Probably one of the most influential Gang Starr songs, Guru spits lyrical genius over melancholy-like piano and violin beat.

DJ Premier said the following about the track:

The first verse was a universal… Read More [Intro: Sharon]

No matter what we face

We must face the moment of truth, baby

[Chorus 1]

They say it's lonely at the top, and whatever you do –

You always gotta watch motherfuckers around you

Nobody's invincible, no plan is foolproof

We all must meet our moment of truth

[Verse 1]

The same sheisty cats that you hang with, and do your thang with

Could set you up and wet you up, nigga, peep the language

It's universal – you play with fire, it may hurt you

Or burn you, lessons are blessings you should learn through

Let's face facts, although MC's lace tracks

It doesn't mean, behind the scenes, there ain't no dirt to trace back

That goes for all of us, there ain't nobody to trust

It's like sabotage – it's got me ready to bust

But I can't jeopardize what I have done up to this point

So I'ma get more guys, to help me run the whole joint

Cultivate, multiply, motivate or else we'll die

You know I be the master of the who, what, where, and why

See when you're shining, some chumps'll wanna dull ya

Always selfish, jealous punks will wanna pull ya–

Down, just like some shellfish in a bucket

'Cause they love it, to see your ass squirm like a worm

But just as you'll receive what is comin' to you

Everybody else, is gonna get theirs too

I ain't no saint, therefore, I cannot dispute

That everyone must meet their moment of truth

[Chorus 2]

Actions have reactions, don't be quick to judge

You may not know the hardships people don't speak of

It's best to step back, and observe with couth

For we all must meet our moment of truth

[Verse 2]

Sometimes you gotta dig deep, when problems come near

Don't fear, things get severe for everybody, everywhere

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Seems that life is just a constant war between good and evil

The situation that I'm facin' is mad amazin'

To think such problems can arise from minor confrontations

Now I'm contemplating, in my bedroom pacing

Dark clouds over my head, my heart's racing

Suicide? Nah, I'm not a foolish guy

Don't even feel like drinkin' or even gettin' high

'Cause all that's gonna do really, is accelerate–

The anxieties that I wish I could alleviate

But, wait – I've been through a whole lot of other shit before

So, I oughta be able to withstand some more

But, I'm sweatin' though, my eyes are turnin' red and yo –

I'm ready to lose my mind, but instead, I use my mind

I put down the knife, and take the bullets out my 9

My only crime–was that I'm too damn kind

And now some scandalous motherfuckers wanna take what's mine

But they can't take the respect that I've earned in my lifetime

And you know they'll never stop the furious force of my rhymes

So like they say, every dog has its day

And like they say, God works in a mysterious way

So I pray, remembering the days of my youth

As I prepare to meet my moment of truth

[Interlude: sample]

"You shall know truth, and the truth shall set you free!"

[Verse 3]

Yo, I got one lyric pointed at your head, for start

Another one–is pointed at your weak-ass heart

Now if I pull the trigger, on these fully-loaded lines

You're gonna wish I would've pulled a black 9

I mack dimes, crack the spines of the fake gangsters

Yeah, the bitin' trifling niggas, and the studio pranksters

Yo, looking at the situation plainly – will you remain G?

Or will you be looked upon strangely?

I reign as the articulator with the greater data

Revolvin' on the TASCAM, much doper than my last jam

While others struggle to juggle tricky metaphors

I explore more, to expose the core

A lot of emcees act stupid to me

And we have yet to see, if they can match our longevity

But anyway, it's just another day

Another fake jack I slay with my spectac' rap display

Style's smooth but rugged, you can't push or shove it

You dig it and you dug it, 'cause like money you love it

The king of monotone, with my own throne

Righteously violent prone, my words bring winds like cyclones

Stormin' your hideout, blockin' out your sunlight

Your image and your business were truly not done right

Throw up your He Allah Now, Divine Saviors

You got no hand skills, there's no security to save ya

No pager, no celly, no drop-top Benz-y

I came to bring your phony hip-hop to an ending

My art of war will leave you sore from the abuse

'Cause you must meet your moment of truth

[Chorus 1]

They say it's lonely at the top, and whatever you do –

You always gotta watch motherfuckers around you

No one is untouchable, no man is bulletproof

We all must meet our moment of truth