No Strings Attached

You can’t expect to change me
(You want the fans, the respect, and the name.)
for what you think
(You want it all, want your foot up in the game.)
is the best thing for me.

You can’t expect to force me
(You want the fans, the respect, and the name.)
to do what you do.
(You want it all, want your foot up in the game.)

Can’t fill my shoes.

You can’t expect to change me
(You want the fans, the respect, and the name.)
for what you think
is the best thing for me.
(But there’s some things you gotta change.)

Listen, We really used to dig your music, till money started to blind you.
Seen that you put up “HeartBeat” for sale on the charts on iTunes. We’re disappointed…always thought you repped that real shit, but soon as the money comes you succumb to a record deal quick?

It never fails…wanna profit off of your work but that’s not what its all about, you should drop it all for the worth of the music you make… not for the paper, you can’t be paid for the labor or time it takes to create the product we savor.

Gotta put every waking moment to making it dope to the point there ain’t no time for a job so you’re staying broke. But that’s okay…we appreciate real when you represent, but don’t feel that you’re worth a cent, in return and that’s evident, by percentages of the purchased versus the pirated verses.

We get paid for our daily job, but you should provide a service for free…and if you don’t do it exactly how we demand then we’re labeling you a sell out faster than you can stand.
It’s only boom bap and old school. And you rap on some of that new jack…it shows you let the money control you.

Rap on the beats we want.
With topics that we expect.
And you’ll never make a living,
but promise you’ll get respect.

You can’t expect to change me
(You want the fans, the respect, and the name.)
for what you think
(You want it all, want them screaming out your name.)
is the best thing for me.
You can’t expect to force me
(You want the dough, and the lights, and the fame.)
to do what you do.
(You want it all, want them screaming out your name.)

Can’t fill my shoes.

You can’t expect to change me
(You want the dough, and the lights, and the fame.)
for what you think
is the best thing for me.
(But there’s some things you gotta change.)

We know you think you got it made…independent artist with views. Your following’s minimal, but you’re true to the art that you do.
Got respect, but not a check…so you’re stuck starving to prove you ain’t selling out, but you’re broke, only so far you can move.

All that we wanna do is help you connect the dots, enhance what you got already…we heard your record, it’s hot, for real…you don’t need a lot…maybe some label money, we’ll do all the work and thinking just need you to play the dummy.
So don’t let the shit these finicky hipsters saying deter you…you’d get a percentage of every penny we earn you. How many people heard you, a hundred thousand at most? You could expand around the globe if we brand your sound and your shows.

Yo, If you would learn to bend better…you could be a trendsetter. All you need to do is express with less of a vendetta. Tighten up your image to fit a sassier look. Pick some trappier beats and write some catchier hooks. Even give you a couple songs where you can do your little raw shit, so you won’t feel as bad and your fans ain’t saying you lost it.

Rap on the beats we want,
with topics that we expect.
You’ll probably lose your reputation
but promise you’ll get your check.

You can’t expect to change me
(Forget the buzz and the money and the fame.)
for what you think
(I don’t need to make a name.)
is the best thing for me.

You can’t expect to force me
(Forget the buzz and the money and the fame.)
to do what you do.
(I don’t need to make a name.)

Can’t fill my shoes.

You can’t expect to change me
(Forget the buzz, and the money, and the fame.)
for what you think
(I don’t need to make a name.)
is the best thing for me.
(So you can try to make me change, but…)

Before a label or a fan base,
before backpackers and slammed breaks,
when I was happy rapping for nothing but love and hand shakes, I heard the urban legends.
Labels that wanna alter you,
fans that demand you make art, but only the way they want you too.

And both of them would keep their pockets full while you struggling. Hustling to juggle your love and survival wondering if either one of them would offer the right approach both telling you what to do and I know it’s the life I chose.

I’m the one that made my music public…knew what it was, I see the biggest haters made from the people that used to love it. Don’t want you to make a dime but expect all of your time invested it would be fine if they get you need to survive.

I would need to put the overtime hours in to stay relevant, no time for that if I get job but they say don’t sell your shit…while the label is saying they’d pay me to make my music I’m not gonna lie is tempting but not with the way they do it.

Maybe it’s true, that both of them just want a puppet They should check the branches of the tree before they start barking up it.

Cuz that’s never gonna be me.
Label or Indy Im’a be me.
Do what I love every single and cd.

And at the end…my soul don’t come with a price tag.
And got a set a strings and I’m never waving a white flag.

Rap on the beats I want,
with topics I pick to speak,
and if I never get respect or a check

I did it for me.

 

@alyssamarieraps: Being one of the remaining hip-hop artists with an unwavering dedication to the genre’s artistry, Massachusetts’ rapper Alyssa Marie has branded both her live performance and studio recordings with a style unlike any rapper you’ve heard. Though her flow and lyrics are hip-hop unconditionally, Alyssa Marie has blended elements of her influences ranging from hip-hop and soul to rock and reggae to create her alternative style of making inspired music.

As of 2015, Alyssa Marie’s own YouTube page has attained over 35,000 unique subscribers and exceeded 2 million views on her original content. She has been featured on WorldstarHipHop multiple times with cosigns and collaborations by a number of rap’s underground legends, while continuing her tour of performances across the U.S. The future will undoubtedly see Alyssa Marie’s career at new heights as she continues to set precedents, proving to be an artist to keep a close eye on.

Check out Alyssa Marie’s new EP “No Parades On Easy Street” here.  A staple for any hip-hop head.

@DestinyClaymore Hailing from San Diego, California, Destiny Claymore has always been involved in the arts. Claymore is the second oldest of four children and helped raise her siblings while struggling with abuse from her extended family. She drowned out this pain by participating in any and all sports and theater productions and by the age of 17 she had been in various music videos and dance companies that would soon lead her into music. With influences such as Paramore, Outkast, Tech N9ne, Destiny’s Child and more, the variety in her music tastes show in her songs. With a small frame, big hair and even bigger voice she is one/ half of Dark Matter her project with hip-hop artist Mad S. Check out more of her music here.