I Say A "BIG" Verse, I'm Only Biggin' Up My Brother
Biggin up my borough, I'm big enough to do it
I'm that thorough, plus I know my own flow is foolish...
They say hip-hop is music without a message. Now, to be fair, I can’t really say who “they” are. (I had a professor who, everytime we would answer with a “They said...”, would interrupt us with “Who’s They?” It has been ingrained into me, and makes me insufferable at parties. Though to be fair, I was probably already insufferable at parties. End digression.) As my 4 faithful readers have come to appreciate, I am a student of hip-hop. Okay, I am a student of the writings of Shawn Carter, but so what? Anyhow, to showcase my appreciation for the art of hip-hop, and moreover, its application to the art of hustling, which does NOT need to involve the breaking of any laws (contrary to what my critics think), I offer Biggie Smalls’ 10 Crack Commandments, with critical analysis and application to buiness.
In business, it is imperative that you downplay your total asset valuation. The reasons for this are many, but among them are the fact that, should you wish to sell your assets, you can gain a premium. Additionally, a fat asset base is a ripe target for litigants. Keep your mouth shut. If you work in an office, don’t tell your co-workers about side bonuses, or other deals. Trust me, better to say nothing than to be hated.
Strategic planning requires some level of secrecy. Whether you’re planning a career switch, have a new idea for a side hustle, or are planning a takeover of a competitor, better to surprise the world than to announce it in advance. After all, if it is a truly good idea, someone will beat you to it. All’s fair in love and war, and business my friends, is war.
Don’t trust anybody. “DTA”. If you don’t learn this lesson, you won’t be in business long. Like everyone, nobody like doing business with a prick, but trust...well, peep the archives.
This, at first blush, seems confusing when applying it to the business world. But it isn’t really. What is your supply? Coke? No. Crack? No. Your supply is your time. Don’t misuse or waste your time. You could be getting money for that time spent watching "Ulitimate Hustler", or reading "Fell Clutch." Okay, read "Fell Clutch", but cut out the rest.
The rule is the same, even if the reasoning is different. Home should be a refuge from the pressures of the grind. Make it a sanctuary. Don’t work at home. Go to Starbucks, which is not a bad deal. All kinds of folks at Starbucks, never know who you might meet.
Make sure that your customers know, even if they are your best friends, that you get PAID for your time. No credit. No hook-ups. No nada. You trying to make a million, not clothe your friends.
You can’t fire Mom. You can’t dock your brother’s check if he’s got to feed your niece. And if you are partners, what happens if there is a disagreement. One lawsuit will ruin Christmas is the plaintiff and defendant are both at the table. (Personally, I break this rule. But, I know going in that I do so at my own peril.)
Delegate. Learn to spread the responsibility around. You can’t do everything.
Number nine shoulda been number one to me
If you ain't gettin bagged stay the fuck from police (uh-huh)
If niggaz think you snitchin ain't tryin listen
They be sittin in your kitchen, waitin to start hittin
Hanging with the enemy -- be it management or a competitor -- will make the natives -- be they co-workers or employees – restless. That restlessness leads to gossip, worry, rumor and speculation. Don’t give anybody a reason to talk or fear.
Here, I disagree with Biggie. This should have been number 1. Leverage can be a great thing. You put up little cash, you reap great rewards. You can create economies of scale, you can buy better materials. But, be warned, if you don’t control your growth, you can find yourself bankrupted in no time. Leverage is a tool, not a windfall. Be careful with your borrowing, cause “they gonna want they money rain, sleet, hail, snow.” Take only what you can use. Use only what you have.
In closing, I can only say, “Follow these rules you'll have mad bread to break up.”
Hustle with me!
I'm that thorough, plus I know my own flow is foolish...
They say hip-hop is music without a message. Now, to be fair, I can’t really say who “they” are. (I had a professor who, everytime we would answer with a “They said...”, would interrupt us with “Who’s They?” It has been ingrained into me, and makes me insufferable at parties. Though to be fair, I was probably already insufferable at parties. End digression.) As my 4 faithful readers have come to appreciate, I am a student of hip-hop. Okay, I am a student of the writings of Shawn Carter, but so what? Anyhow, to showcase my appreciation for the art of hip-hop, and moreover, its application to the art of hustling, which does NOT need to involve the breaking of any laws (contrary to what my critics think), I offer Biggie Smalls’ 10 Crack Commandments, with critical analysis and application to buiness.
