Joey Bada$$ – Paper Trail$ Lyrics

Joey Bada$$ – Paper Trail$ Lyrics

Produced by the legendary DJ Premier, “Paper Trail$” revolves around how money has changed Joey in a negative way. He refers to Wu-Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.” throughout the track to illustrate the point.

Joey described this song as the proper intro to B4.DA.$$. in an interview with Power 106 Los Angeles:

To me, ‘Paper Trail$’ was like the real intro to my album. Basically, I wanted to establish the where mind state I was at. The setting is in a

[Scratches]
Money ain’t a thing if I got it
Mo—mo—mo—mo—mo
Money ain’t a thing if I got it
Money—Money

[Chorus]
Before the money there was love
But before the money it was tough
Then came the money through a plug
It’s a shame this ain’t enough, yo
[Verse 1]
Sitting back plotting, jotting information on my nation
Really started from the bottom, boy cotton
But they still planting plantations, we keep buying in, closed-minded men
Pride is higher than the prices on your Pradas and Balenciagas Balance my saga with the Henny agua
Me and my niggas tryna eat, you pussies empanada
The flow like plenty lava, with just a penny I could
Multiply my worth and make you work for me for 20 hours
I swear these niggas love to copy, thanks for listening
The kid ain’t been the same since Biggie smacked me at my christening
Watch what you dishing and please play it safe
‘Cause your position on the top is switching right in front your face
Rock you outta space with rhymes, I’m bustin’ out
Keep ducking down, got some missiles now, headed for your house
So put the pistols down, got that red dot on your nose
Who booked the clown? I lock jaws like a blue nose, foes
Keep your mouth closed or you can see the solar
I got connections that guaranteed to see closed doors
You hear that underground sonar
The way I flows then switch them, the Pros been on a mission, listen
Enter the chamber, get hyperbolic
They raisin’ Macs, I raise stakes to keep them brolic
My visions is macrocosmic, pass the chronic
The mastered sonics is light years above your conscious
You’re novice, but I got notes that strike nerves
I promise your minds ain’t sharp like my swords
So cut the BS, and don’t worry where my jeans is
And PS: Your bitch a genius, learned from my penis, I got
Dreams selling arenas and breaking brackets
Tenants racket, while I’m cracking a Serena
God damn, God bless the heaven that sent you
But now I’m breezing out, baby, cause my rent’s due

[Verse 2]
Shit is really real out here
I said shit is really real out here (It ain’t easy)
Yeah, just tryna get a deal out here (Word)
(Money ain’t a thing if I got it) Yo
I’m screaming cream, who fucking with the rap supreme?
Joey Bad and Big Preem came to collect the green
I got a dollar and a dream, know what I mean?
And I gotta get my mama off the scene
I’m screaming cream, who fucking with the rap supreme?
Joey Bad and Big Preem came to collect the green
I got a dollar and a dream, know what I mean?
And I gotta get my mama off the scene (Joey Badass)
‘Cause cash ruined everything around me
Cash ruined everything around me, me
Cash ruined everything around me
(Won’t sign to no major if no wager) (Money ain’t a thing)
They say money is the root of all evil
I see money as the route of all people
‘Cause we all follow paper trails, paper trails
And everybody gotta pay their bills, pay their bills (It ain’t easy)
They say money is the root of all evil
I see money as the route of all people
‘Cause we all follow paper trails, paper trails
And everybody gotta pay their bills, pay their bills, hey

[Bridge]
It’s the dollar dollar bill, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, it’s the dollar bill that kills, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, it’s the dollar bill that kills, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, it’s the dollar bill that kills, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, y’all
It’s the dollar dollar bill, it’s the dollar bill that kills

[Chorus]
Before the money it was love
But before the money it was tough
Then came the money through a plug
It’s a shame this ain’t enough