[Intro: Dr. Dre]
This one is for my brother, Tyree – R.I.P
A message to God
[Verse 1: Dr. Dre]
Since you finishing 'em early, what possessed you to start him?
We made a vow – later we'll regret 'til death do us part
Lord, I thought we was made for each other
You shouldn't connect those, made to be taken away from each other
Now what I'm supposed to do? I'm only half the man that I was
I'll never last, 'cause my better half is up there with you
You knew what you was doing when you made us
So with all due respect, you coulda forgave him, you didn't have to take him
He can take the game with him, 'cause he defines the word
The one who puts the G in it, who you think put me in it?
I'm feeling like my whole world is blinded, wondering why
Crying, pouring out my heart, pouring out liquor behind it
We fought like brothers, something we never should do
We coulda used time spent arguing telling the truth
He had talent too – I had plans on watching him blow
Don't know what hurts more, seeing him leave, or watching him go
[Chorus: Mary J. Blige]
Listen, listen, listen (Listen)
Listen, listen, listen (Better listen)
Listen, listen, listen
Listen
[Post-Chorus: Rell & Mary J. Blige]
If you wan' know why (Why I live my life)
The way that I do ('Cause I got to get this money)
So don't worry about me ('Cause I know my way around)
I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper
[Verse 2: Dr. Dre]
You's a soldier, you're probably packing heat up there
Met up with homies from the street, and got deep up there
If you only knew the way I felt before they ruined the crew
I thought I learned from Eazy, now I'm going through it with you
We lost a thug, a son, and a father
I spoke to your son, the other day, and told him Uncle Dre got him
The Lord must be accidentally pulling your file
'Cause I'm still paging you "9-1-1" – straight in denial
Prayin' you get it, but no man can choose the card he was dealt
You either quit, or you gon' play it like you get it
I done been through all emotions, from in shock, to keeping a poker face
To straight breaking down and showing all emotions
From anxious to believing real G's don't cry
If that's the truth, then I'm realizing I ain't no gangsta
It's just not me, but you know I'ma always ride wit you
I miss you, sometimes I wish I just died with you
[Chorus: Mary J. Blige]
Listen, listen, listen (Listen)
Listen, listen, listen (Better listen)
Listen, listen, listen
Listen
[Post-Chorus: Rell & Mary J. Blige]
If you wan' know why (Why I live my life)
The way that I do (Cause I got to get this money)
So don't worry about me (Don't worry, don't worry)
I'm just hustlin' everyday, runnin' this race, makin' this paper
[Outro: Mary J. Blige]
Listen
If you don't know why you better listen up right now
Listen, listen, listen, listen
Listen, listen
Listen, listen, children, listen
I'm tryin' to tell you somethin' good
Don't get caught up in the hood, yeah
If you don't know why
You gotta find out the reason why
Brother, brother
