[Intro – 4 bars] (Sound of a cassette tape being loaded, a fast rewind sound, and then a lighter flick) They asked me who taught me how to shoot. I didn't go to school. I went to 8 Mile. R.C.W... paying homage to the Rap God. [Verse 1 – 8 bars] I grew up on the shady side, the crazy side, the wavy side The "don't you ever play me" side, the lyrical and gravy side I studied every syllable, the killable, the fillable The miracle of spiritual and lyrical refillable I listened to the Marshall, I was never ever partial I treated every bar like it was sitting in a court martial He painted out the blueprint, I’m stepping in the shoe-print I’m giving you the new tint, the legendary true hint. [Pre-Hook – 4 bars] I don't mumble, I articulate I don't stumble, I participate In the art of the story, the heart of the glory The beautiful, brutal, and gory. [Hook – 8 bars] It’s the Label That Mathers, rising from the ash We don’t do it for the fame, we don’t do it for the cash We do it for the craft, for the ones who were laughed at For the ones who were drafted and chemically grafted Yeah, the Label That Mathers, keeping it alive The pen is the weapon that helps us survive Respect to the goat, but the wolf is at the door And R.C.W. is coming back for more. [Verse 2 – 8 bars] I’m the product of the white noise, the bright boys, the fight boys The staying-up-all-night boys, the holding-on-too-tight boys I saw the trailer park, I saw the spark in the dark I saw the way he made a mark like a shark in the park It wasn't just music, it was a revolution, solution A chemical pollution of the mental constitution So when I grab the mic, I channel every single spike I’m riding on the bike of the psyche that I like. [Verse 3 – 8 bars] (Flow switches to jagged, angry style) You-want-a-pop-song-go-and-turn-the-radio-on I’m-a-phenomenon-dropping-bombs-on-the-lawn I’m-the-villain-in-the-mask-with-the-flask-and-the-task And-if-you-ever-ask-I-will-put-you-in-the-cask No autotune needed, the warning is heeded The garden is weeded, the competition conceded I’m spitting with the venom of a cobra in a coma I’m giving you the aroma of the lyrical diploma. [Hook – 8 bars] It’s the Label That Mathers, rising from the ash We don’t do it for the fame, we don’t do it for the cash We do it for the craft, for the ones who were laughed at For the ones who were drafted and chemically grafted Yeah, the Label That Mathers, keeping it alive The pen is the weapon that helps us survive Respect to the goat, but the wolf is at the door And R.C.W. is coming back for more. [Verse 4 – 8 bars] I remember feeling empty, feeling broken, feeling lost I remember counting pennies and considering the cost But then I heard the rhythm and I heard the angry voice And suddenly I realized I actually had a choice To pick the pen up, chin up, never ever give up To fill the heavy bin up and to make the people listen up So this is dedicated to the ones who paved the way I’m honoring the legacy by slaying every day. [Verse 5 – 8 bars] It’s technical proficiency, no lacking or deficiency I’m fixing the dependency with lyrical agency I stack the rhyme scheme like a pyramid of Giza I’m painting Mona Lisa while I’m ordering a pizza I’m nonchalant, confident, dominant, prominent I’m crushing every opponent, I’m owning every component The spirit of the Shady is alive in the machine But cleaner and meaner and sharper and keen. [Hook – 8 bars] It’s the Label That Mathers, rising from the ash We don’t do it for the fame, we don’t do it for the cash We do it for the craft, for the ones who were laughed at For the ones who were drafted and chemically grafted Yeah, the Label That Mathers, keeping it alive The pen is the weapon that helps us survive Respect to the goat, but the wolf is at the door And R.C.W. is coming back for more. [Bridge – 12 bars] (Beat changes to a melancholic piano loop, similar to 'Mockingbird' or 'Stan') Dear Marshall, I know you probably won't hear this. But thanks for the ammunition. You gave a voice to the quiet rage. You put the monster in the cage. But now the cage is open. And the monster has a name. It’s KB. And I’m changing the game. I took the torch, I didn't steal it. I lit my own fire so the world can feel it. One generation to the next. We are the ones who are vexed. [Hook – 8 bars] It’s the Label That Mathers, rising from the ash We don’t do it for the fame, we don’t do it for the cash We do it for the craft, for the ones who were laughed at For the ones who were drafted and chemically grafted Yeah, the Label That Mathers, keeping it alive The pen is the weapon that helps us survive Respect to the goat, but the wolf is at the door And R.C.W. is coming back for more. [Outro – 4 bars] (Sound of a pencil scribbling furiously on paper, then snapping) Class dismissed. Respect the architect. But fear the builder. KB.
