Album: The Eminem Show
Artist: Eminem
Title: Say What You Say
Track: Track 17
Featuring: Dr. Dre
Writers: Mike Elizondo, Ron “NEFF-U” Feemster & Eminem
Produced by: Dr. Dre
Release date: May 26, 2002
Say What You Say Lyrics
[Intro: Eminem & Dr. Dre]
Heh, so I’m out the game, huh? (Huh, huh)
Yo, Dre, we ridin’?
Whatever (Ha-ha)
Well, I’m wit’ ya, homie
Okay, let’s handle the small shit
[Verse 1: Eminem & Dr. Dre]
I was born to brew up storms, stir up shit
Kick up dust, cuss ’til I slur up spit
Grew up too quick, went through too much, knew too much shit
Corrupt, and I’ma pour it on like syrup, bitch
Thick and rich, sick and twisted, Mr. Buttersworth
Dre told me to milk this shit for what it’s worth
‘Til the cow just tilts and tips and stumbles to Earth
And if I fumble a verse, keep goin’
First take I make, mistakes, just keep it
No punches pull, no punches, that’s weak shit
Fake shit, if I ever take shit, I’ll eat shit
Wasn’t for him, wouldn’t be shit
Creep with me as we take a little trip down memory lane
Been here longer than anyone in the game
And I ain’t got to lie about my age — But what about Jermaine?
Fuck Jermaine! He don’t belong speakin’ mine
Or Timbaland’s name and don’t think I don’t read
Your little interviews and see what you’re sayin’
And I’m a giant, and I ain’t gotta move ’til I’m provoked
When I see you, I’ma step on you and not even know it
You midget, mini-me with a bunch of little mini-you’s
Runnin’ around your backyard swimming pools
Over 80 million records sold
And I ain’t have to do it with 10- or 11-year-olds
[Chorus: Eminem]
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
[Verse 2: Eminem & Dr. Dre]
Second verse, it gets worse, it gets no better than this
Amateurs drink veteran piss
From a Dixie cup, if you ever mix me up
Or confuse me with a Canibus or Dre with a Dupri
We’ll rub it in, every club you’re in, we’ll have you blackballed
And make sure you never rap a-fuckin’-gain
Dre ain’t havin’ it, long as I’m here to play devil’s advocate
If there was some magic shit I could wave
Over the industry that could save it when I’m gone
And buried to make sure the tradition carries on, I would
If I could only use this power for good I wouldn’t, not even if I could
From the hood, and I’m a hornet
And I’ma only sting when I’m cornered
And I’ma only sucker punch and swing without warning
And swing to knock somebody’s fuckin’ head off
‘Cause I know if they get up, I won’t get a chance to let off
Another punch, I’m punk rock, no one’s punk
Don’t give a fuck: white-Pac, so much spunk
When I was little I knew I would blow up and sell a mil’
Or grow up to be Attila, go nuts and be a killer
And I’m something of a phenom, one puff of the chron’
I’m unstoppable, I’m alive and
On top again, there’s no obstacle that I can’t conquer
So come along with us (C’mon!)
[Chorus: Eminem]
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
[Verse 3: Eminem & Dr. Dre]
Now anybody who knows Dre knows I’m about
Fast cars and Alizé, partyin’ all day
But I handled my business, ‘cause it’s work before play
Don’t look for trouble, but I’ll serve you gourmet
However you want it, you can have it your way
You fuck my night up, I’ma fuck up your day
Bullet with your name, sendin’ it your way
That goes for anyone who walks through that doorway
‘Cause this is my space, you invade it
Live to regret it, and you’ll die tryna violate it
Fuck around, get annihilated, eyes dilated
Huh, like my old lady?
‘Cause what you say is what you say, sometimes what you mean
Is two different things, depending on your mood if it swings
Think too many things, little hit of Dre’s weed
I can do anything, catch a contact
And I’m gone, and I’m back, I speed write
And my loose leaf’s my launchpad — And I can pull any string
Don’t have to prove anything, catch a contract
On your head, you headed West, talk shit about Dre
You better get a vest and invest in something to protect
Your head and neck — And it’s back and forth
All day, like Red and Meth, I joke when I say I’m the best
In the booth, but a lot of truth is said in jest
And if I ever do live to be a legend
I’ma die a sudden death; five mics in The Source?
Ain’t holdin’ my fuckin’ breath, but I’ll suffocate for the respect
‘Fore I breathe to collect a fuckin’ check
[Chorus: Eminem]
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
‘Cause what you say is what you say, say what you say
How you say it whenever you sayin’ it, just remember
How you said it when you was sprayin’ it, so who you playin’ with
Huh? (Huh, huh, huh)
[Outro: Dr. Dre & Timbaland]
Watch your fuckin’ mouth
Yo, this Timbaland, tell him I said suck my dick
About the “Say What You Say” song:
This song is a diss to Jermaine Dupri, Canibus, and Benzino’s The Source Magazine. It was Eminem’s first retaliation against the magazine, which later turned into the Eminem vs Benzino beef.
Dre makes it known that he hadn’t left the rap game yet, and that he is here to diss some people and maintain his respect.
The Eminem Show
The rest of The Eminem Show lyrics:
Other: Eminem lyrics