tomorrow cause

[Chorus]

[KRS-One over Chorus]
Uhh, we get 'em up
Uhh, that's right, get 'em up
Yeah, uh-huh, get 'em up
Yeah, ONE MORE TIME NOW!
Uhh, that's right, get 'em up
Uh-huh, uh-huh, get 'em up I HEAR YOU
Uh-huh, I HEAR YOU, WORD UP!
LOOK AT THIS!

Like a piss on the streets I exist
Not the meat but the fish
Complete the feat when I'm speakin the heat into this
Witness Kris rippin this
Don't trip on this, skip ahead if you're ready
My show medley is deadly
I'm about a hundred million mic years away
These players I don't hate, but I'm not here to play
I hit it all day, all night, all afternoon
Rock all mics from the days of sassoon
Where the hell was you? On the corner with rats
when we was at the LQ, lockin it down and that was that
Divine speaker, mind keeper, time teacher, time leader
I'll be sittin in the club by the speaker
Waitin for you rappers to choke up then I eat ya
like some prehistoric winged creature, AHHH!
On your neck, like the American eagle facin East and West
I be the best, Blastmaster KRS cause

[Chorus]

[KRS-One over Chorus]
We get 'em up
Uhh, yo, we get 'em up
Like, YEAH, I SEE IT OVER THERE
I SEE IT OVER THERE, IT'S.. YEAH IT'S OVER HERE!
Uhh! Uhh, one more time we get it up
Yeah, yeah, we get it
Uhh, uhh, IT'S OVER HERE NOW!
IT'S OVER HERE NOW! UHH!

[Chorus]

Attention all true hip-hoppers
Let us come together, for the unity of hip-hop culture
Every third week in May, is hip-hop appreciation week
Celebrate with us




Then, join us in November, for hip-hop history month
Big up, to the Zulu Nation, PEACE!

Overall Meaning

The song "Lessin" by KRS-One is an anthem for unity and empowerment in the face of opposition. The lyrics speak to the importance of knowledge, intellect, and strength in standing up to those who try to hold us down. KRS-One's delivery is confident and assertive, urging his listeners to take action and realize the truth.


The song opens with a chant of "underground never stop," emphasizing the connection to the roots of hip-hop and the continued importance of the culture. The chorus declares that there is no stopping the fight for empowerment and that power and strength will lead to victory. KRS-One speaks to his own credentials as a performer and teacher and challenges others to prove themselves if they think they can measure up.


The verses of the song are filled with references to KRS-One's own past and the history of hip-hop. He boasts about his lyricism and breath control, invoking the classic sound of "Criminal Minded" that he helped pioneer. He also takes aim at artists who try to copy his style without understanding the true meaning and purpose of hip-hop. Ultimately, the message of "Lessin" is one of unity and determination in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, uh-huh, underground, never stop y'all
KRS-One is confident in the underground rap scene, and is encouraging his fellow underground rappers to never stop making music and continue their artistry.


Underground, K.P. y'all c'mon!
KRS-One is telling his fans to come with him on a journey in the underground rap scene.


[Chorus]
The chorus is reminding listeners to never give up in a fight for what is right and to use their power and strength to overcome oppression and achieve greatness.


"Cause with power and strength we gonna take it now"
KRS-One believes that with power and strength, the oppressed can overcome their oppressors and succeed in achieving their goals.


"Take that stand realize the truth"
KRS-One is encouraging his listeners to take a stand and recognize the truth about their lives and the world around them.


"Knowledge intellect bringin' minds anew"
KRS-One believes that gaining knowledge and learning new things can transform people and help them achieve their goals.


"Cause with power and strength we gonna save you now"
KRS-One believes that power and strength can bring about change and save people from oppression and inequality.


[KRS-One over Chorus]
KRS-One is continuing to encourage his listeners and hype up the song's energy.


"See these cars, see these checks, intellect"
KRS-One is highlighting his intelligence and success compared to others in the rap game.


"See these thugs, ain't no sweat, intellect"
KRS-One is stating that even the toughest thugs don't intimidate or faze him with his intelligence.


"A thousand miles, how do you do it? One step"
KRS-One is saying that, even if the road ahead is long and difficult, the path to success requires taking it one step at a time.


"Now check out this flow, they wanna be down, but they can't"
KRS-One is highlighting his impressive rapping skills and poking fun at other rappers who try to emulate his style but can't match his talent.


"Original 'Criminal Minded' flow, they just ain't"
KRS-One is referencing his own classic album 'Criminal Minded' and saying that other rappers can't match his original style and flow.


