The slaves were mistreated so bad And sometimes they had to just pour out of their soul the way they were treated They couldn’t understand why they were in this strange land They didn’t ask to come here Some people would like to send us back But we didn’t come here on our own We were brought here against our will And now we’re here to stay America must work together Suffer together Grow together Because we helped to make this country what it is But then the Negro spiritual speaks out of the soul of that Black man and that Black woman I wish I never was born I got questions for you Lord but I'm pretty sure ain't no answer in the universe make Black existence hurt any less Are we cursed are we blessed Why let us be born in a land where money is God and our lives ain't worth a cent How they cry for windows broken when we protest in distress But they justify the popos when they choking us to death And the preacha promise everything is workin’ for my best But I fail to see the purpose of this war upon our flesh We hungry despite our blood and our sweat Even though we steady hustlin still we deep in this debt Weepin on every evenin Ain’t no joy in the mornin Injuries never healin The battle just keep on warrin Couldn't rest if we wanna We drownin in all this trauma Mental health in the sewer Just keep your head above water Just keep your head above water Just breathe my brotha breathe Screamin’ at my creator Heaven what is your beef You know this Black is beautiful Why you watchin us bleed Tell me how come me here When will you set us free Tryin’ hard to believe but losing faith in you Lord If you ain’t breakin these bonds I wish I never was born How do you let them grow up without making them feel like they’re already doomed Just like thinking about it that it already makes it seem like there’s nothing to Um it’s weird There’s nothing to look forward to It’s it’s a hard existence Beforehand because people are like You gotta sit your Black boys down You gotta have a conversation with them and tell them The world is gonna hate you To some extent you wanna prepare them But to another extent right now I’m like I’d rather really focus on making sure that they are rock solid In knowing who they are If somebody calls you something And it’s not true Should you let it offend you And they’re like Well sometimes yeah it hurts And I say It usually only hurts if you believe it If you don’t believe it If you really understand who you are it’s not gonna bother you I know who I am It’s not so much that I’m like That I believe it But it’s exhausting to know No matter how I act No matter how kind I am No matter how good of a person I am Whatever that means There will be a large amount of people that always see me as a dangerous person And you know what On some days I snap On some days I’m like I’m not doing anything to you You know I am out here just trying to be alive Leave me alone

I got nothin but love for the rappers that raised me Showed me that I could be black and amazing Gave me confidence to rise from the pavement But Ima give you what the Doc never gave me Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Don't wait till ya soul grow colder Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Bout time that the boys get sober Black masculinity Riddled with much complexity Hated, emasculated We beatin our chest reflexively Raid our communities Remove us from our families Detain us up in cages then claiming we just some absentee lovers and fathers Embarrassed we can't excel in a system created to guarantee that we fail Middle finger to cops We disregarding authority Obeyin’ racist law sustains our inferiority Ain't gainin nothin by remainin' in line But screamin' revolution and they aim at your life We catchin deucy deuces from the left and the right They treat us like a nuisance even when we do right I got nothin but love for the rappers that raised me Showed me that I could be black and amazing Gave me confidence to rise from the pavement But Ima give you what the Doc never gave me Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Don't wait till ya soul grow colder Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Bout time that the boys get sober Been fightin for equality still we hungry and broke The revolution is losing We through wit this bein po Hustle and paper chasin Puff puff on some medication Hug up on a couple ladies You forget your woes Never beat the system We might as well get to pimpin Might as well get to trappin Might as well get to spittin Bout this ghetto existence and maybe make us a million Yeah our people still dyin but least our Mommas is livin Large we pray to God we know the Lord be forgiving Did what we had to do with jokers that we was given Understand you my brothas I never will be condemnin But there is another vision A kingdom among the remnants I got nothin but love for the rappers that raised me Showed me that I could be black and amazing Gave me confidence to rise from the pavement But Ima give you what the Doc never gave me Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Don't wait till ya soul grow colder Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Bout time that the boys get sober This aint no pull yo pants up and get you a hair cut Assimilation never made racists treat us just Don't bow to the supremacy It's a spiritual test Only way to climb the ladder when every level is rigged Sell your soul for the cheddar Or listen to God’s plan Use a different definition of being a real man Ambitious but never vicious What good is ya gold if your riches saturated wit the blood of the po' Wanna ball like your oppressor Gotta steal how they stole Cuttin corners compromising all the truth that you know Shark tank cut throat wicked road to the top But that aint the economics of the children of God It's time to reconsider the way we possess power Purifying ambition of masculine gone sour The greatest should be serving the least and the left out Welcome to detox check your ego at the counter I got nothin but love for the rappers that raised me Showed me that I could be black and amazing Gave me confidence to rise from the pavement But Ima give you what the Doc never gave me Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Don't wait till ya soul grow colder Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Bout time that the boys get sober Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Don't wait till ya soul grow colder Welcome to detox Welcome to detox Bout time that the boys get sober

