[Intro] [scratching] One two, one two For those who do not know, once again For those who do not know, once again (yo, check it yo)
[J-Live] Aiyyo it's somethin' like a twilight zone epic Rookies in the hall of fame vets gettin' hazed Has the world gone crazed? Like, fatal flesh wounds when you just got grazed or Walkin' up and point blank shot from a twelve guage There's no respect for the rules of engagement Producers know nothin' of arrangement Emcees with five figure deals and never got up on the stage yet Knowin' that they styles haven't properly aged yet Consider these, casualties in the war between art and industry Fought in the streets, so nobody sells out in vain It just makes us work harder, on these dope rhymes and beats Knowin' either side ever admits defeat And screams treason at the first sign of retreat It's like a never endin' struggle in this box of chocolates It show that even though you got flavor ain't nothin' sweet
[Hook:] For those who do not know, once again For those who do not know, once again
[Esoteric] Eighty nine was the time that I started catchin' wreck I had my hair in steps with a fresh pair of sweats They were rules to abide by, you couldn't slide by Rappin' in tye-dye claimin' that you sci-fi But nowadays people clap even if you're wack No wonder everbody wants to rap These underground cats think they're down They don't know a damn thing These rock dudes tryna rap cause they can't sing You don't shoot a gun before, learnin' how to use it Ya don't shoot ya mouth off before learnin' the music I stay fly, the rules still apply
[Bridge: scratching of the line] "let me tell you the reason why" "Wanna know why, I'll tell ya why" "Because of my vocals" "I told y'all here they come now" "Now let me hear my man...
[Count Bass D] First give it up to God he the head of my life Blessed are the peace thought makers The freight burners the paint hoffers The old school jungle green users The stop cap rockers, the S-P trunk haters Beat's so hot use a tong not my tongue it speaks impurity Fuck Debbie, plus in blood like Carrie They're all gonna laugh at you I know why Donny did a swan dive off the Essex Ya claim inspiration, but still can't play shit Talkin' bout you workin' on a symphony And can't even play the tympani Walls of asbestos filled with the best dust Power station of the connection the wizard of Oz Mixmaster nuff weed deejay pound cake The brick mason, prime minister V.C. Burn L Now what is my moniker?, come late like Hanukkah Johnny come lately, sometimes still crave-sty Pac Man go ank-bank, stang like Cuba More pickups than Hoover, more run than Suba The funky dope maneuver, my field is holy New duva, shook in Judah Who the fuck wanna test me? Captain Kenny Clark Gillespy, hold the vest B We gon't throw some hands in this section Uhh it's like that, Count Bass... Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/7l-esoteric/rules-of-engagement-lyrics/#mucVh6ph06LaG6K1.99