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.
I Go To Work
Kool Moe Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a doctor
When I rock the mic
You got to like
The way I operate
I make miracles happen
Just from rappin'
I'm so lyrically potent
And explodin'
On the scene mean
I got the potential
To make you go
Then chill
I got the credentials
That is of which I chose
To make a rhyme
And chill
Then you know
I will fulfill
To make a couple of mill
As I build a guild
For all the rappers and skills
And kill the weak rappers and no thrills
Hang 'em an ephigy
If he's a sucker
Hang 'em to the left of me
Cause my right hand man
Is my mic stand and
The microphone that I own
And my game plan
Is keeping at a steady pace
Ain't no need for a rush
It ain't no race
I'ma hit the top
Just when I want to
And it's a matter of time
And I'm gonna
Cause I know when to
Go 'head enter
The classic Moe Dee rap
That sent ya
Runnin' around
Holdin' ya head
Askin' ya homeboy
Yo man
You hear what he said
Another funky rhythm
Look at ya man
And give him a high five
Cause I'm live
Runnin' around with him
Telling everybody
Hanging out on the block
It's time to wake up
And check the clock
Punch it
I go to work
I go to work
I go to work
Like an architect
I build a rhyme some times it climbs so erect
Skyscrapers look like atoms
Cars electrons rollin' in patterns
Writing out word after word
With each letter it becomes visibly better
Cause my foundation built a nation of rappers
And after I came off vaction
I came to roam
The land I own
And stand alone on the microphone
Daddy's home
Open the door playtime is over
Time to go to work and show the
Suckers in the place who run their face
The base and a taste of who's the ace
Start the race
I'm coming in first
With each verse
I build a curse
So rappers can't capture Moe Dee's rapture
After I got ya
I have to slap ya
Senseless with
Endless rhymes don't pretned this
Is anything short of stupendous
And when this rhyme is done
Your mind will become
So trapped in the rap
You'll lust on another one
You gotta wait it takes time
I don't write I build a rhyme
I draw plans draft the diagrams
An architect in effect
And it slams
And if it's weak when I'm done
Renovate and build another one
I go to work
I go to work
I go to work
Like a boxer
Train the brain and aim
To out fox ya
Like a punch my rhyme knocks ya
Some times it rocks ya
So hard it stops ya
Dead in your tracks
So power packed
Before you can react
You're flat on your back
Down for the count
Get up and dismount
Cause I'm coming
With an endless amount
Of words in a hurry
Like a flurry
A collage to camouflage
The power punch but don't worry
Knowledge is an antidote
I got hand of smoke
Writing at the speed of light with insight
I wrote
Rhymes at a level
So you can't relate
Unless you're intelligent
So stay awake
Sleepwalkers
Slick talkers
This time a native New Yorker's
Riding a crescendo wave to save the mental
State of the fan so he can understand my pencil
Rhymes in its highest form
I'm a drop it on ya like a bomb
When it explodes I'll blow up
A few casualties but so what
If you're slow
You blow
You know you go
I flow
I throw all pro
I go to work
I go to work
To say rap is not work
Is ludicrous
Whoever said it
Must be new to this
When you hear me
You'll compare me
To a prophet for profit
Not merely
Putting words together for
Recreation
Each rhyme's a dissertation
You want to know my occupation
I get paid to rock the nation
I go to work
I go to work
I go to work
The lyrics to Kool Moe Dee's song "I Go To Work" sets the tone for the rapper's mindset and work ethic. He compares himself to a doctor, a boxer, and an architect to symbolize his commitment and approach to his craft. Just as a doctor's goal is to heal and a boxer's goal is to win, Kool Moe Dee's goal is to create miracles with his lyrics. The line "I'm so lyrically potent and I'm flowin' and explodin' on the scene mean" shows his confidence in his abilities and his readiness to take on any competition.
As the song continues, Kool Moe Dee emphasizes the importance of his position and role within the rap community. He talks about building a guild for rappers to improve their skills, but also mentions "kill[ing] the weak rappers and no thrills." This line implies that he is not just in the music business for fun, but also to solidify his status as one of the best rappers out there while maintaining the integrity of the art form.
