[Intro] Uh-huh Gon' have a lil' bit of fun today Rap to some, sh** just layin around Don't take me too serious; y'knahmsayin? {*scratch: "Havin cash is highly addictive Especially when you used to havin money to live with" - Mobb Deep*} [Blueprint] I'm "Illmatic" when it comes to countin my dough 1's and 5's go to wifey son, you know how that go I'm probably posted in a hotel after a show Countin show and merch' money, rubber band on my rolls I think I was 13 or 14 When my parents had to have a little talk with me They told me money don't grow on trees And ever since then I've been on my P's Up and out the house into the morning air Needed a 9 to 5 job and I didn't care where Then finally found two at the Ohio State Fair Just to spend all the money that I made on gear Fast forward to the present now rap's my job But I'm still goin after it hard Because I know the ride could end just as fast as it starts And I'll be right back on the block with "Dead Presidents" [Chorus: repeat 2X] {*scratch: "Havin cash is highly addictive Especially when you used to havin money to live with" - Mobb Deep*} [Blueprint] Uh-huh... huh You need to stop rappin, if you ain't seein no perks No fanbase, no cream, no skirts I study bad music like it was my homework I learn the most from whack gimmicks that don't work It's true, you could learn a lot from a dummy I learned how to make money, and hold it tight So nobody on God's green earth can take it from me And when they try I make it ugly, feel that See I'm inspired by real rap Those that tried hard to chart and still failed Those told the earth was flat and still sailed They went against all odds and did well Every wish that accompanies a penny in a well is the dream of a criminal, sittin in a jail Livin in hell, head spinnin in a cell About to break but held together by fam sendin him mail with "Dead Presidents" [Chorus] - echoes and fades, beat plays to end