Till I Retire
Pete Rock Lyrics


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(Pete Rock scratching Run DMC "King Of Rock")

[Pete Rock]
Yo we had a few kings, some dudes wore the crown
gotta say rest in peace to James Brown
I know you love the sound coming through your speakers
feel it from your hat all the way to your sneakers
I wrote this thesis with pieces of the puzzle missin'
make sure you choose wisley it's your decision
Gotta rendition & rederick you've never heard
spit it with clarity my words are never slurred
I concured after seeing the facts baby
very enthused after being relaxed baby, slipped through the cracks
And passed by undetected, you don't gotta like it
but you know you'll respect it, well connected & still make it
pop, people wanna know "Pete when your album drop?"
when hip hop's heart supposedly stopped
More bars than Alcatraz just call me the Rock

[Chorus]
Yo you tryna mock me talk 'em out, I hate 'em
standing here spitting all my bars verbatim
Ay yo spin it back son Imma bring the fire
the same one that knocked down the towers
And the wire, you preachin' to the choir PR the messiah
I won't stop rockin' till I retire!
I won't stop rockin' till I retire (Scratching DMC)

[Pete Rock]
I hear the talk what's the hating about?
Pete Rock 07 still straighten it out
y'all niggas hatin' on the South
Cause they gettin' the shine
I advise ya'll rap dudes better get on your grind
H-I-P H-O-P real life true story
Homey ain't D-E-A-D, I still get paid
If I don't make another beat, niggas say they made me
Then make another Pete, I got some other heat
that y'all never felt I like these cards & whoever dealt mine
Bets are straight even with the chips against me
prove it to me 10 times & then you'll convince me
Seen some come & seen some go
said I seen some who still don't know
I'm a true believer that hard work pays off
if you work hard one day you'll be the boss

[Chorus]
(Scratching DMC)

[Pete Rock]
C'mon the games been good I had a long run
you might miss hearing from me like when the songs done
The wrong one, get it in his clutches
it's like giving a dude who can't roll all the Dutches (can't roll)
I got a budget but don't ask about me
look ma dude hold your dick when you pee! Exactly
Be concerned with yourself
said you waste a lotta energy destroying your health
my time is spent dealing with truth
I've been a world renowned name before they said it in Juice (before they said it)
Put you in position, staring down the barrel
we got prisoners of rap shout out to Jamal Barrels
Show me the work & put it on the scal
I always hate to see a black man in jail
If I could tip the scales & talk to Lady Justice
the cops will be on trial the government be busted
I can't trust it, it ain't always been true
leave the game with a question mark like DJ Clue
Gotta give thanks, be grateful for my gifts
put it on digital video or audio disc (my nigga)

[Chorus]
(Scratching DMC)
"'Till I Retire"
"I'm The King"




"'Till I Retire"
"I'm The King"

Overall Meaning

In Pete Rock's "Till I Retire," the rapper pays tribute to James Brown and acknowledges the many kings of hip-hop who have come before him. The song is an ode to the genre, and focuses on the importance of making decisions wisely, hard work, and perseverance. Pete Rock is known for his scratching in the song, which is notable for its skillful use of Run DMC's "King of Rock" and DMC's "I'm the King" catchphrases. The rapper also addresses the South's dominance in the rap game, and encourages northern rappers to step up their game.


Line by Line Meaning

Yo we had a few kings, some dudes wore the crown
In the past, we had several influential musicians who were considered the 'kings' of their genre.


gotta say rest in peace to James Brown
I want to take a moment to pay my respects to the late James Brown.


I know you love the sound coming through your speakers
I am aware that my music resonates with my listeners and they enjoy hearing it.


feel it from your hat all the way to your sneakers
My music has a profound impact on people, not just emotionally, but also physically by making them move to the beat.


I wrote this thesis with pieces of the puzzle missin'
I created this song with the intention of leaving some parts open to interpretation or discovery by the listener.


make sure you choose wisley it's your decision
In life, you have to make wise choices for yourself based on what's important to you.


Gotta rendition & rederick you've never heard
I am here to offer a fresh perspective and a unique lyrical style that you may have never heard before.


spit it with clarity my words are never slurred
When I rap, I articulate my words clearly and distinctly, so that my message and intentions are never misunderstood.


I concured after seeing the facts baby
I came to a resolution after gathering sufficient information and evidence.


very enthused after being relaxed baby, slipped through the cracks
I am feeling excited and motivated after taking some time to rest and rejuvenate. I may have gone unnoticed by some, but I still managed to overcome obstacles.


And passed by undetected, you don't gotta like it
There may be people who didn't notice me and that's okay. I am still going to continue making music and doing what I love.


but you know you'll respect it, well connected & still make it
Even if someone doesn't like my music, they can still appreciate my skill and connections in the industry that helped me succeed.


pop, people wanna know 'Pete when your album drop?'
My fans are eagerly anticipating the release of my upcoming album.


when hip hop's heart supposedly stopped
Despite the rumors that hip-hop was dead, I am still making impactful music.


