The Bridge Is Over
KRS-One Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Intro:
I say the bridge is over the bridge is over biddy bye bye!
The bridge is over the bridge is over hey hey!
The bridge is over the bridge is over biddy bye bye!
The bridge is over the bridge is over
Verse One:
You see me come in any dance wid de spliff of sensei
Down with the sound called BDP
If you want to join the crew well you must see me
Ya can't sound like Shan or the one Marley
Because Shan and Marley Marl dem-a-rhymin like they gay
Pickin up the mic, mon, dem don't know what to say
Sayin that hip-hop started out in Queensbridge
Sayin lies like that, mon, you know dem can't live
So I, tell them again, me come to tell them again, gwan!
Tell them again, me come to tell them agaaain
Tell them again, me come to tell them again, gwan!
Tell them again, me come to te-ell them
Manhattan keeps on makin it, Brooklyn keeps on takin it
Bronx keeps creatin it, and Queens keeps on fakin it
Verse Two:
Di-di di-da, di di-di, dida di-day, aiy!
All you sucka MC, won't you please come out to play, cause
Here's an example of KRS-One, bo!
Here's an example of KRS-One
They wish to battle BDP, but they cannot
They must be on the dick of who? DJ Scott LaRock
Cause, we don't complain nor do we play the game of favors
Boogie Down Productions comes in three different flavors
Pick any dick for the flavor that you savor
Mr. Magic might wish to come and try to save ya
But instead of helpin ya out he wants the same thing I gave ya
I finally figured it out, Magic mouth is used for suckin
Roxanne Shante is only good for steady fuckin
MC Shan and Marley Marl is really only bluffin
Like Doug E. Fresh said "I tell you now, you ain't nuthin"
Compared to Red Alert on KISS and Boogie Down Productions
So easy now man, I me say easy now mon
To KRS-One you know dem can't understand
Me movin over there and then me movin over here
This name of this routine is called Live At Union Square
Square, square, square, ooooooooooooooooooooooo
What's the matter with your MC, Marley Marl?
Don't know you know that he's out of touch
What's the matter with your DJ, MC Shan?
On the wheels of steel Marlon sucks
You'd better change what comes out your speaker
You're better off talkin bout your wack Puma sneaker
Cause Bronx created hip-hop, Queens will only get dropped
You're still tellin lies to me




Everybody's talkin bout the Juice Crew funny
But you're still tellin lies to me

Overall Meaning

KRS-One's song The Bridge Is Over is a diss track aimed at MC Shan and Marley Marl, who were prominent figures in the Juice Crew, a group of artists associated with Queensbridge. The song is widely considered one of the best diss tracks ever made, due to its clever rhymes and stinging insults.


The chorus "The bridge is over, the bridge is over, biddy bye bye" is a reference to the Queensboro Bridge, which connects Queens to Manhattan. KRS-One is essentially saying that the Juice Crew, who were based in Queens, are no longer relevant and that their time has passed.


Verse one is KRS-One's attack on MC Shan and Marley Marl for claiming that hip-hop started in Queensbridge. KRS-One counters this by saying that the Bronx is the true birthplace of hip-hop and that Queensbridge is "faking it." He also takes shots at MC Shan and Marley Marl's rapping skills, accusing them of "rhyming like they gay" and not being able to come up with original lyrics.


In verse two, KRS-One continues to insult MC Shan and Marley Marl, as well as the rest of the Juice Crew. He accuses them of being unable to compete with Boogie Down Productions (BDP) and being reliant on DJ Scott La Rock. He also calls out Roxanne Shante and Mr. Magic, two other Juice Crew members, before returning to his argument that Queensbridge is not the home of hip-hop.


Line by Line Meaning

I say the bridge is over the bridge is over biddy bye bye!
KRS-One declares the end of the MC Shan and Marley Marl-led Queensbridge era in hip-hop, using a Jamaicanism to emphasize its finality.


