How to Survive the Streets

From the slums with no hope, they called us ignorant. I remember grinding, having nothing, just crumbs. The mission was simple: make it out. We sold drugs, scraped by. Now I pull up, seat laid back. Everybody shows love now, but where was that love in the past? I can't change how I'm living. I'm tired of running from police, just trying to get paid. That's how we was raised. Summer time, bring the drums out like a parade. Left the old life, time to slide. You better move fast, because once that chopper sprays, there's no remorse. I got people laying in graves. Running out of options, I closed my eyes and prayed, trying to find the best route like I'm stuck in a maze. I started rapping, got a check. But I still got people in them traps.

I just pray to God they forgive me. I did something wrong, they want to kill me. I got soldiers in them trenches ready to drill for me. But if they all die for me, who's going to live with me? Now I got all this money, they want to chill with me. New car, new phone, pocket full of blue strips. I let you around and you changed immediately. I put my pain into my music, it's only for the healing. Why you come around if you ain't with me? I just count my blessings.

I got issues. I'm losing all my loved ones. I miss you. I hope you got that money I sent. The drugs messed up my mental. I'm not just rapping; I'm talking about what I've been through. I repent too. When the fame comes, everybody acts like they know you. I want real trust. I stand true to myself, but I feel like I'm losing myself. Taking all my time, abusing myself. I got to watch the ones you call family. It be the one you call your dog.

Hard times make you. Hold on to that pain. I know to keep my head. Them hard times be the best lessons. Took me a minute to realize I was blessed. Full of pain and stress, but I'm too busy chasing success. The fame won't change me. My therapist knows—I'm somewhere between saint and depressed. I'm traumatized, putting angels to rest. I got to deal with my health. There was a time I thought about killing myself. I'm blessed, I guess. They want to see me down, but I ain't going. You just got to wait on your time. I'm paranoid. My brother died with his gun. Just remember me when it's all said and done. You get wiser as you grow older. They say God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. A wise man told me it's about survival. No time to relax.

Some days I want to snap, some days I want to chill. Some days I want to rap, some days I don't. I ain't trying to pop a pill. Some days I love life, and some days I don't want to live. I've been crying. They don't know how I feel. Just stay down and stay real, or you can end up here. Twenty-two years old this year. What else to do? They never gave me nothing, so ain't nothing left for me to give. When everybody you love is gone, nothing else to do but live. I keep pushing. Just did a show, killed it, left it all in the building. They speak on what they think they know. I'm offended. You living in a whole other world. This is just the beginning.

I got folks in the hood. They laugh, surprised when I come through. I can't promise I ain't leaving. Angels on them, we ride on these demons. When things got harder, I went harder. I needed a dollar. Now they on me, don't bother. I ain't a scholar, just trying to add it all up. The hate never brought me down. I say forget them. I'mma be this way.

Couple hundred thousand just to spin. I still got some in the bank. Hit the jeweler, cop diamonds. Don't care who ain't down. I know who is. Let them talk. Hit the block, handle business. Just signed a deal. I'm in the bricks every day. High stakes, jail calls. I can't go back. You know they told me secrets I can't tell. That's the game. Came straight up off the block. I'm a real one. My brother got jammed, he kept it solid. He's real. I got people down to catch a body, that's for real. I cut you off if you ain't real. No hard feelings. Every day I'm obsessed. I just put my kids first. I put designer on my feet. Check how I'm walking. Might drop some on my teeth. Check how I'm talking. We on your street at night. We creep, we don't sleep. Life is awesome, baby. Probably make your life a living hell. It's going to cost you.

They watch what I do and follow, they know I'm a leader. I don't need to call for help. When I get it, that's when I'm leaving. I came in here ready. Turn me up so you can hear me through your speaker. You know how to work that. Why you switch up every day? Why you change on me? We'll never fall out over nonsense. They won't hesitate to blow, just to let you know. Back in the trenches, I'm in control. So much pain, can't take no more. They go insane. I give it all till it ain't no more. I took it all. When I ask, they do the most. When things spin, they make a move. That's how we know. I don't want nobody around me, leave me alone. Them young ones around you leaving them. They watch and follow.

