B.I. Vs. Friendship
Gang Starr Lyrics

It's like, a friendship, and a business partnership
The relationship between us is a combination of friendship and a business partnership

And, we have to always be concious of the difference
We must constantly be aware of the distinction between the two

between em; because y'know, some things can happen
Because there are situations that can occur

that'll ruin one or the other, so
That could potentially destroy either the friendship or the business

we alwa-we always stay concious of those things
We always remain mindful of those factors

Those obstacles that can, y'know trip us up
Those challenges that can potentially hinder us

because we ain't trying to go out like that
Because we don't want to end up in a negative situation

"Friends"
The importance of maintaining friendship in the relationship

"Business"
The significance of the business aspect in the relationship

"Friends"
The continuous emphasis on friendship in the relationship

"Business"
The ongoing recognition of the business aspect in the relationship

"Friends"
The constant reminder of the importance of friendship in the relationship

"Business"
The continual acknowledgment of the business aspect in the relationship

AhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRAHHAHHH!!!
Expressing intense emotion and energy

C'mon! Motherfucker! Yeah! ...
Energetic exclamation

GangStarr! GangStarr! M.O.P. Ghetto people!
Acknowledging the presence and influence of GangStarr and M.O.P

Son you're supposed to be my man, but you ain't wise enough to realize
You are expected to be a close friend, but you lack the understanding

this is B.I., see I wanna taste the whole cake
This is business, I want to fully experience success and prosperity

Some things in this industry, shit be so fake
Many things in this industry are false and deceptive

Make no mistake, if you're my man you'd understand
Don't be mistaken, if you were truly my friend, you would comprehend

about the plan, to stack hundreds of grands (That's right!)
Regarding the strategy to accumulate a substantial amount of money

And how to stand, on much more acres of land
And how to possess larger properties

And to expand from the days of goin hand to hand
And to progress from the days of exchanging goods directly

So like I was CEO I do my thing son
Like a Chief Executive Officer, I execute my plans

and turn this underground rap thing to my kingdom
And transform this underground rap scene into my empire

Release a fistful, of rhymes for the fiscal year
Deliver a substantial amount of lyrical content throughout the year

MC's are wishful fuckin with this here
Other rappers have unrealistic aspirations when it comes to competing with me

They stuck with the tear, for fear they foresake a brother's love
They are trapped in a state of suffering, afraid of betraying a fellow artist's loyalty

it's clear -- I'd have to be the better man I'm thinkin
It's evident that I must rise above and act with superior character

The 7th Letter Man ain't got no time for petty speakin (uhh)
I, the 7th Letter Man, don't waste time on trivial arguments

So we go our seperate ways I see the fork in the road
We separate paths as I recognize a divergence in our journey

I know I blessed you with a portion of gold
I provided you with a share of wealth and success

and some good fortune to hold, so KEEP THAT
And some good luck to cherish, so hold onto that

while I keep it movin, just like truckloads
Meanwhile, I continue to progress and move forward, just like truckloads of merchandise

of interstate cargo, taxin niggaz like U.S. embargoes
Transporting goods across state lines, profiting like government-imposed tariffs

You my man like I said so all the best
You are my friend as I mentioned, so I wish you well

You shoulda known we do shit differently than all of the rest
You should have been aware that we have a unique approach compared to others

Can't afford to let a link be, loose in the chain
We cannot allow a weak link to jeopardize our success

It's time for us to get mad more, juice in the game
It's time for us to increase our influence and power in the industry

You're buggin son (that's right) that's word to Billy and Fame
You're acting irrational, that's the truth as affirmed by Billy and Fame

So I'ma stay the game, that we play to win (Yeah!)
So I will remain committed to the game we pursue in order to achieve victory

So I don't care what you say to her or say to him
So I am unaffected by any words you may speak to others

The object son, is to excel and lead
The goal, my friend, is to surpass others and take the lead

And niggaz be bluffin fallin for nothin but greed
And people are often deceived, succumbing to nothing but their own greed

If it's animosity
If there is hostility or ill will

Let me know
Inform me

If you plottin to stop my dough
If you are plotting to obstruct my financial success

Time to go!
It's time for you to depart!

