Straighten It Out
Mr. Chop & C.L. Smooth Lyrics

Walk the fine, short line, and put the needle to the grind
Stay focused and work hard

Representin' one kind, seeing eye for the blind
Supporting unity and equality

Witness what I carry on bears a further purpose
My actions have meaning and significance

From how we do slam a few, then you want to purchase
My music is so good, you'll want to buy it after hearing only a few beats

A dialogue of funk, you love to pop it in your trunk
My music is funky and enjoyable

I win, more disciplined than a Show-lin monk
I am disciplined and focused

Pete Rock and C.L., well set to spark it
Pete Rock and I are ready to ignite the music scene

The powerful target to destroy the black market
Our goal is to kill the illegal trade of music

But when you say black, listen, I don't know, you lose me
I don't understand the intended meaning of using the term 'black'

I guess another beggar can afford to be choosey
I'm not in a position to be picky

I come to the maximum, artist on a major label
I am a successful, signed artist at my peak

Any duplication of this one is fatal
Copying my work will only lead to failure

On one to five, I gotta hit ya live
I have to perform at my best while on stage

Beat your ass with my tape, any race or shape
My music is powerful enough to affect anyone

Cuz if they got mine, they got yours too
If they have my music, they'll have yours too

Tell 'em straighten it out
Advocate for fixing societal issues

The funk legacy I pass on, clearancy for high rates
I am leaving a legacy of funky music that is in high demand

Every time we sample all the past time greats
Our music is made by sampling music from past greats

Stick it in the SP-1200 beat, I make a loop
I use a specific beat-making tool to create loops for my music

Lovely, where the Troop in a Lexus coupe
It's lovely when I see the Troop crew in a Lexus car

Just a little bit, set to make a whole lot happen
Small efforts can lead to big changes

The musical inside my rappin'
I incorporate my own music into my rapping

Written by the C.L., produced by the P.R
I wrote the lyrics, Pete Rock produced the music

And add in any credit that you heard thus far
Give credit where credit is due

I start from scratch, cuz the bass line's critical
I start the music-making process from scratch because the bass line is the foundation

Better than the original who first made it
My version is better than the original

But now you want to sue me, but fans never boo me
Even though someone may want to sue me, my fans still support me

Believe I know the times, we been broke, too, G
I understand struggle and hardship

Here's another sample clear, seeya, get the hell outta here
I'm giving you another sample, now go away

Like a bootleg, you're over for the year
Like a bootleg, your time is up

You'll only get the credit where the credit is due
You'll only get credit for what you actually worked on

Like the strands of lamb's wool, I'm thinkin' that's said
I'm thinking deeply, like the strands of lamb's wool

Here to go to the head and count the locks on a dred
I'm here to be a leader and count the number of locks in someone's hair

I and I'd 'mit to verify, goin' to multiply
I admit that I will verify and multiply something

A theory many thought a conspiracy
What was once thought of as a conspiracy is now considered a theory

Here to let you know that it applies to all of us
I'm here to tell you that it pertains to everyone

You're no exceptions to the rule and that's a plus
No one is exempt from the rules, which is a good thing

Cause who Jah bless, let no one curse
Those who are blessed cannot be cursed

Straighten out what I be about, reckon above the clout
I'm straightening out my actions and ignoring social status

And let the management work for me
I'll let my management handle things for me

Because I don't need the unnecessary hostility
I don't want to deal with unnecessary conflict

A proper marketing plan so we can gobble up the dough
A good marketing plan will help us make more money

Straighten it out, so everybody know
Fix things so everyone is aware of what's going on

The kids are official with the purpose of a smooth surface
The younger generation is legitimate and aims to create a smooth experience

Kickin' the service one time to make 'em nervous
Performing once to make them anxious for more

We're finally here and very long overdue
We've arrived and it's been a long time coming

Pete Rock, this one's for the crew
This song is dedicated to Pete Rock's crew

All black people must straighten it out
The black community needs to address and fix their problems

The YG's, they must straighten it out
The young gangsters need to address and fix their problems

The Hilltop, they must straighten it out
The people from the Hilltop area need to address and fix their problems

The whole money-earnin' must straighten it out
Those who make money must address and fix their problems