[Nas]
Yo ill will, ruff ryders
What what, sraight like that
[Verse 1]
You a k**er or a hustler, dealer or customer
Gangsta or buster, youngster or old n***a
A weed head, a coke sniffer
You rich or a broke n***a
Know you all relate to this sh** that I wrote n***as
Lots of my mans trapped up in a max
Penitentiary, sending me letters I answer back
That eventually, we all be bentley'ed out
Throwing campaigns, f** it I'm running for White House
My n***as control Senate, pipe seats jeeps tinted
Mad Lewinsky chicks, some kinky sh**
Did dirt now I knew it would come back one day
So I'm on point, scrap, prepare for gunplay
Stared at one face, thought it was beef he looked familiar
Ready to blast, n***a gave me daps said I feel ya
Can't believe how my life changed
From the hood, the first time in my life I can say I did the right thing
[Hook x4]
Life is what you make it n***a, I'mma make it
No matter what it takes my n***a, we gonna take it(uh)
[Verse 2: DMX]
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
Everyday sh**, around the way sh** got me stressed (what)
So I keep on the vest in case a n***a wanna test (uh)
I got no time for games cause I'm all grown up
You wanna joke n***a? laugh when you get blown up (come on)
See how funny it is when your kids ain't got no father
Cause you played it sweet now you floating in the harbor (for real)
sh** is hectic so respect it for your health (what)
Didn't think it was right, you should've checked it yourself (come on)
Life is too short to get caught up in some dumb sh**
Wake up one day, 40 years old on some bumb sh**
Time flew by, you was too fly to see the light
Everyday it's getting darker then comes the night
Now what? (what) realize that you ain't got sh** (uh)
Not long ago you was the man on some hot sh**
So just peep the flow yo, cause you already in this
Make sure your sh** is right kid and handle your business (uh huh)
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Nas]
Make history before you go
f** the misery, you livin' po' we gettin doe
Except the dollars other reasons why I'm living yo (why?)
Time is valuable
Low and behold the young, black, and powerful
Got to eat yo, everyday my daughter feet grow
You wack and cheap with the doe, my heat could blow
Payin' doctors when I'm born, a preacher if I'm buried
That's why cash is needed for my kids to inherit
Gotta pay just for living, tax life is a b'ness (business)
If you catch a bad deal, watch your life diminish
Deals made by God and the Devil, and we in it
Pawns in the game, can't complain or say sh**
Just strap up and hold on, hope for the best
Prepare for the worst, no fears no nothing on earth
No tears if I'm dumped in a hearse, I won't be the first
Nor the last n***a, let's get this cash n***a
[Hook]