The Forever Story Album Lyrics by J.I.D

---

Galaxy

One, two, three, four

Forever can't be too far away
From never, stay where you are, you are
Everyone's a star, every day's the move
Everywhere you are, pray it gon' rescue you
Everyone's a star, every day's the move
Everywhere you are, pray

Oh, so you don't call now
You don't pick up the motherf*ckin' phone, nigga?
Oh, okay, oh, okay, yeah
Yeah, you are who I thought you was, nigga
You plastic, nigga, that means you motherf*ckin' fake

---

Raydar

Radar, sonar, laser beams
Jets, tanks, submarines
Megathons, H-bombs, napalm, ga-

I got the shit you would light with a lighter
F*ck a lighter, I could light on the stove
Dark at night, I'll drop a log in the fire
Wander in the woods out in the cold
I got the shit you could play for your mama
I got the shit you could play for the hoes
I got the shit you could sell to the trappers
In Decatur with the 'K and the Colt
I know some rappers that-, how I'ma say this?
I know some rappers who paid but broke
Lotta money but you played your soul
You played yourself, you played the role
I got some niggas who down the street
Some of my niggas been down the road
Lost a nigga that was down with me
You know what they say, it rains, it pours

(Whoa, whoa, shit, whoa)
It rains, it pours (ooh)
We have a penalty flag thrown at the thirty yard line (whoa, shit)
(Whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
Personal foul (whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
Unsportsmanlike conduct (it rains, it pours)
Number six on the defense, fifty- (uh)
(Look, okay) it rains, it pours

They got the shit they could pull out
I know it could blow out a back, yeah
They got the cure, the vax
Facts, you know where it's at
They put the money, the crack in the sack
They got the axis, they got the Atlas, they got the maps
I got a real, real, real bad bitch (so bad)
I just told her to come to the back
They got the people in office
The crackers that had us in chains
They make the laws, they goin' hard
Dang, they even started a gang
How you gon' win in a losable game?
Make a change, man, niggas say the same thing
Every day, complain in the sunshine
Or the cloud rain, but won't lift a finger, huh
In the danger, niggas been endangered
Been indentured, now my niggas got business ventures
With my .9, I'm like ten Avengers
Snap a finger, I could end adventures
Rapper? Singer? No, killer, nigga
You a cop or you a nigga killer (whoa)

It rains, it pours
(Whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
It rains, it pours (ooh)
We have a penalty flag thrown at the thirty yard line
Personal foul
Unsportsmanlike conduct (it rains, it pours)
Number six on the defense, fifty-
It rains, it pours

Man will understand man (oh, shit)
Man will understand man (f*ck, yeah)
And man will understand
Live in harmony and peace
And the sun will once again rise up in the East (um, see)
(East)

Somebody told me when I was small
That the pride cometh right before the fall
God son died for us all
So for mine, I'm running through a wall
Lost a battle, it's still a war
I'ma steal the cattle, then burn the farm
We could travel but the journey long
I prefer we get a lil' murder on
Drop the top on your convertible
How we feelin' should concern you
We been speakin' but ain't never been heard
So now we screamin' at you word-for-word
Everything a nigga learned gotta burn
My lil' nigga in a hearse, I was hurt
F*ck a rap and f*ck a verse, I could blur it
Tryna see how many urns I could earn
Are you entertained or are you concerned?
I'd be afraid, I'd be in church
I'd say a prayer, I pray I say, I say I shade
They play like God, no play-by-play
We take our charge, we take our place
It'll take our hearts, it'll take our faith
But we need the majority to make shit shake
I'ma get me a quarter, I'ma get in the car
And I'ma get on a call and go state-by-state
And I'm picking the target then I'm picking them off
You better be Beyoncé if you say my name
Orange ambient sunlight and daylight savings
Might save a nigga life
It ain't never too bright to broad day a nigga
Night time vampires and they'll slay a nigga
It's not like landslide so you can take their side
I'm a canine straight in the pack
Lookin' for Jiddy, he stay in the back
Crackin' a whip, whippin' the crack
Just like them crackers had did to the blacks
Just as they thought I was finished attacking
A beast awoken, I peel at the crackin'
They inferior and fear when I'm rappin'
But I ain't rappin', this is spiritual
Shed a tear to Karen then miracles happen, huh
Mirror, mirror, why the f*ck is you laughing?
Be a dear let me volunteer 'cause I'm not in fear
I'ma jump in the ashes (ooh)
Whoa, shit, "It's getting weird," nah, shit is weird
Where the hell is Heaven on this hemisphere?
If them bitches set it, I'ma end it here
If we come together we can send a message (la-la)
But I know they never gonna lend an ear (la-la)
So I got a method, one, do you better (la-la-la-la-la-la)
Do you one better, bet you won't do it
Let's bet I will (la-la)
Collect my stones, ho, collect my gems (la-la)
Protect my stronghold, respect my shield (la-la-la-la-la-la)
Until I'm long gone but while I'm here
I can snap my fingers, they'll disappear (boom)

La-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la

---

Dance Now

(Bum-bum-bum, ba-dum-bum, bum-bum)
(Bum-bum-bum, ba-dum-bum, bum-bum)
(Bum-bum-bum, ba-dum-bum, bum-bum)
(Ayy, ayy, ayy, a-bum-bum-bum, ayy)

Look, look, J.I.D back in the city with it
Jiddy done been all across the globe
They say JID a scribbler, he silly with it
When he spiting, I hope he don't sell his soul
He should be good, man, he signed to Cole
He from the hood, nigga, down the road
He was just jugging right by the stove
Then the saw they patrol, it was time to roll
Saw the patrol it was time to ride
Motor running on Memorial Drive
Got a country cousin cruising with that blammer
In Savannah at the Florida-Georgia line
Got a couple family members in Atlanta
Not Atlanta, we let Omeretta decide
They just gon' let that Beretta fly
'Cause you niggas bugging, spray pesticides
It's me and the bros, it's not extra guys
And they moving weight, it's no exercise
We could pick a date to come stretch you out
Only showing muscle when it's flexing time
You could see the hustle, you could recognize
Overcame struggle when the Devil tried
Let me bare it all when I'm telling God
You know I'ma rant, when I talk to Jah

Nigga say that I can't, damn lie
Ain't dapping no hand, sanitize
We gon' slide on your man, landslide
It's a nine in my pants, hand cocked
You gon' try to recant, you can't now
I can step on a ant, ant pile
I'ma shoot at the ground, dance now
Dance, uh, dance, shh, dance

Oh, what a handsome gift (yeah)
To live in a land of sin (uh)
Riding with bags and bricks (yeah)
And my lil' nasty chick (yeah)
That's what I asked of Him
Told me He'd grant my wish
You dance with the Devil
You'll never dance again

Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now (I'm not a)
Dance, dance, shh, dance (I'm not a, uh)

I'm not a two stepping man, I said I do not dance
It's a gun inside my pants, and the whole worlds in his hands
It depends, penny for your sins
Shooting up the block, can't stop revenge (oh)
Nappy dread locks like a Rasta man
Where the story ends and plot thickens (uh, look)
Mama said the Messiah's in moccasins
Tryna save the kids in them apartments and
Show a way to live with other options
Opulence, decadence, black excellence, and lots of it
I could cop the newest Beamer, Bentley, or Balenciagas
I could pay for this lil' nigga scholarship
Ain't caught up in rap nigga politics
Play with me and you playing yourself
Playing with death, say him a prayer
Cathy and Carl got a K on the shelf
I'm in DeKalb County open carrying, catering, chef
Cooking up another plate of the best
Me and Christo got it popping like it's Crisco fried chicken
I'm licking her thighs then I put my face in breast, I
Took a drive, my plug on the west side of Atlanta
He known to finesse guys
With a hammer on Campbelton, headshots
On the camera, knock out a dreadlock
That's a felony charge, he caught a F
Nigga's come to the A and get X'd out (facts)
But I only been here 'cause I'm trying to help
Only one you can help is yourself now

Nigga say that I can't, damn lie
Ain't dapping no hand, sanitize
We gon' slide on your man, landslide
It's a nine in my pants, hand cocked
You gon' try to recant, you can't now
I can step on a ant, ant pile
I'ma shoot at the ground, dance now
Dance, uh, dance, shh, dance

Oh, what a handsome gift
To live in a land of sin
Riding with bags and bricks
And my lil' nasty chick
That's what I asked of Him
Told me He'd grant my wish
You dance with the Devil
You'll never dance again

Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance
Dance now
Dance, dance, shh, dance

Life is a journey, you know? Not a destination
Lean not towards the egoistic intonations
Positive vibrations bring real liberation
It's the will of the heart, the strength of the mind
And the love creator that will help us
Rise out of these sadistic situations
And experience the purity that exits inna creation, you know?

---

Crack Sandwich

Gotta bring it to you cowards and it's gonna be-
Cowards and it's gonna be sicker than all the niggas who-
Yeah, uh, look

You can tell a nigga like me ain't never had shit
R.i.p., I miss my dawgs like Mike Vic
Zombies in that midnight fog, them boys sic 'em
Fall victim to a gun brawl started over some bitches
Niggas trippin', they taking whatever's given
The irony when a nigga starving, gotta grip the biscuit
Jump the fence, empty all the dishes out your kitchen
If you witnessing the click-click-clickin' they spill the grits
Feel the kick, f*ck a fair catch, kill 'em, who tryna take the hit?
First take, go to first base, Stephen A. Smith Wess' on the hip
Talkin' shit like Skip
Or Shannon Sharpe shootin' off the top of the cliff

And if I got to bring it to you cowards then it's gonna be sick
Put in my ten thousand hours while the clock still tick, Zone 6
Five fingers with the suck my dick
Me and Izzy was slap boxin', nigga bust my lip
Start fighting lil' brother on some tough guy shit
But if you ever did me wrong he on some "what's right" shit
Bust a left, feel the pressure like the bust pipe drip
Blood red, rum sippin', they ain't cut like this

Mama said, "When you fall down stand up get a bandage"
"I ain't got cheeseburger money, make a sandwich"
"Why you being bad? See, your Dad'll get ya ass whipped"
Seven cracked head bad kids in a Caravan

Somebody involved in stealin', it's on (it wasn't)
It's gon' be so bad
When the girl went off on Precious (they're gonna protect you)
The girl went off on Precious and Rosalyn went in
No, Rosalyn said
"Oh, for real, I'll see you when you get outside" (exactly, exactly)
That's okay, my fault, my fault (Rosalyn s-, woo)
(Rosalyn said-) for real?
No, no, no, no, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop (look, uh)
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo

You can tell a nigga like me ain't met a nigga like me
Metaphysical things seen in dreams, what you believe?
You bleed, I bleed, and draw blood
I'm a f*cking artiste, Artest, with the gun
I can give my world peace, give your world ether
Big dick or grief, I can give your girl either
She could be the, could be the collapse of a kingdom
But Kings gotta peep deceit, word, the Caesar
Remind me to keep receipts, y'all shit weak
I ain't worried that that bullshit leaked
See the volumes it speaks to your broke speakers
Niggas breakin' they back tryna promote some shit that ain't even dope
They ask for my coat when I walk through the door
God flow, I don't walk on the floor
God knows y'all hoes, y'all shows ain't packin' the door
Crack in the floor, I'on even know niggas rappin' no more

Okay, runnin' my city, I am my shooter
Minding my business, I am not you
Runnin' my city, I am my shooter
Minding my business, I am not you
Runnin' my city, I am my shooter
Minding my business, I am not you
Runnin' my city, I am my shooter
Minding my business, how about you?

Look, uh, I do it for Royal and Rosalyn
Rachel and Carl, Izzy, Precious, Destin
Strong seven kids, different blessings
Izzy athletic as f*ck, All American star
Hard head, scholarship but his school in New Orleans
On the football shit, but in class he on the smart shit (hey)
Black man using his mind, it's a target on your forehead
Gotta stay on point like a marksman
Make a mark, leave a footprint before marching
Bro graduating so we heading to the blue state (yeah)
Fam celebratin' granny cookin' up a few cakes
Yeah, gown on with the cap like a toupee
Handed a diploma, all the room say, "Hooray"
Hooray, today, catch a bouquet
Tonight'll probably be a movie, what's a Blu-ray?
I got some new Jays and a fade, we hit the section with the football team
And a couple other professionals
It sound cool, but really this a confessional
Twenty minutes in and Precious done went to the restroom
Said they got to hittin' with some women and they 'bout to get kicked out
They ain't even tell us what that shit was about
All I really seen from the big VIP couch
Was a nigga swing and hit my sister right in the mouth
The bouncer tried to block the door, that way we couldn't get out
But f*ck that, the whole team bust that motherf*cker down
Now we fighting in the street, it's like ten against twenty-three
I was seventeen swinging on any and everything
Bing bing, seen my brother doin' buddy like a boxin' ring
Ros' got a bitch doing the hair weave sling
So beautiful, beatin' ass was like a family thing
Fightin' together made us tighter in spite of how we would argue and scream
And now we brawling right outside of a party in New Orleans
And all the people start police calling
Pack us inside of a patty wagon, we sardines
To saltine crackers that wanna shackle us in chains (hey)
Lo and behold they held us in the holding cell for six or maybe seven hours
Just to let us go without a stain
But who's to blame when all of us got the same mind frame?
We like a gang, mom and pop would probably be proud and ashamed
Pound for pound my sister Precious never lost a fade
Got up of the ground and she said she could hear my father saying

Mama said, "When you fall down stand up get a bandage"
"I ain't got cheeseburger money, make a sandwich"
"Why you being bad? See, your Dad'll get ya ass whipped"
Seven cracked head bad kids in a Caravan

Hold on, hold on, hold on
What happened? What happened? What happened?
He came in the club
We're talking, we go to the restroom
I go in the bathroom open the door
"Dang, B, you could've said sorry"
And I said "B? You ain't gotta day say all that, it ain't that serious"
And she was all, "Oh, it's that serious because you were in the bathroom"
Ra said, "Okay B, I got you when you come outside"
Time she opened the door, Rosalyn said, "Roof"
I said, "Oh, okay, we fighting" (damn)
She was in the stall (oh, the stall door)
Yeah, she was peeing, girl, she pulled her pants up
She opened the door and Rosalyn hit her (and proceed to-)j
And you know what?

---

Can't Punk Me

I was just a, I was just a, uh
I was just a, look at me, uh

I was just a poor-ass nigga before I turned into a poet
Pro kids kicking the dirt, we playing bust 'em up, throw it
Ain't ever been off a flat show, the f*ck is foreign?
All of my heroes had zeroes and customers growing
Ain't no ho in me, boy, I ain't going
Pistol pointin', ribs showing, get the point
Try disciplining, niggas disappointed
I participated, could've been avoided
But they killing niggas, tryna fill the void
Filling files in the draw
It's a girl, it's a child, it's a boy
In the world, tryna drown out the noise
You heard that? You like that? You feel that? You do
You serve that, make a bird bag, alert pack, the flu, huh
Get a knife and get a gun too
Hood niggas don't do kung fu
By the junk yard, niggas jumped you
Pull out the pump, can't punk you

Uh, pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, ho
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, lil' punk bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, ho
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, lil' punk bitch

Okay, what's happening, shawty?
From the land where the preachers always packing, shawty
No, I'm never lacking shawty
Pulpit pulls that ratchet
Eat your heart out like it's a starving Pitbull
Shit, where I'm from, everybody got a tool
Kp said, "You post your wins, you got to repeat 'em again and again"
But see I was born for greatness, why the hell should I pretend
Like I wasn't in the arms of Allah, bear hugging?
I fear no man, nor brandish'd steel, here's your fair warning
The audacity to think that I surpassed them from Atlanta streets
You must be crazy, nah, let's be clear, I'm clairvoyant
I never left from Zone 4, bitch, f*ck is a foreign?
But I knew I'd drag my nuts across the world 'fore I was touring
Europeans raining kisses, out in Paris it was pouring
Nigga, I was just Georgia where the gunshots was storming
Blocka, blocka, blocka, tell the story
To be or not to be dead in the morning
If you knew the cage that I was raised in (bitch)
Shit, my nigga, then you salute the path (ho)
I'm out here blazing (can't punk me, bitch)
Guess he thought we'd jump and run 'cause he was pistol waiving (bitch)
Motherf*cker, f*ck the Devil, boy (ho)
I'm from the A, man (bitch)
(Punk, lil' punk bitch)

Sweep, sweep, mop, mop, wow, great as Dot
Been frequenting the gunshot like a movie montage
Sip this Teremana, feel it like Dwayne the Rock
The way I rock be I-Y-K-Y-K, okay, I kick before I knock
This shit is real, real, kill or be killed, no model citizen (no)
Suspense, still here with the blue steel, stray from bein' healed (woo)
I been stealin' for the pure thrill
Runnin' up in buildings like the Grinch in Whoville
What's life without adrenaline?
Put you on a shirt, now your purge merch, yur (you)
Death is freedom, some deserve worse, huh
You get me? (Get me), you got me (got me)
I don't waste time on a nigga lil' diamond
That nigga mean, you mean about proxy
I don't really f*ck with these niggas like Gandhi
(What's up? Yeah-yeah)
What's up, nigga? Try me, lot of this shit just lucky timing
(What's up? Yeah-yeah)
What's up, nigga? Try me, broad day brawl and the blood look shiny
(What's up? Yeah-yeah)
What's up, nigga? I can always sniff out a f*ck nigga
Underdog, I'ma upset the front runner
Bark big but a bite is a bit bigger
Okay, pull out the pump, can't punk me
Crocodile Dundee, Doco-dile Dundee
Knockin' out front teeth niggas is way too sensitive
Touchy, niggas is aunties, ah, must be havin' they monthly
Hate it all you want, only Heaven can judge me
I just be puttin' shit bluntly, life too hard to go out humbly

Uh, pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, ho
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, lil' punk bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, ho
Pull out the pump, can't punk me, bitch
Pull out the pump, lil' punk bitch

Yo, JID, this Meezy, bruh
Hit me when you get this message, my nigga
My ass in the mountain ridin' round
Thinkin' when yo' Stevenson-rolled ass gon' drop that shit, nigga
You playin', what the f*ck?

---

Surround Sound

I know I can't afford to stop
For one moment
That it's too soon to for-

Push the f*ckin' pack off of the porch or break a pound down
Get the strap, if it happen to blow, it make surround sounds
Pussycat on my lap, push it back and go to town, down (uh, uh, wow)
Puttin' rap on my back and I'm black and, snatchin' crowns (uh, whoa)

I done came back around like a nigga sellin' crack and pounds
I got a bag now but it's nothin' to brag 'bout
Gun blast in the background (doot-doot-doot-doot-doot-dot-soot)
I'm a black man with the blood hounds
MAC-10 makin' love sounds to a bad chick, she from Uptown
I'm from down South, not a loud mouth
We could f*ck around (whoa, shit, whoa)
Hit the music, baby, cut it down (whoa, shit, whoa)
Hit a doobie while you do me indubitably (whoa, whoa, whoa, shit, whoa)
I feel like I'ma bust now
I feel like a buss down (whoa, shit)
When I shine bright, blind niggas is up now (whoa, shit, whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
In the cut big black truck (whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
Pack sacked up, you can pick it up now (whoa, shit, oh)
Nigga, f*ck it, okay (ayy)

Push the f*ckin' pack off of the porch or break a pound down
Get the strap, if it happen to blow, it make surround sounds
Pussycat on my lap, push it back and go to town, down
Puttin' rap on my back and I'm blackin', snatchin' crowns

I know I can't afford to stop
For one moment
That it's too soon to for-

Me and my money attached emotionally
I get to clutchin' if you get too close to me
I'm at the top where I'm 'posed to be
Jumped in the game, niggas act like they coachin' me
Four hundred racks ain't shit but a show to me
I'm on the road and I bet that yo' ho with me
When I'm in traffic it's always a pole with me
Pillsbury, man, I keep dough with me
Hit from the back, she givin' me slurp and I ain't even pull my pants down
Jump in the box and slide to the other side, it's always a man down
Draw down, hands in the air, nigga, make one move, get gunned down
Givin' out smoke so long, they don't even wanna talk no more, they just run now
No lock doors, I serve with a chop, bitch got spent, she was hangin' with a opp
We call him Mickey, he talk to the cops, I was on Pinedale, glass in the sock
Back in the day, I invest in the block, fast forward now I'm investin' in stocks
I put a drum on a Heckler & Koch, don't play 'cause I'm very invested in shots

Push the f*ckin' pack off of the porch or break a pound down
Get the strap, if it happen to blow, it make surround sounds
Pussycat on my lap, push it back and go to town, down
Puttin' rap on my back and I'm blackin', snatchin' crowns

I put the pussycat in his face 'cause he stay off Cheshire Bridge
Then I took it back, now he say that he shakin' and he shiverin'
Like the way it taste and he ain't ate it in a minute
They call me Yung Baby, but I still got hella ch-

Oh, shit, run that motherf*ckin' crown, you bitch
You motherf*ckin' bitch (oh, shit)
Uh, shit

Sorry in advance for my bros, they'll whoop a nigga ass
What you whippin' up? (Whoa)
JID in the back, if you lookin' for the dope
Niggas got it in the bag 'cause we trappin' on the low
And I'm the shit with the flow, huh, give me a joke
Heard a nigga say that you the next? No, no, no, I'm the best
Tell them bitches stop the mothaf*ckin' press
Press stop, f*ck a top five list
Get 'em a vest, he get lopsided
F*ck the cops we was runnin' from Rottweilers
Most of my partnas ain't have poppa just a popped condom
Couple kids with Alzheimer's, .40 on his side, boy, you Mike Alstott
He on the block violent
Robbin' niggas in the hood and then swap genres
Green light, line a nigga up, stop sign him
Keep drivin', you will not find him
I'ma, I'ma, I'ma anom-anomaly
I turned into a rapper ironically
I ran the bag up, back up, niggas is on to me (whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
Niggas should honor me, if you think I'm a wannabe (whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
It's pretty comedy, I'm melancholy and cool, so calmly (whoa, shit)
Bussin' moves, my truths carry velocity (whoa, shit, whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
Same posse since OshPosh B'gosh, pussyclot
Treat the rappin' like I'm pushin' rock (whoa, shit, whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
On the stove with the Pyrex pot
The door stay locked, it don't say knock
We on they block, we own they block (whoa, shit, whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
It's Monopoly games, we stole they properties
Smooth talkin' and moonwalkin'
The same lil' niggas, small pond but a pool shark (whoa, shit, whoa, shit, whoa, shit)
I aim big stick, knock chalk off cue balls (whoa, shit)
Bang this shit (bang, bang, bang)
(Bang, bang, bang)

---

Kody Blu 31

And now
My niggas
Our future presentation

Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo (uh, uh)

And, uh, as I lay myself to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
The pressure makes me, the journey takes me
To places where history can't stop or break me
You know it rains for somethin', you know the pain's for somethin'
I hope a change is comin', just keep on swangin' on

Swang on, swang on (oh, swang on), swang on, swang on (swang on)
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on (swang on)
Swang on, swang on (swang on), swang on, swang on (swang on)
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on (uh)

Keep on swangin' lil' sis, keep swangin' lil' bro
I'm 'bout to swang on Terry Payne because he said my sister ho
Gettin' high from Swisher Sweets, chariots are swingin' low
Swastikas and the police, hang a nigga, swangin' rope
Peewee tried to swang on me
But I was with like fifty folks and he ain't know
But what was worse, I aint't even want no beef with bro
We was toted, we was soldiers, we was soulless
We was sold and sayin' somethin' 'bout his set
Nigga, that who he swangin' for
Swear you bitches don't know shit about our stress, about our woes
And my obsession with success by definition of my own
Sure as death is waitin' on our flesh and bones
Demon callin' my spirit, had to click the phone
Couldn't get to Courtney quick enough to give her warm big hugs
Told her, "You like the strongest woman on the f*ckin' globe"
I watch my momma lose her momma
Go through drama and trauma but had to keep her head high
So we don't f*ckin' know, I'm gettin' older
So when the world's feelin' enormous on your back and on your arms
And your feet just as heavy you been draggin' through the storm
Starin' at the city, but you trapped inside a hole
Get your back up off the ropes, keep swangin' on (yeah)

Swang on, swang on (swang on), swang on, swang on
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on (swang on)
Swang on, swang on (swang on), swang on, swang on (swang on)
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on

(Hello?)

Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on
You know we race for somethin' (ah)
Swang on, swang on
Swang on, swang on, swang on, swang on

---

Bruddanem

Mh, mmh, mh
Mmh, mmh, mmh, mh

If you my nigga you my nigga then, twin
Thick or thin, I was a kid when my brother went in
Now your lil' brudda the man
Kinda like Pac in Above the Rim
Couple Ms', cut a check, cut a film
I got that Glock from my bruddanem

I spend the block for my bruddanem
I did a lot for my bruddanem
You better watch for my bruddanem
You gotta watch my bros
I'm finna cop for my bruddanem
You called the cops on my bruddanem
You don't know patna nem stugglin'
That shit ain't nothin' 'bout nothin'
And if my brother say, "Let's slide"
Well then my sister sliding too
It ain't no slippin' on this side
I got my grip and found my groove
And if they blitzing on the squad
I swear to God it's bye for you
When it's nothing else they thought I would do

My bruddas ride through
My bruddas ride through (yeah, uh)
My bruddas ride through, ooh
Uh, look, oh, shit

This for my brudda, my hitter, my slugger
My nigga, my jigga, my killer, my dawg
This for the women, the women my niggas
Most of them really be realer than ya'll
When I was little remember we literally can't forget
All the shit that we saw
Jaja hit a nigga right in the jaw
We ain't jump him, we just lettin' em brawl
Every summer it was somebody dead
And somebody scared so nobody saw
Buddy in jail and somebody called
Collecting the bail of somebody boss
Laid off, gon' stay in the bed
Hell nah, what the f*ck you done did?
All that stressin' takin' care of the kids
Give us somethin' that can take off the edge
From the minute I got in trouble
Got a whippin' for nothin' or somethin' my brother did
I never snitch, I never done no sucka shit
'Cause he'll hush for me if it was him
He'll buss for me if it was him
So you know it's all toes ten
When it come to my bruddanrm
I'll whirlwind spin your block again (I got that Glock from my bruddanem)

I spend the block for my bruddanem
I did a lot for my bruddanem
You better watch for my bruddanem
You gotta watch my bros
I'm finna cop for my bruddanem
You called the cops on my bruddanem
You don't know patna nem stugglin'
That shit ain't nothin' 'bout nothin'
And if my brother say, "Let's slide"
Well then my sister sliding too
It ain't no slippin' on this side
I got my grip and found my groove
And if they blitzing on the squad
I swear to God it's bye for you
When it's nothing else they thought I would do
My bruddas ride

Ten millimeter, it's different
My brother had gave me one of his switches
My uncle be bitchin', they told me he snitchin'
So when I grew up I was blessed in my distance (oh, oh)
We slept by the window, being hungry was an issue
Power knocked out, slept close to a window
My brudda my brudda, same momma, this real
What I be sayin' this shit is official
I get rich, you get rich, I got rich, you rich now
F*cked the opps up so bad they tryna establish a sit-down
Buddy can't sit, brrah, buddy got hit, brraow
Trench baby, street nigga, real niggas, real killas, grave diggas
Gang, gang, foenem block, all that shit really gang members
Fake Percs, he don't got no more
He said they feel like real pain killers
My brudda a shoota, my brudda a killa
F*ck politics I'm with the same niggas
My brudda gon slide but two of my bruddas had died
They was my main niggas (ohh ohh)

These niggas, street niggas
Taught to never leave niggas
Roll something, hold something
Anything to disappear, nigga
Neck deep in this water
Neck glistening to be seen nigga
I see you, I love you
Do you feel it? We're still here, nigga
God gave us a war
And this sword can't be near niggas
You reach for it, you reach for him
You reach for these dreams, nigga
Two wraps on this durag
Two straps when we're out for dinner
Take care of your skin, take care of your liver
I won't let them in, I won't let you wither
I won't let you w-

---

Sistanem

(Cole, you stupid)

Look, you told me never let this get ahold of me
You hate to see me hurt you want to hurt someone for me
Way too down to earth, don't do no dirt for me please
I don't need nobody else takin' a deal or a plea
God know what I'm doin' he gon' deal with me
Niggas ain't cut like that, but you'll kill for me
And I don't care if we don't speak for like a million weeks
You right there when I need you
But I know these ain't your kind of people
I finally bought a home to raise my family
I'm done with all the hoes and they anatomies
I tried to call yo' phone again, you said it wasn't on
And by the time you got my letter I was long gone

Back on the road, gone with the wind blows
Packin' the shows, hoes and the nymphos
Platinum and gold, you know how this shit go
When family's gone, you don't know what you here for, uh

Just remember, remember who I am, mmh
Mommies, daughters, martyrs, callers
Ballers, fathers, all the fallen
Mommies, daughters, martyrs, callers
Ballers, fathers, all the fallen

Look, you said I shouldn't worry 'bout the fame
You seem to be concerned of what you heard about the game
'Cause soon as niggas get a lil' change, niggas change
And playin' with the Lord's name sayin' it in vein
You head the song and said I did the same thang
You seein' something different in my eyes and she emphasized
And I ain't get it at the time, I couldn't listen
Had to call her back, line packed, sold out tickets
I'm on the wrong track, road back
F*ck it, I'm hittin' it on the road
I'ma bulldoze the globe for the dough
She know she happy that we doin' better than before
As long as I'm sellin' shows, you ain't sellin' for your soul
I felt like she yellin' like Azealia in that megaphone
Said I'ma hit you in the mornin' keep your message on
I did my set then sat alone for a second by myself
Ask questions, choices, destination
Courses, highway routes, Royces
Rollin, voices, goin' on and on and on, it's noisy
I'm not the only one affected by the poison in the mind
In the lifestyle, the shine from the iced out diamonds
That combine with misogynistic mindsets
Dialect from slave, die tribe, they tryin' dissect to re-digest
I toss that mindset overboard like an object
I'm tryin' to find a letter to the Lord from the projects
'Cause when I was a boy I didn't know that we was poor
And now I'm on tour got a moment to explore
And show my niggas soemthin' we ain't never seen before
Open doors so you know I'm goin'

Back on the road, gone with the wind blows
Packin' the shows, hoes and the nymphos
Platinum and gold, you know how this shit go
When family's gone, you don't know what you here for, uh

Just remember, remember who I am, mmh
Mommies, daughters, martyrs, callers
Ballers, fathers, all the fallen
Mommies, daughters, martyrs, callers
Ballers, fathers, all the fallen

Why do I get so damn high that I can't feel my face?
Try and try to free my mind but I can't find a way
Why do I get so damn high that I can't feel my face?
Try and try to free my mind but I can't find a way

Look, I never gave that much a f*ck about this shit
To let it challenge my integrity
But you questioning me got me you thinkin' less of me
The lesson in this shit is we should talk
Face to face, f*ck the messagin'
Meet me in the flesh and you can see I'm still lil' Destin
Lil' brubby, lil' BB bald head as a baby in the Huggies
Stuntin' like my dad I'm a druggie
Money in my hands but it's bloody
Try to understand if you love me, ayy
Make plans we can roll like the old days
Facetime call came with a stone-cold face
We don't talk often when we do we send, "Are you okay"
Somebody f*ckin' with you I'm on the way, it's on the waist
I could tell the way you look that ain't the case
Figured you was mad at me
When you said you need a break from the family
And you not participatin' in no Pagan holiday gatherings
And ever since I started rappin' I ain't never in Atlanta too long
And I hate havin' to only see the family when somethin' bad happen
Like when granny passed I ain't wanna answer the phone
Writin' in my pad, hope I don't rememeber this wrong
Last time I seen you we was sending her home
October, November, December was gone
But on the 25th we gotta be there for Mom
I'm talkin' to you now but can I see you tomorrow?
I can be on the way soon as I finish this song
So you can see I'm still true in everything that I been doing
And I don't f*ck with the Devil but I know he pursuin'
And I know that Jesus died thirty-three like Ewing
And he prolly did the same shit that we like doing
I now you gotta feel the animosity brewing
It's gettin' bad and I'm sad our relationship ruined over some trash
But it's past that
Send me all the money that I gave you over CashApp back
Since you actin' as if

We're sorry, you have reached a number that is- (aw)
That's f*cked up (that's f*cked up, man, that's right)

---

Can't Make U Change

'Cause period
F*ck wrong with this nigga?

I said
Can't make you change
Can't make you change
Can't make you change (I tried)
Can't make you change
Uh, look

Stuck in my ways, I know it kinda sucks
Wasting all this time and trust
Diamonds in the rough, they had the toughest luck at finding love
You can't change a nigga playing games, girl, you should find a sub
Musiq Soulchild or Lil Wayne should teach me how to love (teach me how to love)
Or teach you how to turn a ho into house husband from out the club
Known as a buster, TLC would call me a scrub
Back when I was but now I'm getting it slow as f*ck
I'm growing up and you know that I'm stubborn
You trynna rush it but

Can't make you change
Can't make you change
Can't make you change
Can't make you change, ayy (right here?)
Can't make you change
(Alright, baby, baby, baby, bitch boy, please) no
Can't make you change (I tried)
Can't make you change (no, I tried)
Can't make you change (nigga's mad mad, it's sad)
(It's sad, ugly ass, lame ass, dirty ass, dusty ass) ooh

Baby, don't leave, you're all I need
And if you stay then I'ma change my ways
Baby, don't leave, you're all I need
And if you stay then I'ma change my ways (please)
Baby, don't leave, you're all I need
And if you stay then I'ma change my ways (please)
Baby, don't leave, you're all I need
And if you stay then I'ma change my ways (I'm gonna change)

Juggling pain and struggling problems
Looking for danger, ducking and dodging
I got a banger and not small one
Nigga's be changing like a revolver
You been the same but you done been solid, mane
I could applaud ya
F*ck all the fame and f*ck all the dollars, mane
F*ck what they talking, I'm ashamed
It feel like I lose the game (ayy)
She said that my head too hard (ow)
I tried to be good, but nah
I'm leaving it up to God (mmh)
Squeezing the grah-ta-ta (ooh)
Oh my, did I go too far?
Too far, too far, too far (you can't change the only thing you wanna change)
(Is the motherf*ckin' beat)

We can talk about this shit, you know what I'm saying
My baby daddy pissed me off today
So we could talk about these niggas, zero accountability (yo, yo, yo, yo)
Want a bad bitch but it's too much responsibility (yo, uh, look, uh)

A nigga wanna change, trying hard as I can
But it's harder tryna redesign the nature of man
Dnd, she in my DM for my DNA strands
Ain't fall for the scams
Then again I'm fighting off all the thoughts in my pants
Pretty broads, ménages, spend a Fall out in France
In the stars, on the ocean, in the boat or the sand
Don't you lie to me, do me like you Delil'ah and Sampson
I can't change, you ain't even really give me a chance
(Nigga, I gave your ass one million, two million, three million f*cking chances)
Look, save the narrative, you saving it for marriage
I'm flying back from Paris, I can text you in the air
Remember when we met, and you said that you love the fade
But I should grow my hair
Ex-man was banned, couldn't grow a pair
Then you start f*cking with the misses, not the messieurs
Life is love, love is really life as long as it's pure
I ain't speaking of genders, you could follow agendas
I ain't tryna be the guy that's gon' make you cry me a river
Like I'm Justin Timber, Timberlake or Timberland, I'm controlling my temper
Good, before I turn into a timber wolf
In the woods, you my lil' red riding hood
Thought you was hiding, how you feelin', it's kind of obvious
On a connecting flight to Atlanta leaving LaGuardia
Arguing over anonymous women, now we got a audience, f*ck

Don't play with me (uh)
Raise your coins
Come pick up yo' kids and go home to yo' bitch
The one that you could, the one that you could play with (period)
Not this one, tuh, for real
Shady, shady boots
Huh, huh, what Mike Epps say?
Stop calling here, you f*cking up my family
It's a real nigga who will
Huh, it's a real nigga who will
And that's on Mary's first lamb

---

Stars

Uh, yeah, whoa, whoa
Brr, look, uh

Baby girl, have faith in a nigga without a job
And let a nigga stay at your place
Play it for your friends when I drop a mixtape
Both of us will win if I get a big break
Broke nigga dick, baby, had a long day
Tryna get rich, buy you Dolce
And Gabbana, baby, just be honest
Don't be tryna play me, I'm an artist, baby, I'm an artist
Baby, I'm an artist (and I'm sensitive about my shit)
I been tryna make it on my grind, I'm takin' what is mine
I'm racin' with the time
I been tryna make it at my hardest, makin' it a promise
Chasin' with my heart in it
I just gotta make it to the stars, a spaceship or a rocket
Paintin', I'm an artist
I'm just tryna make it as an artist (and I'm sensitive about my shit)
I just gotta make it

Heavy road to home ahead and no one's here
Just alone and cold and scared
But I don't even feel a thing no more
I set my goals and I'm prepared (look-look-look-look-look, uh)
But will you be there? (Look, uh)

Everybody wanna come and hang with the stars
Pinky ring, chain, bling-bling and the cars
A hundred miles an hour on the way to Lee-R
You don't even believe in Jesus, wearin' Christian Dior
You crazy on a Twitter, who we need for PR?
You out of control, P-O-W-E-R
Went to the head and now you doin' bodily harm
On the meds and nobody wan' say it
Because they scared to lose a gig
But yeah, yeah, you wanna be JID, kid
I used to wanna be Jay, I used to wanna be Wayne
I used to wanna be Kanye and Andre 3K
And all my homegirls wanted to be Beyoncé
Can you pay my telephone bills? (Woah, shit, woah, shit)
I was just lookin' for a deal
Workin' so hard, had to sharpen my skills
Work with my dawgs, still sharpen my steel
Was still in apartments, stealin' and starvin'
Fast-forward, I'm in a buildin' with stars
And I got in Yachty car, he got stars in the ceilin'
Pause for a minute (wait)
Gotta know the difference in the stars and the gimmicks
Are you really in it for the arts or the image?
Do you really live it in your heart and spirit?
It's part of all you are and all you isn't

Heavy road to home ahead and no one's here (trust your vision)
Just alone and cold and scared (trust your vision)
But I don't even feel a thing no more
I set my goals and I'm prepared
But will you be there?

And now, a word from our ancestors
Man, I, I like these new slaves

Your chain hangin', bling swingin', back breakin'
But it's gleamin', problem posture, double cup leanin'
Slide, slouchin' tiger, pimpin' dragon on swagger
Vvs' is very vertebrae snappin', lights flashin'
A manicured appearance concealin' the shattered spirit
Jinn snarin' out the paradox prism
The pilots that's the prison, retail religion
Red carpet constriction, freedom as the fiction
This nigga raised specific, his race really existin'
Man, get the bag, you're trippin'
Go 'head partner, hit this, sip this
Wishlist, hitlist, top ten, shit list, bitch list
Chickless, playmate, playboy, flip sides, same coin, big front
But no joy, yuck, oh boy, hot girls, cold hearts
Taxman like the Taliban and ISIS
No relation to class of Osiris
Kissin' cousins 'til the climbin' gas prices kill a climate
Yikes, sucker, mean muggin', who the nicest?
A promised death known is what they life is
Bey tap in, they tap out like a tabloid typist
They touch too tiny to the titan, YA-S-double I-N
Conquerin' lion out the liar, seek the garden, flee the fire

One, two, three, four

---

JID & Kenny Mason - Just in Time

[Kenny Mason]
Woke up at six (Six), pray to a .9 (.9)
Twelve (Twelve), was already runnin' from twelve, a nigga was flyin'
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time (Time)

[JID & Kenny Mason]
Time is of the essence, I'm progressively improvin'
Impressive and I'm pressin' if you second-guess my movements
First to the bullshit
Who tryna hang with me? I brought the nooses
I draw the stainless like you draw conclusions
It's a ball of confusion
The writings on the wall was all illusion
You got the drip, but that shit all pollution
I shot the clip and had another for the audible
All the bullshit aside, boy, I got plenty time
I've been ready for whatever, anytime
From a city where niggas on killin' time
In your pockets for nickels or penny, dimes
Nigga shot him, but, shit, he got minimized
We was livin' by, Ma would go inside behind the window, hide
Fee-fi-fo, niggas slide
Tryna dodge bullets from a Dodge
God left when the winter came, then the summer died
Rain, rain, come another time
I'll be rappin' 'til I'm mummified
Tell your favorite rapper it's pajama time
He a ugly bastard, but a son of mine
It's over for you, but it's underlined
I come before you with a humble mind
And a stomach growl, plus I smell foul
Takin' big shits from the humble pies (Ayy, ayy, ayy)


[Kenny Mason]
Woke up at six (Six), pray to a .9 (.9)
Twelve (Twelve), was already runnin' from twelve, a nigga was flyin'
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time (Time)
Aim at the moon, shoot up the sky (Sky)
2:45, bought two new .45s
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time
Ayy, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time

[Lil Wayne]
Yeah, I got the time today, bitch, I got the time
I got the time today, bitch, uh

[Lil Wayne]
Time is of the essence, I'm a blessin' in Balenciaga
Diamonds are impressive, but their best friends are expensive drama
I was a perfection, no protection, I'm with and without it
"Why am I so reckless?" is a question that don't get responses
Tie 'em down, inspect 'em, disconnect 'em if there's any power
Cowards talk excessive, piss-terine is what I rinse they mouth with
Tired of contestants, invest in the winner's column
I'm so timeless, but I got plenty time
No sinus, but I got plenty slimes
More commas than a long sentence, slime
No problem to kill 'em, that's killin' time
I done did my time
But you know they still be tryna give me time 'til the end of time
Since the beginnin' of time, I put in the time
And that's all the time, that's in time
Put it on the line 'til the finish line
Never crossed the line, stay within the lines
I don't marginalize, I don't sympathize
And if it's on his mind, I help him decide
If that's your homie's side, then defend his side
Or we gon' storm your side and then rinse you dry
That's homicide, that's genocide
I'm large in size, they minimized
I'm armed this time, can't miss this time
I got time today, and you just in time, yeah


[JID]
I'm at the line of scrimmage, know the scrimmage line
With a large spliff, it's decriminalized
I gotta party like the nigga on Timba's side
He got a stick and a rod, he said "Get in the ride"
There's no thinkin' about it 'til the finish line
We got plenty time, we got plenty rhymes
Tell Tim' and Swizz to hit the Insta' Live
I put a milli' on us vers' anybody
That's plenty dimes, niggas been advised
That's a warnin' sign, I just got into the game to gentrify
What's a modern rapper to a renaissance?
Nigga, I'll be snappin' 'til the end of time (Time)

---

Money

It's gon' be a bunch of lil' kids
A bunch of lil' boys and girls singing this lil' part right here
Maybe these, maybe these the words, somethin' like this, uh

Money, money, all I need, all I want (yeah)
Take it from me, leave you stank, smell the funk (you stink, yeah)
Money, money, all they need, all they want (yeah, uh-uh, uh, yeah)
Take it from me, no, you can't, no, you don't (uh, look)

Nigga, money on my mind more than half the time
They put our mask on the money so I mastermind
Don't mind the mess, I'm a mass, I ain't just rappin' rhymes
Jid really Jimmy Neutron mixin' a nuclear bomb
And, as they eyes are watchin' God, I'm tryna rise above
Poverty, philosophies, and prophecies arise
Follow me for forever, never fall too far behind
'Cause I tell my testimonies, Testaverde (sixteen) times
Uh, he was done without a dime
Youngest in the family, so come from out of crime
Came from East Atlanta, Moreland Ave to South Deshon
In his path, Twenty East was probably like the Autobahn
Better get his autograph, he gon' have Grammys and arms
'Member he was smokin' little grammies in the slums
Tryin' not to panic, couldn't imagine what was done
Father Time f*cked Mother Earth and had an Uncle Tom
Now, them crackers snatchin' black cats by they tongue
For the cheese, rats creepin' on yo' T.V. Screen, sellin' you dreams
Granny buyin' holy waters off of Joel Osteen
Rubbin' it in my brother head, say a prayer on her knees
I used to be jealous of Jared and Patrel Ahkim, even Farad
Had the new J's and new jeans on, it's what I wanted at the time
As a pre-teen, pretend I'm a star
Pretty model in a G-string, sitting on top the car
With the bottle that she drinkin', leavin' from out the bar
Scheme on the dollar, thinkin' if anybody is talkin'
Put some green on his head, he better be Marcus Smart
But, we never had a thing, so, this always in my thought
Because I ate so many baloney sandwiches as a child
I'll kill a nigga if he made one for me right now
Ironic that being broke is an expensive lifestyle
No wonder they sellin' dope from sun rose to sundown
Tryna get mo', screamin' out the window

