Textbook

Is there any place in business for an honest person?
This is De La Soul, the entrepreneur’s version
Rap music has a problem, it’s all so controversial
But I got products and services customers wanna purchase
So I can’t stop the hustle, shout outs to Russell
Simmons – either rap is a business, or it’s not successful
You gots to buckle down, Warren Buffet style
That’s how you get your people out the struggle
I’ve been trainin’ myself, I’m shameless as hell
With self-promotion, ‘cause I’ve got some shit I’m aimin’ to sell
I make rap music that’s as entertaining as hell
But it’s packed full of facts and information as well
That’s why my stock is rising – it’s not surprising
It’s the information age, storage costs are diving
But when it comes to analyzing data, the market’s thriving
This is a rap guide to what’s on the horizon

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I don’t compete with Jay-Z ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I’m no threat to 50 Cent ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook

The idea came to me when I was takin’ a crap
I could make a career out of informational rap
Instead of boastin’ and braggin’ I could base it in fact
That was ten years ago, now check the place where I’m at
I’m the chief executive of Rap Guide Incorporated
Global dominance in the field of educational rap
Plus platinum plaques, and estimated
Future revenues of… well, seventy or eighty
Million, at first it was stops and starts
But now it’s all Rap Guide music that tops the charts
Conscious rap – that’s hip-hop with smarts
So I wanna try to explain how I got this far
With the plaque on the desk – it’s about managing risk
And adaptin’ to fresh circumstances, and yes
Sometimes havin’ to stretch the facts a lil bit
You gotta fake it ‘til you make it on the path to success

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I don’t compete with Ludacris ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I’m no threat to Eminem ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook

It’s like one of those “CEO Survey” type initiatives
“We need some insight for young executives
Please, teach us how to drink blood and stay competitive!”
Those reports are like a fuckin’ sedative
I’m here to synthesize information into basic packets
‘Cause young peoples’ minds today... way distracted
Business leaders need to take evasive action
Before their contracting niche in the marketplace collapses
‘Cause in the rat race only change is constant
And the main commodity is information content
You gotta separate the signal from the noise and the blatant nonsense
And modern workers want a playful office
So get some X-Boxes – it’s simple economics
If you give people what they want, it leads to profits
Business has to stay creative, and keep evolving
The Rap Guide can teach you how – believe the promise

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I don’t compete with Asher Roth ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook

Step to the stage with your best foot
Hit the competition with a left hook
I’m no threat to Justin Bieber ‘cause I’m less hood
I compete with a textbook
Credits