Paid Dues
Eightball & MJG Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, Space Age forever; Niggas and hos better recognize
Eightball & MJG are a part of the Space Age crew and will always be, so other people should acknowledge them and their talents.

Eightball and MJG, been ten toes down in this game
The duo has been fully committed to the rap game and has always stayed true to themselves and their roots.

Since we were two young playas in a one-horse town
They've been in the game since they were young and came from a small town with limited opportunities.

Then hopped to a muthafuckin' grasshopper
They moved on to bigger and better things, progressing from their small town to a larger city.

Nigga, my life would have been done got cut off If my dues weren't paid
If they didn't work hard and pay their dues, they wouldn't be where they are now in the rap game.

It's a thinnin' line between wrong and right Trapped in a trap till the mornin' light
Life can be tough and it can be difficult to determine what the right decision is when you're stuck in a difficult situation.

Ghetto ain't left me no choices; I had to fight My mama and daddy was too young to raise me right
Growing up in poverty, there were limited options and they had to struggle to stay on the right path. Their parents were also young and inexperienced when raising them.

Maybe I been made a man from all the mistakes I made Niggas dead, niggas gone; I still ain't afraid
They've learned from their mistakes and are not afraid to move forward with their lives, despite the loss of friends along the way.

Ain't too grown to get back on with ghetto games I played My life would have been done got cut off if the dues weren't paid
Although they've matured, they still know what it takes to survive on the streets. However, they wouldn't be where they are now if they hadn't put in the effort to succeed in their music careers.

In the middle of doin' crime; it never stopped me from writin' rhymes It never stopped me from playin' music
Even while committing crime, they found solace in their music and continued to write and perform.

God, but it didn't mean I had to use it It was obvious: I had to give up the streets for the beats
Although they had a talent for crime, they chose to pursue their musical careers instead and leave the streets behind.

Not knowin', but havin' faith on just how long that it would be Before I made it, before somebody picked up my tape and played it
They had faith that their hard work would eventually pay off, even when there was no guarantee of success.

With a remark like, "Hey, played that instrumental, you cat's got potential." In the process of doing talent shows, parties, and mix tapes
They began to get recognition for their talent at local shows and parties and started to gain a following.

We even put it down on some of our homeboys jail release dates I can remember in the past closin' down at fast foods
They remained committed to their music, even while dealing with the struggles their friends and fellow musicians faced, like incarceration. They also still had to work regular jobs, like fast food, to make ends meet.

Strictly stickin' to my dreams, but feelin' like I'd be the last dude Who can make it in this rap; I thought that they ain't gon' see me in Memphis
Despite their commitment to their dreams, they had moments of doubt and wondered if they would ever succeed in the rap game, especially in Memphis which was not seen as a hub for hip-hop.

It was like a time they looked over Tennessee And didn't know hip-hop was in us
The larger music industry ignored the talent coming out of the South and wasn't aware of the potential for great hip-hop to come from Tennessee.

To all my vets in the game, I got love; stay on your toes 'Cause back in the days, I used to use your 4-5 instrumental to do my shows
They're giving credit to the veterans of the rap game who inspired them and helped them along the way, using some of their lyrics and beats in their early performances.

And, look, I was seventeen when I signed my first contract And about eighteen and a half when I signed my worst contract; we hurt from that
They were young and inexperienced when they signed their first contract with a record label, and it ended up being a bad deal that caused them financial hardship.

And till this day they still distributin' our first tape Before Comin' Out Hard, now can you feel it?
Their early music is still being distributed today and remains a part of their legacy, setting the stage for their later successes.

Be humble and patient with whatever you should choose 'Cause to get to where I am right now, I done paid my dues
They advise others to stay patient and committed to their dreams, knowing that success may take time and hard work.

A c-note for a concert; I know that sounds preposterous Nigga, we didn't have a pot to piss
They joke about being paid only $100 for a concert and how they struggled financially in the early days of their career.

Fuck the cheese; I love to see my niggas in the front row Get buck wild, start a fight; the police make a nigga stop the show
They care more about their fans enjoying themselves and showing enthusiasm for their music than about making money. However, they have also experienced conflicts with law enforcement during performances.

Niggas all in the parkin' lot, bustin' shots, fuckin' with hos Box Chevy with the spokes and vogues
They reference the gritty and violent circumstances surrounding some of their shows, including the presence of weapons and women being harassed. They also mention popular car models from their time.

Niggas didn't know shit about a twenty inch Mo-Mo Hard head, young nigga don't believe that shit till I see that shit
They're skeptical about the trend of large wheels on cars and don't believe it until they see it firsthand.

See them heavyweight niggas; one day, I'm gonna be that shit Okay, everybody know everybody done sold dope, ran with a gang Pimp some hos and snorted a little coke, but, uh
They aspired to be as successful and well-known as the popular rappers of their time. They also acknowledge the harsh realities of life in the streets and the temptations that come along with it.

I'm space again, and we'll forever be Eightball, the fat mack, and M-J-fuckin'-G
They're referring to their Space Age crew and their commitment to remaining true to themselves and their roots in the rap game.

Turn the page from then to now, and we still grindin' Small clubs and small towns think they bouncin', and we find them
Despite their success, they remain committed to hard work and performing in smaller venues, finding and entertaining fans in unexpected places.

Put them on the guest list, make them pump their fist and get buck to this Make one of them weed smokin', gangsta bitches get fucked to this
They want their fans to have a good time and enjoy their music, whether while dancing and feeling the energy of the performance or while engaging in sexual activities with their partners.

Expand, give all my true fans what they demand Do my part again and, uh, come out hard again, and, uh Keep space again, and we'll forever be Eightball, the fat mack, and M-J-fuckin'-G
They plan to continue growing their fanbase and providing what their audiences want, as well as remaining true to their Space Age crew and original style.