This is What I Do
AZ Lyrics

Yes, yes, ladies and gentlemen
AZ thanks the audience for their support and acknowledges their importance

I'll like to thank you for your support, love
AZ expresses gratitude towards the audience for their support and love

Not only to me, but to the whole hip-hop industry itself
AZ acknowledges the importance of support towards the entire hip-hop industry

We as a whole, we've been weathering in the Storm
AZ acknowledges the struggles that the hip-hop community has faced and overcome

From the start, 30-plus years ago to now
AZ highlights the longevity and history of hip-hop as a genre

But uh, like all weapons of hate, we perceiver
AZ asserts that despite adversity, the hip-hop community perseveres

So allow me to speak not only for me
AZ acknowledges and speaks on behalf of the hip-hop coalition

But on behalf of the hip-hop coalition
AZ emphasizes the collective nature of hip-hop and speaks in solidarity with the community

Every hood, every ghetto across the United States of America
AZ acknowledges the geographical and cultural diversity within the hip-hop community

Yea, as a youngin' I was sittin'- spittin' sponge-in'
AZ reminisces about his early days as a budding rapper, eager to learn and improve

Just learnin' the life, and Christ second comin'
AZ recalls the religious influences in his upbringing and how they have informed his perspective on life

Well mannered and nice, got advice from women
AZ acknowledges the role that supportive women have played in his life and career

But when the money get tight, the stomach start grumblin'
AZ reveals that financial struggles can take a toll on one's wellbeing

It was some of then, wasn't all Hammers then
AZ recalls the days when firearms were not a ubiquitous presence in his community

Went in the Benz, it was kingpin and bubblin'
AZ reflects on the allure of fast cars and illicit activities that sometimes come with success in the rap industry

We started huddlin', puttin' in, and jugglin'
AZ describes the collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit of his early days in the industry

A shear later we straight, no more strugglin'
AZ notes that with time, he and his peers were able to overcome financial difficulties

But that was only the start
AZ emphasizes that financial success was not the end goal, but rather a stepping stone

The love between homey started fallin' apart
AZ laments the breakdown of camaraderie and trust within his community

I guess anything's addictive when it's callin' your heart
AZ reflects on the seductive pull of money and power, even when it leads to negative consequences

Death and incarceration had us all in the dark
AZ speaks on the toll that violence and imprisonment have taken on his community

We was done, some'll say "we had a beautiful run"
AZ acknowledges that some might regard the dark times as inevitable and part of a larger narrative

And the beauty is skin deep was beneath the slums
AZ recognizes that beneath the surface-level ugliness and violence of his community, there was a certain beauty and resilience

I was numb, that was like speakin' in tongues
AZ describes feeling emotionally detached and desensitized during the difficult times

So relax, I adapt within a week I was sprung
AZ explains that he was able to bounce back and adapt to his circumstances quickly

Spoke facts on the track, it's like squeezin' a gun
AZ compares the power of truth-telling in his music to that of a loaded weapon

No more crack, all the boys on my back hearin' "RUN"
AZ references his decision to distance himself from drug use, and the pressure he faced from his peers to do the same

Yea, I changed & came, all them years, on the stairs G Rap & Kane
AZ reflects on the evolution of his sound and style over the years, and acknowledges the influence of fellow rappers Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane

I felt pain, them beamers still lurkin' my brain
AZ admits that despite his success, he cannot fully shake off the materialistic desires that come with it

But the ways is the most high is to preserve to explain
AZ acknowledges the role that faith and spirituality have played in keeping him grounded and focused

It was the fame, that focused me, perfected my game
AZ credits his success and growth as an artist to his newfound fame and attention

And like that, there's so many others that this rap will remain
AZ recognizes that his own story is just one of many within the rich history of hip-hop

And in exchange, we give fans the force of the reign
AZ explains that the loyalty and dedication of his fans drive him to continue making music

To feed, nurture, and breed, and be the voice of the slain
AZ frames his work as a rapper as a duty to uplift and represent his community, particularly those who have been oppressed or affected by violence

It's a shame, but that real shit come wit the life
AZ acknowledges that the realities of poverty, violence, and struggle are often unavoidable in the lives of those from his community

And in order to obtain you gotta sacrifice
AZ recognizes that achieving success requires hard work and sacrifice

It's like cuttin' your bitch shorter, don't pass on fights
AZ offers a metaphor to explain the concept of sacrifice - it's akin to cutting off something you love, and not shying away from challenges

I'ma tourer, so you know all my facts is right
AZ asserts that his life experiences have given him an authentic perspective that he brings to his music

Plus my Aurora is like used spoilers on the porch at night
AZ references his luxury car (an Oldsmobile Aurora) as a symbol of his success and affluence

So be polite, just go for them critics that write
AZ advises listeners to ignore negative criticisms and focus on enjoying the music

This is Rap, we from the hood, just tryin' to get a slice
AZ reminds listeners of the genre's roots in the struggles of impoverished communities, and the motivation behind his success

Some'll bite, but the most just coast wit ice
AZ acknowledges that some rappers might be more focused on flashy material displays than true artistry

Ha ha-ha ha, yea, hey, it is what it is
AZ adopts a slightly ironic and self-aware tone in reflecting on his life and the rap industry

You know Rap has no rules
AZ acknowledges the freewheeling and rule-breaking nature of rap as a genre

See my enlightener he-he once told me once said
AZ references a mentor or role model who has provided guidance and wisdom

"If there is no devilish-men, then there won't be Godliness"
AZ cites a phrase that implies that good cannot exist without evil, and suggests that the struggles inherent in his community have paradoxically helped them discover their own nobility

"One can't exist without the other"
AZ summarizes and reiterates the philosophy behind the previous line

Knaw'mean?, it's like a Doctor is only needed to heal
AZ offers another metaphor for the role of hip-hop in his community - just as a doctor can only be a doctor if there are sick people who need healing, hip-hop is necessary because of the struggles and injustices that its community experiences

And he caters to the sick, so the sick must exist, ya heard?
AZ emphasizes the symbiosis between those who need help and those who provide it

A Minister - he only gives sermon to - uh you know -
AZ offers another example of the same concept, highlighting the way that religious leaders provide guidance and comfort to those who are seeking it

Those seeking for forgiveness - so them sinners must exist
AZ concludes the metaphor by referencing the common religious notion that true redemption requires sinning and repenting

You know? it's simple simplistic, ha ha-ha ha
AZ sums up the metaphor as a simple but powerful way of understanding the role of hip-hop in his community

It's AZ the GOD - Constantine - Quiet Money for life
AZ shouts out his own nickname and brand, emphasizing his status as a respected and influential figure in the rap industry

This is What I Do, I'm here
AZ concludes the song with a reaffirmation of his life's work as a rapper and his continued presence in the industry