The path was paved by the breakdance linoleum
The days when a phrase could raise pandemonium
Way before the reigns of Wu Tang Clans and Hov and them
And they banged, came, made a change and grands and rolls of them
Was Gil-Scott Heron, his quill jot there in
Chelsea, Manhattan, his LPs stand capturing
A moment in time, first decoded the rhyme
And how it's grown's such a wholesome surprise
From modest origins, before auditoriums
Filled every seat and section, '73, 11th of August, pouring in
An audience at Sedgwick Avenue's rec room
Was festooned for a fresh group
Coke La Rocks, Theodores and Kool Hercs
Let us blow up spots, CD stores, and move merch
Soon a surge would see the Juice Crew burst
On the art scene, the gang was Biz Markie and Kane
G Rap with street tracks, Rakim had slang
Then Nasir had came with the parted moon
At the Barbecue, bars were viewed
As something you ought to do
The Golden Age flow, time to roll with Dango
Don't start shit
Let's talk, shit you know the Swan busted out of the booth like Clark Kent
You far bent thinking my city's not colossal
The gold road led to my city like El Dorado
Too many legends to count, we built the game up
From Royce to Mr. Porter, D12, brought the change cause hip hop was in need
So we birthed Jay Dee, BaTin, Proof, Eminem, shall I proceed
Still history's being made in my city before your eyes
I took the reins spitting flames with a new set of gods
Ronnie Alpha, Napping Devi, Junii and Rahs
A Minus, Ketch P, West is doing it live
Spade and the essence, probably missing a few
Like Clear Soul Forces Crimson Alchemist too
Can't forget Black Milk, peace to the God
Can't forget Guilty Simpson, keep feeding em bars
Elzhi got a couple rhymes that I covet
Chavis Chandler, Nolan the Ninja we chopped in public
Bronze Nazareth and Apollo Brown beats
We're going to make these pussy niggas believe in the D
Swan