You Don't Work U Don't Eat

Five years ago, when I was in high school

No bills to pay, I used to say to myself, "Huh, life is cool"

I had a roof over my head and a part-time job

Slanging out at OB's birdstand

Washington High was the school I attended

Till '87 graduation came and I wasn't wit' it

Kicked out the house at the age of 18

No money for college, mmm, so how should I handle things?

I tried to go the so-called right way

And went to a JG, but I wasn't gettin' paid

I'm workin' at a chicken stand now with a chicken

On a spring at the top of my hat, gettin' clowned

I gotta pay my rent, but my job ain't cuttin' it

So now I'm drinkin' gin, sayin', "Here's my alternative"

To either keep doing what I do and don't trip

Or go and buy gat, y'all, and come up on the grip

So like anybody else, I went and bought a gun

Pullin' burgs at night and now I'm countin' my funds

Eat three times a day and drive a coupe on Dana's

Cruisin' through the alley, bumpin' Ohio Players

Yo, man, you cay what you want, but I was taught on the streets

That if a brother didn't work, then he didn't eat

You don't work, you can't eat

Peep this, something kind is for weakness

Focus on the funk and listen while I freak this

Subject of survival, gotta stay alive, ha

I gotta eat, so it do or die

I'm not a full-time crook, but I was born right

So if I wanna eat, sometimes, I gotta jack

So Jack, I will and go get some presidents

A foot in the grave and the other on a oil slick

Money ain't everything, but neither is brokeness

Give me a knife 'cause I can't live off happiness

Once a brother said I can't work for the white kind

Standin' on the corner in a soup line

Said he's too black, too strong, ain't done nothing yet

Waitin' on the fifth for his government relief check

Hummin' and bummin', most hate to see him comin'

And every first and fifteenth, these strongs on his life

But a hustle is a hustle and a meal is a meal

That's why I'm real and I ain't afraid to steal

Straight from the street, backed up by a funky beat

If you don't work, OG, then you don't eat

You don't work, you can't eat

You don't work, you can't eat

Hey, yo, I want y'all to meet a **** from the Lench Mob

He gaffled for his meals (McDonald's is my spot)

Hey, yo, Jay Dee, kick some shit for the Maad Circle, G, yo

If you don't work, you don't eat, need I say more?

'Cause I'ma kick my rhymes in a bundle while you stay poor

Since I was 14, I raised myself

I built a roof over my head and then I went for something

I sold cooked-up rock, paid my way through school

I'm not sayin' you should do it 'cause it ain't too cool

Kickin' and draggin', saw me stylin'

Playing to start your back?

Talkin' about that bullshit pride, do you slay me right?

And you other motherfuckers, out here beggin' for change

Need to wise up and seek personal gain

Or maintain some type of pain

'Cause they don't give out hot lunches out here in LA

Yom peace to the Dub and the Maad Circle

For givin' me the chance to let rhyme just flow

So you can (So you can either sell dope or get your ass a job)

Jay Dee (I'd rather roll with the Lench mob)

You don't work, you can't eat

Eiht is steppin' from the city down under

And I'm robbin' more punk fools blind like Stevie Wonder

Ain't no punchin' the clock, I ain't wit' it

For in a quarter a hour, I make the shit every minute

And please, don't let me catch a brother slippin'

He'll be shot, shorter than short

With my hands around his throat

Fool, come off the chain and bracelet

I know it's wrong, but face it

A brother like me won't win the lottery

Ain't no fakin' when it's time to bring home the bacon

'Cause I was taught, get what you wanna get quick

And don't get gaffled in the mix

So I guess I'll keep stackin' and breakin' the law

Checkin' a fool, wreckin' and breakin' his jaw

Yeah, that's life in the Compton streets

Homeboy, you don't work, homeboy, you don't eat

You don't work, you can't eat

This record was put together by Jay Dee, Coolio, and W

Eiht, Chilly Chill, and DJ Crazy Toons

Six brothers ought to get paid

Only 'cause nowadays you gotta for self or go broke, huh

I'm livin' day by day 'cause, see, the future ain't pormised

So save that drama for your mama

And make sure you're out of my path when I'm on the creep tip

Or have your first name changed to RIP

You don't work, you can't eat

You don't work, you can't eat

You don't work, you can't eat