Gang Starr

Released: January 15, 1991

Songwriter: DJ Premier Guru

Producer: Guru DJ Premier

[Verse 1]
I knew this chump see... he tried to play me
He was my right hand man, but he betrayed me
I let him chill at my crib, 'cause we were down and
I went to work everyday while he was loungin'
He tried to backstab, he kept on jokin'
He didn't know he could've got his back broken
I had to cut homeboy off for even tryin' that
His game was mad weak, know what I'm sayin' black?
Stepped to him quietly, he copped a plea
Told him to fix it or I'd have to catch a body
In this society, there's many snakes
Don't be too eager when you're seeking a break
'Cause chumps will exploit, use you to benefit
So just be keen and learn all the ins of it
I've had my share of dealing with fake men
I left them squealing, "It was I who did the taking"
Proceeding exactly, according to plan
I foiled the scheme 'cause it seemed I was that man
And if you step up like the kid who did front
You will bear witness the execution of a chump

[Verse 2]
Now, now... let's get the purpose of it
I'm snatchin' hearts out of chumps, 'cause I deserve to love it
Observin acts of a snake, while I evaluate
Eliminate the nucleus, I'm doin' this
Pissed, usin' fists, usin' force of any sort
My conscience says it's nonsense, if I put up with it
It meaning sleazy, sorry-type slick types
I'll drive 'em all to danger, and make 'em hitchike
'Cause if you step up like the kid who did front
You will bear witness the execution of a chump

[Verse 3]
Call me the Guru, known as a spiritual teacher
I'll reach you deftly, directly, correctly so select me
Elect me as your prophet and we'll praise him as I drop it
Pursue this, review this
I knowledge more than buddhist monks, punk
I'll wreck the set and grab a big chunk
Known to be a wise one, known to be a seeker
Following my calling in life, so I can keep the
Minds in line to find devine designs of rhyme
Rewind this on your box one time
But if you step up like the kid who did front
Then you will bear witness the execution of a chump

Gang Starr is the formidable hip-hop duo of MC Guru and producer DJ Premier.

The group was originally founded by two childhood friends, Big Shug and Guru, in Atlanta; coming up with the logo design and name of the group. Big Shug and Guru got separated when Shug got imprisoned and Guru moved to New York where he met Dj Premier.

While DJ Premier is from Texas and the monotone Guru is from Boston, they came together in Brooklyn, New York, and helped define the sound of East Coast hip-hop in the 1990s with their jazzy production on singles such as “Words I Manifest” and “Jazz Thing,” as well as their harder boom bap singles like “Just to Get a Rep” and “Take it Personal.”

more tracks from the album

Step in the Arena

From the album

Step in the Arena (1991)

Gang Starr popular songs

Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)Gang Starr

Gang Starr

Step in the Arena