August Alsina - This Thing Called Life Album Lyrics

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This Thing Called Life

I don't really know
I mean shit that's usually my everyday
Why am I always thinking
This thing called life is just a bitch
Sometimes I talk to myself too much
Who is God?
A nigga just be trying to figure it out
If I die will I go to heaven?
I'm always thinking my brain always gone in a blank
Is God my friend or does God love me?
I got to do better
What is this?
Niggas say when you come up, money changes everything
I got to do more
What is that?
No f*ck that no it don't
More money more mother f*cking problems
What's with this shit about we supposed to survive right?
Who put me here?
Where do I go next?
What's next?
That's something to think about
What's this shit really about?
How did I even get here?
Why don't you want to see a nigga eat?
Bah! Bah! Is that the police?
I be damned if a nigga kill me
You win some you lose some
Who is policing the police?
I heard this saying
What mark am I going to leave here on this earth?
Why are you mad?
Can you answer?
What the f*ck you mad
What is life?
What is this?
Do you know?
What is this thing called life?

---

Job

[Anthony Hamilton:]
Lords knows I work hard
But I still gotta stay on my job
Cause I ain't tryna get laid off
Won't stop until the day that I'm a boss

[August Alsina:]
I know somebody tired of assisted living
Waking every morning saying "I gotta get it"
Focus on the paper can give you tunnel vision
Drug dealing, stacking, flipping just tryna make a living
Baby shaking on the pole just to make tuition
Single mommas facing drama so they can feed they children
Niggas strung out on that dope just cause they had a taste
And niggas dropping out of school on the paper chase
Who am I to hate? I ain't judging cause I can relate
Skipping school, getting high, just tryna motivate
Tryna make it 'til I make it to them pearly gates
Lost so many of my homies I can't face another wake
Another lost, another cop, another mistake, nothing standing in the way
I went through a hurricane of pain and I'm standing today
And if you outchea on your grind f*ck whoever hate
Just pay attention and concentrate

Yeah niggas it's crunch time
And I'm just tryna eat just like a kid at lunch time
And if you thought it was joke, it ain't no punchline
Ain't nothing standing in my way, I'm 'bout to get mine, it's hard work

[Anthony Hamilton:]
Lords knows I work hard
But I still gotta stay on my job
Cause I ain't tryna get laid off
Won't stop 'til the day that I'm a boss, yo it's hard work
Lords knows I work hard
But I still got to stay on my job
And I ain't taking no days off
Won't stop 'til the day it pays off, it's hard work yeah

[Jadakiss:]
Yeah, I'm speaking real so you gon' believe me
First of all nobody said that it was gon' be easy
And you don't see the pain, you just see what's on the TV
When you don't let them keep the change then they call you greedy
Now they on social media talking greezy
Would get the guns but my sons and my daughters need me
I get it off soon as it comes, make your order speedy
I'm on a hell of a run, I thank the Lord completely
I'm putting overtime in so I'm sorta sleepy
And I haven't slept in years so that's sorta creepy
Gotta beat me fair and square but you ain't gonna cheat me
Carry the weight of the world on my shoulders weekly
Blame the universe, that's how the stars work
Yeah, play your hand that's how the cards work
Nah, ain't nothing planned, this is God's work
We working hard cause it's hard work

[August Alsina:]
Yeah niggas it's crunch time
And I'm just tryna eat just like a kid at lunch time
And if you thought it was joke, it ain't no punchline
Ain't nothing standing in my way, I'm 'bout to get mine, it's hard work

[Anthony Hamilton & August Alsina:]
Lords knows I work hard
But I still gotta stay on my job
Cause I ain't tryna get laid off
Won't stop 'til the day that I'm a boss, yo it's hard work
Lords knows I work hard
But I still got to stay on my job
And I ain't taking no days off
Won't stop 'til the day it pays off, it's hard work yeah

[Anthony Hamilton:]
It's hard work, yeah
It's hard, it's hard work, yeah
It's hard work, yeah
It's hard, it's hard work, yeah

