Make, make, make 'em, make 'em clap to this
To show our appreciation for your support
Make, make, make 'em, make 'em clap to this
Thank you, DJs
Dilated, let's go
Clap your hands, clap your hands, clap your hands
Check it
Clap your hands, clap your hands, clap your hands
Yo, first up, I stay updated
Stay in the zone, an' no question, stay 'Dilated'
Understand, I exercise patience
Respect my paths 'cause the road, these cats paved it
Now that we've got that straight, it's time to move on
I don't train for sprints, I train for marathons
A long haul, we're built for this
It's proven, every year, more people cop our shit
The point I'm gettin' at, we're buildin' a army
Couldn't thank 'em enough, for real, I feel strongly
Right now, we're parked in a comfortable spot
By 2004, we're out to own the whole lot
Out for the top, to settle for less, the short change
So we keep our heads with us, as there's more to gain
An' with war is pain, so we roll the dice
It's all for the love, but some pay the ultimate price, check it out y'all
Yo, they go off when they go on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
Pace yourself so you can face yourself
Run hard, you really only race yourself
Yo, they go off when they go on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
But we don't run from shit, we run to it
Might run over your shit or run through it
I crack my own tooth, man, rap's a tool
Just to spit crowns an' leave your head wrapped with jewels
Respect that, even if you don't respect that
Label politics is just a minor setback
As long as we're willin' an' our heart is still in it
In the marathon, the artists will win it
Even though they want me to bite my tongue
Where I'm comin' from it's like 'f*ck that, I'll still win it'
The long run separates the weak an' strong one
Never underestimate how deep the songs run
Pace yourself so you can face yourself
Run hard, you really only race yourself
Yo, clap your hands, your hands you clap
Expansion Team rap, then expand the map
With endurance, intellect, cardiovascular
Stamina, Rakaa's a party flow master like this
Yo, they go off when they go on, on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
Pace yourself so you can face yourself
Run hard, you really only race yourself
Yo, they go off when they go on, on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
But we don't run from shit, we run to it
Might run over your shit or run through it
I'm like Axel when they kill Mike for the bearer bonds
Driven to fight, livin' in the marathon
Some can't carry on, they're tired or feel ill
But in the end, real soldiers are still will
Sometimes, it's just spectators an' gladiators
Same party, next year, haters congratulate us
To Buddy, Princess an' Jalen, congratulations
This year, there's less funerals than graduations
Yo, pace myself 'cause sagas continue
Standin' ovations, Dilated blows up every venue
A new era, placed first, style pursuin'
The shoe fits? Wear it, it's based on you an'
Your off beat DJ, anythin' he play
Sounds like Babu, pulled the plug with no delay
This homestretch, I've saved my last breath
I push full throttle, no rest 'til nothin's left, it's the marathon
Yo, they go off when they go on, on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
Pace yourself so you can face yourself
Run hard, you really only race yourself
Yo, they go off when they go on, on
On an' on, on an' on, marathon
But we don't run from shit, we run to it
Might run over your shit or run through it
Clap your hands, clap your hands, come on
Clap your hands, clap your hands, clap your hands
Check it, Expansion Team forever an' the Alchemist
It's the marathon