Rebel Without a Pause
Public Enemy/Baltimora Lyrics

Yes, the rhythm, the rebel
Acknowledging the power of music and rebellion.

Without a pause, I'm lowering my level
Flawlessly spitting rhymes while staying grounded in the struggle.

The hard rhymer, where you never been I'm in
A skilled artist that has been through experiences most can't imagine.

You want stylin', you know it's time again
Encouraging others to embrace their individual style and express themselves.

D the enemy, tellin' you to hear it
Public Enemy is the enemy of inequality and racism, spreading a message for all to hear.

They praised the music, this time they play the lyrics
Acknowledging a shift towards socially conscious lyrics in hip-hop music.

Some say no to the album, the show
Facing pushback from those who reject their message or style.

Bum rush the sound I made a year ago
Demanding respect for the art they've created and bringing attention to past successes.

I guess you know, you guess I'm just a radical
Recognizing that their message may be perceived as radical, but embracing that label.

Not a sabbatical, yes to make it critical
Pledging to keep the fight for equality and justice at the forefront of their message.

The only part your body should be parting to
Encouraging listeners to dance and move to their music, but also engage with the message.

Panther power on the hour from the rebel to you
Referencing the Black Panther Party and their fight against systemic racism and oppression.

Radio, suckers never play me
Condemning mainstream media for refusing to air their message.

On the mix, just O.K. me
Disappointed with the level of attention their music receives, only being deemed 'okay' by major outlets.

Now known and grown when they're clocking my zone it's known
Gained recognition and respect in the industry but still aware of being under constant surveillance.

Snakin' and takin' everything that a brother owns
The music industry and society as a whole taking advantage of black artists and culture.

Hard, my calling card
Their music is characterized by intensity and raw emotion.

Recorded and orderd, supporter of Chesimard
Referencing Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther and political prisoner, and expressing support for her cause.

Loud and proud kickin' live next poet supreme
Confident in their ability to rock a crowd and deliver a powerful message through their music.

Loop a troop, bazooka, the scheme
Utilizing repetitions and patterns in their lyrics to drive home their message.

Flavor, a rebel in his own mind
Favor Flav defined his own identity and refused to conform to societal norms.

Supporter of my rhyme
Grateful for those who appreciate and support their music.

Designed to scatter a line of suckers who claim I do crime
Determined to refute false accusations and stereotypes associated with black men and hip-hop culture.

Terminator X
Introducing the DJ of the group, Terminator X.

From a rebel it's final on black vinyl
Their message and art will live on through their recordings.

Soul, rock and roll comin' like a rhino
Referencing the power and ferocity of a rhinoceros, symbolizing the intensity and passion of their music.

Tables turn, suckers burn to learn
Flipping the script on those who underestimate or disrespect them.

They can't dis-able the power of my label
Defying attempts to silence or discredit their message through music and activism.

Def Jam, tells you who I am
Affirming their identity and their label's influence in the music industry.

The enemy's public, they really give a damn
Empowering their fans and allies to stand up against the corrupt and oppressive forces in society.

Strong Island, where I got 'em wild and
Referencing their hometown and the enthusiastic response they've received from their community.

That's the reason they're claimin' that I'm violent
Society often portrays and stereotypes black men as violent, regardless of their actions.

Never silent, no dope gettin' dumb nope
Always speaking out and staying alert to societal issues, refusing to be ignorant or complacent.

Claimin' where we get our rhythm from
Acknowledging the roots and origins of black music and hip-hop culture.

Number one, we hit ya and we give ya some
Proud of their success and their ability to impact and influence others through music.

No gun, and still never on the run
Resisting oppression and fighting for justice without resorting to violence or running away.

You want to be an S.1, Griff will tell you when
Addressing their fans and encouraging them to become activists and fight for the cause themselves.

And then you'll come, you'll know what time it is
Inspiring and mobilizing their fans to join the movement and fight for change.

Impeach the president, pullin' out the ray-gun
Calling for accountability and justice in the highest office, using metaphor to illustrate their point.

Zap the next one, I could be you're Sho-gun
Warning those in power that they are not afraid to use their platform to call out injustice and hold them accountable.

Suckers, don't last a minute
Those who exploit or disrespect others will quickly lose their influence and power.

Soft and smooth, I ain't with it
Rejecting conformity and embracing their own style and message, despite societal pressures to be 'soft and smooth.'

Hardcore, rawbone like a razor
Their music and message are intense and unfiltered, like a sharp razor.

I'm like a lazer, I just won't graze ya
Asserting their unwavering commitment to their message and their unwillingness to compromise or 'graze' those who oppose them.

Old enough to raise ya, so this will faze ya
Experienced and wise enough to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo, even if it shocks or intimidates others.

Get it right boy and maybe I will praise ya
Demanding respect for their message and art, and encouraging others to align with their values and fight for justice.

Playin' the role I got soul too
Emphasizing that they have both talent and heart in their music and activism.

Voice my opinion with volume
Their message is loud and clear, and they refuse to be silenced by societal norms or expectations.

Smooth, no what I am
Confident in their style and persona, rejecting societal pressure to be 'soft and smooth.'

Rough, 'cause I'm the man
Asserting their masculinity and authority through their message and art.

No matter what the name, we're all the same
Acknowledging the humanity and shared struggle of all people, regardless of their names, backgrounds, or identities.

Pieces in one big chess game
Emphasizing the interconnectedness of society and the political and social structures that govern it.

Yeah, the voice of power
Acknowledging the strength and influence of their message and art.

Is in the house, go take a shower boy
Proclaiming their presence and power in the music industry and advising those who oppose them to 'clean up their act.'

P.E. a group, a crew, not singular
Highlighting the collective effort and unity of their group, rather than individual talent or personalities.

We were black Wranglers
Referencing their fashion choice and the connotations and stereotypes associated with it.

We're rap stranglers
Dominating the rap genre with their unique style and message.

You can't angle us, I know you're listenin'
Challenging those in power and authority who try to silence or ignore their message.

I caught you pissin' in you're pants
Expressing their power and authority over detractors, demonstrating the fear they instill in others.

You're scared of us dissin' us
Acknowledging that those in power are afraid of being called out for their wrongdoing and challenging the status quo.

The crowd is missin' us
The people need and crave the message and activism that Public Enemy brings.

We're on a mission boy
Unapologetic in their commitment to activism, social justice, and spreading their message.

Attitude, when I'm on fire
Asserting their confidence and power when at their best and most impactful.

Juice on the loose, electric wire
Vividly describing the energy and power of their music and performances.

Simple and plain, give me the lane
Asking for the opportunity to speak truth and spread their message, without obstruction or interference.

I'll throw it down your throat like Barkley
Employing metaphor to express their forceful and unrelenting message.

See the car keys, you'll never get these
Asserting their power and influence, with their car keys serving as a symbol of their success.

They belong to the 98 posse
Acknowledging the collective effort and success of their community in their mission for justice and equality.

You want some more son, you want to get some
Challenging those in power and encouraging others to fight for equality and justice, demanding an answer to their call-to-action.

Rush the door on a store, pick up the album
Encouraging people to support their message and art through buying and appreciating their albums.

You know the rhythm, the rhyme plus the beat is designed
Recognizing the power and intentionality behind their music and message, designed to impact and inspire.

So I can enter your mind, Boys
Their message and art is meant to resonate and stick with their listeners, influencing their thoughts and actions.

Bring the noise, my time
Demanding attention and action from those listening to their music and hearing their message.

Step aside for the flex, Terminator X
Acknowledging and introducing their DJ, Terminator X, and warning others to move aside and give his skills the respect they deserve.