40 Acres And My Props
Showbiz & A.G. Lyrics

Showbiz got props, tell me who got the props
Acknowledgement that Showbiz has earned respect and recognition within the music industry and questioning who else has the same level of success.

A.G. got props, tell me who got the props
Acknowledgement that A.G. has earned respect and recognition within the music industry and questioning who else has the same level of success.

Give me my props for '92
Asking for recognition and respect for their hard work and success in the year 1992.

It's me and Showbiz, and this is what we gonna do
Acknowledging that the song is a collaborative effort between Showbiz and A.G.

Give you some now, save some for later
Offering some of their musical talent now but saving some for future songs and albums.

Record labels try and juice me (for what?) for my papers
Record labels are trying to take advantage of Showbiz's financial success by offering him unfavorable deals in exchange for his music.

The offer me a mule (and what else?) and 40 acres
In addition to trying to take a percentage of Showbiz's music profits, record labels try to entice him with the promise of a large amount of land and livestock, which is a reference to the historical promise of 40 acres and a mule given to newly freed slaves in the United States after the Civil War.

I'm dissing snakes now, there's no time to catch the vapors
Showbiz is calling out disingenuous people in the music industry and doesn't have time to waste with them.

I'm not a pup (for what?) a Muppet caper
Showbiz is not a naïve or childish person and won't fall for schemes or tricks.

And all the ghetto groupies get free with the quickness
Showbiz is saying that girls from the ghetto who admire him get special treatment and attention from him.

And Show concentrates and only thinks about business
Showbiz is focused on his music career and making smart business decisions.

I hate a sellout cause he puts me in a rage
Showbiz strongly dislikes when people in the music industry compromise their artistic integrity for financial gain.

I play KRS and throw that ass off the stage
Showbiz is referencing when KRS-One famously threw PM Dawn off the stage during a concert for their controversial comments about hip-hop culture, suggesting that he too would remove anyone who disrespects the genre from his shows.

So give me my props cause I always stay clever
Demanding respect and recognition for his clever lyrics and unique style of music.

And ain't nothing changd but the weather
Despite some outside factors changing, Showbiz has remained consistent in his music and style.

Get your act together, cause I got mines together
Encouraging others to focus on their music and business matters because he's already taken care of his own.

Don't front on the brother with the Pelle Pelle leather
Asking not to be underestimated or looked down upon because of his status and style of clothing.

Record companies try to juice me for my papers
A.G. is experiencing the same issue as Showbiz, with record companies trying to take advantage of his financial success.

They offer me a mule and about 40 acres
Similar to Showbiz, record labels are trying to bribe A.G. with promises of land and livestock in exchange for his music.

They try ot gain from my royalties
Record labels are seeking to make money off of A.G.'s music profits and royalties.

Push me towards the dotted line but you know I didn't sign
Although pressured to sign unfavourable deals with record labels, A.G. has not given in and has remained true to himself.

Labels know straight up when we meet
The record labels know that A.G. won't compromise his artistic integrity or sign unfavourable deals.

Interfere with my career and it's back to the streets
If anyone, including record labels, gets in the way of A.G.'s music career, he is willing to return to street life to support himself.

Bang bang or the pow pow
A.G. is willing to fight and defend himself, even if it means resorting to violence or firearms.

I settle the beef the best way I know how
A.G. will resolve conflicts in the way he knows how, whether that's through talking it out or taking action to defend himself.

Release the savage beast if I'm not taking care
If someone is trying to hurt or take advantage of A.G., he will unleash his primal instincts and protect himself.

Rap is my career and it's my only way outta here
A.G. believes that music is his only chance to escape a life of poverty and hardship.

All that is cool, but my brain is the tool
Although A.G. takes pride in his talent and skills as a rapper, he recognizes that his intelligence and wit are what separate him from other artists.

Gimme my props so we all can rule
Demanding recognition and respect for all artists so that they can all have success within the industry.

Don't show off my skills, I just sprinkle em
A.G. doesn't like to boast or show off his talent; he prefers to let his music speak for itself.

And you're sleeping on my props, wake up before you wrinkle them
A.G. feels that others are not giving him the recognition he deserves and is urging them to acknowledge his talent before it's too late.

The say BMW's a Black Man's Wish
Referring to the idea that owning a BMW is a symbol of success and wealth for Black men in particular.

I wish for an SP-1200 and some discs
A.G. wants music production equipment for his career instead of material possessions like a BMW.

Negativity the least, my material's is cease
A.G. doesn't focus on negative energy or drama in his music; he chooses to make it positive and uplifting instead.

Saying peace to the brothers in the belly of the beast
A.G. is sending well wishes to his friends and fellow artists who may be incarcerated or struggling in other ways.

People saying "Why Show want to rhyme?"
Others are questioning why Showbiz is still pursuing a career in music.

I didn't want to get back and do Fed time
Showbiz doesn't want to go back to prison or face legal trouble by getting involved in illegal activities.

I want to live right and exact, I don't want to be the fat cat
Showbiz wants to live his life with integrity and not be known for greed or excess.

Off the crack and have the Feds down my back
Showbiz doesn't want to get involved in drug use again and potentially face legal trouble.

If the money's stacked, take a step back, black
If Showbiz is making money and successful, he doesn't want any negativity or drama to bring him down.

Or you'll be wearing four four numbers like a quarterback
Referencing the number on a football player's jersey, Showbiz is warning others that if they cross him, they will be marked and known for it.

I was raised one deep by mom dukes and no dad
Growing up with a single mother and no father figure, Showbiz had to learn how to navigate the world on his own.

And now I grab a number two pencil and a pad
Showbiz uses writing as a way to express himself and create music.

Or Erasermate if I make mistakes I erase
Showbiz is constantly editing and refining his work until it's perfect.

And me a Diamond go diggin' in the crates
Referring to the popular DJ Diamond D and the practice of digging through crates of records to find samples to use in his music.

(Where's my 40 acres?) Not the projects of course
A.G. wants land and livestock promised to Black people as reparations during the Civil War, but he doesn't want property in a low-income or dangerous neighborhood.

I asked for a mule, I got an iron horse
In exchange for his music, A.G. was promised a mule and instead he received a car/vehicle.

Shit goes on as the song plays
Life continues to move forward while the music plays and people are still struggling and experiencing hardship.

Can a devil fool a Muslim? Nah, not nowadays
A.G. believes in himself and his talent and won't let anyone, especially those who don't believe in his faith, influence him negatively.