Roots, The - No Great Pretender Lyrics






[Malik B]
Check it out, one two
M-illi-tant
I be the, alias Malik B
Internationale rationale
All the people up 68th Ave.
and across Broad Street
or Silk Lane in South Philly
And on, et cetera
Check it out, check it out

[Chorus: The Roots]

Here on this agenda, there is no pretenders
So when we begin to assassinate your cast members
Here on this agenda, there is no pretenders
So when we begin to assassinate your cast members

[Verse One: Malik B]

Dig it, cool calm collect in my perspective
Search the premises, I leave no clues for detectives
My verbal impact across your back slap
You talk about you see me, but your vision's full of cataract
It don't matter that, your glass house I shatter that
Bad luck I walk under now show me where the ladder at
Pull up the urinal organs up in your bladder cat
Approachin you with shriller rhetoric, as if you had a sac
Now crews down for it, your gas pedal floor it
with ammo and artillery and stash spots to keep and store it
I used the banner of a slant with a zort
Change your strategic plan, my man's getting bored
Your vocal chord is fraudulent, and not the true porcelain
I bring the fire, earth, and the source of wind
The force of sin will endorse the pen
We all search for sanity, but I think that it was lost again
Now which stick of artists, can be the smartest
My beam of sunlight shines the brightest in the forest
Regardless, artists dislike because I'm ?
Control the temper, makin MC's whimper
I tilt the Earth from off the axis in the center
Next I'm in the womb like a placenta
M-Illi-Tant the city ninja, uplift
cause I'm the soul avenger, remember I'm no great pretender

[Chorus 2X]

[Verse Two: Black Thought]

Strategis, I bet y'all niggaz can't believe this
I read you like a whole avenue that's filled with meters
parked, fuck your back talk, I watch how niggaz cat-walk
over my pit of venom and send em to the asphault
For inquisitives, who wanna try to test me
What protects me, will make you shake like epilipsy
Plague your neighborhood with lyrical le-prosy
Stimulate more than Ecstasy y'all niggaz check my recipe
Dig it, I must observe it, analyze when I'm chillin
Peep out who's the villain then make your whole pavillion
of a Sicilian, excuse the greed don't want a mill'
I want a zillion - stacks of Franklins to the ceiling
I counts stacks imported, fuck the yacht and the mansion
I want Pluto and Jupiter, political, universal expansion
Buy out Tommy and Halle Hanson
Kidnap America, ? you hold it for ransom
Pass it down to my grandson, I got no time to be romancin
Only time's for mental food and advancement
This game of Life is strictly chancein - get to know
the nature before I get know the nigga while I'm glancing
Enhancing, is my mental - I play in the midst
a squad a team most crews is not in the halfs of rentals
My utensils, display a whole variety
Even when in the cut niggaz can't cut they anxiety
Peep, I fill your brain with suspicion, pay attention
like you paid tuition, and stop all your bull-ishin
The rap chemist in the lab to the finish
The mic is my apprentice, cause I can't stand
courts or tennis, my pigmentation is the menace
That's why the system's always tryin to pursue with a blemish
Pale asses, think a nigga in this
My flow's tremendous, for the meal you can't replenish
The question you ask me, situation get worse
Fam I won't befriend ya, cause I'm no great pretender

[Chorus 2X]

[Malik B]
It's like that, one time for your mind
Fifth Dynasty, interwine and combine
M-Illi-Tant
The Bad Lieuten-ant
One hundred X, Bahamadia
Minds and souls, like that
Fifth Dynast', my man ?, P.R. Star
My man Slick Looka
Check it out, one time like that
Feel the Fifth
The One-Fifth attack
Your backbone and spine
Check it out
Brother Q.U.E.S.T.
South Philly, ?





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Roots, The No Great Pretender Comments
  1. M.... H....

    Some people dont realize that the horns and and the drum kicks are made by mouth, shout out to Rahzel🔥

  2. M.... H....

    This was Malik B's finest hour🔥

  3. A.... P....

    Your vocal chords are fraudulent and not the true porcelain .....

  4. A.... P....

    Still sick

  5. C.... W....

    This is dope i love this song been bumping it since 1995

  6. C.... A....

    Fuckin classic fuk jay z snoop n ice cube

  7. e.... ....

    ...fuckin' tears. respect from italy, peace.

  8. J.... S....

    There's so much to this song that I can't say in words. It is like a constant stream of thoughts laid on a beat. It's just that beautiful.

  9. t.... ....

    Remembering my Acura Booming this two 12 inch kickers, my girl used to say why are you always playing that song 😊😊😊

  10. \.... O....

    These horns...🤩

  11. A.... E....

    The Roots Forever🔥🔥🔥🔥💯🎵🎶✊👐🎹💯💯💯💯💯💯👑🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👽

  12. M.... S....

    Yes lord

  13. D.... ....

    M-illa-tant!!

  14. B.... T....

    Yo malik, ok. Where you at? This my mofukn jawn

  15. T.... ....

    I always thought Malik B was very underrated! Killed this jawn.

  16. B.... ....

    7 years, since 16, I’m listening to this track. One day Malik B will get back together with Black thought. I pray for that day

  17. R.... ....

    Illadelph Halflife is the Roots best album not Things Fall Apart

  18. a.... r....

    The Roots is Hip Hop 🎤🗽🌎

  19. I.... T....

    MALIK B truly lacin' the joint up proper. smashed it

  20. I.... T....

    this album is so slept on. pure raw, elite hip hop production of all variables. THE 5th!!!!