Money, money, all I need, all I want (yeah)
Take it from me, leave you stank, smell the funk (you stink, yeah)
Money, money, all they need, all they want (yeah)
Take it from me, no, you can't, no, you don't (look)

nigga, money on my mind more than most the time
And most of my grind go to promotin' my rhymes, a nigga don't blow, I shine
I feel like Coach Prime, I throw a bomb if they ain't coach the line
And, don't socialize, the goal is to get the most dimes
before it's the end of yo' time (aw, man)
It's hard for a nigga to score
when they keep on movin' the goal line (we tryna get some money, dawg)
Now, he outside the liquor store with a lottery ticket
Leavin' a double shift at the Walmart on Gresham Road
(Life for me ain't been no crystal stair, dawg)
Still tryna keep composure
rollin' past the gas station where he owe niggas (I need some money)
F*ckin' with that parlay play you made and a nigga may spray 'bout that dough (yeah)
So, a nigga don't play by no code
Back in the day, we was told 'bout reparations, get a mule, 40 acres or so
Justifications or re-payment for the pain in yo' soul
Fast forward, f*ck patience, I ain't waitin' no more
I got to take it, paper chasin' like I'm Dre or I'm HOV
Ye with the clothes
F*ck Hulk Hogan, and f*ck Joe Rogan because it flows, you know how it goes
Need a bitch that's down with O-P-P, and down with I-P-Os
Feel like ODB, you hoes better have my Pesos
Thinkin' about them days mama said she had to pray more
'Cause feedin' seven kids, plus the mortgage got to pay more
The food from in the fridge from last night is on the table
Y'all sit down and say y'all grace because we ate so many baloney sandwiches as a child
I'd kill for one of them shits if I could have one right now
Ironic I'm havin' dope but don't promote the lifestyle
Just want my people to grow, let's make a toast to right now, get some money
Say it with me loud now

Money, money, all I need, all I want (yeah)
Take it from me, leave you stank, smell the funk (you stink, yeah)
Money, money, all they need, all they want (yeah)
Take it from me, no, you can't, no, you don't

---

Better Days

I done seen some better days before
Feelin' like forever was a long time ago
Balancin' high and the lows
Get your blindfold, only God knows
I done seen some better days before
Feelin' like forever was a long time ago
Balancin' high and the lows
Get your blindfold, only God knows

Look, twwn, don't forget the better days, we been friends since ten
Back then we told people we cousins, kin
The buses from my school couldn't come to where I lived
So my mama used to drop me at your crib, like four, maybe five A.M.
I ain't get no good sleep 'til I was twenty-seven
I used to wear my big bro clothes
You used to let me borrow some of yo' clothes
I thought that I looked funny in 'em
It's only you and- yo' parents use to treat me like they third son
I'm the first one buckin' on any person tryna make you feel hurt or somethin'
You my brother, I'd murder somethin' for you
Throw that dirty gun into the Chattahoochee
You Louis, I'll be Gucci
We was Webbie and Boosie with the low fade
Brush my hair for days, still ain't have no waves
Now we talkin' through a window while you in a cage
I'ma come get you when you figure out your day
I was in and out the states, you was rappin' on a rage
Had Atlanta goin' crazy, I was packin' out the stage in different places
You hit me, said, Cassandra had your baby
The day that Kobe died, I'm at the Grammys in LA
Pray Allah can show you grace and the law stay out the way
But when you caught that other case, I ain't know what yo' ass was thinkin'
My mama said to say, "You ain't too old to get a spankin'"
Still one of her children
But she feel like you need to be thankful you still here

I done seen some better days before (yeah)
Feelin' like forever was a long time ago
Balancin' high and the lows
Get your blindfold, only God knows
I done seen some better days before
Feelin' like forever was a long time ago
Balancin' high and the lows
Get your blindfold, only God knows

Ohh
Ohh-whoa
Ohh
Ohh-whoa
Ohh
Ohh-whoa
Ohh
Ohh-whoa

Life gets too real, may kill you (too real)
Like skills you build make you choose (makes you choose)
Between old ties and new ways (new ways)
Make friends with real snakes, false norms and true values
Compute it, see through it, when we do it
Take a moment to breath and achieve through it
Stay free through it, 'cause your vision makes me a slave
To our plans for better days (uh, look, check)

To make it to forever took a very long time
I took every wrong turn, packin' long lines just for rappin' long words
F*ck a net worth, I made a million off of merch'
Pay the bills first and then invest in guest verses
Regret shit, the lessons, the blessings, the journey
Agitate the white guilt, explain the black burden
The stresses, the entrance, the exit, the purpose
Prayin' that we see some better days between worse ones
Nothing's ever perfect, but I made it so my mom's ain't workin'
Off of murkin' instrumentals and it's no coincidence when I was littl
I was very sensitive, never was talkative
Nigga, don't even try and tickle him
Me and my brothers and sis and them
Slept in the same room, suffered the same afflictions
See the reflection of a nigga that never liked attention
Or need acceptance from strangers comin' in mentions
I got protection, papa had the right prediction
Said I was destined to be whatever I envisioned
The manifested blessin' that I made it out the club at twenty-seven
No weapon was formed against me, I formed against the weapon
Tried to stretch him, but niggas sprintin'
If we don't catch him, then God'll get him then
We ain't gotta get in the karma of bein' killer man
But you did in our better days, now I miss my friend

I done seen some better days before (woah, shit)
Feelin' like forever was a long time ago
(God knows) mmh-mmh-mh
I done seen some better days before
Feelin' like forever was long ago
(Only God knows)
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh
Mmh, mmh

---

Lauder Too

Uh
Tryna find a way to, like, not overstep
But it's really just me, um
It's something I gotta, whatever

Uh
Look, pardon me but a part of me looking for more
Givin' my heart, my art, my artery, what do you want? More (yeah)
Minority boy black, lookin' for joy
They snatch it, lookin' back, part I paint it for
But I'm tapped, I lap tap water, and tap dance
And tabernacles before the Lord, the pattern is null and void
Not gonna void the words that come with the voice inside of my head
I'm sick of the noise (uh)
So be a bigger nigga, put your finger on the trigger
As you're lookin' at the mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall
And let that bitch rip 'til your back on flip
And know the cracks don't give no black f*ck 'bout y'all (what? What?)
Just your ass, your hips, your lips, my dick tip, my black balls
Dribblin' and dippin' em in your jaw
Scribblin' word rhymes, the crowd givin' applause
But in my spirit I'm feel it that they don't hear me at all (uh)
Nigga, my nigga, look at the bigger picture, we flawed, okay, cool
You pickin' up figures, nigga, we proud, you paid dues
But now you gotta do what you can and can't abuse your power
Let's come up with a plan and we pursue and devour
But don't get shit f*cked up
I be in the forefront with the .45, don't front
Back then, right now, last week, next month
Backseat, shotgun, don't run, got one

Tell me, ain't a thing, baby
No matter what you say, no matter what you do, can't hide
This shit is tribal (tribal), I'll stand beside ya (ohh)
That be my hand on the Bible

Yeah, pardon me but a part of me lookin' for more
Givin' my heart, my art, my artery, what do you want? More
Majority push packs, they unemployed
Part of your past straps, the crack come in the stores, consume
Boarded windows, chosen boardrooms and bored negros
Nothin' to do but war wounds and more vigils
Candlelight moon, the more women, the more widows
Lookin' for food without a dude and four kiddos
But f*ck it, I'm sick as f*ck and I told you motherf*ckers no recoverin'
Kickin' up and I'm coughin' and spittin' legitimate love
Like a druglord in the slums, sniffin' for information on who the plug
On the black pipe, black gloves, black night, black baby girl
Keep it wrapped tight, give a brother a hug and not a slug (damn right)
If ever trouble should come, we never crumble
(That's why we been down for life)
Got a weird feeling that enemies on the way
Give a little energy, anything motivates
Come around, namaste, now you down
Don't be afraid, just keep that fear locked out
Come feel the love, feel the love right now
Feel the love, come feel the love, feel the love right now
Rain down, come feel the love, feel the love right now
Feel the love, come feel the love, come feel the love right now (uh)
(Come feel the love, come feel the love, come feel the love)
Gotta show, gotta show the lov
Gotta feel the, gotta hold the love (gotta feel the love)
Gotta, gotta show, oh shit (feel the love right now)

