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UhYeahNowadays, everybody's always askin me"Yo Class, what can I do to make it in this music game, man?"[Chorus - Classified](Step 1), get your flow, come out of your shell(Step 2), learn the game and study it well(Step 3), go for self, not anyone else(Step 4), if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!) |
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If you wanna make it in the music business |
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I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow |
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Gather all around, sit down and listen |
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And when it's time to go in, kid go all out[Verse 1 - Classified] |
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Uh, yeah, a lot of people be hittin me up |
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Tryin to get into the game and mixin it up |
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Like, I got a name and |
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I'm livin it up |
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Don't think |
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I'm livin it up but |
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I guess I'm gettin my cut(Step 1), always stay faithful |
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And try to bring somethin new to the table |
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The game's tough and the world can be hateful |
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Prepare yourself 'cause that hate might break you |
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Look, a label won't make you |
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Just startin off? |
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Don't worry about sendin in your demo |
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Shit nowadays ain't nobody mail demos anyway |
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Gotta learn, value every penny saved(Step 2), make your music timeless' |
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Cause that'll live on after you gone in silence |
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Never run out of gas like drivin a |
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HybridYou in for the long haul, so mind your mileage |
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Now to make a record takes real talent |
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But after that's when you face a real challenge |
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That's when you see who's got the heart and the valence |
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And honestly, it's hard to find the right balance |
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You follow me? |
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Good, now the record is done |
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And the pressure is on and the lessons to come |
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Now we separate one from the rest of the bunch |
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The test has begun (the test has begun)[Chorus - Classified](Step 1), get your flow, come out of your shell(Step 2), learn the game and study it well(Step 3), go for self, not anyone else(Step 4), and if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!) |
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If you wanna make it in the music business (yeah) |
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I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow (ha) |
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Gather all around, sit down and listen (uh) |
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And when it's time to go in (yeah), kid go all out[Verse 2 - Classified] |
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Alright team, let's huddle in it |
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We gotta build our own buzz, the hustle begins |
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I know you write rhymes but can you draw crowds? |
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That's the key to success, so don't get locked out |
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You gotta draw hype, everything is fair play |
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Hit the blog sites, the streets and the airplay |
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Avoid the negativity, any haters and low lifes |
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And oh right, get your live show tight(Step 3), always step up your performance |
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Nothin more important than doin shows and tourin |
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Hit the open mics, hit your local promoters |
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Who are puttin on shows and need a couple local openers |
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Be the engineer and the manager |
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And the record label and the janitor |
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Be a pro in this whole pro-cess |
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The promoter, the producer and you may progress(Step 4), and when the real work's done |
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You know what they say "if you build it, they will come" |
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The labels come callin but the tables have spun |
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Now you got the under hand, you can take what you want |
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You think sellin records, is gonna make you income? |
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What I make in sales, |
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I make in three shows and then some |
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Remember this, anyone can sell your music |
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But they can't sell your live show unless you're gonna do it |
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You can take this for whatever it's worth, my word |
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But there's no guarantees it's gonna work for sure[Chorus - Classified](Step 1), don't believe all the shit they say(Step 2), the industry is a shady place(Step 3), and everybody is out for self(Step 4), so if you wanna be heard (you gotta yell!) |
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If you wanna make it in the music business (yeah) |
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I wrote a couple steps that you all could follow (ha) |
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Gather all around, sit down and listen (uh) |
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And when it's time to go in, kid go all out[Outro - Sample] |
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It's a game, at times unrealistic |
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But a game all the same |
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Somebody wins and somebody loses |
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It all depends on whoever chooses |
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To take it most seriously [fades out] |
