Released: November 26, 2002

Songwriter: Busta Rhymes DJ Scratch

Producer: DJ Scratch

[Hook: Busta - singing]
Branded... scorned is the one who raaaan
What do you do when your branded? And you know you're a man
Wherever you go, for the rest of your life
You must proooooove, you're a man

[Verse 1: Busta]
See now I'm back wit the force, read about the kid
From the front to the back of The Source
You see me back on the course
Scream on every beat untill my voice get crackled and horse
Front seat niggas never sit in the back wit a boss
Fuck the fact that it cost, the pricetag of the porche
Will cost ya life, have ya motha feel an immaculate loss
*Breath* But of course, come and speak to the best
And watch me spit a jewel sharper to carve the meat of your flesh
You lookin weak in the chest, you see the street is a test
Women on the stoop smokin holdin a seed to they breast
You see the street is a mess
Strugglin holdin a couple pounds of weed then the rest
Now I proceed to the rest of my niggas Keepin it fresh
Though we must stay on the grind I supersceded the stress
We always seem to finesse from the East to the West
You Know we w-w-we keep the teflon from the street to the vest
Kill that nigga slow like how you get defeated in chess
Got you under pressure--hairline receaded effects
Hot air niggas I only feel the heat from your breath
Rap niggas beef in they album probably needed the press
And as a man I never found the slightest need to impress
Another man because I'm proud and I believe that I'm blessed
But yo I always found the need to adress these weaker niggas
That speak to the street always keepin the people abreast
Now you've been branded...

[Hook]

[Verse 2: Busta]
Higher science and I'm changin the crime in
Watch my son cuz you'd be fuckin wit the child of a Giant
Im in a place stuck between bein lovin and violent, *voice switch*
Becomin more of a threat when I move subtle and silent
Then set it off to be the only one to quiet the riot
My destiny's the only thing between the sky and the pilot
Relate, it's like bustin a 3-8
Be late, I be takin most of the brick leavin a pile outta shape
I never quit watchin these niggas try to hide they mistake
Takin a shit watchin they body floatin by in the lake
Make it quick you weak niggas better try to escape
And create the quickest way to reach the fire escape
Snitch niggas always quick to go and lie on a tape
But it's o-k cuz Super Hero niggas die wit a cape
It's so great to watch them finally break, stand aside from the fake
Street niggas gotta slide for the take//
Bein broke and not bein able to buy me a steak
Stackin my paper so see now I can buy an estate
So I rely on the love and I reply to the hate
So much pain in the struggle my whole body'll ache...come on...
From the gates, so awake that was the plan of my fate
Now I'm straight...got me my OWN knife and fork on my plate
Wanna scorch a debate, wait...do me a favor nigga jus REMEMBER
The date...cuz you been...

[Hook]

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is a Grammy-nominated rapper, producer, and actor. Born Trevor George Smith, Jr. on May 20, 1972 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City, he would later move to Uniondale, Long Island but attended high school in Brooklyn with the likes of JAY-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., and Special Ed. Prior to his graduation from Uniondale High School in 1990, Busta joined Dinco D, Charlie Brown, and Cut Monitor Milo to from Leaders of the New School. The group opened for Public Enemy and their frontman Chuck D gave Chill-O-Ski the name Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George “Buster” Rhymes.

Leaders of the New School released two albums, A Future Without a Past… (1991) and T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind’s Eye) (1993), before splitting after an intense interview with Yo! MTV Raps. Busta’s popularity began to rise with his appearances on A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” in 1991 and its remix in 1992, as well as the remix to Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear” in 1994.

This led to Busta releasing his platinum debut album The Coming in 1996, featuring the platinum single “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check.” Busta’s subsequent four albums all went platinum, while It Ain’t Safe No More… and The Big Bang achieved gold status. He also released several international hits, including “Dangerous,” “What’s It Gonna Be?” with Janet Jackson, and “I Know What You Want” with Mariah Carey, as well as being featured on the #1 hits “Don’t Cha” with the Pussycat Dolls and “Look At Me Now” with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne.