Imagine you a shorty just surviving
No father figure with you, living and residing
In the lowest income neighborhood expose to violence
No resources, so you don't have a lot of options
Most of your friends play sports trying to go to college
Hoping that their talents one day will make them scholars
You got a different skill you putting all your time in
Words in your mind merged with melodies and concepts, rhyming
Recording is no longer expensive nah
Don't need a big studio, now it's simplified
You got the speakers, a microphone, an inbox
Laptop and any plug ins used to mix it right
You recording and producing at a fast rate
A million plays on your SoundCloud on your last tape
And the hard work suddenly pay off when
You get an email from the label to come to the office
Pour a drink
Raise a toast
Yellow brick road to the riches but you're broke
The grass ain't greener on the other side
Of this musical genocide
Pour a drink
Raise a toast
Yellow brick road to the riches but you're broke aye
The grass ain't greener on the other side
Of this musical genocide
Aye
The secretary ask you who you here to see
You tell her your name and then you hand her your ID
A&R daps you asking if you traveled from a long way
A million offices while you walking through the hallway
But this place ain't what you thought or expect
You thought it be full of music the art and respect
But the energy make you feel like you walked into death
Get into the office and all you see is lawyers, execs
Say they love your song and what they plan to do with it
How much you gone to make with the proper tools to it
Show you platinum plaques and artist they moving with
And all the opportunities that you can get
Having thoughts of what can happen if you might sign
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime
Pressures on, feeling like you running out time
Which make you say eff it so you sign they dotted line
Pour a drink
Raise a toast
Yellow brick road to the riches but you're broke
The grass ain't greener on the other side
Of this musical genocide
Pour a drink
Raise a toast
Yellow brick road to the riches but you're broke aye
The grass ain't greener on the other side
Of this musical genocide
Aye
So now you big time, known every place you go
You played on all DSP's and the radio
Grace the stage on every festival and major show
Then you get your check and say this ain't the way to go
No
Couldn't afford a lawyer on your own
Didn't know they take a portion of what you own
Your contract is extortion, advance is a loan
You the last to get paid and you made the songs
After taxes and expenses
You realize you can't live off your percentage
They say don't take it personal it's just business
Just cuz you make more than most from the hood
Don't give your ownership
To appropriators
Taking advantage of the kids and the pro creators
I'm always anti business and pro creators
We were made to be stars
Don't ever let them dictate what you make from your art