First Things First

[kid giggles]

[kid 1 (kid 2):]

We...just gonna get our shit together...[?]

(man, get yo stuff, man c'mon) yo, don't rush me, man!

Man, it's startin man, yo...you heard me, right?

(nigga, what?!) don't rush me that's what!

(yo hurry up, shit!) [smacks lips] what's the rush, man?

What's the big - (forget all that man, c'mon!)

Naw, man i need to make sure my shit is dope

(nigga, the album is startin! man look, he's right there, look!) [applause]

Aight, aight..

[j-live (kid 1) {crowd}:]

Peace! (ha ha!)

Ladies and gentlemen {shhhh!}

Gods and earths

Brothers and sisters

Kings and queens (yeah, that's right) {shh!}

(ha ha!)

Players and workers {quiet, please!}

Pimps and hoes (word, no doubt)

Reaper and sowers (dey pimpin, what!)

Cutters and flow-ers

Friends...

New yorkers and countrymen

True school alumni and children of alllll ages

(he's buggin)

"bust the crowd" (i never heard that one)

"braggin' writes" (naw, i ain't like that song)

Hopefully this album reach it's destination on time (uh-huh)

Without any major drama... (bootleggin' and what-not)

We've got a wonderful program for you this evening

Or this morning (mornin?), or whenever you happen to be listening

We've got a wonderful program for you this now (wha?)

Cause it's always now (i get it)

Whether it's live through your walkman, turntable

Car stereo , computer (oh man, i'ma start stutterin)

Or straight through your own home system (aight)

So just sit back, relax; or stand up and get busy

Do what you feel, (aight) feel what you do (true)

And enjoy... [applause]

[j-live proceeds: to cut and scratch]

"live on the fader" "j-live on the fader"

"all of the above'll be, caused by me"

(..is what this album is all about...)

"bust this..."

[j-live rhymes: while cutting]

"once upon a time there was a brother named" "j-live"

"had a little problem with his" "record contracts"

"that which the world has never seen before"

"but i didn't care" "i'm never coming back" ("worrrrrd up!")

"lookin back on the moment, i'm surprised to find"

"i lay low" "yet still" "i'm gettin' mine"

"rock shit like this" "just for fun!"

"because" "two/too" "many" "wack-ass" "records" "get" "done"

[j-live: x3]

Peace, y'all! (peace y'all)

Peace, y'all! (peace y'all)

Pe-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-deece, y'all! (peace y'all)

Pe, da-dee, pe-pe, da-dee

Pe-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-deece, y'all!

First things first, i just - got through, goin through

This ordeal, dealin with deals, you know the deal

I've dealt with, bein dealt dirty, downsized

And duped, done double-paid my dues, for real

I just - know today's degree, c lesson

Not nowadays, can a record label fool me

So the understanding'll be 'the best part'

No need to guess how this rocky road was meant to be

I just - got home from a long tour

Seashore to seashore, j-live up the party

So, even if i'm unknown back home (say what)

Step out of the time zone, these folks came to see me!

I just - grab the mic, jump on the stage

Soak up the crowd, hittin 'em with page after page of

Blood, sweat, tears, saliva, sperm, snot

Shit, piss, throw-up, everything i got!

I just - let it all out, give it all back

Like i got it, why? cause i got it like that

I've been spotted by those that recognize the fact that

God is still black and bullshit is still wack! (wack!)

[j-live: x3]

Peace, y'all! (peace y'all)

Peace, y'all! (peace y'all)

Pe-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-deece, y'all! (peace y'all)

Pe, da-dee, pe-pe, da-dee

Pe-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-deece, y'all!