Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out a cigar I'm lettin' knowledge be born and my name's the R A K I M, not like the rest of them, I'm not on a list That's what I'm sayin', I drop science like a scientist My melody's in a code, the very next episode Has the mic often distortin', ready to explode I keep the mic in Fahrenheit, freeze MC's and make 'em colder The listener's system is kickin' like solar As I memorize, advertise, like a poet Keep you goin' when I'm flowin', smooth enough, you know it But rough, that's why the middle of my story I tell E B Nobody beats the R, check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody So, what if I'm a microphone fiend, addicted soon as I sing One of these for MC's so, they don't have to scream I couldn't wait to take the mic, flow into it to test Then let my melody play and then the record suggest That I'm droppin' bombs but I stay peace and calm Any MC that disagree with me, wave your arm And I'll break, when I'm through breakin', I'll leave you broke Drop the mic, when I'm finished and watch it smoke So stand back, you wanna rap? All of that can wait I won't push, I won't beat around the bush I wanna break upon those who are not supposed to You might try but you can't get close to Because I'm number one, competition is none I'm measured with the heat, that's made by sun Whether playin' ball or bobbin' in the hall I just writin' my name in graffiti, on the wall You shouldn't have told me, you said you control me So now a contest is what you owe me Pull out your money, pull out your cut Pull up a chair My name is Rakim Allah and R & A stands for RA Switch it around, but still comes out R So easily will I, E M C E E My repetition of words is 'Check out my melody' Some bass and treble is moist, scratchin' and cuttin' a voice And when it's mine, that's when the rhyme is always choice I wouldn't have came, to set my name around the same weak shit Puttin' blurs and slurs and words that don't fit In a rhyme, why waste time on the microphone I take this more serious than just a poem Rockin' party to party, backyard to yard Now tear it up, y'all and bless the mic for the Gods Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody The rhyme is rugged, at the same time sharp I can swing off anything, even a string of a harp Just turn it on and start rockin', mind no introduction 'Til I finish droppin' science, no interruption When I approach, I exercise like a coach Usin' a melody and add numerous notes With the mic and the R A K I M It's a task, like a match I will strike again Rhymes are poetically kept and alphabetically stepped Put in order to pursue with the momentum, except I say one rhyme and I order a longer rhyme shorter A pause but don't stop the tape recorder Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody I'm not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor Melody arranger, poet, etcetera Extra events, the grand finale like bonus I am the man they call the Microphonist With wisdom which means wise words bein' spoken Too many at one time, watch the mic start smokin' I came to express the rap I manifest Stand in my way and I'll be the one words protest MC's that wanna be dissed, they're gonna Be dissed if they don't get from, in fronta All they can go get is me, a glass of Moet A hard time, sip your juice and watch a smooth poet I take seven MC's, put 'em in a line And add seven more brothas, who think they can rhyme Well, it'll take seven more before I go for mine And that's twenty-one MC's, ate up at the same time Easy does it, do it easy, that's what I'm doin' No fessin', no messin' around, no chewin' No robbin', no buyin', bitin', why bother This slob'll stop tryin', fightin' to follow My unusual style will confuse you a while If I was water, I flow in the Nile So many rhymes you won't have time to go for your's Just because of a 'cause I have to pause Right after tonight is when I prepare To catch another sucka, duck MC out there 'Cause my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe And after this you'll call me your majesty, my melody Check out my melody Yes, my melody Check out my melody Eric B Check out my melody Marley Marl, synthesized it, I memorize it Eric B made a cut and advertised it My melody's created for MC's in the place Who try to listen 'cause I'm dissin' face Take off your necklace, you try to detect my pace? Now you're buggin' over off my Rhyme like bass The melody that I'm stylin', smooth as a violin Rough enough to break New York from Long Island My wisdom is swift, no matter if My momentum is slow, MC's still stand stiff I'm genuine like leather, don't try to be clever MC's you'll beat the R, I'll say, "Oh never" So Eric B, cut it easily And check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody Check out my melody