The Ways

So you want to be in music business?

Listen

A life in rap's like a knife in the back

This life attracts some of the trifest cats

Niggaz getting deals with pipes and bats

If that don't work then they strike with gats

I know a few dudes got label deals

'Cause they crew pack steel like Navy S.E.A.L.S

And I ain't too smooth or too cool to mention

I done ran up in the label with cruel intentions

Listen, a label guy's like a bitch in disguise

He just trying to stay alive, see the twitch in his eyes?

A punch and a slap put his lunch in his lap

And a kick to the gut'll put a hunch in his back

No teeth and gummy and now he talk funny

But he set to sign off on that tour support money (that's right)

This nation's built on violent intimidations

Turn cats to hospital patients they more gracious

No promotion? Make 'em float in the ocean

Your album about to flop and he ain't showing emotion

He having a good time with a bunch of his friends

Let him find his dog dead in the trunk of his Benz

And he ignored your memo and the issues on it

Give his ass a bullet with his initials on it

You want a big advance? Don't tell him twice

Hang his ass out the window like Vanilla Ice

See cats get the message when they life on the line

But when you call from the crib with they wife on the line

This country of ours was built on violence

If your ass got in the way you was killed in silence

And these been the ways since back in the days

Just ask the Indians or the African slaves

So before you pick a logo, and choose a name

First you gotta learn the ways of the music game

Yup

"I need to talk to you right now about my royalties"...

... "My office hours are from 9 to 5"

"Fuck your office hours. I need to talk to you right now motherfucker!"...

... "What are you doing man?"

[Chorus]

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways

This is how you got to get down these days

You want to get paid just remember the phrase

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways

("The ways" scratched repeatedly)

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways

Now if you think what I'm saying is a bunch of bull

Run up to the label now and punch a fool

And watch niggaz panic and start to run frantic

This goes for Warner, Electra, and Atlantic

And any other major on the map

Or A&R cat who turned his back after he made you want to rap

See if you can find out a face and name

So you know when you roll who to place the blame

But Keith Murray ain't need investigators

He fuck niggaz up, ask questions later

And Diddy had a problem with Stevie Stout

Got a Cristal bottle, knocked Stevie out

Damn, he even whip a nigga ass in style

When Suge hears this record man he has to smile

And Def Jam reps wearing vests to work

'Cause they don't want they ribs and they chests to hurt

If I worked for them dudes man you won't see me

When Rocafella fall out with O.D.B. (nope)

That be a day that I'm a call out sick

'Cause niggaz cool first then they fall out quick (that's right)

Keep on thinking that it's only rap

You'll be a broke-ass nigga and a lonely cat

So before you get played out and lose your fame

First you got to learn the ways of the music game

Yes

"What the hell you talking about?"...

... "I'm talking about the cars and the clothes

and I got an even longer list of expenses:

Studio time, promotions, your expense account..."

"You trying to muscle me?"...

[Chorus]