"The Message & The Money"
[Immortal Technique]
Before we go any further..
I would like to send a message to all the underground mc's out there, working hard
The time has come to realize you networked in a market
and stop being a f**ing commodity
And if you didn't understand what I've just said then you already waiting to get f**ed
For example; a lot of these promoters are doing showcases
throwing events, and not even paying the workhorses
They trying get us to rock for the love of hiphop or rock for the exposure
Now look man, I don't mind doing a guest spot for my peeps
Or, or, or doing a benefit show, but don't lie to me p**y
Coz I find out I'm paying your lightbill, I'm f**ing you up n***a
Besides, you ain't doing this for the love, you ain't doing it for the exposure
you charging up to 10$ at the door, and you ain't tryin to give me sh**??
So wait a minute... you want me to go shopping, cook the food, and put it in front of you
but you won't let me sit down and eat with you? The f** is that?
n***az need to start playing their position, man. Just coz you throw a party
a hosting event or an open mic or a showcase, or a battle
that don't make you important at all
Without me and everybody like me out there
you ain't nutting but a good idea, motherf**er
So stay in your place
And to all these b**ha** saronayas who are too lazy to come up with a way to sell records..
That they keep recycling marketing schemes and imagery
C'mon..
There is a market for everything man
There is a market for pet psychologists n***a. There is a market for twisted
sh**fetish video's. For nipplerings, for riverdancing, for chocolate cupboard roaches..
But you can't find one for cultured hardcore reality and hiphop?
People like you: the house n***a executives
and them rich motherf**ers that own you; you the motherf**ing machine man!
You and all these n***az talking about the same sh**
with the same flow over the same candy-a** beats
But I refuse the feed the machine
And Im not giving any magazine money
So maybe my album won't get 5 mics, or double-x-l's, or 5 discs
Whatever man, f** it
But then again; you don't own me, and none of you n***az ever will
If I'm feeling what you fight for I'm rolling with you to the end
But if not, then fu*k YOU!
And the more that mc's, producers, dj's
and independent labels start to grasp the conceptuality
of what their contribution to the business of hiphop is
rather then just the music - the more the industry will be forced to change
Oh, heh, and one last thing;
You don't have to agree with everything I've said
But don't ever be condescending to me
Picking up your wack a** friends that rhyme and being like
'Ow yeah, Immortal Technique - he's aaiight'
No n***a..
Your mom is p**y, that's aaiight, ok..
Your peoples getting shot dead in the street, that's aaiight
I'm the motherf**ing Immortal Technique n***a! The message and the money!
And you ain't got either!
Remember that!
Punk a** motherf**er..