[Chorus]
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you tryna hit the top
Gotta take the pressure off, I'mma do it homie, watch me
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you wanna be the best
All that pressure and that stress on your mental could be costly

[Verse 1]
Uh-huh, look
I used to brag 'bout how I'm daily smashin' the mic
And how rappin' happens to be my biggest passion in life
And how I'll never give up on this endeavor of mine
Every second I'm stretchin' to find the cleverest rhyme
I wanted еveryone aware, I would constantly sharе
About my level of passion, how they could never compare
To the way in which I choose to do my thing as a wordsmith
It's still true that music is my singular purpose
But I've learned over time, some things defy the logical
The opposite of what you'd expect, it's paradoxical
The less I act like this rap shit is all important
The more likely I am to like my recordings
So sayin', "This is everything to me", that's no longer the message
I'm lightenin' up and bein' less precious
'Cause if I truly want my music to be epic and godly
I gotta take the pressure off and treat it just like a hobby, I'm sayin'—
[Chorus]
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you tryna hit the top
Gotta take the pressure off, I'mma do it homie, watch me
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you wanna be the best
All that pressure and that stress on your mental could be costly

[Verse 2]
Uh huh, 'cause it's mad depressin' when you over-obsessin'
Over the first line, can't begin with the lesson
So at the blank page, you just keep on starin'
Thoughts enter your mind, don't feel worthy of sharin'
So you start with the comparin'
"Yo, what would Jay-Z say?"
Now the pressures on, ain't giving yourself no leeway
Thinking 'bout rappers with platinum plaques who done mastered this
Now your inner critic is laughing; you feel inadequate
You're so overly passionate, maybe that's the problem
You wanna be Big L, Pac, Biggie, or God's Son
Hear the greatest rappers of all time, you love 'em
And then you hear the shit that you making and get to judging
The good news: your taste is impeccable
The bad news: the gap is immeasurable
Hard to close the gap when you can't even write your first line
Treat it like a hobby, not a job and let your verse shine
I'm sayin'—
[Chorus]
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you tryna hit the top
Gotta take the pressure off, I'mma do it homie, watch me
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you wanna be the best
All that pressure and that stress on your mental could be costly

[Verse 3]
Uh huh, yo, listen
Imagine signing for a open mic
Nothing major, you wanna build some local hype
You may not be the dopest, right?
But won't be the worst
Besides, it's more for practice, just a way to rehearse
Plus a way to build community and get some support
From your local rap cohorts who hold down the fort
You show up the slightest bit nervous, but mostly excited
To finally get some feedback on the flows you've been writin'
And the host is delighted, smiling sayin', "Wait 'til you hear
Trust me bro, it's 'bout to be the craziest year!"
You're like, "I wonder what he means"
The next thing you know, he steps to the stage
And all the house lights turn low
He grabs the mic, "My friends, tonight we are blessed
To be in the presence of some very special guests
I hope you brought your A game to the spot today
Now make some noise for Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Kendrick, and Cole
They're here to bring some mentorship and help your penmanship grow
What a beautiful opportunity for our music scene
Now who wants to go first and rep for our community?"
Suddenly, your body tense; color drains from your face
Look for an exit to escape from this place
When it was just a hobby, you thought your verse was the shit
Now the pressure's on and you way too nervous to spit
You gotta...
[Chorus]
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you tryna hit the top
Gotta take the pressure off, I'mma do it homie, watch me
Yeah, you gotta treat it like a hobby
I ain't sayin' your shit should sound sloppy
I'm just sayin' if you wanna be the best
All that pressure and that stress on your mental could be costly

[Outro]
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much
You gotta care too much to care too much