Gang Starr

Released: June 24, 2003

Songwriter: Guru DJ Premier

Producer: DJ Premier Guru

[DJ Premier scratching]
"I want the public to know.. what goes on"
"I mean, look at the situation - be real"

[Verse One: Guru]
The names have been changed to protect the innocent
Each step is intricate, I rep magnificent
Knew this kid named Ronnie, used to make cash with Caesar
They made a lot of money back in the 80's crack fever
Caesar was an overachiever, a kingpin and 18-and-a-half
He got knocked and left Ronnie to watch the team and the stash
Plus his crib, his jewels, his whip and his girl
And Ronnie's self-interests had him livin' in a different world
He rocked Caesar's chains, he pushed Caesar's Range
Smokin' mad wools all day, with Caesar's change
Not to mention he pushed up on Caesar's wifey
A move like that my man, extremely sheisty
It all got back to Caesar in the bing
They found Ronnie's body in the playground by the swings
Anyone can get it, for sure it don't matter dawg
Especially when a nigga tries commitin' sabotage

[Premier scratching Guru samples]
"There ain't nobody to trust"
"It's got me ready.. ready.. ready.. ready.. ready to bust"
"It's like sabotage, there ain't nobody to trust"
""It's like sabotage"
"It's got me ready.. ready.. ready.. ready.. ready to bust"

[Verse Two: Guru]
Treachery, deception, it's best to keep a weapon
When you think that they be breddren, they underhand your plan
It's over for the cowardly, we grow more potent hourly
I'm knowin' where the power be, I'm schemin' to get even
Dissension can occur from within one's ranks
The chain can be weakened, by just one link
Pricks be galavantin' from one crew to the next
Musical click-ass niggas catch two to the chest
My usual guess is that they choose to digress
Disillusioned by greed, causin' you to distress
Just do what's best, clean house, leave out
Them punks can't touch what they can't peep out
See I'm a raw nigga, and like my pops I'm a lawgiver
Can't throw a wrench in my game, I'm a boss figure
Take you under my wing, it don't matter God
Dead you if you try to commit, sabotage
Rise for me now, kneel for me now
Time to pass judgment, can't feel for you now
Lay in your bed, accept your fate
Try to clean it up, accept you're late
From the streets to the industry, peep the chemistry
It's GangStarr shit, makin' a livin' see
We put it on and when it's war it's war
Sabotage'll have me dumpin' the four {*gunshots richochet*}

[Premier scratching Guru samples]
"There ain't nobody to trust"
""It's like sabotage"

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

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