But gotta tell the truth, yeah, the block wasn't me
Lookin' for adventure, but the block was not

from Killer Mike – Willie Burke Sherwood Lyrics on Rap Genius

Killer Mike here challenges a central tenet of emceeing: hood experience equals rap talent. While’s he’s no doubt got that experience, he says he was looking for something more. He talks later in the verse about the “adventures” that can be experienced through reading great literature, combining his street knowledge with book knowledge.

Both types of knowledge are combined in the song, as Killer Mike references raps about his days slinging dope “on the block”—the concrete jungle—but also close reads one of his favorite books, Lord of the Flies—the real jungle.

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