Furthermore, the refrain "I go to work," reiterated throughout the song, only emphasizes Kool Moe Dee's dedication and determination to succeed. He views himself as a true artist, not someone who is simply having fun. That is why, in the end, he is able to be successful and accomplish his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I go to work
I am dedicated and committed to my craft
Like a doctor
I have the skill and precision to heal and amaze
When I rock the mic
I command the stage with my powerful presence
You got to like
You can't help but be impressed by what I do
The way I operate
My method of performing is unmatched
I make miracles happen
I create extraordinary things through my rapping
Just from rappin'
My lyrics have the power to create extraordinary outcomes
I'm so lyrically potent
My words are incredibly impactful and full of meaning
And I'm flowin'
My performance is smooth and effortless
And explodin'
My energy on stage is explosive and captivating
On the scene mean
I am dominating the music industry with my talent
I got the potential
I possess the ability and capability to achieve great success
To make you go
I can captivate and impress you
Then chill
Then I can relax and enjoy the moment
I got the credentials
I have the qualifications and experience to back up my talent
That is of which I chose
This is the path I have chosen for myself
To make a rhyme
To create a poetic expression of my thoughts and emotions
And chill
And to relax and enjoy the process
Then you know
Then you understand
I will fulfill
I will achieve and complete my goals
To make a couple of mill
To earn a significant amount of money
As I build a guild
As I create a community of talented artists
For all the rappers and skills
To support and uplift other musicians and their abilities
And kill the weak rappers and no thrills
To outshine and defeat mediocre rappers
Hang 'em an ephigy
To publicly shame and mock them
If he's a sucker
If he lacks talent or skill
Hang 'em to the left of me
To expose their weaknesses and failures
Cause my right hand man
My most trusted and valuable companion
Is my mic stand and
My microphone stand represents my tool for expression
The microphone that I own
My microphone is my most important possession
And my game plan
My strategy and approach to succeed in my field
Is keeping at a steady pace
I am focused on maintaining consistent progress
Ain't no need for a rush
I don't need to hurry or rush to achieve success
It ain't no race
This is not a competition for me
I'ma hit the top
I will reach the highest level of success
Just when I want to
At my own desired time and pace
And it's a matter of time
It's only a question of time
And I'm gonna
And I will
Cause I know when to
Because I have the knowledge and intuition to
Go 'head enter
Go ahead and step into
The classic Moe Dee rap
The iconic and timeless style of my rapping
That sent ya
That captivated and impressed you
Runnin' around
Excited and energized
Holdin' ya head
Trying to process and comprehend
Askin' ya homeboy
Seeking confirmation and validation from your friend
Yo man
Hey dude
You hear what he said
Did you listen to and understand his message?
Another funky rhythm
A new and groovy beat
Look at ya man
Check out your friend's reaction
And give him a high five
Celebrate and acknowledge his appreciation
Cause I'm live
Because my performance is energetic and engaging
Telling everybody
Informing and spreading the word to everyone
Hanging out on the block
Gathering and chilling with friends in the neighborhood
It's time to wake up
It's time to become aware and pay attention
And check the clock
And realize the passing of time
Punch it
Take action and make it happen
To say rap is not work
To claim that hip-hop is not a demanding job
Is ludicrous
Is absurd and illogical
Whoever said it
Those who made that statement
Must be new to this
Must be inexperienced and ignorant about the industry
When you hear me
Once you listen to my music
You'll compare me
You will see the quality and skill I possess
To a prophet for profit
To a visionary who is successful
Not merely
Not simply
Putting words together for
Combining lyrics for the sake of
Recreation
Entertainment and leisure
Each rhyme's a dissertation
Every verse is a scholarly and profound work
You want to know my occupation
You are curious about my profession
I get paid to rock the nation
I earn a living by performing and thrilling the audience
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KING FLOYD, MOHANDAS DEWESE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mynameischucky.charlesleer4363
Who still here? 2024???? this is hip-hop. Classic. this sounds like MC Hammer. You canβt touch this.
@Forced2DoThis1
Still blast this in my ride and when I get to work out!
@ron.247
This man doesn't get enough credit for his flow and lyricism.
@UpwriteSolutions
Back then rappers taught about "possibilities" for kids....Doctor...architect...boxer
@cojack636
π―
@BraceDeville
Still a banger nearly 25 years later. Every artist's dream is to have the one that defies time. Timeless achievement unlocked KMD!
@Skynet_the_AI
fracture unlocked
@AdamSmithChill
35 years
@Retro_Man_76
35 years and counting
@montinacarson2350
Over 30 now