I walk through cold nights in the streets, Timberland booted feet
Headphones with hot beats, runnin' tracks like meets
Transform it 3D when I step to the stage
And set it ablaze with impeccable ways
My movement reflects respect for the greats who paved a path for me
Accordingly, I mark a trail for those who comin' after me
Ghetto life's a challenge, the city requires mastery
Amazing grace saved me when them burners took a blast at me
Love that I'm still living, striving, learning and surviving
Turning coal into diamond, see my darkness shine blinding
Guiding my glide across a wide range of urban environments
I was raised by the bright lights, busy crowds and sirens
This is for my people strugglin' at the bottom
Keepin they head to the sky cuz they know the most high's got'em
Stayin strong through the probems, workin' harder to solve'm
Shout out to all my heads on the rise who ain't forgotten
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride
I walk through hot nights on the block, hood vibe in my bop
From my hoodie to my socks you can see I'm Hip-Hop
I be spittin lava rocks from the pit of my gut
It's verbal healing, never venmous stuff
I rock a Pittsburg fitted for Chuck, I know what time it is
It's time to get paid and do the knowledge like economists
It's time to tell the hood it ain't what liars televise it is
We must provide for kids a better vision for their eyelids
We got street dreams, we need divine sight
I'm tryna see 5 continents before 5 mics
So I'm elevating steady getting my mind right
Years ago I would have smoked twenty twenties like hindsight
Looking back at it, I know it's a bit foolish
Looking forward, I only see life improving
With or without big units, I'ma have influence
So I spit the city survival because I been through it
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride
I walk through different parts of the globe, fresh kicks for my toes
Every place that I go I be seeing one soul
If it's anything I know, it's united we stand
And so I move to make right what I can
I overstand there are ghettoes all over the world
Some say the world is a ghetto, that's a truth unfurled
I see the universe by every curb
So I believe there is a chance for subpar to always grow to superb
I use my word swerving skills to spill facts when I serve
From classrooms and live shows and back to the curb
I do my best to spit the real, not miraculous words
I back it up by practicing being more active than verbs
I love the ground beneath my feet like the bass of the drum
I love the ghetto dwellers cuz that's the place that I'm from
Some people may not understand the passion held in my chest
Cuz they ain't never took a breath that had the taste of the slums
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride
I know what it means to survive
Through hard times we made it alive
No I can't let go of my drive
My life's work is all of my pride