Biochemical Equation
RZA Lyrics

Tempted by the sins of life, the pleasures of lust
Attracted to the worldly desires and immoral actions

With wild imaginings that you can't discuss
Thinking of things too taboo to talk about publicly

Oh, the flesh is weak, it's a struggle for peace
The body is easily influenced by materialistic pleasures and it's hard to find inner peace

It's a daily conflict between man and beast
A constant internal battle between human nature and animal instincts

We strive for God and a better tomorrow
We keep working towards a goal of spiritual enlightenment and a better future

Still suffering from the unforgettable sorrow
Despite the above, we are still hurting from past experiences

Repent from thy sins, son, and walk ye straight
Turn away from wrongdoings and walk the path of righteousness

Stop talkin' all that trash, boy, and talk ye straight
Stop speaking in a vulgar or dishonest manner and be truthful

Afflicted by the pressures of life at every vital point
Constantly dealing with the various stresses of life at every critical point

Still, I wouldn't give an oint' / Or flinch an inch or pitch a pinch
I wouldn't compromise my values or show weakness

Off the pie or ever try to try your wench
I won't compete with you for materialistic gains or romantic partners

Confronted by the Devil Himself and stayed strong / You think you can take the king, now meet Kong
I faced temptation and persevered / You thought you were strong, but you've met your match

Strong as the base of a mountain, there's no countin' / How many MCs have sprung from our fountain
Our music is strong and influential, spawning countless other artists

Fifty-thou' a year process to make this combination / I'm not givin' mine away to Satan / Although I know that he's awaitin' / To get a hold of my biochemical equation
It takes years of practice to create our unique style and I won't sell out for fame or money, even though I know the Devil is waiting to tempt me

I'ma slip him, son, I'ma dip him, son / When I catch the drop on him, I'ma clip him, son
I'll outsmart and defeat the Devil when he comes for me

Ninety-nine elements, biochemical manifestation
Our music is an intricate and complex creation

Bet, ahk straight to the head with the pet rock / At least 'til I can get from out this booth it's like a sweatbox
I'm focused and delivering my words with precision, despite being in an uncomfortable studio

Trade a few bars of head noddin' throw us a stack / Pay him and it's sewed up like thread and bobbin' bonus pack
Collaborating with another artist is easy and profitable for both parties

Invest in the first B-boy kid's show
Spend money on a TV show that showcases youthful hip-hop culture

Live off skid row with jive-talking negros
Living a rough life with other African Americans who talk in a slang dialect

He wear his beard like a frizzly-haired grizzly / And kept his appearances exquisitely rare, where is he?
A man with a wild-looking beard who rarely shows up in public, where is he now?

Is he in your backyard or on your front porch? / Or standing in the corner of the club with the blunt torched? It's off
Where is he hiding, at your house or in the club? It's impossible to tell

They say he rhyme like he starvin' and sold odds and bodkins / To old gods and goblins, golly
People say he raps with the hunger of a poor man, and his lyrics reference mythical beings

I'm just a pest and your worst best friend who mend and rip space-time fabric / Like polyester blend, not a hobby for no knobby-kneed lesser men / Or sloppy like the rest of them, they probably need estrogen (yo, yo)
I'm a nuisance and your close companion who can both fix and damage time and space like polyester blend / This isn't a casual hobby for weak people / Unlike the untalented, I don't need any extra help.

Drunk or sober, son, don't lose your composure / Semi off the Remy, mixed with Henny, Moët demi'
Whether drinking or not, don't let your emotions get the better of you / A mix of different alcohols

Underneath the passenger seat, son, tuck the semi' / Israeli-issued automatic black pistol
Hide the gun under the passenger seat, it's a black automatic weapon of Israeli origin

The cop with the flashlight chew gum as he whistle
The policeman is chewing gum loudly as he whistles

Tapped on the glass, roll it down fast / License, registration address to your lab
The officer knocks on the window, roll it down quickly / Show him your license, registration, and address

They made insurance / The reason why I pulled you over? / 'Cause the way you were swervin', sir, you can't be sober / Have you been drinkin'? Breathe into the breathalyzer /
They created the traffic stop as a way to enforce vehicle insurance laws / The reason for stopping you is because you were driving erratically, implying that you're not sober / Have you been drinking? Blow into the breathalyzer to test your alcohol level

Get out the car, please, follow this exercise, sir / Put one finger on your nose now / Now from heel to toe walk in a straight line, ten paces down the road
Step out of the car and follow these sobriety tests / Touch your nose with your finger, now walk a straight line while keeping your heel to your toe, ten steps down the road

My homeboy, Kano used to do the mashed potato or cartwheel / And then spin out like a tornado
My friend Kano used to dance and do acrobatics like the mashed potato or cartwheels, and spin out afterwards

They used to chase him, right but, son, he would always shake 'em / Then come and puff bowls and make beats inside my basement
People would try to catch Kano, but he always evaded them / Afterwards, he would come over to my house and we would smoke weed and make music

Stress on the brain cause pain and stomach ulcers
Mental anxiety can cause both emotional and physical pain

If you can't understand then come closer
If you don't understand the gravity of stress, take a closer look

We civilized the uncivilized that we supposed to
We helped bring civilization to areas that lacked it

Mic in your hand, Black man stand as a soldier / Stress on the brain cause pain and stomach ulcers
Holding a microphone, a Black man stands as a warrior for change / Even the toughest of us can be affected mentally by the pressures of life

If you can't understand then come closer
If you can't comprehend the depths of the struggle, take a closer look