[Will Smith] Original - a first form from which varities arise An authentic work of art as opposed to an imitation, or reproduction
[Verse One: Will Smith] Why should I try to sound like y'all sound? That's what's wrong with the rap game right now Man it's like a circus with a bunch of clowns With a bunch of cliques I'll probably rap circles around I spit heat rock, and I ain't talkin rollin Soon as the beat knock I'm crown controllin When I hear y'all that's an awful sound I don't ride beats, I take 'em off the ground Land 'em somewhere, show 'em the town Even on foreign ground let 'em know I'm around I don't follow e'rybody when it's time to rap At one time e'rybody thought the world was flat Sounds like you? That was my intention I paid dues, now dudes pay attention I live for it, even though the flicks is hittin Crib's sick, you can see the booth from the kitchen Speak on it, cause I saw it happen This is hip-hop, dawg I ain't just rappin Y'all lookin at a real MC man You couldn't check a mic from me
[Chorus: Will Smith] Why should I try to sound like y'all sound? That's what's wrong with the rap game right now Why should I try to flow, the way y'all flow or do a show like y'all show, nah that ain't where my head at now Y'all in the hip-hop lost and found That's what's wrong with the rap game right now Man it's like a circus with a bunch of clowns With a bunch of cliques I'll probably rap circles around
[Verse Two: Will Smith] Let's talk about rhyme capability Let's talk about hip-hop versatility Let's talk about takin the game beyond How the hell we gon' have a battle of wits? Trick you unarmed Let's talk about love for the game I mean real love, back before there was fame I'm real with it, I ain't claimin to reign But when y'all talk about rap, y'all gon' start sayin my name F'real though, I ain't playin Plenty of y'all love a brother, just scared to say it Yo, first ever rap Grammy Let's talk about the only reason yo' ass went to Miami - yup! Truck with rims - check; throwback jersey - check Champagne bottles - check; lots of models - DAMN! That's the list for 90% of y'all videos and songs Am I WRONG?!
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Will Smith] Lost - when you a slave to the biz With no care for the cost of what you sayin to kids Found is when your lyrics are a test of time And your mind hear that your spirit is blessed divine Lost is when you rhyme 'til your throat gets sore But you don't even believe what you say no more Found is when you bleed heart into the mic And the pain you sustain it could change a life Lost is when you hide behind the freedom of speech Well sure you're free to do it, but what it mean to do it Did you mean to do it? Did you need to do it? Did you take time to think about the seed you ruined? (HUH?) Found as Esco did, Pres and them Found Islam and Hill, found is Rakim Found can be you if you felt the message And ask yourself this question