On The Block
R.A. The Rugged Man feat. L. Dionne Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I mean, white rapper
There's so many of us now
White people like rap now
Ah, ah, yeah

[Chorus x2]

Slick Rick The Ruler, where's the vocals yo? Come in here

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ah-ah-ah, check out this bizarre
Ayyo! Ayyo!

Remember Slick Rick The Ruler, remember MC Shan used to wear Puma
Remember Masters of Ceremony, Grand Puba
Remember Daddy Kane Aids rumor
Yo, bring it back, yo
Yo, at the rolling rinks, no skates on
Early '80's, girl chase on
Kurtis Blow listed the breaks on
Flavor Flav, Public Enemy clocks, boombox
EPMD made us proud that we was from the Boondocks
Before Boob or Steady be, Heavy D, Mouthburnin'
Craig G, Shout rap version, TRUE SCHOOL
Rock Box, Run-D.M.C., true hip hop
Before Biggie and 2pac got shot, there was Scott La Rock
Before we even learned to make beats, we was in the basement
Freestylin, to 45 King breakbeats
But see, rap is corporate now
It's all about endorsments
So now the rich kids love it, so fuck them poor kids now!

[Chorus: x2]

I remember when the mainstream hated rap music
When James Brown samples was the new shit
I yelled BOX like Cool J on some Krush Groove shit
Dapper Dan shit, Ms. Pac-Man shit
That's when Rakim ran shit [Ran shit]
Before Sweet T was Suga, before ??? Jack Soopafly snooka
Back when Biz Markie was busy pickin boogers
Super Lover Cee, L-why-t-e, Chill Rob G
Graffiti vandals, Jimmy Packer sex scandals
Videos, Ralph MacDaniels
Back when we didn't have the papered samples
Beasties, Chuck D, Busy Bee got ate up ??? battle cool Moe Dee
Chubb Rock hits the Grammys, Hitman Howie Tee, Doug E. Fresh, Chill Will, Barry be
BDP, Eazy E, PRT, Lakim Shabazz, Jaz, Jay-Z, Tragedy, QB

[Chorus: x2]

Markey Fresh, The Mack of Rap, now the Fat Boys are back
X-Clan, ZOOM, pro black, Mr. Bozack
Where the hoes at, I'ma go back
Before we had show DATs, no gats, no plaques
Happy Days, Fonzie and Posse
Bomb Squad, Hank Shocklee and Keith Shocklee
DITC, cool Keith, Ced Gee
Busy Boys, Realski
Milk D, Positive K, First Priority Posse
8th grade, parents on vacation, house mackin, playin
Spin the battle in the basement, fuck ???
Misbehavein, shootin pelletguns at Dunkin Donuts
Make the police go nuts
Used their nice sticks to chock us
Old School, do stay true, Rock Stedy Crew, Zulu
Cash Money, Marvellous, Funkmaster Flex
???, cool G, Shante, Glamorous
Fresh Prince, Jazzy Jeff

[Chorus: x2]

Simphony and Simphony 2
Main Source Live at the Barbeque
Nas and Akinyele debut
EZ Ice, Soul Man
Def Squad, Hit Squad
2 Live Crew videos used to keep my dick hard (OINK!)
Salt 'N Pepa Shoopin, Potholes and Plug Tunin
Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin
Shut' em down, Pete Rock producin
Just-Ice, LaToya
We had Marvin Hagler, fuck Oscar De La Hoya
Doin it, doin it too much
6th grade, I ate my first pussy
In the back of the school bus

[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The song "On The Block" by R.A. The Rugged Man is a reflection on the evolution of rap music through time. The artist begins with acknowledging the increasing number of white rappers in the music industry, and how the genre has become mainstream. The chorus mentions Slick Rick The Ruler, who is considered to be one of the greatest storytellers in the rap community. The rest of the song is a homage to the pioneers of hip hop music and the artists who have contributed to its growth. R.A. The Rugged Man recalls the classics such as EPMD, Flavor Flav, Public Enemy, and Daddy Kane, speaking to the era of rap music in the early 80s. He speaks on the early days of rap battles when they used to freestyle to breakbeats, back when rap music was about the art form and not just about endorsements.

The artist then addresses how rap music has become corporate and is primarily about endorsements, with rich kids loving the genre, leaving the poor kids behind. In the final verse, R.A. The Rugged Man reminisces on the artists who have made significant contributions to the hip hop genre such as Salt 'N Pepa, Russell Simmons, and Rick Rubin. The song is a tribute to the history of hip hop music, and how it has evolved over time.

Line by Line Meaning

I mean, white rapper
Being a white rapper is a common thing today.

There's so many of us now
The numbers of white rappers have increased significantly.

White people like rap now
Even white people enjoy listening to rap music.

Slick Rick The Ruler, where's the vocals yo? Come in here
A reference to Slick Rick's vocals, which are not present in the song.

Remember Slick Rick The Ruler, remember MC Shan used to wear Puma
A nostalgic look back at the golden age of hip hop.

Rock Box, Run-D.M.C., true hip hop
Acknowledging the influence of Run-D.M.C. on hip hop culture.

But see, rap is corporate now It's all about endorsments So now the rich kids love it, so fuck them poor kids now!
Commentary on how rap music has become commercialized and how it caters to rich kids, leaving the poor ones behind.

I remember when the mainstream hated rap music When James Brown samples was the new shit
Recollection of a time when rap music was not mainstream and how it started gaining popularity through innovative sampling techniques.

Back when Biz Markie was busy pickin boogers Super Lover Cee, L-why-t-e, Chill Rob G
A reference to the pioneers of the hip hop genre.

BDP, Eazy E, PRT, Lakim Shabazz, Jaz, Jay-Z, Tragedy, QB
Acknowledging the influence of various hip hop artists who have revolutionized the genre.

Before we had show DATs, no gats, no plaques
Recollection of early days when rappers did not have any advanced equipment, firearms or awards.

Used their nice sticks to chock us
The police officers used their batons to control rowdy behavior of teenagers.

Main Source Live at the Barbeque Nas and Akinyele debut
Nostalgic reference to early hip hop concerts featuring new and upcoming artists.

We had Marvin Hagler, fuck Oscar De La Hoya Doin it, doin it too much
Hagler was a former middleweight champion of the world and how he overshadowed De La Hoya. The line 'Doin it, doin it too much' is from LL Cool J's song 'Doin' it'.

6th grade, I ate my first pussy In the back of the school bus
A graphic and vulgar reflection of the artist's personal experience.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS