Sprite To Feature Classic Hip-Hop Lyrics On Cans

By Michael Cerio

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We've all been there, struggling to find a way to explain the musical impact of Rakim to the next generation.

Luckily now, there's a can for that.

Sprite today announced a collection of cans, sporting classic verses from some of Hip Hop's greatest MCs. Dubbed the Sprite "Obey your Verse" Lyrical Collection, each can is inscribed with inspirational words from rappers like Drake, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., or Rakim.

"Sprite recognized and respected the power of hip-hop early, and it became a part of the brand's essence decades ago," said Kimberly Paige, Vice President, Sprite Brands and Flavors, Coca-Cola North America in a press release today. "By honoring and recognizing great lyricism from some of the genre's biggest icons on our product packaging, we're demonstrating how Sprite continues to support hip-hop artists that remain true to themselves."

Not many have imagined reading the words of Nas' Illmatic from the side of a can in a pizza shop, and apparently neither did Nas.

"When I wrote these lyrics, I never imagined my fans would someday have the opportunity to enjoy a can of Sprite and experience my art in a totally original way" says Nas.

Here's the first batch of lyrics you'll start seeing on shelves.

Drake - Know yourself, know your worth - "0 to 100"
Drake - I'm the rookie and the vet - "0 to 100"
Drake - Man, they treat me like a legend - "Over"
Drake - Started from the bottom - "Started From The Bottom"
Drake - On a mission trying to shift the culture - "Tuscan Leather"
Nas - Living longevity to the destiny - "If I Ruled the World"
Nas - Poetry's deep I never fell - "It Ain't Hard To Tell"
Nas - It's truth, that I am you, and I am proof - "My Generation"
Nas - The World is Yours - "The World is Yours"
Nas - Live with it and love it -"Trust"
Rakim - Self-esteem makes me super, superb, and supreme - "Follow the Leader"
Rakim - Cool, 'cause I don't get upset - "Microphone Fiend"
Rakim - Thinking of a master plan - "Paid in Full"
Rakim - Speak the truth - "Waiting for the World to End"
Rakim - My mental windows refuse to close - "Waiting for the World to End"
The Notorious B.I.G. - Lyrically I'm supposed to represent - "One More Chance"

Apparently Biggie's "Who Shot Ya" isn't quite "can material".

Just as Snapple once taught us "the human brain is about 80 percent water", hopefully these cans will introduce a different era of music to a new generation.

Look for the "Obey your Verse" collection soon.