Brother Ali - Rapper Thing lyrics

Everywhere I go I'm trying to
Do my rapper thing
I run into a crew of dudes
That want to do the same
Well, listen closely
I'mma give you some game
How to get your thing together right
And get you a name
The first rule is you gotta
Be you to the upmost
Bring the listener to your world
And pull 'em up close
Let us see how it feels to be in your shoes
Take the journey that you're on
See what you go through what is it about you
That makes you different?
And what about your story
Makes it interesting?
Can you really make me feel
It when I'm listening?
Cause if not then ain't nobody
Trying to give a shit
There's a lot better ways of making money
So if that's why you're here quit now
Take it from me
The first decade or so is gonna be hard
So the work in it'self is gotta be the reward
If there's something you could be doing, boy
You probably should
Shit is not how they make
It seem in Hollywood
But, if you can't sleep at night
Cause your ass gotta write
Just to feel right, then it'll all be good

Please listen to my demo
I gotta kick a little shit
To let my friends know
Never let go, live out your dream
Just know that nothing in life
Is what it seems
Please, please, listen to my demo
I gotta kick a little shit
To let my friends know
Never let go, live out your dream
Just know that it's not

They call it show business
Should've called it business show
It's a business first
Ain't that how that saying go?
I say nevermind that shit, just let it grow
Brother, use your common sense and
Go for what you know
The most important relationship you have
Is between you and your craft
Don't ever forget that
Business only matters when your
Ass is in demand
Your success depends on your
Connection with your fans
And if you plan on taking
Money from their hands
You better give them as much
In return as you can
Give 'em albums they can listen to for years
Give 'em great live shows, give 'em blood
Sweat and tears
I'm not saying these folk won't
Try to play you but, you stay true
You don't need them to embrace you
Embrace yourself, but then brace yourself
Cause you're gon' be staring in
The face of hate it'self
Can't get distracted with that kind of shit
Cause fans decide who the real headliner is
If you can't get something
Without being a bastard
You have to ask yourself if
That's really worth having, man

It took like 15 years for me
To get what I want
But that time would've passed wether
I was trying or not so what's a fella to do?
Your life is gonna be what you dedicate it to
So everytime we celebrate something new
It opens new doors that we
Get to pressure through
I guess I knew with every level I grew
I expect more from me than
I'd ever expect from you
Your work is a reflection of you
So put your whole ass in
Everything that you do
This is your life, gotta live it your way
And then you gotta let them
Chips fall where they lay, my man