Ima ride for my family ties Bought a gun cause my hood is not nice All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Hustle on every day of my life On my grind but my money aint right All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Baby Momma tellin everybody he a lame cause he never see his chirren livin just around the way It ain't that that he don't love 'em but he feelin so ashamed cause he got nothin to give em so he'd rather stay away He show up empty handed she gon have a lot to say He show up wit a little she gon throw it in his face He really wish that he could just go over there and play with his babies but she angry so he giving her some space He wanna be a father but she never give him grace Then wonder why their son and daughter never see his face He made that dirty money till his partner caught a case Aint gettin out of prison till that brotha forty eight That's when he quit the dealin and he started livin straight To be there for his chirren stead of rottin in a cage But now he barely payin rent with that minimum wage He prayin every day but slowly running out of faith Ima ride for my family ties Bought a gun cause my hood is not nice All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Hustle on every day of my life On my grind but my money aint right All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Baby Momma tellin everybody he a lame but she don't need him for nothin cause she got another man The brotha is a baller doin everything he can't he heard his son and daughter started callin homie dad He called his baby momma but she never hit him back so he roll to her apartment full of jealousy and sad He knockin on her door It was opened by her man He see his son and daughter but the brotha wanna flex Aint tryna disrespect Homie get up out my way I just wanna see my babies do not make me escalate The brotha wasn't budgin so he Ali Bomaye Hit him with an upper cut And now they both are full of rage He pistol whip the brotha Just tryna intimidate They said attempted murder When a bullet went astray He wanna live to see his babies Come probation day But its dangerous in prison So he made himself a shank Ima ride for my family ties Bought a gun cause my hood is not nice All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Hustle on every day of my life On my grind but my money aint right All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide The story spiral forever When ego is running reckless Answering every challenge With violence and deadly weapons Think you makin it safer But risking the very breath Of every one of the people You say you wanna protect Don't listen to deception the culture will try to feed The presence of a violent man’s A deadly place to be You can't control the victims when macho is running free A bomb exploded Everybody close is gonna bleed I know you frustrated but But you really need to breathe The measure of a man is not his weapon or his cheese Your presence more important Than anything that you bring But worse than everything If your temper aint on a leash Protection from yourself is your family's greatest need Carry inside yourself an environment full of peace Be generous with love And trust the Lord above to be The power that you need In the hours you feeling weak Ima ride for my family ties Bought a gun cause my hood is not nice All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide Hustle on every day of my life On my grind but my money aint right All I want is to be a good guy Tryin hard to protect and provide

If I had my way little children If I had my way I'd tear that building down If I had my way If I had my way little children If I had my way I'd tear the building down If I had my way If I had my way If I had my way I’d tear the building down If I had my way If I had my way If I had my way I'd tear the building down, down Tear the building down I’d tear the building down Lemme hit you wit a riddle if a school get cheddar from the neighborhood tax and the neighborhood po' guess who get a better education Privileged or the youth from the ghetto If I had my way as a young kid creativity woulda never been elective Everybody paint Everybody poetry Everybody take design and photography Home economics, Hip Hop history How to make a supa dupa stupid hot beat Everybody drama, Everybody yoga Everybody meditate until the class over Everybody plants a community garden Everybody talks to a therapist often Everybody got teachers that look like them Everybody reads authors of colorful skin Ain't nobody gotta pass standardized test 'cause they prejudice and never measure our intelligence Only our ability to follow the assimilation Try to tell us if we didn't then we'll never make it Kids like me feelin' stupid When the truth is I could spit so hard Not gettin' into Harvard but I got a lot to offer set flame to my report card If I had my way I'd bulldoze a tank straight over the schoolhouse gate Ms. Frizzle wit da bus everybody load up every day is a field-trip day If I had my way If I had my way If I had my way I’d tear the building down, down, Tear the building down I’d tear the building down No one with a chemical addiction need to be in prison just because they caught with the drug they are dependent Punishing the sickly (whoa) Callin' it a justice system (nope) If you got a mental health condition you don't need conviction You deserve some medical attention Shout out the Critical Resistance fighting for the demolition of the prison business Rich men makin big bank off of inmates who workin' for slave wage Judges and the cops is playin' the same game the more that they lock up the more that they get paid Black man gettin' more time than a white man who commit the exact same crime Black man reachin' for his I.D. dies White man take a dozen children's lives Still somehow they arrest him alive Unreal how they don't even conceal their bias Killin' black folk like a roach or fly Protect and serve is a joke and a lie Skurrd for my life when they flash them lights If I had my way every cop get fired Every prison replaced with a safe space for the addicts and the violent to rehabilitate Penitentiary a deceptive name Put you in a cage make you more humane? If I had my way I would tear this thang right down to its racist roots Put ya picks to the fro and ya boots to flo' and ya fist to the baby blue It's the New Jim Crow but the same Negroes and we still bout that revolu! If I had my way If I had my way If I had my way I’d tear the building down, down, Tear the building down I’d tear the building down Stubborn hope but you know I dont be runnin' from truth Young black boy everybody gunnin' for you Yeah I'm preachin' to the choir 'cause you livin' it too Piss poor education in a crumbling school State of the art prison waitin' to get full of bodies with dark pigment they claimin' it's just law and order but percentage of brothas incarcerated severely exaggerated compared to our population I'm impatient and sick of the hatred Make it into college they try to assimilate ya Only black boy on my dorm room floor What I come here for? Now I'm really unsure Every level up, a little more isolated from the melanated village that it takes to raise me Woke up like, why am I stressin' to labor at a table as the token exception Don't want a blessin' if it's only for me I'm dismantling the evil of american dreams Demolition to whatever keep my people in chains poverty and ignorance, Forget the gradual change They been sayin' that for centuries and still we remain on the bottom of the barrel I aint playin' they games Tear the house down every time I step on a stage Set the roof on flame with this African rage If I had my way everything would be okay You won't have to die today If I had my way No more crying nor will there be no pain If I had my way It'll never be no war we ain't gotta play that game If I had my way we ain't gotta burn this place Everybody love my race

