Square One
Pete Rock & Ini Lyrics

Huh.
Ras G begins the song with an exclamation of uncertainty as he prepares to explain what makes a good rapper.

I got some time to explain the true grading of a rhymewriter
Ras G wants to share his insights about what separates good rappers from the rest.

So take the stance of a gunfighter
Ras G wants people to approach rapping with the same intensity and focus as a gunfighter approaching a fight.

Others inject intellect for selfrespect
Some rappers use big words to try and make themselves sound smarter.

Or simply kickin' verses for a tight paycheck
Some rappers are only in it for the money and don't care about the art of rapping.

But they neglect is creative aspects in control
These rappers are missing the fact that creativity is an important part of being a good rapper.

The sounds and words originate up in the soul
A truly great rapper has to dig deep and put their soul into their words and music.

My thoughts cross wack emcees and wickedness
Ras G is critical of rappers who are bad at rapping or who rap about negative things.

They seem to go hand in hand in the mess that's formed the dawn of the fake emcee
Ras G sees a connection between bad rapping and the rise of fake, insincere rappers.

It's really funny to me how brothers front like they deadly, see
Ras G finds it ridiculous how some rappers pretend to be tough and dangerous in their music.

Jah be's with me so Ras G is no fool
Ras G has Jah (God) on his side and knows what he's talking about.

Respectin' the original school that wrote the rules
Ras G acknowledges the important role that early hip-hop pioneers played in establishing the rules and culture of the genre.

I'm layin' all these real ass facts upon the wax
Ras G is putting his real and honest thoughts into his music.

Mass communication minus fakin' the jax
Ras G values honest and authentic communication in his music, without any fake or insincere posturing.

So relax all the gods will make you crumble and fall
Ras G warns fake rappers that they will eventually be exposed and fall apart.

Keepin' you on the run as we start from Square One
Ras G is starting a movement to bring hip-hop back to its roots and push out the fake rappers.

"The InI's in the house" "you don't stop" "Rap motherfuckers on the rise" "you don't stop" Square one
The chorus repeats the phrase "Square one" while also proclaiming the dominance of InI and promising that rap will continue to thrive and grow.

I have to get what I want, cause now it's no time to front
Marco Polo is determined to succeed and won't waste time pretending otherwise.

It's InI on the hunt just to smoke up the funk
InI is on a mission to create great music and overcome the obstacles in their way.

With no fear in this industry we in here
InI is confident and bold in the face of the challenges of the music industry.

So surprised I appear I play the back or the rear
InI may seem unassuming at first, but they are always working behind the scenes to make great music.

I pushed and shoved to get in, and I've seen every sin
InI has had to fight to make it in the music industry and has witnessed some of the negative aspects of it.

And it's been a long time considerin'
InI has been around for a while and they have a lot of experience in the industry.

But no bitter man, african, rastafarian, non-american
InI embraces diversity and different cultures in their music and in their lives.

Checkin' every man (yeah)
InI is vigilant and always on the lookout for anything that might get in the way of their success.

In my zone because the eye is all alone in this universe
InI is focused and in their own world as they create music.

I see the worst now I'm comin' in first
InI has seen the bad side of the industry, but they are determined to overcome it and come out on top.

A brother's thirst got him eager to merc
Some rappers are so hungry for success that they will do whatever it takes to get ahead (even if it means being ruthless).

In full effect cause I'm stayin' alert
InI is always on guard and alert to what's happening in the industry and in their own music.

Bless the hurt at each and every concert
InI wants to make great music that will uplift and inspire their fans.

Taught well to be the very next expert
InI has learned from the best and is poised to become the next big thing in hip-hop.

Never the spare one, I'm steppin' up to shoot a fair one
InI is always ready to step up to any challenge and face it head on.

Settin' it off from Square One
InI is starting their journey to success from the very beginning, with the goal of making great music that will stand the test of time.

In '95 nuff kids can catch the vapors
Rob O is referring to the popularity of hip-hop and the way many young people are getting interested in it at the time.

Rob O spends his time puttin' words to paper
Rob O is focused on writing great lyrics that will resonate with his fans.

Still so I maintains a fly flow
Rob O is confident in his abilities as a rapper and knows he has a great flow.

But everytime I plant a seed they won't let it grow
Rob O feels like his music isn't getting the recognition and attention it deserves from the industry and radio stations.

Guess it's the fact that I seen through ya team of major fake outs
Rob O sees through the fake and insincere aspects of the music industry and some of the people in it.

Your feeble attempts of gettin' caked out
Rob O doesn't respect the attempts of some people to make money quickly and easily in the industry.

But in the face of temptation, sex, guns and paperchasin'
Rob O recognizes the many temptations and distractions in the music industry (such as sex, violence, and money) that can lure people away from making great music.

Playin' yaself and say ya neithans
Rob O considers it dishonest and insincere to pretend you are something you're not in your music.

Is it the recognition, quick cash or chart positions
Rob O wonders why some people in the music industry are willing to compromise their principles and make insincere music just to get fame and money.

Or big figures that have you shittin' on niggaz
Rob O is annoyed by the way some people use their success in the industry to put down others who are less successful.

It must be, thinkin' like the whole rap industry son
Rob O sees these negative aspects of the industry as a reflection of the industry as a whole.

Yeah no doubt you bugged out
Rob O thinks it's crazy that people in the industry are willing to compromise their integrity for fame and money.

It's not as stable or firm as you thought
Rob O believes that the music industry is not as strong and reliable as some people think it is.

In the scrimmage and the tables is turned, this shit is finished
Rob O sees a revolution coming in the music industry that will shake things up and force people to be more honest and sincere.

Yo Grap Luva (no question) cause this is how it should be done
Rob O respects Grap Luva (another hip-hop artist) for his honesty and authenticity in his music.

We takin' it back to Square One
Rob O and his fellow musicians are starting fresh and returning to the roots of hip-hop in order to make great and authentic music.

"The InI's in the house" "you don't stop" "Rap motherfuckers on the rise" "you don't stop" Square one
The chorus repeats again, with the same themes of confidence and determination as before.