Once Upon A Rhyme (Unreleased Shit ’96 Version) Rakim

I kick a hole in the speaker, pull the plug, then I jet

Once upon a rhyme, the time late 60s, dark age of history
Murders and mysteries, the future was misty
Needles were shot down and crime was risky
Yo check this party and stick with me
Race brutality because of my nationality
And this is what they call reality
From that state of mind and at that date and time
I was born inclined and waiting to shine
Once upon a rhyme

Once upon a time not long ago
Once upon a time not long ago

The beginning, the scenery sets in New York
With times are hard and streets ain't easy to walk
Crimes is underrated, neighborhoods overpopulated
Competition gets complicated, some can't take it
My place of rest in the city that never sleeps
To compete it gets deep I learn to play for keeps
And hawk the sidewalk, dominate the court
I'm nice in all sports, was taught with high thoughts
Then came an Africans and knew where it was at
Spreadin' across the map with no time flat
They said this kid name Herc started spinning records back
Had to look into that then get it down pat
First I do research it's gonna take time
Me and my crew is hittin' all the parties we could find
Waitin' for the day where I could go for mine
But later dates await down the line
Once upon a rhyme