Rule nombre uno: never let no one know
how much, dough you hold, cause you know
The cheddar breed jealousy 'specially
if that man fucked up, get your ass stuck up
In business, it is imperative that you downplay your total asset valuation. The reasons for this are many, but among them are the fact that, should you wish to sell your assets, you can gain a premium. Additionally, a fat asset base is a ripe target for litigants. Keep your mouth shut. If you work in an office, don’t tell your co-workers about side bonuses, or other deals. Trust me, better to say nothing than to be hated.
Number two: never let em know your next move
Don't you know Bad Boys move in silence or violence
Take it from your highness (uh-huh)
I done squeezed mad clips at these cats for they bricks and chips
Strategic planning requires some level of secrecy. Whether you’re planning a career switch, have a new idea for a side hustle, or are planning a takeover of a competitor, better to surprise the world than to announce it in advance. After all, if it is a truly good idea, someone will beat you to it. All’s fair in love and war, and business my friends, is war.
Number three: never trust no-bo-dy
Your moms'll set that ass up, properly gassed up
Hoodie to mask up, shit, for that fast buck
she be layin in the bushes to light that ass up
Don’t trust anybody. “DTA”. If you don’t learn this lesson, you won’t be in business long. Like everyone, nobody like doing business with a prick, but trust...well, peep the archives.
Number four: know you heard this before
Never get high, on your own supply
This, at first blush, seems confusing when applying it to the business world. But it isn’t really. What is your supply? Coke? No. Crack? No. Your supply is your time. Don’t misuse or waste your time. You could be getting money for that time spent watching "Ulitimate Hustler", or reading "Fell Clutch." Okay, read "Fell Clutch", but cut out the rest.
Number five: never sell no crack where you rest at
I don't care if they want a ounce, tell em bounce
The rule is the same, even if the reasoning is different. Home should be a refuge from the pressures of the grind. Make it a sanctuary. Don’t work at home. Go to Starbucks, which is not a bad deal. All kinds of folks at Starbucks, never know who you might meet.
Number six: that god damn credit, dead it
You think a crackhead payin you back, shit forget it
Make sure that your customers know, even if they are your best friends, that you get PAID for your time. No credit. No hook-ups. No nada. You trying to make a million, not clothe your friends.
Seven: this rule is so underrated
Keep your family and business completely seperated
Money and blood don't mix like two dicks and no bitch
Find yourself in serious shit
You can’t fire Mom. You can’t dock your brother’s check if he’s got to feed your niece. And if you are partners, what happens if there is a disagreement. One lawsuit will ruin Christmas is the plaintiff and defendant are both at the table. (Personally, I break this rule. But, I know going in that I do so at my own peril.)
Number eight: never keep no weight on you
Them cats that squeeze your guns can hold jobs too
Delegate. Learn to spread the responsibility around. You can’t do everything.
Number nine shoulda been number one to me
If you ain't gettin bagged stay the fuck from police (uh-huh)
If niggaz think you snitchin ain't tryin listen
They be sittin in your kitchen, waitin to start hittin
Hanging with the enemy -- be it management or a competitor -- will make the natives -- be they co-workers or employees – restless. That restlessness leads to gossip, worry, rumor and speculation. Don’t give anybody a reason to talk or fear.
Number ten: a strong word called consignment
Strictly for live men, not for freshmen
If you ain't got the clientele say hell no
Cause they gon want they money rain sleet hail snow
Here, I disagree with Biggie. This should have been number 1. Leverage can be a great thing. You put up little cash, you reap great rewards. You can create economies of scale, you can buy better materials. But, be warned, if you don’t control your growth, you can find yourself bankrupted in no time. Leverage is a tool, not a windfall. Be careful with your borrowing, cause “they gonna want they money rain, sleet, hail, snow.” Take only what you can use. Use only what you have.
In closing, I can only say, “Follow these rules you'll have mad bread to break up.”
Hustle with me!
posted by Sonnyredd at 11:30 PM
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