Gang Starr

Released: June 24, 2003

Songwriter: Guru DJ Premier

Producer: DJ Premier Guru

[DJ Premier]
Aiyyo, what the FUCK is this shit that y'all are listenin' to nowadays on the radio man? You call that shit hip-hop?
THAT'S SOME FAGGOT BITCH SHIT Y'ALL ARE LISTENIN' TO!
All you DJ's are lettin' the program directors handcuff you
And sit there and tell you how to mix?! YOU FUCKIN' ROBOTS!
FUCK Y'ALL!!!

[Guru]
Real talk, serious thoughts
True and livin' with a youthful vengeance, yo

[DJ Premier Scratches]
"Trust me I'm as live as it gets"-Royce Da 5'9"

[Verse]
At times I feel like my back's against the wall
And if y'all ain't with me, then it's me against y'all
I stand my ground, that's what I was taught
While others stand around, I hold it down like a fort
In the midst of war, I find peace within
Run, lock your doors, don't let the beast get in
The mind is a terrible thing to waste
I show love 'cause it's a terrible thing to hate
Of course I want money, but I won't compromise
Y'all don't realize, think I won't bomb you guys?
With the truth nigga, stop misleadin' the youth nigga
Too many wakes and funerals, that's the proof nigga
Our hood's in danger, kids need guidance
You keep lyin', still the young keep dyin'
As I walk through the valley I fear none, yes I'm the chairman
Here with my nigga Premier son
And we came to change the game
We represent the pain that's real talk, what's y'all claim to fame?
Rappers simply tracin' flows and chasin' hoes
Frontin mad hard, that shit's amazin' yo
Producers makin' Tinkerbell beats for them to rhyme on
They're ass if they get on the same stage that I'm on
Our shit be rugged, like the New York streets
Make the wrong move stupid then you lose your seat
Cats be buyin' up SoundScans to beef up sales
Niggas wanna crossover, wanna be upscale
Fuck that, that ain't hip-hop, that's somethin' else
You're better off back on the ave doin' somethin' else
All you suckers claimin' that you are, thug or gangsta
You disrespect the game by dry-snitchin' you prankster
I thank y'all for makin' more room for us, uhh
Ashes to dust you wonder who's to trust
My sense of self, and my mental health
Is much more powerful, than any hint of wealth
A lot of niggas get cash, and collect Mercedes
But neglect their ladies, and forget their babies
Then the chicks turn and act like dudes
'Cause they reflect our light, so yo act right fool
And this is just a piece of my mind, a thesis of mine
I'mma make moves and I'mma leave you behind
At times I feel like my back's against the wall
And if y'all ain't with me, then it's me against y'all
I stand my ground, that's what I was taught
While others stand around, I hold it down like a fort
In the midst of war, I find peace within
Run, lock your doors, don't let the beast get in
The mind is a terrible thing to waste
I show love 'cause it's a terrible thing to hate

"Trust me, I'm as live as it gets"-Royce Da 5'9"
["My flow is like.." ".. as live as it gets"]

"Trust me, I'm as live as it gets-Royce Da 5'9"
[Primo: "Trust me, I'm as live.."]
["My flow is like.." ".. as live as it gets"]

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.”

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