Identify song using your Microphone
Lyrics
Meaning
Chords

Artist: Gang Starr
Track: Work

Lyrics
(Are you working? What kind of work do you do?)
Uh
(Boy, what is it you want to do when you grow up?)

Ayo I'm gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine, yeah surprisingly
I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake
I put in work, and watch my status escalate

Now I'ma start collectin' props, connectin' plots
Networkin' like a conference, 'cause the nonsense is yet to stop
Jakes shake me down, haters wanna take me down
Break me down, clap all they heard was the sound
Yo I scoped it out, I took your weak dream and choked it out
Your bitch don't really got no ass, she just poked it out
On the d-low, I'm sayin', you versus me yo
We can do this shit right here, in front of your people
See time is money kid, and BS walks
And to me, it's funny kid when you meat heads talk
I see Feds stalk, they wanna dig up the dirt son
Is it me they hawk, 'cause I be puttin' in work, son?

gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine, yeah surprisingly
I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake
I put in work, and watch my status escalate

You cornballs get stonewalled, blackballed, I own y'all
The veteran, runnin' my plan I'm the better man
Crazy raw, doin' my job like the mob
Blazin' y'all, and disappearin' in the fog
Or a mist, and chicks can't resist what I kick
They be beggin' for attention or some more of the dillznick
Word up baby, someone may have to get hurt up baby
Shit is mad shady, but I got to get the gravy
Platinum respect like the force of a TEC
Keep you hittin' the deck, feelin' heat in your chest
Bangin' your thoughts with the hot onslaught
A kid got shot on the spot for goin' where he should not
Viciously, I make history, instantly
Those other lame ass loser ass niggas, they can't fuck with me
I'm doin' my thing now, to lamp later on
Paid in the shade, with some fly gators on
But now I'm grimy as they get, mud on my pants and shirt
I bet you niggas out here know, I be puttin' in work

I'm gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see
Victory is mine, yeah surprisingly
I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake
I put in work, and watch my status escalate

(For the qualified pros, in this business of rap)
(For the qualified pros, in this business of rap)
(For the qualified pros, in this business of rap)

