I know right now I'm down and out
I know that I chose to take the harder route
I know that they marvel over clout
I know that I got some blessin's
That's been waitin' on me to count
Knowin' that the changes came
When I seen Daddy walkin' out, see
I know that our God is real
I know that it's in his timin'
I know that I need to just be patient
And continue rhymin'
I know that it's hard to blow
I know that it's time to go
I know that if it was you as me
You'll quit a while ago
Tell me what I need to know
Seem as if that's all they do
I know that the thought that haunts me most
Is endin' up like you
I know you ain't see it through
I know it's complex for you
I know that it's hard to be the truth
When lies is all you knew
I know that we low on options
You say the system plottin'
I know you know the game
That's why I'm flowin' conscious
See, that was all I knew
Hova in the car, us two
Poppa breakin' down the lines
He was makin' sure I knew
What it's like to know the greats
'Til I'm known as one myself
I know I don't follow waves
That's a quicker road to fail
I know that's a mold to sell
Tell 'em this forever though
Kenny still up in a cell
Wonder if he runnin' low?
'Cause the mail they used to send, ain't comin' in no more
I know unconditional depends on what it's for
I know some nigga's dead inside
And money is they cure
So, they turn on everything they know
To get some more
Times that not, I found a way
I know that it's hard to pray
I know less is more
But when they doin' less, it's more to say
I know bein' down and out'll make these nigga's test it
I went out seekin' answers
And I end up with the question
Of what about before?
What about the lost times?
What about the alcohol addiction in my bloodline?
What about my Grandma dyin'?
What about my Daddy dyin'?
What about the constant fear
Of Mama bein' next in line?
What about me would they feel?
What about me would they doubt?
What about me would they kill?
What about me would they shout?
Would I keep my head up high, knowin' paradise is out?
Now the temptation risin'
As the hope is pourin' out
Like the empty bottles
That left me in the corner of my childhood
I'm yellin' "please don't make him leave"
As any child would, scared as ever
Tryna remember it as a dream
7 years old, tellin' the man in blue what I seen
When that sun wasn't shinin'
The rain still pourin'
Just a junior confused
But those days were most important
I been this since '96
Usin' what he gave me
Now What About Before, is the story that'll make me