[Intro: Malcolm X] We all agree, tonight—all of the speakers have agreed that America has a very serious problem. Not only does America have a very serious problem, but our people have a very serious problem. America's problem is [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction [Verse 1: KRS-One] Well, today's topic, self-destruction It really ain't the rap audience that's buggin' It's one or two suckers, ignorant brothers Trying to rob and steal from one another You get caught in the mid So to crush that stereotype, here's what we did We got ourselves together So that you could unite and fight for what's right Not negative 'cause the way we live is positive We don't kill our relatives [Verse 2: MC Delite] Pop, pop, pop, when it's shot, who's to blame? Headlines, front page, and rap's the name MC Delite here to state the bottom line The black-on-black crime was way before our time [Verse 3: Kool Moe Dee] Took a brother's life with a knife as his wife Cried 'cause he died a trifling death When he left, his very last breath Was, "I slept, so watch your step" Back in the '60s, our brothers and sisters were hanged How could you gang-bang? I never ever ran from the Ku Klux Klan And I shouldn't have to run from a black man 'Cause that's [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're— [Interlude] Uno, dos, tres, cuatro [Verse 4: MC Lyte] Funky fresh, dressed to impress, ready to party Money in your pocket, dyin' to move your body To get inside, you paid a whole ten dollars Scotch taped with a razor blade taped to your collar Leave the guns and the crack and the knives alone MC Lyte's on the microphone Bum rushing and pushing, snatching and taxing I cram to understand why brothers don't be maxing There's only one disco, they'll close one more You ain't guarding the door, so what you got a gun for? Do you rob the rich and give to the poor? Yo, Daddy-O, school them some more [Verse 5: Daddy-O, Wise, Daddy-O & Wise, & D-Nice] Spittin'-spittin'-spittin' straight from the mouth of Wise and Daddy-O Do a crime, end up in jail and gotta go 'Cause you could do crime and get paid today And tomorrow you're behind bars in the worst way Far from your family 'cause you're locked away Now tell me, do you really think crime pays? Schemin' on taking what your brother has? You little sucker, you're talkin' all that jazz [Verse 6: D-Nice] It's time to stand together in a unity 'Cause if not, then, yo, we're soon to be Self-destroyed, unemployed The rap race will be lost without a trace Or a clue, but what to do Is stop the violence and kick the science Down a road that we call eternity Where knowledge is formed and you learn to be Self-sufficient, independent To teach to each is what rap intended But society wants to invade So do not walk this path that they laid, it's [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction (D-Nice, break it down like this) [Bridge] Children grow and women produce And men go work and some do stealing [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're— [Verse 7: Ms. Melodie] I'm Ms. Melodie, and I'm a born-again rebel The violence in rap must cease and seckle If we wanna develop and grow to another level We can't be guinea pigs for the devil The enemy knows, they're no fools Because everyone knows that hip-hop rules So we gotta get a grip and grab what's wrong The opposition is weak and rap is strong [Verse 8: Doug E. Fresh] This is all about, no doubt, to stop violence But first, let's have a moment of silence Swing, things been stated, re-educated, evaluated Thoughts of the past have faded The only thing left is the memories of our related And I hate it when someone dies and get all hurt up For a silly gold chain while they choke (Word up) It doesn't make you a big man (And) To wanna go and diss your brother, man (And) You don't know that's part of the plan (Why?) 'Cause rap music is in full demand, understand? [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction [Verse 9: Just-Ice] My name is Just-Ice, a man, not a prankster I was known as the gangster But, believe me, that is no fun The time is now to unite everyone You don't have to be soft to be for peace Robbing and killing and murdering is the least You don't have to be chained by the beast But party people, it's time I release [Verse 10: Heavy D] Ayo, here's the situation, idiocy Nonsense, violence, not a good policy Therefore, we must ignore fighting 'n' fussing Heavy's at the door, so there'll be no bum rushing Let's get together because we're falling apart I heard a brother shot another, it broke my heart I don't understand the difficulty, people Love your brother, treat him as an equal They called us animals, mm-mm, I don't agree with them I'll prove 'em wrong, but right is what you're provin' 'em Take heed before I lead through what I'm sayin' Or we'll all be on our knees, praying [Verse 11: Frukwan] Yo, Heavy D, deep in the heart of the matter Their self-destruction is served on a platter Makin' a day, not failing to anticipate They got greedy so they fell for the bait That makes them a victim, picked and plucked New jack in jail, but to the vets, they're a duck There's no one to rob 'cause, in jail, you're a number They never took the time to wonder about [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction [Chuck D, Flavor Flav, & Chuck D & Flavor Flav] Yes, we urge to merge, we live for the love of our people To hope they get along (Yeah, so we did a song) Gettin' the point to our brothers and sisters Who don't know the time (Boy! So we wrote a rhyme) Instead in your head, you know our job To build and collect ourselves with intellect (Come on) To revolve, to evolve to self-respect 'Cause we got to keep ourselves in check Or else, it's [Refrain] Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction Self-destruction, you're headed for self-destruction