"Business" - Eminem

One of hip-hop's fleetest wordsmiths unveils a rollicking, Stax/Volt side with "Business," a prime cut from his third full-length album, The Eminem Show. For those seeking progressive anthems, you can bet Em won't make it easy for us. It's safe to say that the "Bitches and gentlemen!" salutation at the outset of "Business," along with a couplet like "They make it all up, there's no such thing / Like a female with good looks who cooks and cleans," will not be chanted by the progressive multitudes anytime soon.

Indeed, as with the Guns N' Roses anthem "Civil War", many will be inclined to dismiss the song because of the singer. But that would be a mistake, because in addition to an all-round feral beat, "Business" delivers a chorus for the ages. It is one that any throng determined to bring about positive change should be able to get behind in full-throated fashion:

Let's get down to business

I ain't got no time to play around, what is this?

Must be a circus in town, let's shut the shit down

On these clowns, can I get a witness?

(Dr. Dre: "Hell, yeah!")

Repeat this to yourself ad nauseam, and see if you don't get all worked up and impatient. Now imagine thousands marching beside you with the same refrain on their lips.

Here's the studio recording of "Business," from The Eminem Show:

A live performance:

Other Resources

Song available on The Eminem Show (2002), track 3.

Full lyrics here.

A sparse Wikipedia page for "Business."

The instrumental track only. Blast it, clap along, avoid Eminem's woman-baiting and name-dropping lyrics, and chant the chorus in the right places. Repeat as required.