Road to Riches
B.I.G Lyrics

When I was five years old I realized there was a road
At a young age, I became aware that there was a path to success

At the end I will win lots of pots of gold
In the end, I will attain great wealth and success

Never took a break, never made a mistake
I always stayed focused and never allowed myself to make errors

Took time to create 'cause there's money to make
I invested time and effort into my craft because it presented opportunities for financial gain

To be a billionaire takes hard work for years
Achieving billionaire status requires persistent hard work over a long period

Some nights I shed a tear while I said a prayer
During challenging moments, I found solace in prayer and occasionally felt emotional

Been through hard times, even worked part time
I experienced difficult periods and had to take on additional jobs

In a Key Food store sweeping floors sometimes
I worked at a Key Food store, occasionally fulfilling the role of a janitor

I was sort of a porter taking the next man's orders
I served as a porter, carrying out tasks and following instructions

Breaking my back for a shack from headquarters
I exerted immense effort for minimal rewards, symbolized by a humble dwelling

All my manpower for four bucks an hour
I dedicated all my physical strength for a meager wage of four dollars per hour

Took my time and wrote rhymes in the shower
I utilized moments in the shower to compose lyrics and express my creativity

Shoes are scuffed cause the road gets rough
My shoes are worn and damaged due to the challenges and obstacles I've encountered

But I'mma rock it cause my pockets ain't stuffed enough
Despite limited financial resources, I will persevere and succeed

All the freaks wouldn't speak cause my checks were weak
Individuals who were attracted to me avoided interacting because of my insufficient funds

They would turn the other cheek so I started to seek
People ignored me, prompting me to actively search for better opportunities

A way to get a play, and maybe one day
I sought a strategy to attain success and potentially achieve my goals

I'll be performing up a storm for a decent pay
I envisioned myself delivering passionate performances and earning a fair compensation

No matter how it seems, I always kept the dream
Regardless of how challenging things appeared, I never lost sight of my aspirations

All the girlies screamed and suckers get creamed
I gained popularity and attention from female admirers, while those who doubted me suffered losses

Dreamed about it for five years straight
I consistently dreamt and envisioned success for a consecutive period of five years

Finally I got a break to cut my first plate
I finally received an opportunity to showcase my talents and make a significant impact

The road ain't yellow and it ain't no witches
The path to success isn't easy or magical; there are no shortcuts

My name is Kool G Rap, I'm on the road to the riches
I am the artist known as Kool G Rap, and I am determined to achieve wealth and success

I used to stand on the block selling cooked up rock
I used to sell illicit drugs on the street corner

Money busting out my sock cos I really would clock
I accumulated so much money that it overflowed from my sock, as I was hustling hard

They were for kind of fiends bringing jackets and jeans
Various types of drug addicts would trade valuable items like jackets and jeans for their fix

Magazines, anything, just to hustle for beans
People were willing to trade anything, including magazines, in order to support their drug addiction

The cash was coming fast, money grew like grass
I was rapidly accumulating cash, as if it were growing abundantly like grass

People hungry for the blast that don't even last
Many individuals were eager to experience the high of drugs, even though the effects were fleeting

Didn't want to be involved but the money will get ya
Although I initially didn't desire involvement in the drug trade, the allure of money drew me in

Gettin' richer and richer, the police took my picture
As I became wealthier, law enforcement began to closely monitor and gather evidence against me

But I still supplied, some people I knew died
Despite the risks, I continued to provide drugs, resulting in deaths of certain acquaintances

Murders and homicides for bottles of suicide
Terrible acts of violence, including murder, were committed in exchange for drugs

Money, jewelry, living like a star
I acquired significant wealth, expensive items like jewelry, and lived a luxurious lifestyle

And I wasn't too far from a Jaguar car
I came close to affording a luxurious Jaguar car

In a small-time casino, the town's Al Pacino
I frequented a local casino, where I was respected and regarded as a figure similar to Al Pacino in the movie industry

For all of the girls, the pretty boy Valentino
I attracted attention from many women because of my good looks, similar to the charm of Valentino

I shot up stores and I kicked down doors
I committed armed robberies and forcibly entered premises to steal

Collected scars from little neighborhood wars
I obtained physical scars from engagements in conflicts and disputes within the local community

Many legs I broke, many necks I choked
I caused harm to others by breaking their legs and choking them

And if provoked I let the pistol smoke
If someone provoked me, I swiftly resorted to using my firearm

Loyal members in a crew now down with the game
I had committed associates who were dedicated to our illicit activities

Selling nickels and dimes in sunshine or rain
I engaged in selling small quantities of drugs, regardless of the weather conditions

What I had was bad from my shoes to my pad
My entire lifestyle, from my footwear to my residence, was associated with negativity

In the first time in my life loaning money to dad
For the first time, I had enough wealth to lend money to my father