  21. S.... G....

    Black thought is a legend but give my man Malik B some love he's amazing!

  22. A.... M....

    All around perfect rap track. In my top 20.

  23. S.... B....

    I remember when I went to see Jimmy Fallon taped when he was in the second time slot and it was a break and I yelled for them to play this song!! lol

  24. c.... ....

    2:43-2:46 He's speaking of the crown that Joseph shared with Asenath for 48 years as they ruled over Egypt. The crown was then passed to the grandson of the late Pharaoh; 32 years before Joseph's death.

  25. a.... ....

    This beat always got me

  26. A.... H....

    🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  27. V.... P....

    Theme music for r type video game super nintendo

  28. J.... G....

    Dope track!

  29. J.... S....

    Fire 🔥

  30. D.... J....

    There just isn't Hip-Hop that could be done like this anymore. This album is a time capsule

  31. A.... S....

    This has been an ill cut for me for a long time. Malik B, did justice, as well as everyone whom worked on this track. The flow, the beat, female harmonizing, believe Scratch or Rahzel doing horns w/their vocals & beatboxing, etc...etc.

    My # 1 favorite cut from Malik B, off of my all time favorite album from The Roots. Legendary indeed...

    Had my copy of this album, signed by most of them. They did a free concert at a record store across from Northland Mall, several years back...
    Quality hip hop by a quality hip hop band...drop mic & walk away!.......

  32. M.... W....

    Love those horns...... killing it.

  33. M.... W....

    Very very underrated M.C. and Album.....A hidden jewel

  34. I.... J....

    This is one sick beat.

  35. M.... D....

    Listen ....you wonder why black thought so dope...he has always been...

    M.... D....

    This is not Black Thought. This was Malik B's solo joint on the album. Thought is a beast though.

  36. b.... ....

    Malik is the only MC that complements Riq. Even though Tariq is the iller one, you never feel like he outclasses Malik. They fit. Every other collab Riq is on he SHITS on the other artist. Malik B is a Philly legend.

    b.... ....

    brkjeff

    I’m a NYer and your assertions are nothing but FACTs. Absolute facts!!

    Love Malik!

    b.... ....

    That joint on Puns album is one of the few where Black has competition. But yes Malik was bananas.

    b.... ....

    I'm thinking the same thing. Altho this track is absolutely crazy. They are not 2 rappers tho. THEY ARE THE ROOTS

  37. C.... K....

    So many sleep on Malik B!!!!

  38. J.... D....

    Dis song was so smooth!Listen to da jazz in the back ground it's deep! 💯💪

  39. J.... D....

    Real shit!

  40. L.... J....

    Outstanding that's all I can say!

  41. m.... ....

    top roots jam!

  42. C.... C....

    Top 20 hip-hop track of all time !!! Black Thought Top 10 MC all time ,easily ...

    C.... C....

    That is Malik B., bro.

  43. M.... A....

    God damn. is there an instrumental for this?

    M.... A....

    Mitchell Asido I wish I love this beat mad soulfull

  44. b.... b....

    fucking shit go to hospital.

  45. T.... ....

    The Legendary Roots Crew!! Still Assassinating Your Muhfuckin Cash Members In 2017 & Beyond!!

  46. R.... R....

    Such a dope amazing song. Smooth beats and smooth lyrics.

  47. e.... ....

    This is my driving slow in the rain jam

    e.... ....

    eabsurfs808 this is my getting shot at 3am drunk af and high af jam

    e.... ....

    Mine is bring it on from reasonable doubt lol

  48. L.... ....

    black thought a legend wish he had more solo material

    L.... ....

    This is all Malik B.

    L.... ....

    Actually no one raps but Black Thought for the most part, and he fits well with the Roots

    L.... ....

    @altaariq no sir that is not black thought.

  49. D.... M....

    goosebumps

  50. A.... ....

    @ 1:24 i always used to to point upwards. . lol... Shit still fuego yo.

  51. T.... ....

    It honestly pisses me off, watching Jimmy Fallon (who I DO like) and realizing a majority of the public watching, don't understand the impact the 'house band' (The Roots) have made on Hip hop. This song is just ONE of my favorites. Tariq on Jimmy Fallon... No MF's, it's BLACK THOUGHT! .... says a white dude. I'm done.

    T.... ....

    I was always surprised the Roots agreed to be a house band for Jimmy Fallon to be honest. The Roots are so much bigger than just a house band.

    T.... ....

    so true. hip hop hall of fame

  52. D.... O....

    This album is a must have for any old school hip hop fan. Straight classic

    D.... O....

    ALL FACTS💯

    D.... O....

    word-up

    D.... O....

    Been in my collection since day 1 🔥

    D.... O....

    Have to get it on vinyl

  53. J.... B....

    one of the best hip hop albums of all time..stay UNDERGROUND respect all artists. one!

  54. N.... F....

    Classic!

  55. A.... M....

    Great upload...Real HIP HOP

  56. E.... W....

    shit still dope

  57. l.... ....

    Malik B killed this track.

    0:04

    l.... ....

    he burned black thought

  58. l.... ....

    This beat is perfect as was the first verse.

    l.... ....

    malik the great

    l.... ....

    Luv 🔊🎤🎙🎸🎹🎺

  59. A.... B....

    Pure classic

    A.... B....

    Facts!!

  60. W.... P....

    totally killed it

  61. M.... ....

    one of my favorite Roots song , no doubt!!

    M.... ....

    Was about to write the same thing. But you already said it.

    M.... ....

    Maybe my favorite song of all times💯 Straight fit me to da tee

    M.... ....

    Holly Hanson