Express Yourself (Song)

"Express Yourself" is a song recorded by American hip hop group N.W.A, performed solo by Dr. Dre. The song, off their 1988 album *Straight Outta Compton*, samples Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band's song of the same name. Unlike most songs on the album and by N.W.A, the song is devoid of profanity and violence. "Express Yourself" was released in 1989 as the album's last single, the album version of the track features rap vocals from Dr. Dre only whereas the 2002 reissue, single edition and video version features small verses from MC Ren and Ice Cube, the writer of the song. The song reached number 26 in the UK in September 1989.

## Lyrics

Yo man, there's a lot of brothers out there

Flaking and perpetrating but scared to kick reality

Man, you been doing all this dope producing

You ain't had a chance to show 'em what time it is

So what you want me to do?

(Express yourself)

I'm expressing with my full capabilities

And now I'm living in correctional facilities

'Cause some don't agree with how I do this

I get straight and meditate like a Buddhist

I'm dropping flavor, my behavior is hereditary

But my technique is very necessary

Blame it on Ice Cube, because he said it gets funky

When you got a subject and a predicate

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, while I'm dropping English

Even if Yella, makes it a-capella

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, nothing

But making a sucker and you equal

Don't be another sequel (express yourself)

Now, getting back to the PG

That's program, and it's easy

Dre is back, new jacks are made hollow

Expressing ain't their subject because they like to follow

The words, the style, the trend, the records I spin

Again and again and again, yo, you're on the other end

Watch a brother blend dope rhymes, with no help

There's no fessing or guessing while I'm expressing myself

It's crazy to see people be

What society wants them to be, but not me

Ruthless, is the way to go, they know

Others say rhymes which fail to be original

Or they kill where the hip-hop starts

Forget about the ghetto, and rap for the pop charts

Some musicians cuss at home

But scared to use profanity when upon the microphone

Yeah, they want reality, but you will hear none

They'd rather exaggerate a little fiction

Some say no to drugs, and take a stand

But after the show, they go looking for the "Dopeman"

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 (express yourself)

From the heart

'Cause if you want to 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

There's a little bit more to show

I got rhymes in my mind, embedded like an embryo

Or a lesson, all of 'em expression

And if you start fessing, I got a Smith and Wesson for ya

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, getting physical

Doin' the job, N.W.A is the lynch mob

Yes I'ma climb, but you know you need this

And the knowledge is growing just like a fetus

Or a tumor, but here is the rumor

Dre is in the neighborhood and he's up to no good

When I start expressing myself, Yella, slam it

'Cause if I stay funky like this I'm doing damage

Or I'ma be too hyped, and need a straight jacket

I got knowledge, and other suckers lack it

So, when you see Dre, a DJ on the mic

Ask what it's like, it's like we're getting hyped tonight

'Cause if I strike, it ain't for your good health

But I won't strike if you just (express yourself)