Dead In A Minute feat. Caiti Baker
A.B. Original Lyrics

Yo Rakim, what's up?
Hey Rakim, how's it going?

Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E., man I'm trying to get paid in full
I'm doing well, trying to make money.

Well, check this out, since Norby Walters is our agency, right?
Since Norby Walters is our agent, do you remember?

Kara Lewis is our agent, word up
Kara Lewis is our agent, just so you know.

Zakia and 4th and Broadway is our record company, indeed
Our record label is Zakia and 4th and Broadway.

Okay, so who we rollin' with then? We rollin' with Rush
So, who are we working with? We're working with Rush.

Of Rushtown Management
Who is part of Rushtown Management.

Check this out, since we talking over
Listen up, while we're discussing this.

This def beat right here that I put together
This excellent beat that I created.

I wanna hear some of them def rhymes, you know what I'm sayin'?
I want to hear some of your great rhymes, do you understand what I'm saying?

And together, we can get paid in full
If we work together, we can make a lot of money.

Thinkin' of a master plan
Thinking of a great way to make money.

'Cause ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand
I have no money, just sweat in my hand.

So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
I reach into my pocket but I have already spent all my money.

So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint
I keep searching but only find lint.

So I start my mission, leave my residence
I start my journey and leave home.

Thinkin' how could I get some dead presidents
Thinking about how to get money (referring to presidents on US currency).

I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
I need money, and used to rob people (stick-up kid).

So I think of all the devious things I did
I think about all the terrible things I have done in the past to get money.

I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nuthin' funny
I would rob people, saying 'this is a hold up,' and it wasn't a joke.

Stop smiling, be still, don't nuthin' move but the money
I would tell them to stop looking happy and be quiet, and only give me money.

But now I learned to earn 'cause I'm righteous
Now I know how to make money in the right way.

I feel great, so maybe I might just
I feel good, maybe I'll try to make money honestly.

Search for a nine to five, if I strive
Looking for a regular job and working hard.

Then maybe I'll stay alive
Then maybe I'll be able to survive financially.

So I walk up the street whistlin' this
Walking up the street, whistling a tune.

Feelin' out of place 'cause, man, do I miss
Feeling like I don't belong, missing something important.

A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
A pen and paper to write rhymes, a stereo and music to listen to.

Me and Eric be, and a nice big plate of
Me and Eric B. (Rakim's DJ/producer) and a big plate of food.

Fish, which is my favorite dish
My favorite food is fish.

But without no money it's still a wish
But without money, it's just a wish that cannot come true.

'Cause I don't like to dream about gettin' paid
I don't like to only dream about getting paid, I want to make it a reality.

So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
I use the rhymes that I've written to try to make money.

So now to test to see if I got pull
Now I'm going to see if I have the influence to make money.

Hit the studio, 'cause I'm paid in full
Go to the studio to make music and make money because I've been successful in the music industry.

Rakim, check this out, yo
Rakim, listen to me for a moment.

You go to your girl house and I'll go to mine
You go to your girlfriend's house and I'll go to mine.

'Cause my girl is definitely mad
Because my girlfriend is definitely angry.

'Cause it took us too long to do this album
Because it took us too long to make this album.

Yo, I hear what you're saying
I understand what you're saying.

So let's just pump the music up
Let's turn up the music and get back to work.

And count our money
Let's count our earnings.

Yo, well check this out, yo Eli
Listen up, Eli.

Turn down the bass down
Lower the bass in the music.

And let the beat just keep on rockin'
Let the beat in the music continue playing.

And we outta here
And we're done here, leaving.

Yo, what happened to peace?
What happened to the concept of peace?