Paid In Full

Yo Rakim, what's up?
Yo Rakim，哈罗
Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E, man I'm trying to get paid in full
啊哈，我在作词呢，Eric，我试着想挣点钱花
Well, check this out, since Norby Walters is our agency, right? True
嗯哼，回想一下，那时Norby Walters还和咱一伙呢是吧？——对
Cara Lewis is our agent, word up
（Norby Walters，经纪人，1988年4月被判诈骗罪及勒索罪）
Zakia and 4th and Broadway is our record company, indeed
Cara Lewis是咱经纪人，——没错
Okay, so who we rolling with then?
(Cara Lewis是一位资历较深的嘻哈音乐经纪人，曾与Eminem, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Rihanna, B.o.B.等人同事）
We rolling with Rush of Rushtown Management
Zakia，4th&Broadway是我们的厂牌——确实
Check this out
（1987年该专发行时E和R曾与Zakia厂牌接触，然而最终决定由4th&Broadway发行。此事为二人之后的官司埋下伏笔）
Since we talking over this def beat right here that I put together
好吧，那么接下来我们和谁一起干啊
I wanna hear some of them def rhymes, you know what I'm saying?
我们和Rushtown Management的Rush一起干（Rush正是Russell Simon，为当时著名经纪公司Rush Artist Management的掌舵人）
And together we can get paid in full
再看看现在
(Verse 1: Rakim)
咱们在谈我制作的超叼节奏
Thinking of a master plan
我可是想听听你的NB韵脚，懂我说的吧
Cause ain't nothing but sweat inside my hand
这样我们一起就能赚票子了
So I dig into my pocket, all my money spent
第一节（其实就一节）：Rakim
So I dig deeper, but still coming up with lint
我正考虑一个蓝图
So I start my mission, leave my residence
因为我身上啥都没有，只有我手心的汗（因为缺钱）
Thinking how could I get some dead presidents
我的手插入口袋，发现钱都花光了
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
于是我手插得更深，可只能摸着口袋里的棉絮
So I think of all the devious things I did
所以我着手工作，离家闯闯
I used to roll up, this is a hold up
思考着怎样能弄到点钞票
Ain't nothing funny
我需要钱财，我也是个无良青年 （stick-up kid引用自
Stop smiling, be still, don't nothing move
Grandmaster Flash＆the Furious Five的一首歌“The Message”）
But the money
我回想了自己之前的所作所为
But now I learned to earn cause I'm righteous
我曾经在黑街打滚，谋求生计
I feel great so maybe I might
现在想想也觉得好笑
Just search for a 9 to 5
别笑了，讲真，一切都不会改变（双关，Rakim在这里不仅自嘲说做这一切都是为了钱，而且暗指社会的低流动性，少数群体们得不到应有的公民权）
If I strive then maybe I'll stay alive
只有钱在不断易主
So I walk up the street, whistling this
现在我打算学着挣点大钞，因为我现在正经了
Feeling out of place cause, man, do I miss
这感觉很棒，也许我真的应该如此
A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
找个朝九晚五的工作
Me and Eric B and a nice big plate of
如果我努力奋斗或许日子会好过些
Fish, which is my favorite dish
我要走出黑街，对抗这一切
But without no money its still a wish
豁出去了，我必须抓紧机会
Cause I don't like to dream
一支笔，一张纸，一间录音室，一卷录音带
About getting paid
我跟Eric B将会在饶舌这一行
So I dig into the books of the
捞一笔大的 这也是我最大的愿望
Rhymes that I made
但是没有钱的话那一切终究只是空想
So now's a test to see if I got pull
我可不喜欢做着
Hit the studio, cause I'm paid in full
暴富的白日梦
(Outro: Eric B. and Rakim)
所以我扎入书海中
Rakim, check this out, yo
用心的写我每一句的歌词
You go to your girl house and I'll go to mine
那么现在就看看我是否能造出点影响力（指对嘻哈音乐做出贡献）
Cause my girl is definitely mad
发行这张唱片吧，我迫不及待要大赚一笔了
Cause it took us too long to do this album
（尾声： Eric B. 和 Rakim）
Yo, I hear what you're saying
Rakim，检查一下，词不用改了吧
So let's just pump the music up
赶快回你女票家去吧，我也一样
And count our money
我女票都等急眼了（遗憾的是二位嫂夫人并没怎么支持这对嘻哈史上一对经典的组合）
Yo, well check this out, yo Eli
就因为咱俩工作时间略长（Paid In Full全专似乎在一周之内就制作完成了）
Turn down the bass down
嘿，我听见你说啥了
And let the beat just keep on rockin'
来，把这碟封好送走吧
And we outta here
然后再动动手头，准备数数票子
Yo, what happened to peace,peace?
还是再检查一下，Eric大神
Peace,peace,peace
把低音调小