As the Art Fades Away

Got them Props, shows been rocked, Ode to the greats the tapes
The boom box and to the bus stop the bootlegs are hot the
Days fade away won't stay on the block (Adlib: On the block) so true
They due to get paid, the art that they made it skip the airwaves
The labels just say we own ya like slaves (Adlib: Put em' on the shelf)
That thought they took to the graves (Adlib: To the graves). Fast forward
Flow so historic I claim the torch, the course, the force wit' it (Adlib: I'm the one)
My lead I bleed the Hip-Hop I speak to the kids the pop
Has gotta stop (Adlib: Gotta stop), please research the birth
Of who's hot (Who's hot) Young crowd said Nelly built Rap
And Chingy, Young Joc put it all on the map and treat the
Pioneers like Blacks, so hit the back (Adlib: Hit the back)

What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if there was never an Eric B. and Rakim
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Public Enemy never started the Rap Revolution
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Big Daddy Kane never touched a Mic (Pause)
Imagine if I... wasn't willing to fight!!!

So Sad when ah rapper gets richer give them the fame
Make money be scripture love of the game fades like
An old picture... your ah boss, ay boys call you mister
(Adlib: Coffee Boss)Let me make it real clear for you
Cats if the pioneers never rapped ya'll wouldn't make crap
All facts even got jacked when a label own it all from your
Name to your tracks. Listen here, Hip-Hop my dear
The doe it dig deep to steep for them to care (Adlib: Don't care)
Sit quiet in a studio session I start to flashback to tracks
When I'm eleven. LL had a girl around the way
I learned to kick step I'm reppin' Kid-N-Play
I love to hear a scratch from Jam Master Jay (Adlib: Ippy Jay)
Cop an attitude like N.W.A (Adlib: What)...

What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Slick Rick never mastered the art of storytelling
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Run DMC never did "Walk this Way"
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if EPMD wasn't all about they business (Pause)
I remember... and I'll never forget this!!!

Round & Round we go... Hoping the Art Don't Fade Away...

Spin Vinyl, DJ behind you, rock mics forget
Who ya signed to. This show is for all the greats
Rewind the time back to dancing wit' breaks
Free expression that was rap law graffiti on ah
Stall and ah subway wall and on ah blacktop
Where the B-boys ball. This culture lives on
For years and I'll keep spitting an ode to pioneers...

Female Singing: What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Pete Rock & CL Smooth never gave us "Mecca & the Soul Brother"...
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if BDP never dropped "Criminal Minded"
What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Gangstarr never created that Mass Appeal (Pause)
So I... keep it real!!!

What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if De La Soul never dropped "3 Feet High and Rising"
Female Singing: What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if Das Efx never dropped "They Want EFX"
Female Singing: What Would the Game be Like...?
Imagine if A Tribe Called Quest never dropped "The Low End Theory" (Pause)
Wordsmith: So I hope you hear me!!!

Hold on, it's not over... Imagine if Sykeone never signed Wordsmith... if that happen the world would never get the chance to hear this record, so we can correct the state of Hip-Hop...