One Time
Skyzoo & Pete Rock Lyrics

One time
Acknowledgment or shout-out

One time for the block
Acknowledgment or shout-out to the neighborhood

One time for Hip-Hop
Acknowledgment or shout-out to the genre of Hip-Hop

One time for being black
Celebrating black identity and culture

From wherever you at
Regardless of your location or background

One time for Skyzoo from the NYC
Acknowledgment or shout-out to Skyzoo from New York City

One time for Pete Rock in the place to be
Acknowledgment or shout-out to Pete Rock

Peep it, one time for the time sticking beside me
Appreciation for the support and loyalty received

Wouldn't count me out when it counted me in the lobby
Recognizing those who believed in me when it mattered

Where counting will lead you into the fold like origami
Acknowledging the influence and impact of numbers in life

It could've overlapped and then chose to au revoir me
Reflecting on the possibility of missed opportunities

Like yo, when you be talking bonjour to a Mazi'
Drawing a parallel between greetings and unexpected actions

It seems to intervene and encores to a homi'
Highlighting the potential consequences of certain situations

Like anybody can get it so, nothing don't surprise me
Having a mindset to expect the unexpected

'Cause anybody can get it so, hopefully you got me
Expressing the importance of having support

Shout to Gates and Greene, in between's where you find me
Acknowledgment or shout-out to specific individuals

And shout to Jamaica Queens, "Margherita's" is a body
Showing love to a specific location and its food

Easier to spot me, but I ain't never mind so
Not concerned with being easily recognized

I ain't step aside I just speak it in tsunamis
Using the power of words to make a bold impact

Pay me no never mind, I just stayed in the design
Not paying attention to negative opinions and staying true to oneself

Until they was tryna trace me or pay me to oblige
Resisting attempts to conform or manipulate

Whole fist in the air not a shade was a mirage
Maintaining authenticity and genuine intentions

And true to what you would hear I decorated the garage
Expressing success and achievements

I'm more Belafonte when it come to the front line
Drawing a comparison to activism and social involvement

But still dressed in mortgage money
Balancing financial responsibilities with personal style

Like "what else you wanted from me?"
Asserting that one has already given their best

Except when they calling for me
Expecting recognition and support when needed

They took in outta towners but couldn't take the corner from me
Remaining true to one's roots and not being overshadowed

I took it to a five bedroom mini mansion in a cul de sac
Displaying achievement and progress in life

Prestigious subdivision, I brought my son to that
Providing a better environment for the next generation

Did it off of inspiring who ain't cut from that
Succeeding despite those who didn't believe or understand

Says a lot about you if you can't fuck with that
Challenging those who don't appreciate or support success

(One time) one time for the aura that's in the groove
Appreciation for the vibe and atmosphere

(One time) one time for you coming up off the stoop
Acknowledgment or shout-out to personal growth and progress

(One time) one time for the horns fitting the mood
Recognizing the instrumental elements that enhance the experience

(One time) one time for it all, through and through
Acknowledging and celebrating every aspect

(One time) one time we was being followed by 12
Recalling a time of being pursued by the police

Quoting "Ready To Die" so we was probably twelve
Referencing a classic album and hinting at a young age

Boys pulled us over like we had product to sell
Being mistaken for engaging in illegal activities

A week later my man was popping with crills
Reflecting on a friend's success in a different path

He said, "If they already assume I'm tryna deal
Explaining why he went down that path

Then why not though?" Custies said "arigato"
Justifying actions based on others' perceptions

I had a hundred sixteens written 'bout how my block go
Composing numerous verses about personal experiences

By sixteen I needed room so I forgot those
Outgrowing certain aspects of one's past and moving on

Now fast forward twenty more and where the top goes
Reflecting on the journey and progress over time

Is where that sent me, word to who resent me
Acknowledging those who may have had negative feelings

And word to who be like "Your words?, They represent me"
Recognizing the impact and relatability of one's lyrics

Whether bidding or tryna tie up an ending
Engaging in different endeavors and closing chapters

All coded for who's in the scrimmage
Directing messages towards a specific audience

So if you didn't get it
Implying that some may not understand the references

Then you should be lucky that you didn't live it
Suggesting that personal experiences may be challenging

Doe or die 'til the end of that time
Maintaining determination and resolve

You thought you wasn't given
Addressing potential doubts or misconceptions

And all the Patron that you wasn't spilling
Highlighting personal restraint and self-control

All that I know, if you here with it, then you recognize
Asserting that like-minded individuals will understand

Being twelve and seeing bells in a detective's eyes
Recalling a youthful encounter with authority figures

Henny still pouring outta me if you step aside
Maintaining a free-spirited and celebratory attitude

Bought a truck that had room to fit the rep inside
Investing in a vehicle that represents one's reputation

So do the knowledge, do the math and the science
Encouraging others to educate themselves

Just because I'm relaxed doesn't mean that I'm compliant
Rejecting assumptions based on appearance

Just 'cause I'm in the back doesn't mean that I ain't eyeing
Remaining observant and vigilant from a different position

And just 'cause I got class doesn't mean that I ain't firing
Balancing sophistication with a fierce and assertive nature

(One time) one time for the aura that's in the groove
Appreciation for the vibe and atmosphere

(One time) one time for you coming up off the stoop
Acknowledgment or shout-out to personal growth and progress

(One time) one time for the horns fitting the mood
Recognizing the instrumental elements that enhance the experience

(One time) one time for it all, through and through
Acknowledging and celebrating every aspect

(One time) one time for the soul and the groove
Appreciating the deep emotional and musical essence

(One time) one time for the horn and jazzy mood
Recognizing the musical elements that evoke a jazzy atmosphere

(One time) one time, one time
Reiteration of the previous acknowledgments or shout-outs

(One time) one time for Pete Rock on the groove
Acknowledgment or shout-out to Pete Rock's musical contribution

(One time) one time for Skyzoo and me
Acknowledgment or shout-out to the artists themselves

(One time) one time, one time, one time
Reiteration of the previous acknowledgments or shout-outs

(One time) one time, one time, one time
Reiteration of the previous acknowledgments or shout-outs