Released: February 2, 1999

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Intro]
1999
Come on (Keep-keep steppin')
Yeah y'all, let's go (Keep steppin')
How many y'all ready to get this party on? (Keep steppin')
1999 and this is how we do it, look out (Keep keep)
Yo...

[Chorus - Prince & Doug E. Fresh]
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
The time's 2 close son, U better start checkin' it
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin' (Come on)
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon (U know what, y'all?)
The time's 2 close son, U better start checkin' it (Yo, U know what?)

[Verse 1 - Doug E.]
I make it hot like a toaster, roll like a coaster
Family mourn cuz they wanna see the dawn
Set as they sweat, feenin' and drama
But not the kinda of drama 2 run 'n tell your mama
Armageddon, headin', mass destruction
Conjunction junction, what's your function?
The war's goin' on inside while U lunchin'
Computers replaced U - take a reduction
U made a mistake boo but take a deduction
Your money is worthless, U're hungry and nervous
U feel like I feel, that U don't deserve this
Inside U learn this, get super deep-a
Heaven is inside and U're the gatekeeper
Hell is inside and U're the Grim Reaper
Livin' costs more, dyin' cost cheaper
Whatever U do son, don't be a sleeper

[Chorus]
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
The time's 2 close son, U better start checkin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
The time's 2 close son, U better start checkin'

[Verse 2]
The truth, some people hear it, some people fear it
The truth, some people just won't go near it
As sure as I'm me and the skies are blue
The truth is the key 2 unlock the true U
Ancient old, worth more than gold
Cannot be bought, cannot be sold
Cannot be pushed, cannot be lifted
And I'm tellin' U, U gotta whole lot 2 deal with
In this world of all diverse
Like U used 2 talk proper but now U curse
The sun used 2 shine from day 2 day
Now the whole universe is filled with gray
No friends, children, family nor wife
And disrespect is the way of life
U wanna go, say no, don't need no airfare
Just open your eyes and then U're there (Keep steppin')
And if U go, come right and exact
And remember, there's no way back (Keep steppin')
So close your eyes live 'n hate and despise (Keep steppin')
All those girls and all those guys (Keep steppin')
Who told U, U never had stars in your eyes
This is your destiny, rise, uh!

[Chorus]
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin'
(Come on) (Keep steppin') (Keep down)
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin' (Keep steppin', Keep steppin')
('Luminati, y'all, move your body, y'all) (Come on)
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin' (Keep steppin', Keep steppin')

[Bridge]
(Keep-keep)
'Luminati, y'all, move your body, y'all
(Keep steppin')
'Luminati, y'all, move your body, y'all
(Keep-keep keep steppin')
If U know the truth then pass it on
If U know the truth then raise the roof
If U know the truth, pass it on
If U know the truth, raise the roof
If U know the truth, pass it on
If U know the truth, raise the roof
If U know the truth, pass it on
If U know the truth, raise the roof
Come on...

[Chorus]
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon ('Luminati, y'all, move your body, y'all)
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
The time's 2 close son, U better start checkin'
Armageddon is headin', lethal rap weapon
1-9-9-9 people keep steppin' ('Luminati, y'all, move your body, y'all)
(Keep steppin')
(Keep steppin')
(Keep steppin')

Prince and the Revolution

“The Revolution” was originally the live backing band for Prince in the early years of his career. They first appeared in a studio capacity on 1999, but it wasn’t until 1984’s Purple Rain when they were officially credited. The band is noted for its diverse range of musicians, which wasn’t very common in the 1980s and inspired by what Sly Stone did with The Family Stone.

The most famous line-up consisted of Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, Wendy Melvoin on guitar and vocals, Brown Mark on bass guitar and vocals, Lisa Coleman on keyboards, piano, and vocals, Matt “Doctor” Fink on keyboards and vocals, and Bobby Z on drums and percussion. The last albums where the Revolution was credited was 1985’s Around the World In A Day & 1986’s Parade.