Dan the Automator‘s first EP, “A Better Tomorrow” was released in 1996. This EP was remastered and re-released, with new tracks, pushing it to an LP status and re-titled to “A Much Better Tomorrow” in 2000.

The title, looks like, was taken from John Woo’s crime trilogy of the same name.

I’m including the lyrics here, based on this website with some corrections. Please post corrections if you see any errors:

King Of NY
by Dan the Automator, featuring Kool Keith
Movie dialogue from Black Caesar (1973)
A Much Better Tomorrow (75 Ark Entertainment, 2000)

Speaker: It’s not the same, you’re just as corrupted as he is!
Tommy Gibbs: Look! I’m not trying to justify corruption to you, it’s been here and always will be. What I’m rappin’ to you about is power, baby.

Cruisin’ big time, livin’ the life like Big Joe Willie swift the player
With my hype pornoshow, like Goldie, the Mack, laying honnies on their back
Clockin’ Gs a week, your fake pimps hear me speak
Ridin’ low down, checkin’ my watch like Frank Nitti
Police pressin’ up, let me pay off the city
Controllin’ your town like Sega do with the Genesis
Who is the fan? Scopin’ panties on the premises
Backstab, nevermind bacon slab
Count my green, now tell me, where’s the other half?
Don’t try to come in, don’t tell me how to run my stable
Pluck your card, leave your fingers bleedin’ on the table
No time for games, baby talkin’ “help a brother”
Your style is plastic, your girl talkin’ rubber!

I’m the king of New York!
Runnin’ Alphabet City

You ran away from home, you ran away into my arms
Speak the wolly, my lollipop here’s a charm
You need a place to stay, well step up my way
I got your fur coat, and everything on layaway
You’re my daughter now, the women have to call me daddy
The smith with big green, with clients on the white caddy
Like General Mills, total with the whole grain
I’m in control, passin’ up your sad little brain
He made you cry before, he made you cry now
I’m eating steak, you’re home eatin’ chocolate cow
What’s the matter? He made your heart splatter
He kept you on the down low, climbin’ up the ladder
Pretty as you are, lookin’ like a movie star
Delicious, nutricious, don’t wanna get vicious
I ain’t no bloodhound, sniffin’ on your heels
Some strung out junkie over you takin’ pills
We can do this lady! Lucy give me a kiss
I’m your man now!

I’m the king of New York!
Runnin’ Alphabet City

It took a mastermind to put together the operation
I started out recruiting at the Grey Hound bus station
Pushin’ jewels, I’m still the man on 40 dues
Providin’ support, champ like a big sport
Hangin’ high, with no ID you can’t verify
The biggest mack on the heels from the illest city
No shorts taken, tell Jim, “Yo, it’s tough titty”
Call power rills to meet the only president
FBI watchin’ tryin’ scope for embezzlements
I’m in my train of thought, I own supreme court
Standin’ on the block, lickin’ bones for days
You work for me, competition for supremacy
I’m in the rhyme, smoothin’ groovin’ down
I’m in the rhyme, smoothin’ movin’ down
Checkin’ out my game, the Feds know it’s the same
I’m in court for owing childsupport

I’m the king of New York!
Runnin’ Alphabet City

Trivia: Alphabet City is part of the East Village in the New York City. The name came from the Avenues (A, B, C, and D). During the 80s, it was densely populated with Puerto Rican and African American, attracted by low housing costs. Like any urban setting, it was filled with violence and drugs. Alphabet City, nowadays, has less crime, due to the fact that sharp rising rent have forced poor families to relocate elsewhere.