Survivor Series - Rock Mecca, Artifacts

Ladies and gentlemen

Certainly a man who needs no introduction

Anywhere

Of course, in the greater New York Area

And certainly around the country watching at this point in time

Going out to the hardcore Hip-Hop

Life is a bout that’s scheduled for one fall

But what’s it about, really that’s anyone’s call

My best guess is pressure and stress

Neglect and excess

Manage regrets on your way to success

Being obsessed with being the best

Smoke and mirrors and chess

Snakes and ladders, when it matters

Gotta come with your best

Gave my all from my sweat to my breath

No surprise when I checked in the tank, ain’t nothing left

I’ve outlived and outlasted

Outbid and out-blasted

I conquered every challenge and fear, from near to farthest

But every time a new one appears, I’m back to startin

Tired from a life on the grind

And over time

My smile became a sneer

My gaze became a glare, a thousand yard-hard

As a rip became a tear

A step became a stair

A tic became a year

The kick became a snare…

And the beat goes on

HOOK (scratching):

Going out to the hardcore Hip-Hop

Buck buck buck buck booyaka shot

Of course all the hardcore heads

This one goes out to you

Crank up the volume one time

Peace to all my real DJs out there

Cuz I don’t send my music to no garbage Djs

All the hardcore heads

This one goes out to you

Crank up the volume one time

(REPEAT HOOK)

And Still

Might never reveal how I deal

Some ruins you can never rebuild

Scars’ll never be healed

Out in the fields

Where it’s kill or be killed

Chasin mils

Mountain of bills

Huntin for every meal

‘87 Krs-One going against the Juice crew (Juice crew)

Many can’t handle what I’m used to

Fight ‘em ten out a time and handle it like Bruce do

In this here game of death, I wear the yellow jumpsuit

I rock the Mohawk and the chains

My prediction is pain

Life is headed in directions I can barely contain

Contents under pressure

Stress’ll make you insane

But can make you a king

Cuz I’m seeing

Visions coming to life

All or nothing, blood is rushing

I go jogging at night

Always ready to fight

Come a time to separate the heavyweights from the light

Matter fact we can do it tonight, let’s do it right

At the Pontiac Silver Dome, closed circuit television

Millions still at home, and 90 thousand in the building

Back against the canvas

Thought they had me for the pin

But I fight until the end

When I get my second wind, I win

(REPEAT HOOK)

I want to be what I was when I wanted to be what I am now

The kind of king who didn’t care for a crown

Only thing I really cared about was putting it down

Wasn’t about making ‘em bow and taking a bow

If you see me on the corner in the city, looking far from a rap star

Luxury cars, splittin cigars

On my way to class, hopping a cab, catchin a ride

Or returning from some 9 to 5 don’t be surprised because

Every black kid lives 2 and 3 lives

The city’s a jungle only the strong will survive

The city’s a jungle only the strong will survive

The city’s a jungle only the strong will survive (x2)

OUTRO / FADE-OUT