# Cleverest turn of phrase in rap/hip hop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 17, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694 "2009-01-17T02:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/21 "2009-01-17T06:39:27Z")
I’ll go with favorites too: \*I’m tryin’ to bring from like recesses in my mind a word or two that wouldn’t prove unkind. Aligned as he was with the less-than-angelic, trafficking black tar smack & psychedelics in that little-ass van of his, and drunk doing it, knowing what the right thing to do was but eschewing it, it’d seem pretty probable flames are audible: \*[…] _hella causing me to wonder if there’s even a point to our shepherdly tending of his life’s ending. Bet he’s chilling at Friendly’s and gonna be back in the neighborhood shortly, discussing how awesome it is to be portly, reporting the slant he just got on with Blister (drank till his wrists hurt, boned the ghost of your sister). \* ~[Livin’ at the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe](http://frontalot.com/index.php/?page=lyrics&lyricid=40)_ by MC Frontalot Wait… nerdcore rap doesn’t count? Damn… Seriously though, in what universe is “boned the ghost of your sister” not an awesome line? The entire song is really made entirely of epic, win, and hilarity. \*Not my favorite musician or my favorite song, hell as a general rule I don’t even like rap, but the title still makes a GREAT location. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/22 "2009-01-17T06:56:46Z")
‘I’ve never had a dream in my life, because a dream is something you wanna do but still haven’t pursued, I did what I wanted and I did it til it was done so I’ve been the dream that I’ve wanted to be since day one.’ -Aesop Rock - No Regrets ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/23 "2009-01-17T06:58:09Z")
Jragon, hell yes that counts! Weird Al has a _classic_ hip hop song. I give White and Nerdy five mics! ---
**Author:** ![Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@Lo-Slung\_Denim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lo-Slung_Denim)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/24 "2009-01-17T08:44:57Z")
Sway’s lyrics in ‘Little Derek’: _And I been making profits of this my mix tapes raw Life ain’t always been pretty like nah On the north side of the city where its gritty like pie We did what we had to done to get by Hoping not get caught up in no silly drive-by Little derek wrote lyrics while the others got high And he ended up in HMV instead of HMP Cuz street life could only end one way Your friend crying on the scene like why, why, why?_ I just love that ‘HMV instead of HMP’ line - in case it doesn’t translate, HMV is a music store, HMP is prison. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/25 "2009-01-17T11:23:50Z")
The Perceptionists Memorial Day (about the Iraq war) I never thought of this the day that I enlisted That I’d be dodging bullets, seekin weapons that never even existed For someone else’s personal beef, I risk myself While the Commander-in-Chief, would never come to fight himself I feel I’m bein’ tricked even worse that the civilians Nobody ever told me that we would be killin’ children!! Feelin like the ones that sent me here are the psychotics but if I say that out loud – I’m “unpatriotic” but would Donald Rumsfeld back me up with the chrome? Would Tom Ridge fight or would he stay secure back home? and would Condoleeza Rice cover grenades in a fox hole? I’m startin to believe what I was told is not so What’s the reason for the war? I’m shootin at these people that I got not animosity for I wonder if I’m just a pawn in someone else’s struggle or a here even though I’m just a small piece of the puzzle I know that when I finally return where I reside I’ll make up for the months my wife and moms cried and carry on for all my fallen brothers that died but you can’t take my pride – cuz I’m a fuckin’ SOLDIER ---
**Author:** ![shefDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@shefDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shefDave)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/26 "2009-01-17T12:22:29Z")
Does it count if it’s incredibly misogynistic _and_ clever(…ish)? _“They wanna know why I’m so fly, A girl ask me for a ring, I put one around her whole eye”_ Big L - No Endz, No Skinz _“The Wu is comin’ through, the outcome is critical, Fuckin’ with my style, is sorta like a Miracle on 34th Street in the Square of Herald I gamed Ella, the bitch caught a Fitz like Gerald- -dine Ferraro, who’s full of sorrow 'Cause the hoe didn’t win, but the sun’ll still come out tomorrow.”_ Gza - Clan in Da Front ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/27 "2009-01-17T12:36:27Z")
Old School: _Got a bum education, double-digit inflation Can’t take the train to the job, there’s a strike at the station Neon King Kong standin’ on my back Can’t stop to turn around, broke my sacroiliac A mid-range migraine, cancered membrane Sometimes I think I’m going insane, I swear I might hijack a plane!_ And of course the chorus of that song: \*Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge I’m tryin’ not to lose my head It’s like a jungle, makes me wonder How I keep from goin’ under \* More from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five _A million magic crystals, painted pure and white A multi-million dollars almost overnight Twice as sweet as sugar, twice as bitter as salt And if you get hooked, baby, it’s nobody else’s fault_ More recently Kanye West cracked me up with this line: _Now, I ain’t sayin’ she a gold digger But she ain’t messin’ with no broke niggas_ ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/28 "2009-01-17T13:18:13Z")
The longer this thread lingers It seems to me It just an indictment How crass hip hop be Ain’t got no imagination It don’t speak Post another one Bet it is weak…muthafucka. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/29 "2009-01-17T13:20:29Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > The longer this thread lingers > It seems to me > It just an indictment > How crass hip hop be > Ain’t got no imagination > It don’t speak > Post another one > Bet it is weak…muthafucka. _Don’t need no hateration, holleratin’ In this dancery Let’s get it percolatin’, while you’re waiting So just dance for me_ ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/30 "2009-01-17T14:02:08Z")
