Unemployment at a record high People coming, people going, people born to die Don't ask me, because I don't know why But it's like that, and that's the way it is People in the world try to make ends meet You try to ride car, train, bus, or feet I said you got to work hard to want to compete It's like that, and that's the way it is Huh! Money is the key to end all your woes Your ups, your downs, your highs and your lows Won't you tell me last time that love bought you clothes? It's like that, and that's the way it is Bills rise higher every day We receive much lower pay I'd rather stay young, go out and play It's like that, and that's the way it is Huh! War's going on across the sea Street soldiers killing the elderly What ever happened to unity? It's like that, and that that's the way it is Disillusion is the word That's used by me when I'm not heard I just go through life with my glasses blurred It's like that, and that's the way it is Huh! You can see a lot in this lifespan Like a bum eating out of a garbage can You notice one time he was your man It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is You should've gone to school, you could've learned to trade But you laid in the bed where the bums have laid Now all the time you're crying that you're underpaid It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is Huh! One thing I know is that life is short So listen up homeboy, give this a thought The next time someone's teaching why don't you get taught? It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is If you really think about it, times aren't that bad The one that stretches for successes will make you glad Stop playing, start praying, you won't be sad It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is Huh! When you feel you'll fail sometimes it hurts For a meaning in life is why you search Take the bus or the train, drive to school or the church It's like that, and that's the way it is Here's another point in life you should not miss Do not be a fool who's prejudice Because we're all written down on the same list It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is Huh! You know it's like that, and that's the way it is Because it's like that, and that's the way it is You know it's like that, and that's the way it is Because it's like that, and that's the way it is You know it's like that, and that's the way it is Because it's like that, and that's the way it is You know it's like that, and that's the way it is Because it's like that, and that's the way it is...

Makin' crazy tracks it's mellow with the music Did you know that you have a mind so use it Now this may sound confusin', yes yes indeed You got what you want, well I got what I need Walk down the block and say hi to the fellas Lookin' at ya funny, maybe it's 'cos they're jealous Don't let it hit the spot, 'cos they want what you got To knock you out the box and fill ya empty slot So hustle like a gigolo and go for what you know If you need a lesson get tickets to my show If you called the ho, yo there must be a reason You caught some ill shit, now ya gotta stop the skeezin' Get a job hooker, better yet pick up a book Step in front the mirror and take a long look This method of attack is opposite of wack So if ya got the knack it's time to make tracks Lookin' like the next man, is that who you are? Copy cattin' nigga's won't take ya very far So be your own man son, live your life grand Be your own ruler of your own plot of land Sellin' crystal meth aka the crack rock Don't be too mad when ya find ya ass locked Killin' off ya brothers, stringin' out ya mother That may not be your case but it surely is for others Doin' dirty deeds, and pullin' off the capers Now you're lookin' gassed with ya picture in the papers Far from being wack, yo if you're proud and black You'll listen to the rap and then you'll make tracks Bootleg tapes? Yo, what are you, crazy? Knockin' niggas out, huh, that shit don't faze me Don't let me catch you boy, I'll play you like a toy Not tryin' to be a bully, but I'm quick to stop your ploy There's better things to do, other ways of getting' paid Illin', cold chillin', and layin' in the shade Just look at Hi-C and Rahsaan for example We're too legit to quit and our dough supply is ample So if ya gotta brain or a head on your shoulders Better use it quick 'cos you're only getting' older It's knowledge that I kick, it's courage that you lack Ya best to get it fast duke, and make tracks

Move with precision, decisions to make, fakes to shake Talk a good game but yo, your stash ain't no wins I'm in the biz of makin' it big and express myself Through jams that they even bop to in Japan, my man Change for a dollar so I can make this call Get my money correct 'cos I been broke too long Gotta keep it legit, can't be locked for years Find me a 9 to 5, blood sweat and tears But can it work boss man smack the jerk for tryin' to jerk me Thinkin' I can't see inconsistency in my currency Now I'm back out on the street Walking these dogs for ends meet, life's not sweet But I still rock rhymes to beats Put it together maybe we can make an explosion But it takes time, record labels mess up your mind You could press rewind and catch a dose one more time Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Gimme mine and I'll spark the chart like flint Money spent back to start, who wants parts of this Crisp on compact disk but don't you diss the vinyl mix I got the hook up at the crib That's my escape from this world today, watch 'em blow up Then deflate like a souffle, I see it every day, all day I'm out for the gold, forget the silver and the bronze Gotta make dough, send home to wifey and moms Invest in real estate, computers and all this Plan's flawless, bumpy roads, I'm ready So all you fakers get jetty or get chopped up like confetti I'm on a mission for this permanent position Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that On the bricks, scuffed up kicks, not a hint of dough Lost my job, now I'm livin' like a slob Re-plan regroup, gotta hook up with my make money troops Two scoops of loops, studio, time to blow Hip-hop scene flooded, everybody gettin' blunted A&R's frontin', guess I gotta prove somethin' Over percussion, Shabaam Sahdeeq rushin' like the Kremlin Got MC's tremblin' in their lab, take a stab at me Superior with word play Stress overtakes the fakes everyday all day Rugged like Broadway, no time for horseplay In the struggle don't you lower your level Gotta take charge like credit, need to start talkin' aesthetic 'Cos when you lose your chance you will regret it, get it Lyrics embedded in your head like memories Remember these Us3 melodies Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, man Caught up in a struggle You got me caught up in a struggle like that, like that