Song: Classic
Artists: Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, Rakim, DJ Premier




[Rakim:]
Is y’all ready for Twenty-0-7, it’s now another drought
Everyone’s a killer, wow we buggin out
Since 86 showin the crowd what I’m about
And they still want to know when the album comin’ out
Ask the teenagers, O’Gs and Ask the kids
What they definition of Classic is
Timeless, cause age don’t count in the booth
And your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth
And no doubt the truth I’m off the meters
Everybody co-signing even non-believers
I came in the door, became one of y’alls leaders
In the fresh pair of Air Force One sneakers
Uptown we call ‘em uppies when they on divas
Prolly worn when KRS One teaches
Nas, made you look, before the haters
I bet you Kan had ‘em on when he walked with Jesus
This is classic

Classic, I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,
I'm everywhere you've never been and better than I ever been
Classic
I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,

[Kanye West:]
Can’t buy this, superflyness, like a shyness, your highness
iss performin’, look how long the line is
That’s what happens when you make shit that’s timeless
That’s what happens these rappers is the pioneers
What do it take to be a legend like Nas is?
That’s so novice, I’m so polished, I got a right to be a little bit snobbish
I did a little bit of college, semesters it took 2 like Rob Base
To let me figure out this wasn’t my place, the beats slow til’ you listen to my pace
Cuz I be killin’ shit, but that’s evident, and y’all feelin’ it, but I expected it
If it’s classic it’s gonna last forever than I’m everywhere you never been and better than I ever been

Classic, I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,
I'm everywhere you've never been and better than I ever been
Classic
I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,

[Nas:]
Perseverance, see the fake hustler rapper to them it hurts to hear this
O you went platinum – yeah that’s nice, now let me see you do the same thing twice
New times, 4 times, then been a couple of more times, please your amateur night is show time
It’s one life to live so live it the best you can, the world could use one less man
Not enough air, not enough car factories to manufacture new vehicles sedans and vans
When they do make the whip you like ya chips ain’t right, by the time you could afford it the car ain’t important
In the streets silent, it’s just I and - cops keep firin’ in my environment
Leavin’ your slum when they drive home far from the hood brothers they eager to jump on
I like to be the wall that they post up on, I like to see them fall, guilty for doing wrong
I’m classic like the Air Ones, the Hustler shoe, that’s what I’m accustomed to

Classic, I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,
I'm everywhere you've never been and better than I ever been
Classic
I'm better than I've ever been
Timeless,

[KRS One:]
How many y’all got "Criminal Minded" you you you y’all don’t be blinded
Me I got no jewels on my neck, why – I don’t need ‘em I got your respect
KRS One 20 years I rock I do it for JMJ and Scott LaRock – this hip hop
And we’s a nation, don’t you want to hear more KRS on your radio station?
Instead of broadcasting how we smokin’ trees, on the radio we need to hear more local MC’s
Where you at? Come on where you at? This is the difference between MC’ing and rap
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MC’s spit rhymes to uplift they people
Peace, love, unity, and Havin’ fun, these are the lyrics of KRS One

This is one of my favorite hip hop songs of recent times because it includes numerous legends of hip hop. While Kanye West isn't yet a legend like KRS-One or Rakim, and has more of a pop-ish voice, he's still one of the must influential artists at this time. This song was originally produced for Nike's 25th Anniversary of their Air Force 1 line in 2007, which is why they are mentioned numerous times throughout the song. The song references parts of the history of hip hop, with lines tying to Criminal Minded, Jam Master Jay, and Scott LaRock. At the same time, it discusses the hip hop and its relation to Black culture. Each artist brought something different to the song, which makes the song so great.