In high school in the late 1970s, he met Special K and DJ Easy Lee. They formed the influential old school hip hop group The Treacherous Three. It is with The Treacherous Three that Kool Moe Dee performed his freestyle, on stage roast of old school party rapper Busy Bee Starski, a performance frequently cited as a pivotal moment in the development of the battle rap. In 1986, Kool Moe Dee went solo, releasing a self-titled album.
He is also well-known for his long-running feud with LL Cool J; he claims that LL Cool J stole his rapping style. The cover of Kool Moe Dee's 1987 album How Ya Like Me Now features a red Kangol hat (LL Cool J's trademark) being crushed under the wheel of a Jeep.
His song I Go To Work from the album Knowledge Is King is considered by some the pinnacle of his work, with high speed, high energy and intricate lyrics masterfully mixed in to the stacatto sounds of a marching band.
Kool Moe Dee also appeared on Will Smith's #1 pop hit "Wild Wild West" from Smith's 1999 motion picture, on which he re-performs the chorus to his 1987 single of the same name.
In 2003 he authored a book called "There's a God on the Mic" (ISBN 1560255331). The book breaks down his 50 favorite MCs in terms of originality, concepts, versatility, vocabulary, substance, flow, flavor, freestyle, vocal presence, live performance, poetic value, body of work, industry impact, social impact, longevity, lyrics and battle skills.
Here We Go Again
Kool Moe Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on
Yeah, yeah
The word is out
Kool Moe Dee's in the house again
And here we go again
And word has it, the brother's esoteric knowledge
So he gon' come this time with a simplyfied rhyme
Check it out
[Verse 1:]
Around and around and around we go
People comin to the jam to hear me flow
The live lyricist is here and it's so
I got a funky beat to let you know
Only real brothers wanna hear real rhymes
All the soft suckers want the nickel-and-dime
Candy-coated, sugar-coated bubblegum rap
Long as it's movin on a funky track
My vocabulary's over their head
They can't understand a word I said
So I gotta come with the watered-down sound
With mediocre adjectives, verbs and nouns
Party people in the party only wanna dance
It's hard to rock a party when you're lyrically advanced
I tone down the lyrics, supressed ego
Got a funky rhythm, now watch me go
[Chorus:]
Here we go
Come On
(Go go go go...)
(Here we go again)
(Yeah y'all come on)
(Here we go again)
[Verse 2:]
Go with the flow? no, no, no
I am the brother that sets tempo
Intelligent, relevant, eloquent speakin
You do the dancin, I'll do the freakin
Some people wanna dance, some people wanna listen
Some people at the party only wanna hear the dissin
My versatile styles, I'm able to adapt
You know I'm talkin shit cause I'm all that
I drop science for the brothers on the street
Intellects get it, and others want the beat
The way they feel I could be erased
All they want is you to pump that bass
Rather than tryin to change the times
They would rather me change my rhymes
A positive brother? yeah, yeah, we know
But they would rather just watch me go
[Chorus]
[Verse 3:]
I am a brother, young, gifted and black
There's no need for the profane rap
I'm lyrically potent, very well versed
Some rappers can't rap and try to hide it with a curse
Money in the pocket, gold around the neck
Rings on every finger, boomin system in effect
Tryin to imitate, or better emulate
I can relate, but I rather innovate
Like the creator I love to create
Peace and love, conquerin hate
I got a date with faith
To be known as the great
So all you sissy-soft suckers gainin weight
Become irate, while the ladies girate
Infatuate, lust and mate
Mental state, compensate
If I get too deep, then you won't relate
So now I gotta tone down the sound
Cos I can pick the beat up and turn it around
Turn any jam to a political party
Raise your conscience and rock your body
If you can't relate, just clap your hands
Listen to the rhythm and do your dance
And I'll just party with the alter ego
Rock-the-body-body-body-body, here we go
[Chorus]
Kool Moe Dee’s hip-hop song “Here We Go Again” is about the challenges he faces as a conscious artist who seeks to enlighten his audience through his music. In the opening lines, Kool Moe Dee is aware that some people believe his knowledge to be too profound for his fans to comprehend, and so he’s decided to simplify his lyrics. Otherwise, only the “real” hip-hop enthusiasts who appreciate the art form for its substance will enjoy his music, and those looking for “nickel-and-dime” lyrics will most likely not understand his deeper meanings. The artist also addresses the fact that he needs to alter his sound to appeal to the masses, toning down his advanced rhymes and using mediocre adjectives, verbs, and nouns to be more accessible.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we go
Starting something new or continuing an existing event
Come on
Encouraging someone to participate or follow
Yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement or agreement with something previously mentioned
The word is out
Information has been spread or shared widely
Kool Moe Dee's in the house again
Kool Moe Dee is present and performing
And word has it, the brother's esoteric knowledge
Rumors have circulated that Kool Moe Dee's knowledge is too deep for some fans
Is a little too deep for the fans
Some fans find Kool Moe Dee's knowledge to be difficult to understand
So he gon' come this time with a simplyfied rhyme
Kool Moe Dee will simplify his lyrics this time around
