what it is
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics

As we move forward towards the new millennium
The way we communicate is changing with technological advancements, and we will have to use telekinesis for communication.

We will no longer communicate with vocal inflections
Vocal communication will become outdated soon due to telekinesis and other advances in communication technology.

It will be necessary to communicate through telekinesis
As time passes, telekinesis will become a vital communication method.

We will open your mind and concentrate harder
New communication methods will require stronger concentration and deeper understanding.

Focus, focus, focus, focus, hey brother, what it is?
Attention should be directed towards this new era of communication, and to start it off, the artist asks the listener for their thoughts on the matter.

Raps like Star Wars, only the stars die
Hip-hop is much like Star Wars, but instead of ships and stars, it's the rappers who succeed and fall.

It's no sequels, B3 cases, C3P0's
The current era of hip-hop is not like the Star Wars prequels. The singer also mentions droids, referring to how artificial intelligence is being used in music-making processes.

Before Morpheus and Neo was killin' 'em
The success of hip-hop existed even before the success of sci-fi movies like The Matrix.

We was duckin' roulette's in the hood like Remo Williams
Before their rise to fame, the artist and their counterparts were careful to avoid the dangerous aspect of life in the ghetto.

Understand an underground bomb cipritate
Hip-hop is an underground movement that could explode into a mainstream phenomenon.

Get serious or die laughin' like John Ritter
If one doesn't take hip-hop seriously and work hard towards being successful, they may end up dying without leaving any significant impact, similar to John Ritter who died soon after his sitcom ended.

Young Eastwood, just tryin' to eat good
The artist likens themselves to a young Clint Eastwood trying to make a living out of their craft.

Breathe easy, relax, Mac like Fleetwood
The singer reminds themselves to take a break and relax before continuing with their endeavors, referring to Fleetwood Mac members.

Keep snorin', keep sleepin', I'll keep tourin'
The singer is reminding themselves to work hard and stay active while others sleep, performing shows and touring.

Come back, lay in the cut like Neosporin
When the singer is done with touring, they plan to relax and take things slowly, like the effect of a cut being healed with Neosporin.

Came out of the fallopian blastin'
The artist came into the world with a fighting spirit, ready to take on anything to achieve success.

Pharoahe hungrier than Ethiopians fastin'
The artist is extremely hungry for success, comparing their hunger to starving Ethiopians who fast regularly.

Flies all in my teeth, stomach stickin' out
The singer is struggling and suffering their way to success, despite the hardships and obstacles that are making things harder.

Niggas want dibs on the weed but ain't kickin' out
People around the singer want to get high on their weed but are not willing to contribute or help in any way.

See this is not 'American Idol'
The artist is not interested in the fame and glamor that come with participating in a talent competition like American Idol.

This is me tryin' to eat, human survival
Hip-hop is a critical means for survival and the only way the artist can make a living, so they take it seriously, like human survival.

Spit at your favorite rapper, take his title
The artist is willing to battle other rappers and take their title or spot as the favorite rapper.

Stick needles in his eyeballs 'til his signs are no longer vital
The singer is willing to go to a great extent to defeat their opponent, even if it means causing physical harm that could lead to death.

This is ain't that, I'm not them
The artist is different from the other rappers in terms of style, message, and methods used to create music.

These ain't those rhymes, I'm not him
The singer is once again reminding their audience that their music is unique and distinct compared to others in the industry.

This is more like cocaine all night
The singer's music is not just a form of entertainment but also an addiction, something that people will crave and search for all night.

Shine like the new five halogen fog lights, no
The effect of the singer's music is like the bright and radiant light that emanates from car headlights, improving visibility in foggy weather conditions.

More like sunshine and one line in your mind
The artist's music is more like a ray of sunshine that provides comfort and motivation to their audience with just one line.

To remind you of when you were nine
The artist's music is nostalgic, reminding listeners of their childhood days when life was simpler and more carefree.

Before you were bustin' cherries
The singer is referring to a time when their listeners were still inexperienced and not aware of the difficulties of adult life.

It wasn't necessary to grind them
At the time, the listener didn't have to go through hard work or grind to earn what they have, but now it is a necessity.

Now we all on our grizzly
Everyone in today's society has to work hard to succeed.

And you got the nerve to press Frisbee's, what it is?
The artist sarcastically questions how people can afford to waste time playing Frisbee when they should be working hard to improve their situation.

If I'm not home on the range, catch me at the range
If the artist is not at home, they can be found at the shooting range practicing their aim.

Practicin' my aim, gat you in your brain, shame
The singer is confident in their shooting skills and is not afraid to use a gun to eliminate any threat when required.

They thought I was backpacks, slept
The public underestimated the artist, thinking that they were just another rapper with a backpack, someone who is not serious about their craft.

Didn't know that he kept inside the knapsack
The singer actually had a knapsack, which was used to hold all their tools and instruments used to create music.

Today's niggas do skate by hits
The music industry has changed, and today's artists can become popular with a single viral hit instead of producing quality work over a long period.

Run in your crib on some 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' shit
Modern-day criminals adopt the tactics used in the show 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' when robbing, which means they will rearrange furniture and make everything fashionable while raiding the house.

But not homosexuals, they master in gun play
The artist clarifies that they are not talking about homosexuals; instead, referring to the dangerous gangsters who are excellently skilled at using weapons.

Rearrange your furniture, fix your Feng Shui
The modern-day robbers aim to bring balance and perfect harmony to their crime scene by arranging all the furniture so it looks visually pleasing, even during robbery.

They be swearin' it's cute
The singer mocks how the modern-day criminals act like arranging furniture is a cute thing, almost like an art form.

But a be up in the glove box, cutter in the boot
The singer reveals that they are not like the modern-day robbers, and they carry a weapon in the car, ready to protect themselves if required.

With the sex appeal and no ice either
The artist is sexually attractive, but that doesn't mean they show off their wealth by wearing expensive jewelry or having ice (diamonds) on them.

To fight the bear arms, I'm not talkin' wife beaters either
The artist declares that they are not talking about fighting with bare arms, as in fist-fighting or using wife-beaters; instead, they will use weapons for self-defense.

When they see me they say that's that nigga
The artist is well-known and respected for their talent and success, and people immediately recognize them when they see them.

My last name should be "That's That Nigga"
The singer has earned the title of 'That's That Nigga' due to their talent, hard work, and reputation that precedes them.

Sounds kinda nice, Pharoahe that's that
The artist likes the title and associates themselves with the nickname, feeling proud of their achievements.

Never catch me with them plastic cat fast niggas
The singer doesn't want to be associated with fake rappers who pretend to be successful but only do one-hit wonders or scam people out of their money.

With the flow that's so influential
The singer's music has an immense effect on people, and their flow (rap style) is highly likable and effective.

Niggas fucked up, they get no instrumentals now
The singer is careful not to waste any effort on people who don't appreciate or work hard towards music, providing no instrumentals to them.

Next time you spittin' on mine
The artist challenges other rappers to work hard and collaboratively with them, spitting lines over their instrumentals.

Bet your bottom dollar you be spittin' over rhymes, what it is?
The artist is confident that rappers who practice and work hard over their instrumentals will get their chance to shine, and asks for their opinions on the same.

What it is
The singer ends their song by reminding their listener of the same initial line, directing their focus towards the changing world of communication and the importance of adapting to it.

What it is
Such repetition is characteristic of the singer's attitude, where they enforce their ideas with a lot of verve and repetition.

What it is
The artist ends their song, repeating the phrase again, making it a memorable hook for the listener.