Greetings - how's that for a formal

Introduction which seems quite normal

'Til I push the H-Y-P-E button

Then.. all of a sudden

A change in the format with reckless abandon

Rush the stage and start commandin

The mic, but the mic's not cordless

Mine is, cause I can afford this

Type, of mic you like without the cord

That you can't afford cause the Lord

Is takin over for the sell-out

Bust the mic 'til your eighteen inch fell out

Your bass bottom - now I got 'em

He tried to take it back so I shot him

With a double barrel, semi-automatic shotgun

You say it's weak but you ain't got one

Cause you be frontin witcha fake plastic uzi

YO (yo) you need to save that for Suzy

Chapstick, witcha overhangin fat lip

Plussin out the cracks with the Vaseline grip

So wake up, you need to learn the correct date

I'm the one that get the job done, I'm great

Cooperate with respect

When Tone's in effect, cause I'm in

"E.F.F.E.C.T." -] Rakim (*repeat 4X*)

This is, the non-violent way that I kill

Puttin heads to bed, like NyQuil

Flyin knots, so go fly a kite (true)

High enough to get struck by light-ning

A key is tied to the string

To cause a shock, words that'll sting

From a killer bee, but don't touch the honey

Pockets so fat it's translated means money

And power, and sprayin thoughts like a shower

To blossom and bloom like a flower

But please, don't confuse it with a daisy

I dance even dirtier than Patrick Swayze

So work out, with the number one video

And watch me bust a rhyme on my man Arsenio

Hall Show, I think you should know

I'm Tone with the skintone that seems to glow

Like snow, that keeps fallin to the earth

Take your rhymes to the pawn shop, see what they're worth

Nothin, cause your rhymes ain't top notch

So sit back relax and watch, cause I'm in

"E.F.F.E.C.T." -] Rakim (*repeat 4X*)

Now when I'm in effect that means I'm in the mode

To move, cause I never been sued or sold

You see you need to be told

The weak style of rap you're usin, is old

And worn out, that's why you never get a turnout

All you're ever gonna be, is a burnt out MC

You see you'll never be a hero

So listen sweetheart, you need to cut that zero

Like my man Doug said, the opposite is a bug-bed

Or a bedbug, so roll out the red rug

Or carpet, you need to just park it

Before I use your crown as a target

At the gallery, or a shoot 'em up movie (bang)

The beat is kinda groovy

But is it smooth enough to be selected for the quiet storm?

Yes, because it's soft and warm

So let the storm keep brewin

Now ask yourself, hey Tone whatcha doin?

Eventually, you'll soon come to realize

I keep my eyes on the prize, cause I'm in

"E.F.F.E.C.T." -] Rakim (*repeat 4X*)

{*time passes*}

"E.F.F.E.C.T." -] Rakim (*repeat to fade*)