I Do It for Hip Hop
Ludacris feat. Nas & Jay‐Z Lyrics

I do it for hip-hop
I am committed to hip-hop and all that it stands for.

Now this is what they call poetry in motion
My music flows effortlessly and is considered an art form.

My soul bleeds on the paper, heart screams with emotion
I pour my heart and soul into my music, expressing real emotions and experiences.

This my daily devotion, the verses stay deeper than the ocean
Hip-hop is my life's work and I am dedicated to creating meaningful and impactful music.

So hip-hop you owe me a promotion
My work in hip-hop deserves recognition and support.

Yeah I do a little boasting and bragging
I am confident in my ability and talent in hip-hop.

Whats all the commotion and nagging about?
I am unfazed by criticism and drama surrounding my work in hip-hop.

'Cause I'm Still the Champ in the south
I am established and respected in the Southern hip-hop scene.

'Cause rappers get in the booth and I keep dragging them out
I challenge other rappers in their craft and prove my superiority in the genre.

For they fire at these pink slips I'm handing them out
I am not afraid to call out other rappers and expose their lack of skill in hip-hop.

'Cause this is theater of the mind
Hip-hop is a form of art that creates vivid imagery and storytelling in the listener's mind.

Consider it a sign of whats to come next
My current work in hip-hop is an indicator of future projects and successes.

My money's just fine, bank filled with dumb checks
My financial success is a byproduct of my work in hip-hop.

Terrorist threat flow, proceed to drop bombs like Mr. Funk flex
My flow is powerful and impactful, similar to a terrorist threat or like DJ Funkmaster Flex's radio show.

But I don't do it for the money, I do it from the heart
My work in hip-hop is driven by passion and love for the art form, not financial gain.

I do it with the beatbox, I did it from the start
I have a long history and appreciation for the foundational aspects of hip-hop, like beatboxing.

I do it for the DJ's, I do it for the chart's
I value the role that DJs and chart rankings play in the success of hip-hop.

The fan gel flow, Luda do it 'cause it's art
I appreciate and create hip-hop music for my fans, but also for the sake of the art form.

I do it for the fans, I do it on command
My fans are crucial to my success and I prioritize their enjoyment and satisfaction with my music.

I do it for the front row, I do it for the stands
I put on a show for both individual concert-goers and larger audiences.

I spit it for the hood, I do it for the block
My work in hip-hop speaks to and for my community and the neighborhoods I grew up in.

And since nine years old, I did it for hip-hop!
My passion for hip-hop started at a young age and has been a driving force ever since.

Why we do it kid? I do it for hip-hop
I am passionate about hip-hop and remain committed to its culture and values.

Hip-hop, started out in the park
Hip-hop began as a community-based art form that originated in public spaces.

We used to do it to avoid the Narcs
Hip-hop culture was sometimes utilized as a way to escape police attention and surveillance.

I used to do it so the homeboy Clark can get the fuck off my back while I knocked off these packs
Hip-hop provided a way for me to escape the pressure and stress of illegal activity and street life.

I used to rap to impress my friends
My early work in hip-hop was fueled by the desire to impress my peers and gain respect within my social circle.

To pass the time while I was getting' it in
Creating hip-hop music was a way for me to fill my time and distract from negative circumstances.

Just so happens, I'm so illegal with the pen
I have a natural talent for creating and writing music within the hip-hop genre.

They ain't want me doin' anything illegal again
Hip-hop was a positive outlet for me and kept me from engaging in illegal activities.

I lost a lot of dogs to these streets
I have experienced loss and tragedy due to the violence and dangers of my neighborhood.

I got Grammy Awards on these beats
Despite adversity, I have been successful in hip-hop and have won multiple prestigious awards for my work.

The realest shit in rap comes from my voice box
My music is authentic and genuine, representing my personal experiences and emotions.

Lord knows when I was on my clock
I have faced challenges and struggles in my life while pursuing a career in hip-hop.

I prolly never woulda stopped, thank God for hip-hop
Hip-hop has been an anchor for me during difficult times and has given me purpose and direction.