Yo, Rakim, what's up?
Eric B. greets Rakim to start talking about their business strategy

Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E., I'm tryna get paid in full
Rakim is gathering information and ideas to become wealthy

Well, check this out, since Nobry Walters is our agency, right?
Eric B. shares some important business information with Rakim about their agency and management

True
Rakim agrees with Eric B.'s statement

Cara Lewis is our agent
Another important business detail is disclosed by Eric B.

Word up
Rakim acknowledges Eric B.'s comment

Zakia and 4th and Broadway is our record company
Eric B. shares information about their record company with Rakim

Indeed
Rakim agrees with Eric B.'s statement

Okay, so who we rollin' with?
Eric B. confirms the management company they are associated with

We rollin' with Rush
Eric B. specifies their management company is Rush

Of Rushtown Management
Eric B. discloses the complete name of their management company

So check this out
Eric B. wants Rakim to pay attention to what he is about to say

Since we talking over this def beat right here that I put together
Eric B. mentions the beat they are talking over, which he created himself

I wanna hear some of them def rhymes
Eric B. asks Rakim to share some of his impressive rhymes

You know what I'm sayin'?
Eric B. asks Rakim if he understands what he means

And together, we can get paid in full
Eric B. believes that by sharing their talents, they can become wealthy

Thinkin' of a master plan
Rakim starts reflecting on his plan to make money

'Cause ain't nothin' but sweat inside my hand
Rakim realizes he has no money in his hand, but only sweat due to his hard work

So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
Rakim checks his pocket only to find out he has spent all his money already

So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint
Rakim keeps searching but only finds lint instead of money

So I start my mission, leave my residence
Rakim decides to leave his house and start his mission to make money

Thinkin' "How could I get some dead presidents?"
Rakim starts thinking about ways to make money (slang term for US currency notes is 'dead presidents')

I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
To make money, Rakim used to hold up people with a gun in the past

So I think of all the devious things I did
Rakim reminisces about all the bad things he did to make money in the past

I used to roll up, "This is a hold up, ain't nothin' funny
Rakim describes how he used to hold up people with a gun in the past as a form of robbery

Stop smilin', be still, don't nothin' move but the money"
In his past, Rakim used to tell the victims of his robberies to stop smiling and keep still

But now I learned to earn 'cause I'm righteous
Rakim mentions he has learned to earn money in a righteous way (without harming others)

I feel great, so maybe I might just
Rakim feels great about his newfound approach for earning money and wants to continue on this path

Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Rakim thinks of searching for a regular job working from 9 AM to 5 PM

Then maybe I'll stay alive
Rakim believes that finding a regular job might help him stay alive and out of crime

So I walk up the street whistlin' this
Rakim walks up the street whistling a tune

Feelin' out of place 'cause, man, do I miss
Rakim feels out of place because he misses his old habits and the lifestyle he used to have

A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Rakim misses the simple things like writing (pen and paper), music (stereo), and tapes of his own creations

Me and Eric B, and a nice big plate of
Rakim misses working with Eric B. and having a nice meal together

Fish, which is my favorite dish
Rakim mentions fish as his favorite food

But without no money, it's still a wish
Although Rakim likes fish, he cannot afford it at the moment due to his financial situation

'Cause I don't like to dream about gettin' paid
Rakim dislikes dreaming about becoming wealthy and prefers to have actual money

So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
Rakim decides to look through his old rhymes to find inspiration for his future work and earnings

So now's a test to see if I got pull
Rakim thinks of this as a test to see if he can still attract people to listen to his music

Hit the studio, 'cause I'm paid in full
Rakim decides to work in the studio where he will earn money from his music

Rakim, check this out, yo
Eric B. calls Rakim's attention for another matter

You go to your girl house and I'll go to mine
Eric B. suggests they should both go home to their respective partners

'Cause my girl is definitely mad
Eric B.'s partner is angry at him for taking so long to finish their album

'Cause it took us too long to do this album
The album took too long to finish, causing frustration from both parties

Yo, I hear what you sayin'
Rakim understands what Eric B. is saying

So let's just pump the music up
Rakim suggests increasing the volume of their music

And count our money
Instead of arguing, Rakim suggests they should focus on counting their earnings

Yo, well check this out, yo Eli
Rakim calls for attention and mentions someone named Eli

Turn the bass down
Rakim asks Eli to lower the volume of the bass

And just let the beat keep on rockin'
Rakim suggests keeping the beat playing without making any changes

And we outta here
Rakim implies that they are done with their work and it's time to leave

Yo, what happened to peace?
Rakim asks a rhetorical question about the state of society and the lack of peace