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