Ya Know The Rules

Aiyyo aiyyo Kris they know the rules
Yeah ya don't stop, say what?
A ya don't stop, BDP in the house
A ya don't stop, check it out check it out Yo D
Yo bust it yo yo Kris hold on
Let me give a shout out to some people aight bust it

A Scott LaRock and ya don't stop
A Sammy B and ya don't stop
A Mister Cee and ya don't stop
A Cool V and ya don't stop
Evil E, and ya don't stop

A Easylee, and ya don't stop
A DJ Scratch, and ya don't stop
A Spinderella, and ya don't stop
Jam Master Jay, and ya don't stop
A PA Mase, and ya don't stop
So yo Kris, my mellow my man yo
Get on the mic and do the best you can

Well, the teacher comes to you, in effect
From a different style, a whole different sect
I inject, force and intellect
When I hit the mic, suckers hit the deck

I come correct and practice what I preach
I don't pimp you or rule you I teach
Come through the doors and slap up whores
Ordering them to put back on their drawers

'Cause, I run their pimp
When I leave he leaves with a limp
Shrimp, I got the tartar sauce
Never underestimate the power of the force

Of the intellectual KRS-One
I don't think yet my job is done, because
I stand alone while others have to verify
Just why they are thought to be fly

Makin' the public believe that they are way up in the sky
Sort of like a rap super guy
But I, horrify and terrify the super duper rap guy
Because you're soft as a lullaby

While they sit on their throne lookin'
Well I'm walkin' in the streets of Brooklyn
Or Harlem and Queens and Bronx
I'm even out there walkin' in Compton

'Cause everywhere BDP is schoolin'
So anywhere, KRS is coolin'
I'm not foolin', 'cause no, I'm not a fool
Don't act stupid boy, you know the rules

Word, aiyyo Kris, they act like they don't know the rules
But yo, I tell you what
Yo get on the mic and tell em what makes up KRS-One
YaknowhatI'msayin'? Huh, and ya don't stop

Yo, from off the sidewalk I grab the mic and talk
Born nineteen-sixty-five in the state of New York
My name is Kris Parker, KRS-One for short
I slap up crews and rock parties for sport

Lived on the streets about eight years straight
There I got my education and learned to debate
So when I pick up the microphone I know what I'm sayin'
Education doesn't come from simply obeyin'
The curriculum, of the school criteria
In fact what I learned I found inferior
I'm not a Muslim but I do support them
My father in heaven taught me and taught them

I'm not a Christian, but I won't diss 'em
I'm not a Jew, I don't practice Judaism
I'm not a Buddhist, but Buddha's a master
I don't eat beef pork nor Diet Shasta

Reason for this is very simple indeed
When it comes to music everybody's in need
You got wealthy artists spendin' money loosely
You ask about the culture, they talk 'bout Gucci

Metaphysics, the science of life
And how to live, free from strife
Walk with ease, and no disease
Understand that I am the breeze

And the trees, oceans and seas
And the B and the D and the P's
Suckers try it, but I don't buy it
When I speak you seek to stay quiet
Shut up! What what? You better stay cool
And heed the warning boy, you know the rules

Ah one two yeah, and ya don't stop
Ah three four, say what and ya don't stop
Ah five six pop pop and ya don't stop
Ah seven eight get down and ya don't stop

Aiyyo yo Kris, this goes out to all them house nigga
Foot shufflin' moonshine, hamhock eatin', pickled-pig tuggin'
Tap dancin', jheri curl activist, program directors
That don't wanna play rap music, that's right, ya know what?
Yo, ya know the rules
Ya know the rules