The bridge is over the bridge is over hey hey!
KRS-One repeats his claim with even more vigor and conveys that those who cling to the past or try to challenge him are in for a rude surprise.


You see me come in any dance wid de spliff of sensei
KRS-One enters any dance (a reference to the sound system culture where rappers would compete) with confidence, carrying a joint of high-quality marijuana.


Down with the sound called BDP
KRS-One is part of the influential and highly respected Boogie Down Productions hip-hop group and is fiercely loyal to it.


If you want to join the crew well you must see me
To become part of Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One must personally vet you and assess whether you have the talent and character to contribute positively to the group.


Ya can't sound like Shan or the one Marley
KRS-One declares that imitating the styles of MC Shan or Marley Marl, two prominent Queensbridge rappers and producers, is futile if you seek his approval.


Because Shan and Marley Marl dem-a-rhymin like they gay
KRS-One dismisses the rhyming skills of MC Shan and Marley Marl as subpar and lacking in masculinity.


Pickin up the mic, mon, dem don't know what to say
KRS-One ridicules MC Shan and Marley Marl's lyrical content, suggesting that they struggle to come up with fresh or meaningful lines.


Sayin that hip-hop started out in Queensbridge
KRS-One calls out MC Shan and others for claiming that hip-hop originated solely in their neighborhood, disputing the commonly accepted view that it emerged from multiple sources across New York City.


Sayin lies like that, mon, you know dem can't live
KRS-One asserts that MC Shan and his followers are promoting falsehoods that cannot be sustained, thus undermining their credibility.


So I, tell them again, me come to tell them again, gwan!
KRS-One reiterates his message that he is here to set the record straight and challenge those who dare to question his authority.


Manhattan keeps on makin it, Brooklyn keeps on takin it
KRS-One highlights the importance of Manhattan and Brooklyn, two boroughs that have contributed greatly to hip-hop music and culture, contrasting them with Queens, which he believes is not living up to its hype.


Bronx keeps creatin it, and Queens keeps on fakin it
KRS-One suggests that while the Bronx remains a fertile ground for new hip-hop sounds and talents, Queens is merely trying to copy or piggyback off others' innovations.


All you sucka MC, won't you please come out to play, cause
KRS-One invites all aspiring rappers to compete with him, implying that they will inevitably lose.


Here's an example of KRS-One, bo!
KRS-One introduces himself as the standard of excellence in rap, confident that his skills and reputation will intimidate his rivals.


They wish to battle BDP, but they cannot
KRS-One expresses disdain for those who seek to challenge Boogie Down Productions' supremacy, suggesting that their ambition exceeds their ability.


They must be on the dick of who? DJ Scott LaRock
KRS-One mocks those who he believes are trying to get his producer, DJ Scott LaRock, to side with them or support their music, casting aspersions on their motives.


Cause, we don't complain nor do we play the game of favors
KRS-One values integrity and independence, affirming that he and Boogie Down Productions do not engage in petty rivalries or politics to gain an advantage.


Boogie Down Productions comes in three different flavors
KRS-One touts the versatility and diversity of Boogie Down Productions, suggesting that the group has various styles and voices to appeal to different listeners.


Pick any dick for the flavor that you savor
KRS-One playfully suggests that listeners should choose their favorite Boogie Down Productions member based on their sexual preferences or tastes, indicating that the group has something for everyone.


Mr. Magic might wish to come and try to save ya
KRS-One alludes to Mr. Magic, a legendary DJ and radio host who promoted several Queensbridge rappers, implying that he or his acolytes may try to rescue MC Shan, but to no avail.


But instead of helpin ya out he wants the same thing I gave ya
KRS-One suggests that Mr. Magic is selfish and seeks to benefit from the same things that KRS-One has provided for MC Shan, without contributing to their creation.


I finally figured it out, Magic mouth is used for suckin
KRS-One insults Mr. Magic, calling him a disingenuous flatterer who likely engages in immoral or unethical behavior.


