The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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 you networked in a market,
and stop being a fucking commodity.
And if you didn't understand what I've just said then you already waiting to get fucked.
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 pussy.
Cause I find out I'm paying your lightbill, I'm fucking you up nigga.
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 shit?
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 fuck is that?
Niggas need to start playing their position, man. Just cause you throw a party,
or host an 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, motherfucker
So stay in your place.
And to all these bitchass A&R's 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 nigga. There is a market for twisted
shitfetish videos. For nipplerings, for riverdancing, for chocolate cupboard roaches.
But you can't find one for cultured hardcore reality and hiphop?
People like you: the house nigga executives
and them rich motherfuckers that own you; you the motherfucking machine man!
You and all these niggas talking about the same shit
with the same flow over the same candy-ass beats,
But I refuse the feed the machine
And Im not giving any magazine money
So maybe my album won't get 5 mics, or double-XL's, or 5 discs
Whatever man, fuck it.
But then again; you don't own me, and none of you niggas ever will.
If I'm feeling what you fight for I'm rolling with you to the end
But if not, then FUCK YOU!
And the more that MC's, producers, DJ's
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, 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 ass friends that rhyme and being like
"Ow yeah, Immortal Technique - he's aight"
No nigga.
Your mom is pussy, that's aight, ok.
Your peoples getting shot dead in the street, that's aight.
I'm the motherfucking Immortal Technique nigga! The message and the money!
And you ain't got either!
Remember that!
Punk ass motherfucker..
I would like to send a message to all the underground MC's out there, working hard.
The time has come to realize you networked in a market,
and stop being a fucking commodity.
And if you didn't understand what I've just said then you already waiting to get fucked.
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 pussy.
Cause I find out I'm paying your lightbill, I'm fucking you up nigga.
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 shit?
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 fuck is that?
Niggas need to start playing their position, man. Just cause you throw a party,
or host an 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, motherfucker
So stay in your place.
And to all these bitchass A&R's 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 nigga. There is a market for twisted
shitfetish videos. For nipplerings, for riverdancing, for chocolate cupboard roaches.
But you can't find one for cultured hardcore reality and hiphop?
People like you: the house nigga executives
and them rich motherfuckers that own you; you the motherfucking machine man!
You and all these niggas talking about the same shit
with the same flow over the same candy-ass beats,
But I refuse the feed the machine
And Im not giving any magazine money
So maybe my album won't get 5 mics, or double-XL's, or 5 discs
Whatever man, fuck it.
But then again; you don't own me, and none of you niggas ever will.
If I'm feeling what you fight for I'm rolling with you to the end
But if not, then FUCK YOU!
And the more that MC's, producers, DJ's
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, 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 ass friends that rhyme and being like
"Ow yeah, Immortal Technique - he's aight"
No nigga.
Your mom is pussy, that's aight, ok.
Your peoples getting shot dead in the street, that's aight.
I'm the motherfucking Immortal Technique nigga! The message and the money!
And you ain't got either!
Remember that!
Punk ass motherfucker..
Lyrics submitted by Horror
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