[Verse 1: LL COOL J]
So many different hustlers you meet in the game
Shit is cold, don't put your trust in 'em, let me explain
The greedy killer, he wanna fuck hoes and get the money
But he quick to feel disrespected
One slip of the tongue, wrong words selected
Bullets drillin' in your melon when you least expect it
Number one priority, self-preservation
That applies to majority different situations
The daredеvil type, he love to makе a scene, the n***a hype
If he's the center of attention, you alright
He worried 'bout his rep
Put dirt on his name, you gettin' slept
Extra sensitive, quiet as kept
So you gotta play it cool with him, laugh at his jokes
Don't inhale too deep when he pass you the smoke
He askin' you a question, he might go for your throat
It's best to be transparent or that's all she wrote

[Chorus: LL COOL J & Q-Tip (Rick Ross)]
(Livin' legend, Cool James)
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
(Ricky Rozay AKA Ravioli)
Always keep ya word (Always pay him back)
(Q-Tip, what up?)
[Verse 2: Rick Ross]
Livin' like a villain, sippin' Villon out the glass
Million on the wrist, quick to skip a battle rap
Corvette club, wavin' Maybach flags
Hundred foot yachts, jumpin' waves, runnin' laps
Really just wanna smoke, really just wanted peace
The n***as who want the most, some might end up with the least
Shawty just broke the lease, ready to move with me
I put it all in the book, prayin' that she could read
Really are you a G? (Uh) N***as just wanna see (Uh)
I'm runnin' the numbers up, I feel I'm still in the lead
Tentacles in the streets, criminals gettin' cream
The 7 series new Beemer, really is not a thing
Always gettin' the money, still hustle the max
Always keepin' it real, always gettin' it back
Bitches come with the thrills, all I want is the cash
My n***as still on the rise while I'm chargin' a tax

[Chorus: Q-Tip]
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back

[Verse 3: LL COOL J]
Then there's the boss player, he got a shrewd intellect
He thinkin' big picture, he patient with disrespect
He always keep his word, but there's pressure when he collect
He keep the blicky close, he smart when he invest
Stay away from his hoes, that'll keep you out the mess
He act like you treat him cold, but that is just a test
Keep your jokes to a minimum when wifey is around
Remember he's the man, and fuck how it sounds
Give you the shirt off his back
Cross him, that's that (Yeah, uh)
[Chorus: LL COOL J & Q-Tip]
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back (Uh)
Always keep ya word, always pay him back

[Verse 4: Fat Joe]
Always keep it real, always like crack
'Bout kicks I can teach ya
Just blew a mini mansion in Atlanta on some sneakers
I brought the purses to the Verzuz
Been bodyin' shit, big boy hearses
Stain careers like windows in the churches
Brought the yay to the trap, this Sunday Service
Always have a gauge, always had the MAC
Always move weight, always move the pack
Always keep your word, always pay it back
Always keep it real, always like crack

[Chorus: LL COOL J & Q-Tip, Q-Tip]
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word, always pay him back
Always keep ya word (Always pay him back)