Now technically speakin' I ain't 'sposed to be doin' this 
Like givin' information to the ones that are new to this 
You want to make a record and get into the business? 
Here's a little plan from a six year witness 
First you gotta understand the music game 
It's not about fame  it's about a rich name 
And who you're down with  and who you clown with 
But most of all, you got to have a gift ("it's like that") 
Either music or the fresh lyrics 
Or a vibe; people like to buy your spirit 
Everybody knows KRS-One is dope 
To really see it, you gotta use a telescope, hah! 
There's no hope when you're shoppin' for a deal 
Either sex appeal, or the hard street feel 
But if you don't have a lawyer you're a goner 
Don't even think about chillin' in a sauna 
You need a lawyer, and a good manager 
Without this, the record companies won't be havin ya 
So I'm grabbin' ya now and showin' ya how 
Not to get jerked when you do hard work! 

[Repeat x16]
"It's like that y'all" 
"One, two, three, whoo!" 

Yo, there's more to it, but let's get through it 
Many MC's reached the top and then blew it 
You say, "I knew it, that last jam was wack" 
Either you're strung out on crack, or you don't want to 
Be black anymore, or, you don't want to rap anymore 
Or, you do a wack tour, or, you get in trouble with the law 
Or, your fans you ignore, or, you get punched in the jaw 
'Cause, you're not hardcore! 
What makes a jam isn't luck or fate 
It's writin' the jams that the people can relate to 
Or else they'll hate you 
The public will mark you down as a fake crew 
You don't need allathat 
Just rap from the heart and you'll have a good start 
But a lot of MC's want girls 
And want to live on top of the world 
In the jam they want to flirt 
Here's how not to get jerked when you do hard work! 

[Repeat x16]
"It's like that y'all" 

Now understand, rap is rebellious music 
Therefore, only the rebel should use it 
But pop artists abuse it 
When the audience hears real rap, they boo it 
See rap music is a culture 
And everyone outside that culture is a vulture 
The vulture makes money on the culture 
Understand, I ain't tryin' to insult ya 
But you're either usin' rap like the devil 
Or you're pushin' rap to another level 
So don't wait for your company's promotions staff 
Promote yourself with your own cash! 
But this might mean you can't buy gold 
You might have to put that on hold 
'Cause if the artist falls, they diss him! 
But if the company falls, the artist falls with them! 
This ain't about a tight skirt 
Here's how not to get jerked when you do hard work!