---

Why I Do It

[Verse 1 - Lil Wayne:]
Get off my dick, let me do me
That's a million bucks, every two weeks
I'm f*ckin' on an actress, we makin' movies
I'm pullin' out my camera, we shootin' new scenes
I'm flexin' stupid on these niggas, pukin' on these niggas
Sippin' all this drank, Lord I'm juicin' on these niggas
Got my bitch ballin' hard, Sheryl Swoopin' on these niggas
Mind your f*ckin' business and stop googlin' on me, nigga
I do Tunechi on these niggas

[Verse 2 - August Alsina:]
Ridin' through the city with a bad bitch with me
She wanna know if she can bring her friends
But my niggas wanna know if they're pretty
Yeah they can tag along
Bet you I could tag 'em all
With a little love and some alcohol
But I'ma pass 'em off to my niggas
Kick 'em out when I'm done, nigga, f*ck 'em all
Back to the grind
I work so hard like I get paid overtime
But when I see the check come deep
Run up in the mall, buy the same thing three times
Call this foreplay
Cause when the hoes see me shop, you can see the panties drop
Runnin' up a check get 'em so wet
Gotta ball out, call it BowFlex
They wanna know how I go so hard but I'm still so young
Enemy so good, and I'm still not done
No I ain't stoppin' 'til I got it all
And I'm winnin' 'til it ain't no room for losin'

[Chorus - August Alsina:]
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Get cash, get cars, go hard
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga I don't ask why you do your job
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I grind sundown to sunrise
Don't tell me to prove it, cause I might lose it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Don't have to tell you, the plan is relentless
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga that's my business
Even if you say you don't f*ck with it

[Verse 3 - August Alsina:]
Cause you know for my niggas I'ma stay down
Stay down, stay down
We never trust them bitches, better lay down
Lay down, lay down
But they never come around when the money out
Money out, money out
I've done seen people that ran out
Tryna come around for a handout

[Verse 4 - Lil Wayne:]
I woke up this mornin', dick rock hard
If you lookin' for your woman, she just hopped off
If you lookin' for some trouble, ain't gotta look far
I put that dick in her stomach, she holla, "Good Lord"
I put that dick in her stomach, she holla, "Good God"
These niggas claimin' they thuggin', they know they good boys
My niggas call me KG, cause I'm the Kush God
And my coupe don't need a key, I'm talkin' push start, push start
Ridin' and vibin', ain't hidin', come find me
It ain't hard to find me cause nigga I'm shinin'
I ain't got to tell these boys, they know I'm shinin'
I ain't got to tell my goons turn up, they bother you
F*ck with me right now, that's bad timin'
Fatherless children and sad mommies
F*ck all this shit they be sayin' 'bout me
I'm on that sippin', too damn drowsy for that bullshit

[Chorus - August Alsina:]
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Get cash, get cars, go hard
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga I don't ask why you do your job
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I grind sundown to sunrise
Don't tell me to prove it, cause I might lose it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Don't have to tell you, the plan is relentless
I ain't gotta tell you why I do it
Nigga that's my business
Even if you say you don't f*ck with it

---

Hollywood

I started out at the bottom, yes I came up from nothing
Had a lot of people who told me that I wouldn't amount to nothing
Soon as I got something started, niggas act like I owe them something
But nigga I don't owe you shit, you say I do f*ck you and who you with

I fought for everything I got and a nigga don't brag 'bout what he have
But I work hard to have a lot cause I can't go back to when times got bad
Them hard nights and my hard life is what keep me motivated
But I feel so misunderstood cause anytime shit go good

They say I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
I done worked my way to the top
Cause you know the grind it don't stop
Just let me get my shine
If you sill hating then I'm sorry
That you think I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
You think I'm Hollywood
When you see I'm doing good
When you see I'm doing good
Nigga you see I'm doing good

Cause I do just what I gotta do to get the food up on the table
Make sure my family eating good, took my momma out the hood thank God I'm able
It's such a blessing ain't too much stressing
Its cold outchea in these streets, why a f*ck nigga wanna hate on me?

I fought for everything I got and a nigga don't brag 'bout what he have
But I work hard to have a lot cause I can't go back to when times got bad
Them hard nights and my hard life is what keep me motivated
But I feel so misunderstood cause anytime shit go good

They say I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
I done worked my way to the top
Cause you know the grind it don't stop
Just let me get my shine
If you sill hating then I'm sorry
That you think I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
You think I'm Hollywood
When you see I'm doing good
When you see I'm doing good
Nigga you see I'm doing good

Now they telling me congratulations
But deep down they hating
And it starts to come from familiar faces, they pray on my fall
I'm giving my all, taking trips to different places
Usually when people feel they make it
It seems so easy to go and get complacent
But I'm up right now, tryna make a million bucks right now
I stayed down 'til I came up, never changed up but

They still gon' say I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
I done worked my way to the top
Cause you know the grind it don't stop
Just let me get my shine
If you sill hating then I'm sorry
That you think I'm Hollywood
Cause a young nigga living good
You think I'm Hollywood
When you see I'm doing good
When you see I'm doing good
Nigga you see I'm doing good

---

Hip-Hop

I came from drop tops and old school Chevy's
Dope boys rollin' through, shittin' on ya heavy
Fifteens in the trunk beatin' down your block
Only 4 years old when Biggie got shot
I remember playing on the block, hanging on the block
Young niggas slanging on the block, getting off them rocks
Now we livin' better now, Coogi sweater now
Weather still getting colder, we could change the weather now
But I...

Came up in criminal days
Living these criminal ways, what can I say
Hugging the block every day
Grindin' and making a way
And that I pray, for better days
That it don't be the same tomorrow
Now I celebrate my sorrows with this bottle
And say

(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I pray for more better days
(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I know that I can feel change [x2]

Everyday ain't good but everyday ain't bad
Mama always said show thanks for what you have
Boy never forget to realize you're blessed
This cold world can rot you if you let it
Now I'm out here tryna get it, really out here tryna get it
Always knew that I would make it, maybe it was so prophetic
Cause I came from the bottom and the humbleness beginnings
From the youngest nigga grindin' to the youngest nigga wining

Came up in criminal days
Living these criminal ways, what can I say
Hugging the block every day
Grindin' and making a way
And that I pray, for better days
That it don't be the same tomorrow
Now I celebrate my sorrows with this bottle
And say

(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I pray for more better days
(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I know that I can feel change [x2]

'Fore you die you make your mark and reach new levels
Want the bread, want the diamonds and the bezels
And if these bitches that you want, have several
Just gotta know, lotta shit's temporary
It won't last, no, no, it won't last, no
Meaning it til' here
Next thing you know it's all gone
That's why I been on my grizzy outchea
Long as I grind, better days are near

Came up in criminal days
Living these criminal ways, what can I say
Hugging the block every day
Grindin' and making a way
And that I pray, for better days
That it don't be the same tomorrow
Now I celebrate my sorrows with this bottle
And say

(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I pray for more better days
(Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey, Hip-Hop, hey)
I know that I can feel change [x2]

---

Change

Every day that I'm alive, I try to life it to the fullest
Keep my pistol and believe me I'll pull it
If a nigga tryna kill me, I know what I gotta do
Hope somebody feel me cause you know that I done seen a lot
Just a young nigga grinding for the block, tryna reach the top
Being broke would turn the bitches off, now they pussy pop
Tryna get the cash I got, now found love
Cause all these bitches ass got shots and they so proud
But I ain't judging, if you thought I was, I wasn't
Cause I don't wanna hit it once and I ain't cuffing
Young, wild niggas on here, can't tell me nothing
Cause I remember when a nigga ain't had nothing
Now I came up, I got a lil something, tryna turn a lil bit to a lot
Like when lovers turning cocaine to pot
I went through the soda straight out the box
Hoping when this shit drop it will rock, hoping when my shit drop it will rock

