Old School
MF Doom feat. Talib Kweli Lyrics

One two three, in the place to be!
Starting strong and declaring their presence in the rap scene.

On born days, I used to blow out the candles and every Saturday Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl And a paused beat from my stereo
Reflecting on childhood memories of watching cartoons and developing a unique flow and style while listening to music.

Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach Yeah I'm gangster like the frog on Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse Maybe I'm trippin' and it's just a cartoon to you But I got chills when I heard how Doom flipped the Scooby Doo And, I might be buggin' but it seem to me That cartoons be realer than reality TV They inspire my decision to be open and listen But folks got it all twisted, like a yoga position
Using cartoon characters as inspiration and highlighting the power of cartoons in shaping one's perspective. Criticizing the shallow and misleading nature of reality TV.

Like, in order to spit it dope, you gotta have a criminal past That's similar to the cast of Different Strokes Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke I draw on anything for inspiration A fond memory, a piece of paper, walls in a train station
Pushing back on the idea that having a criminal past is a necessity for being a good rapper. Discussing the importance of community and the varying definitions of wealth. Finding inspiration in unexpected places and different forms of art.

And we'll be right back after these messages Fellas grab your nutsacs, chicks squeeze your breastesses We ain't all that grown, it's still funny like Goin' to the store on your own with rainbow money
Taking a brief break from the serious tone of the song and making a humorous interlude. Joking about puberty, growing up, and the small joys in life like buying candy.

Since then had an insane flow sonny Walkin' to the corner rhymin in the rain, nose runny Breakdanci'n maybe ten, bummy Is when Subroc would run up handspring Arabian somee! Ooh wee, like a Hong Kong Phooey kick Or a weekend afternoon, karate movie flick Slept good, no justice, no peace Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police Shot the fair one nobody ran to get the gat Or felt they had to put it up in they raps to set it fat And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat? What type of chitlins is that? The Super Villain as the bat, hide your tonic Whoever willin to ride, provide raw chronic
Recounting past experiences of developing their skills and style. Praising the good old days of hip-hop and emphasizing the importance of peace and harmony in the rap scene. Criticizing the trend of glorifying violence in rap lyrics.

It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
Affirming their love for the classic style of hip-hop, sampling soul music and creating an old school sound.