[Verse 1]
Let's take it back to the basics
When brothas wore track suits, Adidas with no laces
Riding bikes, popping, wheelies and indos
Before the Genesis we was, playing Nintendo
Tecmo Bowl we swinging in Ring King
Use to fool with Paper Boy but Double Dribble was my thing
See back then the future seemed so bright
When Hip Hop commercials had the 'hood drinking Sprite
Obey your thirst campaign was so serious
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth oh how I reminisce
On Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full
Microphone fiend when I was just young bull
Banging at the lunch tables, like it was nothing
I would spit KRS-One's verse to Self Destruction
Now the, game's changed and it sounds so lame
But my love for Hip Hop, it still remains in my veins
[Hook x2]
H-I-P H-O-P
I refuse to let you d-i-e
It's, in my blood to be a dope emcee
Because I'm a part of you, and you're a part of me
[Verse 2]
Let's take it back to the basics
When brothas wore track suits, Adidas with no laces
Couldn't wait until one o'clock so I could go to recess
Cause schoolyard cyphers back then, they was the best
Meet me by the swings, so we can do our thing
But hurry up and spit your verse before the first bell rings
Remember Kid 'N' Play used to jump over they own leg
Duke wore a 20th I rocked a box instead
E.S.T The Acknickuluos had a sick gumpby
Starter jackets was fly, Apex was kind of bummy
Never thought that Steady B and Cool C was short for money
Cosby Show, Diff'rent Strokes, Gary Coleman was funny
And before Biggie Smalls brought them out of their slump
Brothas wore Kangols like "The Future of the Funk"
Now the game's changed, and it sounds so lame
But my love for Hip Hop it still remains in my veins
[Hook 2]
[Verse 3]
Let's take it back to the basic
When brothas wore track suits, Adidas with no laces
MC Lyte was getting chased by Positve K
And Uncle L was looking for a girl from around the way
Rock Dis Funky Joint, that was PRT
What about The Hit Squad led by EPMD
Can't forget Geto Boys, Face, Will, and Bushwick
I used to love Slick Rick I though his flow sick
All The Way To Heaven with the beat box king
Ice Cube and MC Ren was doing they west coast thing
Daddy Kane, G Rap, Shan, Biz, and Craig G
Maal rolled with Kwame, I was down with P.E
Rakim allah was so ahead of his time
And B.D.P. would edutain with a criminal mind
Now the game's changed, and sound so lame
But my love for Hip Hop, it still remains in my veins
[Hook x2]