[Intro]
Ah-yeah, Ah-yeah
Ah-Ah-Ah-yeah
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah
Ah-yeah
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-yeah
Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-yeah
Ah-Ah- Ah-Ah
Ah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
[Verse 1: STS]
Yeah, this how Philly used to sound
Before they threw the rock up and they shot the block up
And they shut the club down. This was a Renaissance town
Full of Seekers who found, a soul song in their hearts
A sort of hip to their hop, a certain je ne sais quoi
A touch of jazz in the park, a saxophone in the dark
A jam session don't jam, without a drum and guitar
A drunk is singing his blues, of anger strumming her heart
They all playing for change. It's hard to tell 'em apart
And I was honing my art. Felt like a good place to start
Had never left the South, could tell you what that Dixie's 'bout
Had never seen a rowhome, and that kind of flipped me out
I'm used to porches. I'm used to driveways
I'm used to Caddies on the lawn sitting sideways
Wasn't thinking of being a rapper then
This way before The Roots became my rapper friends
When Sugar wasn't Slim, my pockets wasn't fat
Although, I was in fact, probably happier back
Back when [?] had the Ack, had his girl in the front
I got mine in the back, and we park at the Plat'
Just old enough to buy cigs, too young to buy some 'gnac
Couldn't get up in the club, got an answer for all of that
I used my nigga's ID, because in the right light
You know how white folks be saying niggas all look alike?
It ain't true, but ain't gon' boo hoo about it
I finally got up in the club. Don't take a woo-hoo about it
And the scene was so crowded. Man, the room was so cloudy
And I think the show's about to start. My nigga just shouted..
[Chorus]
This is how Philly used to sound
Before you threw the rock up
And you shot the block up
And you shut the club down
This was a Renaissance town
For the Seekers who found
A soul Song in their hearts
A sort of hip to their hop
A certain je ne sais quoi
A touch of jazz in the park
A Saxophone in the dark
Jam session don't jam, without a drum and guitar
A drunk is singing his blues, [?]
They're both playing for change. It's hard to tell 'em apart
And I was honing my art
Felt like a good place to start, felt like a good place to start
[Verse 2: Dayne Jordan]
Felt like a good place to start
This how Philly used to feel
Water ices in hand, quarter Hugs from the corner store
Peanut chews and some Herr's
Patti LaBelle playing at the block party, while they would serve
Them hot dogs and them burgers, while we would be throwing the ball[?]
Before I was allowed to catch[?],it's inner city, I swear
I ain't knew that much about where I was from. I had heard
Some of the history, but I didn't [?]
It was all about Chris and Neef signing at Roc-A-Fella
I was young and wanted to be just like them
I couldn't stop, and I wouldn't stop when I picked the pen up and started writing
Now, I'm heard. Telling my folktales. I wanna thank Jazzy Jeff for pulling my coattail
It takes a wise man to show you how to pick a shoe. Teach you the business, and improve your taste in picking suits
Give you a different view, not only expose you to things, but how to get them too
Shall I continue, proceed, three years ago, Charlie Mac introduced me to [?]
It wasn't time for me yet, but I was patient indeed
I put that groundwork in, I'm still planting them seeds
A buzzing bug on a flower is not a bird in the tree
It's too deep. In other words, being local wasn't where I was mentally
Around the time when my name was in circulation, I left and everyone disagreed
But, I knew what was best. I had to study my roots, and prepare for this quest
Black thoughts I would have, when it came to success
Life happened as well, it caused me some limited stress
I put it all on the paper, though, so my album is next
What I suggest is leave your nest, don't forget where you came(from) though
I'm so for real, about to pass and hold it, I've changed clothes
Gambling huff through the headphones in my earlobes. I'mma be Philadelphia's international hero
That's the truth
[Chorus]
[Intro] is repeated over some different vocals that I can't quite understand