Cause ain't shit changed even since my nigga Pac got banged
Some of the players switched up
But it's the same old game
I see no change, so I guess I gotta be that change
I'm just outchea doing what I gotta do
Showing young niggas how to make it through
Cause I had to get it out the muscle, I can never loose the hustle
Cause I represent the struggle
A change
Guess now you can see there's a better way
So when we there, we'll make it to a better place
Guess it's looking like this shit will change
I'm hoping I can be that change
We could be that change
We could be that change
We could be that change
Make the whole world change
We could be that change
We could be that change
We could be that change

So many people outchea with nowhere to go
Mother's loosing their children for reasons nobody know
Places with no suns and nothing can grow
And people in poverty wishing they could be more
Making brand new kicks can make you rich
Rather be in brand new whips than pay our rent
Single momma's got 4 kids the income's fixed
Baby daddy's out on bond, still ain't shit
Never took the time to notice
The person in the reflection is the real focus
If we could change with them then I'll notice
Historically ain't nobody looking out for us, all they ever had was doubt for us

Cause ain't shit changed even since my nigga Pac got banged
Some of the players switched up
And it's the same old game
I see no change, so I guess I gotta be that change

---

Dreamer

She was only 17 when she left home heading of to college
Just the clothes on the back 40 dollars in the pocket
On the couch of a one bedroom apartment
Roommate tryna get her to pop her pussy for dollars
He was only 13 just a lookout on the corner
He started of small couple pills and marihuana
Now he's thinking he should go out on the block and see if he can get shit poppin'
He was tired of going in for just a little bit of profit

She fell in love with the ballers and bottles
He fell in love with the block and the Glock
Now he totin the choppers
Why does it seem like nobody want to be lawyers or doctors
Now a days everybody out there tryna be dealers and models
Just a thought

I guess that's how it goes
When it's all you know
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer
I guess that's how it be
When it's all you see
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer

Now you can find her on a Wednesday
Trickin' and twerking and working so hard for them singles
24 how to get naked
Money she see for the takin'
She gonna take it
Been dancing so long she don't now when she'll be graduatin'
Friends tryna tell her she trippin'
She telling them to stop hatin'
3 years later for he grows into a men
Got a pocket full of money 9mili in his hand
Momma prayin' tryin' make him understand
That they just wanna put him in the system
It's to late now he convicted

She fell in love with the ballers and bottles
He fell in love with the block and the Glock
Now he totin the choppers
Why does it seem like nobody want to be lawyers or doctors
Now a days everybody out there tryna be dealers and models
Just a thought

I guess that's how it goes
When it's all you know
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer
I guess that's how it be
When it's all you see
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer

She never dreamt about going to college
Choosing her major
Getting some knowledge
He never dreamt about living for something
All that he knew was he was tired of the struggle
She never knew that
She'd ever do that
Now she addicted to the money and the new bags
And now he wish that
He could get back
All the time he lost
Now he pays the cost

She fell in love with the ballers and bottles
He fell in love with the block and the Glock
Now he totin the choppers
Why does it seem like nobody want to be lawyers or doctors
Now a days everybody out there tryna be dealers and models
Just a thought

I guess that's how it goes
When it's all you know
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer
I guess that's how it be
When it's all you see
And you ain't a dreamer
And you ain't a dreamer

---

Been Around The World

[August Alsina:]
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world

[August Alsina:]
First thing first, I'm off, freaks, all the honies
Dummies, Playboy bunnies, hoes gettin' money
That's the one they like cause they only get the pipe
And if they act right, they might get to spend the night
These girlies wanna be with me
These hoes tryna trap a G, but I ain't with it
Money out there, nigga tryna get it
A lot them bitches tell me I be slippin', I admit it
Had my share of every kind of girl
But lately, this ain't what you need, not me girl
Cause you know they gon' hate on you
And they really gon' hate me too cause I'm too young to honest about it

[August Alsina:]
Been around the world and I, swear this shit been crazy
I don't know how, I don't why, I should choose one lady
Been around around the world and I, met the girls who get down
You should know I get around, when you f*cking with a nigga like me, girl I hope you see
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world

