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 (4x)

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 (5x)



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 (4x)



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 (10x