Rapper, DJ, and producer Pete Rock first emerged in 1991 as one half of a d… Read Full Bio ↴Rapper, DJ, and producer Pete Rock first emerged in 1991 as one half of a duo with C.L. Smooth, debuting with the All Souled Out EP. A hit LP, Mecca and the Soul Brother, followed before the two went their separate ways in the wake of 1994's The Main Ingredient, with Rock remaining a prolific studio presence prior to the release of his solo debut, Soul Survivor, on Loud/RCA four years later. Dropped from the label, he continued his career as an independent producer, and later signed to Rapster/BBE in 2001 for PeteStrumentals. Two years later, the label released a two-part compilation of mid-'90s LPs with Lost and Found. In 2004, Rock produced the sequel to his debut, Soul Survivor II, with features coming from Pharaohe Monch, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, and former partner C.L. Smooth.

Props
Pete Rock Lyrics

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[Rob-O]
Bust it, pass me the microphone so I could get wricked
honey dip it's dope I think I'm goning stick it
Just because I'm Rob-O short for Rob Odindo
Sort of let my thoughts flow pick up a pencil
I can slash paragragh back with intstumental
Must kick bust ditz plus I'm extra gentle
Fluild on the flow tip, do it but I won't drip or slip I knew that I would rip

Simple mic test similar to God met I give my props and plus Papa Don't Take No Mess I meant stress
But I'm a cool individual. Sit back max and let me keep my schedule
Saturdays and Mecca D. does his duty
Tighten up the sides, keeping me a cutie for the Jeez, Dat, the clock and my timing now
Niggaz can't believe, yo Rob-O is rhymin now Props

I wrec the microphone check, and bust the "Yes, yes y'all,
All the party people gurantee to be like having a ball" can stall, my nigga figures seeing us
Steppin equipped the shit ( ? ) flex they fenning us
Writing at my best my bless my whinin sample
Sighten process my test ( ? ) crampled
These weaker ones, cause my style is univesral
Collect my funds and plies can kick a vesre from the stamina.
I used to max and now I'm planning and attack the burn and get my wrec up in the Vernon
See I'm ultimate, focus my sights of where I'll hit
Up in the hieghts on some Ol' School Mecca shit
So I step fakin' the rep, I had a euffa
Peace to the Gods to keep my shit ruffa
And the others that be fakin', brothers just be paitent til' my shit drops...Props

Now I usaully do things kinda lack of days and glee for my peoples styles steeps so unequal
Keep yourselves tingling, mind in the mood for some mingling thus respect to keep singling
Cause I'm very serious, like to do things without a fuss not a talker, just to make the girls sort a curious
Back well strictly on the D.L.
stay swell plus I give praise to the funk
As it slays down by the Soul Brother Pete Rock Grap's older brother get swept
Cause you can step with no respecting but Rob Odindo is selecting

With the hons know I hold their hand the plans to roamancer prefer to have chancer stack another stancer
In my style of hip hop I just can't stop...Props

Overall Meaning

In "Props" by Pete Rock, Rob-O is delivering a stream of consciousness rap that touches on a range of subjects from his own name to his talents as a rapper, Saturday nights at the club, respect for the funk, Ol' School Mecca, and his plans for the future. The song is packed with imagery and wordplay, and the rambling, loose structure of the verses makes it feel like Rob-O is free-styling.

In the first verse, Rob-O introduces himself and his flow, which he describes as extra gentle. He talks about his rhyming schedule and namechecks some famous artists, including God and James Brown. He finishes the verse with the line "Niggaz can't believe, yo Rob-O is rhymin now Props," which seems to be a humblebrag about his skills on the mic.

Line by Line Meaning

Bust it, pass me the microphone so I could get wricked
Hand me the mic, let me spit my flow

honey dip it's dope I think I'm goning stick it
This beat is fire and I'm going to kill it

Just because I'm Rob-O short for Rob Odindo
I go by Rob-O because my name is Rob Odindo

Sort of let my thoughts flow pick up a pencil
I write down my thoughts as they come to me

I can slash paragragh back with intstumental
I can destroy a beat with my rhymes

Must kick bust ditz plus I'm extra gentle
I kill it on the mic, but I'm a nice guy

Fluild on the flow tip, do it but I won't drip or slip I knew that I would rip
My flow is smooth and I never mess up

Simple mic test similar to God met I give my props and plus Papa Don't Take No Mess I meant stress
I give respect to the great MCs who came before me

But I'm a cool individual. Sit back max and let me keep my schedule
I'm laid back and focused on my music

Saturdays and Mecca D. does his duty
Saturday nights are all about Mecca D. and his music

Tighten up the sides, keeping me a cutie for the Jeez, Dat, the clock and my timing now
My rhymes are tight and my timing is on point

Niggaz can't believe, yo Rob-O is rhymin now Props
My skills on the mic are surprising everyone

Now I usaully do things kinda lack of days and glee for my peoples styles steeps so unequal
I usually take things easy, but I respect the diversity in styles of my fellow artists

Keep yourselves tingling, mind in the mood for some mingling thus respect to keep singling
Stay alert and open to meeting and collaborating with other artists

Cause I'm very serious, like to do things without a fuss not a talker, just to make the girls sort a curious
I take my craft seriously and let my skills speak for themselves

Back well strictly on the D.L.
I keep things low-key and private

stay swell plus I give praise to the funk
I'm doing well and I appreciate good music

As it slays down by the Soul Brother Pete Rock Grap's older brother get swept
The music by Pete Rock is killing it and even his brother, Grap, can feel it

Cause you can step with no respecting but Rob Odindo is selecting
Some artists don't show respect, but I choose my collaborations carefully

With the hons know I hold their hand the plans to roamancer prefer to have chancer stack another stancer
I work well with other talented artists and am always looking for new opportunities

In my style of hip hop I just can't stop...Props
I love hip hop and I'll always be creating and performing, mad respect to anyone who's killing it in the game

Contributed by Caleb E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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