[Intro: Flame Speaks]
They say old n***a's like us be hating man - on the younger generation - I mean I got love for anybody making money - especially you're Black - I know how hard it is in Amerikkka - these Crakkka's don't make it no easier - but - if you're trying to take our youth down to Oblivion in the process of YOU getting Rich - You're not only f**ing up the Youth man - You're f**ing up the Craft - You're being Disrespectful to this music sh** n***a - and I come from a ERA - that we Don't Tolerate that sh** - ya Feel Me?!
[Hook:]
See I've been Trying to keep this Music in Mind -
I've been Trying to keep this Music in Line/
I've been Trying to keep this Music from Dying -
But They Confuse it - Cause [They] usually Blind --
So I'm Cruising to this Music of Mine/...(thats Real Talk)
I've been Trying to keep this Music Alive/
I've been Trying to help this Music Survive/
I Wouldn't know What else to do - Truly if this Music just Died/
So I'm just Trying to Make that Music You Ride -- and Can Vibe to/...
[1st Verse:]
And I will be the First to say - it Ain't no Glory in Hell/
Look in my EYES - Can't you See - They've got a Story to Tell/
Strictly Facts & Not Fiction - on these Tracks I be Spitting/
This that Raw and that Real - I know you Saw it - but Still/
They Neglecting my Flow - but I Perfected it though/
Cause Man I'm k**ing this Game - They just Ain't Checking the Score/
43' on the Board - Some sh** that you Cannot Afford?!/
Is to Sleep on my Status - How Much you Think I Record?/
"Can make a Hit When I'm Bored" - If You Ain't Noticed my Name/
Check the Credits in the Title - Yea You know its the Flame/
Whether Rapping or Producing - "Gat Packing - Blasting - Shooting"/
Trying to Elevate ya Mind - But these n***a's Actin Stupid/
On that Dumb sh** Forever Slow - I Guess [They] Won't ever Know/
Down'Talk Me Daily - Thats the Traits of a Jealous Hoe/
[They] telling me LET it Go - You done made it to Yo 30's/
But I Slaughtered the Competition - "Come Listen to the Verdict"/...Know Ya Heard it...
[Hook:]
See I've been Trying to keep this Music in Mind -
I've been Trying to keep this Music in Line/
I've been Trying to keep this Music from Dying -
But They Confuse it - Cause [They] usually Blind --
So I'm Cruising to this Music of Mine/...(thats Real Talk)
I've been Trying to keep this Music Alive/
I've been Trying to help this Music Survive/
I Wouldn't know What else to do - Truly if this Music just Died/
So I'm just Trying to Make that Music You Ride -- and Can Vibe to/...
[2nd verse:]
Them other n***a's Ain't Real - You're getting Lied to/
Can't Name Nobody who's Hotter - And if you Tried to/
Then I could Show You the Difference - What I Provide to You/
Is No Illusion - The Conclusion I Supply to You/
Enough Talking - Cause I know [They're] gone Deny the TRUTH/
And I'm gone be busy - With my Shawty cause She Sliding thru/
She got that ANKH around her neck - and I RESPECT it/
Meaning She a Queen - So I gotta give her Credit/
But Yo Girl be Wearing a Cross - Meaning Mentally She Lost/
ALWAYS Saying She got the SAUCE - Ain't No Need to even Talk/
See I do this for My People - Trying to get up out the Bricks/
Know that {We've} been broken - So They're Hoping for a Fix/
Got em' SmokinG on that Loud - Just to Drown out the Noise/
Swear at Times - I can Still Hear My Ancestor's Voice/
Telling me - "The MESSAGE" I Convey is much Needed/
Not Conceited - But {We'll} NEVER be Defeated/..."That's The Reason Why"...
[Hook:]
See I've been Trying to keep this Music in Mind -
I've been Trying to keep this Music in Line/
I've been Trying to keep this Music from Dying -
But They Confuse it - Cause [They] usually Blind --
So I'm Cruising to this Music of Mine/...(thats Real Talk)
I've been Trying to keep this Music Alive/
I've been Trying to help this Music Survive/
I Wouldn't know What else to do - Truly if this Music just Died/
So I'm just Trying to Make that Music You Ride -- and Can Vibe to/...
[Outro: DMX Speaks about how Real Music SUPPOSE To Touch Your Soul]...