Gang Starr

[DJ Premier scratches children laughing and yelling]
[Chorus: Guru]
Riot act, this is where we really prepare
Riot act, out here we show no fear
RIOT ACT, time to protect our communities
Riot act, real criminals get immunity
RIOT ACT, eye for an eye - so yo who want it?
RIOT ACT, rushin all you cowards who fronted
Riot act, lets bring the power to the people
RIOT ACT, no justice then we gotta come see you
[Verse One: Guru]
Just like a thunderous gun clap, you wonder who done that
Put you under with one rap, me and the brothers have come back
Well lash you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat
So now you be lyin flat, well read you the riot act
Whassup you little fuck, get your life right
Cause theres too much goin in the world, and shit aint quite right
See youre just addin to the problem
Young gun, high-strung, ready to trey-eight revolve em
Knot nearly in your waist, you step up in the place
Catch one off guard, he lookin silly in the face
But hear they come with the M-16s
They got teargas, helmets and clubs - knahmean?
Its martial law in these streets
Its like Afghanistan man, its gettin raw in the streets
Still you demand your rights, I understand your plight
But do the knowledge if you plan to fight
[Chorus]
[Verse Two: Guru]
So realize what it is to be oppressed and afflicted
Subjected to sick shit, knowin others live different
FUCK THAT, the streets about to blow again
They forgot, so we gotta let em know again
Huh, well blast you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat
So now you be lyin flat, well read you the riot act
Soldiers, lets show these cowards whats up
The hood aint goin for it, lets get ours, thats whats up
Be sure to keep a balance to your fight
And do the math, figure how to use your talents in a fight
Aint nuttin worse than a rebel without a cause
Aint nuttin worse than a people without laws
200 million square miles under attack
Reperations for us blacks, hell yeah, they need to come with that
Whos gonna take the weight, and erase the hate
All I know is when we come through, better make some space
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Guru]
A lot of people aint happy you can tell by their ways
Its growin tense okay, I can smell it today
Tenement buildings house the next killers
While rich diplomats, are purchasin their next villas
But for the scrilla and power, uhh
Theyll send some killers to their hood, that are iller than ours
Still niggaz settle beef, with the metal piece
And every block stays hot, like the devils feet
Incarceration of the mind, police brutality and poverty
These are realities of mankind
And we cant win nigga, if we keep shuckin and jivin
In a minute, they gon have us duckin and divin
They got bullets for us {*automatic fire*} yeah, uh-huh
They got jail cells and graveyards, they the bullies, not us
Well blast you for tryin that, we know you been lyin cat
So now you be lyin flat, cause this is the riot act
[Chorus]
[ Riot Akt Lyrics ]