There’s a reason why I picked this song, hang with me for a minute. It’s been hard moving cross country, man. I came out to California from Connecticut in May and I’ve been knocking accomplishments off the broke-boy bucket list since the moment I got here. Power got shut off the other day, that’s always fun when you work on the internet. Oh yeah, we’re keeping it rully rull today kids, fuck all the bullshit. Between living check to check when there’s even a check and already missing all the homies (my 2 chocolate labs, plus a few humans) back home, it’s got me looking for any piece of home I can find to just chill the fuck out. Stress is really one of the craziest emotions, as far as what it does to you over prolonged amounts of time. I’m sure there are scientific explanations for it, but all I know is I’ve had a migraine for a week and can’t sleep, so it’s not lit. Alright, rant over.
One of those pieces of home is Apathy, one of the few hip-hop artists from my home state to make true international impact with his music. We went to the same high school, albeit a few years apart and I was lucky enough to interview him later on. This song isn’t necessarily one of his oldest, but it resonates with me, as it helped me through some tough times the past few years. If you aren’t familiar with Ap he’s lowkey one of the best lyricists in the game, as I’m sure people he’s written for would agree, not to mention his legion of fans worldwide. Between his solo music and work with his groups The Demigodz, Army Of The Pharaohs and more, his discography is one worth peeping when you have a few hours one day, seriously.
PS – If for no other reason stated above, I would’ve posted this song for the ill 3 Stacks sample alone. “Check To Check” produced by Evidence of Dilated Peoples, no big deal. You can find this one, along with guest appearances from DJ Premier, Celph Titled, Vinnie Paz, Slaine, Ill Bill, Xzibit, Blacastan, Esoteric, Action Bronson (early) and more, on Ap’s album Honkey Kong.
Went looking for a quotable or two, silly me.
[Verse 1]
I’m trying to read between the lines, show me how the war’s won
Rich dad, poor dad, I just had the poor one
Call me Charlie Bucket, attitude is fuck it
No golden ticket so I’m balling on a budget
And rap money’s bullshit, nothing like it used to be
I used to be used to Gs, blew through them foolishly
And fuck a nine to five, I live life for rocking these mics
The only time I wake up early is for court dates or flights
I’m living check to check, but I ain’t talking Nikes
I’m leaking money like BP with oil pipes
It’s funny how it makes you feel like you ain’t a man
Trying to justify why you making payment plans
I never made it cause I never tried to make you dance
I’m making ends meet, while Diddy’s making bands
I want to thank my fans, the ones that show respect
I’m like projects in Prague living check to check[Hook]
To the end of the week, I live by the beat like you live check to check (x3)
If you don’t move yo’ feet then I don’t eat, so we like neck to neck
To the end of the week, I live by the beat like you live check to check (x2)
If you don’t move yo’ feet then I don’t eat, so we like neck to neck (x2)[Verse 2]
I never trick on some bitch, cause tricking’s for the weak
The only way I make it rain is cause Ev’ did this beat
I’m sitting in my car, reclined back in my seat
Phones about to get shutoff and I ain’t even eat
I’m waiting so long for a check from a song
By the time I get to cash it every penny of it’s gone
Gone baby gone, I’m trying to stay strong
If it wasn’t for my family and my friends I wouldn’t be around this long
Like me and Louie used to live off only Little Debbie’s
Cause they only cost a quarter, couldn’t afford a penny more to get a value meal
Wish somebody would’ve taught me how to deal
But I ain’t talking about trees, or keys, or blow
I never knew how to be responsible with my dough
I radiate being broke, you almost see me glow
I’m the Incredible Hulk of blowing money for show
And so I rock the show to make my empty pockets grow
I’m contemplating changing jobs if the money’s better
Cause making paper off rap now is tougher than leather
I love music forever, but we can’t stay together
I told myself I’d never ever ever ever ever…[Hook]