What Would I Do

Jean Grae - “What Would I Do”
[Emcee(s): Jean Grae]
[Producer(s): Mr. Len]

[Intro: Jean Grae]
Yo
1 for the beat (Uh!), 2 for the real (Alright)
Cats who never doubted I was dropping the skill, for all
My peoples in the NY and SA who blessed me
The gas face to all those who still wanna test me (Word)
3 for the fans who already know the name (Who?)
4 smacks to all wack niggas in the game (Yes), 5, 6
7, 8, 9, 10 for the flows. Ayyo, Len
Drop it to zero. This how the story goes (Come on):

[Verse 1: Jean Grae]
Drama
So close to not completing the missing piece of the puzzle
Quit again, in again, drop suit be following
Swallowing pride like porn stars and money shots, I’m hitting
Your blocks, spinning as heavy as SUVs doing 360’s, I’m
Ready as ever, overdue like the rain in New York
Sustained a steady fan base, but you still don’t know me
Hold me in your highest regards, I’m your homie, I relate
It’s personal, nothing fake. Read me—wait, I’d rather dictate it
Relay it to you on a deeper level. Kick off
Your shoes and light your L’s. Let’s talk and get to know each other better
I’m Jean, honorable team player for years
Emceeing on the low, in videos devoid of the hoes, fo’ sho’
It’s crunch time. I’m the one they sent to piss your label off
They won’t fuck with me unless I’m parading, taking it off
Nah, man. Executives con mans, this record is
Too hot to get pushed back another minute, it would burn
A set control. Well, admit it. You liked it when the first bar dropped
In less than one second, she’s already spitting. I need y’all
You want a change? Well, here it is: let’s stop
Complaining, make it happen—everybody step up your game
‘Cause everybody’s stuck in park or reverse. Letting media
Choose your path and rape you, market you less than you’re worth
I was gonna throw the towel in, but, honestly, you cats deserve
Some better music, plus, come on. What else would I be doing? Shit…

[Hook: Jean Grae]
(What, what, what would I do?)
If, like my people, said, “I left it to you” (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?)
If I didn’t try a verse, if I didn’t rhyme (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?)
If I just hated and did nothing to change it (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?) Hell no. That could never happen

[Verse 2: Jean Grae]
There’s so much
Further to go. I feel like Mindy Cohen doing the One to Grow On
Yeah, I’m old school—40’s and high tops, Triple Gooses
And Travel Fox, Huaraches and Blow Pops. I’m down to earth
But still dreaming. Peace to Skeme Team and all of my niggas
On the come-up. Apani and Lyric, we gon’ take it there
The rest of y’all just taking up space and you don’t even care
It’s like you started eating Thanksgiving dinner without saying grace
I whisper a prayer for you ‘cause you cats are lost and probably not gon’
Make it back. Fuck it. It’s more for me, I guess, so please
Don’t stress it. The best is yet to come. This is just
An introduction. I’m ‘bout to have niggas madder than
Big titty girls who getting breast reductions. The purpose of
My function is to smash, simply put: trash you until you cry
“Uncle, mercy,” wander aimless in this concrete jungle and curse me
There ain’t a need for verse three—I can feel it. That would
Rob you of your manhood, and I’m not into stealing, so tell me…

[Hook: Jean Grae]
(What, what, what would I do?)
If, like my people, said, “I left it to you” (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?)
If I didn’t try a verse, if I didn’t rhyme (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?)
If I just hated and did nothing to change it (Tell me)
(What, what, what would I do?) Hell no. That could never happen

[Outro: Jean Grae]
Haha, yeah, man. And it’s only the beginning. Better choose sides now