I Know You Got Soul

Album: Paid In Full (1987)
Charted: 13
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  • It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you
    Without a strong rhyme to step to
    Think of how many weak shows you slept through
    Time's up I'm sorry I kept you
    Thinking of this you keep repeating you miss
    The rhymes from the microphone soloist
    And you sit by the radio hand on the dial soon
    As you hear it pump up the volume
    Dance wit the speaker 'til you hear it blow
    Then plug in the headphone 'cause here it go
    It's a 4 letter word when it's heard, it control
    Your body to dance (you got it) soul
    Detects the tempo like a red alert
    Reaches your reflex, so let it work
    When this is playing, you can't get stuck wit
    The steps, so get set and I'm a still come up wit
    A gift to be swift, follow the leader, the rhyme will go
    Def wit the record that was mixed a long time ago
    It can be done but only I can do it
    For those that can dance and clap your hands to it
    I start to think and then I sink
    Into the paper like I was ink
    When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines
    I escape when I finish the rhyme
    I got soul

    You got it
    You got it
    You got it
    You got it
    I know you got soul

    Picture a mic, the stage is empty
    A beat like this might tempt me
    To pose, show my rings and my fat gold chain
    Grab the mic like I'm on Soul Train
    But I'll wait 'cause I mastered this
    Let the others go first so the brothers don't miss
    Eric B. break the sticks (you got it)
    Rakim will begin when you make the mix
    I'll experiment like a scientist
    You want to rhyme, you gotta sign my list
    'Cause I'm a manifest and bless the mic I hold
    You want it next? then you gotta have soul
    'Cause if you ain't got it, I'm a make an encore
    Take the mic, make the people respond for
    The R, 'cause that's the way it'll have to be
    If you want to get on after me
    Think about it, wait, erase your rhyme
    Forget it and don't waste your time
    'Cause I'll be in the crowd if you ain't controlling it
    Drop the mic, you shouldn't be holding it
    This is how it should be done
    This style is identical to none
    Some try to make it sound like this but you're getting me
    So upset that I'm wet 'cause you're sweating me
    I drip steam like a microphone fiend
    Eager to MC is my theme
    I get hype when I hear a drum roll
    Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul

    You got it
    You got it
    You got it
    You got it
    You got it

    I got soul (you got it) that's why I came
    To teach those who can't say my name
    First of all, I'm the soloist, the soul controller
    Rakim gets stronger as I get older
    Constant elevation causes expansion
    I write my rhyme while I cool in my mansion
    Then put it on tape and in the city I test it
    Then on the radio the R's requested
    You listen to it, the concept might break you
    'Cause almost anyone can relate to
    Whoever's out of hand, I'm give him handles
    Light 'em up, blow 'em out like candles
    Or should I just let him melt?
    Then give him a hand so they can see how it felt
    I'm not bold just 'cause I rock gold
    Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul

    You got it
    You got it
    You got it
    You got it

    Now I'm a stop to see what you got
    Get off the mic before I get too hot
    I want to see which posse can dance the best
    It should be easy 'cause the beat is fresh
    Now if your from Uptown, Brooklyn- bound
    The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound
    Even other states come right and exact
    It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
    Since you came here, you have to show and prove
    And do that dance until it don't move
    'Cause all you need is soul self-esteem will release
    The rest is up to you, Rakim 'll say peace

    You got it Writer/s: Bobby Byrd, Calvin Eugene Simon, Charles A. Bobbit, Clarence Eugene Haskins, Eric Barrier, Grady Thomas, James Brown, Michael Williams, William Griffin
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Word Collections Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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