The Message & The Money - Lyrics - Immortal Technique
Felipe Andres Coronel , better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is a Peruvian-American rapper as well as an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics. The views expressed in his lyrics are largely commentary on issues such as class struggle, socialism, poverty, religion, government, imperialism and institutional racism.
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(Immortal Technique)
Before we go any further..
I would like to send a message to all the underground mc's out there, working hard
The time has come to realize your net worth in a market
and stop being a *** commodity
And if you didn't understand what I've just said then you already waiting to get ***
For example; a lot of these promoters are doing showcases
throwing events, and not even paying the workhorses
They trying get us to rock for the love of hiphop or rock for the exposure
Now look man, I don't mind doing a guest spot for my peeps
Or, or, or doing a benefit show, but don't lie to me ***
Coz I find out I'm paying your lightbill, I'm *** you up ***
Besides, you ain't doing this for the love, you ain't doing it for the exposure
you charging up to $10 at the door, and you ain't tryin to give me ***???
So wait a minute... you want me to go shopping, cook the food, and put it in front of you
but you won't let me sit down and eat with you? The *** is that?
*** need to start playing their position, man. Just coz you throw a party
a hosting event or an open mic or a showcase, or a battle
that don't make you important at all
Without me and everybody like me out there
you ain't nutting but a good idea, ***
So stay in your place
And to all these bitchass A&Rs who are too lazy to come up with a way to sell records..
That they keep recycling marketing schemes and imagery
C'mon..
There is a market for everything man
There is a market for pet psychologists ***. There is a market for twisted
***-fetish video's. For *** rings, for river dancing, for chocolate covered roaches..
But you can't find one for cultured hardcore reality and hip hop?
People like you: the house *** executives
and them rich *** that own you; you the *** machine man!
You and all these *** talking about the same ***
with the same flow over the same candy-*** beats
But I refuse the feed the machine
And I'm not giving any magazine money
So maybe my album won't get 5 mics, or double XL's, or 5 discs
Whatever man, *** it
But then again; you don't own me, and none of you *** ever will
If I'm feeling what you fight for I'm rolling with you to the end
But if not, then *** YOU!
And the more that MCs, producers, DJs
and independent labels start to grasp the conceptuality
of what their contribution to the business of hiphop is
rather then just the music - the more the industry will be forced to change
Oh, heh, and one last thing;
You don't have to agree with everything I've said
But don't ever be condescending to me
Picking up your wack *** friends that rhyme and being like
'Oh yeah, Immortal Technique - he's aaiight'
No ***..
Your mom is ***, that's aaiight, ok..
Your peoples getting shot dead in the street, that's aaiight
I'm the *** Immortal Technique ***! The message and the money!
And you ain't got either!
Remember that!
Punk *** ***..
(Clip from the Film "A Soldier's Story)
See, the Black race can't afford you no more
Oh there used to be a time we'd see someone like you
Singin', Clownin', Yessir Bossin', and we wouldn't do anything
Folks liked that. You were good. Homey kind of ***.
When you needed somebody to mistreat, call a name or two
They paraded you. Reminded them of the good ol' days.
Not no more.
