Hip Hop
Skillz Lyrics

I just heard somebody say that hip hop died, a long time ago
People have been saying that hip hop is dead for a while now.

But that ain't sooo, that ain't sooo
But that's not true.

Uh, uh, aiyyo
Here we go.

Fuck hip hop! That music never mattered
I don't care about hip hop or its music.

Who cares about it anyway? Let the niggas have it
Who cares about hip hop? Let the people who like it have it.

I'm the type to extort it
I am the type of person who will take advantage of it for my own gain.

I give a fuck about the culture, I just like makin money off it
I don't care about the culture, I just want to make money off of it.

That phrase should open your eyes
That statement should make you realize something.

It was said yesterday in a New York high-rise
Someone said that in a New York high-rise yesterday.

By a CEO, 4080
Said by a CEO of some company called 4080.

Man these record company people are shady
Record company people are not trustworthy.

They want me and my raps on the back of the bus
They want to put me and my music in an inferior position.

Man these corporate motherfuckers don't care about us
Corporate people don't care about artists like us.

So for every B-boy and every B-girl
For every person who loves hip hop and breakdancing.

Our music, our culture, but it's changin their world
Our music and culture have influenced their world.

Huh, we make it and they come and steal it
We make it and they take it from us without giving credit.

How you gon' deal with hip hop and never feel it?
How can you deal with hip hop and not appreciate it?

They say that it's dyin, but I don't believe it
They say hip hop is dying, but I disagree.

Or maybe I'm just too damn blind to see it, uh
Maybe I'm just not seeing the whole picture.

Hip hop dead? Say it ain't so
Hip hop is dead? I hope that's not true.

But I'm sure plenty people heard that phrase before
But I know many people have heard that statement already.

Can you imagine Chuck Berry bein told
Imagine if someone told Chuck Berry that his music was not understood or respected.

That nobody will understand rock and roll?
That nobody would understand his music or genre.

Or Billie Holiday, with a pen and a pad
Imagine if someone tried to discredit Billie Holiday's music and artistry.

And somebody sayin, your music is just too sad
And someone telling her that her music was too depressing or sad.

Or the cat who gave James Brown his first advance
Or imagine if someone who helped James Brown early in his career tried to stifle his progression.

Sayin stick to singin nigga, you don't need to dance
Telling James Brown to focus on one aspect of his performance and not incorporate his dancing.

Sometimes you got to buck back, take a stance
Sometimes you have to fight back and stand up for what you believe in.

A dream ain't a dream, if it ain't givin a chance
A dream is not a real opportunity if it is not given a chance to succeed.

After 20 years, yeah it's losin steam
Hip hop is losing some of its original energy and impact after 20 years.

Cause I do see zombies on my TV screens
Because I see mindless pop culture on TV.

Some do it for the love and some do it for the green
Some people participate in hip hop for the art form, while others do it to make money.

And some know the meanin of microphone fiend
And some understand the true essence of being a talented rapper.

It ain't the same thing Ra came in the door with
Hip hop is not the same as when Ra (Rakim) first started his career.

If hip hop died, then you responsible for it
If hip hop truly died, then you are responsible for its demise.

See I heard a man say he liked hip hop and rappin
I heard a man say he enjoyed hip hop and rapping.

But he already knew what was goin to happen
But he was aware of the potential negative outcomes of pursuing hip hop.

When you start, what you do will be so pure and true
At the beginning of your hip hop journey, your art and intentions are authentic and genuine.

The only ones that get it, will be your people and you
The only ones who will truly understand your art are those within your community.

And after five years, you'll be doin well
After five years of hard work, you will begin to see success.

'Til someone says that it's good enough to market and sell
But eventually, someone will try to turn your art into a product to sell.

And that person's goin to tell you that what you do for fun
The person who tries to market your art will tell you that what you do for fun can also make you money.

They can promote it and sell it to everyone
They can help promote and sell your art to a wider audience.

And after ten years, he said I'd be on tour
After a decade of hard work, you may be able to tour and perform your art.

I'd make money, but my manager, he'd make more
You may make money from touring, but your manager will likely make more.

And after 15 years, they gon' say you through
After 15 years, critics may say your career is over and your art is irrelevant.

The music's changin, so you got to change up too
Because the music industry is always changing, you have to evolve and adapt to stay relevant.

He said after 20, I'd be poor
After 20 years, you may no longer be financially successful.

The peeps I made the music for, they won't come to your shows no more
Your original audience may no longer support your music or attend your shows after you have changed your style.

Then he told me who he was, he said I'm (*beep*)
The man who told me all of this was (*beep*).

And the same people destroyed the music I love
And those same people destroyed the music that I am passionate about.