Gang Starr

Released: October 29, 2002

Songwriter: Tone Tragedy Khadafi MC Shan Shalena “Nikki” Bratcher Royce da 5'9" Marley Marl Nas Capone Havoc Nature Poke The King of Chill Cormega DJ Premier Asiah Lewis Prodigy of Mobb Deep Guru

Producer: DJ Premier

[Sample scratching]
"What, you wanna battle me?!"
"Yo, man, how much money you got?"
"What, you wanna battle me?!"
"Yo, man, how much money you got?"

[Verse 1]
I used to guzzle 40's and own a beat up Caddy
Since the hood still love me, I'll turn the heat up, Daddy
I went from mackin' fly honeys on the train
To straight relaxin' on the beach, countin' money, gettin' brain
Soon as you rappers get a chance you wanna floss a lot
You buy a iced out watch because it cost a lot
Then you in the club, stylin' with dough
Profilin' with hoes that we boned a while ago
You rookies haven't done enough laps around the track
You had one hot single, but then your album sounds wack
Son, you bore me with your war stories
You ain't even do that shit, so that's just more stories
How you expect us to take you seriously?
The look in my eye, punk, has got you scared of me
I'm blastin' your sons, I'm snatchin' your funds
You catch a royal ass-whoopin', you've been askin' for one

[Sample scratching]
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"What, what?"
"We thorough to the end"
"Yo, man…" "You know the drill"
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"What, you wanna battle me?!"
"Yo, man, how much money you got?"

[Verse 2]
Bitch, you don't even know the half about me
I bring it straight to your chest, ask your staff about me
I'm just a little bit older, plus a whole lot wiser
I might advise ya, or I might pulverize ya
I can visit any city, get respect in the street
While you alone in your room, shook to death of the streets
I'll take a second to speak, I keep my weapon in reach
I ain't talkin' romance, but you'll get swept off your feet
I keeps a ghetto chick that loves to blast and she peddle shit
Groupies fake moves, I get her to settle shit
You can't compare to the status right here
Legendary worldwide, we can battle right here
Listen, Junior, I'ma tear back your wig
This ain't TV, but I'll show you what a "fear factor" is
Stop grillin' me, and all that frontin' is killin' me
You leave me no choice but to hurt your feelings, G

[Sample scratching]
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"What, you wanna battle me?!"
"Yo, man, how much money you got?"
"What, what?" "We thorough to the end"
"Yo, man…" "You know the drill"
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"We thorough to the end"
"'Bout to slap rappers around—"
"We thorough to the end"
"You know the drill"
"'Bout to slap rappers around and bruise the game"
"You know the drill"

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

8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture

From the albums

8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture (2002)
Rare Play Volume II (2009)

Gang Starr popular songs

BattleGang Starr

Gang Starr

8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture