HIP HOP
Lone Catalysts Lyrics
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Chosen by the ghetto youth out of necessity
It involves graffiti, deejaying, breakdancing and emceeing
Which all rely on raw, artistic skill
You know, they used to tell me that this music would never last
Now look at it now, it influences all music here today
So either you respect it we gon' take it back
The voice that you hear, the voice that only we produce
The way that we salute that makes the wildest niggas start to shoot
The voice that recoupes only 12% of the loot
The voice of the groups, like OutKast, LOX and The Roots
The voice of the truth, that no society can ever mute
The voice of the men and women who gave their lives defendin
The God-given rights, they had no choice but to fight
The voice of the black, latino and the white
The voice of the club that makes the freaks come out at night
The voice of the thugs who pop champagne and rock ice
The voice of the shorties who wear tight shirts and talk sheist
The voice of the shook who look one time but not twice
The voice of the crooks at gambling spot with hot dice
The voice of the church, mosque, synagogue and temple
The voice of your soul, your body and your mental
The voice that says "rap!" when I hear a instrumental
The voice that don't stop and it's just that simple
The voice that don't stop and it's just that simple
The voice that don't, d-d-don't, d-don't...
Yo, we live that life that you call hip hop
From the bottom straight to the tip top
Hey Rawls, we got em while them others did not
So if you with the LC, nigga, lick shot
If you live that life they call hip hop
Worldwide everyday tic-toc
This life is like nothin to play with, ock
That's why when I say "shit" you say "shit hot"
That's why when I say "shit" you say "shit hot"
That's why when I say "shit" you say "shit hot"
That's why when I say "shit" you say "shit hot"
That's why when I say "shit" -
( *excerpt from the movie _Wildstyle_* )
[ Double Trouble ]
Cause here's a little story that must be told
About two cool brothers that were put on hold
Tried to hold us back from fortune and fame
They destroyed the crew and they killed our name
They tried to step on the ego and walk on the pride
But true blue brothers stand side by side
Through thick and thin, from beginning to end
This battle we lost, but the war we'll win
In "Hip Hop," Lone Catalysts celebrate the genre as a way of life and a voice of the street and the youth. The song starts by describing the four elements of hip hop: graffiti, DJing, breakdancing, and emceeing, and how they require raw artistic skill. The track then emphasizes the influence of hip hop on today's music industry and warns listeners to respect the genre or face having it taken back. The song goes on to describe hip hop as a voice of various groups and communities, such as the black, Latino, and white populations, the clubs, the thugs, the shorties, the churched and mosque-goers, and more. The track claims that hip hop is the voice of the people who have fought for their rights and that it is a way of life that should not be underestimated.
Line by Line Meaning
Hip hop, a way of life
Hip hop culture isn't just a genre of music, but a whole way of living that's embraced by many in the ghetto.
Chosen by the ghetto youth out of necessity
The youth living in ghettos are among the demographics that have come to rely on hip hop culture as their means of creative and cultural expression.
It involves graffiti, deejaying, breakdancing and emceeing
Hip hop culture comprises of several forms of art that serve as foundations to the overall expression of the culture.
Which all rely on raw, artistic skill
To be successful in any of the many forms of hip hop culture, it takes substantial energy, talent, and artistic skill.
Now look at it now, it influences all music here today
The influence of hip hop culture is wide-reaching, spanning all kinds of music, genres, and cultures across the world.
The voice of the street, the voice of the youth
Hip hop culture is an expression of the streets, its struggles, and its voices, which tend to be more representative of the lives of the youth.
The voice that recoupes only 12% of the loot
Despite being influential and loved globally, hip hop artists are among the highest victims of exploitation and receive very little with respects to royalties, publishing, or other revenue streams.
The way that we salute that makes the wildest niggas start to shoot
Hip hop culture sparks the wildest talents in every individual who takes it on or aspires to get involved; the culture is deeply engrained in many forms of music, from rap battles to music videos.
The voice of the black, latino and the white
Hip hop culture is inclusive of different types of people, representing various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
The voice that don't stop and it's just that simple
Hip hop is a powerful force, and it will continue to operate relentlessly for years to come. It's both easy, yet tough, to keep with the spirit of the culture.
That's why when I say "shit" you say "shit hot"
The act of singing and enjoying hip hop music is a show of allegiance to the culture and its significant power.
Through thick and thin, from beginning to end
Hip hop is all-encompassing, reflecting the entire journey of the culture from the offset to where it is today.
This battle we lost, but the war we'll win
Hip hop culture has had to endure various challenges along its way, but it has also overcome a lot and will undoubtedly win in the long run.
Lyrics © Royalty Network Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JERMAINE SANDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind