Pass the Mic

Title	Pass the Mic
Artist	Beastie Boys
Album	Check Your Head
Release Date	1992-04-07
Description	“Pass the Mic” is Track 3 on Beastie Boys' third (full-length) LP Check Your Head. It was recorded and mixed at G-Son Studios, Atwater Village, CA,Co-produced by Beastie Boys & Mario C with Mario C acting as engineer. After sequencing at PCP Labs, “Pass the Mic” was issued as the first single, on April 7, 1992, two weeks ahead of the album release on 4.21.1992. Samples include: Ron Carter “The Black Prince Has Arrived“ by Jimmie Walker “Big Take Over“ by Bad Brains, from the album, Bad Brains (1982) “So What Cha Sayin’“ by EPMD, from the album, Unfinished Business (1989) “Big Sur Suite“ by Johnny "Hammond” Smith “I Walk on Guilded Splinters“ by Dr. John, from the album, Gris-Gris (1991) “I Wanna Know If It’s Good to You“ by Funkadelic “Choir” by James Newton, from the album, Axum (1982) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7vqs7_james-newton-choir_music *Fun Fact: The 6-note flute sample from “Choir” led James Newton to sue for copyright infringement. The Ninth Circuit found that the Beastie Boys had not infringed on James Newton’s music in the case Newton v. Diamond LLC BMG. “Pass the Mic“ was performed live in 203 known concerts. 1st Known Performance: 5.17.1992 — Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, US https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tUP2vdEmAmA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMUd0SYcRBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf1uNL2HIS4&feature=player_detailpage#t=201s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iiShmAur7A&list=FL_JuWz8jGrrlUwVzHT3bAhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK-w7NaILOs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TzQLcduK7I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ20PBzGXgk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P9lSuyZtQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMCRJ94EWn4 Last known Performance: 6.12.2009 — Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, US
Lyrics	[Intro] Goodness gracious! [MCA] If you can feel what I’m feeling then it's a musical masterpiece Hear what I’m dealing well then that's cool at least What's running through my mind comes through in my walk True feelings are shown from the way that I talk And this is me y'all, I emcee y'all My name is MCA and I still do what I please And now I’d like to introduce (what's up?) I'll pass the mic to D for a fist full of truth [Mike D] The name is D, y'all and I don't play And I can rock a block party 'til your hair turns grey So, what you sayin'? I explode on site I’m like Jimmy Walker I’m Dyn-o-mite And now I’d like to pass the mic To Ad-Rock c'mon and do anything you like [Ad-Rock] I’m the A-D-R-O-C-K In the place with the bass I’m going all the way I can't stop, y'all, tock tick, y'all And if you think that you're slick you'll catch a brick, y'all ‘Cause I’mma turn it in and I’mma turn it out But now I’ve got to pass the mic to Yauch [MCA] Well, on and on and on and on I can't stop, y'all 'til the early morn’ So rock rock, y'all, tick tock, y'all A to the beat, y'all, c'mon and rock, y'all [Adrock, MCA, & Mike D] I give thanks for inspiration, it guides my mind along the way A lot of people get jealous, they're talking about me But that's just cause they haven't got a thing to say You might also like[Mike D] Well everybody rapping like it's a commercial Actin' like life is a big commercial So this is what I’ve got to say to you all Be true to yourself and you will never fall And now I’d like to pass the mic to A So what's your name, Yauch? [MCA] My name is MCA I’ve been coming to where I am from the get go Find that I can groove with the beat when I let go So put your worries on hold Get up and groove with the rhythm in your soul And now I’d like to pass the mic (To who?) To my brother Ad-Rock c'mon and shine like a light [Ad-Rock] Yes, yes, y'all and yes, yes, y'all I’m always on time nevertheless, y'all And that's right y'all, I shed light, y'all I’ve got no time in my life to get uptight, y'all So what you gonna say that I don't know already? I’m like Clyde and I’m rockin' steady But time flies when you're having fun So Mike D? (That's me!) C'mon and get some [Mike D] M.I.K.E. to the D You come and see me and you pay a fee Do what I do professionally To tell the truth I am exactly what I want to be Now Ad-Rock (Huh?) and MCA (Yeah?) Let's rock this joint in the old school way [Ad-Rock, MCA, & Mike D] Well I’m on 'til the crack of dawn Mowing down emcees like I’m mowing a lawn I go off like nothing can faze me You think we'll ever meet Stevie? One of these days, D But I can stand my ground and I am down To wax an emcee who acts like a clown But for now, I’d like to ask you how You like the feel of the bass in your face in the crowd?