I’m blastin, outlastin Kinda like Shaft, so u could say I’m shaftin Old English filled my mind And I came up with a funky rhyme LL Cool J, “Mama said knock you out”. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/31 "2009-01-17T14:24:21Z")
Criticising rap and hip-hop for its ‘gangsta’ references, is like saying Hill Street Blues should be frowned on, so with that in mind here’s some street commentary. \*Step to a man wit the clan at hand In a masterplan, shit, God-damn Lethal weapon, rhymes are def and Tim Dog’s a man, you shouldn’t a been sleeping on I carry on wit the song, you’re right, I’m dog-gone Word is born I’ll compare and dare wit a stare Your saying where? I’m over here Rap bull, a guerilla warfare Dis my crew, don’t you dare Girls jock me, crowds clock me While rap artists peer’s cock block me But if there a rapper that think that he’s better than me Bring it on, step to me \* and \* Dre beating on Dee from Pump it Up Step to the Dog and get fucked up I’m simplistic, imperialistic, idealistic And I’m kicking up ballistics Having that gang war We want to know what you’re fighting for Fighting over colors? All that gang shit is for dumb muthafuckas But you go on thinking you’re hard Come to New York and we’ll see who gets robbed Take your jeri curls, take your black hats Take your wack lyrics and your bullshit tracks Now you’re mad and you’re thinking about stomping Well I’m from the South Bronx Fuck Compton \* Proper gangsta! 😃 Then for more thoughtful stuff you check out The Disposable Heroes. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/32 "2009-01-17T14:46:00Z")
For underground metaphors You can scrape an inch below the turf, for what it’s worth My style’s been developed in the core of the Earth The exhale’s volcanic, the inhale is seismic So brothers just panic when he Live one arrives with The natural ability to run through your crew From 2-1-4 to 2-1-3 to 2-1-2 In other words, from Dallas, to L.A., to the place where J stay Everyday is mayday … I displays my credentials over instrumentals And my potential, increases at a rate that’s exponential It’s detremental questionin my thesis The penetration’s exact, like amniocentesis I rip your rhyme to pieces after drainin out your fluid My vocab is fluent yours is evident of being truant I know you wanna make moves but son you best to take a second look Before my knight takes your rook – J-Live, “Braggin Writes” ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/33 "2009-01-17T14:55:03Z")
"You want problems? well I’ll solve 'em and make examples I love bustin out crowds so all people get trampled Spit crowds wit the 4-5 Like when Moses split the tide Those that froze chose to die Stay higher than a hello, how you doin? Burn the rubber till the tires ruin Burn a coat of fire human Cause this Drag Burnin like the grits on Al Green’s back Causin a switchback" -Drag-On (an underrated rapper, imo) on Swizz Beatz’s “Move Right Now” and another: “Move out my fuckin way boy you gonna get sliced I seek revenge upon the earth like Christ A mind is not called a rapture It’s more like a rap tour Where niggas get cornered with a cracked jaw I divide niggas like religion End at abandonin’ shit, tellin’ mad lies to your vision Burnin’ me is invain and imaginary You must be insane and fuckin’ with mad theories All niggas gash you, thoughts could match this Got burnt, and return to mothafuckin’ ashes” Killah Priest on DJ Spooky’s Catechism ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/34 "2009-01-17T15:03:24Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I love that whole song, off of Nas and Green Lantern’s The Nigger Tape. The above verse is Joell Ortiz and I think he gave Nas a run for his money. Joell Ortiz is a beast. > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Goes without saying that Rakim was a master at a clever turn of phrase, right? Ok. Also, you know who else used to make me smile all the time with some witty lyrics? Special Ed. I wonder what’s up with him lately. MF Doom is the first rapper I thought of when I saw this thread: _Villain for hire, admire the sound Make sure The Price Is Right before he come on down! Rappers be on some, “You you you…!” Forgot who they talking too, too much pork stew They need to not come out with nothing new Blew the whole shit up on some, “What this button do?” Doom cheat the game like walk-thru Run 'em, son 'em like Mr. Rourke do Tattoo_ ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/35 "2009-01-17T15:07:31Z")
> [@infinitii](#): > > Cause this Drag > Burnin like the grits on Al Green’s back > Causin a switchback" I’m sorrii-- I just now reread this and am more convinced that he’s saying “cause its a Swizz track” rather than “causin a switchback”… ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/36 "2009-01-17T15:07:41Z")
It may not be the cleverest, but it cracks me up every time I hear it: _I’m with some nasty hoes, eating pistachios_ ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/37 "2009-01-17T15:34:27Z")
> [@davidw](#): > > MF Doom is the first rapper I thought of when I saw this thread: davidw, I was going to post some doom, but I couldn’t think of what to post. I _knew_ someone would come in and post something from him, though. Biggirl, come get your spanking for posting Mary J’s craziness. And, it’s like a jungle _sometimes. Sometimes._ ETA: I just noticed why you posted Mary, Biggirl. Great post. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/38 "2009-01-17T15:37:50Z")
“I love you like a fat kid love cake” ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/39 "2009-01-17T16:33:53Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > And, it’s like a jungle _sometimes. Sometimes._ Remember, **Nzinga** got the message right. What can I say? I remember how I remember it and not _exactly_ how it was. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694/40 "2009-01-17T16:40:30Z")
I can’t think of a specific example off the top of the head, but I know, I **know** that the **correct** answer is something by Biggie or the Wu-Tang. I know it, and I’ll try to find the best example later today. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleverest-turn-of-phrase-in-rap-hip-hop/481694.md?page=3)