How Not To Get Jerked

Boogie Down Productions

"And now a word from our sponsor.."



[KRS One]



Now technically speakin I ain't 'sposed to be doin this



Like givin information to the ones that are new to this



You wanna 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!



"It's like that y'all" *16X*



"One, two, three, WHOO!"



[KRS-One]



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 wanna



be black anymore, or, you don't wanna 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