{*DJ Premier scratches children laughing and yelling*}      [Chorus: Guru]   Riot act, this is where we really prepare   Riot act, out here we show no fear   RIOT ACT, time to protect our communities   Riot act, real criminals get immunity   RIOT ACT, eye for an eye - so yo who want it?   RIOT ACT, rushin all you cowards who fronted   Riot act, let's bring the power to the people   RIOT ACT, no justice then we gotta come see you      [Verse One: Guru]   Just like a thunderous gun clap, you wonder who done that   Put you under with one rap, me and the brothers have come back   We'll lash you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat   So now you be lyin flat, we'll read you the riot act   Whassup you little fuck, get your life right   Cause there's too much goin in the world, and shit ain't quite right   See you're just addin to the problem   Young gun, high-strung, ready to trey-eight revolve 'em   Knot nearly in your waist, you step up in the place   Catch one off guard, he lookin silly in the face   But hear they come with the M-16's   They got teargas, helmets and clubs - knahmean?   It's martial law in these streets   It's like Afghanistan man, it's gettin raw in the streets   Still you demand your rights, I understand your plight   But do the knowledge if you plan to fight      [Chorus]      [Verse Two: Guru]   So realize what it is to be oppressed and afflicted   Subjected to sick shit, knowin others live different   FUCK THAT, the streets about to blow again   They forgot, so we gotta let 'em know again   Huh, we'll blast you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat   So now you be lyin flat, we'll read you the riot act   Soldiers, let's show these cowards what's up   The hood ain't goin for it, let's get ours, that's what's up   Be sure to keep a balance to your fight   And do the math, figure how to use your talents in a fight   Ain't nuttin worse than a rebel without a cause   Ain't nuttin worse than a people without laws   200 million square miles under attack   Reperations for us blacks, hell yeah, they need to come with that   Who's gonna take the weight, and erase the hate   All I know is when we come through, better make some space      [Chorus]      [Verse Three: Guru]   A lot of people ain't happy you can tell by their ways   It's growin tense okay, I can smell it today   Tenement buildings house the next killers   While rich diplomats, are purchasin their next villas   But for the scrilla and power, uhh   They'll send some killers to their hood, that are iller than ours   Still niggaz settle beef, with the metal piece   And every block stays hot, like the devil's feet   Incarceration of the mind, police brutality and poverty   These are realities of mankind   And we can't win nigga, if we keep shuckin and jivin   In a minute, they gon' have us duckin and divin   They got bullets for us {*automatic fire*} yeah, uh-huh   They got jail cells and graveyards, they the bullies, not us   We'll blast you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat   So now you be lyin flat, cause this is the riot act      [Chorus]