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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
N.W.A
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Charles Wright
Songwriter
Timothy Mckenzie
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Dr. Dre
Producer
DJ Yella for High-Powered Productions
Producer
Donovan Sound
Engineer
Brian Gardner
Mastering Engineer
Kris Solemn
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
[Intro]
Yo man, it's a lot of brothers out there
Flakin' and perpetratin' but scared to kick reality
Yo, Dre, you been doin' all this dope producin'
Ain't had a chance to show 'em what time it is
So what you want me to do?
[Intro]
All you got to do now, express yourself
[Verse 1]
I'm expressin' with my full capabilities
And now I'm livin' in correctional facilities
'Cause some don't agree with how I do this
I get straight, meditate like a Buddhist
[Verse 2]
I'm droppin' flavor, my behavior is hereditary
But my technique is very necessary
Blame it on Ice Cube because he said it get funky
When you got a subject and a predicate
[Verse 3]
Add it on a dope beat, and it'll make you think
Some suckers just tickle me pink to my stomach
'Cause they don't flow like this one
You know what, I won't hesitate to diss one or two before I'm through
So don't try to sing this
Some drop science, well I'm dropping English
[Verse 4]
Even if Yella makes it a cappella
I still express, yo, I don't smoke weed or sess
'Cause it's known to give a brother brain damage
And brain damage on the mic don't manage nothin'
But makin' a sucker and you equal, don't be another sequel
[Chorus]
Express yourself
Do it good
Express yourself
Oh, do it
[Verse 5]
Ice Cube is not for the pop chart
So where should a brother like you start?
Expressin' yourself, my boy'll show you how
Yo, Dre!
What up?
Drop English right about
[Verse 6]
Now, gettin' back to the PG, that's program, and it's easy
Dre is back, new jacks are made hollow
Expressin' make the subject because they like to follow
The words, the style, the trend, the records I spin
Again and again and again
Yo, you on the other end
[Verse 7]
Watch a brother playin' dope rhymes, with no help
There's no fessin' or guessin' while I'm expressin' myself
It's crazy to see people be what society wants 'em to be, but not me
Ruthless is the way to go, they know
Others say rhymes that fail to be original
[Verse 8]
Or they kill where the hip-hop starts
Forget about the ghetto and rap for the pop charts
Though some musicians cuss at home
But scared to use profanity when up on the microphone
[Verse 9]
Yeah, they want reality, but you'll hear none
They rather exaggerate a little fiction
Some say no to drugs and take a stand
But after the show they go lookin' for the dope man
[Verse 10]
Or they ban my group from the radio
Hear N.W.A. and say, "Hell, no!"
But you know it ain't all about wealth
As long as you make a note to
[Chorus]
Express yourself
Do it good
Express yourself
Oh, do it
[Verse 11]
A lyricist, yo, Dre is the name for it
I make something dope on a record, that's what he came for
Kickin' reality, yo, but stayin' himself
But it's important that you keep it in mind to
Express yourself
[Verse 12]
From the heart 'cause if you wanna start to move up the chart
Then expression is a big part of it
You ain't efficient when you flow, you ain't swift
Movin' like a tortoise, full of rigor mortis
[Verse 13]
There's a little bit more to show
I got rhymes in my mind, embedded like an embryo
Or a lesson, all of them expression, and if you start fessin'
I got a Smith & Wesson for ya
[Verse 14]
I might ignore your record because it has no bottom
I get loose in the summer, winter, spring, and autumn
It's Dre on the mic, gettin' physical
Doing the job, N.W.A. is the lynch mob
[Verse 15]
Yes, I'm macabre, but you know you need this
And the knowledge is growing just like a fetus
Or a tumor but here's the rumor
Dre is in the neighborhood, and he's up to no good
[Verse 16]
When I start expressin' myself, Yella slam it
'Cause if I stay funky like this, I'm doin' damage
Yo, I'ma be too hyped and need a straight jacket
I got knowledge and other suckers lack it
[Verse 17]
So when you see Dre, a DJ on the mic
Ask what it's like, it's like we getting hyped tonight
'Cause if I strike, it ain't for your good health
But I won't strike if you just
[Chorus]
Express yourself
Do it good
Express yourself
Oh, do it
[Outro]
Express yourself
Express yourself, express yourself
Express yourself, express yourself, express yourself
Oh, do it
[Outro]
Express yourself
Written by: Charles Wright