[Intro: Eric B. and Rakim]

Yo, Rakim, what's up?

Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E, man, I'm trying to get paid in full

Well, check this out, since Norby Walters is our agency, right?

True

Cara Lewis is our agent

Word up

Zakia and 4th and Broadway is our record company

Indeed

Okay, so, who we rollin' with, then?

We rollin' with Rush, of Rushtown Management

Check this out, since we talkin' over this def beat right here that I put together

I wanna hear some of them def rhymes, you know what I'm sayin'?

And together we can get paid in full

[Verse: Rakim]

Thinkin' of a master plan

'Cause ain't nothin' but sweat inside my hand

So I dig into my pocket, all my money spent

So I dig deeper, but still coming up with lint

So I start my mission, leave my residence

Thinking, "How could I get some dead presidents?"

I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid

So I think of all the devious things I did

I used to roll up, "This is a hold-up, ain't nothing funny

Stop smiling, be still, don't nothing move but the money"

But now, I've learned to earn 'cause I'm righteous

I feel great, so maybe, I might just

Search for a nine to five, if I strive

Then maybe I'll stay alive

So I walk up the street, whistling this

Feeling out of place 'cause, man, do I miss

A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of

Me and Eric B. and a nice big plate of

Fish, which is my favorite dish

But without no money, it's still a wish

'Cause I don't like to dream about gettin' paid

So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made

So now's a test to see if I got pull

Hit the studio, 'cause I'm paid in full

[Outro: Eric B. and Rakim]

Rakim, check this out

Yo, you go to your girl's house and I'll go to mine

'Cause my girl is definitely mad 'cause it took us too long to do this album

Yo, I hear what you're saying, so let's just pump the music up and count our money

Yo, well check this out

Yo, Elai

Turn the bass down and just let the beat keep on rocking

And we outta here

Yo, what happened to peace?

Peace

[Produced by Eric B.]