About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
The Architects lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
They see the cameras rolling, they hear the jokes fly. But they don't see the foundation. They don't see the blueprint.
Verse 1
Start with the Architect, Joe in the chair Built the empire way before the industry cared Analytical mind, yeah he plot on the low Connecting young shooters to the bags and the show He don't take the credit, he just opens the door Unpacking the truth 'til it spills on the floor Pass it to Parks, yeah the engineer god Mixed Raekwon and Gibbs, he the pulse of the pod Quiet in the room but his resume loud Giving game to the tech heads lost in the crowd And Ish got the wisdom, that Jersey estate Teaching trades to the youth, putting food on the plate He challenge the narrative, logic is cold Dependable brother, breaking the mold
Pre-chorus
Old heads respect it, the young boys inspect it We bridging the gap, yeah everything connected From the booth to the block, to the corporate suite We the only ones walking on both sides of the street
Chorus
This ain't just a mic check, this is the code We built the lane, now we owning the road From the basement to stadiums, watch how we move We the Architects, nothing left to prove Yeah, we the culture, we the source Changing the game, staying the course
Verse 2
Ice in the building, the encyclopedia Heard the hit record way before the media A\&R ears, yeah he bridging the age Developing artists before the stage Flip switch the energy, viral distinct Digital strategist, faster than you blink Metrics and content, he plotting the graph Showing love to the fans while he making 'em laugh Marc bringing intellect, scholar with the pen Mentoring the writers, he a leader of men Connecting the pop to the global distress Sharp with the arguments, playing lyrical chess It’s levels to this, yeah the bar is set high We teaching the masses, look me in the eye
Pre-chorus
Old heads respect it, the young boys inspect it We bridging the gap, yeah everything connected From the booth to the block, to the corporate suite We the only ones walking on both sides of the street
Chorus
This ain't just a mic check, this is the code We built the lane, now we owning the road From the basement to stadiums, watch how we move We the Architects, nothing left to prove Yeah, we the culture, we the source Changing the game, staying the course
Verse 3
Mona on the mic, storytelling is gold Amplifying women, breaking the mold Built it from scratch, yeah she hustle the most Authentic and raw, coast to coast Melyssa brought grace, the emotional IQ Mentoring the girls, yeah she helping 'em slide through Can't forget the roots, where the chemistry start Rory with the marketing, playing his part Connector behind scenes, never asking for fame And Mal kept it cool, respected the name Generous spirit, deep roots in the soil We honour the history, the blood and the toil
Pre-chorus
Old heads respect it, the young boys inspect it We bridging the gap, yeah everything connected From the booth to the block, to the corporate suite We the only ones walking on both sides of the street
Chorus
This ain't just a mic check, this is the code We built the lane, now we owning the road From the basement to stadiums, watch how we move We the Architects, nothing left to prove Yeah, we the culture, we the source Changing the game, staying the course
Outro
It's deeper than the audio. Check the resume. Joe, Parks, Ish, Ice, Flip, Marc, Mona, Mel, Rory, Mal. The Network. Class dismissed.
Inside the recording
They see the cameras rolling, they hear the jokes fly. But they don't see the foundation.
Old heads respect it, the young boys inspect it We bridging the gap, yeah everything connected
It's deeper than the audio. Check the resume.
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.