[Chris Brown:]
Baby girl, show me what makes you different from the other girls
You must not know me, girl I'm the best you ever had
So girl don't you start running a game on me
Don't be listening to them weak niggas, a nigga rich, we taking trips, I spend a week witcha
Baby now we on the beach, rolling in the sand
Go to Paris, I know you like France
You can bring your girls, ain't a lot of niggas
I'mma end up grabbing your booty with both hands
Then you like "Please baby"
Can we go somewhere one on one so you can put it on me baby?
Girl I'mma put it down, you know I've been around
You get the dick cause I

[August Alsina & Chris Brown:]
Been around the world and I, man this shit been crazy
I don't know how, I don't why I should choose one lady
Been around around the world and I, met the girls who get down
You should know I get around, when you f*cking with a nigga like me, girl I hope you see
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world
I've been around, I've been around the world

---

First Time

Oooo Knucklehead...
I know you heard that I'm a choosy lover
Realest nigga I know, bet you won't find another
If you're tryna to be my object of affection, my number one selection
Girl listen close, I'm 'bout to learn you something
I ain't never been one to catch feelings, I come and I go as I please
I say and I'm pimpin' forever, for now it's as high as it's gon' be
Just tryna stay in the moment and chasing this paper, I'm focused
But if you ain't with it, then clear it, the look in your eyes say you open

Girl I was just rollin' through the hood when I saw you sexy
Damn you looking good when you caught my eye
Told you I just need somebody for me
Then you started walking over slowly, this is what you told me

I'm so glad you chose me
But this would be my very first time, very first time
This would be my very first time
And I don't want to waste your time
I'm so glad you chose me
But this would be my very first time, very first time
This would be my very first time
So promise me you'll take your time

Said, it's her first time with a real nigga
Never had a man who could boss up, know how to deal with her
Not in a rush, know how to chill with her, when I'm down to f*ck, keep it real with her
Ain't nothing new, been trill with her, keep the Tommy on me like Hilfiger
So girl if you with it, stop playing and get it, save all that talking, you ready to live it
You want me to take it, I want you to give it and if you can take it, the sky is the limit
I wanna take you as high as the ceiling, you know you're first, how you all in your feelings
Who ever knew we could have it this good? Damn

Girl I was just rollin' through the hood when I saw you sexy
Damn you looking good when you caught my eye
Told you I just need somebody for me
Then you started walking over slowly, this is what you told me

I'm so glad you chose me
But this would be my very first time, very first time
This would be my very first time
And I don't want to waste your time
I'm so glad you chose me
But this would be my very first time, very first time
This would be my very first time
So promise me you'll take your time

---

Would You Know?

One minute I'll be on you, next minute I'll be chillin'
Sometimes I really care, sometimes I really don't
And you'll be all up in your feelings
Sometimes I wanna be solo
Sometimes I feel like something missin'
Sometimes I be like damn you could be the one if you keep playin' your position, and you be playin' your position like a pro
Like the way you know, if you really got the good I'll never let you go
And you always look good, you be going with the flow
Keep on doing what you doing, baby that will get you choose
I suppose, who knows
Depends on how I be feeling, you'll see what my heart's revealing

Maybe you got what I'm missin', would you keep it real and
My heart belong to you, baby would you act right could you be the one on my side or would you run and hide
If I gave my all to you, baby would you play your part if I gave you my heart

Would you know what to do with it
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do, baby if it was you
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do with it
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do or would you be confused, baby if it were you

Would you stay down for a nigga, times get bad stick around with a nigga
If I came home late, if I had a long day
Would you lay me on the bed, go to town on a nigga
Tell the truth, baby would you
Be the one I need, baby could you take all of me
If I call you are you down to ride, if fall down you be by my side
Girl I really wanna know, are you puttin' on a show
Is it really you for sure, if you not then let it go
Baby I ain't what you want, if you puttin' on a front
And you trynna blow a smoke, better fire up a blunt
Let it pass me, cause I'm a keep it real if you ask me
I'll let you know how I'm feelin', you'll see what my heart's revealing

