The Ways Lyrics - A Long Hot Summer - Masta Ace

So you want to be in music business? 

Listen 

A life in rap's like a knife in the back 

This life attracts some of the trifest cats 

Niggaz getting deals with pipes and bats 

If that don't work then they strike with gats 

I know a few dudes got label deals 

'Cause they crew pack steel like Navy S.E.A.L.S 

And I ain't too smooth or too cool to mention 

I done ran up in the label with cruel intentions 

Listen, a label guy's like a bitch in disguise 

He just trying to stay alive, see the twitch in his eyes? 

A punch and a slap put his lunch in his lap 

And a kick to the gut'll put a hunch in his back 

No teeth and gummy and now he talk funny 

But he set to sign off on that tour support money (that's right) 

This nation's built on violent intimidations 

Turn cats to hospital patients they more gracious 

No promotion? Make 'em float in the ocean 

Your album about to flop and he ain't showing emotion 

He having a good time with a bunch of his friends 

Let him find his dog dead in the trunk of his Benz 

And he ignored your memo and the issues on it 

Give his ass a bullet with his initials on it 

You want a big advance? Don't tell him twice 

Hang his ass out the window like Vanilla Ice 

See cats get the message when they life on the line 

But when you call from the crib with they wife on the line 

This country of ours was built on violence 

If your ass got in the way you was killed in silence 

And these been the ways since back in the days 

Just ask the Indians or the African slaves 

So before you pick a logo, and choose a name 

First you gotta learn the ways of the music game 

Yup 

"I need to talk to you right now about my royalties"... 

... "My office hours are from 9 to 5" 

"Fuck your office hours. I need to talk to you right now motherfucker!"... 

... "What are you doing man?" 

[Chorus] 

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways 

This is how you got to get down these days 

You want to get paid just remember the phrase 

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways 

("The ways" scratched repeatedly) 

These are the ways, the ways, the ways, the ways 

Now if you think what I'm saying is a bunch of bull 

Run up to the label now and punch a fool 

And watch niggaz panic and start to run frantic 

This goes for Warner, Electra, and Atlantic 

And any other major on the map 

Or A&R cat who turned his back after he made you want to rap 

See if you can find out a face and name 

So you know when you roll who to place the blame 

But Keith Murray ain't need investigators 

He fuck niggaz up, ask questions later 

And Diddy had a problem with Stevie Stout 

Got a Cristal bottle, knocked Stevie out 

Damn, he even whip a nigga ass in style 

When Suge hears this record man he has to smile 

And Def Jam reps wearing vests to work 

'Cause they don't want they ribs and they chests to hurt 

If I worked for them dudes man you won't see me 

When Rocafella fall out with O.D.B. (nope) 

That be a day that I'm a call out sick 

'Cause niggaz cool first then they fall out quick (that's right) 

Keep on thinking that it's only rap 

You'll be a broke-ass nigga and a lonely cat 

So before you get played out and lose your fame 

First you got to learn the ways of the music game 

Yes 

"What the hell you talking about?"... 

... "I'm talking about the cars and the clothes 

and I got an even longer list of expenses: 

Studio time, promotions, your expense account..." 

"You trying to muscle me?"... 

[Chorus] 

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