And more reaction is coming into the newsroom tonight about a father and son now charged with murdering an unarmed black man after public outcry. Ahmaud Arbery was killed while he was out for a run in a Georgia neighborhood back in February. Investigators say Gregory and Travis McMichael confronted Arbery with guns, claiming they were looking for a home break-in suspect. Loved ones of Breonna Taylor grieving and outraged. The twenty-six year old Louisville first responder shot eight times and killed by police. Prosecutors say officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd's neck for eight minutes and forty six seconds, including two minutes and fifty three seconds after Floyd had become unresponsive. Don't wanna see no mo' videos Too black to watch 'em do it Feels like I keep witnessing my very own execution My people is tired My neighbors is silent I'm finished with tryin' to form an alliance I gave 'em my time exposing they bias They still didn't buy it I swear I'm finished They don't want equality at the cost of they privilege My hope is retired just surviving until I die No revolution or riot puts love in their evil eyes Not defending my humanity I know who I am They the ones who need to prove they not a monster but man 'Cause they justify our slaughter with the lies they invent Ain't no reasoning with hatred They in love with they sin Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice They say be patient But we been waitin' for centuries My question Tell me how many stabs to the front and the back should I take 'for I learn my lesson I just wanna be around my people I don't wanna talk about no white folk I just wanna bump my rap and buy my snacks and walk back to my home I just wanna take a jog on my street I just wanna play some ball wit my peeps I don't even need these fools to love me I would just love if they let us be I would just love if they let us breathe Heart fatigue and my faith is weak Every time I leave my crib gotta say my prayers that I do not rest in peace Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice Lord my God Lord my God Don't let my enemies win Don't let my heart become callous Don't let my pain become sin Lord my God Lord my God I need your heavenly strength This world I see is so hopeless Don't let my eyes be convinced Lord my God Lord my God Don't let my enemies win Don't let my heart become callous Don't let my pain become sin Lord my God Lord my God I need your heavenly strength This world I see is so hopeless Don't let my eyes be convinced Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice Warm blood on a cold street Black love and a white lie I'm losing patience Lord Don't let my heart become ice

