Paid in Full by Eric B Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Hustle and the Birth of Conscious Hip-Hop
Lyrics
[Rakim]: Yo I’m doing the knowledge E. I’m trying to get paid in full
[E]: Well check this out since Nobry Walters is our agency right?
[R]: True
[E]: Kara Lewis is our agent
[R]: Word up
[E]: Zakia/4th & Broadway is our record company
[R]: Indeed
[E]: Okay so who we rollin with?
[R]: We rollin with Rush
[E]: Of Rushtown Management. Check this out since we talking over
This def beat that I put together, I want to hear some of them
Def rhymes, know what I’m sayin? And together, we can get
Paid in full…
Thinkin of a master plan
’cause ain’t nuthin but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
So I start my mission- leave my residence
Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think of all the devious things I did
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain’t nuthin funny
Stop smiling, be still, don’t nuthin move but the money
But now I learned to earn ’cause I’m righteous
I feel great! so maybe I might just
Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Then maybe I’ll stay alive
So I walk up the street whistlin this
Feelin out of place ’cause, man, do I miss
A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Me and Eric be , and a nice big plate of
Fish, which is my favorite dish
But without no money it’s still a wish
’cause I don’t like to dream about gettin paid
So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
To now test to see if I got pull
Hit the studio, ’cause I’m paid in full
In the pantheon of hip-hop classics, there stands a track that exemplified the genre’s rich lyrical tradition while voicing the aspirations of a movement. ‘Paid in Full’ by Eric B. & Rakim isn’t just a song; it’s an anthem of the hustle and a testament to the thirst for authenticity.
Released in 1987, this centerpiece of rap’s golden era continues to echo in the hearts of those who navigate the hustle and yearn for respectability. Its significant cultural footprint can’t be overstated, nor can the deceptively simple yet profound lyrics that delved into the psyche of the urban grind.
Digging Deeper than the Pocket – The Essential Hustle
As Rakim narrates his plight—empty pockets and hands soaked in sweat—it’s more than a personal story; it’s a nuanced sketch of urban survival. The verse ‘Thinkin of a master plan’ is not just about poverty; it’s pointing to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s intellect and strategy. Rakim’s master plan is nonviolent yet assertive, a pivot from the confrontational to the cerebral.
Every ‘dig’ into the pocket, echoing the lack of monetary means, is a metaphorical shoveling away of superficiality, digging for the ‘deeper’ value beyond mere currency. It’s a profound statement on the re-evaluation of one’s means to a successful end—immersing oneself in the sweat of one’s brow to emerge ‘Paid in Full.’
From Stick-up Kid to Righteous Writer – A Tale of Transformation
Rakim reflects on a past filled with ‘devious’ actions, hinting at a narrative familiar to many who saw crime as their only recourse. Yet, it’s in the ‘I used to’ where the true gem lies. It’s a renouncement of the easy path, a declaration that through righteousness, one can still triumph.
Through Rakim’s lens, finding a nine-to-five isn’t about selling out but rather, a revolutionary act of survival. Choosing life and legitimacy over the fast-paced peril of the streets denotes a seismic shift in the genre; the artist isn’t glorifying the hustle but rather articulating the real grind of change.
A Symphony of Necessity – The Beat and Rhyme as Lifelines
The lyrics go beyond a simple cry for financial stability; they represent the craving for creative catharsis—the ‘pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape’ as weapons against mundanity. Music isn’t just a meal ticket for Eric B. & Rakim; it’s sustenance of the soul.
The duo’s craftsmanship is clear; with ‘a nice big plate of fish,’ a favorite dish, they point to the elusively simple pleasures deferred in the pursuit of a dream. The metaphor extends beyond the dinner table, symbolizing the greater feast of success they aim to achieve.
Decoding the Verse – The Hidden Meaning of Fish and Lint
The hidden meanings in ‘Paid in Full’ unveil themselves like layers being peeled from an onion. The ‘fish’ stands as a biblical allusion—perhaps to Jesus feeding the masses, embodying hope and sustenance. Eric B. & Rakim distribute their own form of nourishment—music with substance.
Even the lint in Rakim’s pockets speaks volumes. It states that while his physical wealth may be minimal, the richness in his mind is boundless. Lint, often discarded and ignored, represents the overlooked value in every person’s resolve and potential.
Eternal Lines That Echo Through Generations
The chorus ‘I’m paid in full’ is not merely a declaration of financial achievement; it’s the mantra of completeness, satisfaction in one’s efforts, and recognition of the actual value of success. It’s a goal in the ethereal; more spiritual than material.
‘Thinkin of a master plan…’ remains a quote that inspires legions who recite Rakim’s words as their own motto. These lines don’t just live in the track—they pulse in the veins of the audience, tactile and alive, as guiding principles for the struggles of day-to-day life.