"Ready for the real, ready to peel off the paint"
KRS-One is stating that he is real, and ready to show the truth behind the facade that others put up.


"Your style is fake, the teacher returns to debate"
KRS-One is saying that he is the true master of the rap game, and that other rappers can't compare to his knowledge and experience.


"You the best? That's bull, you questionable"
KRS-One is calling out other rappers' claims that they are the best, and is saying that they are not living up to their own hype.


"Highly flexible, wasn't you sexual?"
KRS-One is making a reference to other rappers who switch up their style and image for popularity and fame, and questioning their authenticity.


"Now you hardcore? You need to see God more"
KRS-One is saying that other rappers claiming to be 'hardcore' or tough need to have a strong moral compass and be more in touch with spirituality.


"I sit on the faculty; you, you sophomore"
KRS-One is saying that he is an expert in the rap game and other rappers are not on his level, as they are still learning.


"Another Kenny Parker exclusive!"
KRS-One is shouting out his producer Kenny Parker, who he trusts to make great beats and music exclusively for him.


"Time to get it, now you did it, tryin' to spit it"
KRS-One is saying that it's time to get serious, and is calling out other rappers who try to rap but can't match his level of skill.


"You don't fit it, ask the critics, already did it, skipped the gimmicks"
KRS-One is emphasizing his raw talent and skill without any gimmicks or cheap tactics to gain fame, and saying that critics can attest to this.


"I don't mimic, metaphysics, you'll admit it, better to live it"
KRS-One is saying that he doesn't copy anyone's style and instead has his own unique metaphysical views on life and music, which he actually lives by rather than just talking about it.


"Better to give it, so I spit it every minute so you get it"
KRS-One is saying that he believes in giving back to his listeners through his music and gives it his all, every minute.


"My lyric is wicked an' full of culture y'all"
KRS-One's lyrics are pure and authentic and reflect his deep understanding of black culture.


"Battle, nah - get back in your car"
KRS-One is saying that he doesn't need to battle anyone, and that other rappers are not on his level.


"Either you never heard of me or you really wanna get with me"
KRS-One is saying that other rappers who claim to never have heard of him are lying and just intimidated by his skill and talent, or are actually interested in working with him.


"But as your teacher let me test you for a learning disability"
KRS-One is referencing himself as a teacher, and humorously calling out other rappers' flaws and lack of musical talent.


"You feeling me? Cause you can't, get it through your head"
KRS-One is saying that other rappers can't comprehend his skill and talent, and that they should give up trying to emulate him.


"This is, sui-CIDE!! You're better off dead"
KRS-One is saying that other rappers who try to compete with him are committing musical suicide since they can't match his level.


"Let me not amp you up, cause this style you can't do what"
KRS-One is saying that he doesn't want to inflate other rappers' egos since they can't compare to his skills and unique style.


"My stomach can take it and your stomach it'll cramp you up"
KRS-One is saying that he can handle anything other rappers throw at him and that they will only get hurt in the process of trying to battle him.


"This is, breath control, breath control stylee"
KRS-One is referencing his ability to control his breath while rapping and demonstrating his unique rapping style.


"I get up all in that ass that (?) heinie"
KRS-One is saying that he will defeat other rappers and show them up through his music and talent, calling them out for their BS.


"Try me, back in the days you woulda had sorrow"
KRS-One is saying that, if he challenged other rappers in the past, they would have lost and been embarrassed.


"Try the teacher today, and you won't see tomorrow cause"
KRS-One is saying that if other rappers try to compete with him now, they will fail terribly and their musical career will be over.


"[KRS-One over Chorus]"
KRS-One is hyping up the listeners and the song's energy, continuing to encourage his fans.


"Attention all true hip-hoppers"
KRS-One is reaching out to all true fans of hip-hop music and culture with a message of unity.


"Let us come together, for the unity of hip-hop culture"
KRS-One is calling for a coming together of hip-hop fans to celebrate the culture and its impact on the world of music.


"Every third week in May, is hip-hop appreciation week"
KRS-One is referring to an official week-long celebration of hip-hop culture and music in May, encouraging all fans to participate.


"Celebrate with us"
KRS-One is inviting all fans of hip-hop music and culture to celebrate together during the official hip-hop appreciation week.


"Then, join us in November, for hip-hop history month"
KRS-One is referring to another month-long celebration of the impact and contributions of hip-hop on the world of music, and inviting fans to participate.


"Big up, to the Zulu Nation, PEACE!"
KRS-One is giving a shout-out to the hip-hop collective group the Zulu Nation, which he co-founded, and signing off with a message of peace.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: APRIL WILLIAMS, KENNY PARKER, LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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