Story Behind The Song

I was motivated to write this song after I made the beat. The hook came first and then I wrote lyrics based on hard working independent artist vs the free loaders. I first heard the term "Don't Grind Don't Shine" from DJ KDS from Houston, TX.

Song Description

The song is raps version of the "hard work" pays philosophy in modern slang, Hence "Don't Grind Don't Shine".

Lyrics

DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
Written by Steven W. Laws Sr. 06/03/2006

DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE I WORK HARD IN THE STUDIO,
THE BASS GO BOOM MAKE YOU BOUNCE AND SHAKE YOUR BOOTY HO
THAT'S WHY THEY ON THE DANCE FLOOR I TRY TO MAKE THEM DANCE MORE
YOU GIVE EM WHAT YOU THINK THEY NEED, I GIVE EM WHAT THEY ASK FOR
I SOLD MY CD ON THE STREETS BEFORE THAT SHIT HAD THIS MUCH BEAT
BEFORE THE TOUR AND RECORD DEAL, BEFORE THE WORLDWIDE MASS APPEAL
I WAS IN THEM PARKING LOTS, I WAS ON THEM PROJECT BLOCKS,
SELLING CD'S OUT THE TRUNK MAKING PEOPLES SPEAKERS BUMP
STOP WALKING WIT YA HAND OUT, BETTER GRIND N PUT YA BAND OUT,
I REMEMBER WHEN I SAT A CAN OUT, AND KICKED A FREESTYLE THEN I WROTE MY PLAN OUT
IT WAS ALL A DREAM AND WOULD'VE STAYED THAT WAY,
IF IT WASN'T FOR MY GRIND I WOULDN'T SHINE TODAY,
BUT I TOOK THEM STEPS AND I BOOKED THEM CLUBS,
WATCHED OTHER RAPPERS HATE WHEN THE STREETS SHOWED ME LOVE
DON'T GRIND! DONT SHINE! BROKE NIGGA DON'T HATE ON MINE
YOU WHINE AND CRYING, TALKING BOUT THIS IS HARD TIMES
BUT THIS IS AMERICA, JUST LOOK AT THE FOREIGNER,
AMERICAN DREAMING YOU SLEEP IN CALIFORNIA

DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,

YOU ONLY GOOD AS YA LAST SONG THAT'S WHY I'M ALWAYS WRITING,
AND I'M IN THE STUDIO MORE THEN MPC'S AND TRITON,
MAKING SOMETHING TO BOUNCE TO, TA SMOKE A WHOLE OUNCE TO
WHAT RAPPER SLASH PRODUCER YOU KNOW DO IT LIKE I DO,
I GRIND LIKE THE BUTCHER, SHINE WHEN THEY PUT THE,
SONG ON THE CHARTS AND PART WAYS WHEN YOU PUT YA,
FOOT IN YA BIG MOUTH, I BOUGHT ME A BIG HOUSE
THE FEDS WATCHING ME, I'M A STILL PUT THEM HITS OUT,
I GRIND ON THE REGULAR AIN'T NO COMPETITOR
I USE TO FREESTYLE BUT THAT PAY CHECKS IRREGULAR
YOU WANNA FREESTYLE I RATHER FEE STYLE
ON STAGE I GET PAID KAKS AND WHITE TEE STYLE
STACK CHIPS LIKE THE POKER TOUR, CLIPS WHEN I GO ON TOUR
CUZ JACKERS ON THEY GRIND AND THEY SHINE WHEN THEY TAKE WHATS YOURS
BUT I CAN?T LET THAT STOP ME AND I CAN?T LET THEM POP ME,
SO APPROACH ME WITH CAUTION OR I MIGHT POP A POPPARATZI

DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,

YOU NEED TO GET UP, GET OUT, AND GET YA HUSTLE ON MAN,
CAUSE I'LL BE DAM IF YOU GONE EAT OFF MY HUSTLING MAN,
AND YES I KNOW A THING OR TWO BOUT STRUGGLING MAN,
I'M ON MY GRIND I AIN'T GOT TIME TO FIND WHAT'S BUGGING YOU MAN,
I'M GETTING PA A PA A PAPER LIKE I RE A RECYCLE,
A LOTTA PEOPLE THINK I'M CRAZY THEY SAY HE A HE PSYCHO
MAN I NEVER THOUGHT I'D FUCK WIT THESE INDUSTRY NIGGAS,
BUT TRUTH BE TOLD THEY GOT ME THESE INDUSTRY FIGURES,
HATE IT OR LOVE IT I'M A SHINE CAUSE I GRIND SO HARD,
AND EVERY TIME THEY SCAN MY BARCODE THEY SAY CASH OR CHARGE
AND CAN'T NOBODY SEE YA DREAMS TO THEM ITS ALL A MIRAGE
SO EITHER GIT YA GRIND ON BOY OR GIT YOU A JOB

DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE, DON'T GRIND DON'T SHINE
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,
GET YA PA A PA A PAPER, GET YA PA A PA A PAPER,