Family and Loyalty
Gang Starr Lyrics

Like a freshly cut diamond
Just like how a diamond, when it is freshly cut shines, the importance of family and loyalty also never fades away

Diamonds are forever like family and loyalty
Just as a diamond lasts forever, so does family and loyalty

Or real rap songs like C.R.E.A.M. or My Melody
Just as rap songs like C.R.E.A.M. or My Melody are classics, so is the concept of family and loyalty

Diamonds are forever like my infinite thought
The concept of diamonds being forever is similar to the vastness and foreverness of human thought

Like respect in the hood that can't be bought
Just like how respect in the hood is earned and can't be bought with money, the same goes for true loyalty and family

Word up, diamonds
Yes, this is true

Diamonds are forever like friends that'll kill for you
Friends that show unbreakable loyalty are like diamonds, which are forever in their importance

Run up in a jewelry store, burglary, steal for you
This refers to how true friends will even be willing to commit a crime to prove their loyalty

Bill with you, split the diamond into ice blue
Sharing the profits from a job done together, just like splitting a diamond into two becomes ice blue in color

Thrice he tried to disrespect our kinship, I don't like you
The lyrics refer to the disregard of someone towards the emcees' kinship, for which, they hold a grudge

And now you axed out the fam'
The person who showed disrespect is no longer a part of their family

But I'm cashin' checks, with Premier on this jam
Despite the events, the emcees are still doing well financially, and are collaborating with Premier on producing this song

Robin Leach, interviews on the beach
Robin Leach is a famous interviewer, who usually conducts interviews with people on the beach

When we shake hands, nothin' but ice on the reach
When the emcee shakes hands with someone, it is akin to touching ice, which is valued in the same way as diamonds

And I teach Like the Rap Reverend Ike without the perm', I preach
Just like Rap Reverend Ike, the emcee teaches about important themes such as loyalty, without the need for a perm

There's more you need to learn, I return for my streets
The emcee believes that there is much more for people to learn, and that he will come back to the streets to teach more

Gainin' my wealth, trainin' myself
The emcee is gaining wealth and knowledge at the same time

For corny confrontation with haters who be playin' themselves
The emcee is preparing for any confrontation with his detractors

Diamonds, I like my world of rap
The emcee likens the concept of diamonds to that of the rap world

Your rhymin', hah, it's like a world of crap
The emcee is not impressed with other people's rhyming abilities

And a diamond is like a fly ass girl that's strapped
The emcee is comparing the concept of a diamond to that of a beautiful woman with a gun

And you can't beat that with a bat
This line means that it is impossible to beat something as good as that with any other thing

Pick up the pen, write down a sin, it's cleanse
Writing about your misdeeds is like a confession and can lead to personal catharsis and forgiveness

Lay that shit down, play it for friends
The emcee shares their work with their friends for validation and feedback

Make a few M's, then do it again
Making money is important, but so is creating something of value again

J. Cole, who'da thought you woulda been rhymin' with Ghost
This line refers to J. Cole's unexpectedly good collaboration with the Gang Starr member Ghostface Killah

Guru flows forever like a diamond
Guru's flow in his raps is eternal, much like a diamond

The most could never afford the precious jewels
Some people will never be able to afford to have a diamond, as it is very precious

That's precisely why I'm blessin' you with clear-cut messages
The emcee is passing on his message to people, as important things cannot be bought

I'm destined to invest in urban sections where depression rules
The emcee is trying to invest in areas where the people might be struggling with hardships such as depression

I hope to heal the destitute before I leave this vestibule
The emcee wishes to heal people who could be destitute and doesn't want to leave this world without doing so

Between the heavens and the seven circles
This line refers to the space between the heavens and seven circles of hell in Dante's Inferno, the epic poem

Where some dead homies maybe rest, I plan to resurrect a few
The emcee plans to revive memories of some of his loved ones who could have passed away

I press the truth against the naked devils
The emcee tries to show the truth to those who are deceitful and evil

Look at the youth just like a precious pebble
The emcee wants everyone to view the youth as precious, like a pebble that has been polished

Meant to be protected, mentally we let this Poison of Western philosophy make it sloppy
While the youth should have been protected, the western philosophy of materialism has made things worse

We forgot we are the chosen
People have been chosen to do great things, but have forgotten our true potential

From hip-hop to astronomy, they copy what we showed them
People mimic the innovative ideas put forth by hip-hop to astronomy

Niggas be talkin' slick, but only try me over modems
Some people may have a lot to say behind a computer screen, but do not dare to face the emcee in person

In person they starstruck, they hearts flutter
People are in awe and nervous when they meet the emcee in person

I'm like the realest one you ever met
The emcee feels that he is one of the most genuine persons a person could ever meet

If you don't feel this one, give it a sec'
If people are not able to feel the emcee's message, they should wait and ponder upon it for a while

Go live a little, let the years pass
The emcee wants people to live their lives more and experience new things with each passing year

Experience pain, watch the tears crash on to the floor
Pain and tears are a part of life, and one should learn to deal with it

Hurt brings wisdom
The experience of being hurt in the past can help gain you the wisdom to navigate life better in the future

Wisdom brings a whole 'nother sort of understandin'
Having wisdom leads to a more profound and insightful understanding of life

Diamonds only worth what we demandin', uh, uh
The value of diamonds is only as much as people are willing to pay for it

And niggas payin' top-dollar
People are willing to pay top dollar for diamonds

Once upon a time I paid a 100 for mine, now I'm a lot smarter
The emcee used to be ignorant and would buy anything that cost him $100, but after growing wiser, the emcee now spends his money more judiciously

I rock diamonds that cut glass out of window panes
The emcee wears high-quality diamonds that can cut through glass in a windowpane

Baldhead Slick blazing tracks when the indo's flame
The emcee tries to produce great music with the help of some marijuana

Rocks that bling, rocks that make them jock my team
The emcee has diamonds that sparkle and makes people stop and stare at him and his team

Rocks that shine, rocks that keep my hand on my nine
The emcee has diamonds that shine bright, and giving him the courage to keep his gun close at hand

Rocks that blind, make the High Rocks drop down
The diamonds are so bright that when he wears them while on stage, someone starts throwing up the gang sign for the High Rocks

One of a kind, niggas best jet from the spot when I cock mine
Not only are the diamonds one-of-a-kind, but people better leave a place when the emcee is armed/ angry

Diamonds are like your man you always call fam'
Diamonds are like your best friend or family member

Diamonds are like your grandma you always call ma'am
Diamonds are like your grandmother, someone you always respect, and hold in high regards

Diamonds are like having the whole world in your hand
Diamonds are like having something that's extremely valuable, just like holding the world in your hand

Diamonds are like the shows I ripped with no band
Diamonds are like the shows the emcee did which didn't have a live band, yet were successful

Rockin' your knot, stoppin' your plot
The emcee's coolness and success can thwart your evil intentions and financial stature

It's me, Baldhead Slick Duke, coppin' your block
The emcee boldly announces his presence gets you intimidated with his swag

For you, it's only pain, for me it's only gain
Things that can cause someone else pain, the emcee can turn into a gainful plot

Diamonds are like loyalty, iced out like royalty
Diamonds are like loyalty, in that both are extremely valuable and precious

Diamonds are like my wifey, so sweet the way she spoils me
Diamonds are like the emcee's wife, who is sweet and spoils him

(So good)
(The emcee is enjoying this too much)