[ verse 1: Esoteric ] There's a lot of cats out there that's doin this now And a lot of cats out there that threw in the towel Some are new to the style, so they take time to learn Other cats want burn, they can't be concerned With the time it takes, rhymin takes, so they violate Grab a pen, begin to gather men Form a crew of new jacks that never knew jack That never knew wack, that never knew the old boom bap Make the track, the illegit, the counterfeit The snare sounds like a kick You're full of sh**, you ain't been doin this long I'm fresh, Grandmaster Caz said it best: "You can't buy a mic at a quarter to 2 And be a real mc before the day is through" Rap today is a circus, underground or surface Know why you're doin this, kid, the soul purpose (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f** around with the way that we flow It's called the (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f**... [ verse 2: Esoteric ] Cats on the underground, they like to run around And throw the word done around with no gun around Distributors be actin funny like clowns They buy now, pay later like the money down f** that cause we got to pound through it And rough muthaf**as up if it comes down to it Pose a threat, so what you hold a Tec And go to war for nothin like a homeless vet I bet your a** don't weigh 90 pounds wet Down at the sound check I caught your a** with a broken neck You know my rep, so you know the steps, go 'head, slide
Tell your story walkin like a tourguide Cause my peoples ain't tryin to hear that We to-the-rear that, scared rap cats we stare at You know the outcome, a power move yo, I'm 'bout one And show you what it's all about son (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f** around with the way that we flow It's called the (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f** around with the way that we flow [ verse 3: Esoteric ] I pulverize, scold the guys on the vinyl Speak my piece, like gun talk I'm homicidal Big execs pay the debts on the Lex I cop the are-o-lex, Goretex in different sets It's time to up the ante, you're like a Camry I'm like a Benz that's ready for the Grand Prix Of Monaco, your song is so lame I'm like c**aine to the nose and brain I'm like a gold chain to the fans of older Kane You know the name, I'm doin this for the love, the dough and fame A fool with Technics and some bullsh** beats Need to shut his mouth when the cool kid speaks My name is Esoteric, that's 7L Spinna made the track muthaf**a, can't you tell? Dope-a** beats, dope cuts and dope verses Thanks for your purchase, now peep "The Soul Purpose" (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f** around with the way that we flow It's called the (Soul) (You know the deal) (Soul) (You know the deal) Mc's come and mc's go But they can't f** around with the way that we flow