[00:00:00] Dear Hip Hop - LL Cool J (埃勒·酷) [00:00:00] Written by:James Todd SmithDoris McNeilMarlon WilliamsJohnny BristolShawn MoltkeNicholas Warwar [00:00:00] You better stop foolin if you want to get along with me [00:00:05] True [00:00:06] We grew up on the block and we know about poverty [00:00:10] Do you [00:00:11] Dear hip-hop [00:00:12] I apologize for how you've been treated [00:00:14] I should've fought for my culture [00:00:15] Instead I retreated [00:00:17] The game is wounded [00:00:18] I stood and watched while they beat it [00:00:20] My culture starved [00:00:21] I refused to feed it [00:00:23] They sold you for a dollar like slaves in iron collars [00:00:26] A&R's chase you with bloodhounds and rottweilers [00:00:29] You went to the highest bidder [00:00:30] You was pissed on like kitty litter [00:00:32] But far from a quitter [00:00:34] But there's somethin to consider [00:00:35] Nah after much deliberation [00:00:37] I decided I'm the hottest cat to ever receive rotation [00:00:40] I'm the foundation [00:00:42] One of the chief architects [00:00:43] Of this dream we're all chasin [00:00:45] I had to speak up [00:00:46] Too much time was wastin WHOA [00:00:48] So here we go [00:00:49] I'm tired of the money talk and the [00:00:51] B**ches and hoes [00:00:52] Everybody's always soundin the same [00:00:55] I have to walk on water I can't [00:00:57] Drown in the game [00:00:58] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:01] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:04] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:07] They used to do it out in the park [00:01:09] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:12] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:15] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:01:18] They used to do it out in the park [00:01:21] I remember your bar mitzvah [00:01:22] That burgundy label [00:01:24] Me and Jam Master had the battle of the big cables [00:01:27] Before the Serratos real vinyls real tables [00:01:30] Skills was the motto no hype no fables [00:01:33] You seemed so happy you loved me so much [00:01:36] You popped off and went platinum [00:01:37] At my slightest touch [00:01:39] Oversized hoodies Yukon trucks [00:01:42] 20 years later it's like lightning struck [00:01:45] They're worshipin the money [00:01:46] They're prayin to the bank [00:01:47] They danced on slaveship slept as it sank [00:01:51] The devil made 'em do it [00:01:52] But only God do I thank [00:01:53] Because we aren't done yet [00:01:55] There's still gas in the tank [00:01:56] You look in a man's eyes [00:01:58] That's how you really tell his rank [00:01:59] Not the size of his account check him he might bounce [00:02:02] It's all on the line this time it really counts [00:02:05] I'll bleed for this one on down to the last ounce [00:02:08] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:11] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:14] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:17] They used to do it out in the park [00:02:20] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:23] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:25] Hip-Hop was set out in the dark [00:02:29] They used to do it out in the park [00:02:31] They rent a crib they're frontin [00:02:33] They rent a car they're stuntin [00:02:34] They rent a chain they're bluffin [00:02:36] That's why the culture's sufferin [00:02:37] And even if you're a millionaire that don't mean nothin [00:02:40] Unless you build your community and encourage some unity [00:02:43] Too much ego too much posin [00:02:46] If he's so hot then why's the culture frozen [00:02:49] It's time for a change [00:02:50] The order needs to be rearranged [00:02:52] And this song was pre-ordained [00:02:55] After 2 long decades LL still remains [00:02:58] And you can blame it on my spirit not on my brains [00:03:01] Time to put on my armor go to war for the game [00:03:04] Cause it's on its last leg and that's more than a shame [00:03:07] This is a lifestyle homey it's more than champagne [00:03:09] But I will make a toast to Flash reachin the Hall of Fame [00:03:13] I end it with a line from the book of King James