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"And now a word from our sponsor.."
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[KRS One]
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Now technically speakin I ain't 'sposed to be doin this
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Like givin information to the ones that are new to this
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You wanna make a record and get into the business?
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Here's a little plan from a six year witness
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First you gotta understand the music game
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It's not about fame it's about a rich name
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and who you're down with and who you clown with
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But most of all, you got to have a gift ("it's like that")
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Either music or the fresh lyrics
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or a vibe; people like to buy your spirit
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Everybody knows KRS-One is dope
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To really see it, you gotta use a telescope, hah!
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There's no hope when you're shoppin for a deal
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Either sex appeal, or the hard street feel
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But if you don't have a lawyer you're a GONER
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Don't even think about chillin in a sauna
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You need a lawyer, and a good manager
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Without this, the record companies won't be havin ya
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So I'm grabbin ya now and showin ya how
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not to get jerked when you do hard work!
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"It's like that y'all" *16X*
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"One, two, three, WHOO!"
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[KRS-One]
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Yo, there's more to it, but let's get through it
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Many MC's reached the top and then BLEW it
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You say, "I knew it, that last jam was wack"
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Either you're strung out on crack, or you don't wanna
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be black anymore, or, you don't wanna rap anymore
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or, you do a wack tour, or, you get in trouble with the law
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or, your fans you ignore, or, you get punched in the jaw
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cause, you're not hardcore!
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What makes a jam isn't luck or fate
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It's writin the jams that the people can relate to
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Or else they'll HATE you
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The public will mark you down as a fake crew
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You don't need allathat
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Just rap from the heart and you'll have a good start
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But a lot of MC's want girls
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and wanna live on top of the world
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In the jam they wanna flirt
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Here's how not to get jerked when you do hard work!
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"It's like that y'all" *16X*
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[KRS-One]
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Now understand, rap is rebellious music
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Therefore, only the rebel should use it
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But pop artists abuse it
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When the audience hears real rap, they boo it
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See rap music is a culture
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And everyone outside that culture is a vulture
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The vulture makes money on the culture
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Understand, I ain't tryin to insult ya
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But you're either usin rap like the devil
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or you're pushin rap to another level
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So don't wait for your company's promotions staff
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Promote yourself with your own cash!
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But this might mean you can't buy gold
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You might have to put that on hold
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Cause if the artist falls, they diss him!
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But if the company falls, the artist falls with them!
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This ain't about a tight skirt
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Here's how not to get jerked when you do hard work!
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How Not To Get Jerked
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Boogie Down Productions |