GangStarr, M.O.P. nigga
Acknowledging the presence of GangStarr and M.O.P

Tryin to blow!
Attempting to achieve great success

If you my man you could understand!
If you are truly my friend, you would comprehend!

I'm true to myself y'all, and I'm a down ass nigga!
I remain authentic and loyal, and I don't hesitate to confront challenges!

So don't fool yourself, clown ass nigga!
So don't deceive yourself, foolish individual!

I always been the type of cat that'll put it on ya
I have always been the kind of person who will confront you directly

since back in the days when Laze snatched me off the corner
Since the past when Laze grabbed me from the street corner

And every since then, the whole game changed
And ever since then, the entire situation transformed

Everybody's against, Lil' ass Fame
Everyone is opposed to Lil' Fame

They wanna see me stretched out with my back smokin
They desire to witness my downfall and defeat

Left for dead in the street with my back opened
Left to die in public with my vulnerabilities exposed

So I don't keep friends I just roll with
As a result, I don't maintain friendships, I only associate with

niggaz I was RAISED WITH, went out in a BLAZE WITH
Those individuals I grew up with and engaged in dangerous activities alongside

In the penile, to B.ville, down to Grayson
From prison to Brownsville and even down to Grayson

And we thick together, in these last days kid
And we stick together, particularly in these challenging times

So I don't have what you call friends
Thus, I don't possess what you would refer to as friends

cause when it's on then they gone in the end!
Because when things become difficult, they vanish in the end!

But I'ma handle my business indeed
However, I will undoubtedly take care of my responsibilities

Cause niggaz be bluffin fallin for nothin but greed!
Because people are easily deceived, succumbing to nothing but their own greed!

Hey yo what happened to the love soldier? It never crossed my mind
Hey, what happened to the loyal companions? I never considered the possibility

that you would doubt my love inside and test my pride
That you would question my affection and challenge my self-esteem

I divide, anything that I got
I willingly share everything that I possess

with my M.O.P. staff -- WE ALL AND WE OUT!
With my M.O.P. crew – we are united and we stick together!

To the First Family loyalty, is no game
Within the First Family, loyalty is of utmost importance and not to be taken lightly

We them type of niggaz that, money won't change
We are the type of individuals who money cannot alter

We all aim, for the big picture
We all strive for long-term success and achievement

but to me it don't mean shit if your dogs ain't witcha
But to me, it means nothing if your close associates are not loyal to you

I sacrifice my main arteries -- WHY NIGGA?!
I am willing to sacrifice my very lifeblood – why, my friend?!

Ain't nobody never loved me, like my niggaz
No one has ever loved me the way my companions do

See my business is my friendship and my friendship is my business
For me, my business and friendship are interconnected

Can I get a witness?! (Preach on nigga!)
Can I get someone to affirm my belief?! (Speak the truth, my friend!)

Hey yo we went through all out wars, half-assed tours
Hey, we have experienced intense conflicts and inadequate tours

Travelled 'cross this land with heavy contraband
Journeyed across this country with illicit goods

(See you my man!) And you ain't never got to
(Recognize that you are my friend!) And you have never had to

second guess or question the love of William Danze (Sho' nuff!)
Doubt or question the affection of William Danze (Indeed!)

I am invaluable, to my niggaz
I am irreplaceable and highly treasured by my companions

cause they all rest there in thirty-two -- BETTER THAN NOTHIN!
Because they all find peace in the 32 chambers – better than nothing!

Think of William when they start bustin, I hold you down
Remember William when they commence firing, I will support you

(When them body parts pop up cousin) I'll be around!
(When those gruesome remains emerge) I will still be present!