Eric B. & Rakim - As the Rhyme Goes On Lyrics

(Pump it up, home boy)
(Pump it up, home boy)

Knowledge'll begin until I finish this song
'Cause the rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme goes on
You sweat as you step, about to get hype
Or should you just listen to the man on the mic?
You're physically in this with me but how could you tell
If it's meant to be hip-hop if you're not mentally as well
Ready to absorb the rhyme that I just poured
Into the mic and so unite and this won't be so bored

If you just keep kickin' listen, to the mix
And think you'll sink into the rhyme like quicksand
Holds and controls you 'til I leave
You fall deeper in the style, it's hard to breathe
The only time I stop is when somebody drop and then
Bring 'em to the front 'cause my rhymes' the oxygen
Then wave your hands, when you're ready I'll send you
Into your favorite dance so let the rhyme continue

And so on and I'ma go on simultaneously
Even if I stop, the rhyme remains to be
Risin' to the top, and I came to drop it
Catch it and quiz it, is my topic
Universal 'cause I move everybody to come
By exercisin' your mind to coincide as one
Then look around and see how packed the party starts to get
I draw a crowd, like an architect

The five boroughs react and all the islands attract
And every state can't wait, so they attack
Off a spot on the floor, squeeze in 'cause it's packed
It'll be more room if MC's play the back
I'm the R the A to the K-I-M
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am
The microphone fiend if I was a fake?
Whoever said it's just buggin' off the rhymes I make

I had you bitin' your tongue for what I brung and recite
Sung it on stage, some said it don't sound like
The voice on the record, I see what you mean
Because the system was wack, so I had to scream
So just give me a mic, if it's loud I'll blow it
If not, into the crowd I'll throw it
Pull out my cordless mic to entertain you well
Before I let go I'ma spark your brain cells

I took time to write, tonight I will recite
So poetically inclined when the mic is held tight
Rhymes start flowin' kisses are blowin
MC's are knowin' that's why they're goin '
Home to tell a friend when the party ends
"Yo, man you know Rakim? That brother struck again"
'Cause mic by mic and stage by stage
Tape by tape and page by page

When the crowd is moving I compete with the mix
The rougher the cuts, the rougher the rhyme gets
Deeper and deeper, I hope you understand it
I made it up myself and I planned it
For other MC's who waste time
Writin' jokes, riddles, and maybe a rhyme
I cross my arms and I was waitin', but I was hatin'
The rappers on the microphone was frontin', just fakin'

They wasn't breakin', which means I was achin'
To get up on the microphone and then start takin'
Control of the mic, uptight when I grabbed it
So hug the speaker, your ear's a magnet
Attracted to a freestyle put in effect
You listen to the man while you're sippin' Moet
So, Eric, pick up the needle (yeah)
Put it in the middle (alright)
Give me a scratch, turn my mic up a little

I want you to hear this perfectly clear
Catch what I'm sayin'? You get the idea?
I hope you knowledge the beginnin' 'cause I'm finished this song
The rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme flows on