Coolin' in the shade, yeah
To all my emcees, djs, b-boys and writers
Pullin all nighters tryna make it right
Consider this a salute from yours [bad word] 
 [bad word]  the human beacon speaking [bad word] to light

It's about that time, it's about that time to get paid
{While you were sleeping}
It's about that time, it's about that time to get paid [x2]
Coolin' in the shade, yeah

To all my emcees, djs, b-boys and writers
Pullin' all nighters tryna make it right
Consider this a salute from yours [bad word]  [bad word]  the human beacon, speaking [bad word] to light [x2]

Just keep doing your thing and represent for your culture
Don't let nobody misrepresent you
Like these cats who would rather you dumb your [bad word] down
For the masses than to rock for the intelligent few
Sometimes I feel like we need a new definition of the words that define us
Music that we love, maybe it's just because I got too much ambition and
Wanna be more than just a thug in a club
I traveled all over the world, wined and dined and had a good time
With folks of every color and hue
From my different conversations [bad word] of experience
I been able to change my worldview
Hip hop is a universal language
We all speak fluently and shapeshift to fit [bad word] 
Started in the Bronx around the same time I was born
And now look, it's a [bad word] 
Built upon the foundations of peace, unity, love and havin' fun
Word to Zulu Nation
Cause these'll be the same principles that I'm a hand off to my son

{I'm MC [bad word]  know what I'm sayin, do it for old time's sake}