Word to the holes on my socks and my nose full of snot I got dope flows for shows but got no one to watch I got no dough for clothes but got hoes on my jock But they don't know I'm broke cause I told em I'm not Yo... Who said underground ain't supposed to be hot? I remember spinnin' records back before people stopped Now they spinnin CDs they download and get props Livin life for the ice like their soul's on the rocks But ... down here shows we know how to rock And on wax WE RAP FOR FOOD like the old one we dropped Look at me! I been eatin Cherios out the box! I'm so skinny I get lost in my clothes when I walk! But ... if you relate, press record on ya box Grab a pack of ramen noodles, let it boil in a pot And if you been here before you know not to talk Cause I love the underground. It's the road to the top
[Superstition] It's just another story from the independent penniless My D&D studio's a multitrack minidisk I'm bankrupt for life and past due on all my loans Got these bill collectors trying to reach me through studio phones How can I stress less these damn fools be calling Freshchest Saying they gone put a freeze on my next test press Got an 97 BMW you might say it's fresh I got it brand new and I ain't made a single payment yet Be damn if they ass'll get it as long as I'm athletic But with the Bad Luck I got Seven Years Of bad credit If you see me wit' a TV in the back of my car Don't get twisted and start thinking I'mma spectacular star I got a TV in the front too it's packed in the car I'm taking it to da pawn shop but I won't be back for it tomorrow I got a ton of bills sittin here just chillin for at least a week One day maybe I'll turn'em into Pete Rock beat CD's.
[Chorus] Everyday stuck 'tween a rock and a hardplace (It's that nasty filthy underground) So many obstacles making my heart race (It's that nasty filthy underground) It's that nasty filthy underground That naaaasty, filthy underground
[Cashmere the Pro] Now, which of you dude's a vet? When I could drop a double LP from a duel cassette No MIDI to sport for... when I'm bringing the water I get the vocals straight off the tape of my Mini Recorder In your city, with a label budget of 450 Empty Oatmeal box, for a kick that's so gritty A jansport with cds in it With turntables on a floor model with the TV in it You ain't all that cause you can afford DATs I got more wraps than Claus packs when rollin four tracks And I can only bag beats if them joints is mad cheap Record right into the headphones - son that shit sounds mad street! Yall take the PC way, let ya CD's play I rock a 120 Minute TDK Hey! Looking for a way to the hype "Welcome to the underground!" Shit, that's just a day in the life
[Deacon the Villain] Rents due, in less than 2 weeks now Label's calling, claiming they loving my street sound (They on the west coast!) iIm thinking I'm pacific sea bound Days passed, now they're saying that they'll catch me on the rebound Next day at my job, clock in and my boss watches Making sure that I properly stack boxes The tick-tock on the clock seems to be moving in slo-mo Waiting on 4-so I can go home and work on my promo I'm writing so many dope songs (but who's hearing 'em) Deacon hits the open mics (but who's cheerin' him) Feeling nasty, filthy, or any of those synonyms "Without Me" the games the same, I ain't Eminem I'm just a broke rapper, southern backpacker Watchin' all these wack niggaz and all of their cash stackup So next Thursday when my paycheck is sent Will it be for that studio time or rent... i don't know yo
[Chorus] Everyday stuck 'tween a rock and a hardplace (It's that nasty filthy underground) So many obstacles making my heart race (It's that nasty filthy underground) It's that nasty filthy underground That naaaasty, filthy underground