Get all 4 yU releases available on Bandcamp and save 30%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of People of Today, A Garbage Beat Tape, the EARN, and Before Taxes.
1. |
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- "we've reached a point now where they're mindless when it comes to create. Seems to me like they cant buy the premise.. Incidently, one of them signed a letter which ive characterized as Before Taxes" -
Now this is just the gross amount before the taxes
Like before this hip hop turned into rap shit
The gap in between. Somebody gotta intervene. I'm the letters M and C
Tracks from Slimkat, half of Khemystery
And I got a tendency to turn words to imagery
Stand for something, or u just might fall for anything
Now what I bring to the table is this tho
A couple lil' gems, you can call it the intro-
-Duction, I've just been.. Finishing theEARN up
So in the meantime, here.. Take this & turn it up
EP stands for Expect Potency
On a quest to gain respect locally to overseas
I guess a leader's gonna lead, followers are gonna follow
And today is all I got, take advantage is the motto that I live by
My chin high, trynna get mines
Quite precise, that's the result when my pen slides
...Across the straight lines, dividing the page
Before Taxes, start it off this way..
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2. |
Beats & Rhymes
02:36
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My name is Mike Willingham. Chillin man, Brand new..
I used to stay in Southeast, off of Southern Avenue
When alotta dudes try, see I Walk like Luke Sky
Gettin mine in due time. Never write a fluke rhyme
And I've listened to alotta niggaz holla dollar, dollar
Quick to follow a star, my role model is my God, and
And see I carve my identity in each song that I leave yall.
The world is yours, u gotta reach for it
But some don't even know what they like
Stop being a get wit, and gain some control in your life
U see, I roll so lowkey. A hypeman, no need.. Only I when I'm onstage
Unless, my man Zak brought his MP wit 'em
And if that man got cut, then he would bleed rhythm
Remainz crew still i'm feeling like the villain in plain clothes
Been slipping under the radar to wake yall
Wit them 8ball, corner pocket rhymes I'm more mature, more wise, more organized
Defiant, like a giant while they sound midget sized
Faithfull to my hometeam, never switching sides
When niggaz upgrade, and beats sound digitized
My rhymes is good like good green, gets ya high
Picture y slipping, nahh.. Get better with time like a fine wine. Grind like the teeth on the sides do
You know the time, I been working overtime
And that's one time fo your mind, and I'm the loyal kind
Wit the eyes of a warrior, so in the clutch i'mma do far more than just enough, so trust that...
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3. |
Almost Time
03:28
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It's almost time, and I'm on my grind
I can see the finish line, cuz it's almost time
-
I remember gettin a call from Kev.
I'm in the cab pumpin Green, Al.. Meanwhile.. Call lost, redial
Kev picked up, and asked what u doin tomorrow
EPMD show, supposed to open up for 'em
For real? Matta fact, if u trynna do your thing
Got room within my set, u trynna kick a 16? Coolbeans
The next day, met at Roddy's bout a hour before
We in the basement, manpower galore
U got Cy Young, Kev, Roddy Rod, & Muhsinah, plus Kenn Starr & Wayna IQ supposed to meet us
Gadget over there taking footage of it all happen
And I'm mapping out the rhyme that I'll probably be rapping
Then Cy looked back, & asked me if I was ready
I just gave him the nod, I'm feeling sharp as a maschete
Aiiight, showmix ready.. Imma follow Cy
I put the car in drive, destination 9:30 it's...
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Hook
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The time was 10:04, a big line at the door..
Im seeing people, some new, some I seen 'em before
I got my army jacket on. Vigilante, damn he ready for war
Tellin security I'm boutta perform
"Then is your name on the list?", I'm thinking ain't this some ish
I wouldn't go thru none of this if I was famous, I guess
I better go find Kev. They at the backdoor tripping, doin a Lil bit of sipping.. "yU, how u living?"
U know... Maintaining. Seen that man Quartermaine and
Made my way inside, the coloured entrance like slavery
Dressing room upstairs, everybody was there
Kaimbr looked then on the floor there was a cooler wit beers
Cheers, then I hit the stairs & I wasn't prepared
Im Bumpin into Blacksheep, he said my name is Dres
Gave my respect then I slide, I heard we on in bout 5
Minutes or less I'm in my head going over my rhymes cuz its..
