Once Upon A Time
Slum Village Feat. Pete Rock Lyrics

I'm on a mission
I am determined to achieve my goals

I hold the pen and stay twisted
I write creatively, using my own unique style

The competition my street cats will stay listening (word up)
My rivals keep an ear out for me because they know I'm talented

Detroit to New York I still walk the walk
I remain true to my roots no matter where I am

Control dancehall, chillin in my b-boy stance y'all
I dominate the dancefloor while maintaining my cool demeanor

Never was known to be an emcee
I have not been recognized as a skilled rapper

I still rip and flip crowds into a frenzy
My performances electrify audiences and get them hyped

Reciting facts shit, and it's like herbs to bite
My lyrics are truthful and impactful, like medicinal herbs

Bum rushing mic tec playing slowly at night
I expertly take over the microphone and control the rhythm, even at a slow pace

Coincide with the mic take flight above shores (word of mouth)
My music travels far and wide, spreading through word of mouth

I separate mines from yours
I distinguish myself from other artists

I look ya up and as I stare in your face
I observe and analyze my competition

Your big mind's on a hum hum
You are trying to figure me out

The one you got your idea from
You copied your style from someone else

Yeah I'm right here son, straight out the slum
I come from humble beginnings and I own it

Makin tracks for dough, gettin paid to do shows
I produce music to make money and perform to earn a living

So when I blow (what) the niggas respect my flow
When I become successful, my peers acknowledge my skill

Ay yo I'm nice with the pill and I rock with Slum Vill
I am skilled with the microphone and collaborate with Slum Village

Ay yo, you want flows? We got tons of them
We have an abundance of rap verses

Pete, Slum and Tim trying to bank shit like the Huntington
Pete, Slum Village, and Tim are producing music for profit like a bank

Get that money and dip
Make money and leave

Flash the cash in front of them
Show off the money to people

Niggas gruntin' and shit
Jealous people are complaining

Sayin' nothin I'm done with them
I am finished with them because they have nothing meaningful to say

Oh yo! Peeps ain't got a hold they gun on them
People do not need to feel threatened because we are not a threat

Cause if one of them cats jump, we all jumpin' in
If someone starts trouble, we will all defend each other

Believe that!
Trust me, I am telling the truth

We got somethin' for the some dumb
We have music for people who do not know what they are doing

Bubble yum chewin that don't know what they doin' with this rap shit
Inexperienced rappers who are overconfident and do not understand the art of rap

Rap tactics automatic and the fact is y'all know you bored with the wack shit
Our rap style is natural and effective, and you know you are tired of bad music

We got that phat shit that auto and
We have good, fat beats and verses

Track shit and when you hear it man I don't know how to act, shit
Our music is so good that it makes you want to dance and have fun

It's like the first related verse and now we rock with the beat
The song is now picking up pace and becoming more intense

Just another causality for S and the V
Another success story for Slum Village

It's like action is what we give and receive
We inspire others with our music and get inspiration from them

Best do believe we got some shit up our sleeves
We have some surprises in store

Shit to dance to, some shit to the trees
We have music to dance to and music to relax to while smoking marijuana

Some shit if you dyin' and they help you breathe
We have music that can help you in difficult situations

Make a handicap nigga exceed with speed
Our music can even inspire someone with a physical disability to overcome their obstacles

It's like totally with Toronto to V
We have a strong connection between Toronto and Slum Village

Doin this for DET in the place to be
We represent Detroit, the place to be for hip hop music

Can't forget the rest R,O,I, and T
We cannot forget other important places and people like Royce, Obie Trice, and Tony Touch

Mac Nicholas baby, what else could it be?
We are affiliated with Mac Nicholas, what else could we be?

Please, lace me with a scratch for the beat
Please add some scratches to the music track

In the beginning, it was the S, never no name shit
From the start, we were Slum Village, never with an unknown name

Motherfuckers traveled for miles to Mac Nick
People came from far away to our music studio in Mac Nicholas

We kick rhymes we know they never sound like yours
Our style is unique and original, unlike others

To the mic lookin' like cheap thoughts
Others look like they put little thought or effort into their lyrics

Fuck this rap shit, I'm too smart for that
I am too intelligent to just do rap, I am doing this for fun

I do this shit for kicks with my crew, believe that
I enjoy creating music with my group, that is why I do it

The S is on the way to makin' emcees quick
Our style is so good that it can motivate other rappers to improve themselves quickly

I shoot the kinda rhymes to make the emcees duck
My lyrics are so good that they make other rappers feel intimidated

On the mic I never fight I call an angel of war
I never physically fight on stage, I use my skills to win the crowd over

Slice an emcee with my palm, a lyrical sword
My rhymes are so sharp that they can cut other rappers down

You really want a bottle? You must be ill
You really want to challenge me? You must be crazy or stupid

Well it's the S, numero uno, I'm in your favorite
I am the best, and I am in your favorite

The negroes make the music that you run out to get
Black musicians create the music that you rush to buy

Now this is love at the less, new bomb shit
This is something new and exciting that people will love

Mac Nicholas is earnin' money on some burner shit
Mac Nicholas is making money on the tracks we produce

No doubt for 98
We have no doubt about our success in 1998

Settin ya straight
Making things clear for you

Getcha self laced
Get yourself ready for what's to come

Peace
Goodbye, see you later