[Hook: Oddisee]
Keep my chin up, back straight, check my shoulder
Remember what I told ya, I'm a soldier
They kick me when I'm down and I keep composing
You never see me sweat, but the sleeves might roll up
So when they roll up, n***a, I mean business
And if I show up, n***a, I mean biz
Wait a minute, hold up, n***a, I mean business
God as my witness, n***a, I mean biz

[Verse One: Uptown XO]

I mean biz, ain't too much I ain't did
A gangster wanting mass appeal, well I ain't dead
From the streets, so don't act like I ain't there
And n***a, to turn a threat into a promise, I ain't scared
They put the best away, my n***as is safe but I ain't where
Streets is still watching like Jay-Z said
In case you're listening, puzzled like "I ain't hear"
Hit me up and leave a message, but I ain't here
I'm thinking about that '09 BM you might see me in
So when I say I mean biz, I mean it
I see in the future, a cell I could be in
Or with a chick with nice long legs, in between them
Y'all know what my dream is
Y'all ain't coming between it
Undefined retaliation, show you the meaning
I went from nada to a-lot'a, all because of Allah
Still remember what I was told by my mama
[Hook: Oddisee]
Keep my chin up, back straight, check my shoulder
Remember what I told ya, I'm a soldier
They kick me when I'm down and I keep composing
You never see me sweat, but the sleeves might roll up
So when they roll up, n***a, I mean business
And if I show up, n***a, I mean biz
Wait a minute, hold up, n***a, I mean business
God as my witness, n***a, I mean biz

[Verse 2: yU]
You see, I try to prepare myself
Just for this world outside
I get up early, about 5, to do my exercise
Clear my mind, four sets of 25, the music loud
I write, I'm on the balcony, watching the sun climb
To the top of the sky
That inspires me to scribe even harder
Speak to God right, today gon' be alright
Put on the right apparels and an album on the stereo
State of mind thorough, or else they will try to curl you
I plan my day before stepping out there
Do this foolish 8 hours, just so I can count bread
And my daughter's mouth fed, that goes without saying
Co-workers cracking jokes, but nah, bet not playing
I got a plan in my mind, yeah, I'm handling mine
And it's a habit to grind, so look me dead in my eyes
I put it all on the line, then I record it through rhyme
Within a war against time, thank God for the art
[Hook: Oddisee]
Keep my chin up, back straight, check my shoulder
Remember what I told ya, I'm a soldier
They kick me when I'm down and I keep composing
You never see me sweat, but the sleeves might roll up
So when they roll up, n***a, I mean business
And if I show up, n***a, I mean biz
Wait a minute, hold up, n***a, I mean business
God as my witness, n***a, I mean biz

[Verse 3: Oddisee]
We living in a system with no checks and balances