R.A.K.I.M.

By Rakim

On 8 Mile

Released on October 29, 2002

55K Views

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[Intro]

Ra! Ra! Ra! Ra! Ra! Ra! Ra!

[Hook]

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne


[Verse 1]

Aiyyo, when Rakim Allah attack, it's a wrap, y'all, relax

The almanac, just show me where the party's at

Seminars and tracks, whores, comas, and cardiacs

Broads and cats screaming, "Oh my God, he's back"

Just imagine, I hit the lab and get it crackin'

A thousand styles in one verse, rhythms will switch patterns

Chicks get stabbed in the back, 'til they get spasms

Known to spit a magnum, or split an atom

Who woulda known that Jesus would come back to the ghetto?

On that level, and that thorough, like a Black hero

And pack metal, so rap rebels, will back pedal

The pharaoh of five boroughs, and take over the rap world

Gettin' bizarre, hardcore, this is for y'all

The crib or the park, play it when you get in the car

Chill at the bar, sip somethin' or split a cigar

Get with your dogs, don't be alarmed, this kid is the bomb

It's the...

[Hook]

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne


[Verse 2]

Uh, yeah, yo, I used to paint this flow, on ancient scrolls

And learn ta–make this dough where gangstas roll

Think like the late great Capone, when the bank is closed

It's cats that claim they bold, but they ain't this cold

I'm from New York City, even pretty chicks act up

Niggas get clapped up, you stack up, they stick that up

Put the strap up, you'd think my name was "Kid, back up"

Big niggas {*spits*} – pick that up, or lift that up

Raised by gangstas and gamblers, hustlers, con artists

And convicts, killers, and dons

Drug dealers, playas, and pimps, smooth talkers

Stick-up kids, thugs, real niggas, and gods

Haunted by every soul that lay dead in the turf

Cursed by every spirit, that never made it to birth

Since the Moon separated from Earth

That's why they say I'm the greatest that ever orchestrated a verse

It's the

[Hook]

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne


[Verse 3]

Ay yo, we toast to that, it's the cat that broke backs

To a soul clap, a smoke a track, how dope is that?

Poet for rap, wrote backs that most slack

That know rap before they turned coke to crack

To my dogs hearin' sirens on and firearms

Outcome–die in wars or behind iron bars

The boulevard, tire frauds when I evolve

Try and rob, my dialogue, I am God

Chicks moan just to get next to my throne

And sniff my cologne, and get Ra alone

Sex spot's at home, I'm testosterone

Caress spots, stress drops, bedrock's the bone

Hit the floor, it's hot for 2003

Hits galore, who rock a style as wild as me?

Rest assured, when I rock dance crowds and scream

Bismillah Ir-Rahman Ir-Rahim it's the

[Hook]

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne

R: Rugged and rough, that's how I do it

A: Allah, who I praise to the fullest

K: Keep it moving

I – stand alone

M – it's My crown, My world, My throne