Annotate [Intro - Brother Ali - talking] Ah, what's up man? (What up Ali?) Ah, you still standing on this motherfuckin corner? Shit ain't you 30 years old, motherfucker?
[Verse 1 - Brother Ali] Ah, so when I pick up the microphone I know what I'm sayin Wasn't long ago was facin the same situation Carpet got ripped from me pacin The rent's a month late, ain't shit on the way, I'm straight prayin Ends don't meet unless you make 'em The people don't eat unless you scrape and you see they ain't playin Corner store credit is way thin The World got it's way of weighin on your shoulders, it's degradin It's like we got frowns tattooed on our faces The school's ain't savin our new generation Stare at our kids, they need a paradigm shift The paradox is that parents aren't shit Why you got cable? Your life is not stable Lights not paid for, Nikes on layaway though It's like we wanna look good while we drownin Should grab a paddle and scrap our way out
[Hook - Brother Ali] - 2X Life's not a good when you livin it like this Leave your lane for a minute, you might flip It's like chains on your neck with a tight grip Use your brain in this shit and you might live
[Verse 2 - Brother Ali] While you in the drug game, my hustle got another name You dyin, makin somebody rich, it's the fuckin same So quick to call a square job, Brother lame Truth be told, you might wanna choose another lane Yeah I'm bussin 'til my bitch ass job You on the corner, pushin them bitch ass rocks And yes I'm gettin sweated by my bitch ass boss Your ass steady runnin from them bitch ass cops This shit don't stop, the game ain't new The pen's full of dudes who thought the same shit too That TV is a blind fold, here to keep your eyes closed Sell your crack and it's all dough and fly clothes Shit ain't nothin like "The Sopranos" Real talk, you're probably better off at McDonald's Rappers all say they went from hustlin to rhymin But look, everybody say the other one's a liar
[Hook]
[Break - Man - talking] Man, fuck you Brother Ali You always runnin your mouth Just cause you got that rap shit cool Man we on these streets motherfucker Get out here and see how it is
[Verse 3 - Brother Ali] It don't matter about me rappin, my ass is still scratchin Some day, I'm a be the "yo, remember back when?" While I'm hear I got to really make it happen Try to have emergency landing, instead of crashin Fuck sayin I've been here, brother I am here Might not live here this year but I still care Not talkin down to you, straight to you No player hater my dude, it's plain true Gotta live like don't nobody love you but you As long as your blood move, tragedy could touch you Struggle ain't nothin new, cards ain't gonna always land how you want 'em too Fuck it though, thug it through Can't give up, as much as you'd love to There's certain shit as a man we must do You God damn right they made it like this But I ain't tryin to wait for the day they might fix