(Cause it's better to have money and not to need it Than to need it and not to have it And there's a good place in this world for money, yes sirie And I know where it is, it's right here in my pocket - Hey, gimme some - You're talkin' just like a pimp ... - Answer him, answer him - I don't get mad at people like that You know why? Cause he's a revolutionary) [ VERSE 1: Key-Kool (patterned after Ice Cube's "Gangsta Gangsta" verse) ] Here's a little somethin' 'bout a MC like me Dropped "Kozmonautz" and "Galleries" independently Key-Kool, I likes to say That I'm a fresh lyricist from around the way Since I was a youth, a straight b-boy Now I'm takin' out all the sucker decoys Flippin' a rhyme or two, that's what the hell I do You don't like how I'm livin', well (*scratch*) you This is hip-hop and I'm in it My man Rhett will cut you up in a minute With a cut, stab, crab, flare so (funky) And then he claims his crew the Beat Junkies Everywhere we go they say (damn) Visionaries is (*scratch*) up the program And then you realize that we all care For those who just don't know we're throwin' V's in the air And keep makin' straight up (sh...) Does it look like I have to make a hit? To a major label that wanna sign me Rap ain't nothin' but a way to make money But I'm the type of MC that's built to last If you wanna pimp me I put my foot in your ass See, I don't give a (*scratch*) how many records you're sellin' Yo, what the (*scratch*) are they yellin? Make money money, make money money money Make money money, make money money money (*Rhettmatic cuts up*) (Self sufficient, independent)--> D-Nice (It's not about) (reality)--> KRS-One (It's all about) (a salary) (Self sufficient, independent) (I just get down and I go for mine)--> Erick Sermon (Self sufficient, independent) (But now I learn to earn cause I'm righteous)-->Rakim (Self sufficient, independent) [ VERSE 2: Key-Kool ] Just like King Midas, as I was told In this rappin' Olympics fools are rushin' for gold Livin' without code, better change your mode Tryin' to be down with dough on the yellow brick road Wizard of Oz complex is goin' for the riches No heart, no brain, cowardly lost to the bitches Too weak to lead, so they're followin' Weak-kneed MC's now only suck to swallowin' Fallin' in the trap of big money crap The only real big baller who started rappin' is Shaq They act large but it's evident You only make minimal percent unless you're the president I'm want self-empowerment, so others'll pay me rent And I can control my artistic intentions Make investments, count all my blessings See the Age of Aquarius, in fifth dimensions Comprehension like Babu Dynamic like the Duo, it's the two you know Key-Kool and Rhettmatic always come well equipped And like a club in Manila we'll make your whole party flip (*Rhettmatic cuts up*) (Self sufficient, independent)--> D-Nice (It's not about) (reality)--> KRS-One (It's all about) (a salary) (Self sufficient, independent) (I just get down and I go for mine)--> Erick Sermon (Self sufficient, independent) (But now I learn to earn cause I'm righteous)-->Rakim (Self sufficient, independent) (The rap race will be lost without a trace)--> D-Nice (Self sufficient, independent)