**NOVA UNIT — “PAY UP”** **[Intro — Deejay + Chul]** *(Yeah-yeah… uh-huh)* Ayy, look— Whole squad walked in, business handled Nova Unit, baby We don't work for free *(Brrr!)* Tell ’em what it is— **[Verse 1 — Deejay, rap]** When you been broke, back against ropes Still held tight to the last bit of hope Two steps back? That ain't how we go Had to build mine when they told me no Overqualified, talking KPIs Whole damn business getting bigger in size Then they wanna stunt when it's time for the prize Smile in my face while they playing with mine **[Mikey, melodic rap]** Took my ideas, put ’em on your slides Changed how you talk when you got inside Now everybody wanna say, “That's my guy” But where was that love when the well ran dry? **[Pre-Chorus — Nan + Jay]** I put the work in *(work in)* I know my worth, yeah *(worth, yeah)* If you want what I bring to the table Better put that number where the words is **[Chorus — ALL, stacked harmonies]** **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** Walk in this bitch like a V-I-P **B-O-S-S U-P — boss up** Whole room jump when we pullin’ up **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** Don't say “brother” if you don't see me **P-A-Y U-P — pay up** If you want this work, better pay us *(Jay: Pay me what I'm worth!)* *(Deejay: Yeah!)* *(Chul: Boss up!)* **[Verse 2 — Chul, deep sing-rap]** Maybe if I switched how I talked Played real nice every time they called Maybe I'd be sitting upstairs right now Big-ass title with my name on the wall But I ain't changing who I am for a check You want my culture, better show some respect Want my flavor when you're chasing a trend Then cut my people when the quarter gets red **[Deejay, rap]** Nah— I seen the game and I learned how it move Boardroom clean but the dirt come through Numbers don't lie, but the people might Especially when the data don't fit what they like So I took my name and I made it a brand Put the whole operation back in my hands Now when I walk through, everybody know— If you want what I know, gotta pay for the show **[Chorus — ALL]** **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** Walk in this bitch like a V-I-P **B-O-S-S U-P — boss up** Whole room jump when we pullin’ up **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** Don't say “brother” if you don't see me **P-A-Y U-P — pay up** If you want this work, better pay us **[Verse 3 — Jay → Nan → Mikey → Deejay]** **Jay:** Hustler, entrepreneur, businessman Three different roads but I understand Started with nothing but a dream in hand Now every move got a bigger plan **Nan:** Nine-to-five trying to keep food home Entrepreneur trying to build his own Businessman put a team on game Turn one little spark to a household name **Mikey:** I've been down, I've been counted out Now I'm walking in what I dreamed about Experience, vision, everything I know That's intellectual property—pay me though **Deejay:** I been all three, ain't shit you can tell me Built from the floor, now the whole team healthy Checks come through with the business name You want this sauce? Better pay for game! **[Breakdown — Chul + ALL]** Shake that stress off *(shake it off)* Take that tie off *(take it off)* If your boss been playing with your check Tonight we letting that shit fly off **ALL:** Boss up! Pay up! Boss up! Pay up! **[Final Chorus — Jay lead / ALL stacked]** **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** *(Respect me!)* Walk in this bitch like a V-I-P **B-O-S-S U-P — boss up** *(Deejay: Tell ’em again!)* Whole room jump when we pullin’ up **R-E-S-P-E-C-T me** Five men strong, that's N-U-T **P-A-Y U-P — pay up** If you want this work, better pay us! **[Outro — club call-and-response]** **Deejay:** Hustlers show love! **ALL:** Boss up! **Chul:** Business owners show love! **ALL:** Pay up! **Mikey:** Everybody building from the ground show love! **ALL:** Boss up! **Nan:** Everybody they overlooked— **ALL:** PAY UP! **Jay:** Respect ain't something you say… It's something you show. **ALL, layered:** R-E-S-P-E-C-T me… B-O-S-S U-P… R-E-S-P-E-C-T me… P-A-Y U-P… *(Deejay: Nova Unit, baby.)* *(Chul: Brrr!)*
