Make The Money
Macklemore · The Heist (with Ryan Lewis) [2012]
Now, this is my job, I will not quit it
Pulled me out the depths when I thought that I was finished
Yeah I questioned if I could go the distance
That's just the work, regardless of who's listening, listening
Listen, see I was meant to be a warrior
Fight something amongst me, leave here victorious
Classroom of kids, or a venue performing
If I'd had done for the money I'd have been a fucking lawyer
Concrete, bagabon, van telling stories
Humbled by the road, I'm realizing I'm not important
See life's a beautiful struggle, I record it
Hope it helps you maneuvering through yours and
That's why we stay in the lab at night
I've been staring into this pad for over half my life
A true artist won't be satisfied
So I guess that's the sacrifice
And I say...
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
I say...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
Forget about the fame, fortune and the mansion
Sitting and tripping watching myself on a plasma
Yeah, I start slipping when I'm thinking about that stuff
Ego won't swole until the karma catches that up, that up
How my grandma's number one grandson
I lost myself to remember who that was
We start thinking about some kicks, necklace
What I really need is a job off craig's list
Take away the dot com, name, love
Fans, twitter followers, and the buzz
See, you keep the issues but you take away the drugs
And I had to find out who I really was
Who I really wasn't
So sick of who I was becoming
Yeah, tired of running
Time to look at the man in the mirror until I can learn to love him
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
I said...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
Bridge:(x2)
Of course I want dubs and a candy painted 'lac
Watch the videos and get the girls in the back
But if that's what I believe in, and the reason that I rap
Uncle Sam is my pimp when he puts me on the track
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true
And I said...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true, stay true
Forget about the fame
I said forget about the fame
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true, stay true
Pulled me out the depths when I thought that I was finished
Yeah I questioned if I could go the distance
That's just the work, regardless of who's listening, listening
Listen, see I was meant to be a warrior
Fight something amongst me, leave here victorious
Classroom of kids, or a venue performing
If I'd had done for the money I'd have been a fucking lawyer
Concrete, bagabon, van telling stories
Humbled by the road, I'm realizing I'm not important
See life's a beautiful struggle, I record it
Hope it helps you maneuvering through yours and
That's why we stay in the lab at night
I've been staring into this pad for over half my life
A true artist won't be satisfied
So I guess that's the sacrifice
And I say...
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
I say...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
Forget about the fame, fortune and the mansion
Sitting and tripping watching myself on a plasma
Yeah, I start slipping when I'm thinking about that stuff
Ego won't swole until the karma catches that up, that up
How my grandma's number one grandson
I lost myself to remember who that was
We start thinking about some kicks, necklace
What I really need is a job off craig's list
Take away the dot com, name, love
Fans, twitter followers, and the buzz
See, you keep the issues but you take away the drugs
And I had to find out who I really was
Who I really wasn't
So sick of who I was becoming
Yeah, tired of running
Time to look at the man in the mirror until I can learn to love him
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
I said...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
All my people stay true
Bridge:(x2)
Of course I want dubs and a candy painted 'lac
Watch the videos and get the girls in the back
But if that's what I believe in, and the reason that I rap
Uncle Sam is my pimp when he puts me on the track
Chorus:
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true
And I said...
Make the money, don't let the money make you
Change the game, don't let the game change you
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true, stay true
Forget about the fame
I said forget about the fame
I'll forever remain faithful
Stay true, stay true, stay true
Make The Money
Macklemore's 'Make The Money' stands as a defining track from his 2012 album The Heist, blending hip-hop production with a driving, motivational rhythm. Released alongside hits like 'Thrift Shop' and 'Can't Hold Us,' the song exemplifies the energetic, mid-tempo sound that characterized the album's success. Produced by Ryan Lewis, the recording captures the raw energy of the era, focusing on themes of ambition and financial struggle without relying on specific lyrical content. The track remains a staple of Macklemore's discography, reflecting his ability to merge personal narrative with high-energy pop-rap structures that resonated widely during the early 2010s.