How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
How you gonna get respect?
You haven’t cut your process yet

Now first of all, my soulful brothers, you can't be someone else
You're Black and you’re beautiful, this I know
Just being your natural self
So get that mess out of your hair and wear your natural 'do
And I'm gonna bet on my dear life, respect gonna come to you
Alright

How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
(Sing it, sister, sing it)
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet

Now years ago, I thought it was hip when process first arrived
It's a new day now, time has changed
And I wanna be identified
Everywhere I go, I see brothers, getting in their natural bag
And I feel so proud to see this pride
Something that we never had

How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
Now I’m gonna do what I gotta do
And out a process down
I got the message from a friend of mine
His name is James Brown
Together we stand, divided we fall
That’s what history say
Can't you see, brothers of mine
The coming of a brand new day
Alright now

How you gonna get respect?
You haven’t cut your process yet
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
(Come on now, let's hip to the hop...)
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
(...to he nearest barbershop)
How you gonna get respect?
You haven’t cut your process yet
(Tell 'em Hank Ballard sent you)
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet
(If he get mad, tell him I'll meet him on the next corner)
How you gonna get respect?
You haven't cut your process yet