I want these chains around me. I got the game. I still got dreams to reach. Plenty thoughts in my head, scared to release. I love my haters. My name is Papa. Nice to meet you. I don't like to talk. These broken pieces, you can't put me together. This is real. No lies. Murder masterpiece. They call me when they making peace. Pull up, doors open, they see tension. We playing defense. They watch and follow.

Come outside, I'm pulling up. I want to talk to you. Come ride with me. I want to tell you how I'm feeling. Shout out, but it's going down in the city. These records know it's shooting. They've been killing the innocent. Before that day comes, I don't want to have you with me, because I'm with you for the long way. That's why I keep my distance. So don't take it personal every time I go missing. Before I can have you by my side, it's FaceTime kisses. I hope you feel me. Before you hop in, are you down with me? Before you buckle up, are you down to know my loyalty? Don't ask me about no side. I want you to trust. I know it's hard when I'm lit. I'm trying to get it. It ain't all about that. I want to tell you my wishes. When you ain't thinking about us, I'm sending FaceTime kisses. Whatever you want.

I've been back and forth between love and war. Last time I was in love was with my daughter. I ain't trust nothing, but I'm alright. I know you've been waiting up. I'm on the way. You ask me by my day. I said I wasn't promising nothing. You don't like when I talk like that, but I'm just being honest. You told me you wasn't raised that way, but you like being punished. So come on. I'm running up money. Come ride with me, baby. I want you to feel me before you hop in. Before you buckle up, realize you're down. Know my loyalty. Don't ask about no side. I want you to trust. I know it's hard. I can't depend on you to get what I'm trying to get. It ain't all about that. I want to tell you my wish. I'm sending FaceTime kisses. Whatever you want. You can have whatever you want.

Five AM in Miami. Parking lot, just me and my brother. We just vibing. Nightmares with demons, fighting for my last brother. It's messed up. I'm the last real one left. Ain't got nobody but my son. When I stayed, you left. When I was up, you slept. How many secrets I kept, how many people I helped. I ain't the type to speak on what I did. I want Grammys on the shelf. I ain't stopping. Five in the morning in Miami, me and my brother, nobody else. I ain't trying to show my dark side. I ain't really with the dissing, because that gets people killed. I don't listen to it. I come around to my side of town, it's a hundred rounds each. I've been away. I don't drink. I know her knees hurt. I feel like I need her. She feel like she need me. Lately, I've been thinking. I need my people to work. All her kids deserve it. That's why I go hard, put my heart in every verse. Do this for the squad. Hopping in cars, putting in work. Got home, my head hurt. I held it in. First born cursed. Nightmares, demons, fighting for my last brother. It's messed up. Ain't got nobody but myself. How many secrets I kept, how many people I helped. I want Grammys. Five in the morning, me and my brother. We been going for a week, ain't sleeping. I know she's a freak. I know you want me to pay for it. Why you lying? Get on the block with demons and dope. Don't tell nobody if you see me. Don't wake me up, feel like I'm dreaming. I just roll one, let all the pain go. All my people are bad ones. This ain't the same. How to act like you having fun without letting the pain show. They only love you when it's beneficial. They only want to see you living when they living with you. They might report your page, crop you out the picture. Think about my angels every day. It's hard not to miss them. Nightmares with demons.

I don't know why I trust. I smoke, and I need you to be my first lady. It ain't your birthday, but I need you. I don't mix business. Get mad when you can't come. Too many things on this. When she mad, she don't listen to my music. She misses me. I'm packing, my flight's in the morning. Forgive me, I ain't annoying you. When I finish performing, whatever you name, I promise we got a spot. I need you in the bank, baby, I be on it. I got all my brothers with me, but I'm still alone. Can't lie, I need you here to hold. Plenty tell me they different. Got to show me. Tell me I'm switching when they don't know me. I just get my bag. I got to leave in the morning. I see you're on it. I'ma give you love before I get on it. I know you're the best, everything I wanted. I see you're honest. Don't compare me to the others. I got glass switches. I ran up another. I know all these people. I'ma take my time, because it won't be another picture. You on the road, I wish I was there for you. I'm with the bros, but I got my weapon if you want it. Ain't no time for packing. I'm gone, flight in the morning. Forgive me. Even when I finish performing, whatever you name, I promise we got a spot. I need in the bank. I got all my brothers split, but I'm still on. Can't lie, I need you here to hold.

