Everybody in Hip-Hop strives for greatness, and to be remembered. But what do you strive for when you’re already great, and you’re already embedded in everyone’s memory? Well that’s the problem Kool G. Rap faces (if you can call it that).

The Hip-Hop icon continues to impress even in an era where lyricism is becoming scarcer than a strip club occupied by ugly strippers.

Jay-Z said that he sounded like G Rap in his prime on his song “Encore.” But who’s to say if the Kool Gangster of Rap still isn’t in his prime? Even at the ripe old age of 39, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. If you have doubts, then his verse off “Risin’ Up” from his Half A Klip album should erase that: 

(Yeah) From his rise from the bottom/
City wit crime be on the rise like its Gotham/
Dudes from the struggle, destined to bubble/
Hustle hard, eyes on the stars like a Hubble/
2 turn to 5, 5 triple on the double/
Crazy for that cream, so I triple beamed the rubble/
Organize to run things, oversee the drug ring/
Nothing funny for this money, it’s a love thing/
Don’t underestimate money—he will slug things/
Hunger pains will make a thoro n*gga snub things/
Back to the old days, back to his role play/
Hoodie and black mac, backin’ ‘em like okay/
Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. >O.K. Coral style when that toast spray/
I’m in the spot, crack vials by the roach spray/
Gutter swagger n*gga dagger til ya throats slay/
No I ain’t going for ya plate, I want the whole tray/

Listen to "Risin' Up"