[Verse 1: Rakim]
Turn up the bass check out my melody hand out a cigar
I'm letting knowledge be born and my name's the R

A-K-I-M not like the rest of them I'm not on a list
That's what I'm saying I drop science like a scientist
My melody's in a code the very next episode

Has the mic often distorting ready to explode
I keep the mic at Fahrenheit freeze MC's and make 'em colder
The listener's system is kicking like solar

As I memorize, advertise, like a poet
Keep you going when I'm flowing, smooth enough, you know it
But rough that's why the moral of my story I tell 'em, B

Nobody beats the "R", check out my melody

[Verse 2: Rakim]

So what I'm a microphone fiend addicted soon as I sing
One of these for MC's so they don't have to scream
I couldn't wait to take the mic, flow into it to test

Then let my melody play, then the record suggest
That I'm dropping bombs, but I stay peace and calm
Any MC that disagree with me wave your arm

And I'll break, when I'm through breaking I'll leave you broke
Drop the mic when I'm finished and watch it smoke
So stand back, you wanna rap, all of that can wait

I won't push, I won't beat around the bush
I wanna break upon those who are not supposed to
You might try but you can't get close to

Because I'm number one, competition is none
I'm measured with the heat that's made by sun
Whether playing ball or bobbing in the hall

Or just writing my name in graffiti on the wall
They shouldn't have told me you said you control me
So now a contest is what you owe me

Pull out your money, pull out your cut
Pull up a chair, and I'mma tear %#@! up
My name is Rakim Allah, and R and A stands for "Ra"

Switch it around, it still comes out "R"
So easily will I E-M-C-E-E
My repetition of words is check out my melody

Some bass and treble is moist, scratching and cutting a voice
And when it's mine that's when the rhyme is always choice
I wouldn't have come to say my name and run the same weak %#@!

Putting blurs and slurs and words that don't fit in a rhyme
Why waste time on the microphone
I take this more serious than just a poem

Rocking party to party, backyard to yard
Now tear it up, y'all, and bless the mic for the gods


[Verse 3: Rakim]
The rhyme is rugged, at the same time sharp
I can swing off anything even a string of a harp

Just turn it on and start rocking, mind no introduction
Til I finish dropping science, no interruption
When I approach I exercise like a coach

Using a melody and add numerous notes
And with the mic and the R-A-K-I-M
It's a task, like a match I will strike again

Rhymes are poetically kept and alphabetically stepped
Put in a order to pursue with the momentum except
I say one rhyme and I order a longer rhyme shorter

Or pause, but don't stop the tape recorder

[Verse 4: Rakim]

I'm not a regular competitor, first rhyme editor
Melody arranger, poet, etcetera
Extra events, the grand finale like bonus

I am the man they call the microphonist
With wisdom which means wise words being spoken
Too many at one time watch the mic start smoking

I came to express the rap I manifest
Stand in my way and I'll leader while the words protest
MC's that wanna be best they're gonna

Be dissed if they don't get from in front of
All they can go get is me a glass of Moet
A hard time, sip your juice and watch a smooth poet

I take 7 MC's put 'em in a line
And add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme
Well, it'll take 7 more before I go for mine
Now that's 21 MC's ate up at the same time
Easy does it, do it easy, that's what I'm doing

No fessing, no messing around, no chewing
No robbing or buying, biting, why borrow
This line beside for trying, fighting to follow
My unusual style will confuse you a while
If I was water, I'd flow in the Nile

So many rhymes you won't have time to go for yours
Just because of a cause I have to pause
Right after tonight is when I prepare
To catch another sucker duck MC out there
Cause my strategy has to be tragedy, catastrophe

And after this you'll call me your majesty
My melody

[Verse 5: Rakim]
Marley Marl synthesized it, I memorize it

Eric B made a cut and advertised it
My melody's created for MC's in the place
They try to listen cause I'm dissing them so pick up your face
Shook off your neck as you try to detect my pace
Now you're bugging, almost dogging off my rhyme-like bass
The melody that I'm styling, smooth as a violin

Rough enough to break New York from Long Island
My wisdom is swift, no matter if
My momentum is slow, MC's still stand stiff
I'm genuine like leather, inclined to be clever
MC's you beat the "R", I'll say "Oh never"
So Eric B cut it easily, and
Check out my melody