Just to Get a Rep - Gangstarr - 1990 - Chrysalis
Another forever fresh 12" by Gangstarr - 'Just To Get A Rep/Who's Gonna Take The Weight'. From the LP 'Step In The Arena', Hip Hop heads flipped for this back in 1990, especially since it was the album after their debut record "No More Mr. Nice Guy". High Art in Hip Hop?? Yes, of course, Premier demonstrated this having changed his Marley Marlesque technique after the debut by tapping into a jazzy sound with grimy drum loops.
In terms of lyrics, here R.I.P. Guru (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) takes us on a 3 verse reality rap journey into the New York City streets. A good combination, to say the least, is what these two were able to achieve at this time. The chemistry between his monotone sound and Primo's trademark choruses full of clear and concise scratches and/or hella creative musical bridges wasn't annoyingly full of too much braggadocio bravado, or wasn't so obvious when Guru chose to be conscious and/or political. They seemed to be themselves, and that's how the sound came off more authentic which is what I mainly appreciated.
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Brothers are amused by others brother's reps
But the thing they know best is where the gun is kept
'Cause in the night, you'll feel fright
And at the sight of a 4-5th, I guess you just might
Wanna do a dance or two
'Cause they could maybe bust you for self or with a crew
No matter if you or your brother's a star
He could pop you and jet without a getaway car
And some might say that he's a dummy
But he's sticking you and taking all of your money
It's a daily operation
He might be loose in the park or lurking at the train station
Mad brothers know his name
So he thinks he got a little fame
From the stick-up game
And while we're blaming society
He's at a party with his man
They got their eye on the gold chain
That the next man's wearing
It looks big but they ain't staring
Just thinking of a way and when to get the brother
They'll be long gone before the kid recovers
And back around the way, he'll have the chain on his neck
Claimin' respect, Just to get a rep
Ten brothers in a circle
Had the kid trapped, the one wit the hood, he said, "We'll hurt you"
If you don't run out your dues and pay
Give up the Rolex watch or you won't see another day
See, they were on the attack
And one said, "Yo, you wanna make this to a homicide rap?
Make it fast so we can be on our way
Kick in the rings and everything, ok?"
The kid was nervous and flinching
And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin
Closer and closer, put the gun to his head
Shorty was down to catch a body instead
Money was scared so he panicked
Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic
But shorty said, "Nah!" pulled the trigger and stepped
It was nothing - he did it just to get a rep
The rep goes bigger and now hes known for his trigger finger
Rolling with troops of the sons like a gangster figure
Hes near the peak of his crazy career
His posse's a nightmare macking jewls and some crazy gear
but as we know these things do come back
and shortys now peeping others that are scheming the kind of act
Cuz the kid that got shot didnt perish so
He pulls up in a jeep with tinted windows
Too late shorty was caught in the mix
His time ran out his number came up and thats it
Ya know the rest so dont front the plan has been upset
Some brothers gotta go out, just to get a rep
