Da Grind

[Intro] Yeah Send this one out to everybody, trying to make ends meet Yeah [Chorus] I'm on the grind Still got my money on my mind And I, feel like I'm walking on the line When it, seems like I'm running out of time That's when I'm going on the grind [Verse 1: Masta Ace] Ay yo, I'm trying to make my dollars double I done found a place to fit in For niggas trying to get into this power struggle I work hard on the job like immigrants And always try to get my first half in advance It sounds strange but the rap game is not a game You could make a lot of money, gain a lot of fame But don't get it twisted You could get addicted Buy a mansion in the Hamptons, and get evicted Now if you call me and I'm not around I'm probably putting my grind down Doing shows out of town I be the manager, road manager, and call handler Booking agent, choreographer and tour planner I be the V.P. of marketing and promotions Producer and arranger, with a range of emotions And after it all, I still gotta perform At three o'clock in the morn', when half the fans are gone But it's fine Been on the grind since like '88 or '89 The game is foul like a plate of swine Now is there anybody kind like me? Is anybody out there on the grind like me? For everybody working nine to five For everybody trying to rise with they eyes on the prize I'm with 'cha, we all going through it But yo, deep down inside I know we still gon' do it Oh [Chorus] I'm on the grind Still got my money on my mind And I, feel like I'm walking on the line And it, seems like I'm running out of time That's why I'm always on the grind Yeah, I'm on the grind Still got my money on my mind And I, feel like I'm walking on the line When it, seems like I'm running out of time That's when I'm going on the grind [Verse 2: Apocalypse] Yeah I really feel I'm blessed 'cause I was born with a talent to rhyme But the stress got me this close to quitting sometimes On the crowded A-train every morning I can't wait for the day My hustle game don't got to start this way Niggas think it's all good when they see me and hear my CD And think I'm jumping in the 745 with TVs They don't know I miss tours and shows To go to work and pay bills and keep dough on my clothes In the shadow of a legend so They expect me to spit and sound like him But y'all need to let it go Everyday I face the crossroad of rap or drugs Album cuts and singles and crack heads and clappin' thugs When I'm broke my moms won't even give me a hug But on payday I'm her baby then she call it love I keep making my moves 'cause one day I'ma prove I got what it take and I will not lose Yeah [Chorus] I'm on the grind Still got my money on my mind And I, feel like I'm walking on the line And it, seems like I'm running out of time That's why I'm always on the grind Yeah, I'm on the grind Still got my money on my mind And I, feel like I'm walking on the line When it, seems like I'm running out of time That's when I'm going on the grind [Outro] ("I had to hustle hard, ne-ne-never give up" "I had to hustle hard, ne-ne-never give up" "I had to hustle hard, ne-ne-never give up" "I had to hustle hard, ne-ne-never give up" "I had to hu-hu-hu-hustle hard, ne-ne-ne-ne-never give up" "I had to hu-hu-hu-hustle hard, ne-ne-ne-ne-never give up-up-up-up")