EPISODE · Mar 20, 2025 · 6 MIN

Do What I Gotta

from #StoriesAboutSongs · host RedefineHipHop

Punch in, punch out, gotta get that check Long hours on the reg, this was built off sweat ‘Welcome to Mickie Dees, may I help ya please’ Teenage shift manager, with his own keys I got rent to pay, I got tapes to buy I need to hit Gand Music, get the studio fly The Rage Cage was the place where the worth was claimed And, getting decent making beats helped build my name Local MCs, wanna make a demo for FREE? Just head to Mickie Dees and then ya ask for me That’s my office hours, we can book a session at the counter The Hardrock Alliance, my favorite clients, I’m the founder An out of towner, who showed up and started some rhyme encounters I’m on on the prowl, ‘bout to give hell to all the doubters I’ll put up dollars, to wax and polish, abstract: Jackson Pollock They asking for it, speaking of the suckers acting brolic I can’t call it, I don’t know what makes em attempt In creating a dent in my armor but it’s barely been bent Begin to resent the passion in the poems I present Not known to pretend but act upon a threat right THEN Write when I first awake, and as fall asleep As well as somewhere in-between, yeah, my rhyme game’s deep So step in, let it engulf ya, became one with the flow I want ya know, I’m doing what I gotta Fa Sho… Yeah, I’m doing what I gotta Fa SHOW… Cause that’s all that I know As far as my crew, let me run em down for you Wildstyle, D.B.I, plus Chapter 2 Black Man Zeke, DJ and MC Reese The S.P.O, Twice Born, and L.O.D Enforcer Chris ain’t frail, known for given em hell Advisor Choice and can’t forget the homie Darrel At home on the hill, that’s where Da Guillotine chill Madd Maxx on the tracks, or the scratch still ill Black Toast, Crypto, and the 40 Thievz We got JEL And KBATE for providing the beats Brain Leakage, Ispi, MadFreaka too Detonator, Cueball, MC ZUlU Immortal Method, Mental Block, D.O.P.E Lethal Weapon, MC Frost, and Vicious D Savage Intellect, Underground Solution, true rebels And Thawfor spreading righteousness to crush the devils From ’87 to ’95, names did change People came and went, but the intent the same The crew was my brain-child that I tried to maintain Dream didn’t last, but still respect the minimal gain I always do what I gotta… From Fox Crest to Colonial Park Was doing my part, making ceremonial art Plus known to embark on solo missions, one of kind Nunchucks back-pocket, tips touching my spine Must I remind, anyone the state of his mind Y’all should lock him in Rage Cage, leave him confined Need to combine these forces which are scattered about The challengers confidence getting shattered to doubt Ya blabber ya mouth, I got a remedy for the route Ya enemies gonna feel what pain is about Mouth of madness, Sutter Cane of the MC game MC’s gon mad? Yeah, I got someone to blame File ya complaint, or thank me for my service, point blank At my breaking point, fueled off anger and angst Beware of the stakes, realize the danger it paints I ain’t a villain, I’m just in a dangerous place Gangs in ya face, to see if ya will fight ya space I don’t need to lift a finger, cause a bluff all it takes Far as the cops, crooked as the smile with they teeth As the old saying goes, ‘Who’s running the streets?’ Not walking a beat, naw, they rather beat ya to sleep Or intimidate, I won’t assimilate, I’m not a sheep And Imma keep my focus the babies, word to father I’m going farther, cause I gotta do what I gotta