[Verse 1] First year out of college Badge still shiny, coffee still late They talk KPIs like I didn't just graduate I take notes, I take credit when it's mine I don't perform a wound to get a seat I do the work and I keep the line Daddy Black, mama White I didn't pick a team to make a point I picked a major and a calendar And a name I can sign [Pre-Chorus] If they stall me in the hallway If they smile and move the goal That's data, not a destiny I don't rent my soul [Chorus] R-E S-P E-C-T I don't beg it I own it B-O S-S U-P If the room won't open I build my own R-E S-P E-C-T Pay me for the labor Not the story P-A Y U-P Put it in my business name [Verse 2] They can borrow my language They can dress my idea in a slide Cute I already saved the file I already dated the draft I already know what I brought Roadblock is a fork Not a funeral Not a hymn If corporate wants a mascot They can hire somebody else I'm not auditioning for pitiful [Verse 3] Hustler if I have to Entrepreneur on purpose Businesswoman by Friday Employee was a classroom This is the test Nothing holds me back Not a ceiling speech Not a hallway no Not a man explaining me to me I came here to finish I came here to go [Bridge] Respect is not a costume Respect is a receipt If they won't cut the check I cut the lease [Final Chorus] R-E S-P E-C-T I don't beg it I own it B-O S-S U-P If the room won't open I build my own R-E S-P E-C-T Pay me for the labor Not the story P-A Y U-P Put it in my business name [Outro] My name on it Or I take it with me My name on it That's the whole policy
