Mind Your Business
Grand Puba Lyrics

The first time I hit the wax it was the news of my block
When I started rapping, everyone in my neighborhood was excited and supportive.

Everybody in my neighborhood said "Puba don't stop"
My community was encouraging me to keep pursuing my music career.

It was a four-man crew, Don Barren
I was part of a group with three other people, including Don Barren.

My Mighty Shabazz, Dr. Who, and me, Grand Pu
The other members of our group were Mighty Shabazz and Dr. Who.

Things started blowing up on a quick fast
Our music became popular very quickly.

Doing shows, buying clothes, getting crazy cash
As our success grew, we started performing more, spending money on clothes, and earning a lot of money.

I still stayed the same, ran around with my hair nappy
Despite having more money and fame, I didn't change who I was as a person.

Matter of fact I'm doing good, made the jealous ones unhappy
My success caused jealousy among some people in my community.

"I knew you would make it" was their favorite line
Although some people were jealous, others were supportive and had faith in my success.

But "Fuck that, I hope he fall" is really on their mind
Despite what they said to my face, some people secretly wanted me to fail.

Just because I found a way to make my pockets stay fat
My success in music allowed me to earn a lot of money.

Now a new thing: "Puba thinks he's all that"
People started to criticize me for thinking highly of myself.

Yes, but there's a found way to better my condition
Despite criticism, my success allowed me to improve my life.

"Bad luck, bad luck" is what the jealous ones keep wishing
Those who were jealous of my success hoped that I would experience failure and bad luck.

Oh a crew broke up? I knew they wouldn't last
When my former group broke up, I wasn't surprised because I knew we wouldn't last.

But I refuse to lose so I bounce back on that ass
I didn't let the breakup hold me back and continued to pursue my music career.

One for all, Brand Nubian
I joined the group Brand Nubian.

Yeah, that's the new thing, now they back up on my ding-a-ling
Now that I'm part of a successful group, those who were once jealous are now trying to flatter me and get close to me.

Run and tell my girl, "Yo, Puba did this
Some people gossip about my success to others, hoping to impress them.

He did that," cause they nose is in my crack
These people are too involved in my personal life and success.

Like a reporter, but they don't earn a quarter
These people are like reporters because they are obsessed with my success, but they aren't earning any money off of it.

To do that (Yo, they just jealous, black)
These people are jealous of my success.

You know the flavor, of that jealous behavior
Jealousy is a common behavior that many people exhibit when someone becomes successful.

I'm just like Jesus Christ cause I'm you're modern day savior
I see myself as someone who helps others and cares for his community like Jesus Christ did.

So hon knock it off, worry about your own shit
Instead of worrying about my success, people should focus on their own lives.

Just because your man ain't shit, there ain't no need to rhyme
People shouldn't focus on my success just because their own romantic relationships aren't good.

Same ones that used to wave, now they sticking up their finger
People who were once supportive are now showing me disrespect.

But I guess that's the price you pay when you become a rap singer
When you become successful in music, you gain fame and attention, but also criticism and disrespect.

I work hard, word to God, with supreme motivation
I work very hard and am very motivated to succeed.

To find a way out since '85, try to jam my situation
I have been working hard to improve my life since 1985, despite obstacles and setbacks.

But that's okay because my old Earth told me
Despite difficulties, I continue to be resilient and positive because of the advice my mother gave me.

"Keep on moving, don't stop, hon"
My mother advised me to keep pushing forward and never give up.

Now I'll be damn if Grand Pub don't get it done
I am determined to reach my goals and be successful.

I've no time to slow my roll on a jealous one
I don't have time to be affected by those who are jealous of my success.

See I love to help others because Puba cares
One of my motivations for being successful is to help others in my community.

I do more for my people than WIC or Welfare
I take pride in being able to help my community more than government programs like WIC or Welfare.

Next time you see a brother down, stop and pick him up
I encourage people to help and support each other when they are struggling.

'Cause you might be the next one stuck
By helping others, you could be showing them the same kindness they would show you if you were struggling.

Word is bond, let's move on
Let's move on and keep working to be successful.

And we building on the situation of that in lyrics
We are using music to address important issues affecting our community.

Always trying to hold the black man back
Our community is often held back by external forces and discrimination.

We can't live like that, we gotta help each other
To overcome these obstacles, we need to support and help each other.

You know what I'm saying? Brother to brother
We need to support our fellow community members and work together.

Sister to sister, know what I'm saying?
We need to support our fellow community members regardless of gender.

Stay out my business, worry about your own, know what I'm saying?
People should focus on their own lives instead of worrying about my personal life and success.

Worry about your own, knowledge knowledge
Instead of being jealous of others, people should focus on gaining knowledge and improving their own lives.