I love her, but I can't afford her. You can give her the world, she still want you to spoil her. Gucci, Louis, she won't stop. Still got some that are stepping. They say if you need them, let me know, won't be a problem. Looking for my queen. I'm just trying to know if you're for me, because ain't no need to waste time. Her opinion don't make a dime. She rocking my baby's designer. Don't know what to call her, I call her mine. Being in love, the last time I put you over every thought. First time we been through it all the time. Sunshine, open all the blinds. I know I'ma leave. Another test I got to read. Another test I don't need. When I'm stressing, I bleed. If I ain't resting, I'm going. I don't sleep. I don't speak on the past. I want nothing. He was sweet. He played me, broken heart, I'm done with it. I'm about to pack and take it back. Want to be on the private jet. I'm trying to have my son with me. Want the world and everything that comes with it. You can give her the world, she still want you to spoil her. Gucci, she want the pride. Still got some that are stepping. Looking for my queen. I'm just trying to know if you're for me. Her opinion don't make a dime. She rocking torture, my little baby designer. Don't know what to call her, I call her mine. Being in love, I put you over every thought. I be looking for you all the time. God knows it all the time. It ain't my fault they blaming me. Therefore, every fault is mine. Know you want to see me, so I hit you on FaceTime, because I ain't got time. You want me to make time? Why don't they break their back for me the way I break mine? Heard it through the grapevine. You love the way I break spines. I don't know why they lying. That ain't mine. I'm not a sucker for that. That's why they dying. I been in my crying. When I know she gets to crying, it's way harder. You can give her the world, she still want you to spoil her. Gucci, she won't lose. Still got some that are stepping. You say if you need him, let me know, won't be a problem. Looking for my queen. I'm just trying to know if you're for me. Her opinion don't make a dime. She rocking torture, my little baby designer.

Don't try to play me. I ain't no joke. Still running with them. Why they doing all that knowing they ain't real? I knew I was crazy when I watched my brother. Want to be a star, try to see the problems that came with it. I've been trying to tell them, they ain't get it. I don't know why. I'm just trying to remain humble. I seen it change the rest. You fall, but don't stay down. I'm a soldier to my mama. Anything happy bound to happen. I know it's coming, so I ain't tripping. I'm okay. I know it's coming. Don't just pay for what you want. Remember what you told me. I'm a soldier. I'm just waiting on the day I see my truth, and I ain't talking about no Grammy. Just being honest. That can't compare to my granny. Only one understands. Now you know it. I'm grateful for where I'm at. Don't care about the gold plaque. That can't bring my people back. I'm just being honest. We still shining. That ain't helping with the problems I got. Other day I check my DM, ask me where my chains at. I still got them. What's the problem? I'm a real one with or without. Be the one to set the trend. You know the real ones don't fall. Might pull up back to back. Make sure you get away. Hit the interstate. Let the bait sit. I went this way. Nineteen, making my way. Try not to let a lot in. You got to post, but they ain't got to see the same struggle. How I got a dude doing what he do, but they ain't rapping. I'm in the city trying to get the bag. Remember what you told me. I'm a soldier. Waiting on the day I see my truth. I ain't talking about no Grammy. Just being honest. That can't compare to my granny. Only one understands. I'm grateful for where I'm at. Don't care about the gold plaque. That can't bring my people back. I'm just being honest. We still shining.

Take medication for pain, for peace. Take a flight, I'll be gone from morning through night. Say if I leave in the storm, I won't never come back. Harder to say when you're young, you live a hell of a life. I live a hell of a life. You only live once. I don't think I can do this twice. Trying to heal for money, but I don't think I'm doing this right. They want to see me stunt, but I don't know what I'm doing. As the world turns, this can get confusing, but I keep going. Yeah, I keep moving. It's like I'm trying to keep going, but I can't win for losing. Just forgive me if I lose it. I don't mean no harm. Try to tell you I'm the one. When you come from nothing, you know I already won. I like my style, but I can hear you. Heard they plan on creeping, but they ain't creeping. Cemeteries,