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Hook
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They introduced Kev Brown. The crowd loud, i'm proud
And Roddy Rod hold it down, in control of the sound
Our hometown, first round.. First song, they went wild
Think it was "Multiply", they rockin side to side
To it, the music sounding good coming out of the speakers
And the mics was aiight. No kind of feedback neither
I don't smoke no weed, but I do get the same feeling
High off of the vibe, I'm by the stage just chillin
Then I heard my name and IQ to hit the stage
No intro, I just go.. Releasing my pain
I said umm... "From the beginning to the backbone ending-"
I thought i could've done better, but that's always my opinion
IQ came in.. The Low Budget & Remainz blend well when we do it
U can hear the people rooting
Stepped off to the side. I know I had a good time..
Got me some beer, got me some dap
And watched the rest of the ride cuz it was..
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Hook
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I said it's almost time
To put the show on the road
And get this out for the world to see
I put in all this time
So I got to let them know
I puts it down and I'm a thorough emcee..
Oh yeah, Speak on it.. Uggghhh
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4. |
Thought About It
04:25
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've got alot on my brain
With stress taller than my daughter, 3 feet and some change
I don't complain, I complete. My aim is like the archer wit an arrow cocked back, let it go.. Target is deceised
And on beats I reach people of all kinds
Sometimes it do take time, but I'm on time..
Genuine with the rhythm I'm designing Started all over, u can call it redefining myself.. bcuz
I try to take 'em back to zero
When folks try to pump your head up, u get a lil ego
And start showing off when you get in front of the people
But when it comes to this here I come with the lethal
And he who tries will get fried
And served like a three piece, wit a biscuit on the side
U risk it all but you fall short.. When it comes to thought, I hold the chalk.. Tracing figures on the asphalt
Trashtalk? Now let me get a lil bit
You won't catch me puttin out that ole bullshit
Nahh.. I love the raw untapped
Stepped away for a second, but I had to come back, cuz I
- hook
Thought About it
(I thought about it)
Thought About It, ugh hugh..
(Put together a plan and just)
Thought About It
(Concentrate for minute, nigga)
All this time..
-Repeat-
Use your mind..
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My man had a plan to get play
On the radio hard, like a hundred times a day
What it takes? Alotta hard work, alotta networking and
Started from the bottom up, just like a rebirth again
Beginning to win now. Hate comes around
When you get a lil bit, niggaz teeth tend to grit
But he saw this.. His walk is, cautious
Don't even need to pack the 4 5th, cuz I got god's strength
Ready for the world like the 80's band
Some make moves, others hate to see u expand
To all the crabs, waiting in the barrel to get a clamp on the champ never, he'll use your ass as examps
So dance to the rhythm that he tapped with both hands
He not for no playing.. Slim's a grown ass man
The big star on the map, that's where we live at..
Get love, and never ever hesitate to give back.. Cuz he
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Hook
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Aiiight to be an emcee, means that I can hold it down even if it's just me
If I'm solo I go for what I know still don't chill
A brova don't een battle.. Nahh I'm gone build. Fo real
Like the girl Lauren Hill..
People say when they hear me rhyme they get a warm feel
In their chest, I'm a child of the most high-est
It seems like the radio be so bi-ased
I experiment with this like some ole science
Lab coat wit the glasses, y-U they asking
But I've never told, what I hold is gold
Like the five finger ring, so get off the ding-a-ling
And lay low.. I hate broke, so I made mo..
Thankful for the bankroll.. iAint changed, same goal..
We got a globe to see. It's way mo then MD and DC. I'm being me, free..
Quit leading these seeds, straight to hades..
Vintage with this is what the remainz means
The game's infected, folks trynna gain green
I could've crossed over, but it really ain't me
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5. |
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U know, some say that them hard times let u know that you're alive
Looking at peace outside, within your in a bind
Feeling confined.. Trying, but it ain't enuff time in one day.. Hugh
Still, u keep your faith up.. Head high, looking straight up
Chaos is kinda like the song's too loud
I turned them down, and turned me up
Need an inspirational re-up
To get my chi-up.. Started with an idea
Clear, concise, and sharp as an icicle
Living your life for you, brainstorming on what I can do.. U know i..
-hook by Bilal Salaam
Woke up late this morning
Put my pants on backwards in a rush
Wont fight fate this morning
Wrapped my mind around the things I trust
-
Now here I am again, scrambling for mines.. Hard, but I'm managing even if I don't have a cent to my name
I invent change.. Gotta keep rent paid
I'm trynna eat, but any smaller u can start to see my ribcage
This brave, the scent of change.. I can smell it y'all..
