Rikers Island Lyrics

[Intro]
Well listen to me, you young hoods, this is some advice
You do the crime, you're payin the price
Cause if you're in the drug spots, sellin crack on the block
Snatchin chains, bustin brains, like a real hardrock
If you ever hear a cop say you're under arrest
Go out just like a trooper, stick out your chest
Cause you might have been robbin, you might have been whylin
But you won't be smilin on Riker's ISLAND


[Verse 1: Kool G. Rap]
Just to hear the name it makes your spine tingle
This is a jungle where the murderers mingle
They say the place is crowded but there's room for you
Whether you're white or you're black, you'll be black and blue
Cause in every cellblock, there is a hardrock
With a real nice device that's called a sock lock

Don't ever get caught in a crime my friend
Cause this bus trip is not to Adventure's Inn
They have a nice warm welcome, for new inmates
Razors, and shanks, and sharp edged plates
Posses will devour, punks with power
After the shower it's, rush hour
So watch your back before you get sacked
These a bunch of maniacs that's about to attack
If you're a hustlin pro, keep a low profile'n
Cause you won't be smilin on Riker's ISLAND
[Verse 2: Kool G. Rap]
C-74, adolescents at war
Put your ear to the floor, you can hear the roar

They take you out of BC, they now found you a cage
All eyes are glued to you like you're up on stage
If you're soft as a leaf, don't get into a beef
And God be with you chief if you got gold teeth

Some try to be hard, front and say I'm God
Don't know a lesson say a blessin, you're gonna get scarred
(Yo call the C.O.) That won't be necessary
He'll watch him beat you down, and take your commissary
Inside the lunchroom, you meet your doom
Someone is lookin' at you, sharpenin' a tablespoon
Use your hands like a man, don't go out like a chump
Never 'fess, bench press so that you can be pumped
If you don't got a game, you get beaten and slain
And scared as a mouse in a house of pain
So to all the jailbirds that listen to hip-hop
Move your pelvis like Elvis do the Jailhouse Rock

You might be coolin, you might be stylin
But you won't be smilin on Riker's ISLAND

[Verse 3: Kool G. Rap]
If you're on a drug tip, don't be a Dumbo
Police investigate like Columbo if they think you're sellin jumbo

But don't get me wrong, it might be your thing
Whether smilin on the Island, or singin in Sing-Sing
The way you're takin pictures and you're givin a smile
Cheerin, the privilege for a long long while
So keep your money pilin, keep profilin

Cause ahh, you won't be smilin on Riker's Island

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About

Genius Annotation

Kool G Rap: “They put a remixed version on the first album, Road to the Riches. I think they put the original version on Wanted: Dead or Alive. It was the only song Marley produced on the second album, and that was the label putting a song from my previous album that was a hit.

“Not working with Marley just happened naturally. It wasn’t a conscious decision to stop working with him. I started growing, meeting more people and more producers. Different people were catching my ear. Large Professor was the first producer that caught my ear after I did the project with Marley.

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