[Rakim]
Thinking of a master plan
'Cause ain't nothing but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is 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
[Coldcut]
I used to roll up... roll up... roll up
I used to roll up... roll up... roll up
[Rakim]
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nothing funny
Stop smiling, be still, don't nutin' move but the money
But now I learned to earn 'cause I'm righteous
I feel great; so maybe I might just
Search for a 9 to 5, 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 getting paid
So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
So now to test to see if I got pull
Hit the studio, 'cause I'm paid in full