Roxanne Shante is only good for steady fuckin
KRS-One denigrates Roxanne Shante, a female rapper from Queensbridge who had criticized Boogie Down Productions, by reducing her to a sexual object.


MC Shan and Marley Marl is really only bluffin
KRS-One characterizes MC Shan and Marley Marl as frauds who are pretending to be more skilled or important than they really are.


Like Doug E. Fresh said "I tell you now, you ain't nuthin"
KRS-One quotes Doug E. Fresh, an acclaimed rapper, to emphasize his point that MC Shan and Marley Marl are not worthy of recognition or respect.


Compared to Red Alert on KISS and Boogie Down Productions
KRS-One draws a distinction between authentic hip-hop (represented by him and Boogie Down Productions) and commercial or superficial hip-hop (represented by radio DJ Red Alert).


So easy now man, I me say easy now mon
KRS-One urges listeners to relax and take it easy, using a Jamaicanism to add flair to his speech.


To KRS-One you know dem can't understand
KRS-One claims that his art and message are beyond the comprehension of those who lack the insight or background to appreciate them.


Me movin over there and then me movin over here
KRS-One describes his ability to switch positions or shift his focus with ease, suggesting that he is adaptable and unpredictable.


This name of this routine is called Live At Union Square
KRS-One announces the title of his performance or show, which is taking place in Union Square, a well-known public space in Manhattan that was a frequent site of hip-hop concerts and demonstrations at the time.


Square, square, square, ooooooooooooooooooooooo
KRS-One repeats the word "Square" and adds a prolonged and dramatic vocalization to build up excitement or anticipation.


What's the matter with your MC, Marley Marl?
KRS-One taunts Marley Marl, challenging his credentials and suggesting that he is deficient as a rapper or producer.


Don't know you know that he's out of touch
KRS-One derides Marley Marl's lack of awareness or acumen, implying that he cannot keep up with the changing trends or preferences of hip-hop fans.


What's the matter with your DJ, MC Shan?
KRS-One questions MC Shan's loyalty and feasibility, implying that he is not up to the task of representing Queensbridge properly.


On the wheels of steel Marlon sucks
KRS-One criticizes Marley Marl's DJ skills, claiming that he is not adept at manipulating records or controlling the crowd.


You'd better change what comes out your speaker
KRS-One advises MC Shan and his collaborators to alter their words or tunes if they want to have any chance of impressing him or the public.


You're better off talkin bout your wack Puma sneaker
KRS-One insults MC Shan and suggests that he should focus on mundane or trivial matters like his footwear rather than pretending to be a hip-hop authority.


Cause Bronx created hip-hop, Queens will only get dropped
KRS-One asserts Bronx's primacy in the history of hip-hop, implying that Queens should pay its respects and not try to challenge it.


You're still tellin lies to me
KRS-One accuses MC Shan and Marley Marl of propagating falsehoods or myths about hip-hop's origins or development, contradicting his own version of events.


Everybody's talkin bout the Juice Crew funny
KRS-One references the Juice Crew, a Queensbridge-based collective of rappers and producers that was seen as a rival to Boogie Down Productions, suggesting that they are a joke.


But you're still tellin lies to me
KRS-One reiterates his claim that the Juice Crew and others are making false claims about hip-hop that he cannot tolerate.




Contributed by Cooper O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@lion-orichie398

Just to clear things up ... I’m an old person & I grew up East Elmhurst, Queens, N.Y.... And this song was actually bumping out of every drug-dealer’s car, back in the days... It’s TRUE HIP-HOP 👍

@El.Compa.De.NY.

No

@canibus9962

No

@MrBigtodd

I’m from Newark NJ and that’s true all the hustlers had this thumping out of their cars

@leanna9587

😂😂😂 Music to work by!

@santwanrutland7293

Facts

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@Godliiest

2023 and this shit still smacks... Legendary!!

@knucklegame5050

SLAPS Not Smacks

@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372

@@knucklegame5050 He's right lmfao. Smacks is absolutely correct wtf bro ?

@MADNEWYORKER914

Word!!!

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