I Know You Got Soul

It's been a long time, I shouldn'ta left you

Without a strong rhyme to step to

Think of how many weak shows you slept through

Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you

Thinkin' of this, you keep repeatin' you miss

The rhyme from the microphone soloist

So you sit by the radio, hand on the dial, soon

As ya hear it, pump up the volume

Dance wit' the speaker 'till ya hear it blow

Then, plug in a headphone, 'cause here it go

It's a 4 letter word, when it's heard it control

Your body to dance, (you got it) soul

Detects the tempo like I'm Red Alert

Reaches your reflex, and let it work

When this is playing, you can't get stuck wit'

The steps, so get set, and I'mma still come up wit'

A gift to be swift, follow the leader, the rhyme'll go

Def wit' the record that was mixed a long time ago

It could be done, but only I could do it

For those that could dance and clap your hands to it

I start to think, and then I sink

Into the paper, like I was ink

When I'm writin', I'm trapped in-between the line

I escape, when I finish the rhyme

I got soul

You got it

You got it

You got it

You got it

I know you got soul, hey

If you didn't you wouldn't be in, be in, be, be in here

Picture a mic, the stage is empty

A beat like this might tempt me

To pose, show my rings, and my fat gold chain

Grab the mic like I'm on Soul Train

But I wait, 'cause I master this

Let the others go first, so the brothers don't miss

Eric B. break the sticks (you got it)

Rakim will begin, when you make the mix

I'll experiment like a scientist

You wanna rhyme, you gotta sign my list

'Cause I'mma manifest and bless the mic I hold

You want it next? Then you gotta have soul

'Cause if you ain't got it, I'mma make a encore

Take the mic, make the people respond for

The R, 'cause that's the way it'll have to be

If you wanna get on after me

Think about it, wait, erase your rhyme

Forget it, and don't waste your time

'Cause I'll be in the crowd if you ain't controllin' it

Drop the mic, you shouldn't be holdin' it

This is how it should be done

This style, is identical to none

Some try to make it sound like this but you're gettin' me

So upset, that I'm wet, 'cause you're sweatin' me

I drip steam, like a microphone fiend

Eager to emcee is my theme

I get hype, when I hear a drum roll

Rakim is on the mic, and you know I got soul

You got it

You got it

You got it

You got, you got, you got, you got it

I got soul, (you got it) that's why I came

To teach those, who can't say my name

First of all, I'm the soloist, the soul controller

Rakim gets stronger, as I get older

Constant elevation causes expansion

I write my rhymes while I cool in my mansion

Then put it on tape and in the city I test it

Then on the radio the R is requested

You listen to it, the concept might break you

'Cause almost anyone could relate to

Whoever's out of hand, I'mma give 'em handles

Light 'em up, blow 'em out like candles

Or should I just let 'em melt?

Then give 'em a hand so they could see how it felt

I'm not bold, just 'cause I rock gold

Rakim is on the mic, and you know I got soul

You got, you got, you got, you got it

You got, you got, you got it

You got it

You got, you got it

Now I'mma stop, to see what you got

Get off the mic 'fore I get too hot

I want to see which posse can dance the best

It should be easy, 'cause the beat is fresh

Now if you're from Uptown, Brooklyn- bound

The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound

Even other states come right and exact

It ain't where ya from, it's where ya at

Since ya came here, ya have to show and prove

And do that dance, until it don't move

'Cause all you need is soul, self-esteem will release

The rest is up to you, Rakim'll say peace

You got it

You got, you got, you got it

You got, you got, you got it

You got it

You got it

You got, you got, you got, you got, you got it

You got it

You got, you got, you got it

You got it

You got it