My Man Rich
Biz Markie Lyrics

This is a different type of dedication
This song is not a typical type of tribute

To a guy that was a different kind of inspiration
My man Rich was a unique and special person who inspired me in his own way

Only people that knew him, know what I'm talkin' about
Those who knew Rich personally will understand the significance of this dedication

And at the end of the story, you will say without a doubt
After hearing this story about Rich, you will have no doubts about his character and what he meant to me

This wasn't your typical case, of fast livin'
Rich's story was not one of fast living or reckless behavior

Anything he was makin', he was givin'
Rich was generous and often gave what he earned to his family and loved ones

To his moms, pops, his brother and his girl
Rich's family and girlfriend meant the world to him, and he provided for them whenever he could

'Cause they, meant, the most to him in the world
Rich valued his family and girlfriend above all else

Around Suffolk he wasn't known
Rich was not well-known in Suffolk

But in Eastern Long Island, he did have a home
Rich felt at home and was well-known in Eastern Long Island

Called L.I., is where he stayed
Rich lived in L.I.

Where there was no need for D-Con or Raid
Rich lived in a safe and peaceful area where there was no need for pest control

He was cool with everybody, he had no enemies
Rich was well-liked and did not have any enemies

I'm makin' this record, cause he's a friend of me
I am making this tribute song because Rich was my friend

'Cause he's a hard workin' kid, I've just stated
Rich was a hard worker, as I have mentioned

That's why this record, is dedicated
This song is dedicated to Rich because of his character and impact on my life

Let me tell you what happened in the early 80's
I will now share a story from the early 1980s

When we wasn't thinkin' about gettin' all the ladies
During a time when we were not preoccupied with dating and women

Me and Rich was thinkin' about survival of the fittest
Rich and I were focused on surviving and thriving in life

You can ask Keith or Kevin, cause both of them were with us
Keith and Kevin can attest to what we went through during that time

We'd try to get a job everyplace that it takes
We were on the hunt for employment wherever we could find it

We was even at the factory they call {?} 
We even visited a factory, though the name is unclear

Everywhere we went they said they'd call us back
Despite searching for work, many places promised to call us back but never did

Or even said they're not hirin' to throw us off track
In some cases, employers would not even hire us to discourage us from applying again

But Richie Rich said, forget that stuff
Rich refused to let these setbacks discourage him

Even though, times was rough
Despite facing difficult times with few job prospects

We kept searchin', searchin', lookin' and lookin'
We persisted in our search for a job, continuing to look and apply

It seems everywhere we went, the jobs was tooken
Every job we found had already been taken by someone else

Still Rich didn't give up the faith
Despite these challenges, Rich remained optimistic and motivated

He found a job that wasn't safe
Rich eventually found a job that was dangerous and potentially hazardous

Even though it was dangerous, it wouldn't switch
Rich persevered despite the risks of his new job

That's why this is dedicated to my man Rich
I am honoring Rich's dedication and perseverance with this tribute

The way the story end, is just a tragedy
The ending of Rich's story is tragic and unfortunate

I wish upon a star that it didn't have to be
I wish that Rich's story could have ended differently and without tragedy

Endin' this way for my man Richard
Rich did not deserve to have his life end in such a tragic manner

'Cause still in my mind, he's still as pictured
In my memories, Rich is still the same person he was before his untimely death

Like, he just had gone yesterday
It feels like Rich was just here with us yesterday and not gone

For sellin', C-R-A-C-K
Rich's tragic ending was linked to his involvement in selling drugs

His dream was...to be a boxer
Rich had aspirations to become a professional boxer

So, he could knock the socks off of
He wanted to defeat his opponents, such as Ivan Barkley and Mike Tyson

An Ivan Barkley, or even Mike Tyson
Rich wanted to defeat some of the greatest boxers of his time

But on the streets, he was sacrificin'
Unfortunately, Rich was forced to make sacrifices and participate in illegal activity to support himself and his loved ones

For his family, and his wife
Rich committed crimes to provide for his family and wife

'Cause he struggled, he struggled all his life
Rich faced numerous challenges and struggles throughout his life

He wasn't a straight up, criminal or villain
Rich was not inherently a criminal or evil person

Or even tryin' to get, stupid or illin'
Rich did not want to engage in reckless or foolish behavior

Was messed up for takin' somebody's life and shit
Rich made a grave mistake by taking someone's life, which ultimately led to his own downfall

That tried so hard, and just wouldn't quit
It is heartbreaking that Rich worked so hard for his loved ones but still ended up in a tragic situation

This is a slow record, with a switch
This song has a slow tempo and is somewhat somber

Because it's dedicated, to my man Rich
This tribute is dedicated to Rich and his memory

To you my man
This tribute is meant for Rich

This is to you, Rich
This tribute is specifically for Rich

Peace
A message of peace and well wishes for Rich