Live
A long life, longevity has its place (storm cloud rising)
I just want to do God's will (let's go home)
And he's allowed me to go up to the mountain (I see)
Mum, I know you cringe when I make out like we was poor
Like I only had a meal or two when it's really three or four
You my Donda West, my Afeni Shakur
Sons hardly live with dads, but who was needed more?
Dad, I know you cringe when I make out like you weren't there
Like I only ever saw you Christmas' and New Year
Men will be men, what I witnessed ain't too rare
You're still my nigga if you care (yeah)
Granny probably watchin' over me in disbelief
Disappointed in me every time she see me
You know the sayin', "Practice makes perfect"
Well, I'll be perfect if I practiced what I preached
It wasn't like a TLC that made me creep
It was a sister with a voice that made me week
It was a childhood destiny who made me free
Now, I couldn't stop the sugar babes, it make me sweet
Have you ever picked a rose just to analyze the thorns?
Have you ever played chess just to sacrifice the pawns?
I've see the Devil in the flesh and tried to grab him by the horns
It's been death after death without havin' time to mourn
Have you ever been in Hell and given Paradise a thought?
And felt paralyzed when tryna push the man inside forward
Growin' up, all my brothers wanted to be filthy rich
I went legit and got a salad-size-fortune
I got brothers with spare time watchin' the clocks
I know trappers turn traders, watchin' the stocks
Dumb bitches with smartphones as common as dogs
I see them gentrify the ends, demolish the blocks
And then televise offence, you can watch from your spot
Hard to recognize my friend when he forgot who he was
I said, "How can I depend on any plot that's been lost"
See, every night, I repent and pray God isn't gone
I'm from the bad block, shootin', stabbings, crack spots
If bro and dem can't find your team, they'll shoot the mascot
Pussies can't walk in my shoes, man are Sasquatch
And, you ain't never bet on yourself and hit the jackpot
Drop sixty on jewels, this kettle Cameron, it's already tripled itself
Shh, I grew up weird, who was there?
Question never gets the truth, you dare
Talkin' in the station wasn't cool unless it's cool offence
Talkin' 'bout the flavours deja vu 'cause when the cools' there
Who knew that all this pain up in one room would make us fortunairs
So many artists backs to wall, it's like the Louvre there
You can swim or you can snorkel there
Sinkin' ain't an option 'round this ruthless-sphere
They grew up square
If you not been Turkey, teeth out, bet the lawyers want a souvenirs
I got some readies in my pocket
Water down your content, got some Skellies in my closet
Between tellin' and the tourin', know you smell on me is profit
The only thing that's promised is we'll end up in a coffin
Hope you stood for something or fall for everything
Just in, just in the top threes if I ain't restin' it, but the creds legit
That's the vibes, got you all in check like I was Busta in his prime
Shooters dem on deck, but I gain confidence in these shines
Man'll loopin' off your necklace, best you tuck in all those diamonds
Survivors guilt
I just learned 'bout the Bible skill
But, I know the big man up there blessin' me, but time's a snitch
'Cause, eventually, time will tell
Protect legacy
Worth a couple quid so I can comfortably decline
Any sell out offers 'cause these companies be tryin' it
Just buried nan, he held a shovel, it was tirin'
Witnessed my mother be a daughter, weepin' Iris'
Became a father after nan, done closed her eyelids
Twelve days before my son, they didn't meet
After my MoBo speech, I went to watch her asleep
One day, we'll duppy your white, pour-out beverage
Brother, look in the sky, that's where Heaven is
Dear Sky, why you take long to reply to my messages?
All this teenager shit got you movin' insensitive
Yeah, they say I'm in my feels, she's my sanity, therapist
But, until you have a daughter, you won't understand anything
Anyone can run the game from on the side of the pitch
Niggas tryna call the shots, I'll get you shot for a drink
If it's a doggy-dog world, I'm on some Doberman shit
I go realer on you apes and put my hand on your chips
You ever seen badness in the form of a gift?
A man will give a man a box so he can rob him for it
The word genos, made me know what bein' talented is
Now, man are gettin' paid for work to make it work in their favour
I'm out the game
It ain't about all of the times that I got to play
The real ones are havin' the freedom to start again
The business isn't profitin' and Green Machine is the name
I'm sellin' weed over the counter, I'm shottin' ounces again
Argh, full circle
I ain't blamin' shit on my race, we can all hurdle
Went from bein' underground in my shell like a small turtle
Now, I'm Michelangelo and I'm paintin' the colour purple
My rain can make my mother retire, but that's a job in itself
She rather work herself to death then let me give her the world
Already saw the women, King watchin' you father the girls
So, along as I'm your prince, I give you diamonds and pearls
The Bible itself is nothing in my life I withheld
They're livin' for the Queen's head but wouldn't die for the tails
I'm givin' all my team bread, forgot a slice for myself
I really had to wear the trousers, had to tighten my belt
It's tailor fit, in the verses, I'm Jadakiss
I made a flick sellin' Bobby Brown and Taylor Swift
I make 'em sing like I'm Ghetts with his greatest hits
Man, this ain't the last supper, this is caterin'