How Not to Get Jerked

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