Let me take you back to the day when MC's were short

And rap wasn't treated like a little league sport

On this, "Mom I wanna rap when I come of age"

And every MC could control the stage

Remember back then, after the backspin

Before everyone who's a fan was rappin

Back when every album had a classic track

And if it was on sale then the shit was wack

Back when on Tuesday you could find me at the Wherehouse

Every new release on one receipt



(You remember it man?) I remember it well

Back when Rick the Ruler was still locked in jail



Back a half a decade, when everyone had a fade

And I taped every video that Rap City played

Before Black Sheep broke up, L.O.N.S. broke up

The Soul Brothers broke up, Tribe broke up

We were all smoked up, big East coast fam

Before Jive became focused only on boy bands

Before Rawkus, Fat Beats, Bad Boy or No Limit

Before I had a chance to come out independent

When "Unsigned Hype" was a sign of who's next

Before rap artists saw six figure checks

Back when, major labels were screwin MC's

and Nirvana and Pearl Jam ran MTV

When a group put an album out, every few years

Back when people made music for the listeners ears



(You remember it man?) It wasn't too long ago

Before we were old enough to go to a show



It was just before all the major labels merged

Before rappers started usin scientific words

Back when rap fans had a common bond

If I heard a beat, I could name the song

Before every damn track was about a par-tay

And Fellowship resided on 4th and Broadway

When I used to lay in my bed with my walkman on

Listenin to mix shows 'til the break of dawn

Back when rap was half mellow, half thug

Just before the mainstream, was controlled by Suge

Before Biggie got shot, before 'Pac got shot

Back when rap was different than what the mainstream thought

Before Hilfiger knew, we were wearin his clothes

Before beats took importance over lyrics and flows

Back when Common loved rap, and I did too

And every group or MC was a part of a crew

Before everyone was preachin on the five elements

And music in videos had no relevance

Before the reunion of Guy, and EPMD

Remember when we all had a favorite MC?

Cats had personality in the last chapter

Let's bring it back to the charismatic rapper



One two, testin one two

Alright party people in the place to be

The party has already started, and it's about to end..



[scratched: "rap is outta control"]