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[Chorus] Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known, yo Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! So all hail the honorable [Verse 1] It's to my real ill niggas, heavyweight hitters Dough-getters, fifty ways to make figures My niggas that come on the spot to feel sisters Like they hear real spitters and kids on the zigga-ziggas When it's ugly, then the club is lovely Thugs be sippin' Hennessy and bubbly To my comrades that keep it flamin' hot On dangerous blocks, claimin' spots Where the goal is to be one of the top-ranked soldiers Forty-five holders, one of the high rollers Get respect in the hood, credit is good Knock it down lumberjack style, baby; extra wood Rock it all night long, the bang-a-thon, baby, keep hangin' on We like it with the lights on Don't have to blow twenty thou' to get to know honey's style Show her the town, steal her heart, no money down! [Chorus] Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known, yo Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! So all hail the honorable [Verse 2] How about some hardcore? Yeah, we like it raw for sure Broads on the floor, wall to wall There's more at the door, players ball to score 'Cause this right here is for all of y'all Rakim and Preemo — yo, I got what you need, bro You go see a show, smokin' El Niño And DJ's play hits with hard bass kicks And then they display tricks like The Matrix Make the record fly, undetected by the naked eye So just feel the vibe, 'cause your ears never lie Nowadays, DJ's bags of tricks–graphic On some behind-the-back shit, catch it and scratch it Blast it! This kid got his craft mastered Hands is mad quick like he mix with magic Spin it back and forth and grab it And know just where it is… there it is! [Chorus] Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known, yo Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! So all hail the honorable [Verse 3] To my elite peeps with the murderous mystiques I hit the street with beats and they critique for weeks They be like: "How that kid Ra reach the peak?" Pull out the heat and use my technique to speak It's dangerous, sit calm and explain to kids What part of the game this is in foreign languages They hold Ra's events in different continents Put my lyrical contents in monuments In ghetto garments, I rock a towel like a pharaoh Mind travel, design style like apparel My fashions last long as a lifetime 'Cause I can see the future when the god write rhyme They're mad 'cause I managed to reign so long Like their chance to get money done came and gone This is strictly for my listeners on the corners at night And the sisters that be keepin' us right, when I be on the mic [Chorus] Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known, yo Hardcore! Real ill niggas! I'm internationally known when I be on the mic Hardcore! Real ill niggas! So all hail the honorable
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Meaning of "When I B on tha Mic" by Rakim
This track is a declaration of lyrical dominance and global recognition. The repeated chorus hammers home the idea that when the narrator is on the microphone, he's "internationally known," a status earned through "hardcore! Real ill niggas!" It's a boast about his impact and reach, positioning him as a respected figure within his community and beyond. The verses paint a picture of a vibrant, often gritty, urban landscape where loyalty and success are paramount. The narrator addresses his "real ill niggas," those who are "heavyweight hitters" and "dough-getters," implying a shared experience of striving and achieving in challenging environments. There's a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, whether they're "sippin' Hennessy and bubbly" or navigating "dangerous blocks." A key element of the craft is the intricate wordplay and vivid imagery used to describe both the music and the lifestyle. Phrases like "knock it down lumberjack style" and "display tricks like *The Matrix*" highlight the dynamic and skillful nature of the DJ's work, while the narrator's own lyrical prowess is described as reaching the "peak" and being put into "monuments." This elevates the art form and the artist to an almost mythical status. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their unapologetic confidence and the detailed, yet accessible, portrayal of a specific subculture. The narrator doesn't just claim to be great; he demonstrates it through his command of language and his connection to his audience, making the listener feel privy to an exclusive world where skill and authenticity are celebrated.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Rakim
- DJ Premier