Hailing from … Read Full Bio ↴Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is a rap group from the 1990s.
Hailing from "Money Earnin'" Mount Vernon, New York, this DJ-MC duo first made noise in the rap world on the 1991 EP, All Souled Out. It sold moderately well enough to justify Elektra Records clearing the way for 1992's Mecca & the Soul Brother LP.
As a producer, DJ Pete Rock (Peter Phillips) tended to prefer obscure soul and jazz sides for sample sources, frequently making use of horn-driven hooks. Lead vocalist C.L. Smooth (Corey Penn) tended to be philosophical in his raps, and he mostly avoided profanity. Their signature hit was “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”, a dirge for fallen friends, specifically, Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon, a dancer for fellow Mount Vernon, New York rapper and cousin of Pete Rock, Heavy D. (Dwight Myers).
1994's The Main Ingredient was the follow up, and they appeared on a string of guest appearances for remixes, soundtracks, and other works. Public Enemy, EPMD, Heavy D and Johnny Gill were among the artists they collaborated with, and they can also claim credit for producing (and performing on) Run-DMC’s 1993 comeback single 'Down with the King'. Despite all this, the duo failed to go gold on any of their own releases.
Separating in 1995 (shortly after a well-received Sprite TV commercial), they eventually reunited on a handful of cuts from Pete Rock’s solo recordings: Soul Survivor (1998), PeteStrumentals (2001) and Soul Survivor II (2004). They also went on a brief reunion tour as a warm up for their then-anticipated new album, which ended with a show at London's famous Jazz Cafe. Despite these intermittent collaborations, the pair has exchanged dismissive comments toward each other in separate interviews, disavowing plans for a full-fledged reunion.
Their compilation, The Best of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth: Good Life, was released on Elektra in 2003.
Get on the Mic
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the red zone, you spot my skull and crossbone alone
To fill the Watergates, slaughter great, think and meditate
Set behind the pace of the CL's war face
Cras and tints, making blueprints for over six figure salaries
Luchified, cause many did and died
The mic wrecka, study Mecca, now building
Cause I love my shorties like Jesus loved children
To a state, when they incarsarate me I wanna be free
And play some D on the high-scoring thrill from the Veronville
Taking my yards with no bodyguards
My click's the first round draft pick for time in prison
So the only way to cover that is clean living
Respect given, hear the bell go "ding"
It's like Tyson stepping back into the ring, soon as I
Ladies and gentlemen for dead presidents it represents
Now hear what it's like when I (get on the mic)
It's strike cause every Nike I wear is kicking ass there
Too dope to scare and too damn smooth to care
So flick your lighters in the air, and let me blow the roof off
The Collesseum plus I got to get per diem
All dueces file out, and leave the dimes to the front row
And when I say "Go" I want 'em showing lovin'
Tossing dough, cause with the daddy unemployed
And the old earth raising me, any other rugged nigga's history
No mystery, I'm physical in action
So guess relaxing is a weekend with Toni Braxton
On your TV is me, incredible MC, B
With the P to the R, my break a ways can bounce for days
This fillets, I'm trucking jewels like Eric B
And all you corny fools can't see me, oh my my my
Healthy, wealthy, and wise is your size
Come and try the hardcore, set on down by every law
Moving in your Lex trecks out a sextivity
At its highest level of funktagious served in major
He's the real Mabel, overqualified to be luchified
Pete Rock's the god when my stiz-ile profile
Slide into the Milky Way, the Carmel King's sing
We're back on crazy to put the duke up in Daisy
Amazingly, none of y'all can faze me never
Add the spice to make you shoop like Salt N Pepa
How large is he? Mastered my degree in mic surgery
With plans to retire at the tender age of 30
Jah is what I cherish, all informers must perish
On the down low, lift my peoples from the ghetto
In every borough CL is quite thorough
In do or die don't try when I anni
The opening line "Capture this funakthon loaded by the Mecca Don" is a reference to New York City as "Mecca" and Tanika Charles as "the Mecca Don." As the song progresses, there are references to Watergate, the famous political scandal, and the military term "red zone." The lyrics then turn to the rapper's own experience, highlighting his ability to make money, love for his city and people, and his skill as a rapper.