Maybe you got what I'm missin', would you keep it real and
My heart belong to you, baby would you act right could you be the one on my side or would you run and hide
If I gave my all to you, baby would you play your part if I gave you my heart

Would you know what to do with it
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do, baby if it was you
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do with it
Would you know what to do
Would you know what to do or would you be confused, baby if it were you

If I gave my, gave my all to you
If it were you, all I'm asking you
If you focused on paper, they focus on drama
When you feel like this game, puts a strain on you and your momma
When you feel like you're going insane, all these nigga's acting strange
And you feel like nobody else is feeling your pain

My heart belong to you
My good my bad, my now my past
If you take that
If I gave my all to you
My use my do's, my new life now
If you where me, if I where you
If you had to walk a mile in my shoes
If nobody else would ride with you
And you only 22, what would you do

---

Song Cry

Sometimes I get emotional
And I can't seem to find the way I'm s'posed to go
And all these so-called people that I'm s'posed to know
They be the main ones
Smile up in your face, but behind your back they hate
So I hope you know
You're like the only reason I'm emotional
My tears fall like water so that I can grow
Not like I was before
Tryna make a change, I need something more

I can't hold back these tears
Let me cry
They say a man ain't supposed to cry

So I'ma let the song cry
I'ma let my soul cry through these words
I need to try to free my mind
Sometimes I need to cry just to ease my hurt
But when I let the song cry
Hope you don't think I still won't ride for mine
Every rose needs the rain sometimes
But know that you can dry your eyes this time
Let the song cry

What am I supposed to do?
Hold it all together when I think of you?
In my heart I'm thinking you were gone too soon
May you rest in peace, yet I can't sleep
It's my point of view
Got me in a state of mind, I'm so confused
Crying raindrops so that I can bloom
So what am I to do?

I can't hold back these tears
Let me cry
They say a man ain't supposed to cry

So I'ma let the song cry
I'ma let my soul cry through these words
I need to try to free my mind
Sometimes I need to cry just to ease my hurt
But when I let the song cry
Hope you don't think I still won't ride for mine
Every rose needs the rain sometimes
But know that you can dry your eyes this time
Let the song cry

Let it breathe
Let it breathe
Let it breathe
Let's get it

I may be cryin' now but I'll be laughin' later
No way, wouldn't be easy when you're tryna be the greatest
That ever did it or does it
Ain't no f*ckin' time for later
And I know they think I'm sporadic
The bastard child of an addict
But I'm way too calculated
I try to love, but I never knew her
This money, I'm blowin' through it
Ain't rockin' red or blue, I'm unafilliated
Cause my bloods and my cousins hate me
I try to buy my mama's love, no she don't appreciate it
So I stay inebriated
I figured maybe J. Cole or Drizzy Drake
Would drop a verse and tell the people how we hurtin'
Guess I was mistaken
This moment mine for the taking
For all them nights I thought of suicide, contemplating

I can't hold back these tears
Let me cry
They say a man ain't supposed to cry

So I'ma let the song cry
I'ma let my soul cry through these words
I need to try to free my mind
Sometimes I need to cry just to ease my hurt
But when I let the song cry
Hope you don't think I still won't ride for mine
Every rose needs the rain sometimes
But know that you can dry your eyes this time
Let the song cry

---

Other Side

As the days go by
I remember we was sitting on the aisle
Wish I could take it back to the days we lost
But it's easier said then done, someone had to pay the cost
I know nothing lasts forever, no nothing at all
Sometimes you don't ever get up after you fall
Every day's a gamble
I know you can't win them all
But that don't stop the hurt at all

One time for my fallen soldiers that where lost in war
Two times for my gangstas who where here but is no more
Three times for them fathers that ain't tryna do for their kids
Never thought that missing you would ever feel like this

I hope I see you on the other side
So we can kick it like we did before
I hope you leave a little room on the other side
So I know I got somewhere that I can go
I hope I'm not banging at the door saying let me in
And I pray that I'm forgiven for my sins
And I see you on the other side
Hope I see you on the other side

