The Ways-Masta Ace

[ti:The Ways] [ar:Masta Ace] [al:A Long Hot Summer] [by:] [offset:0] [00:00.00]The Ways - Masta Ace [00:02.24]So you want to be in music business [00:04.12] [00:05.35]Listen [00:06.00]A life in rap's like a knife in the back [00:08.44]This life attracts some of the trifest cats [00:10.43] [00:11.05]Niggaz getting deals with pipes and bats [00:13.08] [00:13.62]If that don't work then they strike with gats [00:15.69] [00:16.21]I know a few dudes got label deals [00:18.58]'Cause they crew pack steel like Navy S E A L S [00:21.47]And I ain't too smooth or too cool to mention [00:23.95]I done ran up in the label with cruel intentions [00:26.50]Listen a label guy's like a b**ch in disguise [00:29.44]He just trying to stay alive see the twitch in his eyes [00:32.38]A punch and a slap put his lunch in his lap [00:34.87]And a kick to the gut'll put a hunch in his back [00:37.51]No teeth and gummy and now he talk funny [00:40.12]But he set to sign off on that tour support money(that's right) [00:42.98]This nation's built on violent intimidations [00:45.62]Turn cats to hospital patients they more gracious [00:48.24]No promotion Make 'em float in the ocean [00:50.85]Your album about to flop and he ain't showing emotion [00:53.41]He having a good time with a bunch of his friends [00:56.06]Let him find his dog dead in the trunk of his Benz [00:58.86]And he ignored your memo and the issues on it [01:01.36]Give his a** a bullet with his initials on it [01:04.05]You want a big advance Don't tell him twice [01:06.69]Hang his a** out the window like Vanilla Ice [01:09.55]See cats get the message when they life on the line [01:12.16]But when you call from the crib with they wife on the line [01:14.68]This country of ours was built on violence [01:17.27]If your a** got in the way you was killed in silence [01:20.03]And these been the ways since back in the days [01:22.58]Just ask the Indians or the African slaves [01:25.18]So before you pick a logo and choose a name [01:27.89]First you gotta learn the ways of the music game [01:30.37]Yup [01:30.82]"I need to talk to you right now about my royalties" [01:33.12] [01:34.20] "My office hours are from 9 to 5" [01:37.46]"F**k your office hours I need to talk to you right now motherf**ker " [01:40.01] "What are you doing man " [01:41.20] [01:41.91]These are the ways the ways the ways the ways [01:43.98]This is how you got to get down these days [01:46.42]You want to get paid just remember the phrase [01:49.27]These are the ways the ways the ways the ways [01:51.86] [02:00.62]These are the ways the ways the ways the ways [02:02.70]Now if you think what I'm saying is a bunch of bull [02:05.37]Run up to the label now and punch a fool [02:08.03]And watch niggaz panic and start to run frantic [02:10.80]This goes for Warner Electra and Atlantic [02:13.56]And any other major on the map [02:15.41]Or A and R cat who turned his back after he made you want to rap [02:18.79]See if you can find out a face and name [02:21.21]So you know when you roll who to place the blame [02:23.85]But Keith Murray ain't need investigators [02:26.72]He f**k niggaz up ask questions later [02:29.31]And Diddy had a problem with Stevie Stout [02:31.90]Got a Cristal bottle knocked Stevie out [02:34.62]Damn he even whip a ni**a a** in style [02:37.35]When Suge hears this record man he has to smile [02:39.96]And Def Jam reps wearing vests to work [02:42.52]'Cause they don't want they ribs and they chests to hurt [02:45.23]If I worked for them dudes man you won't see me [02:47.71]When Rocafella fall out with O D B (nope) [02:50.23] [02:51.07]That be a day that I'm a call out sick [02:53.47]'Cause niggaz cool first then they fall out quick (that's right) [02:56.15]Keep on thinking that it's only rap [02:58.46]You'll be a broke-a** ni**a and a lonely cat [03:01.17]So before you get played out and lose your fame [03:03.95]First you got to learn the ways of the music game [03:06.61]Yes [03:07.12]"What the hell you talking about " [03:08.17] "I'm talking about the cars and the clothes [03:10.07]And I got an even longer list of expenses: [03:11.85] [03:13.22]Studio time promotions your expense account " [03:15.84]"You trying to muscle me " [03:17.31]These are the ways the ways the ways the ways [03:19.92]This is how you got to get down these days [03:22.48]You want to get paid just remember the phrase [03:25.28]These are the ways the ways the ways the ways