To the Listeners Eric B. & Rakim

[Intro]
It's to the listeners
It's to the listeners
It's to the listeners
It's to the listeners
It's to the listeners
It's to the listeners

[Verse 1]
It's to the listeners, for those that have a ear for this
State of the art, engineered for the mix
Eardrums are playin' along to what I'm sayin', you're singin' a song
Stevie Blass on the keyboard, swingin' along
But you don't have to dance, play it cool and listen
My DJ's mixin' and I'll do the quizzin'
'Cause who is number one? If not best, then better
Here's a hint, the eighteenth letter
The rhymes is sportable, microphone is portable
For any immortal man, swords is not affordable
Never take a loss 'cause I'm hard to beat
I ain't cheap, but don't sell me a dream, I don't sleep
I'm paid in full, so save the bull
This ain't a stick-up, you don't have to wave your tool
You feel sure, and you want more, then wipe your sweat
'Cause I just wanted to see how hype you could get
'Cause when I came in the door
Steppin' hard enough to shake the floor
I just started, but the others can't make no more
Runnin' out of beats, breaks and out of time
If I was gone, you'd be runnin' out of rhymes
I prove records don't have to be long
If it's understood and the story is strong
You could speak out and hold the crowd as prisoners
The people is peepless, it's to the listeners