Real niggas don't cry 'til I seen real niggas who died
I ain't gon' lie, I had real tears in those eyes
Made me feel something inside, seem like I'm gon' lose myself
If I knew somebody else, I'm gon' need somebody else

One time for my fallen soldiers that where lost in war
Two times for my gangstas who where here but is no more
Three times for them fathers that ain't tryna do for their kids
Never thought that missing you would ever feel like this

I hope I see you on the other side
So we can kick it like we did before
I hope you leave a little room on the other side
So I know I got somewhere that I can go
I hope I'm not banging at the door saying let me in
And I pray that I'm forgiven for my sins
And I see you on the other side
Hope I see you on the other side

Remember all the good times we had
It's so sad cause we can't go back
Now all we got are old times, throwbacks
Now you stay forever on my mind, see you on the other side
Remember all the good times we had
It's so sad cause we can't go back
Now all we got are old times, throwbacks
Now you stay forever on my mind, see you on the other side

I hope I see you on the other side
So we can kick it like we did before
I hope you leave a little room on the other side
So I know I got somewhere that I can go
I hope I'm not banging at the door saying let me in
And I pray that I'm forgiven for my sins
And I see you on the other side
Hope I see you on the other side
I hope I see you on the other side
So we can kick it like we did before
I hope you leave a little room on the other side
So I know I got somewhere that I can go
I hope I'm not banging at the door saying let me in
And I pray that I'm forgiven for my sins
And I see you on the other side
Hope I see you on the other side

---

American Dream

Ever since day one
Somebody probably say you wouldn't be nothin'
I bet they told you this over and over again on repeat like a re-run
Nobody ever told you you could live up
To anything you want, don't give up
They rather tell you, you're destined for failure
That's what they tell you
But you just say
What about Martin?
What about Garvey?
What about Rosa?
What about Malcolm?
What if somebody told they they wouldn't be nothin'
And they believed this, think about the outcome
Would we even be the way we are today?
Even if it weren't, could have been a harder way
Even though we lost a lot of people on the way
Had to sacrifice to get us in a better place

I hope you listen to these wizzords
All they want us thinking about is sipping on some sizzurp
And they got us thinking something better we don't deserve
And that we shouldn't try it's no use
But that couldn't be further from the truth
Don't believe them that's what they told me too
When I was growing up (they told me)
They told me (that I wouldn't make it too far)
And when I battle it will hold up
(They told me) they told me, yeah
(That I wouldn't get anything)

That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
When we were little ones
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
We're supposed to be kings and queens
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
When we don't believe them
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
Trying to live the American Dream

They say the balance is a eleven each
As a reminder the people they would never be
Jealousy got them sick without a remedy
Thinking when I die nobody's gonna remember me
I was told that nobody care
So the dreams that I had turned to nightmares
It's dinged that life really ain't fair
Need help but it ain't there
See it's really hard to stay dedicated
When the bottom screaming they was never educated
On the come up getting high just to medicate it
Cause the teachers just told him he would never make it
Now he feeling like he made it cause he stuck in paper
But probably won't let him spend the money later
Nobody ever told us we could be greater
Everybody on the ground in the paper chasers

I hope you listen to these wizzords
All they want us thinking about is sipping on some sizzurp
And they got us thinking something better we don't deserve
And that we shouldn't try it's no use
But that couldn't be further from the truth
Don't believe them that's what they told me too
When I was growing up (they told me)
They told me (that I wouldn't make it too far)
And when I battle it will hold up
(They told me) they told me, yeah
(That I wouldn't get anything)

That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
When we were little ones
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
We're supposed to be kings and queens
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
When we don't believe them
That's what they told me, they told me, they told me
Trying to live the American Dream

