Released: March 8, 1994
Songwriter: DJ Premier Guru
Producer: Guru DJ Premier
[Verse 1]
Take this for example young brothers want rep
Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step
It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun
And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son
So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip
Get a dent puller, screwdriver and be off quick
With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew
We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too
Even a jeep or a van, goddamn, we're getting ours, yo
Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so
It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping
They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's hopin'
To do anything, anywhere, anyplace
Buckwild in another court case
It's the code of the streets
[Verse 2]
They might say we're a menace to society
But at the same time I say "Why is it me?"
Am I the target, for destruction?
What about the system, and total corruption?
I can't work at no fast-food joint
I got some talent, so don't you get my point?
I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot
Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop
Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine
I gotta have it so I can leave behind
The mad poverty, never having always needing
If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding
I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts
And while I'm selling, here's a flash report
Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low
Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show?
You gotta be a pro, do what you know
When you're dealing with the code of the streets
[Verse 3]
Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be wielding
Got the tenth one kneeling, let me express my feelings
Guru has never been one to play a big shot
It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot
And fuck turning my back to the street scene
It gives me energy, so I'mma keep fiends
Coming, just to get what I'm selling
Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon
So keep abreast to the Gang Starr conquest
Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
Take this for example young brothers want rep
Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step
It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun
And if you ain't down, you'll get played out son
So let's get a car, you know, a fly whip
Get a dent puller, screwdriver and be off quick
With a dope ride, yeah, and a rowdy crew
We can bag us a Benz and an Audi, too
Even a jeep or a van, goddamn, we're getting ours, yo
Take a trip up the strip, and be like stars so
It doesn't matter if the cops be scoping
They can't do jack, that's why a young brother's hopin'
To do anything, anywhere, anyplace
Buckwild in another court case
It's the code of the streets
[Verse 2]
They might say we're a menace to society
But at the same time I say "Why is it me?"
Am I the target, for destruction?
What about the system, and total corruption?
I can't work at no fast-food joint
I got some talent, so don't you get my point?
I'll organize some brothers and get some crazy loot
Selling D-R-U-G-S and clocking dollars, troop
Cause the phat dough, yo, that suits me fine
I gotta have it so I can leave behind
The mad poverty, never having always needing
If a sucker steps up, then I leave him bleeding
I gotta get mine, I can't take no shorts
And while I'm selling, here's a flash report
Organized crime, they get theirs on the down low
Here's the ticket, wanna bet on a horse show?
You gotta be a pro, do what you know
When you're dealing with the code of the streets
[Verse 3]
Nine times out of ten I win, with the skills I be wielding
Got the tenth one kneeling, let me express my feelings
Guru has never been one to play a big shot
It's just the styles I got that keep my mic hot
And fuck turning my back to the street scene
It gives me energy, so I'mma keep fiends
Coming, just to get what I'm selling
Maybe criminal or felon dropping gems on your melon
So keep abreast to the Gang Starr conquest
Underground ruffnecks, pounds of respect
I've never been afraid to let loose my speech
My brothers know I kick the code of the streets
Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr
- Work
- So Wassup?!
- You Know My Steez (3 Men And A Lady Remix)
- Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot)
- All 4 Tha Ca$h
- DWYCK
- Now You’re Mine
- Code of the Streets
- Tonz ‘O’ Gunz
- Speak Ya Clout
- Betrayal
- The Militia
- Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?
- Step in the Arena
- Words I Manifest (Remix)
- The Militia II (Remix)
- Just to Get a Rep
- Full Clip
- Mass Appeal
- You Know My Steez
- Royalty
- Above the Clouds
- The ? Remainz
- Ex Girl to Next Girl
- I’m the Man
- Soliloquy of Chaos
- B.Y.S.
- Credit Is Due
- Take It Personal
- 1/2 & 1/2
- Discipline
- Jazz Thing
- Moment of Truth
- Above the Clouds
- Family and Loyalty
- Full Clip
- Work
- DWYCK
- Mass Appeal
- You Know My Steez
- Betrayal
- JFK 2 LAX
- Royalty
- The Militia
- Robbin Hood Theory
- Rite Where U Stand
- Code of the Streets
- Skills
- Discipline
- Battle
- Ex Girl to Next Girl
- In Memory Of...
- My Advice 2 You
- What I’m Here 4
- Just to Get a Rep
- Bad Name