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.
How Ya Like Me Now
Kool Moe Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I throw my tape on, then I watch ya
Three seconds later, I got ya
Shakin' your head, dancin' instead of sittin'
The rhymes kick, the beat's hittin' you
Just like a home run, slammin' like a slam dunk
Riding the wave James Brown gave funk
How you think it feel to see another MC get paid
Usin' my rap style?
And I'm playin' the background, meanwhile
I ain't with that, you can't forget that
You took my style, I'm takin' it back
Comin' back, like "Return of the Jedi"
Sucker MCs in the place that said I
Could only rock rhymes and only rock crowds
But never rock records, how ya like me now?
How ya like me now?
Now brothers are riding me like a pony
I'm no phony, I'm the only real mic-aroni
Playin' the mic like it's supposed to be played
New jacks, you all shoulda stayed
Out of the business, what is this
Amateur night at the Apollo?
Get off this stage, I'm in rage
Just like a lion trapped inside of a cage
I'm the real king, rap is a jungle
I never understood, how could one go
To a party, watch me, stand around and jock me
Become a rapper, then try to rock me?
Schemin' like a demon, you're screamin' and dreamin'
I'm from the old school, I used to see men
Die for less, but I'm not living that way
I'll let my mic do the talkin'
And let the music play
How ya like me now?
Rap is an art and I'm like Picasso
But of course, why else would you try so
Hard to paint a picture, and try to get ya
Self in my shoes, but they won't fit ya
I'm bigger and better, forget about deffer
Every time I rocked the mic, I left a
Stain in your brain that will remain
Stuck in the back of your brain
Until you see me again, respect, I come correct
The rhymes I select are nothing short of perfect
Vernacular's pure and I can ensure
Life or death with my breath, my voice is a cure
I feel life from the words I spread
I'll make a sick man rock on his death bed
Sucker MCs, I'll make your girl say, "Ow"
And she's jockin', now how ya like me now?
How ya like me now?
It irked my nerve when I heard
A sucker rapper that I know I'll serve
Run around town sayin' he is the best
Is that a test? I'm not impressed
Get real, you're nothing but a toy
Don't ya know that I'll serve that boy?
Just like a waiter, hit 'em with a plate of
These fresh rhymes
And make sure that he pay the, pay the, pay the bill
And leave him standin' still
And when he's had enough, hit him with a refill
And for dessert it won't be no ice cream
I'm just gonna shatter and splatter his pipe dreams
Make him feel the wrath, beat him down, and laugh
And when I finish, then I'm gonna ask him
"Who is the best?" And if he don't say, "Moe Dee"
I'll take my whip and make him call himself Toby
Whip him good, then I'll make him sweat
Always talkin' about battles but ain't never had a battle yet
But if we ever did, how could he beat me?
He's so petrified, he's scared to even meet me
My word's the law, that's why you don't beef
You're nothing but a punk, track star, and a thief
So I'm puttin' you on punishment, just like a child
Never touch another mic, how ya like me now?
How ya like me now?
I could continue, there's more on the menu
But I'll relax 'cause I'm so far in you
You had enough, I know you're overstuffed
And if I keep going, you'll be throwin' up
Old rhymes I used to say way back in the day
When you used to come to my parties and pay
Nobody's ever gonna rock me and this I vow
So all I wanna say is how ya like me now?
How ya like me now?
How ya like me now?
The song “How Ya Like Me Now” by Kool Moe Dee is a classic hip-hop track that talks about his dominance as a rapper in the industry. The song begins with a train whistle, signifying that Moe Dee is about to take his listeners on a journey through his rhymes. The lyrics talk about how he throws his tape on and then watches his listeners dance to the beat, indicating how effortlessly he creates music that moves people.
As the song progresses, Moe Dee becomes more assertive in his lyrics, stating that he is the only true “mic-aroni” and that other rappers should have stayed out of the industry. He cites his experience in the old school rap scene, where rappers would die for less, to show that he is an authentic and original artist. Moe Dee also compares himself to a lion trapped inside a cage, signifying his power and dominance in the rap game, ready to break free at any moment.
Towards the end of the song, Moe Dee talks about how he would punish any rapper who tries to step to him with his razor-sharp lyrics. He ends the song by boasting about his skills and asking if the listener is impressed, showing that he is confident in his abilities as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
I throw my tape on, then I watch ya
I play my music and observe your reaction.
Three seconds later, I got ya
I captivate your attention within seconds of playing my music.
Shakin' your head, dancin' instead of sittin'
My music makes you want to move and dance rather than sit still.
The rhymes kick, the beat's hittin' you
My lyrics and music make an impact on you.
Just like a home run, slammin' like a slam dunk
My music and lyrics are a success and well received.
Riding the wave James Brown gave funk
I'm following the footsteps of James Brown, the father of funk music.
It happened to James like it happened to me
I experienced what James Brown did, where other musicians copy his style.
How you think it feel to see another MC get paid
Usin' my rap style?
It's frustrating to see other rappers use my style and make money out of it.
And I'm playin' the background, meanwhile
While others steal my style and become more popular, I'm staying in the background.
I ain't with that, you can't forget that
I don't accept others taking my style and I won't let people forget it.
You took my style, I'm takin' it back
I'm reclaiming my own style that others have taken and made popular.
Comin' back, like "Return of the Jedi"
I'm coming back strong like a Jedi warrior from Star Wars.
Sucker MCs in the place that said I
There are some rappers who doubted and criticized me.
Could only rock rhymes and only rock crowds
They believed I could only perform live and not make popular records.
But never rock records, how ya like me now?
But now I'm proving them wrong by making successful records, and they have to acknowledge my talent.