More bars than Alcatraz just call me the Rock
I have a lot of lyrics and music to offer, I have a ton of musical talent.


I hear the talk what's the hating about?
I am aware that some people are criticizing me, and I want to know what they are upset about.


Pete Rock 07 still straighten it out
Even in 2007, my music is still relevant and valuable.


y'all niggas hatin' on the South
Some people are unfairly criticizing Southern rappers and their music.


Cause they gettin' the shine
Southern rappers are receiving well-deserved attention for their contributions to the hip-hop industry.


I advise ya'll rap dudes better get on your grind
To be successful in the music industry, you have to work hard and consistently improve your craft.


H-I-P H-O-P real life true story
Hip-hop is a reflection of real life and tells the truth about the experiences of people.


Homey ain't D-E-A-D, I still get paid
Contrary to the rumors about hip-hop being dead, I am still making money from my music.


If I don't make another beat, niggas say they made me
Some people take credit for my success, even if they had no part in it.


Then make another Pete, I got some other heat
Instead of copying my music, people should strive to create something original that showcases their own talent.


that y'all never felt I like these cards & whoever dealt mine
My music is authentic and unique to me, like a hand of cards that is dealt randomly.


Bets are straight even with the chips against me
I am willing to take risks even if the odds are not in my favor.


prove it to me 10 times & then you'll convince me
I need to see solid evidence before I am convinced that something is true or genuine.


Seen some come & seen some go
Over my career in the music industry, I have seen many people rise to fame and then disappear.


said I seen some who still don't know
Some artists have been in the industry for a while and still don't understand what it takes to succeed.


I'm a true believer that hard work pays off
I strongly believe that if you work hard and remain dedicated, eventually you will be successful.


if you work hard one day you'll be the boss
If you work hard and build your skills, eventually you will be able to take charge and become a leader.


C'mon the games been good I had a long run
I have had a successful music career and accomplished a lot.


you might miss hearing from me like when the songs done
There may come a time when I am no longer as active in the music industry, and fans may miss hearing my music.


The wrong one, get it in his clutches
If someone with ill intentions gains power, it can have negative consequences for many people.


it's like giving a dude who can't roll all the Dutches (can't roll)
Giving someone responsibility that they are not qualified for can lead to negative consequences, like a person not knowing how to roll a joint properly.


I got a budget but don't ask about me
I have money to support my work, but it's not anyone's business to know how I use it.


look ma dude hold your dick when you pee! Exactly
Mind your own business and focus on your own life instead of trying to control others or gossip about them.


Be concerned with yourself
Instead of worrying about others, focus on your own growth and success.


said you waste a lotta energy destroying your health
Spending time and energy on negative behavior can be detrimental to your physical and mental health.


my time is spent dealing with truth
I prioritize being honest and transparent in my music and my life.


I've been a world renowned name before they said it in Juice (before they said it)
I gained worldwide recognition before it was covered by mainstream media or popular culture.


Put you in position, staring down the barrel
I am putting myself and others in a position of power and influence.


we got prisoners of rap shout out to Jamal Barrels
There are powerful people who are imprisoning talented artists, like Jamal Barrels.


Show me the work & put it on the scal
I am interested in seeing tangible and measurable progress or success.


I always hate to see a black man in jail
It is disheartening to see men of color being overrepresented in the prison system and facing systemic disadvantages.


If I could tip the scales & talk to Lady Justice
If I had the power to influence the justice system, I would try to make it more fair and just for everyone involved.


the cops will be on trial the government be busted
If the justice system were fairer, law enforcement and government officials who abuse their power would be held accountable for their actions.


I can't trust it, it ain't always been true
The justice system has not always been trustworthy or fair to marginalized groups.


leave the game with a question mark like DJ Clue
I want to leave the music industry with a sense of mystery or wonder, like DJ Clue.


Gotta give thanks, be grateful for my gifts
I am thankful for my talents and all of the opportunities that I've had in my career.


put it on digital video or audio disc (my nigga)
I am sharing my music through various mediums, like digital videos or audio discs.


'Till I Retire
I will continue making music until I stop working.


"I'm The King"
I am a highly respected and influential artist in the music industry.




Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Sameer Mustafah Raza

REAL HIP-HOP AT ITS FINEST!

Ta Dan

Pete is amazing very humble and grounded retire don't see that happening

Louie Paul

Dedicated to these young cats who tell me their better than me.

PuchoAlmighty A.K.A ThyGod666

Love it, great song!

Corey Hendricks

Pete Is Still Rockin Hard

Rafael Domingus

Award.

John the crazy guy

raps way better than the most

aurelius rule

🎯

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