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...

 Verse Two:

 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 just 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, and I'ma tear shit up
 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


 Verse Three:

 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

 Verse Four:

 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 lead a ??? 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 7 MC's put em in a line
 And add 7 more brothas who think they can rhyme
 Well, it'll take 7 more before I go for mine
 And that's 21 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
 Cos my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe
 And after this you'll call me your majesty
 My melody...


 Verse Five:

 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 cos I'm dissin ???
 ?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