[Verse 1]
Way back in the days before the age of gold chains and fat fades
When Zulu Nation was still called the Black Spades
A fetus was formed, a genius was born
Adidas was worn, and pieces of your speakers was torn
I used to fiend for mics like an addict with rocks
The baddest on blocks who'd rock 'til the static would stop
Herbs beatin' me with words was absurd
Like traffic cops who cock semi-automatic Glocks to pop
Stetsasonic was hot, Kwame was not
I wore out the shell tops that copped when Planet Rock dropped
From Ultramag MC's to JB's to BDP and KMD, I learned to MC
Crumple it up, scratch it out, think it over
Spit it over and over the instrumental of The Bridge Is Over
I was funky fresh, dressed to impress
Got it made with the words that I manifest
Never dismantle the best, give your mandibles a rest
I eat mics I bless, like a cannibal with flesh
Still number one like It's KRS
With my whole name written across my chest
And it goes, "A" for accurate, "P" for poetry
"A" for the automatic respect you're showin' me
"T" for the tight lyrics and "H" 'cause shit is hot
And last but not least, "Y"... Why not!

[Chorus:]
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
[Verse 2]
Let's meet up in the Bronx with Cyrus for a meeting
Before he started speaking, they blasted him leaving him bleeding
And everybody running, searching for escape
Twenty years later I'm makin' moves trying to push a demo tape
And it's relative, this hip-hop scene is too negative
Amped up and wild, take a sedative
Back in the past when Grandmaster Flash started to scratch
They perfected the art of the raps
Taking a part of the wax, make it the heart of the track
Now it's a part of the past, all of it's wack, fuck lacing a DAT
I'd rather lace my Adidas, the beat is taking it back
To the breaking and graf, punchlines that made us laugh
Dookie gold chains and four-finger rings to match
Mercedes Benz on medallions and Kangol hats
Even Big Daddy Kane had the hoes to sex
Pete Rock and CL Smooth with the pose on the Lex
Tommy Hilfiger, Girbauds and Polo sets
B-boy stance while waiting for your foes to flex
Photos with Gucci airbrush backdrops
Cardboard box on blacktops and the birth of fat spots
Melle had to wonder why he kept from going under
But the strength of hip-hop got stronger every summer

[Chorus: Apathy]
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
With the kicks, snares, kicks and hi hats
Skilled in the trade of that ol' boom bap
[Outro: Apathy]
Demigodz (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Stronghold (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Majik Most (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Dutch Massive (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Jedi Mind Tricks (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
J-Zone (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
The Non Prophets (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Guy and Gaston (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
My man JUICE (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Black Panther (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Akrobatik (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
DJ Mek (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
The Molemen (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
Eddie Ill and DL (Skilled in the trade of that old boom bap)
We out, uh...