There is also a subtle nod to Jesus in the line "Cause I love my shorties like Jesus loved children." The lyrics are complex, rife with metaphors, and often require deep analysis to uncover the hidden meanings. Pete Rock's beats and C.L. Smooth's delivery work together to create a seamless harmony that accentuates the song's powerful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Capture this funakthon loaded by the Mecca Don
Listen to the funky beat that Mecca Don has produced
Into the red zone, you spot my skull and crossbone alone
We're entering dangerous territory and I'm feeling fearless
To fill the Watergates, slaughter great, think and meditate
We will stop anyone who tries to interfere with our success, and we will reflect on it
Set behind the pace of the CL's war face
We will move at a speed that matches CL's fierce determination
Cras and tints, making blueprints for over six figure salaries
We're strategizing how to make a lot of money
Luchified, cause many did and died
We've seen people die trying to achieve what we're trying to achieve
The mic wrecka, study Mecca, now building
We're studying Mecca's style and incorporating it into our own
Cause I love my shorties like Jesus loved children
I care about my fans deeply
Cause being smooth is the science I crafted
Being smooth is an art that I've perfected
To a state, when they incarsarate me I wanna be free
I want to be mentally free even when physically confined
And play some D on the high-scoring thrill from the Veronville
I want to defend against tough opponents and come out victorious
Taking my yards with no bodyguards
I can hold my own without needing protection
My click's the first round draft pick for time in prison
My crew is full of seasoned and experienced individuals, some of whom have done time
So the only way to cover that is clean living
To avoid getting into trouble, we need to live clean and stay away from illegal activities
Respect given, hear the bell go "ding"
People respect us for who we are and what we've achieved, and we're continuing to rise to the top
It's like Tyson stepping back into the ring, soon as I
We're like champions who are always ready to come back and fight harder
Ladies and gentlemen for dead presidents it represents
People will do anything for money, even if it means risking their lives
Now hear what it's like when I (get on the mic)
Listen to my skills when I perform
It's strike cause every Nike I wear is kicking ass there
I'm always ready to bring my A-game
Too dope to scare and too damn smooth to care
I'm confident in myself and don't let anything bother me
So flick your lighters in the air, and let me blow the roof off
Get hyped and let me show you what I'm capable of
The Collesseum plus I got to get per diem
I need to get paid for my performances
All dueces file out, and leave the dimes to the front row
The mediocre people should leave, and the good-looking ones should stay
And when I say "Go" I want 'em showing lovin'
I want the audience to show me love and appreciation
Tossing dough, cause with the daddy unemployed
I need to make a lot of money to take care of my family
And the old earth raising me, any other rugged nigga's history
My mother has raised me to be the best I can be, and anyone who tries to go against me will fail
No mystery, I'm physical in action
I don't beat around the bush, I take action
So guess relaxing is a weekend with Toni Braxton
I don't have time to relax, but if I did, I wouldn't spend it with anyone but the best
On your TV is me, incredible MC, B
You can see me on TV doing my thing, and I'm the best
With the P to the R, my break a ways can bounce for days
With Pete Rock, I can create hit after hit
This fillets, I'm trucking jewels like Eric B
Our music is top-of-the-line, and I'm stacking up jewelry like Eric B
And all you corny fools can't see me, oh my my my
Anyone who doubts me or my crew is foolish
Healthy, wealthy, and wise is your size
Being successful and smart is the best way to live
Come and try the hardcore, set on down by every law
Come and see how tough we are, we follow the rules
Moving in your Lex trecks out a sextivity
We're driving around in style and having fun
At its highest level of funktagious served in major
We're producing the funkiest music that's taking the world by storm
He's the real Mabel, overqualified to be luchified
Pete Rock is the real deal, and his skills are unmatched
Pete Rock's the god when my stiz-ile profile
Pete Rock is a legend when it comes to music production
Slide into the Milky Way, the Carmel King's sing
We're soaring high and producing the sweetest music
We're back on crazy to put the duke up in Daisy
We're back and better than ever, and we're taking over
Amazingly, none of y'all can faze me never
No one can stop us from achieving greatness
Add the spice to make you shoop like Salt N Pepa
Our music is so good, it'll make you dance like Salt N Pepa
How large is he? Mastered my degree in mic surgery
I'm very talented and skilled when it comes to rapping
With plans to retire at the tender age of 30
I plan to retire early and enjoy the fruits of my labor
Jah is what I cherish, all informers must perish
I value Jah and believe in justice for those who betray me
On the down low, lift my peoples from the ghetto
I'm helping my community move up in the world in a discreet manner
In every borough CL is quite thorough
CL knows his hometown inside and out
In do or die don't try when I anni
Don't bother challenging me because you won't succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ISAAC HAYES, DAVID PORTER, PETER (PKA PETE ROCK) PHILLIPS, CORY (PKA C.L. SMOOTH) PENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michelangelo Troccoli
The main ingredient is the most NY sounding album ever....and CL is one of the most underrated MCs ever
Jody Harris
The beat! The way he flows over it! Priceless!
This is 1 of the reasons I love real hip hop.
Travis Carter
This shit get you ready to do a get on the mic freestyle.
Trent Yates
Pete and CL are a lethal duo
castroleiro
CL's bars have always been unappreciated and on this joint, he smashes this beat. This is one of their best tracks.
Own Your Masters
God bless the microphone! Bless the beats forever 🎤🙏 Protect the culture forever 👊
freestyle318
that bass....soothes the soul
Sunzofmann
obsessed with this beat
neil kov
This is a classic the hook the lyrics well put together
TheMobbz1
Sometimes I dream about NYC winter night
With my headphones listening to this masterpiece !!
Salute to Pete rock and cl smooth for this chef-d’oeuvre !!!!