Now brothers are riding me like a pony
Now other rappers are trying to use me and ride on my success.
I'm no phony, I'm the only real mic-aroni
I'm the only true artist and genuine rap musician.
Playin' the mic like it's supposed to be played
I play the microphone and use it correctly as an instrument.
New jacks, you all shoulda stayed
Out of the business, what is this
Amateur night at the Apollo?
These new, inexperienced rappers should stay out of the music business because they can't compete with my talent and professionalism.
Get off this stage, I'm in rage
Just like a lion trapped inside of a cage
I'm angry and frustrated like a caged lion, and I want these amateurs to leave the stage.
I'm the real king, rap is a jungle
I'm the true king of rap music, and the rap world is a difficult and dangerous place.
I never understood, how could one go
To a party, watch me, stand around and jock me
Become a rapper, then try to rock me?
I don't understand how someone can watch me perform and then try to copy and compete with me as a rapper.
Schemin' like a demon, you're screamin' and dreamin'
These copycat rappers are scheming and dreaming of stealing my style and success.
I'm from the old school, I used to see men
Die for less, but I'm not living that way
I come from a time where people were willing to die for their music, but I'm not willing to live like that or risk my life.
I'll let my mic do the talkin'
And let the music play
I'll let my music and lyrics speak for themselves, and I'll continue making music professionally.
Rap is an art and I'm like Picasso
Rap music is an artistic form of expression, and I'm like Pablo Picasso, a famous artist.
But of course, why else would you try so
Hard to paint a picture, and try to get ya
Self in my shoes, but they won't fit ya
Of course, other rappers try to emulate my style because they can't create their own successful style.
I'm bigger and better, forget about deffer
I'm more popular and talented than any other rapper, don't even mention them.
Every time I rocked the mic, I left a
Stain in your brain that will remain
Stuck in the back of your brain
Until you see me again
Every time I perform, my music and lyrics make a lasting impression and memory in your mind that you'll remember until the next time you see me.
Respect, I come correct
I demand respect and always act professionally.
The rhymes I select are nothing short of perfect
My lyrics are exceptional and perfect for the music world.
Vernacular's pure and I can ensure
Life or death with my breath, my voice is a cure
My language and diction are excellent, and I guarantee that my voice can heal and soothe.
I feel life from the words I spread
I'll make a sick man rock on his death bed
My lyrics and music have a positive energy and can make sick people feel better, even on their death bed.
Sucker MCs, I'll make your girl say, "Ow"
And she's jockin', now how ya like me now?
Other inferior rappers make their girlfriends impressed when they listen to my music, and they can't compete with me.
It irked my nerve when I heard
A sucker rapper that I know I'll serve
It frustrates me when I hear another rapper that I know I'm better than.
Run around town sayin' he is the best
Is that a test? I'm not impressed
Another rapper claiming to be the best is like a challenge to me, but I'm not impressed.
Get real, you're nothing but a toy
Don't ya know that I'll serve that boy?
You're nothing but a plaything, and I know I can beat you in a rap battle.
Just like a waiter, hit 'em with a plate of
These fresh rhymes
And make sure that he pay the, pay the, pay the bill
Just like a waiter, I'll serve fresh rhymes and make sure that the other rapper gets humiliated and pays for it.
And leave him standin' still
And when he's had enough, hit him with a refill
I'll leave him speechless, and when he thinks he's had enough, I'll give him more insults and rhymes.
And for dessert it won't be no ice cream
I'm just gonna shatter and splatter his pipe dreams
As a final blow, I'll destroy his dreams and aspirations.
Make him feel the wrath, beat him down, and laugh
And when I finish, then I'm gonna ask him
"Who is the best?" And if he don't say, "Moe Dee"
I'll take my whip and make him call himself Toby
I'll punish him fiercely, make fun of him and humiliate him, and force him to admit that I'm the best by threatening him and his reputation.
Whip him good, then I'll make him sweat
Always talkin' about battles but ain't never had a battle yet
I'll whip him with my superior rapping skills, and force him to admit that he's never actually been in a real rap battle.
But if we ever did, how could he beat me?
He's so petrified, he's scared to even meet me
He's too scared to actually compete with me in a real rap battle, and I know I would beat him easily.
My word's the law, that's why you don't beef
You're nothing but a punk, track star, and a thief
I'm the ultimate authority in the rap world, and others should not challenge me. And I know you're nothing but a cowardly and unoriginal rapper.
So I'm puttin' you on punishment, just like a child
Never touch another mic, how ya like me now?
I'm punishing you like a misbehaving child, and forbidding you to touch another microphone because you're not talented enough. How do you like that now?
I could continue, there's more on the menu
But I'll relax 'cause I'm so far in you
I could keep insulting and humiliating you, but I'll stop because I've already made myself clear and victorious over you.
You had enough, I know you're overstuffed
And if I keep going, you'll be throwin' up
You've already had enough of my insults and humiliation, and if I continue, you'll only feel more embarrassed and humiliated.
Old rhymes I used to say way back in the day
When you used to come to my parties and pay
These rhymes are from the past when I used to perform and you used to attend my shows and pay for tickets.
Nobody's ever gonna rock me and this I vow
So all I wanna say is how ya like me now?
No other rapper can outperform or humiliate me, and I vow to continue making successful music. So, what do you think of me now?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Teddy Riley, Mohandas Dewese
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@anthonygilbert5138
Kool Moe Dee deserves more respect than he's gotten from the hip hop community
@BazookaTooth707
I 100% agree. Dude never gets mentioned and I follow tons of groups full of hip hop heads and record collectors. . No one mentions Kool Moe Dee.