[Verse 1: Bashy]
Yo, Black boys, Black boys, yeah, we're all Black boys
I can't stop screaming it
I could have left my version and done, took the glory
I said "nah, I'm not leaving it"
It's bigger than just having me on it, 'cause
We need the whole scene on it
So if you ain't done a version, send me your email
I'll send you the beat so you can breathe on it
Black boys are achieving tings
All around the world back to Stevenage
Take a page from their book, start reading it
Put this track on repeat, start beating it
Start feeling it, Black boys, it's our time
It's not a drеam, believe in it
I wrotе "Black Boys" because we needed it
This is deep shit, guess who I brought for the remix?
[Verse 2: Nolay]
Black men stereotyped for holding MAC-10s
I back them 'til the end 'cause that's my best friend
My boyfriend, my lover, my son and my brother
I love no other above you with the gleam in your eyes
Skin tone the shade of mahogany
I solemnly cried inside when my brother died
But your love for a Black girl made another life
Otherwise I wouldn't be able to smile
Black doctors, teachers, lawyers and preachers
Athletes, you deserve some credibility
'Cause you've got the ability
To move mountains, my love for you overflows like a fountain
Don't judge or doubt him 'cause he's a Black boy
You don't know nothing about him
We rose from the shackles and chains, hassle and pain
Battling shame, remember the name, Black boy
Say it again, Black boy
You're a braveheart on the straight path, no arms, gotta stay calm
So when they wanna try stop you, they can't
Know your roots and keep on growing like a plant
'Cause you ain't gotta be something you aren't
Say "I know I can" or your name ain't Nas
'Cause there's no such thing as "no, I can't", Black boy
[Verse 3: Durrty Goodz]
Black man rise, Black man live up
Black man strive, Black man don't give up
We're 10% of the population in Britain
But we're three quarters of the population in prison
Shout out to the poor Black kids with a vision
And for those tryna get the picture like celebrities on television
Thinking of a way of better living
It's simple, the road code is stop, look and listen
None of us ain't gotta cook crack up in the kitchen
All of us ain't gotta get a strap and go on missions
See, there's more ways to stack; look in your culture
See, there's more ways to being Black
And forget the government and New Era caps
Find something, invest, you'll get cheddar back
And everyone ain't gotta come on the track to be an artist
So I'ma hit the track like Mark Lewis-Francis
Regardless of stereotypical garbage
There's bruddas still spreading the love outside the heartless
Send a request to all the young baby fathers
Big up your chest, you know you take care of your daughters
What are they saying? We just all look alike?
It's time we show 'em through the darkness to the light
Look, we're gonna make it and that's for sure
If you're a Black man then let it show
[Verse 4: Skepta]
Yep, I'm speaking on behalf of myself and Jamie
We sold over ten thousand CDs
In HMV, over six thousand T-shirts
Not to mention performing at Glastonbury and V
Daytime radio still don't wanna play me
But if I shot somebody
They would make sure my name was heard on the radio daily
You never see the good side of us in the papers
So I'm not surprised when I frighten the neighbours
I pour out a little drink for my Black people that died
For stepping on someone's trainers
Life used to be priceless, believe me
But now I'm worth the same as a pair of crep
Anything from £199.99 to a pinky
I was that little Black boy in the '90s
Listening to 90.6, Fonti, Bushkin and Mighty
Moved on a couple years, then it was Dizzee Rascal and Wiley
Now watch out for us man on the frontline
Roll Deep, Shadow Demon Coalition
Boy Better Know and the Meridian Bloodline, one time
[Verse 5: Ty]
Okay now, who set the trends that they tend to buss?
Then they turn around and sell it back to us
Black boy, you're bigger than you think you are
And much further than they thought you could be
And I know they don't portray you right on TV
But if you fight for the right, we could be
And I know you don't have your rightful place on planet Earth
But if you don't know your worth, why should we?
I should say put the guns down but that sounds too boring
Put the puns down 'cause the people are snoring
And I don't feel good about watching you upset
When the world is [?]
In the world is more than a ghetto
Playing tough don't get you a medal that you can use
Everyday is a gamble if you will lose
Be strong, only you can walk in your shoes
[Chorus: Bashy]
'Cause we're all Black boys, Black boys, yeah we're all Black boys
And one day we're gonna be Black men
And one day we might have Black boys
And we gotta teach them to be Black men
Black boys, Black boys, yeah we're all Black boys
And one day we're gonna be Black men
And one day we might have Black boys
And we gotta teach them to be Black men
[Post-Chorus: Loick Essien]
Ooh, child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child
Things will get brighter
Ooh, child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child
Things will get brighter