De La Soul
Long Island Degrees
[Verse 1: Dove]
It's strong island for real, where the critters run wild
The prefix is 516, the top of the dial
Flew the L.I. sound from the 'ville to down under
And across the globe, I heard a lot of folks wonderin'
So when's it coming, 'cause the stakes is high?
See big money that waves, don't put the pen to my page
And ain't nothin' wrong with standing still and relaxing
And spendin' some of that cash that Uncle Sam is gonna tax
A New York demeanor, sit back in the beamer
With nothing to lose but some gas and some minutes
Ignorin' the gazers, 'cause some stars don't get petty
And that trash you talk is just New Years confetti
It's like that, y'all, but that's all gots to change
Like some of my own, people tend to act strange
I'm baking a scene, and it's servin' with it's capabilities
So set it at an island degrees
[Verse 2: Posdnuos]
It's strong island for real, diagnosis is supreme
Prefix is 516, where microphones fiend
For voices that gots the gift, 'cause the world is on their shoulders
Makin' plans to switch from little rock to money boulders
The wheels proceed
My girl stands deep from nubians actin' like Colombians sellin' keys
Characters has the tendency to con themselves
In thinkin' East Coast is only New York and Philadelph
You know the way we blow, your shit is played like pork
And as for what we be bringin' you, we live and direct from New York
I oughta say my fam calls me Merce
Steppin' to me fool will get you punched out like a curse
It's like that, y'all, let it all consume
Like them brothas who smoke, 'til they high like the noon
Soon to a town near you be them super emcees
Settin' at an island degrees
[Verse 3: Dove]
I hit the L.I.R. for big dreamers out east
Who get your bank roll spent bangin' dents out your systems
Turnin' points to get the upper cut like Sonny Liston
But eyes closed episodes bring you back to zeroes
The same hero playin' like he Casablanca
Blind to it, but I'm a grind him up a cup of Sanka
Servin' dimes loves on tennis courts and sorts
Laid back like grown folks sippin' tea for sport
[Verse 4: Posdnuos]
I be sweepin' up the room with my lyrical broom
While others rhyme pale and plastic like some lunch room utensils
The official color for this planet is green
Which grows in pockets of them people willing to scheme
Ain't no expose, these facts are from the mouth
Profilin' through the Island with that wind from down south
At last, be the world broadcast of the crew who gave you 3s
Magic from the island degrees
[Verse 5: Dove]
It's strong island for real where the critters smoke fritters
Night time excites time for the heavy hitters
Gang on hers 'cause in the meantime, mine is home on date
Fluffin' pillows impatiently, waitin', ain't no debatin'
'Bout to settle, check the level, stakes is higher than the sky
I got questions about your life if you so ready to die
We in the last quarter y'all, somebody's gonna cry
I think you need to set the call before the time pass by
[Verse 6: Posdnuos]
When around unknown eyes, my size can get swelly
Sensing danger, I will play a ranger on my celly with my fellas
We're wonderful like colorful flix
Providin' thread and needle every time them stages get ripped
I grip upon the pleasure, sippin' the tea
Of the island, 'cause that island is the main artery
So uh, you better come and give respect or catch some of these
Nuts from the island degrees