True To The Game
Us3 Lyrics

At age 13 turned fiend, dreamed nights M.C'ing
At 13 years old, I became obsessed with MCing and would dream about it at night.

Reciting rapper's delight enticed by limelight
I was inspired to rap by hearing songs like 'Rapper's Delight' and was drawn to fame and attention.

Ambitious visions of vinyl 12 inches
I had big dreams of releasing my own vinyl records.

Since Yellowman was king Albino
I started rapping at a time when Yellowman was a popular performer and I was influenced by him.

Critiqued my form of speak on breakbeats
I practiced my rapping style over breakbeats and would analyze my own performance for areas of improvement.

Cut on 2 Technics in a basement on 210th street
I spent many hours practicing my DJ skills in a basement located on 210th street using 2 Technics turntables.

House jams, parks, block parties, halls and armories
I would perform at various events such as house parties, parks, block parties, halls, and armories.

Foremost behind the ropes, you only spoke if you was doped
I started out as an outsider and wasn't taken seriously until I proved myself as a skilled rapper.

Then formed crews, some rappers now retired
I collaborated with other rappers and formed groups, but some of them have since retired.

My desire required more than a quiet name on flyer's
I wanted more than just my name on a flyer, I wanted to be a successful rapper.

Inspired, remain for delft, vowin' to see the day my records on the shelf
I was inspired to keep working hard to achieve my dream of having my own records for sale in stores.

Sold out at HMV and Tower, just how I dreamed
I achieved my goal of having my records sell out at record stores like HMV and Tower.

Recall hearin' mom scream "Wake up"
My mom told me to focus on school and keep my grades up instead of pursuing my dreams of becoming a rapper.

"Stay in school, take up classes, keep your grades up"
My mom advised me to prioritize my education and not let my aspirations get in the way of my academics.

But straight up, since my mind's been made up to do this
Regardless of my mother's advice, I was determined to become a successful rapper.

KCB son, ain't new to this, I'm true to this
I have been rapping for a long time and I am dedicated to the craft.

Time passed yet M.O. remains makin' demos
Although time has passed, I am still making demo tapes to try and advance my career.

Though wished behind the windows of a limo
Although I dreamed of becoming rich and famous, I am still making demo tapes without being signed to a record label.

Sippin' champagne, producers kicked game, expected
Producers would flatter me and offer me gifts, but their offers would ultimately fall through.

Label exec's smirked at hard work, tapes rejected
Label executives would laugh at my hard work and ultimately reject my demo tapes.

Connected with Eli perfected Mikey D and I wrecked it
I collaborated with other rappers and we produced high-quality rap music.

Resurrected, marked the return few expected
I came back strong and showed that I was capable of producing great rap music, even though people had doubted me.

Picked up in '89, signed but slipped up, charted, bigged up
I was signed to a record label in 1989 but things started to go downhill and my music wasn't as successful as I had hoped.

Come to find royalty time, ain't see a dime
Despite producing and releasing music, I did not receive the royalties I felt I was owed.

For promo shows, though exposed felt cheap
I would perform at promotional events, but sometimes felt as though I was being taken advantage of.

Kicked out the crib to the streets of Medina, where I'd sleep
I was forced to leave my home and ended up homeless, sleeping on the streets in the Medina area.

Starvin' regardless, persist beyond exist to do this
Despite my struggles, I continued to pursue my dream of becoming a successful rapper and refused to give up.

Sons is clueless done, ain't new to this I'm true to this
Many young rappers today do not understand the struggles that come with this profession, but I have been rapping for a long time and am dedicated to it.

The script flips, '96 relationships consist of wisdoms
By 1996, my approach to relationships had changed and I valued wisdom and knowledge more highly than before.

Wishin' I quit, insufficient funds, silver tongues strung on drums
I sometimes wished that I had quit pursuing rap due to financial struggles, but I continued to work on my craft.

A1 yet still unsung, adapt and overcome the aggravation of years waitin'
I knew that I was talented but had not yet reached the level of fame I hoped for, and I had to adapt to the frustrations that came with waiting for my big break.

And heads fakin', Jax sayin' "Is it worth the frustration?"
People in the industry would lie to me and I found myself questioning whether all the frustrations of pursuing a rap career were worth it.

It ain't payin' considerably, lacking consistency
Despite being a talented rapper, I was not making enough money and did not have a consistent income stream.

Absentee in an industry exceeding M.C's, yet keep strivin' to maintain
I was not getting the recognition I deserved in an industry full of talented rappers, but I continued to strive for success.

Too late in the game to change direction
I had been pursuing a rap career for too long and it was no longer feasible for me to change my direction in life.

Sustain flexin' dialect, tongue blessin' sessions
I continued to write and perform raps, using my unique linguistic style to create memorable and engaging music.

Progress in this profession, knowledge the lesson
I learned many lessons throughout my career and continued to progress as a rapper.

Let it be known never forgettin', this ain't no dream
I knew that my dream of becoming a successful rapper was not just a fantasy, but a real possibility if I continued to work hard.

Although, it may seem like at times the mic's grabbed up on
Sometimes it seemed like other rappers were the only ones getting attention and success in the industry.

Scenes true indeed, born to succeed, my mind is made up to do this
Despite the difficulties, I knew that I was destined to be a successful rapper and I was committed to making it happen.

KCB son, ain't new to this, I'm true to this
I have been rapping for a long time and am dedicated to the craft, no matter what challenges come my way.

Stay true to the game
I remain committed to the rap game and am dedicated to producing high-quality music.

I'm out to get the fortune and fame
Although I am passionate about rap music, I am also hoping to achieve financial success and fame through my career.