(That's what they told me, they told me, they told me)
They'd rather see me dead, never gone make it
(That's what they told me, they told me, they told me)
They'd rather see me fail, never gonna be anything
(That's what they told me, they told me, they told me)
They'd rather see me in jail, you're never gonna be shit
(That's what they told me, they told me, they told me)
Everybody die, you ain't shit
(That's what they told me, they told me, they told me)
But not everybody lives, I told you
(I told you you was gonna make it)
We gotta get out of this
When did you tell me shit?
You just gotta tell yourself
That somehow I'ma make it

---

Look At How Far I've Come

Not a day goes by, I don't think to myself
And remember the times there was no one else
I felt so alone, there was pain that I felt
Cause even self made niggas don't wanna do it by themselves
I looked to the hills, someone's coming for help
And he gave me the will when there was nothing left
Lord knows that I tried, Lord knows that I cried
Those nights I couldn't eat, had to swallow my pride
But through it all, one thing remained
I kept it real, I stayed the same
And I made it through a lot of pain
Had a lot of sleepless nights, but still I have to fight
So I went and got up out the dirt
When they told me it would never work
And the bad just kept on getting worse
Had to tell myself a few words from the heart

Look at how far I've come and I'm here, y'all
If you think nobody feels you, best believe I know
Look, I can't turn back now when they've killed y'all
And I can't pay all these bills, y'all, better know one thing for sure
Look at how far I've come, even though I'm outchea stressing
Still I gotta do my best and let it go
So I can't look back now
I gotta keep pressing on, 'til I make it, somehow

I know some days you feel like giving up
Feel like time is running out and all you have is doubt
Tryna keep your head up, but you fed up, tryna stack your bread up
Like how come the outcome of my income isn't dough comin'?
No one is helpin', they just out for theirself
Outchea tryna make a way, hoping there's a better day
And when you think that you're done
And the storm is raging
Look through the clouds and you can see the sun
Sometimes I know it's hard and life can have you stressing
But you should count your blessings in every single lesson you've learned
It takes hard work in getting up out the dirt
But how could you know pleasure, if you never knew hurt?
We all go through our share of pain, ups and downs
For reasons that I can't explain
But when it's all said and done
And you think you've run as far as you can run

Look at how far I've come and I'm here, y'all
If you think nobody feels you, best believe I know
Look, I can't turn back now when they've killed y'all
And I can't pay all these bills, y'all, better know one thing for sure
Look at how far I've come, even though I'm outchea stressing
Still I gotta do my best and let it go
So I can't look back now
I gotta keep pressing on, 'til I make it, somehow

'Til I make it, somehow, I'm gonna make it, somehow
'Til I make it, somehow, 'til I make it
So I know I can't look back know
I gotta keep pressing on, 'til I make it, somehow

---

The Encore

Something I gotta tell somebody, just in case you didn't know
I gotta show you where I came from, so you can see where I gotta go
See I started out with nothing and I've been through some things
But there really ain't a difference, I gotta gotta little change

I've been hood rich and I've been broke
Singing in the choir y'all, even sold dope
See I've been clean and I've been high
Lived like a king and I had to get by
Had a couple tens in my bed at one time
Them down as bitches when I didn't had a dime
Seen it all, heard it all, did it all
Appreciate the rise, hope I never gotta fall

Always thought it would be good but I never had it this good
I remember doing bad when a nigga didn't have, now I'm thinking back
Always thought it would be good but I never had it this good
Had to get it how I could, I was so misunderstood out the hood, now it's all good

Old friends came in with, saying that I didn't act the same
But I wasn't really different, it was them who started to change
Had to go a new direction, didn't wanna let 'em go
That was way before I noticed that they didn't wanna grow

I've been hood rich and I've been broke
Singing in the choir y'all, even sold dope
See I've been clean and I've been high
Lived like a king and I had to get by
Had a couple tens in my bed at one time
Them down as bitches when I didn't had a dime
Seen it all, heard it all, did it all
Appreciate the rise, hope I never gotta fall

Always thought it would be good but I never had it this good
I remember doing bad when a nigga didn't have, now I'm thinking back
Always thought it would be good but I never had it this good
Had to get it how I could, I was so misunderstood out the hood, now it's all good