Until the ocean dries to dust
Just rest assured the Sun will come
So close your eyes and ease your fears
Just let me whisper in your ear
Forever more, forever more
Ever more, forever more

---

2007

Our offense is oh so, our defense dominate
We got that winning combination
To what? To regulate
Offense is oh so (forever)

Yeah, 2007, Cole dropped The Come Up
I was in high school playin' corner
I never dreamt of mumblin' words in front of hundreds
Studyin' plays all summer
I'll hit the league if my growth spurt come in, on my mama
2009, bro dropped The Warm Up
I was in warm-ups playin' Weezy
And Yukimi, Little Dragon, flame breathin' the weed
Patrick had the studio dorm room next to me
I freestyled over his beats
My nigga Keys transferred in from Tennessee
He's a receiver, I played DB like a keeps
Snatch a nigga chain, Talib, Talib Kweli
I could be lyrically, but I put on cleats
Scribbled lines goin' through my mind like a paper piece
While I covered three, playin' nickel, doin' safety reads, watch the flats
I can rap, but I rather tackle and pedal back
Get a pick when my growth spurt hit (it don't matter 'bout the size)
I'ma be captain, and I was around 2010, no cap ('cause you're here, right?)
I got "Freshman Player of the Year" and figured I was on track
This nigga Pat' been in my ear talkin' 'bout rhymin' on tracks
So after practice we record and then we got it on wax
And on campus I heard about a couple rappers from Atlanta (okay)
Said them niggas be snappin', maybe we could make somethin' happen and shit
I wasn't serious enough to even be curious
And we lose like every game, so every day I be furious
So, the spirit of a nigga had changed
To the point I had to reframe and focus my skills for other things
I took the steel wheel, I'm steerin' in other lanes
But my fuel on low and my oil need to be changed
Amongst all the other shit that's goin' in my brain
My brother got out of jail, I only know him by name
He did a nickel and a dime in time, probably be stayin' with my mama
And dad probably get mad, actin' lame sometimes, uh

Look, The Sideline Story came out September of 2011
Ib said around that time
We was huntin' for a record, under lots of pressure
Just combine the leverage with a better effort
You could find a sound to get us out the underground forever
Maybe you can bless a little, brown effervescent kid
Youngest of seven from the six, eight sections
Section.80 dropped, yeah, we used to play that shit to death
And if I recollect correct, you tried to sign him for yourself
All the while I was 'round my out of town college, wildin' out
Restaurants, Destin dinin', dashin', call it dinin' out
F*ckin' bitches, 'posed to be in class, but I was hidin' out
My friends take a little shot, smoke a lot of cannabis
Coolest nigga on the campus
Now nigga skippin' practices and actin' like a rock star
Goin' from in the dorm to in the car, leavin' the football field
But f*ck that, we still sorry, and the problems from the home front
On my home screen callin' me, I don't wanna answer
My brother, Carl, hit me, said my granny had cancer
I'm 'posed to graduate and make my way back to Atlanta
No job, no money or nothin' from ballin'
Because between that and school, that was really all
And maybe here's the back that broke the camel with the straw
I wasn't on camera with them amateurs that they saw
But they said they still caught me and my dawgs stealin' boxes
Like Craig on his day off
Called us in the office day before we 'posed to walk, uh
Called a squad car, a couple officers
I know bruh was finna tell, he was lookin' nauseous
Now I'm sittin' in a cell, nigga double crossed us
Crossed me off the list for scholarship because I lost it
No more football, my red-shirt senior season, exhausted, so I'm off it
Then I'm right back in Atlanta with a half a gram of weed
And a gold Pontiac that my granny had bought for me
I was sleepin' in the back, my dad kicked me in the streets
When he saw my neck tatted, then I told him I was rappin'
F*ck school, no goin' back, he said
If I can not follow his rules, just go and pack
Told you he be actin' lame sometimes

This my son, he came from these nuts
This negro come back from school
All tatted up like the Sistine Chapel
Talkin' 'bout he ain't playin' football no more
Because he know he ain't goin' pro (hey, it's a standard that you left the house)
He left on a full scholarship to go to school and get a degree
Because we taught education was the number one thing
(Every one of you, from your oldest brother) anyway
He came back, determined to do what he was determined to do
And I know because I know he, he is, who he is, we taught him
Hey, whatever you do, put your full self into it
(Do it your best, be one hundred, give one hundred) so he did that, anyway
He's back home, I ain't with that
So I'm sayin', "Hey, you got to go to work"
And he sayin', "Hey, this is my job, what I'm about to do"
So I'm like, "Hey man, some times you got to work (or don't be a part of it)
To do what you really wanna do"
We went through this whole brain wrestle
But anyway, he won (I understand why you called me lame because)
He decided that, "Hey dad, I'm puttin' this thing, I'm doin' this
This is my job" and he committed to it (that you can do anything that you wanted to do)
And hey, the rest is history, I'm lookin' at him, I believe in him
I know what was in him
All him and his brothers and sisters
They all got the same mindset
Do your best, give a hundred percent or don't do it at all
So, I know whatever he put his all into, it was gon' be golden
Anyway

Look
March 10th, 2017, The Never Story dropped
And I'm comin' off of tour with-
That was three years after openin' up for Ab-Soul
But it's EARTHGANG's set, I only came to do a song
Doeburger used to say, "Ayy bro, this lil' nigga cold
Keep on doin' what you doin', you gon' make it, you 'gon blow"
I ain't know that Ced had went ahead and played my shit for Cole
But I knew he knew the game, and he pulled up to his show
And then that's where we first met, but I ain't think of it no more
'Til Ced Brown said that I should open up for Omen on my own shit, if I wanted
Only four cities, maybe we get Rob Gibbs on the phone and I got to hone in
In the game grown men uncomfortable in they own skin
But all I wanted was a chance
It feel like I'm in a mannequin challenge
Still stance, but I'm still standin'
'Til my nigga lend a hand and I'm no longer stranded
Lookin' for strengths in the streets of East Atlanta
Mama said, "Don't take advice, they gon' try and take advantage"
I was 'bout to sign with Coach K, I ain't take the advance
Cole say, "Hold on, wait, bro, I got a plan"
So come on, damn, lil' nigga, come on, shit, let's roll, f*ck

Yo, that's crazy
That's crazy, yo, JID, I remember
I remember you came to the crib
You remember this? After we had met and
I told you and EARTHGANG to pull up
To the crib in Carolina, it's the studio house
I wasn't on no shit, like "Yo, I'm tryna do some Dreamville shit with, y'all", nah
It wasn't no talkin', no deal, I didn't even know if I wanted to sign niggas
I just knew I, y'all was dope, I f*ck with you
Just pull up, let's see what the vibe is like, let's work
In my mind, if something happen, it happen
If not, then cool, niggas just got a chance to link and kick it
But while we was there, the thing that I noticed off rip
I said, "Oh, this nigga want it, this nigga really want it"
That look in your eye, nigga, I know that look
I know that look too well
But a lot of niggas want it
The thing I noticed about you, my nigga, off rip
This nigga don't just want it, he willin' to do the work that it takes to get it
And that's the difference, that's the separator
That's the difference between the niggas that never get what they want
And the niggas whose names ring out forever
Forever