To change yourself to fit in Is just hard It makes things difficult You get tired after a while And you start to feel like You’re not wanted You’re not loved You’re not acceptable And already ya know Being black We are already not wanted Not loved Not acceptable You know what I mean And uh To couple that with Trying to figure out Who you are When you already have an image Of what you are Everybody says This is what a Black man is He’s rough He’s a gangster He’s not a family person Not a family man He’s he’s just out there doing no good Trying to figure out who you are Amongst all of that And trying to build your own self image Is is is is a big task Horoscope is not the way to get to know me Aint no chance or destiny is gonna own me Ima choose the type of man that Micah gon be Box me in Ill break out and we cant be homies I been labeled all my life but now I'm so free Cept the days I'm gettin haunted by the old me Started screamin at my momma like it's O three Dang I thought my teenage anger was behind me I just wanna break the cycle But I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round I just wanna break the cycle But I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round Niece and nephews sure know how to make a man smile Love the babies but afraid to have my own child Met my Daddy's Daddy once and he was hostile Me and Daddy fightin till the day I peaced out Plus I'm somewhere in the middle of beliefs now What to teach my babies when I got some deep doubt Call me Jacob wrestle heaven never tap out I aint lettin go until the blessings rain down I just wanna break the cycle But I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round I just wanna break the cycle But I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round Everybody say they won't forget their own folk Get a little bit of money and go loco I don't need a lotta paper to fight evil Jesus healed the broken even though he stayed broke But I cry for empty stomachs of my negroes I aint greedy I just wanna see us eat though Had the contract in my hand I coulda been blowed But I felt the spirit tellin me to say no Try to keep integrity and I remain po While the wicked makin money by the boatload Black ambition but the system got me so low Just another generation in the cycle I just wanna break the cycle but I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round I just wanna break the cycle But I keep on lettin me down Thought I found me an escape route Then I had another go round A righteous man falls A righteous man falls A righteous man falls A righteous man falls A righteous man falls A righteous man falls A righteous man falls Seven times And rises again And rises again And rises again And rises again And rises again And rises again And rises again

Bouquet in the trash can Everyone I love is gone Still addicted to my chapstick Kisses of my lips so soft But there aint nobody to receive em Ex was correct for not believin Fell into the future she don’t wanna be in Empty and my pockets still bleedin I'm grievin even though nobody died If I'm gonna make it couldn't tell ya how Not the type to worry but I'm terrified Go back to my parents I would rather die I'm supposed to be a grown man now S’pose to make it on my own by now Be a King upon my throne by now Have a Queen and get it on by now I'm supposed be a Don by now Have a daughter and a son by now I'm supposed to be a wise man now But I'm feelin like a lost young child I don't really wanna need no help but I think I really need your help I don't really wanna need no help but I think I really need your help I don't really wanna need no help but I think I really need your help I don't really wanna need no help but I think I really need your help They say it take a village To raise a young bull We turn eighteen And they throw us to the wolves Was hungry and independent Pursuing my dreams Was killin it for a minute Then everything changed But now I got a biness facade to maintain Feels like I aint a man If I ever need a hand Feels like I aint a man If I ever need to cry Feels like I aint a man If I ever need God If I ever need God it's pronto Pride before the fall And I fell low Shame is not the same as humble Bloody broken and broke Still talkin bout makin moves Tryin to cut a deal Like lemme do this for you Never receive love Just countin up what I owe Promise I'll double that Once I get back on my two Never stoppin to heal Just covering all my wounds like I'm supposed to be grown man now Spose to make it on my own by now Be a King upon my throne by now Have a Queen and get it on by now I'm supposed be a Don by now Have a daughter and a son by now I'm supposed to be a wise man now But I'm feelin like a lost young child Aint no level you supposed to reach Aint nobody you supposed to be by now Everybody got lows and peaks Just be open to the help you need right now That's the way that it's supposed to be We’re created for community right now Not in love with the potential me Fall in love with who the mirror see right now Aint no level you supposed to reach Aint nobody you supposed to be by now Everybody got lows and peaks Just be open to the help you need right now That's the way that it's supposed to be We’re created for community right now Not in love with the potential me Fall in love with who the mirror see right now Never let your self worth Be determined by What you want people To think you are I know you’re gonna go Through moments where you feel like I’m not enough Or I need to be more Or I need to do more But know that Whatever you are at that moment Whatever you’re doing at that moment Is enough Because God made you enough And that’s all you need to know

Present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something beautiful In front of my eyes I got present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something beautiful In front of my eyes Livin wit my baby niece She knockin but never wait Walkin right up in my room With a smile up on her face Uncle Micah whatchu doin Do you wanna come and play I got some unicorns My toys are really great Babygirl Im busy but maybe another day Plus I'm feelin kinda You know what Never mind sure let's play What kinda unicorns you got That one's cool You got a black one doe I got present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something beautiful In front of my eyes I got present nostalgia I got present nostalgia Maybe one day ima come up and have me my own place One day I won't struggle to see all my bills paid Maybe I'll be spittin In a fancy studio reminiscin On the records I made in my friends home Neighborhood noise Gotta wait for the next take Who mowing the lawn Eight PM on a wednesday Ordering some chicken wings and Finish this later These the type of memories I'm loving every day of Present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something Beautiful in front of my eyes I got present nostalgia I got present nostalgia Silly how we seldom enjoy The moment we have Anxious about the future Romantic about the past Funny we didn't want it When it was all that we had No we steady trippin And wishin we could go back Got this tunnel vision Like Ima get me these stacks Neglecting all the people Forever havin your back Forgettin all the reasons You started walkin the path Running to the finish Ahead of your whole class Missin all the magical Moments with no match Tomorrow aint a fact Last night isn't comin back The present is the only Location to be glad I pray you givin thanks Before the blessing has past I got present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something beautiful In front of my eyes I got present nostalgia I'm grateful to God Don't wait until it's gone For you to love what you got I'm counting all my blessings Every morning I rise There's always something beautiful In front of my eyes I got present nostalgia I got present nostalgia Make a discipline of gratitude Everybody worried about What they don’t got Missin all the blessings Right in front of they face Everybody always thinking about What used to be Stressin about the future I been sayin this I am not the future I am not history I am right now The present is the only place To live To love To be

Poplock like I hit the jackpot When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends Im so Peter Pan wit the homies Only Neverland boys stay flying I aint thinkin like a man that's binding Holy vision of a child's what I need Aint no haters shootin down all my dreams Imagination runnin wild with the right things When I'm not on stage doing my thing Front row hand raised that's my G I just wanna see my homeboys thriving Aint no competition whole squad rising Take a L and the whole squad crying Doin well and the whole squad shining Fall off and the whole squad pause You is not alone when you roll wit us But you gotta grow don’t roll in the dust If you wanna wallow then you might get cut This is how we glow you a light no buts All fall but the righteous get up Broke boy feelin like a million bucks When I think about the kinda friends I got Poplock like I hit the jackpot When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends Poplock like I hit the jackpot When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends Solo I’m on fire Link up with my ridas We get even flyer We fly even higher Solo I’m on fire Link up with my ridas We get even flyer We fly even higher All praise Mother God for my homegirls So brave in a world so hateful Chauvinism rooted deep in my soul Still you patient wit ya boy I'm grateful Even if you got a bae Ima stay close You was never my prey we people Ima give you all the space that you ask fo But I'm here if ya need No strings though And I know ya got me When my heart so beat Talkin through the drama when I had to get it out Comin wit the ice cream and the loose leaf So much tea open up a tea house Homegirl you a force of nature Arrogant fools underestimate ya Hold half the sky but we try to make ya Invisible less we wanna date ya Im blessed to know a whole Gang of women so dangerous and so wise Thankful to all you dope souls You're never too much You're only too fly Poplock like I hit the jackpot When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends Poplock like I hit the jackpot When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends I got When I think about the kinda friends Solo I’m on fire Link up with my ridas We get even flyer We fly even higher Solo I’m on fire Link up with my ridas We get even flyer We fly even higher We dapper not proper We act a fool Pull up to the function And shock the room We drop every mic and we burn the roof Got it from our Papa We know we cute We dapper not proper We act a fool Pull up to the function And shock the room We drop every mic And we burn the roof Got it from our Papa We know we cute

Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute If we talkin’ bout bars I'm a hard fellow If we talkin’ bout hearts I'm a marshmallow Matching outfits and watchin’ chick flicks And cooking dinner and washing dishes Split the load by our skills and interests Gender roles won't control our business Gentleness don't emasculate me Ain’t afraid to cry like a baby Ain't afraid to cry like a man 'Cause I know emotions ain’t feminine They just human What is y'all doin’ Actin’ so tough What is y'all proving Brotha be soft Brotha be kind Ain't no lady really want a thugged out guy Ain't no lady really want a man who's cold and violent Never tell you how he feels inside Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Y'all stay gangsta Y'all stay thug Y'all stay actin’ like you don't want love Y'all stay playa playa Stay pimp Y'all stay true to all of this foolishness Seek the truth and unlearn the phony One night stands be crazy lonely Bump a boo You aint got a homie Open up let somebody know you Listen up let somebody grow you Soften up let somebody close Share your heart let somebody hold you Courage up and be vulnerable Just might find you someone who likes you And wants to love you And share the pain And share the ugly And share the beauty And share the lovely It's cupcake gang Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Ima stay cute Ima stay gentle Ima stay double dates with Efechto Ima stay picnic blankets with pesto Ima stay crackers cheese and no cell phones Focused Ima stay thankful Ima stay poetry and bouquets Ima stay everything that I thought was weak But thank God I grew in my faith I know some things that's too wonderful And no one can ever explain An eagle flapping its wings Across the blue sky in all of its grace A ship upon the blue sea adventuring off To where the wind takes A mic and MC when the beat go boom A young man chillin’ with his baby boo Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute Cupcake gang me and my boo Ain’t no shame when the love is so true Homies got jokes I ain't worried ‘bout you Y'all stay gangsta Ima stay cute