Like a tapedeck, I had to push play instead of pause
Stress, I let it fall and evolve. That's a law..
Press record, then spit a bar wit a cause
We live amongst stars.. My art is with a scar..
Walking the boulevard, blackmale full of heart
Some try to pull it apart, but it wouldn't harm.. Nahh
While I sing the song, if u look u find good in all.. U know i..
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Hook
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I'm feeling close to my maker. Thankful I'm allowed to wakeup, and explore another day cuz I don't have to
Ain't nuffin to it, let's do it.. Just like the planet, keep moving..
Roll wit a family unit. Brothers, we not a crew..
And just to keep it cohesive, making them songs that be reaching, deep in your soul when u need it, u know we got jewels
And not around our necks.. And that's about a bet
I rhyme witout a sweat, heaven haven't found it yet
And life is not a rec, therefor I do not play around wit it
Many frauds, later u find out that they were counterfeit
How is this? How could a friend turn foul, I sat and analyzed once I broke it down.. Sing it Bilal..
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6. |
Corners feat. EyeQ
04:09
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EyeQ verse
Standing on the corner, trynna make a few dollars
Lil shorty had a mother, but she never knew her father
Her poppa rolled out when she was 1, he was a alcoholic
From the bottle, any problem he had it would solve it
Momma was an addict, puttin heroine up in her veins
Alot of nights she was out looking for the product
The only role model in her life was a dude riding round in a rimmed out chevy impala
-
yU verse
I took a swallow, sitting out on the front step to hollar at Ronald
Who's smelling just like a bag of juana
Couldve been bad charma.. Cops put him in a lineup
Possession of that white powder, now he's not around us
But it's far from silent bout three blocks from Howard
Better guard your wallet... fiends walk away smiling
Folks be cold whiling on the ave of Rhode Island
Lot of guns, sex, violence, wilding to get the dollar
-
Hook
And on the corners you see hustlers be balling, & customers be falling.. The police patrolling the ave
So take this as a warning, cuz the block be scalding hot when they be out there making cash..
The Corner
-
yU verse
I told ya, u hang up on that strip if you want ta
Folks approach when they get broke quick to poke a
Hole in your goodie bag, off of Massachusetts Ave
Ruthless, dippers make a man look stoopid
And do shit to change others futures for two hits
Need to quit, selling fiends a fix
They so gone they robbing ATM machines to get
Some mo of that high, lips dry, Vaseline dem shits, n-gga
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EyeQ verse
The greasy chick, walking wit the meanest switch
With bitter intents of flipping that paper to get rich
Scheming quick, with big hips, ass, and tits
On the strip thinking, "who's really gonna pass up this?"
It's obvious that Ronald didn't, he got out of jail and started pimpin
Different women just to make him a living
Drug dealing behind him, that's the shit that put him in prison
He started a new mission, "Get on the corner, you bitches!! "
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Hook
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EyeQ
It's home to rats, roaches, and plus the vultures, and cold shoulders faceoff like travolta
-
yU
Go head make a left on Georgia Ave turn on Florida..
Bad brauds for cash'll smash off the four of us
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EyeQ
Not enuff, there more of us.. Deep in the Ford Taurus
Nope, not popo.. Riding wit no insurance
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yU
It's like 4 in the morning, yup.. Niggaz, more than enuff
Stickup, gone give it up.. The liquor is poured in the cup
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EyeQ
Go ahead and open it up. That potent bag of the krunk
We smoking, laughing it up.. U joking, he so serious
-
yU
The jumpouts? Awwe, here they come now..
Come out.. Hands put'em up, now.
Fuck dat, I'm boutta run out
A fact, shots tend to go blowww
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EyeQ
Freeze.. Nigga please. Catching me, u must be tripping
-
yU
He hopped over a fence, and got rid of the evidence and
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EyeQ
They started sprinting
-
yU
They shot, and missed him
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EyeQ
He probly nicked him
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yU
A warning
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EyeQ
The block is scalding
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yU & EyeQ
N-gga we balling
-
hook
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7. |
The Up & Up
02:12
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8. |
Close
04:35
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9. |
Fine
02:17
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10. |
Lunchin' (prod. Oddisee)
04:39
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11. |
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12. |
Memory
02:50
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13. |
The Rock
02:05
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14. |
In The Reign
03:54
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15. |
MmHmm
03:09
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17. |
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19. |
On Ya Head
04:11
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20. |
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22. |
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