Rap to the Future

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane
When Rakim had a fat gold chain
Dana Dane had fame, Kane was R.A.W
Rick the Ruler was Slick, thick bubble goose
Turtle Shell Cazals, L.L. rocked bells
The city of Queens the Kings raised hell
Melly Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Easy Moe Bee
Rodney O and Joe Cooley, Spade, King T
Boom Boxes, dual cassettes filled the tape deck
The Rhodium Swap meet cashed the paychecks
The world renown Violet Brown brought us platinum plaques
Albums on wax and vinyl in stacks
Unity, Bigga B RIP, underground rap acts
Cans rattled in back packs
The smell of petroleum windmills on linoleum
Circles and cyphers no need for a podium
Verse 2 — Mr Hooper
Somethin' from nothin'
Bustin', cold crushin' like the Fat Boys
Black noise from an urban community
Bringin' unity to parks and halls
For all the yes yes y’alls
And other chants and applause
Right fist stand tall
Left fist grip mic
Had ‘em packed in tight
Did this thing all night
Thin wallets and fat laces
Big dreams in small places
Kept going til it reached the world
Now every color boy and girl in break poses
And they knows it
That’s why we in commercials
Dope beats and verbals, majestic effect
Since the days of cassette, put that bounce in your neck
And I’m F-R-E-S-H
Food for your thought, put some more on your plate
Your mate Hooper from the west side of things
Still pen to the pad, still spittin' my dreams
Verse 3 — Moka Only
Many years ago when the soul
Pulled me in deep I knew I couldn’t let it go
M to the capital letter O
Hangin' off the words that my elders bestowed
BDP lit the fire, JB’s they let me know
That the door was wide open for a different approach
So many cats that I revered and considered a coach
I knew I owed the culture
All the best of my flows, I’m ever grateful
Got a plateful, since the fateful day I grabbed the pen
And had somethin' to say, still dues gettin' paid every day
My record company they, let me do anything so I play most graciously
Do my best to be an ace emcee
Its asymmetrical style no basic emcee
Moka always Kareem Serene, won’t entertain the complacency
I’m thankful for the places I see
It’s all love, believe it