I Know You Got Soul

It's been a long time, i shouldn't have 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 'till 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,
 ditects 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 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 wanna 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 wanna 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 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 cuz i rock gold
 rakim is on the mic and you know i got soul
 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