Ya Know the Rules - Boogie Down Productions: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts

Boogie Down Productions

Ya Know the Rules

1,351

Hip-Hop/Rap

Ya Know the Rules was released on August 21, 1990 by Jive as a part of the album Edutainment

Song Details

AlbumEdutainment

Release DateAugust 21, 1990

LabelJive

Melodicness

Acousticness

Valence

Danceability

Energy

BPM197

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Music Video

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Boogie Down Productions

Boogie Down Productions

Performer

KRS-One

Conductor

DJ Kenny Parker

DJ Kenny Parker

Scratches

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

KRS-One

Lyrics

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

KRS-One

Producer

D-Square

Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Ay-yo, ay-yo Kris they know the rules

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, yeah, you don't stop (Say what?)

A-ya don't stop (BDP in the house) a-ya don't stop

(Check it out, check it out, yo, D!)

Yo, bust it, yo, yo Kris, hold on

Let me give a shout out to some people, aight bust it

A Scott LaRock, and you don't stop

A Sammy B, and you don't stop

A Mister Cee, and you don't stop

A Cool V, and you don't stop

Evil E, and you don't stop

A Easylee, and you don't stop

A DJ Scratch, and you don't stop

A Spinderella, and you don't stop

Jam Master Jay, and you don't stop

A PA Mase, and you don't stop

So yo, Kris, my mellow, my man, yo

Get on the mic and do the best you can

[Verse 2]

Well, the teacher comes to you in effect

From a different style, a whole different sect

I inject, force, and intellect

When I hit the mic, suckers hit the deck

I come correct and practice what I preach

I don't pimp you or rule you, I teach

Come through the doors and slap up ****

Ordering them to put back on their drawers

'Cause I run their pimp

When I leave, he leaves with a limp

Shrimp, I got the tartar sauce

Never underestimate the power of the force

Of the intellectual KRS-One

I don't think yet my job is done, because

I stand alone while others have to verify

Just why they are thought to be fly

Making the public believe that they are way up in the sky

Sort of like a rap super guy

But I horrify and terrify the super duper rap guy

Because you're soft as a lullaby

While they sit on their throne looking

Well, I'm walking in the streets of Brooklyn

Or Harlem and Queens and Bronx and

I'm even out there walking in Compton

'Cause everywhere BDP is schooling

So anywhere KRS is cooling

I'm not fooling, 'cause no, I'm not a fool

Don't act stupid, boy, you know the rules

[Verse 3]

Word, ay-yo Kris, they act like they don't know the rules

But yo, I tell you what

Yo, get on the mic and tell 'em what makes up KRS-One

You know what I'm saying? Huh, and you don't stop

[Verse 4]

Yo, from off the sidewalk I grab the mic and talk

Born 1965 in the state of New York

My name is Kris Parker, KRS-One for short

I slap up crews and rock parties for sport

Lived on the streets about eight years straight

There I got my education and learned to debate

So when I pick up the microphone, I know what I'm saying

Education doesn't come from simply obeying

The curriculum of the school criteria

In fact what I learned I found inferior

I'm not a Muslim, but I do support them

My Father in Heaven taught me and taught them

I'm not a Christian, but I won't diss 'em

I'm not a Jew, I don't practice Judaism

I'm not a Buddhist, but Buddha's a master

I don't eat beef, pork, or Diet Shasta

Reason for this is very simple indeed

When it comes to music, everybody's in need

You got wealthy artists spending money loosely

You ask about the culture, they talk 'bout Gucci

Metaphysics, the science of life

And how to live free from strife

Walk with ease and no disease

Understand that I am the breeze

And the trees, oceans, and seas

And the B and the D and the P's

Suckers try it, but I don't buy it

When I speak you seek to stay quiet

Shut up! What, what? You better stay cool

And heed the warning, boy, you know the rules

[Verse 5]

Ah, one, two, yeah, and you don't stop

Ah, three, four (Say what?), and you don't stop

Ah, five, six (Pop, pop), and you don't stop

Ah, seven, eight (Get down), and you don't stop

Ay-yo, yo Kris, this goes out to all them house ****

(Foot shuffling) moonshine, (Ham-hock eating) pickled-pig tugging

(Tap-dancin') Jheri curl activist (Program directors)

That don't wanna play rap music (That's right, you know what?)

Yo, you know the rules

Ha, ha-ha, ha

Written by: KRS-One

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