Step It Up

[Intro - Classified - talking]

Uh

Yeah

Nowadays, everybody's always askin me

"Yo Class, what can I do to make it in this music game, man?"

[Chorus - Classified]

(Step 1), get your flow, come out of your shell

(Step 2), learn the game and study it well

(Step 3), go for self, not anyone else

(Step 4), if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!)

If you wanna make it in the music business

I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow

Gather all around, sit down and listen

And when it's time to go in, kid go all out

[Verse 1 - Classified]

Uh, yeah, a lot of people be hittin me up

Tryin to get into the game and mixin it up

Like, I got a name and I'm livin it up

Don't think I'm livin it up but I guess I'm gettin my cut

(Step 1), always stay faithful

And try to bring somethin new to the table

The game's tough and the world can be hateful

Prepare yourself 'cause that hate might break you

Look, a label won't make you

Just startin off? Don't worry about sendin in your demo

Shit nowadays ain't nobody mail demos anyway

Gotta learn, value every penny saved

(Step 2), make your music timeless

'Cause that'll live on after you gone in silence

Never run out of gas like drivin a Hybrid

You in for the long haul, so mind your mileage

Now to make a record takes real talent

But after that's when you face a real challenge

That's when you see who's got the heart and the valence

And honestly, it's hard to find the right balance

You follow me? Good, now the record is done

And the pressure is on and the lessons to come

Now we separate one from the rest of the bunch

The test has begun (the test has begun)

[Chorus - Classified]

(Step 1), get your flow, come out of your shell

(Step 2), learn the game and study it well

(Step 3), go for self, not anyone else

(Step 4), and if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!)

If you wanna make it in the music business (yeah)

I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow (ha)

Gather all around, sit down and listen (uh)

And when it's time to go in (yeah), kid go all out

[Verse 2 - Classified]

Alright team, let's huddle in it

We gotta build our own buzz, the hustle begins

I know you write rhymes but can you draw crowds?

That's the key to success, so don't get locked out

You gotta draw hype, everything is fair play

Hit the blog sites, the streets and the airplay

Avoid the negativity, any haters and low lifes

And oh right, get your live show tight

(Step 3), always step up your performance

Nothin more important than doin shows and tourin

Hit the open mics, hit your local promoters

Who are puttin on shows and need a couple local openers

Be the engineer and the manager

And the record label and the janitor

Be a pro in this whole pro-cess

The promoter, the producer and you may progress

(Step 4), and when the real work's done

You know what they say "if you build it, they will come"

The labels come callin but the tables have spun

Now you got the under hand, you can take what you want

You think sellin records, is gonna make you income?

What I make in sales, I make in three shows and then some

Remember this, anyone can sell your music

But they can't sell your live show unless you're gonna do it

You can take this for whatever it's worth, my word

But there's no guarantees it's gonna work for sure

[Chorus - Classified]

(Step 1), don't believe all the shit they say

(Step 2), the industry is a shady place

(Step 3), and everybody is out for self

(Step 4), so if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!)

If you wanna make it in the music business (yeah)

I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow (ha)

Gather all around, sit down and listen (uh)

And when it's time to go in, kid go all out

[Outro - Sample]

It's a game, at times unrealistic

But a game all the same

Somebody wins and somebody loses

It all depends on whoever chooses

To take it most seriously (*fades out*)