Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out a cigar   I'm lettin' knowledge be born and my name's the R   A K I M, not like the rest of them, I'm not on a list   That's what I'm sayin', I drop science like a scientist      My melody's in a code, the very next episode   Has the mic often distortin', ready to explode   I keep the mic in Fahrenheit, freeze MC's and make 'em colder   The listener's system is kickin' like solar      As I memorize, advertise, like a poet   Keep you goin' when I'm flowin', smooth enough, you know it   But rough, that's why the middle of my story I tell E B   Nobody beats the R, check out my melody      Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody      So, what if I'm a microphone fiend, addicted soon as I sing   One of these for MC's so, they don't have to scream   I couldn't wait to take the mic, flow into it to test   Then let my melody play and then the record suggest      That I'm droppin' bombs but I stay peace and calm   Any MC that disagree with me, wave your arm   And I'll break, when I'm through breakin', I'll leave you broke   Drop the mic, when I'm finished and watch it smoke      So stand back, you wanna rap? All of that can wait   I won't push, I won't beat around the bush   I wanna break upon those who are not supposed to   You might try but you can't get close to      Because I'm number one, competition is none   I'm measured with the heat, that's made by sun   Whether playin' ball or bobbin' in the hall   I just writin' my name in graffiti, on the wall      You shouldn't have told me, you said you control me   So now a contest is what you owe me   Pull out your money, pull out your cut   Pull up a chair      My name is Rakim Allah and R & A stands for RA   Switch it around, but still comes out R   So easily will I, E M C E E   My repetition of words is 'Check out my melody'      Some bass and treble is moist, scratchin' and cuttin' a voice   And when it's mine, that's when the rhyme is always choice   I wouldn't have came, to set my name around the same weak shit   Puttin' blurs and slurs and words that don't fit      In a rhyme, why waste time on the microphone   I take this more serious than just a poem   Rockin' party to party, backyard to yard   Now tear it up, y'all and bless the mic for the Gods      Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody      The rhyme is rugged, at the same time sharp   I can swing off anything, even a string of a harp   Just turn it on and start rockin', mind no introduction   'Til I finish droppin' science, no interruption      When I approach, I exercise like a coach   Usin' a melody and add numerous notes   With the mic and the R A K I M   It's a task, like a match I will strike again      Rhymes are poetically kept and alphabetically stepped   Put in order to pursue with the momentum, except   I say one rhyme and I order a longer rhyme shorter   A pause but don't stop the tape recorder      Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody      Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody      I'm not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor   Melody arranger, poet, etcetera   Extra events, the grand finale like bonus   I am the man they call the Microphonist      With wisdom which means wise words bein' spoken   Too many at one time, watch the mic start smokin'   I came to express the rap I manifest   Stand in my way and I'll be the one words protest      MC's that wanna be dissed, they're gonna   Be dissed if they don't get from, in fronta   All they can go get is me, a glass of Moet   A hard time, sip your juice and watch a smooth poet      I take seven MC's, put 'em in a line   And add seven more brothas, who think they can rhyme   Well, it'll take seven more before I go for mine   And that's twenty-one MC's, ate up at the same time      Easy does it, do it easy, that's what I'm doin'   No fessin', no messin' around, no chewin'   No robbin', no buyin', bitin', why bother   This slob'll stop tryin', fightin' to follow      My unusual style will confuse you a while   If I was water, I flow in the Nile   So many rhymes you won't have time to go for your's   Just because of a 'cause I have to pause      Right after tonight is when I prepare   To catch another sucka, duck MC out there   'Cause my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe   And after this you'll call me your majesty, my melody      Check out my melody   Yes, my melody   Check out my melody   Eric B   Check out my melody      Marley Marl, synthesized it, I memorize it   Eric B made a cut and advertised it   My melody's created for MC's in the place   Who try to listen 'cause I'm dissin' [Incomprehensible] face      Take off your necklace, you try to detect my pace?   Now you're [Incomprehensible] buggin' over [Incomprehensible] off my Rhyme like bass   The melody that I'm stylin', smooth as a violin   Rough enough to break New York from Long Island      My wisdom is swift, no matter if   My momentum is slow, MC's still stand stiff   I'm genuine like leather, don't try to be clever   MC's you'll beat the R, I'll say, "Oh never"      So Eric B, cut it easily   And check out my melody      Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody   Check out my melody