Now the table's turned and my lifestyle switches
My circumstances have drastically changed, leading to a complete transformation in my way of life

My name is Kool G Rap, I'm on the road to the riches
I am the artist known as Kool G Rap, and I am determined to achieve wealth and success

A thug will mug for drugs, he eventually bugs
A violent criminal will rob others to sustain their drug addiction, eventually becoming mentally unstable

Looking for crack on carpets and rugs
A drug addict desperately searches for crack cocaine, even scouring through carpets and rugs for hidden remnants

The squealers tells but the dealer still sells
Informants may provide information, but the drug dealer continues their illicit trade

Little spoiled kids inheriting oil wells
Privileged children receive massive inheritances in the form of oil wells

I was the type on the opposite side
I was someone who stood against the prevalent norms and values

Of smoking the pipe, in a beef I got hype
I resisted using drugs like crack cocaine, but if confronted with conflict, I would become aggressive

Cause rags to riches switches men to witches
The transition from poverty to wealth can transform individuals, turning them into deceptive and manipulative characters

Become stitches, body bags in ditches
They end up facing severe consequences, such as becoming victims of violence and being buried in unmarked graves

Bloodshed, I painted the town red
I caused violence and bloodshed, leaving a trail of destruction in the community

People fled as I put a dread's head to bed
As I killed a member of a rival gang, individuals were scared and sought safety

That means dead, in other words deceased
I caused the dread's demise, meaning they were no longer alive

Face got erased, bullets got released
I shot the dread in the face, resulting in their face being obliterated, and bullets were discharged

Bombs were planted and kids were kidnapped
Explosive devices were strategically placed, and children were forcefully taken as hostages

In fact this was a way to get back
These acts of violence were retaliatory measures

At enemies who tried to clock G's
This was my response to individuals who attempted to challenge or harm me

On my block, now they forever knock Z's
The adversaries, who once posed a threat, are now permanently silenced (dead)

Plans of rampages went for ages
I had lengthy plans for carrying out indiscriminate acts of violence

Some got knocked and locked inside cages
Certain individuals were arrested and imprisoned

Some bit the dust for crumbs and crusts
Some lost their lives over insignificant or meager gains

In God we trust, now rots to rust
The trust and belief in God's guidance have deteriorated and become worthless

Bust caps to cops, policeman drops
I fired shots at police officers, causing them to fall

You blew off his top when the pistol went pop
His head was obliterated when my firearm discharged

Troopers, soldiers, rolling like boulders
Armed law enforcement officers were present in large numbers, moving with a powerful force

Eyes of hate and their hearts get colder
Their gaze was filled with animosity, and their hearts became increasingly cold and callous

Some young male put in jail
Young men were incarcerated

His lawyer so good his bail is on sale
Their lawyer was highly skilled, and they were able to secure bail at a reduced price

Looking at the hourglass, how long can this power last
Reflecting on life's limited time like sand in an hourglass, wondering how much longer their influence will endure

Longer than my song but he already fell
Their influence may last longer than this song, but they have already met their downfall

He likes to eat hearty, party
This individual enjoys indulging in lavish meals and partying

Be like John Gotti, and drive a Maserati
They aspire to emulate John Gotti, a prominent mobster, and possess a luxurious Maserati car

Rough in the ghetto, but in jail he's Jello
While appearing tough and intimidating in the impoverished neighborhood, they become vulnerable and weak in jail

Mellow, yellow fellow, tell or hell, hello
They adopt a more relaxed and subdued demeanor, either cooperating with authorities or facing the consequences

One court date can turn an outlaw to an inmate
A single court appearance can lead to the transformation of a criminal into a prisoner

But just stay, ship him upstate by the Great Lakes
Instead of granting freedom, authorities send him to a prison facility near the Great Lakes for confinement

And than a-wait and wait and wait
Following imprisonment, he must endure prolonged periods of waiting

Until he breaks, that's all it takes
He will eventually succumb to the pressures and challenges of incarceration, as that is all it takes

So he fakes to be a man, but he can't stand
In an attempt to preserve his image, he pretends to be tough, but internally he struggles

On his own two feet because now he's in a new land
He can't rely on his previous reputation and must navigate the unfamiliar and harsh environment of prison

Rules are different and so is life
The regulations and dynamics within prison are distinct, resulting in a completely different way of life

When you think with a shank, talk with a knife
In this environment, violent and aggressive behavior is prevalent, where thoughts turn to makeshift weapons and conversations revolve around violence

Not my lifestyle so I made a U-turn
I rejected this lifestyle and made a drastic change in direction

More money I earn, more money to burn
As I continue to accumulate wealth, I have more disposable income to spend extravagantly

Pushing all buttons, pulling all switches
I am fully in control, maneuvering and manipulating various aspects of my life

My name is G Rap, I'm on the road to the riches
I am the artist known as G Rap, and I am determined to achieve wealth and success