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She was only 15 in love with bad R 'n' B
She had to have vision 'cause she saw the star in me
Encouraged me to write about the drama in my life
To most that seems strange like something wasn't right
I used to fall a victim to the lunchroom comedians
Somethin' like a outcast
Started smokin' weed and then

I sorta fell into my own
Kind of felt at home when behind the microphone

But on the bus ride home that didn't mean a thing
Harassed by the thugs on the corners they would hang
I got banged on  I got beat down
Carrying a golf club walking up the street now
They respect me  they call me crazy
At least I'm not gettin' punked out on the daily
And when I look back I wouldn't change a thing at all
Where do you think
I found the strength to be speakin' to y'all
I'll take everything in this life
(Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)

I'll join everyone when I die
(From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)

God is love then hatin' is Satan
'Cause then tight patients got me sitin' here waitin'
On the day when it's okay to love
When black men won't pretend that they are thugs
When teachers and doctors are treated like celebrities

You could get a job even if you got a felony
Check out my melody  let's live in harmony
We're in this together  no man has economy
No man is an island  immune to the violence
This rap race is no place to raise a child in
What's wrong with smilin'
What's wrong with peace
What's wrong with squashin' beef
Before they label you deceased

Swallow your pride before your choke on your issues
I know you got family and folks that'll miss you
So don't misuse this gift you've been given
This life is but a dream  you are blessed to be livin'
I'll take everything in this life
(Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)
I'll join everyone when I die
(From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)

And basically  man
I'm just a dude that tries to do right
You know I try to make my
My tomorrows better than my yesterdays

Without  without hurtin' anyone else in the process
'Cause if you leave the world a better place
Then it was when you got here then we all win
Now there's birth
And there's death but the space in between us
Where the journey takes place and you give it all meanin'
It's waitin' on us all  there's no need to pretend
No feedom in the feelin' where you're fearin' the end
All good things come to it  walk don't run to it
Times you want to end it yourself  don't do it
Be original  be different
Be the one to stand up and shock this system
I'll take everything in this life
(Your hopes and your dreams and your hate and your lies)

I'll join everyone when I die
(From the old and the wise to the young that stay fly)
I'll take everything in this life
I'll join everyone 'cause all men die