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[Intro: Joell Ortiz, (Lil' Fame sample)] ("Sing like Bilal!") Uh! Uh! Y-Y, Y-Y-Y-YAOOOWWWWW! J-J-Joell Ortiz, yeah ("Sing"--"Sing like Bilal!") Oh! Aiyyo, Flex I got the kite, I was tuned in Saturday night Heh heh! You hear these guys?! ("Sing"--"Sing like Bilal!") [Verse 1: Joell Ortiz] You remove the big label that be backin' them (Uh) The moistened nine, ice, the fake platinum And bring it back to rap, I will flatten them I'm the best across the board like Tat and 'em New York, if you feelin' like me then you tired Of listenin' to liars, wishin' it was fire But none of them is hot, not the flicker of a lighter I'm about to blow up in they face – Richard Pryor Your industry buzz ain't valid on the streets, loser We don't care about them mags and them weak rumors Your secret wack parties with free hookah Ev'rybody walkin 'round tryin' to be cooler Nah! See, I be where they keep Rugers You ain't got to be in beefs, the police shoot ya The ox will give ya a ill buck fifty New rappers is cool, but we still bump Biggie (Baby) I walk and perfects with a ill one with me Fitted to the side on my Brooklyn shit No V.I.P., I ain't shook for shit I'm at the bar, like after push-ups and dips As for this mic, they don't want nothin' (Why?) 'Cause I eat 'em for breakfast, oatmeal corn muffins Lil' insects – y'all all buggin' Flex, I got you – next time I'll call up and record somethin' [Hook: DJ Premier scratchin'] "W-When you hear"-"W-W-When you heard me, rewind me" "From the city where niggas known for puttin' in work" [Xzibit] "I-I-I-I make 'em nervous, I do it on purpose" [LL Cool J] "W-When you hear"-"W-W-When you heard me, rewind me" "From the city where niggas known for puttin' in work" [Xzibit] "This here serious" [Erick Sermon] "Sing"--"Sing like Bilal!" [Lil' Fame] [Verse 2: Joell Ortiz] Check, I see your mouth movin', but you ain't sayin' nothin' Ya boy's speakers' all heat like my neighbor's oven If I'm anywhere near a mic, then I'm claimin' somethin' I can't resist the temptation – David Ruffin Hah! Who feelin' froggy? Hop, kiddo! I see to it Miss Piggy is a chopped widow Before I saw gwap from Joell features I had the corner on lock – Darrelle Revis It's so, I treat rap like coke, bet it You want lines, gimme mines, homie, no credit Y'all was hyped about homes like, no sweat it He turned out to be a "Bus" – Jerome Bettis I'm on my chiro shit now – back at it Steady spittin' that crack, I'm a crack addict The belt sittin' on my wiast, take a crack at it My craft'll put you to sleep – hehe, Craftmatic
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Meaning of "Sing Like Bilal" by Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz immediately establishes a confrontational tone, challenging the current state of hip-hop. He asserts his lyrical dominance, ready to "flatten them" who lack substance. The repeated "Sing like Bilal!" sample acts as a rallying cry for authentic, soulful expression. It sets the stage for a critique of the industry's manufactured sound. The central tension in these lyrics is the stark contrast between genuine street credibility and superficial industry hype. Ortiz expresses frustration with "liars" and the lack of "fire" in much of today's music. He dismisses "industry buzz" and "secret wack parties," instead grounding his authority in the gritty reality of "where they keep Rugers" and the enduring legacy of "Biggie." Ortiz's craft is most evident in his aggressive, vivid imagery and punchy similes. He likens himself to "Richard Pryor" ready to "blow up in they face" and dismisses competitors as "Lil' insects – y'all all buggin'." The raw, visceral language, like treating rap "like coke" and being a "crack addict" for his own rhymes, underscores his intense dedication and the potent nature of his verses. Even the playful "oatmeal corn muffins" line for eating rivals conveys a casual, almost dismissive power. These lyrics are effective because they relentlessly champion authenticity and street-level respect over corporate-backed hype. Ortiz's unwavering confidence, bolstered by his detailed, often confrontational, wordplay, creates a compelling persona. He appeals directly to listeners who value raw skill and genuine experience, making his claims of superiority feel earned and resonating with a desire for realness in hip-hop.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Joell Ortiz
- DJ Premier