That's how it is, that's how we do it That's how it is, that's how we do it Critics and cynics complain that it's a fallacy Claiming rap music has a lack of musicality But in reality none of the critics can rap So they don't know the facts but they're always on the attack see Rhythm and poetry that's what a rap is It takes musicality, focus and practice The rhythm is rapid like the notes of a jazz lick Or if it's a triplet it slows down like traffic You might point out that it lacks a melody But rap can be melodic like Ella or Della Reese I don't care about your musical pedigrees 'Cos I'm the half breed of a jazz funk legacy You better be on point when you diss it 'Cos we know the critics of rap are all bigots So dig it, this is how I kick it and it's beautiful Don't ever try to tell me that my rap isn't musical That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music The same critics talking trash and dissing rap Listen to jazz, rhythm and blues and cla**ical gas Maybe they never studied the past or just don't mind That jazz wasn't considered a music at one time They don't want to admit that it might last A very long time like jazz and it's no fad Rap tracks continue to pack kiddies knapsacks So listen to the sax sayin' somethin' and that's that Now I can rap alone spontaneous like a saxophone solo Without a chaperon or a stack of poems I'm deep like a baritone singing in catacombs
Back in the days I used to freestyle for accolades What other musical genre besides rap Crafts lyric gems just as rhythmic as hi-hats What other music improvises up wisecracks To make the crowd happily clap and why is that? That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music See I grew up in Philly listening to the Roots And Black Thought taught me the rules of this rap sport And now I'm hip-hoppin' on planes taking it worldwide To make the fellas clap and the beautiful girls sigh And every now and then critics emerge Telling me rap's not a music and I think it's absurd 'Cos I transcribe the rhythms and I know that I'm right And I show and prove my theory when I'm holding the mic I know you might not respect what I do But at least hear me out when I'm stepping to you 'Cos I'm not your average cat waving a gat When I rap I freestyle while I'm taking a nap Making them clap to the music as I travel the globe A representative with my pen I give a sensitive consideration to my sentences that's the concept Take it to the hook let me put it in context That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music That's how it is, that's how we do it That's why I love this hip hop music