De La Soul - Long Island Degrees Lyrics






[Verse One: Maseo]
It's strong island for real, where the critters run wild
the prefix is 516, the top of the dial
trhough the L.I. Sound, to the villa down under
and across the globe I heard a lot of folks wonderin'
so when's it coming 'cause the stakes is high see big money that waves
don't put the pen to my page
and ain't nothin' wrong with standing still and relaxing
and spendin' some of that cash that Uncle Sam is gonna tax
a New York demeanor is sit back in the beamer
with nothing to lose but some gas and some minutes
ignorin' the gazers 'cause some stars don't get petty
and that trash you talk is just New Years confetti
it's like that y'all, but that's all 'bout to change
like some of my own, people tend to act strange
i'm making a scene, and it's served with it's capabilities
so set it at an island's degrees

[Posdanous:]
It's strong island for real, the diagnosis is supreme
the prefix is 516, where microphones fiend
the voices that gots the gift, 'cause the world is on their shoulders
makein' plans to switch from little rock to money boulders
the real proceed
my girl stands deep from nubians actin' like Columbians sellin' keys
characters have the tendency to con themselves
to think the East Coast is only New York and Philadelph
you know the way we blow, your shit is played like pork
and as for what we be bringin' you, we live and direct from New York
I ougtta say my fam causes commercs.
steppin' to me fool will get you punched out like a curse
it's like that y'all, let it all consume
like them brothas who smoke, 'till they high like the moon
soon to a town near you be them super emcees
settin' them Long Island degrees

[Maseo:]
I hit the L.I.R.R. for big dreamers out east
and get your bank roll split
bangin' dents out your systems
sellin' points to get the uppercut like Sonny Liston
but eyes closed episodes
bring you back to zeroes
the same herp playin' like he Casablanca
blind to it, but I'm a grind him up a cup of Sanka
servin' dimes loves on tennis courts and sorts
laid back like grown folks sippin' tea for sport

[Posdanous:]
I be sweepin' up the room with my lyrical broom
while others rhymes smell like plastic like some lunch room utensil
the official color for this planet is green
which growns in pockets of them people willing to scheme
an't no expose, these facts are from the mouth
profilin' through Island with that wind from down south
at last, be the world broad cast from the crew who gave you 3's
magic on an island degrees

[Maseo:]
it's strong island for real where the critters smoke fritters
night time excites time for the heavy hitters
gang on hers 'cause in the mean time mine is home on date
fluffin' pillows impatiently waitin' ain't no debatin'
'Bout to settle, check the level stakes is high as the sky
I got questions about your life if you so ready to die
we in the last quarter y'all, somebody's gonna cry
I think they need to set the clock before the time pass by

[Posdanous:]
In the round one no nines my size can get swelly
sensing danger I will play a ranger on my celly with my felly
we're wonderful like colorful flix
provide a thread and needle every time the stages get ripped
I grip upon the pleasure sippin' the tea
on the island 'cause that island is the main artery
so uh, you better come and give respect for catch some of these
knucks from the island degrees





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De La Soul Long Island Degrees Comments
  1. L.... J....

    this is raw and throwin it down...long live de la !

  2. D.... E....

    Tommy Boy better get it together! This needs to be everywhere

  3. J.... H....

    anyone know where they even got that sample at the end with the guy who says rap sucks? i wanna hear the whole thing and know where its from lol

    J.... H....

    I BELIEVE THAT WAS FROM A LIVE 'ON THE SPOT' RECORDING..THERE'S A FEW ON THE ALBUM..THEY ALL SOUND 'REAL'..

    J.... H....

    NZU TYBO appreciate it man

  4. 0.... F....

    かっこいい!温泉に浸かりながら聴きたい!

  5. L.... i....

    pure amazing !!!! long live de la soul

  6. D.... J....

    I want to go out and find this on vinyl. I don't own a record player though.

  7. L.... i....

    PURE AMAZING ! THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT !!!!!!

  8. I.... ....

    The Realest Hip Hop you’ll ever hear

  9. m.... ....

    I miss real hip hop

  10. T.... ....

  11. I.... 2....

    THE ENDING IS SO IRONIC..

  12. M.... E....

    HAIL STRONG ISLAND!

  13. M.... H....

    The REAL THING!!!!!!!

  14. J.... J....

    🔥 suggestion, vinny. Thanks bro

  15. M.... M....

    Anyone know where I can find the instrumental?

    M.... M....

    Les McCann "Before I Rest", from the album entitled "Layers"(1974)

    M.... M....

    @EFreezy716
    YEAH THAT'S THE SOURCE BUT EVEN THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THIS SAMPLE SNITCH..

    M.... M....

    Sample snitch.. lol gtfo. Thanks for the info fam love me some Les

    M.... M....

    You know, I love this era of hip-hop so much due to the fact that inspiration for some of these artists comes from musical gems created from other artists from the past--who in turn can inspire another generation to create music of their own to make people feel something they never felt before..and also gain perspective and learn about the original artist, whatever the genre may be(jazz, rock, soul, etc...) My dad(RIP) was a jazz DJ on the radio for 30+ years and when I'd hear a GangStarr record or De La track like this, it made me want to know more about where the sample came from, and in turn--dig into other works that original artist created. It's about celebrating the source of great music and the artistry that comes along with it. Each of you are entitled to your opinion, but in my opinion I see nothing wrong with giving credit where it's due to great music, wherever it may come from. God bless.

    M.... M....

    @EFreezy716
    I WAS JOKING..PEACE..

  16. L.... M....

    Why is this album not on any major streaming services? It's a classic

    L.... M....

    Problems with the record label they had back then.

    L.... M....

    Yeah, De La Soul is fighting for their catalog. They said for their first 6 albums they got paid pennies. They also had a lot sampling on their albums they had to pay for. They've never gotten any royalty pay. It's just a mess right now. Catalog has been found though. last I saw they were getting ready to negotiate with Tommy Boy, over royalty's. Nas and Jay Z leading a strike against the label, until issue resolved. said they will not stream any De La until they know that De La is paid.

  17. M.... ....

    Love the lyrical content.

  18. B.... H....

    I purchased this album when I was 16 and thus I began to a better human.

    B.... H....

    Same here. A simpler time...with waaaaay better music

    B.... H....

    Classic

  19. E.... R....

    so sad how great music goes underappreciated on youtube

    E.... R....

    At the same time, it saves it for those who do appreciate it

  20. B.... ....

    Mad memories, Fam... make a cat tear up, Word.

  21. M.... R....

    Man how time fliers. Im set now. N pass the time bboppn' my head to dope hiphop., a part of me. 1

    M.... R....

    this is the long island anthem forever, it's sweet caroline, new york york...