[Verse 1] Things ain't always what they seem or cracked up to be Like all these fakin' ass rappers in this industry Talkin' bout what they got, and they ain't got a damn thang How you own three cars, but you don't own ya own name? Get ya business right boys, the first class is in session Get a entertainment lawyer in the music profession Start up ya own company, trademark the name That's gon' run ya bout a grand so start savin' ya change Open a bank account quick, and then follow these steps Sign yourself to yourself and start signin' ya own checks Hit the booth and start recording at the speed of need Whatever gets ya juices flowin' could be speed or weed Get it mixed and mastered, pressed up and plastered Sell it to ya whole hood out the trunk, ya bastard! Show all the non-believers what you destined to be And in just a couple years you could be rich like me
[Hook] But I can't hold my tounge I'ma tell it like it is This biz ain't all fun I'ma tell it like it is Give it to ya straight, no chase I'ma tell it like it is Look you straight in yo face And I'ma tell it like it is
I can't hold my tounge I'ma tell it like it is This biz ain't all fun I'ma tell it like it is Give it to ya straight, no chase I'ma tell it like it is Look you straight in yo face And I'ma tell it like it is
[Verse 2] See, mostly all your favorite artists got some serious problems The money could be the problem, but money can't solve 'em Some get addicted to drugs and flat out lazy Some taste a little fame and go flat out crazy I'm close 'cause those close wanna live off my fame And that type of shit alone will drive a nigga insane Not to mention all the vultures, the scandelous promoters Crabs will try to sue ya, magazines will misquote ya Most of these label-heads, they don't care nothin' about ya If you stop sellin' records, they'll act like they don't know ya It's hard mixin' business with pleasure, so don't play Me and my crew argue and fight like every other day Rappers ain't above the law, but our life is so fast That we got a Special Task Force of police on our ass All that, and this is really just the start of it Hip Hop, you really wanna be a part of it?
[Hook] I can't hold my tounge I'ma tell it like it is This biz ain't all fun I'ma tell it like it is Give it to ya straight, no chase I'ma tell it like it is Look you straight in yo face And I'ma tell it like it is
I can't hold my tounge I'ma tell it like it is Man this biz ain't all fun I'ma tell it like it is I'ma give it to ya straight, no chase I'ma tell it like it is Look you straight in yo face And I'ma tell it like it is
[Verse 3] What's worse than havin' no money is havin' it and losin' it What's worse than havin' some money is grabbin' and abusin' it We never took no money from Chingy, thought I was cool wit him I wish his ass well, but I don't want nothin' to do with him! Some don't own they publishin', me I never fool wit 'em I'm down for my artists, try my best to stay true to 'em 'Cause outside my label competition is irrelevant Unless I'm still in competition with my president And believe that I'm supportin' the Hova ''Cause the industry's shady, it needs to be taken over' But the first rule to accumalation of wealth Is Don't trust nobody but ya God damned self!
[Hook] I can't hold my tounge I'ma tell it like it is Man this biz ain't all fun I'ma tell it like it is I'm give it to ya straight, no chase &l