If every single one of your exes is crazy Maybe you're the X factor You don't wanna ever invest in your baby On to the next chapter You say you just want to be free but I'm callin your bluff I think you're afraid to be seen so You're running from love You're running from love Got a million reasons Why it's never your fault You say if it's healthy Than it shouldn't be hard You just want that easy breezy Walk in the park Life is not a movie And you aint no prince charm I'm just tryna tell ya There's beauty within the beast Confronting demons Is the only avenue to peace Open your heart to love Let it reveal the pain Let it reveal the truth Let it remove the shame I know it's uncomfortable No growth in your comfort zone If your soul is wounded Then love is the only antidote And it aint always romantic But it is for your advantage If you endure and don't panic Then love can heal some real damage Or you can just keep playing your games Frontin like you stay the victim Always shiftin the blame You can run from all your wreckage At the end of the day Your unexamined reflection Is the source of your pain If every single one of your exes is crazy Maybe you're the X factor You don't wanna ever invest in your baby On to the next chapter You say you just want to be free but I'm callin your bluff I think you're afraid to be seen so You're running from love You're running from love It aint all chocolates and roses love'll expose ya Gotta get diagnosed If ya wanna be whole bruh Once you know where you hurtin You workin with purpose Demolishing insecurities Building up firm trust Gotta give and receive Gotta listen and speak Gotta come to believe That it’s okay to be weak Vulnerability is makin you stronger If you don't show who you are How can you receive love? Love is the true power And a powerful truth Even if it don't last forever You still grew More than having a boo Becoming a better you is a blessing To every single human you run into Steada running forever Just stay and give it a go Might end up brokenhearted But I promise you bro Spend your life avoiding pain And you are still gonna know Plenty of it Only love is overcoming it though If every single one of your exes is crazy Maybe you're the x factor You don't wanna ever invest in your baby On to the next chapter You say you just want to be free but I'm callin your bluff I think you're afraid to be seen so You're running from love You're running from love If every single one of your exes is crazy Maybe you're the X factor You don't wanna ever invest in your baby On to the next chapter You say you just want to be free but I'm callin your bluff I think you're afraid to be seen so You're running from love You're running from love

Can't believe we haven't even spoken In a year or two I be frontin like I'm golden My emotions pitiful Codependent Breaking up was healthy and responsible So why is it I feel sicker Since we took our separate roads Every time my phone is ringing Prayin for a miracle Hoping one day you might wanna Give this thing another go Wishing you could see the many Different ways I really grown But I guess that you been better on your own Set me free Set me free I’m dying every day But she happy without me Set me free Set me free If she aint comin back I really need to find peace Thought that if I found another lady Maybe I'd be cool But she broke up wit me Cause she was in love wit her ex too Wasn't even trippin I knew just what she was goin through Every moment with her Jogged a memory I spent with you This is crazy cause it's been so long I thought that time would heal me But it's five years strong I'm steady on my grizzy and my heart still longs For nothing in this world But to be in yours arms Set me free Set me free I'm dying every day But she happy without me Set me free Set me free If she aint comin back I really need to find peace Kinda funny how the tables turned sides When I used to say jump You was headed sky high Now a brotha stay stuck While you livin yo life I aint tryna mess that up If your spirit is on thrive I hope you know that I will love you forever But loving someone doesn't mean That they’re your possession It's quite the opposite You stand against their oppression And every obstacle That's hindering their progression No exceptions Even if that obstacle is my presence So I'm quiet even though I wanna send you a message And I pray to my messiah That you free as the heavens Jesus take away desire But I'll keep my affection please Set me free Set me free I'm dying every day But she happy without me Set me free Set me free If she aint comin back I really need to find peace Set me free Set me free I'm dying every day But she happy without me Set me free Set me free If she aint comin back I really need to find peace

I been vagabondin Since I was youngin Solo wit it Rockin every city that I'm touchin Met some pretty women Peace and blessings on em I aint trippin on a mission Bout my business cousin Somewhere in a dungeon Who know where in London You was spinnin I was spittin And you had me buggin Tried to shake the feelin But it wasn't budgin Girl you know what's up Like Donell Jones in ninety somethin Fast lane with my tank on full Pumped my brakes When you crossed my world Clutched my pearls And I praised my Lord You the typa girl That can make my storm Slow down Slow down down down Run it back back Turn round Slow down Asked you out to dinner You say that we goin Dutch Independent woman That's the kind I'm searchin for Conversation stayed flowin with ease Joint closed down But we couldn't say peace Middle of the night We ended up at Micky Ds Already had dessert But you ordered some ice cream It's gettin late but I don't wanna go Cause I live on the other side Of the entire globe And even if you aint the one It’s just so good to know That someone like you think I'm fly And its reciprocal So I aint rushin nothin I aint worried bout the time With somebody like you I gotta Slow down Slow down down down Run it back back Turn round Slow down Slow down down down Run it back back Turn around I wish I could freeze time I wish I could freeze time I wish I could freeze time But I gotta Slow down Slow down down down Run it back back Turn around I wish I could freeze time I wish I could freeze time I wish I could freeze time So I could look into your eyes Forever Forever Forever Forever Forever Forever Forever Slow down