(Are you working? What kind of work do you do?)
(Boy, what is it you want to do when you grow up?)
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Lyrics
Gang Starr – Work
Gang Starr lives the American Dream in the East Coast hip-hop scene, not afraid to work their way up in the music business. DJ Premier gave some background information about the
Gang Starr – Work Samples
See all of “Work” by Gang Starr’s samples, covers, remixes, interpolations and live versions
Gang Starr – Work Samples
See all of “Work” by Gang Starr’s samples
Gang Starr – The Sure Shot (Intro)
“The Sure Shot (Intro)” kicks off the album with a live performance. The short track heavily interpolates Gang Starr’s “DWYCK”, which featured Nice & Smooth. The final line of the
Gang Starr – Code of the Streets
[Verse 1] / Take this for example, young brothers want rep / 'Cause in the life they're living, you can't half step / It starts with the young ones doing crimes for fun / And if
Napoleon Da Legend (Ft. Guru) – Work
[Hook] / Ayo, I'm gonna be on ti-dop, that's all my eyes can see / Victory is mine, yeah, surprisingly / I've been laying, waiting for your next mistake / I put in work and watch
Gang Starr – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow deals with the short-lived nature–yet haughty attitude–of the majority of “artists” found in the music business. A theme Guru discusses a lot in his work
Gang Starr – Code of the Streets (Radio Version)
Take this for example young brothers want rep / Cause in the life they're living you can't half step / It starts with the young ones doing crime for fun / And if you ain't down you
Gang Starr – Moment of Truth [Tracklist]
1 You Know My Steez / 2 Robbin Hood Theory / 3 Work / 4 Royalty featuring K-Ci & JoJo / 5 Above The Clouds featuring Inspectah Deck / 6 JFK 2 LAX / 7 Itz A Set Up featuring
Gang Starr (Ft. K-Ci & JoJo) – Royalty
“Royalty” was released as the second single from Gang Starr’s Moment of Truth album and features superstar R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo on the chorus. One of DJ Premier’s finest production
Gang Starr – You Know My Steez
Based around a sample of Joe Simon’s “Drowning in the Sea of Love” and a Method Man line from GZA’s “Shadowboxin'” used on the hook, Gang Starr deliver “You Know My Steez” as the
Gang Starr – Street Ministry
[Verse] / Presenting you with alternative music / 'Cause, yo, the struggle is tough / And we must learn to live through it / Pleasure and pain, pain and pleasure / Gotta maintain a
Gang Starr – The Sure Shot (Intro) Samples
See all of “The Sure Shot (Intro)” by Gang Starr’s samples
Gang Starr (Ft. Jeru the Damaja) – From a Distance
“From a Distance” is an uplifting track that sees Gang Starr collaborate with New York MC Jeru the Damaja to drop a track about the supernatural. Throughout the track, Guru boasts
Gang Starr (Ft. Andre the Giant, DJ Mister Cee, DJ Scratch, Masta Ace, MC Eiht & Nas) – Aiiight Chill...
[Message 1: Nas] / Yo yo, what up / Yo, yo, yo, Preem, what up, baby pa / Yo it's Nas / Aiiight chill / [Message 2: A.G.] / Yo Premier, what's up / It's your man, A.G., just
Gang Starr – Moment of Truth
Probably one of the most influential Gang Starr songs, Guru spits lyrical genius over a–needless to say–genius Premo beat. DJ Premier said the following about the track: The
Gang Starr – Glowing Mic
“Glowing Mic” is the crescendo at the end of Gang Starr’s One Of The Best Yet (Instrumental) album, the only track with lyrics. The track features Guru and his witty monotone flow
Gang Starr – Full Clip
Gang Starr’s thug eulogy to the seminal MC, Big L. In this song, Preemo uses (in a very ingenious way) a sample of Walk on By: a Cal Tjader’s song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Gang Starr – Ex Girl to Next Girl
Guru enters storytelling mode and shares his experiences with girls. They all end up the same way, as he likes to move from ex-girl to next and leave their problems in the past.
Gang Starr – Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)
This track serves as a sequel to the title track of Gang Starr’s 1989 debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy. The song tells the story of how Guru killed one of his friends ‘the chump
Gang Starr – The Planet
This song describes Guru leaving his home in Boston to start his own life, and the sights and sounds of Brooklyn.
Gang Starr – As I Read My S-A
(DJ Premier scratches "at this time I have the honor to present to you") / [Verse 1: Guru] / Paragraphs, portraying my viewpoint / So stay attentive, cause this is a new joint
Gang Starr – 2 Steps Ahead
[Verse 1] / Chumps tryin me / But when they eyein me, I build in skills / And to enhance my chances, I'm thrilled / To be involved with solvin all the problems / With the way that
Gang Starr – JFK 2 LAX
Guru flips his arrest on gun possession charges into a positive message for the youth. DJ Premier provided some background information about this track: This whole song is a
Gang Starr – Check the Technique
[Produced By DJ Premier] / [Verse 1] / You puny protozoa, you're so minute you didn't know the / Gang has been watchin' but instead of just squashin' you / I'm scoopin' you up out
Doye & Hvgme – Akira Samples
See all of “Akira” by Doye & Hvgme’s samples, covers, remixes, interpolations and live versions
Gang Starr – Premier & The Guru
This is the first track of Gang Starr’s debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy.
Fleetwood Mac – Prove Your Love Samples
See all of “Prove Your Love” by Fleetwood Mac’s samples, covers, remixes, interpolations and live versions
Gang Starr – So Wassup?!
So wassup? You know we can't be havin that / Son there's rules you're supposed to go by, and this is my habitat / You say you're R-E-P-R-E, S-E-N-T-I-N-G / You're fronting boy
Gang Starr – Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot)
Check the remix produced by Large Professor
Gang Starr (Ft. Scarface) – Betrayal
Gang Starr enlist Houston rap legend Scarface to join them in this track Face and Guru provide their own separate stories about deception and double-crossing. This song was later
Krumb Snatcha – Gettin' Closer to God Samples
See all of “Gettin' Closer to God” by Krumb Snatcha’s samples
Gang Starr (Ft. Nice & Smooth) – DWYCK
The B-Side wins again. This classic cut from 1992 originally appeared on the flip of the “Take it Personal” 12" and became an instant hit in the clubs. So much so that it re-
View 30 More →
Genius Artists
Gang Starr
Gang Starr is the formidable hip-hop duo of MC Guru and producer DJ Premier. Gang Starr originally consisted of Guru, Big Shug, and Shug’s younger brother DJ Suave D with the
Guru
Keith Elam made his name in the rap game as the Guru, the rapping half of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr alongside producer DJ Premier. His name is a backronym which stands for Gifted
Noo Trybe Records
Noo Trybe Records is an American hip hop record label established in 1994 and operated as a sublabel of Virgin Records. It was the distributor of several independent hip hop labels
Ill Kid Music
An American publishing entity established as “Ill Kid Music, Inc.” on October 5, 1992 and affiliated with the Ill Kid Records label and the artist Guru, a.k.a., Keith Elam.
Dexter Thibou
Get all the lyrics to songs by Dexter Thibou and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics.
View 2 More →
Genius Q&A
Q:Who produced “Work” by Gang Starr?
“Work” by Gang Starr was produced by DJ Premier & Guru.
Q:When did Gang Starr release “Work”?
Gang Starr released “Work” on February 24, 1998.
Q:When did Gang Starr release “Work Part II”?
Gang Starr released “Work Part II” in 2003.
Genius Albums
Moment of Truth by Gang Starr
Four years after releasing their classic album Hard To Earn, Gang Starr emerged with another classic in Moment of Truth, their first album released through Noo Trybe/Virgin Records
Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr by Gang Starr
Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr is a compilation album released by hip hop duo Gang Starr on July 1, 1999. The album in total contains 35 songs that spans the groups then 10
Step in the Arena by Gang Starr
Step In The Arena is the second album and major label debut album by legendary New York hip hop duo Gang Starr. The duo’s first release on the Chrysalis label, it is not only one
Caught Up (Music From the Motion Picture) by Various Artists
Caught Up: Motion From the Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the 1998 crime film, Caught Up. It was released on February 24, 1998 through Virgin Records’s Noo Trybe label and
The Danger Zone by Big L
The Danger Zone is the fourth posthumous album by Big L, released May 31, 2011 on RBC Records. L’s brother Donald Phinazee produced most of the album and other production came from
View 2 More →
AZ Lyrics
Gang Starr - Full Clip Lyrics
Gang Starr "Full Clip": "Feel the realness" "In this business of rep" "Go ahead" Fresh out the gate again, time to ra...
Gang Starr - Street Ministry Lyrics
Gang Starr Lyrics. "Street Ministry". Presenting you with alternative music ... Map out a plan, take a stand, you can work it. The future's all in your hands ...
Gang Starr - DWYCK Lyrics
I work to hard for my royalty. Put lead in ya ass and drink a cup of tea. Peace to Red Alert and Kid Capri Ooohh la la ah oui oui, I say Muhammad Ali, ya say ...
AZ Artists
Gang Starr Lyrics
Gang Starr lyrics - 137 song lyrics sorted by album, including "Above The ... Work. (from "Caught Up" soundtrack). Royalty · Above The Clouds · JFK 2 LAX · Itz A ...