[Verse 1]
I only break the rules ‘cause I want a different challenge
They asked me if I’ve cooled, on some honest shit, I haven’t
They tell me how I gotta keep the politics in balance
Why be down-to-earth when you’re on a different planet?
Plus you're takin’ so long to never make whatever
It’s like music is their life, so they let it take forever
I would say that you and I could hesitate together
Except that, I don’t believe anything’s better late than never
So when I see ‘em on a stage, spittin’ out their rap CD
I know it ain’t the first time they're puttin’ on an act for me
They mention love they had for me, deep down, and actually
They’d prolly rip the heart right out my chest so they could jack the beat
Man, forgive me for talkin’ in my battle voice
I walk a fine line between wise guy and paranoid
To anyone that LimeWired any one of my files
Or highlights, then like Prime, really, you don’t have a choice
[Chorus]
Ladies and gentlemen, I need your attention
Right here, right here, right here, right here
It’s been a long way, man, this is where I’ll be
From now on, you know where to find me, now, I’ma be
Right here, right here, right here
Right here, let me make one thing clear
It’s been a long way, man, I know they so scared
And they want me out the door, but I ain’t goin’ nowhere
[Verse 2]
I see wolves in sheep’s clothing, all fabricated
I know it doesn’t take a lot to get a rapper hated
It doesn’t bother me at all, as if I had to say it
I’m the artist [?] and they’re the ones who get all animated
Music is my outlet or some’in’ to connect with
And I must be a perfect match for it, I’m electric
Nothin’ more soberin’ than makin’ people get pissed
I never felt more alive than since I’ve had this death wish
And if you still don’t understand it, then you’re in denial
I go hard like I’m in the finals
Against my biggest rivals and they don’t say shit to Tom’s face
So keep takin’ shots from long-range, Reggie Miller-style
So when I look ‘em in the eyes, they look straight past
Playin’ by different rules ‘cause we’re not in the same class
And they can be optimistic, they can say half
Full or empty, but they’re still lookin’ at the same glass
[Chorus]
Ladies and gentlemen, I need your attention
Right here, right here, right here, right here
It’s been a long way, man, this is where I’ll be
From now on, you know where to find me, now, I’ma be
Right here, right here, right here
Right here, let me make one thing clear
It’s been a long way, man, I know they so scared
And they want me out the door, but I ain’t goin’ (Yo) nowhere (Yo)
[Verse 3]
Tryin’ to reign, caught me up in some strong thunder
It’s over now, I’m warmin’ up for a long summer
No one here can draw assumptions on Tom’s hunger
Anybody tryna call my bluff’s got the wrong number
No one here out o’ you can discuss me
I put my head down, paid my dues in a tough scene
Anyone who says fuck my music or fuck me
Says a lot more about you than it does me
Meant it, first, I release ‘em aggression
Then I got into the groove and made a decent impression
And I’m at the point now where I could teach ‘em a lesson
That would make Mister Kotter wanna leave the profession
But nah, what I’d rather do is lead the progression
The problem is the lights are only green for a second
I’m workin’ with a style that could beat the recession
I don’t want your money, honey, all I need’s your attention
[Chorus]
Ladies and gentlemen, I need your attention
Right here, right here, right here, right here
It’s been a long way, man, this is where I’ll be
From now on, you know where to find me, now, I’ma be
Right here, right here, right here
Right here, let me make one thing clear
It’s been a long way, man, I know they so scared
And they want me out the door, but I ain’t goin’ nowhere
Ladies and gentlemen, I need your attention
Right here, right here, right here, right here
It’s been a long way, man, this is where I’ll be
From now on, you know where to find me, now, I’ma be
Right here, right here, right here
Right here, let me make one thing clear
It’s been a long way, man, I know they so scared
And they want me out the door, but I ain’t goin’ nowhere