You say put it where Oooh I'm kinda skurrd Baby is you sure Ok word Just say hol up if it hurt When it come to pleasing you baby You know I am not an expert But you got forever to teach me And you know I'm eager to learn Let's take turns Hol'up Let me breathe This won't be no fantasy If at first we don't succeed We can do it Do it do it Messy silly timid sloppy Quickly slowly smooth and choppy Might not be a natural But ima practice hard Mami Hallelujah Got me screamin Hallelujah What you want I give it to ya Baby put that blessin on me Got me feelin’ so free Every time you hold me Hallelujah How you doing baby just checking Need to know we on the same page Cause the only way to feel sexy Is if everybody feel safe You are such a beautiful blessin I stay grateful every day Every single moment is precious Making love or making pancakes Let me know whatever you feelin Aint no pressure baby I'm chillin We could stop We could cuddle Watch a movie Pop a bottle We could try it over tomorrow I want this to be without sorrow Baby what is you in the mood for Oh my hallelujah Hallelujah Got me screamin Hallelujah What you want I give it to ya Baby put that blessin on me Got me feelin so free Every time you hold me Hallelujah Boy you're curious and I love it You be askin all about me All my vision All of my interests All my fears and all of my kinks All your baggage not afraid of it Trust and honesty is the key All your history I don't judge it Baby just be present with me Boy get intimate with my spirit And my body ready to ride Jump the broom because I'm committed Our connection somethin divine Neither one the other’s possession We both choose this love in our lives Now get over here and undress me I’m about to make ya soul fly Hallelujah Got me screamin hallelujah What you want I give it to ya Baby put that blessin on me Got me feelin so free Every time you hold me Hallelujah Hallelujah Got me screamin hallelujah What you want I give it to ya Baby put that blessin on me Got me feelin so free Every time you hold me Hallelujah

As Black men in America Our beauty is both demonized And fetishized at the same time You know people look at us And they’re afraid Our very presence Is considered dangerous Or threatening And yet people are also filled with Jealousy or lustful fantasies Because of racists myths about our bodies You think it's feminine To struggle wit your self image So you lyin every summer Say you hate swimmin Yous a dolphin undercover Just embarrassed of your flubber Feelin like a turkey In front of these fly women You liftin everyday But never gettin bigger Eating steak drinkin shakes Still a stick figure If real men protect You get knocked out in a sec Guess you aint really a man Less you flex triggers You rockin beanies Even in the summertime Cause your confidence is fading Wit your hairline Been receding since a teen Plus you short with crooked teeth Funny dude But never cheesin on your profile Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Young man Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Young man Aint no ugly billionaire Says the wisdom of Hov So you on a mission To make your residuals grow Stackin money steady rockin The expensivest clothes And you finally get attention From the women you know Now you caught a couple feelins But won't open ya soul Scared that she don't want your heart Unless it comes wit ya dough So you ghost her out of fear Say she diggin for gold Didn't know that she was ride or die Wealthy or po Now you standing in the mirror But you look at the flo Cause you hate your own reflection Won't admit to it though Really wishin you was handsome With a confident glow Wantin love but forever screamin Money over hoes Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Young man Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Young man Got a body all your homies Really jealous of But you still need validation From the rest of us Run through women like a track Every selfie showin abs Cause your confidence's dependent On another's lust Never cheatin on your diet You addicted to gyms And you started dopin Cause you close to peakin again Stronger than you ever been Manliest of the men Paranoid of gettin older Losing power and strength Never been more insecure Than at the top of your game Cause you got a lot to lose Wit all the muscle you gained So confused You thought this would put an end to ya pain Still feel like your younger days Getting bullied and chased Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man You’re beautiful Young man You’re beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man Has anyone ever told you you're beautiful Young man You’re beautiful Young man You’re beautiful I guess another thing Just like girls need aunties You know Boys need role models The forming of who they are I like it when my boys Talk to you I like it when they Hang out with their dad And my brothers And people who We respect their opinions Because I expect their Image of self to be formed by These people Sometimes I tell you Oh the kids said this Because you said it That makes me happy Because I know that helps To fortify their perception Of who they are

Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Barbecue Becky cryin to the popo But today the sun is shinin No one goin to the hole Slappin down bones Pop n lock to big tunes Homies cypher off the dome Breakin ankles as we hoop When I was a yout Pretty Micah was the dude Natural up to the roof Shorties touchin on my poof Me and my whole crew Knew we had the orange juice Fresh press ice cold We pulp free smooth Every five minutes Invented some new cool By the time the crackajakas be jockin It's old news If yo'onknawlmtalmbout Get out da gumbo Chillin’ on da code switchin This poetry Fubu Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pat my own back This a ode to the black man Ali in the ring Denzel with the action Doctor J wit it Star in every league Dr King wit it Never killin our dreams Hip hop griots bodies full of truth Navigate around the noose So creative how we move Unassimilated We play by our own rules And we still set trends For the world wide globe Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pop lock krumpin jookin break Moonwalk steppin harlem shake Afro flattop dreadlocks fade Bald head frohawk cornrows waves Sunday suit alligator bootlegs Ashirt du rag new king james Cowhide jacket With the blacked out shades Switchin up the drippin but the swag unphased Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Black boy fly Ice cube cool Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Fresh like juice Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth Pulp free smooth

You must establish a new base And we are as a group demanding That a new base be established Yeah but be careful as a woman What you demand of a man I demand that he be a man Yeah but you can’t say You demand it You have to suggest it That that’s your ego that says that No I demand it Now you deal with that Alright Ok I'll even go with that I demand that you be a man And I don’t think that that’s Asking too much Talk is cheap I wanna see The difference in us honestly Fightin white supremacy While chasin money power cheeks Yall really bout this revolution and equality Or just wish that you could split The pie and get the biggest piece All colors creeds Gay bisexual straight Every man upon the planet Walks a privileged way Peep that wisdom from our sisters Mister get off the stage Take a seat and take some notes As women gift us with rage It’s difficult to listen Even harder to change But I know a God with power To call men up out the grave Don’t need no fake religion Homies frontin like they godly All these Huxtables is really Undercover Cosbys Even Cosby is not too destitute for grace But the truth can’t set you free If you keep lyin out yo face Just admit it I got plenty dirt and blood on my hands I done hurt so many of my family Lovers and friends Consequences when you foolish Can’t always restore the ruins But you can build something new If you switch up the way you movin I’ll never be the brother That I shoulda been to Ariel But a lot of younger chirren Really countin on me now I’ll keep it real I aint the quickest to change A tortoise on you hares But you should see where I came The Lord is able To make an Abel out of a Cain I still be messin up But not defined by my mistakes A righteous man get up Every time he fall on his face Steady learnin I’m determined And love is never too late I been checkin my heart I been diggin so deep Tell me what kinda man Am I really gon be Whenever I fall I get back on my feet By the grace of my God Ima be a new me I been checkin my heart I been diggin so deep Tell me what kinda man Am I really gon be Whenever I fall I get back on my feet By the grace of my God Ima be a new me Talk is cheap I don't need your compliments Or your flattery Treat women disgusting but you frontin and callin me queen You only friendly Because you feelin my steeze Your kindness would disappear If you didn't want in my jeans I'm making moves Got visions and prophesies Foolish if you think we just be feinin For diamonds rings Don't want no sugar daddy I'm growin some healthy greens Get up outa my lane Or invest in the dream Need homies and business partners Who aint tryin to hit it But committed to equality And leverage their privilege To help women raise to leadership They try to omit us Even when we more than capable And doing it better I'm so tired of oppression I aint come here to ask I'm demanding that you give us What we already have Dignity and that's it Aint no need to protect Just stop preying on us And I'm pretty sure we'll be set Shouldn’t have to be your Momma wifey daughter or sis To receive respect and honor Every human should get I been checkin my heart I been diggin so deep Tell me what kinda man Am I really gon be Whenever I fall I get back on my feet By the grace of my God Ima be a new me Aye talk is cheap You see the The strange flesh Had turned us to strange fruits You treat me estranged Yet I still pick you like strange roots Community full of pain And the stigma like stained juice We joint but remain loose And it feel like the same noose Check your heart at the thought of me Check your mouth when you joke And why your pride in your money Knowing they keeping us broke Why I tip toe around yo ego In my Jordans You don't wanna talk about it Talk about avoidance Know money power don't mean respect You need to wake up And love if I'm a bitch Cause I don't like you Need to shape up Think men show no emotion But you really wear yo heart on yo sleeve Don't need to argue bout respect We need to learn how to grieve And we can't climb out of this hole If the shovels is still digging We lack but we still winning We Black but we still women They label us angry Them mean Queen Corettas We the daughters of slaves And the wives of female forgetters I been checkin my heart I been diggin so deep Tell me what kinda man Am I really gon be Whenever I fall I get back on my feet By the grace of my God Ima be a new me I been checkin my heart I been diggin so deep Tell me what kinda man Am I really gon be Whenever I fall I get back on my feet By the grace of my God Ima be a new me