In tha Park
Rhythmic Journey Through Hip-Hop History
Lyrics
Yeah, niggas don't know about Fatback
Reference to the Fatback Band, possibly to old-school music
With the different color records they had back in the days
Various records of different colors from the past
You know what I mean, the belt-driven turntables
Turntables that were belt-driven, particularly Technics models
With Technics joints (with the slipmats!)
Turntables with slipmats, used for DJing
Put nickels on the needles so the motherfucking record won't jump
Placing nickels on the needles to prevent records from skipping
The needle won't skip and shit
Ensuring the needle doesn’t skip while playing the record
Getting juice from the fucking light poles
Stealing electricity from streetlight poles for power
Shout out to the Bronx, nigga!
Acknowledgment and respect to the Bronx, NY
Aye yo, this shit go way back like a Uni marker, kid
Referencing historical markers like a Uni marker, suggesting old memories
Bombing the D train and hit the Bronx up
References to early hip-hop, graffiti culture, and influential DJs and artists
Krylon bandits attack, Planet Rock, Bambaataa
-Peace to Pylon discovering rap
-And the DJ that made the first scratch
-Paved the way for Flex, Mister Cee, 'nuff of them cats
-See, this rap shit came at a time that was accurate
Reflection on personal growth and mastery in the rap industry
Twenty-something years later, I mastered it
-Seen light poles get used for power
Childhood memories of experiencing power outages and its effect on music playing
I was a little nigga
-Couldn't stay out late I was sour
-So I sat by the window, heard the DJ cut
-Impeach the Pres, Apache, and just begun
-Otis Redding, "Tramp" the music stopped
-Guess the system blew out one of his amps
-It'd take a little while, then it come back on
-Somebody stepped on the wire and shit, that's all
-Now everybody's back in the groove, echo chamber
Description of a lively atmosphere at a party or event with lights and drinks
"Check one two, one two" that's my favorite
-Strobe lights is live, Pink Champale
-Little pink joints being lit up on the side
Description of fashion trends and brand names popular at the time
Couple niggas had two fives
-Other than that, cleared a circle in the park and shoot 5
-Girls wore they Lees and jellies
-Jordache and Lees, (TF Lords fit the fellys)
-Sams and Kangol buckets, B.V.D's
-Go to Sergio's like, fuck it
-Seen the stamp on that Crazy Eddie
Memories of specific stores, events, and activities in the neighborhood
Niggas coming back from the Funhouse dusted
-Throwing bubbles on the wall
-We must remind you
Emphasis on the roots of hip-hop culture originating in parks and darkness
Where this rap come from
-Yes my brother, my sister
-It's our duty, we must remind you
-Hip hop was set out in the park
-We used to do it out in the dark
-Yo, it all started at the After Midnight Philly, but walk with me
Further reminiscence about music, fashion, and cultural experiences in Philly and NYC
Mad niggas coming down from New York City
-Prolly hit the skating rink USA
-Banging Schoolly, "Gangster Boogie" and "P.S.K."
-I remember shells, Gazelles, top tens, and lottos
-Mega design, reefer smoke, Coqui nine bottles
-(Entire wore velours, call the boys with the Lucci wore)
-84's from Atlantic City Gucci store
-Linoleum break dancing, Rust-Oleum cans
-I put the writing on the wall signed, "Truly yours"
-Philly smashed '87 Music Seminar
-Out on the battlefield like Pat Benatar
-Hit the borough with Krown Rulers out of Camden
-People Patty Duke-ing in the party, all cramped in
-Around the time Flav started cold lamping
Recollections of personal experiences, street life, and encounters in the neighborhood
"Rebel Without a Pause" was the street anthem
-Old Memorex cassette, tape collections
-Bright spotlights on all the fights at the Spectrum
-When the Fresh Fest come, leather bombers and sheepskins
-Brothers would bust they guns to get one
-MC Breeze, Disco C, Jazzy Jeff
-Cash Money and Miz and Lady B
-Everybody banging "Sucker MC's" in '83
-I was South Philly like St. Charles and Crazy D
-Them wild North Side Puerto Ricans would snuff you
-Twenty deep in a Ford Escort, pumping the Tuff Crew
-I used to follow my cousin, he was a buck too
-"Y'all don't like how I'm living, well, fuck you!"
-I been a G since a little kid
Reflecting on growing up, exposure to adult situations, and its impact on the artist's life and rap style
Sticking my head up into somebody's dollar party, getting into shit
-And late nights, shoulda been in bed
-Instead, I was running 'round with them downtown lemonheads
-A little man, hanging where them grown women is
-Under thirteen, seeing real strong images
-And that's the reason for my real rap penmanship
-That's where I started it, and that's where I'mma finish it
-We must remind you
Reiteration of the importance of remembering hip-hop's origins in parks and nighttime settings
Where this rap come from
-Yes my brother, my sister
-It's our duty, we must remind you
-Hip hop was set out in the park
-We used to do it out in the dark
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