mic tester by Northern State (2024)

Mic Tester

I'm a microphone tester, smoked out and broke out
in the back of a van with sprout and hesta
I light up like a lighter, you're a bedroom writer
and I'm out of breath cause now I rock my jeans a little tighter
Yo- forget what you know I'm dropping sweat on the front row
This ain't the simple life- but it's the only life I know

Sleeping like you got jet lag- and now you're breathing in a paper bag-
What the hell, I wish you well, I wish you luck, so what the f*ck?
I heard your mom drives an ice cream truck.
You'll never touch what we got-
Three hots and a cot and a snare that claps on the track
And me and sprout and hesta prynn go way back.

I'm a microphone genius, how can I explain, what goes on in my brain
You won't believe till you've seen this, I mean this
And everytime I walk by, all the people on the avenue like, "Why so fly?"
And if you got a sweat-suit and you're dripping with diamonds,
tell me are you a rapper or a mom from long island?
MTV much to my chagrin, is about as exciting as an ottoman.
I'll always call you out just like I always did before
I don't give a f*ck we ain't on Sony anymore
I run with spero and sprout and I don't give a damn
I'm Hesta Prynn, "Don't you know who I am?"
I'm the right girl. For tonight girl. I'm the right girl and
I don't give a f*ck that I rap like a white girl.

I'm a microphone master, you're quick, but I'm a faster MC
I'm the master of ceremony
It's just mic and me like we were meant to be
Happily every after in matrimony
When I'm up on stage I command the crowd
Check 1,2,3 turn my mic up loud
We bring our own mics
We don't need the stands
You can't see the wires
The mics in our hands
mic test, mic tech, but you're no mic tester-
Try to juggle this fire- you microphone jester
Think you're the best but you know we're the bester
Gonna head out west with spero and hesta
Use the microphone like a judge with a gavel
Always rock the party wherever we travel

Everywhere I go I bring the mic I own
Cause I'm the master tester on the microphone.

The song “Mic Tester” by Northern State is an autobiographical tribute to the group’s tight-knit friendship and passion for music. The lyrics detail the group’s “smoked out and broke out” lifestyle on the road, sharing vans and stages as they harness their charisma and talent as MCs. Hesta Prynn leads the charge, declaring herself a “microphone genius” and “master of ceremony” as she raps about the thrill of performing and the tight bonds between the trio.

Throughout the song, Northern State eschews the trappings of mainstream hip-hop and instead celebrates their DIY ethos. They see themselves as true artists, unafraid to “call out” MTV and reject the norms of the industry as they navigate the music scene on their own terms. For Northern State, music is not just a career, but a passion and lifestyle that demands their all.

Ultimately, “Mic Tester” celebrates Northern State’s place at the top of the rap game. They pull no punches in their battle rhymes, declaring themselves the “bester” and pledging to “rock the party wherever we travel.” The song is testament to the power of friendship and artistic integrity in a fickle industry, and it solidified Northern State’s place as a force to be reckoned with in underground hip-hop.

I'm a microphone tester, smoked out and broke outin the back of a van with sprout and hesta
I test microphones, even if it means being broke and cramped in a van with my friends Sprout and Hesta.

I light up like a lighter, you're a bedroom writerand I'm out of breath cause now I rock my jeans a little tighter
I shine like a lighter when I'm on stage while you just write songs in your bedroom. It's exhausting performing in these tight jeans.

Yo- forget what you know I'm dropping sweat on the front rowThis ain't the simple life- but it's the only life I know
Don't follow what you know, I'm giving my all to the fans in the front row. This lifestyle isn't easy, but it's the only one I know.

Sleeping like you got jet lag- and now you're breathing in a paper bag-What the hell, I wish you well, I wish you luck, so what the f*ck?
You're sleeping like you have jet lag and now you're hyperventilating. I wish you well and good luck, but I'm confused by your behavior.

I heard your mom drives an ice cream truck.You'll never touch what we got-
I heard your mom drives an ice cream truck. You can never compete with what we have.

Three hots and a cot and a snare that claps on the trackAnd me and sprout and hesta prynn go way back.
We have a place to stay, food to eat, and a beat machine that makes a great sound. Me, Sprout, and Hesta Prynn have been friends for a long time.

I'm a microphone genius, how can I explain, what goes on in my brainYou won't believe till you've seen this, I mean this
I'm a genius when it comes to the microphone, but it's hard to explain what's going on in my head. You have to see me in action to believe it.

And everytime I walk by, all the people on the avenue like, "Why so fly?"And if you got a sweat-suit and you're dripping with diamonds,tell me are you a rapper or a mom from long island?
Whenever I walk by, people are always amazed by my style. And if you're wearing a sweating suit and diamonds, I can't tell if you're a rapper or a suburban mom.

MTV much to my chagrin, is about as exciting as an ottoman.I'll always call you out just like I always did before
I don't like MTV, it's as boring as an ottoman. I won't hesitate to call you out, just like I always have.

I run with spero and sprout and I don't give a damnI'm Hesta Prynn, "Don't you know who I am?"
I hang out with Spero and Sprout, and I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm Hesta Prynn, don't you know who I am?

I'm the right girl. For tonight girl. I'm the right girl andI don't give a f*ck that I rap like a white girl.
I'm the right girl for tonight and I don't care that I rap like a white girl.

I'm a microphone master, you're quick, but I'm a faster MCI'm the master of ceremony
I'm a skilled MC and I'm faster than you. I'm the master of ceremonies.

It's just mic and me like we were meant to beHappily every after in matrimony
It's just me and the microphone, like it's meant to be. We're destined to be together forever.

When I'm up on stage I command the crowdCheck 1,2,3 turn my mic up loud
When I'm on stage, I have control over the crowd. Check the sound system and turn my mic up loud.

We bring our own micsWe don't need the standsYou can't see the wiresThe mics in our hands
We bring our own microphones and don't need stands. You can't even see the wires because the mics are in our hands.

mic test, mic tech, but you're no mic tester-Try to juggle this fire- you microphone jester
We are testing the microphone and using it properly, but you're not a skilled microphone user. You can't handle the heat of the microphone like we can.

Think you're the best but you know we're the besterGonna head out west with spero and hesta
You might think you're the best, but we know we're better. We're heading out west with Spero and Hesta.

Use the microphone like a judge with a gavelAlways rock the party wherever we travel
We use the microphone like a judge uses a gavel. We always rock the party no matter where we go.

Everywhere I go I bring the mic I ownCause I'm the master tester on the microphone.
I bring my own microphone wherever I go because I'm a master at using it.