The Illest Brother

[Chorus] Gotta be the illest brother to claim respect It takes the illest brother just to get respect Got to be the illest brother when it's time to get wreck Got to be the illest brother when I get my mic check [Verse 1: Guru] I'm one of the illest brothers known to man But if you don't understand, see I'm a grown man And I stand 5'8" and 3 quarters Giving orders to my squadron 'cause I'm like the sergeant Or general but let me keep this minimal I used to hang with kids who like to live trife with a knife Cutting kids for fun and pulling out much guns And like riflery champs, fellas start to get amped Dead bodies lay stamped to the pavement so I gave it some thought Remembering the brothers who are gone now I'll make a strong vow to make things right Ignite the mic, get hype, and all that Suckers try to menace, but they always fall flat To the ground, as I astound, come around I'll put you down about the brothers who think they're boss Think they're getting large but in the end they pay the cost Of their lives, and that ain't the way to go out Even take their boys with 'em, 'cause they know their boys will go out But when it comes to facing some time They're like crying, like weeping, wanna call Mom Dukes But Mom Dukes is fed, fed up with the shit you did She knows that you shot and she knows that you crippled kids But who's to judge when you're trying to survive The one who moves first might be the one to stay alive So when you think you're hard and dominating the set Just remember, the illest brother claims respect [Scratch Break: DJ Premier] [Verse 2: Guru] Like I said, I'm an ill kid, so never dare test me They wanna arrest me, 'cause I'm causing a frenzy Fake gangsters come and fake gangsters go Real gangsters chill, 'cause real gangsters know That quietly you stalk your prey on the down low 'Cause too much talk will get you beef on the street And brothers in the city have to live this way It may cause dismay, but I'ma tell it anyway Yo, guns are easy to get, and like a puppet Some young kid is gonna be the subject Of internal oppression, an example of hard times To make it out the trap in your mind is a hard climb But even if you change and come right and exact There's another brother scheming, so just watch your back I know a brother who thought he had it all But little did he know he was bound for a downfall He'd pick up the heater and go stick somebody He wouldn't give a damn if he killed somebody 'Cause if somebody would get in the way of him getting loot There'd be no hesitation – he'd just shoot It's like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Except it's reality and you don't see it on TV Brothers keep dying in the streets, 'cause the streets are designed To keep you from having peace of mind I know an old man, he's got a rifle to stifle any young punk He hides it under his bunk And I know a kid who's been to jail, and He told me that the system had failed him So now he's out the joint and he's like flippin' on kids And the people in his neighborhood are flippin' their wigs But you gotta check the moves, 'cause there's a reason A method to the madness, and you know what I'm meaning 'Cause rather than being the herb, vic, or chump You can be just like my man cold holding the pump But living like that, you take a chance with your life But some things in life, sometimes, will make you uptight I'm like an avalanche of knowledge pounding down all fools All fakes, all snakes, and ones who try to break the rules And regulations, stipulations made by the Gang Starr You try to flex muscle, you know you can't hang hops You're making me vexed, but yeah, you can go next Just remember, the illest brother claims respect [Scratch Break: DJ Premier] [Chorus] Gotta be the illest brother to claim respect It takes the illest brother just to get respect Got to be the illest brother when it's time to get wreck Got to be the illest brother when I get my mic check [Verse 3: Guru] Yo, money don't front, you know you blew your chance And now it's my turn, so I'ma take command 'Cause I'm like the one who's got all the juice I always get loose, I got the balls to reduce Your crew, very easily, I got more ammo I'm like the ill kid, psycho man, yeah 'Cause now I'm past the point and I ain't gonna return And when it comes to your destruction, I ain't really concerned About the consequences, 'cause I'm living day to day So who are you to comment about me and my ways? I get my attitude from living and I'll never forget You got to be the illest brother, just to claim respect [Outro: Richard Pryor sample] "The worst thing about jail is – your woman come and visits you, man And they get funky when a nigga's locked up, right You behind 8 inches of glass, you can't reach them motherfuckers Right, she be talkin' about, 'I never did like your momma' Who are you talkin' to?! 'Talkin' to you, nigga! You the one in jail!'"