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!