Check it out
Listen to what he has to say
Around and around and around we go
The cycle of attending parties and performing continues
People comin to the jam to hear me flow
Fans come to listen to Kool Moe Dee's rap
The live lyricist is here and it's so
Kool Moe Dee is performing live
I got a funky beat to let you know
Kool Moe Dee has a great rhythm to share
Only real brothers wanna hear real rhymes
True rap fans prefer authentic lyrics
All the soft suckers want the nickel-and-dime
Less dedicated fans like more simplistic and commercial music
Candy-coated, sugar-coated bubblegum rap
Cheap and formulaic rap music that is overly sweet and sanitized
Long as it's movin on a funky track
Fans still enjoy coincidental upbeat music
My vocabulary's over their head
Kool Moe Dee's level of language is too advanced for some folks
They can't understand a word I said
Some listeners cannot comprehend his lyrics
So I gotta come with the watered-down sound
Kool Moe Dee will lower his level of language
With mediocre adjectives, verbs and nouns
Lyrics that are less creative and less impressive
Party people in the party only wanna dance
Most partygoers are there to move and dance
It's hard to rock a party when you're lyrically advanced
Kool Moe Dee's sophisticated lyrics are not always dance-friendly
I tone down the lyrics, supressed ego
Kool Moe Dee lowers his language and ego
Got a funky rhythm, now watch me go
Kool Moe Dee starts performing
Go with the flow? no, no, no
Kool Moe Dee has his own unique style
I am the brother that sets tempo
Kool Moe Dee maintains the rhythm
Intelligent, relevant, eloquent speakin
Kool Moe Dee uses smart and meaningful language
You do the dancin, I'll do the freakin
Kool Moe Dee will perform while fans dance
Some people wanna dance, some people wanna listen
Some partygoers prefer to dance while others will listen to the lyrics
Some people at the party only wanna hear the dissin
Some listeners prefer to hear controversial remarks
My versatile styles, I'm able to adapt
Kool Moe Dee is versatile and can change his style
You know I'm talkin shit cause I'm all that
Kool Moe Dee is confident
I drop science for the brothers on the street
Kool Moe Dee shares intellectual ideas with his fans
Intellects get it, and others want the beat
Some fans appreciate the smart lyrics while others just want the rhythm
The way they feel I could be erased
Some listeners might want Kool Moe Dee to change his style
All they want is you to pump that bass
Some listeners focus only on the rhythm
Rather than tryin to change the times
Kool Moe Dee will not alter his lyrics to move with the times
They would rather me change my rhymes
Some listeners would like Kool Moe Dee to change his lyrics
A positive brother? yeah, yeah, we know
Kool Moe Dee's positive message is well-known
But they would rather just watch me go
Some listeners prefer to watch Kool Moe Dee perform instead of listening to his message
I am a brother, young, gifted and black
Kool Moe Dee identifies as black and talented
There's no need for the profane rap
Kool Moe Dee does not need to use profanity in his lyrics
I'm lyrically potent, very well versed
Kool Moe Dee is skilled and knowledgeable in his lyrics
Some rappers can't rap and try to hide it with a curse
Some less talented rappers may use profanity as a crutch
Money in the pocket, gold around the neck
Some rappers prioritize wealth and material possessions
Rings on every finger, boomin system in effect
Some rappers flaunt their wealth and possessions
Tryin to imitate, or better emulate
Some rappers attempt to copy or improve upon others' styles
I can relate, but I rather innovate
Kool Moe Dee prefers to create something new and original
Like the creator I love to create
Kool Moe Dee enjoys creating art like a god or natural force
Peace and love, conquerin hate
Kool Moe Dee advocates for love and positivity overcoming negativity
I got a date with faith
Kool Moe Dee is committed to his beliefs
To be known as the great
Kool Moe Dee wants to be remembered as a great artist
So all you sissy-soft suckers gainin weight
Kool Moe Dee criticizes less dedicated fans for not appreciating his music
Become irate, while the ladies girate
Less serious fans might become angry while others dance
Infatuate, lust and mate
Some partygoers might become romantically involved
Mental state, compensate
Kool Moe Dee values intellectual and emotional health
If I get too deep, then you won't relate
Some listeners might not understand or relate to Kool Moe Dee's lyrics
So now I gotta tone down the sound
Kool Moe Dee will simplify his lyrics
Cos I can pick the beat up and turn it around
Kool Moe Dee can still make great music despite simplifying his lyrics
Turn any jam to a political party
Kool Moe Dee can turn any song into a politically charged message
Raise your conscience and rock your body
Kool Moe Dee encourages listeners to think critically and dance
If you can't relate, just clap your hands
Even if you don't understand the lyrics, you can still enjoy the music
Listen to the rhythm and do your dance
Pay attention to the beat and move your body
And I'll just party with the alter ego
Kool Moe Dee will perform with his alternate personality
Rock-the-body-body-body-body, here we go
Start the party and the music
[Chorus:]
Refrain of the song
(Go go go go...)
Encouragement to keep going
(Here we go again)
Starting anew
(Yeah y'all come on)
Encouragement to the audience
(Here we go again)
Starting over
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.