Set ’Em Straight Songtext
von Eric B. & Rakim

I came to set ′em straight, and let 'em know
Whoever′s holdin' the best, just let 'em go
′Cause here′s the inside scoop on the fiend
They wanna know why I'm seldom seen
′Cause who needs the TV screens and magazines
Or shootin' through the city in fly limousines
There′s one thing I don't like, it′s the spotlight
'Cause I already got light

They be like yo, we had a get together last week
And we know everyone was there except the Black Sheik
Because my schedule is tight, I gotta write
I'm deep in the archives, and keepin′ ′em hyped
It's been a long time, since you heard a strong rhyme
None of these are weak, so when you bite on mine
We can trace the hits and then name that style
Emcees′ll be out of a job for a while


I reposess your indentification
So hand in your application
Put your mic on strike until you're unemployed
Contract is up and I′m stampin it void
Ya selection ain't this selective
So I′mma put you in your proper perspective
On the dancefloor, doin' the shake
Ready to let 'em break, set ′em straight

Somebody said I set ′em up and pulled the plug on 'em
But instead I let ′em go on so I could bug on 'em
Go ′head and flow, cause I close the show
Swing a song for the ladies and rhyme real slow
For instance, once I commence
The crowd is convinced
So now you know who to put your money on
Hurry up, before your money's gone

′Cause I'm the most common denominator
Orchestrate a rhyme much greater
I'm like a world almanac, so tell the media
Givin′ ′em information like encyclopedia
So bring a dictionary, so you can look it up
So you know what I mean, when I hook it up
No misconceptions, although I complicate
But this concept'll set ′em straight


They even said that I was locked in jail
So now I guess I'm out on bail
The only Island I was on was the Strong one
And if I did my bid, it′ll be a long one
'Cause if I sold weight, I′d be upstate
In the penile, waitin' for a break
'Cause sellin′ drugs is for handicaps
I got too many skills besides bustin′ rough raps

If I go to jail, it won't be for sellin′ keys
It'll be for muderin′ emcees
The beat'll take over your heart, then I start
To cut ′em in half, 'cause rhymes are razor sharp
Secure the exits, all emcees remain
'Cause we got a crowd to entertain
And I know, when I go, I′ll flow dangerous
Brains′ll bust, what you tryin' to explain to us?

You got lost, and couldn′t go on
Came up short, so here's one to grow on
Elevate off a high IQ
In time, you′ll find I'm true
′Cause once I start on a piece of art
From sun to moon and light to dark I build the Ark
Now you can float off the rhymes I wrote
I'm sure that we'll hit shore without a boat

You could bring a battleship, and still get shipwrecked
Attacked wit′ a torpedo, what did you expect?
Driftin′ up the creek, without a beat or a paddle
Castaway on a raft and stand fragile
Rescue your crowd, which ain't a hard job
Me and my knowledge put together, I′m a lifeguard

Dealin' with actual facts, a solar fact
Here and now, but I go so far back
To bring you up to date, so we can elevate
It′s no time to wait, or anticipate
'Cause I′m never late, I'm gonna motivate
So I can let 'em break, and set ′em straight