Rules

There's rules to this shit, but I'm a bout to beak 'em
What up BIG? Thanks for inspiration
But I gotta go my own way, own route, new day
Delayed a minute, now I'm back on track
You can't deny the truth because the facts are fact
And the fact is that
The whole world got a system in place
To keep up all stuck in a space
It goes wake up, go to work, come home tired
Drink as much coffee as you need to stay inspired
Work just hard enough so that you don't get fired
Cause you gotta get money, buy the things that you desire
That you've seen on the TV screen in between
Running in place, playing your part in the scheme
But you've know it since the Wu, it's all about the C.R.E.A.M.
And cash rules everything, there's no question
Number one rule in life, no second-guessing
If you're truly legit, you gotta know there's rule to this shit

There's rules to this rap game, what they wanna hear
What's hot, what's not
Well, let me make it clear
I ain't had a successful career
'Til you hear me on a track next to Premier
I'm hear for respect, never lying for a check
I'm above the wine and dining, see through it- that's a bet
I plan to be around for a long, long time
There's a hard road ahead, it's a one big climb
But I'll be just fine- your vision's just different than mine
See I learned how to rhyme by a different design
Remember I had the album with the Canibus sign
Smif-n-Wessun, Boot Camp taught me the meaning of shine
I was banging Big L, Screwball, and Cormega
Lost Boyz, DMX, of course Jigga
The L.O.X. had me wilding out non-stop
I'd love to burn it down with that clique
But it'll probably never happen, cause there's rules to this shit

Now let me put you on to the rules I plan to play by
Stay honest, even when they lie
It's been said before but it bears repeating
All I got is my balls and my word, emceeing
Play hard, any and all seasons
Falling back on the team, is nothing short of treason
Even in the spring sneezing gotta bless the tracks for the legions
Of fans, AKA the Army
One nation under hip-hop ya'll, you can't harm me
I know you heard this before...
Never get high on your own supply
Nah I'm just playing, but don't forget who did the paving
Of this road that we're on right now, know what I'm saying?
Plus I get high as shit off of the lines that I flip
Gotta be careful it don't go to my head
That's code red
Brain-dead, hit's got you in a twist
Think you might rise above the mix?
C'mon, man, there's rules to this shit