Ain't The Same

[Intro: KRS-One]

You know it's Kris!

[Chorus: Joell Ortiz]

It ain't the same now (it ain't the same)

They switched the game now (they switched up on us)

They talk 'bout chains now (bling bling)

Rims on the Range now

It's sounding plain now

Y'all rock the same style (sound of the mic)

I know the way how (I know)

Bring it back to one, it's supposed to be

[Verse 1: KRS-One]

This is the way it's supposed to be

It's supposed to be like you more close to me

It's supposed to be about our families

It's supposed to be about avoiding catastrophe

But it's all about salary and flattery

Distrust, lust, hate and tragedy

It's supposed to be about you and me on the same route

Were you there in eighty-six when I first came out?

And you know about how they running this game out

It's supposed to be about fun and getting' the pain out

But it's all about clout and popping them chains out

Instead of forgiveness, we popping they brains out

It's supposed to be about seeking in the seek out

You witnessing injustice, you got to speak out

If you claiming you love this, you got to release doubt

Knowledge is what I'm all about

[Chorus: Joell Ortiz]

It ain't the same now (it ain't the same)

They switched the game now (they switched up on us)

They talk 'bout chains now (bling bling)

Rims on the Range now

It's sounding plain now

Y'all rock the same style (sound of the mic)

I know the way how (I know)

Bring it back to one, it's supposed to be

[Verse 2: KRS-One]

Well it's supposed to be sunlight over me

Light over you, not you running over me

It's supposed to be a two dollar royalty minimum

A hip-hop guild we got to begin building 'em

It's supposed to be no police brutality

And the fact that we tolerate that crap is insanity

It's supposed to be museums and archives

Where people can see the importance of our lives

But it ain't about any of this

Cats are trying to get that diamond-studded Rolex on they wrist

You hear a voice in the wilderness you know it's Kris

Higher consciousness lyrics, they will persist

But it's supposed to be about making it better

You see, hip-hop's not a product like pants or sweater

Go ahead, be a hero, get your cheddar

Even y'all gonna see when you look back you remember that

[Chorus: Joell Ortiz]

It ain't the same now (it ain't the same)

They switched the game now (they switched up on us)

They talk 'bout chains now (bling bling)

Rims on the Range now

It's sounding plain now

Y'all rock the same style (sound of the mic)

I know the way how (I know)

Bring it back to one, it's supposed to be

[Verse 3: KRS-One]

You can see in your heart how it's supposed to be

You doing your part, that's how it's supposed to be

Pursuing your art, that's how it's supposed to be

Today you will start, that's how it's supposed to be

It shouldn't be about you moving slowly

Then talking junk when you don't even know me

And you cats be pussy like Josie

I Touch "50 MC's" like Tony

Everybody in the hood ain't your homie

I spit the truth, but I'm not the only

There's plenty, K-R-S-O-N-E

[Chorus: Joell Ortiz]

It ain't the same now (it ain't the same)

They switched the game now (they switched up on us)

They talk 'bout chains now (bling bling)

Rims on the Range now

It's sounding plain now

Y'all rock the same style (sound of the mic)

I know the way how (I know)

Bring it back to one, it's supposed to be