Hardback (Industry)

[ Hook ]

Hard back, stern face

Play your position and know your place

Only move when the money's calling

Take my advice, you'll be balling

You need a hard back, stern face

Play your position and know your place

Only move when the money's calling

Take my advice, you'll be balling

[ Verse 1 ]

First up it's important that you keep your shit original

Try and keep that copycat shit to a minimal

People want something that they never heard before

If it's been done, leave it, they don't wanna hear no more

Secondly here's another clever thing that you can do

Find yourself a good manager who's really got a clue

Cause there're so many to choose from, they all look the part

But it's difficult to come across the ones that's really smart

And can stand firm and steady when the label's talking shit

Well-respected, keeps it gangsta, but does everything legit

And dependable, you can trust to handle your biz

And can really make sure of what the situation is

Next up, find a record label that ain't full of pricks

One that lets you breathe artistically but makes you come with hits

Congratulations, now you got your a deal, you're set to go

Let me fill you in just a couple of things you need to know

[ Hook 2x ]

[ Verse 2 ]

Next up, change your number, change your phone and change your chip

Cause there's gonna be a lot of people ringing talking shit

Whether bredrens wanting money, cause now suddenly you're rich

Or some dumb hating fassies trying to take you for a bitch

Yeah I know it's minor now and you can handle it, it's nothing

But eventually you're really gonna wanna do something

And that's counter-productive, beefin over bullshit

You can never stop them dumb-bredrens tryin to pull shit

Plus you're in the limelight well-paid verbalist

Which leads me on to my next subject - journalists

These are the people that can pull your name about

So be careful what you're saying when you're talking out your mouth

Aand avoid being ignorant, tone down the thug shit

Come to interviews buzzin, tone down the drug shit

Keep your eye on the ball, mind on the drop

And before you know you had the whole world on your knob

[ Hook 2x ]

[ Verse 3 ]

Here's something that I should've stressed early on

Don't go spending all your money till it's gone

Cause the tax man's gonna want his paper when it's due

And there's nobody above the tax man, especially you

And another thing, buy a house before you buy a car

Don't tell no one where you are, even better if you're far

Everybody knows you're a gangsta and that Porsche looks great

But do you really want it sitting on that council estate

Differently watch where you choose to socialize

Keep an eye out for trouble, watch for devils in disguise

And please don't be fooled by no pretty females

Play it safe, never let them know your full details

I ain't saying be para', I'm just saying be sure

You can never know if that bitch is braggin' what she saw

And aside from makin money keep lovin what you do

I ain't saying nothin what cause the rest is up to you

[ Hook 2x ]

Yeah, you dun' know

Just a little guideline there for all my real man dem from the roads

Trying to get into this music ting, yeah

Big shout out to my bredrin DJ Semtex

Hang tight Cage

Big-up the Newham Generals, yeah

We do it liveo

Hang tight UGK

It's a London thing

International, worldwide, you don't care, you dun' know

UK, Dirtee Stank is the label

What!

Run through this industry