Real Recognize Real

Yeah, yeah

Step into the cypher, let me set the tone Pay homage to the legends, they built the throne

From the Bronx block parties where the beats got raw

To the battles on the streets where they settle the score

Grandmaster, Flash Cool, Herp, they the pioneers

Rakim spittin' bars that you feel for years

KRS brought the knowledge, Nas brought the pain

Pop gave us passion, Big changed the game

But now y'all TikTok rappin, flexin' for clout

This and OGs, y'all don't know what it's about

Y'all ride the wave but forget the vibe

Without the architects, hip-hop wouldn't survive

Respect the roots, or you out of line

They paved the way, now it's our time to shine

If you diss the culture, you gettin' exposed

They gave us gold, you tryna flex with fool's gold

Y'all forgot when the mic was a weapon of war

When the DJ scratched vinyl till his fingers were sore

When graffiti was the art, breakdancing the skill

They risked it all just to show the world what's real

You owe your bag to the forefathers' hustle

They turned struggle into rhythm, pain into muscle

Ain't no Spotify streams, no YouTube fame

They had tapes in the trunk just to push their name

So when you cap on the past, better watch your tone

These streets got receipts and your cover's blown

Hip-hop's a temple, not a get-rich scheme

Respect the blueprint, or get crushed by the dream

Respect the roots, or you out of line

They paved the way, now it's our time to shine

If you diss the culture, you gettin' exposed

They gave us gold, you tryna flex with fool's gold

Yo, I see the disrespect, man, that ain't cool

You rappin' for a trend like this, a game in school

But hip-hop raised nations, brought people together

Rain and shine, it was good to withstand the new weather

Salute the elders, show love to the craft

Or get left in the past while we blaze the path

Bars over gimmicks, that's the code we keep

If you tryna stay woke, better dive in deep

This a call to the culture, rise up, unite

Keep the legacy strong, keep the future bright

Respect to the gods who laid the foundation

We the new generation, but it's one nation

Respect the roots, or you out of line

Real recognize real, and you crossed the line

This for Pac, for Big, for every OG

If you ain't showin' love, then you can't roll with me

Y'all all sons of Coogee, rapper for the Fugees

The man was spittin' movies, graphic nature patterns unruly

Big Daddy the one and truly, king of Brooklyn

Hate it, go on and sue me

Back when Red Alert was spinnin, real rappers were always winnin

Give five years of my life to spit scorchin' ice over a primo beat

In the dead of winter, to warm the streets

Rest in peace, the guru, Big L, big pun

Who I feel in the booth with me, the mic is on

Yo, I see the disrespect, man, that ain't cool

You rappin' for a trend like this, you came in school

But hip-hop, race, nations brought people together

Rain or the shine, it was Garth's whip, stay in any weather

Yo