[Interview clip of Guru]

That makes me know that–what we're doing...

We had the right idea in the beginning

And–and, we just need to maintain our focus and elevate

We––what we do, we update our formulas

We have certain formulas, but we update 'em (Oh, right)

With the times and everything, y'know?

So, y'know, the rhyme style is elevated, the style of beats is elevated

But it's still Guru and Premier

And it's always a message involved

[Intro: DJ Premier & Sample]

The reeeeaaal... (The real...)

Hip-hop (Hip-hop)

MCing (MCing), and DJing (DJing)

From your own mind (From your own mind)

You know? (You know?)

"I... I guess right now we should start the show?"

[Verse 1: Guru]

Who's the suspicious character strapped with the sounds profound?

Similar to rounds spit by Derringers

You're in the Terrordome, like my man Chuck D said

It's time to dethrone you clones, and all you knuckleheads

‘Cause MCs have used up extended warranties

While real MCs and DJs are a minority

But right about now, I use my authority

'Cause I'm like the Wizard, and you look lost like Dorothy

The horror be when I return for my real people

Words that split wigs, hittin' like some double Desert Eagles

Sportin' caps pulled low and baggy slacks

Subtractin' all the rappers who lack over Premier's tracks

Severe facts have brought this rap game to near collapse

So as I have in the past, I whoop ass

Droppin' lyrics that be hotter than sex and candle wax

And one-dimensional MCs can't handle that

While the world's revolvin' on its axis

I come with mad lovin', plus the illest war-like tactics

The wilderness is filled with this

So many people searchin' for false bliss

I'm here with the skills you've missed

The rejected stone is now the cornerstone

Sorta like the master builder when I make my way home

You know my steez

[Chorus: DJ Premier scratches]

"You know my steez!"

"Let 'em know — do your thing, God"

"Keep it live (Keep it live, keep it live)"

"To the beat, y'all!"

[Verse 2: Guru]

The beat is sinister — Preemo makes you relax

I'm like the minister, when I be lacin' the wax

I be bringin' salvation through the way that I rap

And you know, and I know, I'm nice like that

Work through worldly problems, I got the healin' power

When the mic's within my reach, I'm feelin' more power

Stealin' at least three minutes of every rap radio hour

It's often easier for one to give advice

Than it is for a person to run one's own life

That's why I can't be caught up in all the hype

I keep my soul tight, and let these lines take flight

The apparatus gets blessed, and suckers get put to rest

No more of the unpure, I got the cure for this mess

The wackness is spreadin' like the plague

MCs lucked up and got paid

But still can't make the fuckin' grade

How many times are wannabes gonna lie?

Yo, they must wanna fry

They can't touch the knowledge I personify

I travel through the darkness, carryin' my torch

The illest soldier, when I'm holdin' down the fort

You know my steez

[Chorus: DJ Premier scratches]

("You know my steez!")

"Let 'em know — do your thing, God"

"Keep it live (Keep it live)"

("You know my steez!")

"Let 'em know — do your thing, God"

"Keep it live (Keep it live)"

("You know my steez!")

"Let 'em know — do your thing, God"

"Keep it live (Keep it live)"

("You know my steez!")

"Let 'em know — do your thing, God"

"Keep it live (Keep it live)"

"The mic ––"

[Verse 3: Guru]

On the microphone, you know that I'm one of the best yet

Some punks ain't paid all of their debts yet

Tryin' to be fly, ridin' high on the jet

Set with juvenile rhymes, makin' fake-ass death threats

Big deal, like En Vogue, here's somethin' you can feel

Styles more tangible, and image more real

For some time now, I've held the scrolls and manuscripts

When it's time to go all out, you'll be like, "Damn, he flipped!"

Now I'm sick, fed up with the bullshit

Got the lyrical full clip givin' you a verbal ass-whip

Don't trip, it's the Gifted prolific one known as Baldhead Slick

Why is the press all on my di-dick?

My style be wilder than a kamikaze pilot

Don't try it, I'm about to start more than a friggin' riot

Styles unsurpassable, and nukkas that's suckas

Yo, them motherfuckers are harrassable

For I be speakin' from my parables, and carry you beyond

The mic's either a magic wand

Or it gets tragic like the havoc of a nuclear bomb

Then I grab your palm — no pulse, you're gone

And if you thought we'd lose our niche in this rap shit, you way wrong

I stay up, I stay on, shine bright like neon

Your song's pathetic, synthetic like Rayon

Fat beats, they play on

Want dope rhymes? Put me on

Word is bond, you know my steez