[Intro: Sample with DJ Static Scratches]
“The rhyme was Def a-then it went this way” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
[Verse 1: L.I.F.E. Long]
My intro to this world started in ‘74
The sonogram showed a mic attached to umbilical cord
Grew up envisioning tours since the year of ‘84
Wondering how I could turn dreams to much more
‘Cause my Plan B been tossed out the window
Now I'm on a mission to rock flows, keep my third eye exposed
To life's ups and downs. This rollercoaster ride
Got my mind spinning around like breakers on their backs
Nowadays, disgusted with rap. Everybody similar
Season of the vet—feel the temperature?
Hip hop too dry and needs cooling. And I'm the right teacher
For the schooling. Too many substitutes to the real
Frostbite to these labels giving out million dollar deals
To these artists I can't feel. While the real heads get
Bamboozled and shafted (Word?). We feeling the effects
Of life's punches, paying dues, getting our a** kicked
[Hook: Samples and (L.I.F.E. Long) with DJ Static Scratches]
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“Life, life, life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“On the mic” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
[Verse 2: L.I.F.E. Long]
The bottom of my feet reveals scars from my fast travels
Just a few places to where my thoughts unraveled
To Cali, to Texas, to Boston, Cincinnati, and D.C
Best believe I caught many verses on air
Peace to all disk jockeys who spun me. Hope wherever
I lay my hat, got men in need, but still working with pennies
Trying to add up, but it's still change. My main
Goal in life: to rearrange this game, shine my flame
Leave my mark like aerosol tags on trains for you to remember the name (L.I.F.E. Long)
Overseas, I'm your new sound. So play me, selector
Keep my twelve-inch going ‘round (Keep it spinning)
In New York, considered underground
But on a different caliber when I'm out of town
Find me on a center stage getting down (One, two)
Or up in a spot, moving through the crowds, giving pounds
Consider me as your poetical certified M.D. emcee, just making my rounds
[Hook: Samples and (L.I.F.E. Long) with DJ Static Scratches]
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“Rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
[Verse 3: L.I.F.E. Long]
I came up in a holy era of hip hop
Way before songs about platinum ice and Glocks
I mean, cats still je-wels and lick shots
That's what made the block parties and jams in a parking lot stop
I opened many mics where crowds got rocked
You still see me after in a cypher, holding down a block
Spitting, I'm heavy-hitting on brains. The savior, the knight
To reveal my life. My truth and insight exposed in what I write
When I'm on, it's like Happy Hour on the mic
‘Cause I intoxicate crowds, leaving ‘em tipsy off a verse
Spit out at random when I disperse
Like weapons used to leave bodies decapitated, in a hearse
It's all about stepping to the studio. Ripped the shows
Releasing magnetic flows to attract the dough
Got to keep the pockets full ‘cause I've been around
So much bull, it's unbelievable
[Hook: Samples and (L.I.F.E. Long) with DJ Static Scratches]
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“That's the life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“And now they got me rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
“Li-li-li-li-li-life-a that I lead” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s” (Nightlife, nightlife)
“Rocking on the microphone” - Run on Run-D.M.C.'s “s**er M.C.'s”
[Outro: Sample with DJ Static Scratches] (4)
“Hip hop” - Sample from [?]