Judge A Tape by the Intro
[Jay-Z Interview Sample]

[Verse 1: Omari]

Go ahead, judge a tape by the intro
Let's see what you get

I'm an open book, lyrics written on open wounds
I overlooked every limitation, driven I overtook
Every hater, every one that told me I couldn't ever do
Everything is achievable, Every desert has got a brook

I spit a verse, syllabus for the universe
The inclination of a homie is never knowing who to trust
It's a must, I must bust a verse
Immersed and cursed with this gift of Rap but first things first

Constantly under pressure, and what's even worse
I'm sick & tired of rappers claiming they ill, so I called a nurse
Fire when you heard my verse
You felt it, cuz it burnt your purse
And you changed, so what's the deal?
All that money what's the worth?
I don't get the recognition I deserve?
I don't deserve recognition, have that sentence reversed
Y'all shoulda known I wasn't read for that cypher
To have my photo taken on synthesis
Felt like the beginning of a life of fame

But nothing's changed, I've been the same
Dropping tracks but i told myself. be ready to catch the train
Cuz when it arrived, it be gone much faster than it came
Faster than a range driven by a deranged driver. feel the rage

This the age of the intellectual
Like real estate, we tryna up the rate of your mental
Knock your teeth out, sorry that wa accidental
And have you speak out, like Malcolm X or Fidel Castro
Gotta learn the fundamentals

Lost tapes off the shores of Africa
Stories of the colored people, whips and massacre
Black America neglected the motherland
So your sons were left fatherless as your daughters became scavengers

My circle of friends got a constant diameter
It's a complex system so I don't mess with the parameters
Amateurs, don't mess with the snake wranglers
Ambassadors of New Though, here to flip the calendar and challenge ya
Teach me how to number my days Lord Cause I could lose my life in a number of ways Lord
Murder or depression may take me away Lord
Cry with me, Groan for me, teach me how to Pray Lord

Feel my poetic sorrow, Living on time I borrowed
Treacherous lies I followed, empty, I'm weak and hollow
Sleepy, the night is dark enough to sink and wallow in despair
Swallowing a pair of pills I'd prolly hate by Tomorrow

But everything changed in September 2011
Princewill came into my room and proclaimed the gospel of Heaven
I locked myself in, cried, I'd never make it to heaven
A sinner like me has no place among the blessed brethren

But God justifies who he calls
All this while, all I got were texts and missed calls that read anonymous
Couldn't see the glory like a pair of broken binoculars
Controlled by the system and the 3rd eye be watching us

So take cover like the front page of magazines
Got the big guns? I got kicks, snares and violins
You bout to get some honest music from a forgiven man
So share with your friends, homie
Let the story begin

Roll It!
[Outro]

4th dimension is the alias
4th dimension is the craziest
They ain't do it like we
Lightning strikes every time that we rhyming

Fight me, bite me
Wanna Mike Jack me
Look up to the Son and His glory might blind me
Fight me, bite me
Wanna Mike Jack me
Look up to the Son and His glory might blind me