The Life I Live
Pete Rock Lyrics


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Ten wars in the game no chains remains
Quick to spit more shit than like 0 dog and kane
Betty white taught a nigga no pain no gain
So I grabs the mic and spit like I'm going insane
Y'all better duck down protect ya chest with a vest
Reminscing with a verse like roxanne's yes
You know my steez chester gets the cheese
Try to find out who made the gun clap with a phone tap
Soul brother number one beats weigh a ton
From the west to the east now ya days is done
Last to laugh last as we stash the cash
Party til the sun come up then we smash
Alright all night flashlight nobody on that bullshit
Keepin it tight ya heard me a menace ii society
But right now I'm on some who wanna get high with me

We got one life to live til it's done
Lets all get together and have some fun
You got my back I got yours son
It's the mc eiht and soul brother number one

Loving the way it sounds already
Eiht found the flow the soul brother's rock steady
So brace ya self ain't having no fear
As the planets revolve shift into high gear
Move ahead of the pack living right and exact
Peepin shorty in a dress for the way she was stacked
But hold on the topic gotta say peace to all the brothers
That lock it down for they town living the one life
Guided and influenced by the one james brown
Godfather of soul now let the horn blow
Reflect to the days with me and marley in control
Hip hop pays now it's back to the future
With the twist of the dial
Reloaded with my man from the menace file
Reppin for the west so I takes a deep breath
Exhaling on the track kid ... so fresh

Chorus (2x)

I heard music calms the savage beast
To the g's in the clubs put away ya piece
For the gun clap leaves nothing but the blood stain
Sips on ya drink puffs on ya mary jane
Lots of lovin this time bringing no pain
Girls they love when a homie use his brain
Relax let your conscience be free
And smoke blunts to tha sounds of the e and p
What ya didn't know we shut shut shut 'em down
To the east and west team coming straight to ya town
How ya like it but please don't be afraid of us
Like me nigga busta these two is dangerous
Can't hang with us too blind ta see
Been puttin shit down since the p was free
I ain't mad at y'all don't be mad at me
I been just like y'all tryin to collect my fee





Chorus (4x)
Get down y'all

Overall Meaning

In Pete Rock's song "One Life to Live," the rapper talks about his experiences in the music industry and the various challenges faced by musicians. Steeped in the essence of old school hip-hop, the artist begins by referring to the many internal battles of the music industry, using the metaphor of ten wars where no chains remain as the idea that it can be a cutthroat environment. He then goes on to reference other legendary rappers like OGC and Kane, indicating that he is a formidable presence in the game too.


Pete Rock also references Betty White, encouraging listeners to persevere with her adage of no pain, no gain. He delves into how he spits verses, pointing to his intensity as if he's going mad. He, later on, highlights the importance of protecting oneself in "Ten Wars," reminds listeners about the importance of safety by saying, "Y'all better duck down protect ya chest with a vest." Pete Rock then proceeds to reminisce about the iconic verse of Roxanne Shante, characterizing the beauty and significance of classic hip-hop music.


In summary, Pete Rock's "One Life to Live" is about the rap game and the many challenges that come with it, highlighting the importance of perseverance and being true to oneself. The verses showcase the artist's impressive rapping skills as he references other iconic musicians, compelling listeners to hold on and not give up easily.


Line by Line Meaning

Ten wars in the game no chains remains
The rap game is full of competition and struggles, but only the strongest survive.


Quick to spit more shit than like 0 dog and kane
I am a talented rapper who can come up with lyrics quickly and with ease, similar to rappers 0 Dog and Kane.


Betty white taught a nigga no pain no gain
The lesson of working hard to achieve your goals, even if it means experiencing some pain, is one I learned from Betty White.


So I grabs the mic and spit like I'm going insane
When I get on stage with a microphone, I perform with an intense passion and energy that might seem crazy to some.


Y'all better duck down protect ya chest with a vest
I am a powerful rapper who can harm my opponents with my lyrics, so they should protect themselves.


Reminscing with a verse like roxanne's yes
I am inspired by the classic rap song 'Roxanne's Revenge' and I am paying homage to it with a similar verse.


You know my steez chester gets the cheese
My style and demeanor are well-known, and I always strive to earn the money and success I deserve.


Try to find out who made the gun clap with a phone tap
I am a skilled rapper who can create vivid stories and scenarios, like investigating a crime using wiretapped phones.


Soul brother number one beats weigh a ton
I am a talented and respected musician who produces amazing beats that are heavy and impactful.


From the west to the east now ya days is done
I have succeeded as a rapper on both coasts of the United States, and now my opponents' time in the game is over.


Last to laugh last as we stash the cash
I will be the one who has the last laugh, as I stack up my money and become more successful than anyone else.


Party til the sun come up then we smash
I know how to have a good time and celebrate my success, but I don't let it distract me from working hard and improving my craft.


Alright all night flashlight nobody on that bullshit
I am prepared to stay up all night and work on my music, without any distractions or negativity.


Keepin it tight ya heard me a menace ii society
I am a force to be reckoned with, like the main character of the movie 'Menace II Society'.


But right now I'm on some who wanna get high with me
I am looking for some fun and relaxation, and I am inviting others to join me in smoking marijuana.


