Tell It Like It Is

[Verse 1]

Things ain't always what they seem or cracked up to be

Like all these fakin' ass rappers in this industry

Talkin' bout what they got, and they ain't got a damn thang

How you own three cars, but you don't own ya own name?

Get ya business right boys, the first class is in session

Get a entertainment lawyer in the music profession

Start up ya own company, trademark the name

That's gon' run ya bout a grand so start savin' ya change

Open a bank account quick, and then follow these steps

Sign yourself to yourself and start signin' ya own checks

Hit the booth and start recording at the speed of need

Whatever gets ya juices flowin' could be speed or weed

Get it mixed and mastered, pressed up and plastered

Sell it to ya whole hood out the trunk, ya bastard!

Show all the non-believers what you destined to be

And in just a couple years you could be rich like me

[Hook]

But I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

This biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

Give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is

I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

This biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

Give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is

[Verse 2]

See, mostly all your favorite artists got some serious problems

The money could be the problem, but money can't solve 'em

Some get addicted to drugs and flat out lazy

Some taste a little fame and go flat out crazy

I'm close 'cause those close wanna live off my fame

And that type of shit alone will drive a nigga insane

Not to mention all the vultures, the scandelous promoters

Crabs will try to sue ya, magazines will misquote ya

Most of these label-heads, they don't care nothin' about ya

If you stop sellin' records, they'll act like they don't know ya

It's hard mixin' business with pleasure, so don't play

Me and my crew argue and fight like every other day

Rappers ain't above the law, but our life is so fast

That we got a Special Task Force of police on our ass

All that, and this is really just the start of it

Hip Hop, you really wanna be a part of it?

[Hook]

I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

This biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

Give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is

I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

Man this biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

I'ma give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is

[Verse 3]

What's worse than havin' no money is havin' it and losin' it

What's worse than havin' some money is grabbin' and abusin' it

We never took no money from Chingy, thought I was cool wit him

I wish his ass well, but I don't want nothin' to do with him!

Some don't own they publishin', me I never fool wit 'em

I'm down for my artists, try my best to stay true to 'em

'Cause outside my label competition is irrelevant

Unless I'm still in competition with my president

And believe that I'm supportin' the Hova

''Cause the industry's shady, it needs to be taken over'

But the first rule to accumalation of wealth

Is Don't trust nobody but ya God damned self!

[Hook]

I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

Man this biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

I'm give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is

I said I can't hold my tounge

I'ma tell it like it is

This biz ain't all fun

I'ma tell it like it is

Give it to ya straight, no chase

I'ma tell it like it is

Look you straight in yo face

And I'ma tell it like it is