We got one life to live til it's done
We only have a limited amount of time on Earth, so we should make the most of it while we can.


Lets all get together and have some fun
It's important to join together with friends and loved ones to enjoy life and make memories.


You got my back I got yours son
I have your support and loyalty, and I will give you mine in return.


It's the mc eiht and soul brother number one
I am MC Eiht, and I am working with a talented producer and musician, Soul Brother Number One, to create amazing music.


Loving the way it sounds already
I am excited about the music we are creating and the future prospects of our collaboration.


Eiht found the flow the soul brother's rock steady
I have discovered my own unique style and rhythm, and Soul Brother Number One's beats and production are always consistent and amazing.


So brace ya self ain't having no fear
I am always ready for whatever comes my way, and I never back down from a challenge.


As the planets revolve shift into high gear
I am ramping up my efforts and increasing my pace, like a planet going into high speed orbit around a star.


Move ahead of the pack living right and exact
I am always striving to be the best, and I do so by working hard and being precise in my craft.


Peepin shorty in a dress for the way she was stacked
I am checking out a woman's attractive features, like her curves and how she is dressed.


But hold on the topic gotta say peace to all the brothers
I need to step back and show respect to my fellow men and brothers in the community.


That lock it down for they town living the one life
I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of individuals who stay committed to their communities and living their own lives to the fullest.


Guided and influenced by the one james brown
I am inspired by the great James Brown, whose music and message has had a powerful impact on me.


Godfather of soul now let the horn blow
James Brown is widely regarded as the Godfather of Soul, and his influence and legacy should be celebrated and honored.


Reflect to the days with me and marley in control
I am remembering the good old days when I was working with reggae legend Bob Marley, and we were both in charge of our respective crafts.


Hip hop pays now it's back to the future
I am grateful for the success and financial rewards that come with being a successful rapper, but I also need to keep pushing forward and improving my craft.


With the twist of the dial
I am making changes and adapting to new situations and challenges.


Reloaded with my man from the menace file
I have teamed up with an old partner from the movie 'Menace II Society', and we are ready to create some amazing music together.


Reppin for the west so I takes a deep breath
I am proud to represent my home coast, the West Coast of the United States, and I am ready to take on any challenges that come my way.


Exhaling on the track kid ... so fresh
I am delivering fresh and new ideas and lyrics with my rap, and my fans will love what they hear.


I heard music calms the savage beast
Music has the power to soothe and calm even the most aggressive or angry individuals.


To the g's in the clubs put away ya piece
To the gangsters and tough guys in the club, it's time to stop being violent and put away your weapons.


For the gun clap leaves nothing but the blood stain
The sound of gunfire only leads to violence and death, and it's not the right way to solve problems.


Sips on ya drink puffs on ya mary jane
Relax and enjoy the good things in life, like drinking and smoking marijuana.


Lots of lovin this time bringing no pain
I am looking for love and companionship that won't cause me any emotional or physical pain.


Girls they love when a homie use his brain
Women find intelligence and creativity attractive in men, and I am offering those qualities to women.


Relax let your conscience be free
Take a break and let your mind and soul relax and be at peace, without any stress or worries.


And smoke blunts to tha sounds of the e and p
Listen to MC Eiht and Soul Brother Number One's music, while smoking marijuana and relaxing.


What ya didn't know we shut shut shut 'em down
My music is so amazing and powerful, that I am capable of shutting down all of my competitors and opponents.


To the east and west team coming straight to ya town
MC Eiht and Soul Brother Number One are coming to perform in your town, and we are representing both the East and West Coasts of the United States.


How ya like it but please don't be afraid of us
You might be impressed or intimidated by my music and persona, but don't be afraid of us or what we represent.


Like me nigga busta these two is dangerous
Like the rapper Busta Rhymes, MC Eiht and Soul Brother Number One are talented and skilled, and should be respected and taken seriously.


Can't hang with us too blind ta see
If you can't keep up with us or understand our music, then you will miss out on something great.


Been puttin shit down since the p was free
I have been creating amazing music for a long time, since the early days of hip-hop when it was still a new and fresh genre.


I ain't mad at y'all don't be mad at me
I don't have any hard feelings towards anyone, and I hope they don't hold any towards me for my success or talents.


I been just like y'all tryin to collect my fee
I am just like anyone else, working hard to earn my money and make a living doing what I love.




Lyrics Β© TUNECORE INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@odette4059

the trumpet honestly completes this perfectly, love the entire album

@KerouacsAccomplice

Such a dope sample

@azuresonic69

Sounds like a tenor saxophone.

@acebutter9241

I like how A tribe Called Quest used this same sample for the intro to Bonita Applebum but Pete Rock makes a whole track with it with the ill filtering during the verses. Pure genious.

@DBZack1080p

I KNEW THIS SAMPLE SOUNDED FAMILIAR

@kutlo6124

Love For Boom Bap Outta South Africa πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦πŸŒ

@Jar0fTeeth

A classic. ⚑️

@DLNTNKSOUNDS

Thanks for the upload. Still one of my favs

@dannybx78

DLNTNKSOUNDS The instrumental version can be found on Pete Rock's "Lost Sessions" album.

@radiotop6

2019 christmas

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